Chapter – The Gathering Storm (Part I: Mobilization)
The Southern Beast Forest had never felt like this.
Temporary metal barricades formed a wide perimeter around the newly stabilized dungeon gate, and reinforced banners bearing the city crest fluttered between trees. Armed guards stood in disciplined lines, their expressions serious despite the youthful energy in front of them.
It wasn't just students.
Veteran adventurers lingered near the edges, leather armor scarred, weapons well-used. Some leaned casually against trees. Others stood in small, quiet groups, scanning faces instead of the dungeon.
The air felt heavy with expectation.
Wei let out a low whistle. "This is bigger than Lava Nest."
Min nodded. "Way bigger."
Kai said nothing. He was watching the crowd instead.
Clusters of academy uniforms stood together. Some confident. Some tense. A few overly loud.
Near the front stood the City Lord's youngest son.
Lin Zhen.
Only seventeen, but already carrying himself like someone accustomed to being observed. His combat coat was Platinum-tier, cut cleanly and reinforced subtly. A long spear rested against his shoulder, black shaft, silver tip.
Behind him stood four teammates — each bearing the insignia of S-tier awakeners from different academies. They weren't flashy. They were focused.
Wei leaned closer to Kai. "Full S-tier squad. And he's SS."
Min corrected quietly, "That's why they're at the front."
Before Kai could respond, a familiar voice cut in from the side.
"Expensive suit."
Kai turned slightly.
Chen Liang.
S-tier Lightning talent.
Same class.
Sharp features. Always carried himself like he was fighting something invisible.
His gaze slid over Kai's Gold-tier armor and dragon ring without subtlety.
"You planning to buy the first clear too?"
Wei bristled instantly. "You jealous or something?"
Chen Liang ignored him, eyes still on Kai.
"Some of us don't have commanders buying us toys."
Kai's expression remained calm.
"And some of us don't need to talk so much."
A few nearby students chuckled under their breath.
Chen Liang's jaw tightened slightly.
"I'll see you inside," he said quietly.
Kai gave a small nod. "Do your best."
Chen Liang stepped away, lightning crackling faintly along his fingers before fading.
Wei exhaled sharply. "He's been salty since first year."
Min spoke evenly. "He works harder than most."
"He also talks more than most," Wei muttered.
A sudden shift in the crowd pulled their attention forward.
Military vehicles rolled into position.
The murmuring died down.
A tall man in dark uniform stepped onto a raised platform near the dungeon gate. His presence alone silenced the forest edge.
General Han Wei.
One of the city's key military figures.
Gravity-aligned. Tier 5.
Respected.
Feared.
He didn't waste time.
"This dungeon," his voice carried easily without amplification, "is classified Tier 1 Rookie. However—"
The pause was deliberate.
"It is marked as Large-Scale Structure."
The murmurs resumed immediately.
"Large-scale?"
"That means long clear…"
"Multiple zones…"
General Han continued.
"Shared space. No instancing. All entry teams operate within the same map. Clearing conditions unknown. Recon scans indicate layered terrain and fluctuating internal density."
A veteran muttered quietly near Kai, "Fluctuating?"
The General's eyes swept across the crowd.
"This dungeon's internal energy patterns do not fully align with standard Tier 1 structures. It is rated high difficulty."
Silence followed that.
Wei swallowed lightly.
General Han's voice remained steady.
"This is not an academy event. This is a real dungeon. Death is possible."
The weight of that sentence settled.
"City rewards remain active. First clear: Starfire-tier comprehension prop. Diamond-tier skill voucher for leading contributor. Top three teams will receive recommendation priority for national examination."
Energy surged through the crowd again.
Competition flared visibly.
General Han raised one hand slightly.
"One more detail."
The forest seemed to lean in.
"Upon full activation, dungeon parameters may shift."
A murmur.
"Shift how?" someone asked loudly.
The General didn't answer directly.
"Adapt."
That was all he said.
He stepped back.
The officials moved forward to coordinate entry sequencing.
Wei let out a slow breath. "He did not make that sound relaxing."
Min nodded. "High difficulty. Large structure. Parameter shift."
Kai's eyes remained on the gate.
Shift.
Adapt.
He didn't like vague words.
But he liked preparation.
The City Lord's son stepped toward the front without hesitation. His teammates adjusted naturally around him.
Confidence radiated outward.
Chen Liang moved into another strong cluster, lightning talent users forming loose formation around him.
Veterans exchanged quiet looks.
One older adventurer glanced at Kai again.
"Stay sharp," he muttered—not kindly, not warmly. Just factual.
Kai gave a small nod.
The official voice rang out.
"Entry begins in one minute. Prepare."
Weapons were checked.
Armor tightened.
Buff items activated.
The forest air seemed to vibrate faintly as the dungeon gate stabilized fully, its surface turning from soft blue to a deeper, swirling hue.
Wei grinned despite the tension. "This is it."
Min exhaled slowly. "No rushing."
Kai adjusted his grip on the Silver dagger.
"Middle path," he said quietly.
The countdown began.
Five.
Four.
Three.
Two.
One.
"Enter."
And the forest swallowed them.