Kelvin continued, "I can continue to heal your injuries as long as you don't get too seriously hurt, granting you enough time to attack and trap the Caretaker."
John halted his steps. He furrowed his brows in thought at Kelvin's logical conclusion.
It was well-known that the Caretaker, known as the Shadow Reaper, the Final Boss of the Level One Dungeon, the Abandoned Orphanage, disliked light. He possessed the ability to jump from one shadow to another and wielded a cutlass with chains wrapped around his wrists, allowing him to strike enemies from afar without losing his weapon.
This was why the White Illumination Stone was such a valuable item. Not only did it protect by casting a shadowless protective sphere around them, but it also allowed them to defend themselves from the Caretaker's attacks at a distance.
They were also aware of the Caretaker's attack patterns, so as long as they saw his weapon coming, they could easily dodge or even trap it.
The Dungeon's Final Boss, once a menace among Hunters and responsible for high death tolls each month, was no longer a threat. Conquering the dungeon was a piece of cake. Still, they didn't dare become careless because they had to follow the script to complete the dungeon safely.
"Fine, you can come with me. I'll protect you, but you also have to do your job to the best of your abilities. If I catch you stalling during a critical moment, I won't hesitate to strike you down," John said, his eyes fierce and his expression solemn as he stared at Kelvin to ensure he understood that he wasn't joking.
"I understand. I will certainly do my best to ensure that none of that happens," Kelvin nodded, his expression and tone solemn.
John's expression finally eased up.
Upon witnessing this, Kelvin sighed in relief and walked toward him, standing beside him.
"Wait, don't leave me here. I'm also very useful. I'm very proficient with the bow. Taking me along would increase our chances of defeating the Caretaker and destroying the item box," Cynthia said hurriedly.
However, no one in the group paid any attention. They simply turned around and began walking out of the light.
The moment they stepped into the darkness, the white stones in their hands radiated a vibrant light, illuminating a radius of about five meters around them.
"Please don't leave me here. My siblings are sick, and my mother is bedridden in the hospital. If I don't get money for their treatment, they won't survive much longer," Cynthia collapsed to her knees and cried out.
"Completing this dungeon and getting the rewards is the only way we might be able to survive for an extended period. Please, I can still render some help."
In her view, the flickering light, which dimmed slightly as the others stepped into the hallway, signified her death sentence if she didn't follow them.
However, the others pretended not to hear her… except one person.
Mr Jonathan turned to look at Cynthia, a myriad of complicated emotions in his eyes, and said, "I'll take you along with me. However, you have to promise to do everything I say. Even after this dungeon is over, you'll have to accompany me to one more dungeon before you are released from our agreement. If you can accomplish that, then I'll take you with me."
"…I…" Cynthia hesitated, staring at the pudgy man before her, unsure whether she should agree to his request. Seeing that Jonathan had sensed her hesitation and was about to turn and leave, she quickly nodded. "I agree… I agree. Please take me with you!"
She stood up and walked to Jonathan's side.
John saw the scene from a distance and shook his head in pity.
"Such a lustful man. What is beauty in the presence of a monster? He definitely won't survive long," John said, already marking Jonathan off among those who wouldn't survive long as a Hunter.
He thought Jonathan had fallen for Cynthia's beauty, which was why he had taken her along. To think a beautiful woman didn't know how to utilise her beauty was nothing short of foolishness.
Others might be unaware, or choose not to, for personal volition, but those who could use it were the most dangerous of them all.
Still, John hoped that he had a way to protect himself from being backstabbed, or else it wouldn't take long for a woman like Cynthia to reap the fruits of his labour.
After all, why would she enter a Level One Dungeon, like the Abandoned Orphanage, without a White Illumination Stone?
Someone like Kelvin was much more dependable because he at least provided some value.
Kelvin also shook his head in disappointment at the scene and, at the same time, looked at Jonathan with disgust.
Jonathan noticed the look they directed his way, but paid it no mind; it wasn't the first time he had been looked at that way. All that mattered was that he could conquer this dungeon and emerge alive.
The only one who didn't bother to look back was Vanessa, who was already walking ahead of the group with her sword drawn.
The others drew their weapons as well, grasping them tightly in their hands.
As soon as the entire group stepped out under the light bulb, the light flickered off. The only illumination in the hallway came from the glow of the white stones, stretching five meters in radius around them.
Surprisingly, the light didn't cast any shadows around them.
By overlapping the light at the edges, they were able to illuminate about fifteen meters in radius. The sight was nothing short of magical.
Jonathan held his shield up as he walked behind the group.
Suddenly, they heard the sound of hurried footsteps at the other end of the hallway.
"He's coming," Kelvin said.
"Shh! Lower your voice," John immediately sealed his lips with his hand, glaring at him.
"He will test our strength first, then attempt to scare us off with a few attacks. Everyone, brace yourselves," he muttered almost quietly.