The rhythmic crunch of boots against the dirt road filled the tense silence as the adventurers and knights advanced toward the dungeon. A cool morning breeze rustled through the trees lining the path, but it did little to settle the nerves of those marching into battle.
Over a hundred warriors moved in disciplined formation—rows of armored knights flanking the more lightly equipped adventurers. Despite the clear blue sky overhead, an uneasy heaviness clung to the air, an unshakable feeling that something had already gone horribly wrong.
It wasn't long before the first signs of disturbance appeared. Birds took to the skies in erratic flocks, their frantic cawing echoing through the air like an alarm. Small critters scurried across the path, darting between the underbrush as they fled from the direction of the dungeon. Even larger beasts—deer, wild boars—bolted past the group, their eyes wide with primal fear.
"Damn… I've never seen the animals this restless," Darin muttered, adjusting his grip on his staff. His usual cocky demeanor had faded, replaced with wariness.
"It's a bad omen," Lena added, her fingers tightening around her staff. "Something has them terrified."
"A dungeon break will do that," Garron rumbled, walking beside them with his massive tower shield strapped to his back. "Instinct drives them away from danger."
Murmurs rippled through the adventurers and knights, the realization sinking in—whatever was in that dungeon was strong enough to unsettle even creatures not directly involved.
Kai, walking near the front, glanced toward Gale, who had remained quiet since their departure. "Think this means more monsters have started pouring out?"
"It's possible," Gale answered, scanning the treetops. His brow was furrowed in deep thought. "But the scout team would've signaled if it was a full-scale breakout. That is… if they still could."
A heavy silence fell over the group. The thought of the scout team already falling to whatever lurked inside the dungeon left an uncomfortable weight in everyone's chest. The knights exchanged glances, hands tightening around sword hilts, while some of the adventurers whispered among themselves.
"Either way," Roderic spoke up, his voice firm, "we'll find out soon enough. Stay sharp."
The march continued, the rhythmic crunch of boots against the dirt road the only constant sound amidst the hushed tension. Overhead, the sky stretched wide and endless, but beneath its vast expanse, the adventurers and knights felt the oppressive weight of the unknown pressing down on them. The deeper they ventured, the more the forest around them felt... different.
Knights in the rear occasionally glanced over their shoulders, almost as if expecting something to come lunging out of the trees. The Perimeter Defense Squad, assigned to secure the dungeon's surroundings, exchanged knowing looks—they wouldn't be the ones storming into the depths of danger. Their duty was important, but it lacked the same adrenaline-pumping uncertainty that came with facing the heart of the dungeon itself.
A gust of wind rustled the leaves, sending a faint shiver down the spines of a few less-seasoned adventurers. Even the usual chatter that often accompanied large deployments was subdued, the weight of anticipation keeping voices low. And yet, amid that seriousness, a few couldn't help but speculate.
"I gotta admit," an adventurer in the middle of the formation said, nudging his companion. "I kinda wanted to be in the Dungeon Suppression Squad this time."
"Oh?" His friend raised an eyebrow. "Didn't you say earlier you were fine with sticking to Perimeter Defense?"
"Well, yeah, but…" The adventurer scratched his cheek. "After seeing what Belle did during the last subjugation quest, don't you want to witness whatever crazy thing she's gonna do this time?"
A few chuckles spread through the group, though the tension in the air remained.
"Right? I swear, she took down that ogre like it was nothing. And now she's heading straight for the dungeon alone. You just know she's gonna do something insane."
"Damn shame for us perimeter guys," another adventurer sighed dramatically. "We'll be stuck outside while all the action happens in the dungeon."
A few knights exchanged amused glances, but before the lighthearted conversation could continue, a sharp voice cut through their chatter.
"You fools think this is some kind of spectacle?"
Gale's tone was cold, each syllable laced with a quiet fury. The casual banter died instantly as the adventurers turned to face him. His emerald eyes burned with intensity, scanning their faces with barely concealed disdain.
"The safety of Dawnstead is at risk," he continued, stepping forward. "This isn't an arena match or some grand show for you to gawk at."
The adventurers fell silent, shifting awkwardly under Gale's gaze.
"Belle's power isn't something to cheer for. It's something we rely on because we don't have the luxury of failing." His expression hardened, jaw tightening as his gaze swept over them. "If you think this mission is just another chance to be entertained, then you shouldn't have come."
The weight of his words settled over them, washing away any lingering excitement like cold water over a flame. Reality loomed over them once again—this wasn't a game. Lives were at stake, and the person they were so eager to watch was the one carrying a burden far heavier than any of them could imagine.
For a moment, silence reigned. Then, someone swallowed audibly and nodded. Another murmured a quiet apology. One by one, their expressions shifted from idle curiosity to something more resolute.
Gale let the silence linger a little longer before turning his eyes forward once more. "Focus," he said. "The real fight hasn't even begun."
And with that, the march pressed onward, the weight of unspoken understanding settling over the group as they moved ever closer to the dungeon.
The march had been steady, but as the road forked ahead, a weight settled over the adventurers and knights alike. They had reached the point where the Perimeter Defense Squad and the Dungeon Suppression Squad would split up.
The defensive unit would remain stationed closer to Dawnstead, acting as a final safeguard to ensure nothing from the dungeon break reached the town. Meanwhile, the suppression force would continue toward the dungeon itself, diving headfirst into whatever horrors awaited them.
Roderic took a step forward, turning to address the men and women who would be holding the line. "This is where we part ways. Dawnstead's safety rests on your shoulders now." His gaze swept over them, sharp and unyielding. "Hold your ground. Let nothing slip past you. We're counting on you."
The adventurers and knights assigned to perimeter duty gave firm nods, gripping their weapons tighter. "Understood!"
Gale, his emerald eyes gleaming with determination, stepped up beside Roderic. He was tasked with leading the Perimeter Defense Squad alongside their key unit—the Trinity Blade, an elite trio renowned for their strength and achievements in Dawnstead. With them, he would ensure no monster breached their defenses.
Roderic, on the other hand, would take command of the Dungeon Suppression Squad and press forward. There was no room for hesitation.
As the squads began shifting into position, Gale made his way through the crowd until he stood face-to-face with Kai. There was no amusement in his expression this time, no teasing smirk or playful banter. Instead, his face was set in a firm, serious mask.
"Kai."
Kai blinked at him, taken slightly off guard. "What?"
Gale inhaled deeply before exhaling, crossing his arms over his chest. "Don't be reckless."
Kai arched an eyebrow. "Oh, come on. You're really gonna give me the 'be careful' speech?"
"Yes." Gale's voice was sharp, but there was something else beneath it—something Kai couldn't quite place. "I know how you are. You rush in without thinking, you overextend, and then someone else has to save your ass."
Kai scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Thanks for the confidence boost, Gale."
"I'm serious." Gale's voice dropped slightly, his words laced with an edge of something almost like concern. "We can't afford to lose you. So don't die."
Kai's smirk faltered for a brief moment. "…Yeah. I know."
Gale studied him for a second longer, then gave a short nod before turning on his heel and walking back toward the perimeter group. His pace was steady, but there was a tension in his shoulders, as if he was forcing himself to walk away.
Kai exhaled through his nose, rubbing the back of his neck before shifting his gaze toward Roderic. "Alright. Let's move."
With that, the Dungeon Suppression Squad resumed their march toward the dungeon, the air around them thick with the weight of impending battle. The Perimeter Defense Squad remained behind, ready to hold their ground.
Back in Dawnstead, the air buzzed with a mixture of tension and determination as preparations for the dungeon break continued in full force. Although the main forces of adventurers and knights had already departed for the dungeon, those who remained were tasked with ensuring the town's safety and stability in the coming days.
Near the town gates, several large medical tents had been set up, their canvas flapping slightly in the cool breeze. Inside, healers were already preparing for incoming wounded, setting out vials of healing potions, fresh bandages, and enchanted salves. The scent of medicinal herbs filled the air as clerics murmured soft prayers, their hands glowing faintly with healing magic.
A few F-Rank adventurers assisted in organizing the space, moving cots into place and stacking fresh blankets. A young cleric, her face taut with concern, turned to an older healer.
"How bad do you think it'll be?" she asked, clutching a bundle of gauze.
The older healer sighed, tightening the wrap around her sleeves. "Dungeon breaks don't end quickly, and we don't know the full scale yet. We must be prepared for anything."
In the marketplace, shopkeepers and craftsmen worked with swift efficiency, reinforcing their storefronts and boarding up windows. Blacksmiths hammered out last-minute weapons and armor for any late-prepared adventurers, while alchemists brewed additional potions, their cauldrons bubbling with mixtures of restoration and resistance elixirs.
Several knights had stationed themselves near the tents, prepared to help transport any injured adventurers or knights who could not make it back on their own. A stretcher lay ready, a grim reminder of the reality they were facing.
Not far from the medical tents, a series of supply tents had been erected with the help of both F-Rank adventurers and the townsfolk. Stacks of food, water barrels, and blankets were being arranged, ready to be sent to the adventurers and knights on the battlefield. A group of bakers and cooks worked diligently, preparing simple but nourishing meals that could be easily transported.
An elderly woman, wiping flour from her hands, smiled reassuringly at a young boy who was helping carry sacks of bread. "Every bit helps, child. Even if we're not fighting, we can make sure those who are have the strength to keep going."
Beside them, a blacksmith pounded away at a heated blade, sweat trickling down his face as he worked tirelessly to repair and reinforce weapons that had been brought in. F-Rank adventurers hustled about, some reinforcing armor with extra straps and others securing additional supplies onto carts.
Tension thickened in the air. Though Dawnstead remained untouched for now, the storm was coming. It was only a matter of time before the first waves of monsters would test the town's defenses. And when they did, Dawnstead had to be ready.
Despite the flurry of activity, worry still clung to the air like a heavy fog. Groups of townsfolk gathered near the guild building, whispering among themselves. Some feared the worst, their minds drifting to past tales of dungeon breaks that had gone unchecked and led to town-wide destruction.
Alina, the ever-composed guild receptionist, stepped forward, her voice steady but gentle as she addressed their concerns.
"Please remain calm, everyone," she said, her gentle violet eyes sweeping over the gathered townsfolk. "The strongest adventurers and knights of Dawnstead have already mobilized. They are trained for situations like these, and they will do everything in their power to contain the threat."
A middle-aged woman clutched her shawl. "But… What if they fail? What if the monsters make it here?"
Alina placed a reassuring hand on the woman's shoulder. "We've taken every precaution to ensure that does not happen. The town's defenses have been reinforced, and even now, our adventurers are working to create additional fortifications. This is not the first challenge Dawnstead has faced, and it won't be the last—but we will endure."
The warm glow of lanterns illuminated their anxious faces, flickering against the cool dusk air. At the center of it all, standing atop the wooden steps of the guild hall, guildmaster Garrick surveyed the crowd.
He let the tension settle for a moment before he spoke, his deep, commanding voice cutting through the murmurs. "Listen up, everyone."
The crowd quieted immediately, all eyes turning toward him. He stood tall, a veteran of many battles, his presence alone a pillar of stability amidst the uncertainty.
"I won't lie to you," he continued, his gaze firm. "This dungeon break won't be resolved in a single night. It may last for several days, depending on how deep the corruption runs. But know this—we are not helpless."
He gestured outward, his hand sweeping across the scene before them. The medical and supply tents stood sturdy despite the wind, stocked with essentials. F-Rank adventurers worked tirelessly near the town gates, reinforcing the barriers that would serve as their last line of defense.
"Everyone here has a role to play," Garrick declared, his voice unwavering. "Whether you're fighting on the frontlines, tending to the wounded, or ensuring supplies reach those who need them, your efforts matter. Every action, no matter how small, brings us closer to victory."
He took a slow, measured breath, letting his words sink in. His expression was grave, yet resolute. "We have trained for emergencies like this. The guild, the knights, and the adventurers—this is what we do. If we remain steadfast and work together, we will see this through."
For a moment, the town was silent. Then, slowly, a ripple of nods and murmurs of agreement spread through the crowd. Fear still lingered in their eyes, but now, it was tempered with something stronger—resolve.
Meanwhile, just beyond the town gates, F-Rank adventurers were hard at work fortifying their defenses. Wooden carts were overturned and reinforced with sharpened stakes, creating barriers to funnel any potential threats into narrow kill zones. Heavy sacks of sand and stone were piled strategically, forming makeshift walls that could slow the advance of any creatures that managed to escape the dungeon.
A group of young adventurers, clad in basic leather armor, hammered additional wooden planks into place. The rhythmic clatter of hammers against wood mixed with the distant chatter of knights and blacksmiths preparing weapons.
One of them, a wiry young man with sweat dripping from his brow, paused to wipe his forehead. He glanced at his companion, a slightly older adventurer with a steady grip on his hammer. "Think this'll be enough to stop a charging monster?" he asked, gesturing to the barricade.
His friend smirked, adjusting his grip. "Probably not. But it'll at least slow 'em down until the knights cut 'em down."
The two exchanged a brief chuckle before resuming their work. The tension was there, but so was a sense of unity. Even among the lower-ranked adventurers, there was an unspoken determination to protect the place they called home.
Further down the barricades, a group of veteran knights drilled formations, preparing for worst-case scenarios. Their squadron captain, a stern-faced man with graying hair, barked orders with precision. "Hold the line! No matter what comes through those gates, we stand our ground!"
Torches were mounted at key positions, ensuring visibility throughout the night. The town had faced dangers before, but when the knight arrived, the stakes would become higher. Every precaution was being taken, every effort made to turn Dawnstead into an impenetrable fortress.
The battle at the dungeon was only beginning. And here, within the walls of Dawnstead, the people would do everything they could to endure. This was not just a test of strength, but a test of resilience.
And Dawnstead would not fall so easily.
End of Chapter 51