As Elara strode through the dense woods, dappled sunlight filtering through the canopy above, her fingers instinctively traced the supple surface of her newly acquired leather armor. The weight of it settled upon her frame, a tangible reminder of her newfound path. Surprisingly, it wasn't burdensome; instead, it enveloped her in a sense of security and resilience.

Ahead of her, Tirn took the lead with confident, purposeful strides, charting their course through the winding path. His keen eyes scanned the trail ahead, each step a deliberate move forward into the unknown. Behind them, Esme brought up the rear, ever vigilant. Her senses were on high alert as she swept her gaze across the dense foliage, watching for any signs of danger that might lurk in the shadows. Walking beside Elara, Ignatius exuded an aura of calm assurance, his weathered features betraying years of experience.

The group maintained a brisk pace, leaving little room for conversation. Elara focused on keeping up, her breath coming in short bursts as she pushed herself to match their speed. A twinge of embarrassment crept up her spine at the thought of slowing them down, but no one seemed to mind. They had given no indication of annoyance or frustration. Before they left the village, Tirn had informed them that the journey would take around two hours. Elara mulled over this information, surprised that the dungeon's influence extended so far from its location. It wasn’t too far away from the village, yet its presence seemed to permeate the surrounding creatures.

As they trekked through the forest, she couldn't help but marvel at the world around her. The trees towered above them, their green leaves rustling in the gentle breeze. The air was thick with the scent of earth and foliage, a stark contrast to the sterile environment of the sky fortress. As the group trekked onward, the hours seemed to melt away beneath their feet. She found herself lost in thought. She couldn't help but wonder what kind of people they would encounter at the exploration camp. Would they be like Esme, Tirn, and Ignatius? Or would they resemble the other adventurers they had encountered in the village, with an air of superiority and disdain for them?

The thought of Gorvach and his troop crossed her mind. A frown made its way on her face. Their first meeting had been far from pleasant, and the prospect of running into them again filled her with unease. As they neared the base of a towering mountain, Tirn held up a hand, signaling for the group to halt. His brow furrowed in concentration as he surveyed the area, his keen senses attuned to any signs of human presence.

"This is it," he muttered, his voice low and gruff.

Elara nodded, her heart racing with a mixture of excitement and apprehension. She scanned the surroundings, searching for what Tirn saw to make him stop. Tirn pressed onward, his keen eyes scanning the ground for signs of recent activity. His fingers traced the edges of a broken branch. "Someone's been here. Recently," he muttered, his voice low and gruff.

Elara leaned in closer and studied the branch, trying to discern what had caught Tirn's attention. The warrior glanced over at her, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. "The leaves are fresh. If this had been broken days ago, they'd have wilted by now."

He pointed to a set of footprints in the soft earth, barely visible beneath the fallen leaves. "Multiple sets of tracks, heading the same direction. Four or five people."

Elara nodded, absorbing the information like a sponge. She marveled at Tirn's ability to have seen it. She was ready to just walk past, not having noticed anything amiss. As they neared the base of the mountain, the group's energy shifted. Esme's posture straightened, her hand resting on the hilt of her weapon. Ignatius's eyes narrowed, his gaze sweeping the area with renewed intensity. Elara felt it too, a prickling sensation at the back of her neck. She strained her ears, trying to pinpoint the source of her unease. At first, there was nothing but the rustling of leaves and the distant chirping of birds. But then, faint and distant, she heard it - the murmur of voices carried on the wind.

As she and her companions approached the mountain's base, Esme's voice cut through the tense silence. "We're near," she said, her tone low and cautious. "And they've already noticed us. Let's go and say hello."

Tirn took the lead, guiding them around a part of the mountain where only a handful of trees stood. As they rounded the corner, a medium-sized encampment came into view, nestled in a clearing amidst the sparse vegetation.

Elara's eyes widened as she took in the scene before her. The encampment was arranged in a circle, with eleven tents of varying sizes forming its perimeter. The tents appeared to be functional rather than for comfort, designed with the sole purpose of providing shelter from the wind and rain. Their weathered fabric and sturdy poles spoke of practicality over aesthetics. In the center of the encampment, two fires crackled, their warm glow casting flickering shadows across the faces of the people gathered around them. Some sat on logs or rocks, while others stood, engaged in quiet conversation. The murmur of voices carried on the breeze, a mixture of hushed tones and occasional laughter.

As Elara and her companions approached the encampment, her eyes were drawn to an impressive figure standing near a slap of stone that is seemingly being used as a table. The man was clad in shining full plate armor, adorned with light blue fabric that flutter in the gentle breeze. A silver sword rested at his side, and a shield, broad at the top and tapering to a point at the bottom, was strapped to his back. He looked to be about Tirns size. If not bigger. Elara felt a little starstruck as she took in his appearance. If someone had asked her to imagine a knight, this man would have been the embodiment of that image.

He appeared to be middle-aged, with short-cut brown hair and a clean-shaven face. The man was engaged in conversation with a woman of similar age, her red hair cut short above her ears. She wore leather armor that opened at the sides of her legs, with pieces of metal strategically placed for added protection. Elara found herself admiring the woman's attire, appreciating its unique style. As Tirn led the group towards the man and woman, Elara noticed that the other people in the encampment had taken notice of their arrival. Eyes followed their move, curious glances and hushed whispers exchanging between the gathered individuals. However, no one approached them directly, seemingly content to observe from a distance.

As she and her companions approached, the man in armor took note of their arrival. His stern face lit up with a smile, the lines around his eyes crinkling with what looked like genuine warmth. The woman beside him turned, her attention drawn by the man's shift in focus. When she caught sight of the group, her own lips curved into a welcoming smile. Ignatius quickened his pace, overtaking Tirn as they drew nearer to the man and woman. The pair allowed them to approach, their postures open and relaxed. As Ignatius reached them, the man placed his right hand on the mage's shoulder, a gesture of familiarity and camaraderie.

"Good to see you out here, old friend," the man said, his deep voice filled with warmth. "Familiar faces are a rare comfort."

Ignatius returned the smile, his own hand coming up to clasp the man's forearm in a friendly greeting. "I had a feeling we’d meet out here," he replied, his tone warm and conversational. "The Blackwood family doesn't send just anyone as overseers."

Elara's interest sharpened at the mention of the Blackwood family. She focused her attention on the man, activating her inspect skill.

Warrior [Level: ???]

Turning her gaze to the woman, she inspected her as well.

Mage [Level: ???]

Once again, the unknown level left her wondering just how skilled and experienced these individuals were. As the group exchanged greetings and pleasantries, she found herself observing the interactions with rapt attention. The ease with which Ignatius conversed with the man and woman spoke of a history she had yet to uncover. She made a mental note to inquire about their connection to the Blackwood family and the nature of their roles as overseers. Are they the once sent to keep the peace in the dungeon? What exactly would keeping the peace entail?

The encampment buzzed with a newfound energy, the arrival and greeting of Elara and her companions sparking a new round of whispers and glances from the other occupants. Yet, despite the curiosity that hung in the air, no one approached them directly, allowing the reunion between Ignatius and the armored pair to unfold without interruption. As the man shifted his attention to the rest of the group, Elara observed with curiosity. He exchanged a nod with Tirn, a silent acknowledgment passing between the warriors. Then, his gaze landed on Esme, and his expression softened imperceptibly. A tentative smile tugged at the corners of his lips, a subtle gesture of greeting. Esme returned the smile with a flicker of warmth in her eyes, a quiet acknowledgment mirrored in her demeanor.

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Then, the man's focus shifted to Elara. His eyebrows raised in surprise, and he tilted his head to the side, studying her with interest. He stepped forward, extending his right hand in greeting. "Well met," he said, his voice warm and welcoming. "I'm Kael. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Elara, caught off guard by the sudden attention, hurriedly took his hand. "I'm Alira," she blurted out, instantly regretting her hasty introduction. She could feel the heat rising in her cheeks, a telltale sign of her flustered state.

Esme, sensing her discomfort, threw her right arm over the young woman's shoulder. The gesture was a welcome distraction, drawing Kael's focus away from her. "This is our rookie," Esme explained, her tone light and casual. "We met by coincidence and hit it off. We want to show her the ropes of adventuring, and what better place to do it than in a dungeon?"

Elara could feel the disapproval radiating from Kael. His brow furrowed, and a flicker of concern crossed his features. "That's a dangerous and risky thing to do," he said, his voice laced with disapproval. "I wouldn't have expected this from your team, taking on a rookie and taking them into a dungeon when they are below level 50."

Esme shrugged, seemingly unfazed by Kael's words. Her arm remained draped over Elara's shoulder, a silent show of support. Elara, however, couldn't help but feel a twinge of unease. Kael's reaction had confirmed her own doubts about the wisdom of venturing into a dungeon with such limited experience and low level.

Her focus shifted as she watched the woman approach, her short red hair swaying with each step. A warm smile gracing her features. "I'm Isolde," she introduced herself, her voice carrying a gentle cadence.

Elara nodded in greeting, still held in Esme's supportive embrace. She felt a sense of comfort in the older woman's presence, grateful for the silent show of camaraderie. Isolde's attention shifted to Ignatius, her expression softening with sympathy. "I heard about what happened to your daughter and son-in-law," she said, her words laced with genuine condolences. "I'm sorry for your loss."

Kael turned to Ignatius as well, his eyes reflecting a shared sense of grief. "It was a tragedy that should not have happened," he said, his voice heavy with emotion. "How is your granddaughter?"

Ignatius sighed, a weariness settling over his features. "She's doing relatively fine the last time I saw her," he replied, his words measured and thoughtful. "She's still too small to truly understand what happened. But she's in good hands while I'm here."

Kael nodded, a flicker of understanding passing between them. "I hope you reach level 100 soon, so you can go back and focus solely on her," he said, his tone sincere and supportive.

Ignatius nodded in agreement, a determination settling in his eyes. "That's what I'm aiming for," he said, his voice filled with a quiet resolve.

Elara listened to the exchange, confusion swirling in her mind. She couldn't understand how Ignatius' level related to his ability to return to his granddaughter, especially in the wake of such a devastating loss. Questions burned on the tip of her tongue, but she kept her mouth shut, sensing that this was not the moment to interrupt.

Esme grinned, her eyes sparkling with mirth as she tried to lift the somber mood. "We're close to getting the old man to level 100," she said, her voice filled with a playful lilt.

Isolde smiled in response, her features softening with genuine happiness. "That's great," she replied, her tone warm and sincere. Esme nodded, her grin widening. "That's the reason we came to such a far-off place," she explained.

Isolde sighed, a flicker of weariness crossing her face. "I would be very happy if no more showed up," she admitted, before quickly backpedaling. "But I'm very happy to have you here."

Esme's grin remained in place, understanding the meaning behind Isolde's words. She knew the woman meant no harm, and her concern was understandable. "How many have made their way here?" Esme asked, curiosity coloring her tone.

Isolde counted on her fingers, her brow furrowed in concentration. "In total, there are twenty, with you now twenty-four," she replied, her voice steady and precise.

Esme's eyes widened in pleasant surprise. "That's a pleasantly low number," she remarked, her tone filled with satisfaction. "Just as I had hoped, for a dungeon at the edge of the Empire."

Isolde smiled, her expression mirroring Esme's contentment. "There's the Blackwood group, consisting of Kael, myself, one young master, and one miss of the Blackwood family, and two servants," she explained, gesturing to the surrounding people. "Then there are three other adventuring parties: one official team from The Adventuring Guild with five people, a three-man team, and a four-man team." Elara listened intently, absorbing the information like a sponge. She marveled at the diverse group of individuals gathered in the encampment.

"And then there are two people who came alone," Isolde added, her voice tinged with a hint of apprehension.

Elara's curiosity grew at the mention of the solo adventurers. She wondered what had driven them to embark on such a perilous journey without the support of a team. Were they exceptionally skilled, or just reckless?

She listened attentively as Esme hummed in approval, her eyes scanning the encampment with a discerning gaze. "That's a nice spread of people," Esme remarked, her voice carrying a hint of satisfaction.

A thought nagged at the back of Elara's mind, a fleeting memory of their encounter with another adventuring party in the village. She wondered if the five-man team Isolde had mentioned could be the same group they had crossed paths with earlier. Curiosity got the better of her, and she decided to voice her question.

"Isolde," Elara began, her voice tentative yet clear, "when did the five-man team arrive here?"

Isolde turned her face to Elara, surprise flickering across her features at the unexpected inquiry from the rookie adventurer. "They came yesterday just before nightfall," she replied, her tone even and informative.

Elara nodded, her suspicions growing stronger. The timing of the five-man team's arrival seemed to align if they would have left the same day they had met. She made a mental note to keep an eye out for them, wondering how their presence might impact the dynamics within the encampment.

Esme, ever the pragmatist, shifted the conversation to a more pressing matter. "Do you have a healer here?" she asked, her gaze focused on Isolde.

A smile spread across Isolde's face, her eyes lighting up with a hint of relief. "Yes, the three-man team has a healer," she confirmed, her voice carrying a note of happiness.

Esme nodded, a pleased expression settling on her features. "Nice," she said, her tone appreciative. "Could you introduce us at a later time?" Isolde readily agreed, her demeanor open and accommodating. "Of course," she replied.

Elara found herself intrigued by the prospect of meeting a healer, pondering the extent of their healing skills. Could they mend broken bones, regenerate limbs, or were they limited to restoring HP?

Esme's gaze turned to Isolde. Her interest sparked. "Have you ventured into the dungeon yet?" Her tone carried a casual yet curious undertone.

Isolde shook her head, her short red hair gently swaying with the movement. "No, it is our second day here," she answered, a hint of anticipation lacing her voice. "We're planning to explore the dungeon today, starting with the first section, to gauge what we're up against."

Ignatius, who had been quietly observing the exchange, stepped forward. "We may have some insights about what awaits us in the dungeon," he announced, his voice commanding attention. Kael and Isolde turned to face Ignatius, their expressions a blend of curiosity and concern. Others in the encampment began to gather closer, intrigued by the promise of valuable information.

Ignatius proceeded to recount their recent experiences. "A village not far from here reported an increase in aggressive behavior among the local wildlife," he explained, his brow furrowing with concern. "Upon examination, we discovered peculiar crystallization within the creatures' bodies."

Elara watched as Kael and Isolde listened intently, their eyes widening with each revelation. The others in the encampment also leaned in.

Ignatius continued, his voice unwavering and precise. "These crystals appear to be the reason behind their amplified aggression," he elucidated, gesturing emphatically with his hands. "It's as though something within the dungeon is exerting influence over the wildlife, turning them into more dangerous versions of themselves."

Kael nodded, his expression grave. "This is valuable information," he said, his tone filled with appreciation. "It will help us better prepare for what lies ahead."

Isolde's brow furrowed with concern. "If the beasts outside the dungeon are already affected," she mused, her voice tinged with worry, "I can only imagine what awaits us within its depths."

Elara listened intently as Esme shared their findings with Kael and Isolde. "We've been experimenting with the crystallized flesh we encountered," Esme explained, her voice low and serious. "It seems to have unique properties that we haven't fully understood yet." Esme then began to tell them of what they tried, of the effectiveness of fire and the risk of explosion when using bludgeoning force.

Kael nodded, his expression grave as he absorbed the information. "Thank you for telling us," he said, his tone filled with genuine appreciation. "This knowledge could prove invaluable as we venture into the dungeon."

With a deep breath, Kael turned to face the encampment, his voice rising to address the gathered adventurers. "Attention, everyone!" he called out, his words commanding and authoritative. "Those who will be entering the dungeon, please gather around."

Elara observed the gradual emergence of people from their tents, each adorned in different types of armor and weapons, glinting in the morning light. They moved towards the fire at the center of the camp, forming a loose circle around Kael. As the adventurers gathered, her gaze was drawn to a familiar group emerging from one of the tents. It was the same adventuring party they had encountered before, led by the imposing figure of Gorvach. Recognition flashed in their eyes as they noticed Elara and Esme. Gorvach's face twisted into a sneer, his disdain for Elara and her group evident in his expression. She felt a twinge of unease, remembering their previous interaction and the tension that had hung in the air.

However, her attention was quickly diverted by the bard of the group, who caught her eye with a small smile. He tipped his dark red beret hat in her direction, a gesture of greeting that caught her off guard. She couldn't help but return with a smile, albeit awkwardly, before shifting her focus back to the gathering.