Journey Period VI: A Dungeon Exploration Gone Wrong

[ ~ Chapter • Start ~ ]

Inside the dungeon, the Fleeting Feathers party began to move forward and deeper into it, with several light spirits summoned by Flue lighting up the path in front of them. As a result, they all felt much safer.

Rev, the leader, had made sure that all of his party members including himself have prepared enough. Cause honestly, even if it wasn't their first time exploring a dungeon, and he and his companions felt understandably nervous.

After all, this dungeon is supposed to be harder than their previous instances of dungeon crawling.

When the sound of hissing and tapping reached their ears, they were now in full alert.

And, several massive locusts and insect-like monsters had appeared from the distance, crawling towards them.

"I recognize these vermin." Stone spoke, narrowing his eyes and taking a step back. "They're one of the worst enemies any warriors could face, simply because of the poison they emit! Just fight them using magic or ranged weaponry, or just keep your distance away from them!"

Nodding their heads in understanding, both Flue and Hans stepped forward, pointing their hands forwards before Buddy began to take a deep breath.

"Flue, please stay back, you don't want to get caught in a dragon's flames." Hans spoke, before he pointed at the dozens of insects that were swiftly approaching them.

He created a magic circle just a few inches in front of Buddy's head, and the miniaturized lizard, understanding this as something that would enhance his flames, did as his instincts tell him; breathe heavy amounts of flames.

Once his flames reached the magic circle, it immediately brightened and spread forwards, lighting everything around them and even swiftly burning through everything touched by the flames.

"Such a powerful familiar...." Rev spoke, amazed at the show of power in front of him before he pumped up his fist. "... I guess that kid got very lucky in summoning him, this dungeon will be cleared in no time!"

To be honest, he's seen that familiar in action most of the times where Hans allowed the little dragon (who was being perceived as his familiar) to fight.

Hans was actually quite a valuable ally to them, too. And due to that alone they don't have any intentions of ever betraying him, as if they even did have in the beginning!

"Alright! Now they're all removed from this world, let's move forward!"

Buddy then rested himself on Hans's hair like a cat, not really caring much about what happens soon enough other than to recover the lost mana, which was merely 5%, much more swiftly and because he was privileged to do so.

After a long while moving forward, Hans stopped by his tracks and stared at the wall near the party. Knowing something could be behind it, they stood back.

"Stone, please punch through here!" Hans shouted, pointing at a small different part of the wall.

The tall warrior approached the said wall, and began winding up his punch while filling his hand with Touki.

"Haa!" With a yell, a punch flew straight to the wall, breaking it and showing a secret path in the process.

Yet, a powerful and dangerous feeling crept all around the Fleeting Feathers party. And all of them went silent. Three of them (except Orsted) did feel like ignoring it and going to the main path.

"Are we sure we want to go there? I've never felt quite scared about something unknown that would happen to all of us...." Rev cautiously spoke, worrying more about his party members, but.....

"Haaa.... damn..... We're going through this, my companions! We can't just give up because of something dangerous behind this path!" Rev scolded himself, and after that, he carefully led his party through the narrow hallway in front of them.

Suddenly, the pressure that were making their bodies heavier than usual was replaced with a calming one, something everyone of the Fleeting Feathers Party were surprised.

But of course, this was actually Hans's doing, and due to this alone, Rev had thought of something else.

"Hey, if we get out of here alive, I'm disbanding the party and not going to become an adventurer again." He said, and Hans had his mouth gaped.

"Yeah, it's been fun, actually. But Rev, I am still going to become your partner, plus.... we should get married." Flue spoke, admitting that she was quite okay with having their party disbanded. Her leader had pursed his lips while a blush adorned his face, yet he kept silent about it.

"And I'll just be some rundown trader around the Gol DeSilva Alliance's territory, and what about Hans? He seems to look for something, or someone?" Stone said after her, before Flue flanced at the youngling, expecting him to answer.

"I wouldn't really be around too, you know? After we had disbanded, I'll still be an adventurer to the end of my life as one." Was the young Dragon God's answer, and his companions all respected it.

They had a very long time talking to each other and chatting all about what they are going to do afterwards, until they saw light in the distance.

Not wasting any more time, they charged right towards it, and soon entered a very wide chamber the size of a town with a glowing crystal near it's ceiling.

The only problem was, there were several hundred Red Dragons awaiting them. They didn't know what they are, but they knew they were dangerous.

Not having a choice, they returned to where they once were, only to find out that their only way out was sealed. Buddy had already woken up and began to fly around Hans to protect him.

"Now what the hell is this!?" Hans shouted, rubbing his temple as he glanced at the three adventurers and frowned. "Well, I must say we are definitely in a pinch...."

"Y-Yeah.... we're obviously gonna die...." Rev said, taking a few steps back until his back touched the wall. They were hopeless just trying to fight those dragons, especially when they're all just C-ranked adventurers!

Yet... Hans didn't budge.

"Mr. Rev, Ms. Flue, Mr. Stone..... Thank you for everything you've done for me all this time." He began to speak while raising his hand and summoning several runes and magic circles below the three adventurers. "If it wasn't for you (and mom), I would have lost my way, even for a long moment. Anyways, I don't know if I'll live or die, but... for the last time, thank you and goodbye."

For a moment, there was a silence between the four, as Hans merely smiled at his companions, the Fleeting Feathers party. He didn't have to wonder what would definitely happen if he didn't meet them.

Still, before they can scream anything, they were sent out of the dungeon, nearby their tent.

And back inside the dungeon, Hans smiled as he created a massive sword the size of his body out of the room's floor by transmuting it and along with the knowledge of magic he gained from Lunaria, he also had a massive boost in his mana pool.

"Right.... now they're gone and safe, it's time for us to not hold back anymore!" Hans yelled quite excitedly, as Buddy immediately returned to his original size.

Standing on his head, he stared at the wild red dragons who were of different sizes and strengths, yet the same weaknesses.

It's time for him to test out everything he has.

[ ~ Chapter • End ~ ]

Furioso