Chapter 38: Chapter 37: D-Rank Dungeon, Lizardmen Cavern

The next day arrived very quickly, the sun was shining, signaling the start of a new day. Hunters were up and moving as they immediately rose out of bed, many immediately started to train, entering training facilities to improve their combat, while others sparred with each other.

Zoey was already up and moving as she walked through the halls of the guild, walking past a few Hunters as she recognized a look of respect and silent admiration in their eyes as she moved past them.

A small smile formed on her face at the recognition she was starting to earn, as it felt well deserved after the many years of scorn and torture she had gone through.

Earlier this morning she was woken up by a agent of the guild who called for her presence at Sarina’s office, so she had to get up and quickly begin moving. It was a bit annoying, having to immediately begin working so early, but it was a life she was very used to with her crappy previous job.

After a while of walking Zoey had reached Sarina’s office, and gently knocked on the door.

“Come in~” Sarina’s playful voice came from the otherside, and Zoey entered as she pushed the door open.

Sarina sat at her desk with a handful of papers stacked at her side, a pen in her hand as she looked at the papers of the Hunters. Her head lifted up as she saw Zoey entering the room and closing the door behind her, her stance tall as she awaited for what Sarina had to say.

“Have a seat why don’t you? It be rude of me to keep you standing there~” Sarina said as she gestured for the couch infront of her desk, the distance between them separated by a crystal clear glass table.

“Alright.” Zoey nodded as she sat down on the couch, “What’s the task you’ve prepared for me?” Zoey asked.

“It’s nothing serious,” Sarina calmly replied, shifting slightly in her chair as she leaned over her desk, crossing her arms as she leaned forward, a confident smirk forming on her lips.

“A D-Rank Dungeon has recently opened up near the outskirts of a forest not too far from the city, we’ve sent Hunters of E-Rank and one D-Rank Hunter to raid the dungeon and secure the loot obtained from it, however, they got overwhelmed by enemies in there, and nearly lost they’re lives.” Sarina explained, pausing for a moment for Zoey to absorb the information.

‘The enemies inside are strong?’ Zoey thought, her expression turning serious for a moment. Dungeons could be unpredictable, with some having deadly traps and others having monsters that were far stronger than normal, making them closer to being a rank above their normal level.

‘This dungeon must be D+, meaning that it should be very close to C-Rank. The D-Rank Hunter must’ve not been that strong, probably in the early stages, so it makes sense why they almost lost their lives in that place.’ Zoey thought.

“This is the Task I’m giving to you: To clear the dungeon and extract the loot obtained from it, you’ll be compensated more of what the previous raid team failed to accomplish. So, what do you say, do you accept?” Sarina asked, smiling mischievously.

Zoey grinned upon hearing that, the dungeon was the perfect test for her to level up her newfound skills and take them to the next level. She had also gotten a hold of [Knight’s Oath] from the Association back in Sunrow, planning on using it until she reached C or B-Rank, to which she’ll be able to wield the [Void Requiem] sword.

‘I might even level up from this,’ She pondered as she nodded to herself.

“I accept, let’s do this.” Zoey said determined, prepared on taking the challenge of her first Task from the guild.

——

The swirling light of the dungeon portal crackled ominously as Mana poured from it. Infront of the forest outside of the city grounds, a black car belonging to the Raging Phoenix Guild stood parked infront of the portal.

The Mana condensed air brushed against Zoey’s face as she stood infront of the D-Rank dungeon infront of her, [Knight’s Oath] gripped tightly in her hand.

Zoey opened her [Inventory] as she checked the few Items Sarina had given to her to use in the dungeon, they were mostly Health Restoration potions of D-Rank, and a [Crystal Bracer], another D-Rank piece of equipment that she wore that boosted her defenses.

‘This should be more than enough to handle this dungeon, but seriously, Sarina has to stop buying me things, it’s almost as if she’s spoiling me!’ Zoey complained slightly with a small pout, but smiled warmly after as she felt happy that someone is looking after her.

After preparing everything, Zoey glanced back at the agents of the guild as she nodded as a sign, silently telling them that she was going to be entering the dungeon.

She turned her attention back to the portal infront of her as she stepped inside, the world around her transforming as she found herself on the otherside of the dungeon.

She appeared to be in a massive cave, very similar to the first dungeon she had entered, that being of the goblins.

However, the difference was that this cave looked different, not only was it more lively in vegetation as plants and large vines adorned the walls, pulsing with an eerie and opposing light, but there appeared to be different paths at the far end of the cave, which she could see with the help of her [Heightened Senses] Talent.

Zoey moved cautiously as she started walking, her senses tuned to the highest they have been in a while, able to perceive the environment around her to an enhanced degree, mimicking super human levels.

‘Hmph, this is too easy.’ Zoey thought as she noticed the white auras of a few enemies lurking in the shadows, smirking as she could already tell that they were planning on ambushing her, but that wasn’t going to work.

‘According to the information Sarina gave me, the party was constantly ambushed by the monsters in the dungeon, which are Lizardmen. They’re high agility and tough scales make them a challenge for those who aren’t quite on the same level as them.’ Zoey thought, gripping her [Knight’s Oath] tighter as she stopped moving, the air filling with tension.

Her ears perked, the sound of quick scuttling and movement catching her attention quickly, a knowing grin forming on her face. Zoey quickly spun around on her heel as she parried an attack of a Lizard men, her strength pushing it back and slamming it into a wall, disorienting it for a moment.

‘Hmph, numbers huh?’ She noted as the remaining Lizardmen slowly emerged from their hiding spots, crawling out of large jagged rocks that hid their bodies well, but Zoey could still easily detect them.

“Let’s begin, shall we?” Zoey said with a excited grin as the air around her bended, her strength increasing as she felt new power enter her body, a small crimson aura eminated from her as [Hardened Will] was activated.

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