DUNGEON ROW [2]

As the inmates stood on the precipice of the portal, the officers took a moment to address them.

It was unusual for them to offer any words of advice, but given the gravity of their situation, perhaps a sense of duty or perhaps a sliver of empathy compelled them to do so.

One officer, a grizzled veteran with a deep scar running down his face, stepped forward. His voice was rough but carried the weight of experience.

"Listen up, you lot," he began, his eyes sweeping over the crowd of inmates.

"I know most of you think this is the end, and it might well be for many of you. But if you want a fighting chance in there, you need to listen to what I'm about to say."

The inmates quieted, their attention focused on the officer.

Even those who had been boasting about their prowess or lamenting their fate fell silent, the tension palpable in the air.

"First, and most important," the officer continued, "use your wits.

The dungeon is a place that rewards cunning and intelligence just as much as it does strength. There are traps, puzzles, and hidden passages. Keep your eyes open and think before you act. Your brains are your best weapon."

Ravan felt a flicker of hope at these words. He might not have mana, but he had his intellect. He could work with that.

"Second," the officer said, "resources are scarce in there. You'll find food and water, but you'll need to be smart about rationing them. Don't waste anything. Sometimes, the smallest piece of meat or a drop of water can mean the difference between life and death."

The inmates nodded, some looking more anxious than before. The idea of facing both monsters and starvation was daunting.

"I've been eating monster meat half almost all my life,"one inmate said chuckling.

"Third," the officer's voice grew harsher, "learn the terrain. Every dungeon is different, but they all have patterns. Pay attention to your surroundings, mark your path, and learn the lay of the land. If you get lost, you're as good as dead."

A murmur of agreement rippled through the crowd.

The importance of knowing the environment was something even the most hardened criminals could understand.

"Fourth," the officer went on, "don't engage every monster you see. Some fights aren't worth it. If you can avoid a battle, do so. Fighting should be your last resort, not your first instinct."

This piece of advice seemed to resonate deeply with the inmates, many of whom were already dreading the creatures they would encounter.

'Well, he's not wrong,'Ravan began his thoughts.

'Some monsters tend to be intellectual and can communicate,'Ravan said to himself remembering the book he had gotten from the Innkeeper way back.

That book had helped him alot in learning about the different monsters recorded and in ranks, their strengths and weaknesses.

"Finally," the officer said, his tone turning more somber, "team up. I know most of you are lone wolves, but going solo in there is a death sentence.

The last Dungeon Rows saw most inmates going in alone, and they didn't come back. Grouping up gives you a fighting chance. Watch each other's backs and share what you find."

Ravan mulled over this advice. Teaming up made sense, but he couldn't shake the thought that a large group would attract more attention from the dungeon's monsters especially when the group was reeking of blood.

Still, he knew he would need allies. Strength in numbers, even if it meant more risk.

As the officer finished speaking, the guards began removing the mana sealers from the inmates.

One by one, the devices were unclasped, and the inmates surged with renewed energy.

Their auras flared to life, filling the clearing with a dazzling array of colors—blue, red, green, and more.

"HELL YEAH!!" One inmate in particular shouted.

The air hummed with the raw power emanating from the awakened.

Shouts and conversations erupted as the inmates reveled in their returned abilities. Some tested their powers, creating small bursts of flame or manipulating the air around them.

Others simply stood, basking in the sensation of their mana flowing freely once more.

Ravan watched this display with a mix of awe and apprehension. He had never possessed such power, and now, among these supercharged individuals, he felt even more vulnerable.

Yet, he knew he had to be smart about this. If he could align himself with the right people—those who were strong and capable—he might stand a chance.

He scanned the crowd, looking for potential allies. His eyes landed on a hulking figure, a man with an aura of intense red, who seemed to command respect from those around him.

His name was Brutus, a notorious enforcer with a reputation for brute strength and an iron will.

Ravan decided that Brutus might be a good choice for an ally, even if it meant swallowing his pride and deferring to the stronger man.

'I might look like like a small helpless pup in the rain, but fuck it...this depends on my life,' Ravan mumbled.

The officer who had spoken earlier approached Ravan, a curious expression on his face.

"No mana, huh?" he said, his tone less harsh than before.

"You're gonna have to be real smart in there, kid. Stick close to those who can protect you, and don't take unnecessary risks."

Ravan nodded, appreciating the officer's candidness.

"I'll keep that in mind. Thanks."

With that, the guards began leading the groups towards the portal. The red energy crackled and swirled, casting eerie shadows on the ground.

The air was thick with anticipation and dread as the inmates took their first steps into the unknown.

As Ravan walked towards the portal, he fell in line with Brutus and a few other inmates who seemed strong and capable. They exchanged wary glances, a silent understanding forming among them.

They would watch each other's backs, at least for now.

The portal loomed before them, a gateway to a world of danger and uncertainty.

Ravan took a deep breath, steeling himself for what lay ahead. This was his chance to survive, to prove himself, and to find a way out of this nightmare.

As he stepped through the portal, the red energy enveloped him, and the world shifted around him.

He emerged into the dungeon, a vast labyrinth of dark stone and ominous shadows.

The air was cool and damp, the only sounds being the distant echoes of unknown creatures lurking in the darkness.

Ravan looked around, taking in his surroundings. This was it—the Dungeon of Exiles.

The place where he would either find his redemption or meet his end. He glanced at his new companions, their faces set with determination.

"Let's move," Brutus said, his voice a low growl.

"Stay close and keep your eyes open. We survive by working together."

Ravan nodded, falling into step with the group. He knew the journey ahead would be fraught with peril, but he was ready.

This was his chance to prove that even without mana, he had what it took to survive.

He would use his wits, rely on his allies, and do whatever it took to make it through this trial.

The Dungeon Row had begun, and he was determined to come out alive.