541 Chapter 121.1 - Another One


    As the team began to catch their breath and gather themselves after the intense battle, the atmosphere in the molten chamber shifted. A soft hum filled the air, followed by the flicker of a glowing rune that appeared near the entrance. It was the special signal, a direct message from Liana.


    Momentster, the rune red, and Liana stepped through the door. She moved with her usualposed grace, her eyes immediately scanning the area.


    The molten fragments of the Fire Spirit still smoldered, and the oppressive heat lingered, but the massive creature had been effectively neutralized, just as Astron had nned.


    Liana''s sharp gaze fell upon the dormant core of the Fire Spirit, now significantly weakened but still intact. She raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed by what she saw. The team watched as she approached, the faint glow from the molten rivers casting shadows on her face. She took a moment to observe the state of the chamber, her expression thoughtful.


    "Impressive," Liana remarked, her voice calm but with a hint of approval. "Not killed, yet no longer a threat. Exactly as the mission required."


    She knelt by the Fire Spirit''s core, reaching out to inspect it closely. The mana flow within the core was faint but stable, and the creature''s molten body had copsedpletely. It would take time for the Fire Spirit to recover, and by then, the mining teams would have extracted the valuable resources they needed.


    Liana stood up, her attention turning to the group. Her eyes briefly met Astron''s, acknowledging the precision of his n without needing to say a word. She folded her arms and gave a slight nod of satisfaction.


    "This was earlier than I expected," she said, ncing at the team with a knowing smile. "You''ve outdone yourselves. I was informed toe once the Fire Spirit was neutralized, but I didn''t think it would be this soon."


    Dorian let out a small chuckle, clearly pleased with the oue. "Yeah, we don''t mess around when we''ve got a n."


    Gareth, still maintaining his stoic demeanor, added, "Astron''s strategy sped things up."


    Liana''s gaze shifted back to Astron, her expression thoughtful. "That must be the case." Since he was the addition to the team, something like this was bound to happen. That was what everything was about, after all. "The Fire Spirit was a formidable opponent, but you neutralized it without any unnecessary damage to the core or the environment. That''s no small feat."


    Astron remainedposed, nodding slightly in response. "The mission was clear. We had to subdue, not destroy."


    Liana smiled, her approval evident. "Precisely. That bnce is difficult to maintain, especially under pressure. But you all worked together and executed the n efficiently." She turned to the rest of the team. "Each of you yed your part perfectly. You should be proud of the result."


    Kurt, standing nearby with his shield still raised, couldn''t help but feel a sense of aplishment, though his thoughts were already reflecting on how he could improve.


    Elena gave Liana a slight bow, her expression showing her pride in the team''s sess. "We just followed the n."


    Liana nodded, her demeanor still professional but clearly pleased. "That''s exactly what makes a sessful team—understanding your roles and trusting the strategy."


    She took a step back and surveyed the room once more, her eyesnding on the team''s formation and the remnants of the battle. "I''ll inform the mining teams that it''s safe to begin. You''ve cleared the way perfectly."


    With that, Liana''s expression softened slightly, a rare moment of warmth in her otherwiseposed exterior. "Well done, all of you. Guild master will be pleased with this result."


    The team exchanged nces, the weight of the mission lifting slightly as they felt the satisfaction of a job well done. Liana''s approval carried weight, and knowing they had met her expectations, and more, was a victory in itself.


    Liana''s eyes swept over the team once more, her expression settling into its usualposed demeanor. "You''ve done well here, but as per the schedule, there''s more toe today. You''ll have a short break, but be prepared—there are additional expeditionster."


    The team exchanged a few knowing nces but didn''t protest. Though the battle had been mentally taxing, the members weren''t overly fatigued physically. They had executed their roles with precision, and the efficient use of their skills had left them with enough energy to continue.


    Kurt rolled his shoulders, the weight of his shield now a familiar presence rather than a burden. "Not much of a breather, but we''re ready for whatever''s next."


    Dorian, leaning casually on his swords, smirked. "Tiring, sure, but nothing we can''t handle. Besides, it''s better to stay warmed up."


    Elena nodded in agreement, her staff resting at her side. "We''ve had tougher days. This is just part of the job."


    Gareth, as stoic as ever, simply gave a small nod. "I''m good to go when needed."


    L, with her golem now deactivated and floating back into her summoning device, smiled lightly. "Let''s make the most of the break, but I''m with them. We''re in good shape."


    Liana observed the team''s rxed attitude with a small hint of approval in her eyes. This group had proven itself capable and resilient, adapting to whatever was thrown their way. She could see why they were trusted for such high-pressure missions.


    "Very well. Take your time to recover and refocus," Liana instructed. "The next expedition won''t be as intense as this, but stay sharp. We''ll reconvene soon, and I''ll guide you through the next steps. I''ll be assisting you for the remainder of the week, so if there''s anything you need, don''t hesitate to let me know."


    The team nodded in unison, appreciating the brief respite before the next phase of their work.


    As they began to file out of the chamber, Liana moved to the side, guiding them through the molten pathways with the same efficiency she had shown since their first briefing.


    Despite the looming pressure of the uing missions, the atmosphere among the team remained rtively rxed. They trusted each other, and their bond was forged through the shared intensity of battle.


    Walking alongside the team, Liana remained a quiet but ever-watchful presence, her role as their assistant clear. She would be with them for each uing expedition, and her responsibility went beyond just logistical support—she would ensure that everything flowed seamlessly, allowing the team to focus on the tasks ahead.


    ''The Guild Master…..He needs to see this.''


    The footage of the fight especially needed to be analyzed.


    ''We really need to keep him with us.''


    Even if he was sent by the organization, they had found a gem here, and her developed sense of business in this industry was screaming at her.


    *******


    In a quiet briefing room that overlooked the barracks, the team was gathered.


    The air was cooler now, a wee change after the sweltering heat of the Infernal Nexus. Each member of the team was seated, still rxed but attentive, waiting for Liana to begin the next mission briefing.


    The room was dimly lit, with a holographic table in the center disying theyout of their next dungeon. Liana stood at the head of the table, her demeanor professional, as always. She tapped her tablet, and a 3D model of the dungeon appeared above the table. It depicted a long, winding path that led deeper into a dark, cavernous expanse.


    "This next dungeon," Liana began, her voice clear and calm, "is what we refer to as a ''Linear Gate.'' It''s rtively straightforwardpared to the Infernal Nexus—noplex terrain or unstable environments, but the challenge lies in the sheer number of enemies."


    She gestured to the map, which now zoomed in to show various points of interest along the dungeon''s path. "The estimated strength of this dungeon is around peak stage-5. Unlike the Nexus, where you dealt with a powerful singr entity, this dungeon is popted by arge number of creatures. They aren''t as individually strong, but their numbers will be your main challenge."


    11:01


    Kurt leaned forward, studying the map. "What kind of monsters are we dealing with?"


    Liana tapped another button, and several holographic images of the monsters appeared. They resembled twisted, reptilian creatures with elongated limbs and thick, scaled skin. Their ws were long and sharp, and their eyes glowed faintly with mana.


    "These are called Vaurask Reapers," Liana exined. "They operate in packs and are known for their relentless hunting tactics. Individually, they aren''t too difficult to take down, but inrge groups, they can be overwhelming."


    Elena narrowed her eyes, her fingers tapping rhythmically on the arm of her chair. "Howrge are we talking?"


    "Based on our scout reports, you can expect waves of 10 to 20 at a time. The deeper you go, therger the packs will be. Towards the final section of the dungeon, they''ll likelye in waves of 30 or more."


    Gareth, who had been silently watching the briefing, spoke up. "Any special abilities we need to watch out for?"


    "They have a pack mentality," Liana continued, "which means they work together to nk and corner their prey. They rely on speed and coordination, so be prepared for ambushes. They also possess minor mana resistance, particrly to fire, but their bodies are weak to piercing and shing attacks."


    Dorian''s eyes gleamed with excitement. "Sounds like I''ll be busy."


    Liana allowed herself a small smile at Dorian''s enthusiasm. "Indeed. Your des will be particrly effective against them. However, keep in mind that they''re fast. It''s easy to get overwhelmed if you''re not careful."


    "I see." The team nodded their heads as they looked at the dungeon, while Liana continued. The map zoomed out, showing the entire dungeon route again. Liana pointed to the end of the path, where arger chamber awaited. "The final room contains the dungeon''s boss—a Vaurask Alpha. It''srger, stronger, and more intelligent than the others. Itmands the packs, and if you defeat it, the rest of the creatures will scatter."


    She paused, letting the information sink in. "However, the Alpha has thick armor-like scales and a high level of mana resistance. It''s not like the regr Reapers."


    Kurt leaned back, arms crossed, deep in thought. "So, lots of small fights leading up to a big one. Any intel on the Alpha''s abilities?"


    "It''s a physical powerhouse," Liana replied. "But it also has a form of mana-based roar that can disrupt your senses. The scouts noted that it can temporarily interfere with mana perception, so be careful."


    Elena raised an eyebrow. "A roar that disrupts mana? That''s rare."


    "Indeed," Liana agreed. "You''ll need to time your attacks carefully to avoid being caught off guard. The good news is, we''ve scouted this gate thoroughly, so there shouldn''t be any surprises beyond what I''ve briefed you on."


    The team nodded, processing the briefing. While the mission was different from thest, they were ready. This dungeon might not have the overwhelming power of a fire spirit, but the numbers they were facing posed a different kind of challenge.


    "Any other questions?" Liana asked, looking around the room.


    Kurt shook his head. "No questions. We''re ready."


    "Good," Liana said with a satisfied nod. "We''ll head out in an hour. Get your gear ready and mentally prepare for the fight ahead."


    With that, she dismissed the team, leaving them to gather their thoughts and prepare for the next battle. As they filed out of the room, Liana remained behind, watching the holographic map.


    ''They handled the Infernal Nexus wlessly,'' she thought. ''Let''s see how they deal with a different kind of pressure.''


    This would be a crucial test of their endurance and adaptability, and Liana was confident they''d rise to the asion.


    N?v(el)B\\jnn