The week following their arrival at the southern outpost had been painfully dull—at least according to Ares.
Most of their time was spent buried in dusty old textbooks, studying the Mana Beasts they might encounter, memorising their attack patterns and weaknesses.
It wasn't exactly the wild, dangerous adventure Ares had imagined when he thought of the Wildlands. Instead of thrilling battles or narrow escapes, he was stuck reading the same repetitive material over and over again. Still, he knew better than to complain. Knowledge was always valuable—especially here.
But one thing kept his hopes high.
The air itself buzzed with mana. He could feel it. It was denser, more alive than anything he'd experienced before. His core responded eagerly, absorbing more with each passing day. This place was full of energy, and that meant opportunity.
He yearned to fight Mana Beasts. That was one of, if not the fastest way to grow stronger, and growth was currently his primary objective.
And finally, something changed.
This morning, instead of the usual call to fetch their books, the instructor said something different—something with a hint of excitement.
"Gather your supplies. We're heading to our first Dungeon."
Excitement exploded through Ares' mind like wildfire.
He had read everything he could about Dungeons, though there wasn't much to read. They were strange phenomena, pocket dimensions that only existed within the Wildlands. Mysterious, dangerous, and perfect for someone wanting to test their strength.
The ones near the outer edge were usually Category E—only E-Rank Mana Beasts inside, with a Boss Beast no stronger than D-Rank. But deep in the heart of the Wildlands? That's where Category S Dungeons lay—the kind only fools or legends dared to explore.
Most Mana Beasts stayed inside dungeons, but not all. Some escaped, roaming the Wildlands and turning travel into a deadly affair. It was one of the reasons few ever dared to go too deep.
"Ready?" Selene's voice snapped him out of his thoughts.
"Huh? Oh. Yeah." He nodded quickly.
"Listen up, everyone," the instructor said, his tone sharp. "Today, we're joined by two seasoned Adventurers. Both are at the Third Stage of Intermediate Rank—they'll be a great help inside."
Ares turned his head as the instructor, Viktor, gestured to the newcomers.
Two men stepped forward, clad in worn iron armour. They were young—maybe only six or seven years older than him—but their faces were tired, their eyes distant.
"They're probably here to avoid the war," Ares thought.
Every able-bodied person was expected to enlist. There were few exceptions, and protecting the Wildlands' border—and the villages beyond—was one of them.
"My name's Teon. This is Aster," said the brown-haired one.
The group nodded politely before returning their attention to Viktor, who wasted no time continuing.
"The dungeon we're heading to has shown signs of Goblins. Some have already escaped. This is a chance to gain real experience—and help ease the workload of the Outpost."
Then, he turned on his heel and marched forward. "We leave at once. It's only half a day's walk."
"Only half a day?" Ares frowned. If it was so close, why hadn't the Chief taken care of it already?
Then he remembered the state of the outpost—barely functional, under-maintained, and poorly manned. The place was barely staying alive. The answer clicked into place.
"Probably underfunded and understaffed… which might also explain why someone so young is a Chief," Ares thought, his eyes narrowing as they began the march toward the unknown.
The journey to the Dungeon entrance passed without incident, which made sense, considering how close it was to the outpost. Any wandering beasts had likely already been dealt with, maybe even by the very soldiers walking beside them now.
Before long, they reached it: a doorway carved directly into the stone of a jagged mountainside. But instead of wooden gates or an iron portcullis, a shimmering sheet of light hung in the frame—iridescent, pulsing softly as it shifted between violet, blue, and green hues.
The group stared in quiet awe.
It was a teleport.
Unlike the ones in the royal palace or the halls of Lotius Academy, which were used for swift travel between cities, this portal connected directly to a Dungeon, a pocket dimension teeming with Mana Beasts.
Without a word, the instructor glanced over his shoulder to make sure they were ready, then stepped through.
He vanished instantly, swallowed by the light.
Ares's heart pounded as he stepped forward, excitement and nerves battling inside him. Then he moved.
A jolt raced through his body like a static shock. For a brief instant, the air turned freezing cold, and his vision blurred into blackness.
Then—light.
He stood in a vast, shadowy cave. Jagged walls rose around him, damp and echoing with the faint drip of water. Ahead, the instructor held a glowing orb in one hand, its light casting long shadows and illuminating the rocky passage beyond.
A soft zip echoed behind him.
Ares turned just in time to see Selene step through the portal, materialising out of thin air. Her eyes scanned the surroundings quickly, lips pressed into a focused line.
One by one, the rest of the group emerged, boots crunching softly against the damp stone floor.
The group now stood in full.
Soul Weapons began to materialise as everyone prepared for what this Dungeon had to offer.