The Ancients World

~~~(POV: Hailey Adamo)~~~

~~~(Location: The City of Techart, Guards Barracks)~~~

~~~(Time: 6:49 AM)~~~

It's convenient that my quest has everything to do with this Dungeon break, or maybe this was intended by the system. I can't know the answer, but I can speculate. "Ms. Adamo, I'm incredibly grateful for you hearing me out. But I need to know if you're helping us or not." He's rushing for an answer from me. And I don't want to accept the quest.

​ All my instincts are telling me to wait and figure out more information, but this is directly tied to my tier-up quest. After this, I'll be tier-3, and I'll be done catching up. "It's too early to say if I'm helping you or not, Commander Eren. I need to see the location first. I want to see what a Dungeon break looks like while nearing its final stage." This is valuable information. 

It could be something that Cera doesn't even know about. It's unlikely, but it's possible. He said that his actions changed the future, which could be one of the changes. "That's a reasonable request if I've ever heard one. We'll leave immediately, and we'll take a squad of our best guards." The history of the Dungeon is one of weakness.

But the monsters inside have gotten too strong for ordinary guards to handle. This is probably the first time a Player from Earth will get an up-close look at a Dungeon break since it's such a new and mysterious phenomenon in this world. "Alright, I'll let you lead the way, Commander. You know this area and city far better than I do." He gives a stern nod, and his features remain stoic. 

We exit his office, and we enter the guard's lodging area. There are beds on either side of the room. And some are relaxing, and others playing games. "Squads 4 and 7! Prepare for deployment! We're taking Ms. Adamo here to Gezimophs Grove, and we'll be showing her what we're up against!" The men and women standing near the row leading to the door saluting and soon starting to prepare. 

Commander Eren and I make our way to the door, and I watch the guards getting ready. "It's impressive how everything is run here. I didn't think that the off-duty guards would be so ready." This is my honest opinion. But I should know better. They're all highly trained and disciplined enough to be prepared for a situation like this. 

I wouldn't know anything about such discipline. While my parent's tried hard when I hit my teenage years, things really spiraled out of control from there. "I've put everything I've got into training my division. But they've still got a long way to go before they reach the expectations I've set." This is going to be fun. I've never worked with anyone in a military-like setting.

After a couple of minutes, all the guards coming with us are reading and standing at attention. Commander Eren and I leave the Guard Barracks first, and the squads behind us are following closely. "It's about 4 miles from Techart, and it's becoming a bigger threat as the days pass. Our Cities lord, Baron Harkson, is a good man but poorer than he should be." Politics...

<br/>Something that I don't like to talk about and things that I don't find engaging in the slightest. "Why is even a Noble and City Lord if he's poor? I thought ruling nobles had to be powerful and rich?" Might as well entertain the conversation as we walk. We're about to leave the city, and it's a little bit of a walk to get there. 

Commander Eren would know far more about the political situation here in Techart than I would, and that's for several reasons that I don't care to name. "Baron Harkson inherited Techart through bloodline, and he runs it to the best of his ability. His family lost its wealth a generation before he was born." There isn't that much to really say bad about Baron Harkson. 

It's rare to find unselfish and uncorrupt leaders, and I guess it's better having him as a City Lord than another noble. "Can you tell me anything more about Gezimophs Grove? I know you said there wasn't much, but this walk is pretty boring." He actually cracks a smile, but only I'm able to see it. We're already outside the city, and Commander Eren is leading the way.

The guards are following behind us in a perfect formation as we travel the well-patted down path. It's apparent how often this way was used to reach Gezimophs Grove. "Legend states an insane man made a deal with a Demon and used his new powers to make creatures in the depths of Gezimorphs Grove." I know Cera would love to hear this.

He's someone that enjoys Lore and the places he visits. "From the sounds of it, this place has been here a long time. And no one's ever thought to figure out more about it?" If such a legend is true, it would make sense to investigate it more. Commander Eren looks down in slight disappointment. But not at me or my question, but just at the thought of the Dungeon we're heading to.

Thinking about it, expedition and time to figure out all the Dungeons secrets is probably expensive, and that's money Techart doesn't have. Despite being a large city with a high population, it's just below average in terms of revenue. At least, that's what I'm getting from everything that I've seen so far. I'm surprised Techart is still here, to be honest.

The city itself is in good shape, and it's well maintained, but everyone I saw was either poor or close to it. "As much as it would've benefited us, such activities are out of the city's budget, and there is no solution to it." Techart sounds like it has it rough around here. I wish there were something that could be done, but this isn't my responsibility. 

~~~(POV: Commander Eren)~~~

~~~(Location: Overlooking Gezimorphs Dungeon, Near Techart City)~~~

~~~(Time: 7:41 AM)~~~

We're on a hill with a clear view of the Dungeon, and its clear activity has picked up even more since the last time we were here. "Those monsters roaming outside the Dungeon are indications that a Dungeon break is arriving soon. After a couple more days, monsters will be pouring out of that place at an alarming rate. " Not to mention their high levels. 

Ms. Adamo stays silent as we're on our knees, ensuring we're staying low. She places her hand on her chin and closes her eyes. She looks to be thinking about the decision to help us or not. "Do you know how to stop a Dungeon break? Is defeating the boss and monsters inside the way to halt all of this?" From the reports of other places with similar experiences, that's the way.

I give a simple nod, and she smiles as she stands up. "Okay, I'll help you, Commander Eren. I'll be back when I'm done." Umm... What? She suddenly disappears from my vision, and I have no idea where she's gone. I look towards the dungeon, and the monsters roaming outside are on the ground, dead. We're at least 120 meters away...

~~~(POV: Hailey Adamo)~~~

~~~(Location: Inside Gezimorphs Grove, Near Techart City)~~~

~~~(Time: 7:48 AM)~~~

The monsters in the dungeon are at higher levels than even me. Those guards wouldn't stand a chance. My speed is killing these creatures, though. "I'm getting plenty of EXP, but it's starting to become harder to kill them as I get deeper." The farther I get in, the longer I have to spend on a single enemy killing it. This is going to be interesting.

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A/N: Below this line, I'll be keeping Cera's player information. That way, I won't have to place it into the story above anymore. It takes about 180 words up.

[Slayer (Zern) Lvl.228][Tier-3]

[Exp: 42/100%]

[Title: The Son of Arch-Angel Michael (Hidden)]

[Stats] [Strength - 7095][Endurance - 7045][Dexterity - 7215][Speed - 8240][Focus - 19,660]

[Mana aura control: 6/100%]

[Health: 76,560,000,000/76,560,000,000] [Mana: 216,600,000,000/216,600,000,000]

[Stat Points: 350] [Armor rating: 500]

[Inventory] [Dice of Wayland (Divine)] [Hardened Tree sap Armor (Very Rare)] [The Witness (Legendary Sword)] [Fenrir's Whistle (Divine)] [Camping gear] [Food Rations 3x] [Dried meat 3x] [Fishing poles 2x] [Fish 8x] [Festival Garbs 2x] [4x EXP Boosts]

[Passive Perks]

[Inheritor of the Sword] [Son of Heaven] [Slayer of Evil] [Holy Willow Trees Savior] [Finder of Legends] [The Divine who has Legend] [Destined for Greatness] [Dungeon Diver] [An Overachiever]

[Active Skills]

[Heavens light Lvl.74 325/7400] [Protected by Heaven Lvl.74 225/7400] [Slash Lvl.92 4600/21000] [Parry Lvl.68 85/6800] [Double Strike N/A] [Kingslayer N/A] [Raging Machine N/A] [Winged Glory] [Angelic Flight] [Divine Pressure Exertion] [Divinity Pulse] [Controlled Fun]