Dawn, Takeshiba Station——
Rika, Zaria, and Rei all walked into Takeshiba station, which was bustling with people. Each of them had a bag on their backs.
"Is this the place?" Rei asked.
Rika nodded. "He said dawn, are we too early? Or too late…?"
"Maybe both," Zaria shrugged. "You know how those Clan types are."
Han walked up to them, dragging a suitcase along the floor. "I'm here."
"Look who's awake, sleepyhead," Zaria teased.
Han didn't even look at her. "Where is this guy…man."
"We don't know," Rika admitted. "I've looked around this place like 3 times now, but I don't see him."
"Ridiculous," Han muttered. "Hold on. Cube. Scan."
He held out his cube, which scanned around, before it suddenly dinged.
[*1* Solution Found.]
"Ooh, what's it say?" Rei asked.
"Behind us."
The girls turned around, where sure enough, Soren was sitting, sipping a soda. "Good work. You must be Han, no?"
"Yep."
"I see your senses are the most developed of the bunch. A gift of the Kōbisha class, I presume."
"Uh-huh."
Soren stood up. "But it took you longer than it should. And as for you girls…"
He pointed to them. "You have lots of work ahead of you."
Soren walked past them. "Come. Let us catch a ferry to Shikōki Island."
"That's a thing?" Zaria questioned.
"Yes. Miles off the coast. It'll take a while to get there. I hope you've fed yourselves."
Zaria nodded. "We're good. Lead the way."
Following Soren, they soon found themselves on a private ferry, heading off the coast of Japan and toward the ocean.
"Be advised," Soren warned. "Fairness isn't a virtue, here. Whatever makes or breaks you, is our motto."
"Sooo, I'm guessing you weren't gonna hold our hands?" Rika remarked.
Soren chuckled. "You're a funny one."
The boat sped across the water for over 2 hours, until finally, a large island came into view, with shifting buildings and technological skyscrapers. The ferry parked at a nearby dock.
"Welcome to Shikōki Island."
Soren stepped off the ferry. "Come. Your training awaits."
The four followed him off the ferry and through the gates of the island, where islanders dressed in elegant white and grey clothes were busy cleaning the streets and washing their cars.
A large mansion-style building stood in the center of the island, and there were three large towers surrounding it from a distance.
"That is our home," Soren pointed out. "And also our dojo."
The kids got stares and curious looks as they walked the streets, and by the time they reached the mansion, a guard of white-clad samurai blocked their path.
"Sir," one spoke. "Who are these…travelers?"
"They come from the mainland," Soren explained. "Weak of body, but determined to grow."
"Rude," Zaria murmured.
"Well, it's true," Rika told her.
The samurai bowed. "As you were, sir."
Two of them opened the door, which revealed a large dojo, filled with seven pillars, all glowing light blue. A grey-haired woman was sitting in the center, meditating.
"My love, I've returned with our son," Soren announced.
The woman slowly stood up, brushing her hair aside. As Soren pulled out the phone, Sōshin's face suddenly lit up.
"Mom!"
"Son!"
She took the phone in her hand. "What an…odd housing for you! How did this happen?"
"I failed a dungeon!"
"Failed…a dungeon?"
"Yep! And now I travel with friends!"
She looked over at the kids, all of whom besides Han gave nervous waves. "Friends…"
"These are Omariro's students," Soren introduced. "Zaria, Rika, Rei, and Han."
She waved to them. "Hello, kids. My name is Sora Shikōki. I'm sure you can already tell this is my husband, and my son."
"Yep," Zaria replied.
Rika elbowed her. "We're very happy to be here, ma'am."
"I believe we should handle the task of restoring our son to his human form," Soren stated.
"Indeed," Sora agreed. "Serika!"
A young woman with long white hair entered the dojo, bowing to Sora and Soren. "Yes, Mother?"
"Here. Take your brother to the back. We'll have to use Jugen-Hantenjutsu on him."
She nodded and took the phone with Sōshin. With a sweep of her dress, she left.
"What's Hantenjutsu?" Zaria asked. "I never heard of that."
"A sub-set of the Sōunsha Class that allows for reversal of dungeon effects," Soren explained. "All Jugen Classes have subsets. Like Henshōsha, it allows you to use Shisutemu Rōdoauto, those Loadouts you saw your master use."
Sora patted the ground in front of her. "Come, sit, children."
They all sat in front of her, and Soren waved his hand. "Jugen-Kōbisha: Hyōteki Sōsa."
UI's appeared over the kids' heads.
〈*Zaria Takeno.* Level: 2,055〉
〈*Rika Amakawa.* Level: 3,051〉
〈*Han Jisoo.* Level: 2,053〉
〈*Rei Hayama.* Level: 47,000〉
Soren lifted an eyebrow. "That girl's very advanced. Much more so than the rest of you."
Rei nodded, forming a moon crest. "Yep!"
Zaria looked at Rika's level. "Did you level up?"
"Uhh…I don't think so. All I did was unlock a new skill."
"That new skill is what boosts your level," Sora explained. "Your body must adapt to hold its power."
"Wait, so Rika's stronger than me?" Zaria realized. "What the hell is this?"
"We can't all be powerhouses, dear bestie," Rika taunted. "Some have to take the backseat."
"Uh, excuse you?"
"She is right," Soren confirmed. "In the world of dungeons, there are roles."
Each of the pillars lit up, revealing each of the Jugen Classes etched into them, with words below.
[Jugen-Tōshi—-Combat Roles: DPS/Sub-DPS]
[Jugen-Mahōshi—-Combat Roles: Defense/DPS]
[Jugen-Sōunsha—-Combat Roles: Mobility/Buffer]
[Jugen-Kaiseisha—-Combat Roles: Healer/Buffer]
[Jugen-Kōbisha—-Combat Roles: Support/Off-Field]
[Jugen-Metsusha—-Combat Roles: Sub-DPS/DPS]
[Jugen-Henshōsha—-Combat Roles: DPS/Defense]
"Any questions?" Sora asked.
"Just one," Zaria volunteered. "What's a 'DPS?'"
"Damage per second," Sora answered. "In simple terms, it means you deal the brunt of your team's damage. Tōshi and Henshōsha work perfectly as Main DPS Classes, while Mahōshi and Metsusha work well as Sub-DPS roles."
"Sub-DPS meaning…?"
"Secondary attackers. They're more specialized and precise than the brute might of the other two. That's not to say all classes cannot deal damage, but this is the expected role for each."
"Buffer?" Rika noticed. "I can buff people?"
"In a sense," Soren confirmed. "Like how you temporarily restored Omariro's prime strength."
Sora clapped her hands. "I must offer this final warning to you. If you fail this training, the consequences will be dangerous, even deadly. Are you sure you still wish to participate?"
The group nodded except for Han, who had his eyes closed. Zaria nudged him. "Eh? Oh. Yeah. Whatever."
"Good. Now we separate you."
"Separate?" Rika questioned.
"Based on your skill level. Rei will be taken to the Third Pillar with Soren, as she is the highest with three skills unlocked. Rika, you come to the Second Pillar, with me. And as for the other two…"
A young man with spiked hair stepped from the shadows, bowing to his parents before shifting attention to Zaria and Han.
"You'll come with me, runts," he proclaimed. "To the First Pillar."
"Best of luck, all of you," Sora said. "Do your best."
Meanwhile——
Omariro sat on the hill, watching the blazing sun rise. "Sun bright."
Footsteps echoed behind him as he turned to find Nonoka approaching him, wary. "Girl."
"Omariro Nyugawa, right?" she asked.
"What does girl want?"
"My 'father' sent me here to train with you. I guess he's worried for me, or something."
"Sunahara."
Nonoka sat beside him. "Yep. I thought he was the strongest, until I saw you."
She carefully watched Omariro, who barely acknowledged her, continuing to gaze at the sun.
"He's calm and quiet," Nonoka thought. "But when I saw him fight, I could tell he radiated tons of raw power. He could have murdered both Atsushi and that Huntress in a second…I should mind my words."
"So…" she wondered. "What can you show me?"
"Nothing," Omariro replied, standing up. "Nothing for you."
As he began to head down the cliff, Nonoka followed him. "Come on! Please? I'm like, more advanced than all your students! Plus I can buff people! Wouldn't that help you a lot?"
Omariro pointed to a nearby coffee shop. "Go. Bring coffee."
"Get you coffee? Will that grant me your blessing?"
"Get coffee."
"Okay. One sec."
She descended the hill, walking up to the coffee shop. "Guess this gotta be some old men staple or something. Coffee. Tsk."
After taking out some money and buying some coffee, she opened the door and returned to the hill. "Uh, Mister? I got your coffee. Are you gonna let me—-?"
A figure was sitting in Omariro's place, sitting in all golden armor. "Mister?"
As soon as she got closer, she stopped. "Wait, you're not—!"
The figure drew its blade, slashing through the bag.
"Gah! What the hell?"
It swung at her again, nearly taking off her head. "Who the hell are you? Where's the old man?"
The figure responded by kicking her down the cliff, causing her to roll before she regained her footing.
"To hell with this."
She got into a fighting stance. "Jugen-Sōunsha: Noroi no Sukiru Kyōka!"
〈Buff Applied. 200% Buff to Current Party Member.〉
Her heart began to beat fast, and she sized up the attacker. "Atsushi always did say swing first, ask questions later."
She threw a punch at the figure, but it blocked with its forearm. She followed up by delivering a kick to its side, but it barely even flinched.
"What are you made of, steel?"
It grabbed her leg and flung her to the side, before slicing part of her shoulder with its blade. "Ow. You're gonna regret that."
It pinned her down with one foot, preparing to strike her. Her heart began to beat faster, as rage boiled inside of her.
"He said not to use this lightly," Nonoka remembered. "But this ain't light."
She closed her eyes and used all her strength, causing veins to appear on her forehead.
"Jugen-Sōunsha: Ningensei Tōki!"
With a roar, black and grey armor coated her entire body, and a black helmet appeared over her face.
〈Humanity *Discarded.* Buff Timer: 1:30〉
Her voice came out garbled, as she kicked the figure off her.
"Looks like I've got a minute and a half to kick your ass," she growled.
The figure swung its sword at her, but she blocked with her elbow, driving her other fist into the sword and managing to crack it.
"Grrr!"
It backhanded her into the ground before kicking her in the stomach, lifting her by her collar, and headbutting her in the face.
Without missing a beat, she grabbed its arm, slamming it into the ground before taking its sword and stabbing it into the helmet, causing the figure to shake, before it stopped moving.
〈Time Remaining: 0:16〉
Nonoka collapsed, the armor shattering off her body, as Omariro stood before her, sipping coffee.
"Girl strong."
Nonoka jumped back. "Gah! Where'd you come from?"
"Watched girl. Girl has unique ability."
"That? Oh. It's just a little move. Pushing myself to surpass the limits of my frail human body. Though if I stay in it too long, I'll be trapped and lose my sanity."
She noticed the coffee in Omariro's hand. "Wait a second…was this a test?"
Omariro nodded as she looked at the armored figure on the ground, which slowly turned to dust.
"And this…is yours?"
"Girl sharp."
Omariro snapped his fingers, and more armored clones appeared. "Jugen-Mahōshi: Tenjō no Ōgon Bunshin."
"Whoa," Nonoka gawked. "How much stuff have you been hiding?"
Omariro walked back up the cliff as Nonoka rushed to follow. "Wait! So, did I pass?"
"Girl did fine."
"So, does that mean…?"
"Girl will be student. Will see what girl can do."
"Awesome! So, when's this training start?"
"Now. Come."
With a snap of his fingers, they disappeared.
Meanwhile, Hellsfloor——
"We should be careful. That Huntress is a significant threat to our operations."
"When have you been known to be scared? We will deal with this as we always do, by being the bigger enemy."
"What of Nyugawa? He remains a problem as well."
Inside a dark meeting room, several shadowy figures were gathered under the crimson sky. The door suddenly opened and Rui stepped inside.
"All, my dear friends," he remarked.
"Rui," the shadow at the center noticed. "You were supposed to stop Nyugawa. What happened?"
"That Huntress got to him before I did. But not to fret, I've got a way we can deal with them both."
"Hmm? Speak."
"The Kagoshima Dungeon," Rui proposed. "Where our leader sleeps."
"Good idea, but will we surely be able to attract their attention?"
"We will, once we trigger the Danjon Shinpan. Then, we'll ensure both of them meet the fates they deserve."
A red orb appeared in the middle, and all of their bodies began to glow.
"Then let it be so."
All at once, they vanished.
———-