The group waited outside the portal for Corrie's order.
"We move in a shield formation. Tanks up front, long-range attackers in the middle, mages and healers at the back," Corrie said casually, walking toward the portal as if he had nothing to fear. "All right, move your asses — we don't have all day," James barked, shoving Ethan.
James pushed, but Ethan didn't budge. He stood like Mount Tai. The shove surprised James — he knew Ethan's reputation as the weak kid.
"Stop pushing, big guy, or you'll get my fist," Gloria snapped, staring daggers at James. He ignored her, still trying to use the moment to talk to her.
"Don't worry, young lady. You can follow me in the back. I'll keep you safe — why stick with these weaklings?" James grinned. Gloria ignored him and stepped into the portal with Ethan and Freddy, which sent James into a fury.
"Don't worry — when you enter, I'll separate them. Then you can do as you like with the girl," Corrie patted James on the back. This was a dungeon; if anyone died, so be it. The strong preyed on the weak — a rule as old as blood.
"Eh, you guys don't know what you've gotten into. As for you, Ethan, I'll kill you myself," James smirked.
Little did he know Ethan thought the exact same thing. Not only will I beat you — I'll get the rewards too, Ethan thought, smirking like an evil lord.
Freddy noticed the look. "Are you alright, Ethan?"
"Yeah. More than alright," Ethan said, calmness steady in his eyes.
They stepped into the dungeon. In front of them stretched a long, dark path, barely six feet wide. The group plunged forward. Ethan, Gloria, and Freddy walked at the front even though they weren't tanks — Corrie had ordered it that way.
Everyone had seen the dispute earlier, so no one spoke — nobody wanted to offend Corrie, who was a strong awakened. Ethan kept calm; Freddy, though taller, trembled. It was his first time. Gloria carried herself better, adjusting her stance like someone who'd trained.
Freddy felt small watching Ethan walk through the dark with such calm. I didn't pick the wrong guy, Gloria thought, standing beside him.
After a while they reached an open space the size of a basketball court with diverging paths. The group halted. They'd been walking for hours with no end in sight.
Across from them, ten three-eyed dogs stood guard.
The beasts were wolf-sized with black fur that swallowed the dark. Their fangs and claws were steeled, and their single bright purple eye glowed sharply.
The tankers rushed in first, smashing into the pack. A huge man swinging a mutant soul mace crushed a dog's skull — brain and blood spattered across the stones.
Ethan and the others tried to surge forward, but the tankers blocked the way.
"Get away, boy — you're blocking my path. You're a burden. Go back to your mom and suckle milk," a shield-wielding man sneered, shoving Freddy aside.
Ethan caught Freddy before the dog could stampede him. "You should be more careful, big guy," Ethan said, dodging a claw with neat footwork.
He didn't want to show off. He wanted them to think he was weak so he could strike harder later. He helped Gloria cut down a dog, then scanned one with his system.
[Low-level: Three-eyed Mist Dog]
[Attributes: Strength 10, Stamina 10, Speed 15, Agility 10]
[Skills: None]
Low-level, Ethan thought. I expected earthly, but they're manageable. He could handle them with the first step of Star Sword Technique Level 1.
The tankers finished off the dogs quickly — their earthly-to-mutant armor made the work easy.
"So, boss, which way now?" James asked Corrie, who had just stood there watching Ethan.
Corrie issued orders like he'd done it a thousand times. "We'll split into two groups. You and those three mages with Ethan and that new guy go left," Corrie said, which puzzled James — what about the girl?
"I'm not going with you. I didn't come in here to follow a nobody," Gloria snapped, cutting Corrie off.
"What do you mean? I'm your leader — you should follow me," Corrie barked, annoyed.
"No rules say I must. Everyone has rights," she shot back.
Corrie glared. She'd disrespected him in front of his crew; he couldn't let that slide. Yet when he saw her armor he paused — it marked her as from a respected family.
After a moment, Corrie smiled. "Fine. As you wish. From here on out you can leave the group, but you forfeit any share of rewards."
"Who cares about low-level shares? I've got more than you think. I'm not a beggar," she replied, turning to the left path.
As she moved, she noticed Ethan standing still. "Ethan, aren't you coming?" she called.
"Looks like your boyfriend's a coward after all," James sneered. Laughter rippled through the others.
"Sorry, I can't follow— I can't risk it," Ethan said, sidestepping her eyes.
"What a dick. Are you going to continue watching them bully you or what?" Gloria's patience cracked.
"No. It's not that. I can't babysit someone while fighting. I'm not even a full Awakened yet," Ethan said. The group, Gloria included, bristled — how dare he call her a girl like that.
Freddy laughed, embarrassed for his friend.
"So what now? What do you want?" Gloria asked, calming.
"There's no use. Just follow them. They'll guarantee your safety," James said.
"I'd rather die than follow you," she spat.
James only smiled, not bothered.