I woke up early the next morning. The noise coming from downstairs was too hard to bear. Even though it was early, I could hear loud voices coming from the pub.

I got up from the creaky bed. I looked to my right.

‐”We had to leave early to look for information. Please enjoy the sandwiches I made. I hope you like them.

Erica.”

“Ooh~”

I dug right in and lavished in the delicious taste of turkey on bread. Sauce in this world is expensive so there was only seasoning on the bread.

After putting on my robe and packing my lunchbox, I headed out.

Nate apparently left with the girls. He might be fishing for points with Princess Charlotte. Who wouldn’t? She could even become queen in the future and that means the people she trusts the most will get the most benefits.

“Erdall street…?”

I looked at the drawing of the building Helen drew. The building was next to the South gate.

‘Am I too early?’

No one was there when I arrived.

I ordered milk from the uncle that worked in the bar while I sat and waited for them.

“Ah, he’s here.”

Just then, a friendly voice came from the door. I looked and saw the martial artist, Paula standing there. She had a big smile on her face.

“Let’s go, kid. The whole team gathered.”

I quickly finished my milk and left after paying.

“Wow.”

There were about 14 people from what I could tell. None of them looked weak.

‘So these are adventurers.’

“Listen up! I’ll be explaining further how we will raid this dungeon! Yesterday was just the strategy for the battle to come. I hope all our mages are prepared!”

I saw about three mages in the joint party. A woman with brown hair and two other men from the other party.

Is that woman Sheila? She was wearing a badge similar to the one our leader was wearing.

“Sorry we’re late!”

Billy and Lucy came running towards us. Their appearance looked messy. Bill passed by me and I noticed a smell of sweat and other bodily fluids.

Helen looked at Lucy in utter disgust. The latter just acted like she didn’t notice Helen’s glare.

‘Paula mentioned that Billy and Raymond have tasted her before…’

I thought she meant like only once. I never expected them to be those kinds of friends.

“Miss Sheila over there is an Intermediate rank mage, so the two of you will be under her command.”

“”Yes sir!”

A guy wearing luxurious armour pointed at the mages.

“Is that alright with you, miss Helen?”

He asked with a charming smile.

“Whatever. I don’t have the qualifications to lead mages anyway, Jered.” Helen spoke coldly and prepared her weapon and armour.

So his name is Jered, huh.

I looked to the one named Sheila. She wore a cliché outfit amongst mages. A purple robe and a magician’s hat.

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Intermediate rank mage. It meant she had the same power and knowledge as a fourth year student at the academy.

Not only that, she gave off the aura of a veteran as well. I could tell that she was an experienced adventurer.

“Let’s depart, everyone!”

I picked up the bags along with the other porters and we set forth for the dungeon raid.

◇◇◇

My staff was attached to my back in case I need to fight during an emergency.

“What a strong magical essence.”

Undine appeared next to me and whispered as she looked around the dungeon cave. We came to a dungeon located in the forest near the capital.

-What do you mean?

I spoke to her in my mind.

-Well, normally with dungeons of this rank the energy should be weaker but this is unnatural. It’s like the dungeon boss grew stronger after being affected by some strange supernatural energy.

‘Don’t tell me the Red Abyss’ miasma is already affecting monsters.’

The dungeon is known to be the biggest in the entire world and connects all dungeons together. It wouldn’t be strange if strong monsters were attracted to its rich mana.

-So the danger escalated?

-No, I can’t be sure. Most times it’s just a very big mana core inside a dungeon giving off this much magical energy. I can’t ask the spirits since they aren’t as abundant as outside.

“Game faces on!”

The leader of the other party, Jered shouted and glowed in a blue aura. He unsheathed his sword and charged at the goblin soldier that came around the corner.

“Think that the monsters are lurking around every corner so be careful.”

I saw a few of his members look at him in admiration. The girls were looking at him as if they had hearts in their eyes.

Lucy’s stare was also passionate.

“Lets proceed further.”

Helen grumbled.

Jered followed after us with his party.

We encountered many different monsters. Although not very big ones. I found this weird because stronger monsters are mostly many in number in a dungeon.

We rested occasionally when our scouts went to check around the area. About four hours passed by with nothing special happening.

“Hm? What’s that light?”

Sheila, who put mana into her eyes remarked.

I looked as well and saw a type of gold light shining on the cave walls. It was a brilliant ray of light that illuminated the tunnel.

“Treasure!”

Billy ran ahead and went through the door the light was coming from.

We ran from behind. Since I had bags on my shoulders, it took awhile for me to catch up.

I heard several people gasped when we entered the huge space.

What appeared behind the door was countless treasures. Gold, silver, diamonds, and all sorts of other items. There were also robes and armour. The weapons had a high quality shine that makes it look expensive.

‘Who the hell brought all this here?’

“What is this…?”

While the others were playing around I the gold coins, Helen had a dumfounded look on her face.

At that moment, a boom followed by a strong rumble rang out.

“Shit!”

It was a huge fireball heading for the ones playing in the treasures.

“I can’t cast fast enough! Get out of there!” Shelia shouted at the others.

-Undine!

-Yes!

When they were looking at the huge flame ball dumbfounded, a huge outburst of water shot towards it.

SPLASH

PSSSSS

The fireball was then extinguished. A smokescreen covered the entire room.

“Eh?”

“What happened to the fire?”

I was standing there with my arm raised holding my staff in my hand. Sweat dripped down my chin.

“Phew, made it.”

“”””…..””””

All of them were looking at me with widened eyes.

“Focus in the monster! That attack earlier could’ve killed them so I’m sure it’s a strong monster!”

Grrrrr…..

A low growl rang out. Just that single growl reached into the depths of my stomach.

Then just as I looked to where it came from, a huge pair of red eyes stared right back at me.

I shivered.

-Dragon! We must get out of here!

Undine shouted.

-Shit. Can’t you take it on?

-Yes but if I do, I don’t know if I’ll be able to protect everyone. Water magic is weak if I use too little but if I use too much then this cave will collapse.

“D…Dragon…”

Billy stepped back fearfully.

He fell on his butt when the dragon’s head peeked out of the darkness. I didn’t notice it, but the lighting was very dim. Instead of being cautious, we went into the room without any suspicion of a monster hiding.

-Undine, what is my chance against a dragon of this type?

-I’m afraid it’s only 4%, master.

‘Fuck, we need to run while Undine takes care of it.’

I was about to warn Helen but then I saw her eyes. It was the eyes of a killer.

“Battle formations…”

She said with a dangerous tone in her voice.

Grrr…..

The dragon slowly rose to its feet.

It was at least 20 metres tall.

“Battle formations!!”

Helen then unsheathed her saber and got into a stance.

“You heard her! Battle formations!”

Jered shouted with equal vigour.

“You may sit back. I acknowledge your skills from earlier but… this is unexpected. Run. All of you!”

Helen looked at me and the porters that stood next to me. They had pale expressions while looking at the dragon. One even peed herself while crying.

I gripped my staff.

Roooooar!!

“GO NOW–“

WHOOOOSH!!!

BOOM!

BOOM!!

BOOM!!

Three large compressed balls of winds were thrown at the dragon. It was so strong that the dragon lost its footing and crashed against the wall. A large boulder fell on top of its tail.

ROAR!!!!!!

“There’s no way I’m letting all this treasure go.”

The activation of Lightborn would have to wait. I could only use it once without repercussions. I didn’t know what would happen if I use it a second time after that. Undine kept telling me to not do it.

“Clyde…” Helen then smiled. “Then let’s do this!”

Rooooar!!!!

The dragon didn’t attempt another Dragon’s Breath and only recklessly charged.

Its aim was me. Well, I was the one who threw him with three powerful wind magic spells.

Before it could even swipe its claw at me, I release another ball of wind.

ROOOAR….!!!