One thing about S-rank dungeons was that they weren't mere caves crawling with beasts. They were vast landscapes. Entire ecosystems pulsing with so much aether energy that even C ranks would vomit from just stepping in.
Ambrose should've faced that fate the second they crossed through the Rift, despite his Guide status.
However, the system blinked with a notification that made him smirk to himself.
[Host has achieved Hidden Goal: Step into an S rank dungeon.]
[REWARD: Aether protection field — an invisible passive field that protects the host from the full pressure of higher rank dungeons.]
As the notification flickered away, Ambrose let himself take in the new terrain the joint team just walked into.
The dungeon was a sprawling desert that extended farther than their eyes could see. A blazing red sun shone in the sky like a ball of fire.
Temperatures were so high that even the S ranks dabbed off sweat a few seconds after they arrived.
"Well, well, well, Devon," Viktor whistled ahead of the group, standing alongside the other S-ranks. "Looks like this mission really suits you after all. You've always had a knack for taking the heat, right?"
He patted Devon's shoulder but the latter instantly swatted his hand away.
"I don't need to tell you to stay focused," Devon warned, glancing back at the rest of the group. "S rank dungeons are unpredictable. We'll be dealing with national-level threats here."
Ambrose found himself swallowing hard—and not because of his parched lips.
For a fleeting second, his mind travelled back to the little devil he left in his suite. Orion. He'd told the lad he'd be back with his papa after making his breakfast and urged him to stay indoors.
Could the boy stick to his words until he returns? Heck, was he even sure if he'd return?
Despite his newly acquired aether protection field, Ambrose's chest became heavy with pressure.
"Hmph." A contemptuous harrumph made him whip his head in its direction.
Han.
Of course.
"Look who's already shaking." The A rank Guide sniggered under his breath, shoulder brushing against his provocatively. "You'll know soon enough why a C rank doesn't belong in a mission like this."
As much as he wanted to say something in return, Ambrose held himself back.
It won't be worth it.
"Listen up!" Devon spun around to face the group. "The A-Rank Espers should remain at the back. S-Ranks at the front. Guides should ensure they remain in the middle."
His golden eyes searched through the group, pinning directly on Ambrose within a couple of seconds. He held eye contact for a moment too long before tearing his gaze away.
Viktor seemed to notice the hesitation, glancing back at Ambrose too. His thoughts were alive with curiosity. 'Who's this C rank that dear old Devon can't stop staring at?'
Ambrose, unaware of what was going on in the minds of the two S-ranks, willed the system to show him stats on Devon.
[Attraction Points: 11.]
His eyes widened. 'Interesting. Long, deliberate stares can spike attraction point growth from him. Even if it was just one point... It's still impressive.'
"We'll advance into the dungeon's terrain," Devon finalised, about to turn away from the group. "For now—"
BOOM!
A devastating tremble in the ground around them cut him off.
It happened too fast.
Out of the desert sands just a few meters away from the group, rose a towering beast. It had hundreds of pointy legs, its body twisting like a snake's as it glared down at them.
With dozens of blood red eyes.
[WARNING: A-rank centipede beast.]
Just when the beast was about to lunge at Devon—
—Viktor reacted in a flash, yanking him back before swatting a hand violently at the beast. Ice shards shot out of his fingers, enlarging mid strike.
The ice shards pierced through the beast's head, one of them even puncturing an eye.
"SCREEEEK!" The centipede's screech was blood-curdling, shaking the air for miles.
However, the ice shards on its head dissolved into frost, spreading down its body in seconds. Viktor darted forward as the red exoskeleton froze inside out.
He burst through the beast's body like a torpedo, shattering it into thousands of crystallised ice shards. Landing at the other side, Viktor's long coat flared with a mysterious sheen, his eyes glowing as well.
Silence.
Everyone was stunned, gawking at the man like he was a god.
That display was close enough to one.
"Did you see that?" One of the A-rank Espers at the back blurted.
"O–Of course, I saw it," a female voice replied. "That beast was at least an A rank. And he brought it down within seconds like it was nothing."
"I've heard he's one of the country's top three S ranks."
"Seeing really is believing."
As awe-struck as Ambrose was—he couldn't get carried away. Not while the system dinged with warning alerts like a fucking siren.
"There's more from where that came from!" He yelled.
More rumbling spread through the desert sands. Several times greater than last time.
"They're emerging from underground!" Devon's composure returned, fire burning in his eyes now. "Which means they can pop up right underneath us. Don't get carried away!"
Soon, five more centipedes erupted from the ground around them. Their mere presence sent mini sandstorms at the group, their shadows large enough to blot out the sunlight.
Ambrose held his breath, mouth ajar with horror. One of the A-ranks from Glacier Talon's side raised his hands, creating a huge blue force bubble around the group.
Yet even that felt futile.
'These ones feel slightly stronger than the first,' Ambrose thought to himself. 'It's like a pack. Or a swarm. They sent the weakest amongst themselves before bringing out their strongest members.'
An S-rank ecosystem was home to a variety of beast species. Which meant the centipedes could be the least of their problems.
This battle would definitely catch the attention of more powerful beasts.
Including the boss.
The second Ambrose came to this realisation was when the five centipedes screeched in unison. Blade-like mandibles opened up, releasing waves of yellowish goo.
The goo laid waste to the force bubble like magma through paper, seeping toward the group next.
Shit.
"AHH!" Someone screamed, sending a collective chill down the spines of almost everyone present.