In the dimly lit corridors of the underground base, Group 3 cautiously ventured toward the direction Dagger had pointed out.

As they proceeded deeper into the maze-like structure, where eerie shadows danced along the walls, hinting at an imminent confrontation. Suddenly, a voice rang out.

"Welcome to our maze, Phoenix's guildmaster."

Norman gritted his teeth as he recognized the owner of the voice. It was Mador, one of the elites of Griffin. He was renowned for his ability to manipulate machines and robots.

"Shall we start the game? Let's see if you can survive wave one."

A low growl echoed through the corridors, followed by the appearance of a group of robotic sentinels, their red eyes gleaming in the darkness.

"Get ready." Norman commanded as he unleashed his sword.

The robotic sentinels closed in, but Norman swung his blazing sword, cleaving through metal with each strike. His mastery was evident in every move. Leo stood resolute, a bulwark against the onslaught. He deflected blows with practiced precision, his shield a gleaming barrier against the red-eyed aggressors.

Dagger moved like a shadow, striking with pinpoint accuracy. He disarmed the mechanical foes one by one, leaving them as mere heaps of metal strewn across the ground. His movements seemed almost choreographed, as he rendered the sentinels inert.

Mia's healing prowess was a beacon of support. Her calming aura knitted wounds and bolstered resolve. She weaved between her companions, mending injuries and lending strength to those locked in fierce combat.

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The clash between human resilience and mechanical precision continued in the dimly lit maze. The adversaries locked in a symphony of strikes, blocks, and mends. Each member of Group 3 worked in seamless harmony, carving a path through the metallic adversaries.

As the last sentinel clattered to the ground, defeated and motionless, a brief moment of respite settled over the group. But the echo of a certain sound made them uneasy.

"Very good. You survived this wave. Let's see how you fare in the next one." Mador's voice taunted them.

"We can't rest. Let's keep going." Norman said.

They moved forward, fighting against wave after wave of sentinels. Many of their members got tired and had to stay back. Some of them died as well. Still, they continued, until they came to a halt.

"Congratulations on surviving wave nine. But can you survive this one?"

A swarm of sentinels blocked their way.

Norman looked at his exhausted team. He was unsure what to do. But then he heard a voice.

"Guildmaster, you all should go ahead. I'll handle them." It was Lance, the leader of Team Beta. He had blue eyes and a calm expression. He wore silver armor which matched his silver hairs.

"But..." Norman hesitated as he saw the number of sentinels.

"We don't have time to hesitate, guildmaster. Think about the little master." Lance said.

"Okay."

Lance stepped forward, wielding his gleaming sword adorned with arcane runes. He channeled his magical prowess, creating waves of energy that surged through the corridor. He cut through the mechanical onslaught with precision.

His blade danced with vibrant light. Each swing released a burst of magical energy that dismantled the sentinels. He carved a path through the metallic adversaries. The corridors echoed with the clash of steel against metal, interlaced with the crackling energy of Lance's attacks.

He orchestrated a symphony of destruction, merging his swordsmanship with his mystical abilities. The sentinels fell in droves, creating a brief but decisive passage for Norman and his team to advance.

Despite the overwhelming odds, Lance stood undaunted. His blue eyes gleamed with determination as he held the line against the relentless tide of enemies. He bought precious time and space for Group 3 to continue their journey deeper into the base.

"Is he going to be alright?" Mia asked as she ran forward.

"Yes. He's gonna be okay." Leo said.

"Oh yeah, you once said you wanted to join his team before meeting the young master. Can you tell me more about him?" Dagger asked, recalling Leo's wish.

"Well, if I have to say how strong he is, his class alone makes him formidable. He's a magic swordsman."

"What? A magic swordsman? Isn't that an epic class?" Mia gasped.

"Oh, if it's because of his class, then it makes sense for him to be strong." Dagger concluded.

"No, you're wrong. What makes him strong is not his class. It's his swordsmanship."

"What do you mean?" Dagger asked.

"I mean you can say that, in our guild, he's the only one who can compete with boss in terms of swordsmanship." Leo said.

Dagger didn't ask further. He understood what Leo meant as he looked back and saw Lance fighting alone against a horde of sentinels. He felt a sudden respect for him.