"Alright, let's get this raid started already!" Benson stood in front of the squad, fully geared up in his own custom set of heavy combat armor. "Unlike our standard procedure, we won't be separating into smaller scouting units this time. Instead, we'll move as one large vanguard group led by myself and our vice-captain, Sheila." Jaxen raised an eyebrow behind his mask, slightly surprised by the announcement. Given that Garret was letters above most in raw level and physically the strongest hunter in the entire depot, he had fully expected the brute to be named head captain or at least vice-captain of the excursion. "Alright, boys, let's roll!" Benson called out, waving his arm. The mercenary squad began stepping through the swirling purple vortex one by one, with Chronos falling into line just behind the old broker. As they walked through the dimensional threshold, Chronos leaned in slightly. "Hey, old man, why are you joining the vanguard today? I thought your only job was

As Garret locked axes with the colossal hammer knight, the rest of the mercenary squad initiated a desperate, full-velocity charge toward the remaining Hell's Raiders entrenched atop the ruined building. High above the battlefield, the undead sorcerer began to raise its skeletal hands once more, the surrounding air distorting as a massive, volatile crimson magic circle materialized before its palms. It was preparing to unleash another catastrophic fire spell. "Damnit! We don't have our own mages left to counter!" Marcus shouted, his voice cracking with anxiety as he sprinted forward with his heavy shield raised. "How the hell are we going to block an attack like that?!" Before the undead sorcerer could complete its incantation, a sharp *thwack-thwack-thwack* echoed across the courtyard. Three heavy, steel-tipped arrows cut through the dense smoke, piercing deeply into the creature's casting arm. The sheer kinetic impact disrupted its focus, causing the gathering crimson mana to fr

"Looks like we're here. We should have a plan of attack," Sheila said. Her fingers tightened around her healing staff as they stood before the heavy doors of the throne room. The air around them felt tight and unstable, a constant reminder that the dungeon’s gate was slowly closing behind them. "A plan? What's there to plan? Let's just go in and kill the goddamn boss," Garret replied, adjusting his massive battleaxe. His mechanical legs hissed softly, venting steam from his previous fight against the hammer knight. "We should at least have a plan, Garret. Stop being stupid," Sheila snapped back. "Sheila's right. Here's my strategy," Chronos added, his voice smooth beneath his golden mask. "We all go in together. I, Garret, and John will launch a direct attack. Hailey, you stay behind and offer long-range support and healing when we need it." "Sounds doable enough," John answered, shifting his long steel spear into a defensive position. "Alright, enough talking," Garret grunted.

"I can't believe Marcus is dead," Maxwell muttered, his voice cracking with heavy grief.Chronos watched him silently from the shadows. Maxwell was completely wrapped in his own misery, huddled tightly by the corner of an old, abandoned stone building just outside the dungeon gate.Since the chaotic iron hide orcs incident weeks ago, Jaxen hadn't really been in touch or communicated with the other hunters from that day. To him, it was just another messy raid. He didn't really have any personal affection or deep emotional ties to any of them. But looking at Maxwell now, it was clear that the story was completely different for the rest of the survivors. That brutal dungeon experience seemed to have fueled a strong, trauma-bonded relationship between them.Chronos did notice that Marcus and Maxwell had been much closer today than they were during their first encounter. Marcus's sudden death must have impacted Maxwell significantly harder than anyone else thought.For a brief second, Chro

Three months in, Jaxen had settled into routine: classes, meals, training, sleep. Repeat. He'd learned to tune out Peter's chattering and ignore Darian's stares.His communicator buzzed.Incoming message: Priority channel – Medical Facility #7.Source: Sister's caretaker.---Mr. Vane,We wanted to inform you that your sister's condition has shown significant improvement over the last couple of days. Her body is now able to circulate blood flow without the use of machinery, and she's shown signs of consciousness on various occasions.---Jaxen read the message twice. Then a third time. His hands trembled slightly as he set the tablet down.Two years. Two years of watching his sister fade, of hoping, of nearly giving up. And in just three months on this medication, she was waking up.He exhaled slowly, steadying himself. Focus. You're not done yet.Jaxen grabbed his hoodie, a shirt, and trousers from his drawers before heading to the shower.---Today was different from the routine cla