Chapter Two: Gift and Curse

In Girth, people hold that energy emanates from the ruins of a sacred tree, where many forms of mana seep into the foundations of the birth.

It was there long ago, before there were humans or places to explore, but it was exactly like the others, a species growing ever more charming in the darkest parts of the ocean due to the courtesy of some unknown phenomenon.

Over time, the world began to take on life as the heavens continued to shatter, pouring down flames while the lands appeared and were annihilated.

Yet, even when the blistering heat that descended on the face of girth screamed death, it surmounted all impediments and proceeded to live its existence with newfound pride owing to its fervour and perseverance.

At the time when civilisations came to rise from their cradle, the world was in harmony since there were no gates to imperil humankind and, thus, it was only natural to embrace the grandeur basking at the pinnacle of the sky, on the hundredth floor.

It had a rose-and-dawn aroma and swept the plains into a dazzling parade of gold and red while yielding fruits that were unique in their kind.

Dr. Wilson was curious, he possessed a sapphire blade that was artfully crafted and was held by a grip that was lavishly covered in red suede.

It held an elixir that he had discovered while studying in the shadows, which bestowed both him and his people with the essence of eternity.

However, it failed to exert the same impact on the sacred tree; rather, it led to its destruction, which wrecked his wishful thinking and rendered him into the evil who drove about the shift in the world.

[ 70th Floor- The Floor of Origins]

"Rankers! My name is Aaron Stadfeld, and I'm certain many of you recall me as the guild head of the chevalier guild. I am aware that, despite being the greatest guild in our nation—the Legion—we have always been embroiled in a long history of conflict, and while I deeply regret the atrocities committed by my soldiers who are no longer with me, I must not forget the fate that awaits us. " He roared. He had blonde wavy hair that hung softly over a jagged placid countenance which I had seen on countless publication outlets, and his blue eyes glanced steadily over the individual who had disrupted him.

"So, what is it? What tragedy is in waiting for us? We had no choice but to come here, and now you want to sacrifice us all to get your claws on some blades that can flout the statutes of the gods? That they can eliminate the block trapping us on the d-rank? " The gathering was simple to influence. They couldn't help but resonate with the words this stranger was uttering since they were the very sentiments they always wanted to scream whenever they came across a high-profile ranker holding the reins of a dungeon.

"The accursed blades were the reason mana first began dwelling in all of us; at first, there weren't any confines nor lengths to one's progress; then why did it ground to a stop? The dearth of knowledge has allowed for vast gaps to exist around the world, and later generations will not have to acquire or master much. However, a possibility is now ahead just next to us; the gamble is high, but the potential payoff is even higher. " Aaron was still calm and circumspect. His fellowship, a few of whom were struggling to conceal their mirth as they watched us getting conquered in the wake of a stupendous force, could also perceive his aura, which he had hitherto obscured.

"Even if they all enter the dungeon, only a minority will comply if you appeal to them with power; it's the 70th floor! The danger here is one that few can even think about," Andrés stated. He had assessed the prospect of this scenario unfolding beforehand, thus translocating himself to a distance outside the radius of impact.

"I didn't know that releasing one's aura for the ultimate purpose of showcasing an unparalled vigour to sooth the antsy spirits of the individuals leaping inside of a dark dungeon can be captured in a way that is erroneous," Aaron sighed deeply and snapped his finger, causing the skull-shaped ring on his pointer finger to glisten and soak up his menacing aura. "We are dispatching the D-class hunters along with the A, B, C, and S-class hunters instead of relying on their reconnaissance findings, which we had already promised nights before the summoning here."

"I'm mindful of that, but there's something more about which we're all paranoid. I suggest granting equal percentages of the elixir of life to each party's executive after they've been picked because it's ample and just, rendering it unacceptable for just you to have it." Andres deliberate efforts emanated a sense of responsibility; knowing he couldn't fight physically; he had often trained to partake the fields of psychic warfare.

"Very well," Aaron said, beaming. It was a radiant smile of satisfaction. He was relishing the exchange between him and Andres when two individuals dressed in crimson robes with the royal sigil emblazoned on them made a spectacular descent from the sky.

"Juelle is here, so that must be the vice guild master she frequently mentions," I said as I edged in towards Claire, who was looking at Danez standing a distance away from her.

"Y-yeah, he is that." Claire shook her head. Although she was perspiring and her hands were clammy, she had a firm hold while gripping a book that is only used by adept healers.

"You don't appear to be doing well... Is everything ok with you and him?" I inquired as I positioned my hands on her shoulder and spotted that she was bruised below her armour.

"Yes, everything is perfect, and now that the moment has come, we should go to the dungeon, they are waiting for us." She raced.