"Now report" Zy said while facing a Holo-communicator device. The hologram didn't show their faces; it was only a blank screen.
"Me first. All I can say is that while visiting other countries with my team, nothing unusual happened except for the continuous increase in the number of dungeons opening, especially in Japan and the US. The six of us scattered to visit different countries one by one, and I only received a report from XXIV that the continuous opening of dungeons in the US is abnormal. And four of the dungeons had this same sign." XI then explained and showed on a hologram the sign that XXIV had photographed.
Minjun frowned at the picture XI showed.
"Wait? You have something like that too?" XIV asked in surprise.
"Whaddya mean?" Zy asked XIV.
"Well, my team is assigned to visit the dungeons here in Korea. A few of my team members reported to me that they saw a strange sign in the dungeon they entered." XIV explained.
"You know our mission is to spy on the dungeons, especially since there have been reports of forced openings in various locations these past few days. Based on the information given to us by the secretary of the KHA (Korea's Hunter Association), this sign is related. It's a ritualistic sign used to forcibly open a dungeon." XIV added, The other five listened to the two's report, while Minjun tried to remember where he had seen that sign before.
"What XIV said is true; it's a ritualistic sign used to forcibly open a new dungeon. We're also receiving signals that someone is forcibly opening dungeons these days. We tried to locate them, but our system can't track them because they're using high-quality Null stones," VII explained.
"So it means not only in Korea but also in the US. We can't say that these are the only two places where this is happening. For now, we need to focus on finding out who is behind this strange sign. XI's team, please check other places, as they might be starting there too. We don't know yet if this is related to our enemy, so we need to be alert. We'll help even though we're at school." Jia said, The others nodded in agreement.
"Yes, We understood" the three said in unison. Zy was about to turn off the hologram when Minjun suddenly stood up and pointed at the sign.
"That's it, I already remember that sign" They all frowned at what he said.
"Well, during my training, Master Vhal taught me how to force opening of a dungeon. There are two types: the first is a blank dungeon, the same as our dimension; we can create dimensions as long as the requirements are met. The second is a forced dungeon. We know that creating a forced dungeon is prohibited, right? That's why it wasn't taught to us. But according to what Master taught me, to create a forced dungeon, you need a Magical Barriers and Seals," Minjun explained to them.
"That Masters of yours teach you?" Xuan said in shock
"It's not like that, but yeah, he taught me." He answered. They were all speechless at what he said.
"He know it's prohibited but he still teach you? Damn" Aeris shook his head and said.
"Let me finish first ok?" He said angrily, hitting Aeris on the head. They quickly covered their mouths to let Minjun continue.
"Ok, lemme continue. So to make a forced dungeon is you need Magical Barriers and Seals. Powerful barriers or seals could be placed at the dungeon's entrances and exits, preventing magical teleportation or simply making physical attempts to break through extremely difficult. These could be linked to a central power source or controlled by a powerful being. And that powerful person probably uses Void or Null stones to avoid being located. Besides, this sign, it's a step indicating what kind of dungeon they're opening. There are three steps: The Aperture (beginning), Shatter Link (middle), and the Cataclysmic Breach (final). And based on this sign, they're only at the Aperture stage; it's a lunariar sign, which is why I recognized it quickly." He explained continuously without stopping.
"Aperture? Then what about the two step?" Jia asked him.
"Shatter Link, It's the step that links the forced dungeons; the Aperture is the first step, right? It's the creation of the opening, and after the Shatter link is the Cataclysmic Breach, which is a large-scale catastrophic opening. Once the Aperture and Shatter links are successful, a large-scale dungeon will be created due to the two steps, and it could lead to a tragedy." Everyone was surprised by Minjun's explanation, including the dean, who was shocked by what he said. The others couldn't respond because, for them, it would be a huge problem if the three steps were successful.
"Why are forced dungeons prohibited for us?" Aeris asked in confused.
"Because it costs your life" They all turned to look at the three who were exiting the portal. The Dean stood up and immediately bowed.
"Greetings, Gods" The three smiled. Cyrus, looking tired, quickly sat down, while Jester's eyes lit up upon seeing the food Xuan was holding. He immediately ran to Xuan and snatched the food.
"Hey, that's mine" Xuan chased after him, trying to get the food back.
"So tell us why it's prohibited" Zy said in serious face.
"You probably know why you were given this mission now? When we found out the enemies were starting their plans, we also discovered that several hunters were missing. You know why? Because they're being used as sacrifices," Vhal explained, his brow furrowed. As he walked toward the dean's table, the dean immediately stood up and offered Vhal his seat.
"Do you remember what I said about the followers of one of the enemies kidnapping students to use as sacrifices? And you've heard about the missing hunter cases, right? That's them, the ones forcing a dungeon to open. They're using hunters and students as sacrifices to open a dungeon. And you're asking why forced dungeons are prohibited? Because it could cost your lives. That's why many hunters are missing; they're being used as sacrifices," Jester explained, still running as Xuan chased after him. They all flashed back to what he said. (Chapter 5).
"And Minjun was right about the Magical Barriers & Seals to make a make a forced dungeon but the sacrifice thingy is the most successful and the three steps; if their plan succeeds, there will be a large-scale dungeon, or they're preparing a gate for the arrival of those rats," Cyrus added, leaning back on the sofa with his eyes closed.
"So that means... they aren't just preparing in Korea, but in other places too?" Jia asked.
"Correct. There are only two possibilities: First, only a few countries could succeed as gates for their arrival, and they'll arrive separately. Second, they'll all arrive in one place, and the other gates are just traps. So it's best if we're always alert, especially since we haven't caught any of them yet." They looked at each other after hearing Cyrus's words. He was right; it was best to be alert, especially since the enemy had begun to move.
"Well, I think it's perfect timing because Zy and I caught someone," Minjun said, causing everyone to look at him in surprise.
He snapped his fingers, and a bound man appeared, struggling to break free with his mouth covered.
"W-wait? How?" They asked in confuse.
"Wow, you really take after your master, Minjun. You love to tie people up." Upon hearing that, Vhal seemed proud.
"Ugh, shuddup" Minjun said, still holding the man who looked shocked and terrified.
"did you know he's an enemy?" Aeris asked. While pointing the man.
"Remember earlier when Zae said she smelled something? Zy and I made a plan right then. During Jia and Zy's fight with Jester, that man couldn't help but use a null stone during their last skill. Zy sensed it immediately, captured him, and gave him to me to confine in my pocket dimension. Then, during the break, we secretly extracted details from him. Well, since he was stubborn, Zy used her Mind's Eye skill to access his thoughts and memories," Minjun explained to everyone.
"Then? What did you get?" the Dean immediately asked.
"Well, all I saw in his memories was a person in a cape, whose face wasn't visible, who gave him the null stone. He was told he could only join the group if he provided three to five students, after which his abilities would be advanced. That's why he was given a null stone so he wouldn't be caught," Zy explained.
"Is that all?" Xuan asked
"Yes, well, he's not part of the followers, but he's one of the steps in our plan," Minjun said.
"What do you mean?" Jia's asked in confused face.
"Let's use him," Zy said, smiling. Everyone swallowed, feeling a chill at his unsettling smile. The three Gods also smiled, knowing Zy had a hidden skill that only he and Zae could use on a person.
Minjun patted the man's shoulder and looked at him sadly.
"Rest in peace" minjun said
"Hmmm hmmmm hmmmm" The man's eyes widened, and he broke out in a cold sweat, terrified.