Talis and Vaelis arrived at the guild early in the morning.
The atmosphere inside was unusually lively.
— It's him…
— The Rank S mage…
— Talis Symphorien…
Whispers spread instantly.
Vaelis stopped walking.
— Rank… S?
She turned toward Talis, eyes wide.
He scratched his cheek lightly.
— It happened recently.
Before she could say anything more, the guild master approached.
— Talis, we're glad you're here.
— Given the situation, your participation is required.
Talis nodded calmly.
— Understood.
Vaelis was still trying to process what she had just heard.
Rank S… so that's why…
Soon after, the teams were formed.
Four groups in total.
Two Rank A teams
One Rank B team
And the team of Talis and Vaelis
They departed together and soon arrived at the site of the anomaly.
Before them stood a massive dungeon gate, radiating an ominous red glow.
The air felt wrong.
Heavy. Oppressive.
— A red portal… Helio muttered.
Helio, a veteran Rank A adventurer, stepped forward.
— Everyone, once inside, we split up.
— Sweep the area and eliminate all hostile entities.
Talis nodded.
— That works.
The teams entered the portal.
The world on the other side was nothing like a normal dungeon.
The sky was dark crimson.
The ground was cracked and blackened.
Ruins stretched as far as the eye could see.
Vaelis felt a chill run down her spine.
— This place…
Talis frowned.
— I know these lands.
She looked at him.
— You do?
— Yes. But that's not important right now.
Helio raised his voice.
— Split up! Stay alert!
The groups separated.
Talis and Vaelis moved together.
Monsters emerged almost immediately.
Twisted creatures with distorted limbs and glowing red eyes rushed toward them.
Vaelis stepped forward and unleashed flames, cutting down several enemies.
But more came.
Too many.
One monster broke through her guard and sent her flying.
— Vaelis! Talis called out.
She rolled across the ground, breathing hard.
— I'm fine…!
But she knew the truth.
I can't keep up like this.
She clenched her teeth.
— Then… I'll use it.
Her draconic markings flared to life.
Crimson light spread across her skin as her aura exploded outward.
The monsters hesitated.
Vaelis dashed forward, her movements sharper, faster.
Flames roared with renewed intensity.
One by one, the monsters fell.
She stood amid the remains, breathing steadily.
A translucent interface shimmered briefly.
Vaelis — Total Power (Draconic Mark Active): 12,000
Talis watched silently.
Another interface appeared.
Talis — Total Power: 23,000
Elsewhere in the dungeon:
Helio (Rank A): 10,000
Baccus (Rank A): 8,600
Kael (Rank B): 4,600
— You've grown, Talis said calmly.
Vaelis smiled faintly.
— I'm not stopping here.
They continued deeper into the ruined world.
The farther they went, the heavier the mana became.
Finally, they reached a vast open area.
At its center stood a colossal statue.
A monstrous figure carved from black stone.
Horns twisted toward the sky.
Wings folded behind its back.
Its eyes… seemed almost alive.
Vaelis felt her heart tighten.
— That statue…
Talis stopped walking.
His expression darkened.
— So it's here…
He stared at the statue in silence.
— Then this dungeon truly doesn't belong to this world.
Vaelis swallowed.
— What… is that thing?
Talis didn't answer.
The statue's eyes flickered faintly.