Elara's lungs burned as she ran alongside the trio, her legs pumping furiously to keep up with their faster pace and longer legs. The sound of a deep, guttural growl echoed from behind them, causing a shiver to run down her spine. Suddenly, Tirn came to an abrupt halt, and she nearly collided with his broad back. As she regained her balance, she took in their surroundings. They had entered a large clearing, devoid of trees and other obstacles. She wondered how he had known where to find such a spot, but there was no time to ponder the question.

Esme and Tirn positioned themselves in the center of the clearing, their stances wide and ready for combat. They maintained a distance of about five meters between them, creating a formidable line of defense. Ignatius grasped Elara's upper arm, his grip firm but not painful, and dragged her to a position behind the two warriors. She realized that he was placing her at the furthest point from whatever beast they had angered, ensuring her safety. The sound of thundering hooves and deep grunts reached her ears, growing louder with each passing second. She watched as Ignatius raised his staff; the tip glowing with a compressed orb of red energy the size of a golf ball. Flames swirled around the orb, dancing and flickering in the air.

With his left hand, Ignatius held the staff steady, while his right hand hovered behind the glowing orb. She watched in fascination as he dragged his hand back, causing the orb to stretch, as if he were manipulating its very shape. Elara's heart raced as she watched the scene unfold before her. She felt the urge to help, to contribute in some way to the impending battle. "Should I help?" she asked, her voice barely audible above the approaching sounds of the beast.

Ignatius shook his head, his gaze never leaving the direction of the threat. "No," he replied, his tone firm but not unkind. "Stay back. You would only get in the way of our teamwork."

She nodded, recognizing the wisdom in his words. She knew that she lacked the experience and coordination to assist the trio effectively in combat. Instead, she prepared herself to intervene if something were to go wrong. With awe, she beheld an enraged boar crashing through the trees, its eyes glowing a menacing red. The beast was trice as large as the Rage Boars they had encountered earlier, and it charged towards them, tusks leading the way with terrifying ferocity. Ignatius released his right hand and the orb of fire shot across the clearing with a thunderous bang. The flaming projectile struck the boar's head, creating a massive explosion that caused the beast to screech out. Despite the attack, the boar continued its charge, its fur on the head and neck now singed black from the blast.

Tirn dashed toward the boar, veering to the left at the last moment to evade the charging beast. With remarkable agility, he leaped onto its front leg, scrambling atop the creature and deftly maintaining his balance as it continued its frenzied charge. At the same time, Esme deftly positioned herself on the opposite side of the boar, her grip firm on the massive hammer clasped in both hands. With a calculated swing, she brought the hammer crashing down onto the charging beast's front leg as it surged forward. The impact reverberated through the air, the resounding boom echoing throughout the clearing.

The sheer force of the impact launched Esme backward, her body hurtling through the air before she managed to regain her footing with a swift twist. Her boots dug deep into the earth as she fought to steady herself, muscles straining against the momentum. Meanwhile, the boar veered off its trajectory, its charge disrupted by the powerful blow, no longer barreling towards Ignatius and Elara. As Esme swiftly regained her balance, her gaze remained fixed on the enraged boar. With determination etched on her face, the warrior anticipated the beast's next move. As the creature halted its charge and redirected its fury towards them, Esme sprang into action. Positioning herself protectively between the boar and where Elara and Ignatius stood, she brandished her hammer, poised for the next clash.

Elara's eyes widened in astonishment as Tirn, perched atop the boar's neck, unleashed a primal roar. A faint crimson glow shimmered in his eyes, signaling an unearthly strength coursing through him. With a mighty swing, Tirn drove one of his axes deep into the boar's neck, anchoring it firmly to the thrashing creature. Despite the beast's violent struggles, Tirn maintained his grip, using the embedded axe as leverage to stay mounted.

The boar bellowed in fury and agony, its wrath now fixated on the nearest threat, Esme. With thunderous steps, it thundered forward, closing the gap with alarming speed. Esme held her position unwaveringly, her feet planted firmly as she readied her hammer for the impending strike. Elara observed the steely resolve in her gaze as she braced herself to target the boar's other front leg.

As Ignatius stood by Elara's side, his hands lifted, palms upturned. The surrounding atmosphere seemed to heat up, a tangible warmth enveloping them as the mage harnessed his energy, readying himself to unleash another blaze of fire upon the enraged creature. Elara observed with a mixture of awe and apprehension as Tirn clung to the boar's neck, his grip firm on the axe embedded in the creature's flesh. With a primal ferocity, he swung his free axe in a frenzied assault, targeting any spot on the beast's body. The boar, thrashing wildly, bellowed in agony and fury, its movements growing increasingly frantic as it sought to dislodge its relentless assailant.

Meanwhile, the boar thundered toward Esme with relentless determination, its eyes fixated on the resolute warrior standing in its path. Undaunted, Esme stood her ground, her mighty hammer poised for a decisive blow. As the beast closed in, she executed a swift sideways swing, directing the full force of her weapon at the boar's remaining front leg. The impact reverberated through the air, accompanied by another thunderous boom that resonated throughout the clearing.

Though the force of the collision threatened to throw Esme off balance once more, she managed to maintain her footing, quickly recovering from the impact. With unwavering resolve, she swiftly evaded the boar's retaliatory advance, swiftly maneuvering to a safer position as she is prepared for the next phase of the encounter.

Ignatius raised his hands towards even higher. A deep, crimson glow suffused the ground ten meters ahead, ominous and foreboding. Blinded by its own fury, the boar charged heedlessly, oblivious to the sinister radiance beneath its hooves. As the boar reached the center of the glowing circle, Ignatius lifted his hands higher, his voice rising in a crescendo with excitement. Suddenly, a pillar of fire erupted from the ground, engulfing both the boar and Tirn in its searing embrace.

Elara's eyes widened in shock, her breath catching in her throat as she beheld the breathtaking spectacle. The pillar of fire rose high into the sky, its heat palpable even from a distance. Yet, amidst the initial awe, a chilling realization dawned upon her. Tirn was still on the boar's back when the flames engulfed them both. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. Had Ignatius just unleashed an attack on not only the boar but also his own teammate? The thought sent a chill down her spine, and she found herself questioning the mage's actions.

As the pillar of fire continued to rage, her mind raced with questions and concerns. She hoped that Tirn had somehow managed to escape the flames, but the sight of the fire consuming both the beast and the warrior left her with a sinking feeling in her stomach. She stared at the raging pillar of fire, her heart pounding in her chest as she watched the flames consume both the boar and Tirn. She couldn't tear her eyes away from the scene, her mind racing with thoughts of the warrior's fate.

Ignatius, still standing beside her, spoke without turning in her direction. "Tirn does not need you worrying about him," he said, his voice filled with a hint of excitement from unleashing such a powerful attack. "He's a berserker, and everyone in our team has a very high fire resistance."

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Elara turned to look at the mage, her eyes wide with surprise. "Really?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

He nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Tirn will only be a bit singed, but he'll be fine."

She felt a wave of relief wash over her, but it was quickly followed by a sense of embarrassment. She felt a bit stupid for not having thought about the possibility of the team having resistances to the elements they frequently encountered in battle. It made perfect sense, especially considering the seemingly powerful magic Ignatius wielded.

As the pillar of fire began to dissipate, she squinted her eyes, trying to catch a glimpse of Tirn amidst the smoke and embers. She held her breath, waiting for the warrior to emerge from the aftermath of the devastating attack. Slowly, the smoke cleared, revealing the scorched remains of the boar. Its once-mighty form was now a blackened husk, its flesh seared by the intense heat of Ignatius' magic. And there, standing atop the fallen beast, was Tirn.

The warrior's leather armor and pelt were singed and blackened in places, but he appeared to be largely unharmed. He stood tall, his axes still gripped tightly in his hands, a fierce grin on his face. She couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the sight of Tirn emerging from the flames, a testament to his strength and resilience. She had not spoken with Tirn yet. He seemed more of a stoic type, but seeing him fight made her consider him in a new light.

As Tirn made his way back to the group, she found herself marveling at the incredible teamwork and coordination the trio displayed. She knew that she still had much to learn, but she was grateful for the opportunity to witness such skilled adventurers in action. She watched as Esme laughed heartily, her eyes fixed on Tirn, who was covered in the boar's blood. "Did you have fun riding that beast, Tirn?" Esme asked, her voice filled with amusement.

Tirn, his face stoic as ever, simply rubbed his neck with a blood-covered hand and looked down, avoiding Esme's gaze. Esme's laughter only grew louder at his reaction, and she turned to face Ignatius and Elara.

With a grin on her face, Esme asked, "So, Alira, what did you think of our little performance?"

Elara, still in awe of the trio's incredible teamwork, replied, "I've never seen a fight quite like that before. The way you kept the boar away from Ignatius and me, while Tirn dealt damage to it, and then how you all bought time for Ignatius to deliver the final blow... It was amazing, and all with no obvious communication that I could see."

Esme chuckled at her response, clearly still riding the high of the adrenaline rush from the battle. Ignatius, who seemed to be in a particularly good mood after the spectacular display of magic, took the opportunity to explain further.

"You see, Alira," Ignatius began, "such seamless teamwork is built on a deep understanding of each other's abilities and habits when it comes to fighting. We've been an official team for over seven years now, and that time has allowed us to develop a strong sense of each other's strengths and weaknesses."

Elara marveled at the idea of such a long-standing team. She turned to Ignatius and asked, "What do mean with official team? are their teams that are not official?"

She listened intently as he answered her question about official teams. Tirn, seemingly uninterested in the conversation, walked over to the boar's carcass and pulled out a dagger, beginning to skin the large blacked animal.

Ignatius explained, "An official team is one recognized by the Adventuring Guild. We have completed enough missions and have a high enough level to attain the status of an official team. Being an official team allows us to take missions outside of the missions board while still being under the supervision of the Guild."

He continued, "For example, the dungeon we are headed to. Many teams will be there, some official and others will not. And whichever faction or family has taken charge of the dungeon expedition will welcome official teams more than unofficial ones, as we have already proven to be reliable by the Adventuring Guild."

Elara nodded, absorbing the new information. She is surprised that he is mentioning the dungeon. He had made such a fuss about it before. But the concept of official teams and their relationship with the Adventuring Guild was a lot to take in. She watched as Tirn skillfully skinned the boar, his hands moving with practiced precision. Despite Ignatius' explanation, she still had questions. She realized that she didn't fully understand what a dungeon was or what it entailed. The idea of multiple teams, both official and unofficial, gathering at a dungeon expedition piqued her curiosity. Elara turned her attention back to Ignatius.

Considering the group's openness about the dungeon, she decided it would be safe to mention her lack of experience. "I've never actually been to a dungeon before," she admitted, her voice tentative. "How does it work with so many groups involved?"

Ignatius turned to her, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Of course you haven't been to a dungeon," he scoffed, his tone condescending. "Living comfortably in the capital, protected by the walls and barriers. The only thing you had to worry about was if it was going to rain or not."

Elara was taken aback by his tone, but she remained silent as he continued to answer her question. "Taking part in a dungeon expedition is something everyone who levels wants to do," he explained. "Beasts and monsters in a dungeon give more experience, and you're in a large group with other people, which brings some safety. But there's also immense danger if you can't rely on the other teams in the dungeon."

He paused, his gaze intense. "That's why it's important to take official teams with you rather than not. You never know when a team decides that the experience points from the monsters aren't enough, and they start going after the exploration teams. You can gain a lot of experience points by killing other people."

Elara gulped, a chill running down her spine. She had suspected that gaining experience points from killing was possible, but hearing it confirmed was a harrowing thought. The idea of leveling by targeting other people made her stomach churn. As she processed this new information, she couldn't help but wonder about the dynamics between the various teams in a dungeon. The thought of teams turning on each other for the sake of experience points was unsettling, and she found herself questioning the morality of such actions.

Intrigued by Ignatius' explanation, she asked, "What did you mean when you said a faction or family will take charge of the dungeon expedition?"

Esme jumped in, eager to answer the question. "Dungeons are a hot commodity, Alira," she explained, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "Many people dream of having a dungeon for themselves. When someone finds a dungeon but is uninterested in exploring it themselves, maybe because their level is too low or the level of the beasts in the dungeon is too low, they often sell the location."

Esme continued, "In the Empire, it's nearly always the Emperor that buys the dungeon locations and then distributes them to the noble families based on merit. They then use the dungeon to train their people. Sometimes the Adventuring Guild also buys the location of dungeons, or a team finds one. That's when we have the chance to join an expedition."

Elara, absorbing the information, asked, "Is that the case here?"

Esme laughed heartily, her grin revealing her teeth. "No, that's not the case here," she said, clearly amused by the situation. "The location was leaked. The Blackwood Family has gotten this dungeon bestowed to them by the Emperor, but one of the younger sons of the family couldn't keep his mouth shut and spilled the beans. So now we're here, and other teams will also be there."

Esme's satisfaction was evident as she explained further, "If the Blackwood Family takes charge, they will hopefully look favorably on a team from the Adventuring Guild."

Elara nodded, understanding some of the complexities of the situation. The idea of a leaked dungeon location and the potential for multiple teams to converge on the site was both exciting and daunting. She watched as Tirn finished skinning parts of the boar, wrapping the tusk in the seared hide and throwing it over his shoulder with ease. She couldn't help but stare, finding the display of pure strength and skill rather attractive. Tirn, noticing her gaze, quickly turned away, his eyes fixed on the ground.

Esme, observing the interaction, clasped Elara on the shoulder. "We should keep heading to the village," she said, a hint of amusement in her voice. Elara, snapping out of her momentary daze, nodded in agreement. "What's the name of the village?" she asked.

Esme shrugged, a grin on her face. "I have no clue," she admitted. "It was the village closest to the dungeon that was drawn on the map."

At the mention of a map, Elara's eyes lit up with excitement. "Can I see the map?" she asked eagerly, excited about seeing the land she was now traversing.

Ignatius, who had been listening to the conversation, chimed in. "I'll let you have a look," he said, his tone slightly condescending, "but first, you need to clean up. And you won't be touching it, only looking."

Elara grinned, undeterred by Ignatius' conditions. "Sure," she said, nodding enthusiastically.