Aaron swiftly executed his previous strategy, acquiring a detonation talisman from the shop and throwing it into the goblin crowd. The sudden explosion sent shockwaves through their formation, throwing them into chaos.
Seizing the opportunity, he seamlessly transitioned into his next attack. Channeling his chakra, he unleashed the Sand Veli Ninjutsu, engulfing the disrupted goblins in a swirling mass of abrasive sand.
Without hesitation, he reinforced the assault with Earth Spear Ninjutsu, amplifying the destructive force. Hardened earthen spikes erupted from the ground, tearing through the disoriented goblins and dealing a devastating blow.
...
Outside the dungeon, a group of adventurers and merchants gathered near the entrance, their gazes fixed on the looming structure. The eerie red glow, which had long pulsed ominously above the dungeon's entrance, was shifting its intensity gradually fading.
"Look! The red light... it's growing weaker," one observer murmured, eyes narrowing in concern.
"Indeed. Has anyone ever seen this happen before?" another asked, his voice laced with uncertainty.
"Never," a veteran adventurer replied, arms crossed as he studied the phenomenon. "In all my years traveling between dungeons, this has never occurred."
A hush fell over the crowd as they pondered the implications. The ancient stonework of the dungeon entrance remained unchanged, its intricate carvings standing as silent sentinels, yet the shifting glow hinted at something stirring within.
"But do you remember?" one merchant ventured hesitantly. "An adventurer entered alone without a party, challenging the depths by himself."
"Now that you mention it... yes," another replied, the realization setting in. "But what does the red light signify? And why is its color changing now?"
The wind carried the murmurs of speculation through the gathering, whispering unanswered questions into the tense atmosphere.
Auriel and her driver, David, remained composed as they observed the scene. No shock, no hesitation only the faintest hint of amusement concealed beneath her veil.
A typical adventuring team comprised three to six members, each fulfilling a critical role in combat and survival. A standard formation included:
Warrior/Defender– The frontline protector, capable of withstanding direct assaults and absorbing damage to shield teammates.
Archer– A ranged specialist, dealing precise damage from a distance, eliminating threats before they reached melee range.
Mage/Support – A versatile force, influencing battle through magic, healing, or strategic enhancements, adapting to the flow of combat as needed.
Due to the rarity of mages, most standard teams adapted by prioritizing physical combat and ranged support. Common formations included:
Two Warriors & One Archer – A brute-force approach, ensuring durability in battle while maintaining ranged pressure on enemies.
One Defender & Two Archers – A balance of resilience and precision, where the defender absorbed damage while archers picked off threats from a distance.
These formations allowed adventurers to navigate dungeons efficiently, compensating for the lack of magical reinforcement with strategic positioning and disciplined teamwork.
The intense red glow emanating from the portal was not a mystery to her it was a warning, an omen that the depths beyond were teetering on the edge of fatality.
She recalled the lessons from the Dungeon Institute of Mastery, where scholars dissected the logic behind dungeon mechanics. The portal's shifting hues were more than mere decoration they were the silent guardians of those who dared to enter. Green and blue were marks of safety, signals that a team possessed the numbers and strength necessary to endure. But red… red meant danger. Red meant death.
Auriel's gaze lingered on the flickering crimson light. A mortality rate of 99%. She could almost hear the voice of one of her instructors, warning of the rare circumstances that would trigger such an intensity. It happened only when the dungeon deemed an intruder utterly unfit to survive.
Aaron had walked through it alone. Level 1. No skills.The portal had cried out in warning, casting its blood-red glow like a beacon of imminent destruction. And yet, the adventurer had stepped forward anyway.
Auriel's fingers lightly tapped against the armrest of the carriage. Was it foolishness that drove him? Or something deeper?
While lost in thought, David couldn't suppress his growing unease. His gaze lingered on the dungeon's entrance, the oppressive red glow pulsing like a silent warning. He finally spoke, his voice carrying a mix of calculation and reluctant optimism.
"Miss, seeing the light… it suggests there's a high probability Aaron might clear the dungeon alone."
Auriel did not immediately respond. Instead, she observed the glow, allowing the tension in the air to settle around her. Beneath her veil, her expression remained unreadable, but there was no mistaking the quiet amusement behind her eyes. A probability, yes but probability meant little in the face of the unknown.
She nodded, her tone cold but measured, carrying the authority of someone who understood the rules far better than most.
"Indeed. But you also know that passing the dungeon is never just about surviving. One must eliminate the monsters within."
Her words hung between them, heavy with implication. David stiffened, recalling the unspoken truth behind dungeon mechanics. Victory was not granted it was taken, carved out through blood and determination. No dungeon allowed its challengers to simply walk through unscathed; there was always a price, and for Aaron, that price had yet to be determined.
"When that happens," Auriel continued, her voice unwavering, "a boss will spawn."
David's fingers tightened against his sleeve as realization set in, his earlier confidence giving way to solemn acknowledgment. The Goblin Dungeon was notorious for one thing the adversary that awaited those who fought past its lesser threats. His expression hardened, the weight of experience reflecting in his words.
"Indeed," he murmured. "The boss that spawns… is the Goblin Berserker."
A creature that did not hesitate, that did not falter, driven by sheer brutality. A beast that recognized only strength and obliterated those without it.
Auriel remained composed, but beneath her veil, her thoughts churned with interest. Aaron stood at the threshold of something far greater than himself. Whether he emerged victorious or was swallowed by the depths would soon be revealed.
David's voice carried a note of curiosity, layered beneath careful calculation.
"So, Miss… if Aaron comes out of the dungeon alive, shall we recruit him?"
Auriel's gaze remained steady, unreadable beneath her veil. When she finally spoke, her tone was cool measured, yet decisive.
"Of course. We must do everything in our power," she stated, her voice devoid of hesitation. "Anyone who clears a dungeon alone is no ordinary person."
Her words lingered in the air, heavy with implication. Survival in such conditions was not a matter of luck it was a testament to sheer will, skill, and the ability to defy death itself.