"Kyuu.", Tamamo said, acting as if she answered Arianrhod's question.
"Not only can Naoto's ability restrict a person's power, it can also strengthen a person's abilities too. And quote "Even to someone like the Steel Maiden here, who had long since reached the peak of her powers." un quote. Or so what Tama says.", Vita said, only to shift her gaze to Arianrhod.
"His Highness...can strengthen my abilities?", Arianrhod asked, becoming more serious. Hearing that, Campanella laughed.
"Hahaha! Now that is a bold claim. If what His Highness says is true, we must recruit him, no matter the cost. Having an ability to empower others on a scale like this...is unheard of.", Campanella said while laughing. "The power of a human orbal computer, huh? I like him!"
"Indeed. We must test this out for ourselves whether or not that claim is actually true. And I suppose this "Dungeon" is the key to that. I also feel somewhat weakened since this event started. Intriguing indeed.", The Faceless said, pushing the frames of his glasses upward once more.
"So what do we do now?", McBurn asked, wondering where to go from here.
"Kyuu kyuu.", Tamamo said, answering him.
"Umm, you just need to mention words like "Status" to see your Status Window, and "Quest", to see your mission. Approach the destination at a certain length, and you will be warped inside of it, away from the outside world. Once the warp happens, the Party cannot leave until the mission is completed. Or so what Tama says.", Vita said, explaining the situation to everyone.
"Interesting. So this "Dungeon" can keep all of us inside of it, unable to leave? What if we attempt to force our way out? I don't mind testing this out myself, haha!", McBurn said, letting loose some red flames around his body, which heated up the atmosphere around them.
"Kyuu?", Tamamo asked, only to look back at Vita, showing confusion in the silver fox's eyes.
"Apparently Tama doesn't know. But if this place serves as a Training Ground for us, we should not consider such an action. Or else, this entire mission might be forfeited. You want to grow stronger from this, right?", Vita asked McBurn.
"I suppose. I just hope whatever is lurking in this "Dungeon" can give me a decent challenge. We can see what it does, right? You mentioned saying the word "Quest"?", McBurn asked, only to see more Gamer Notifications appear before them. It reacted immediately without warning. They were all attracted to this blue screen.
[Ding! Instance Dungeon Hamel - Level 50 is now available for the Party.]
Objectives:
1. Defeat Shadow Jaeger: 0/50.
2. Defeat the Following Shadows:
-Shadow General Craig the Red: 0/1
-Shadow General Vandyck: 0/1
-Shadow Major Neithardt: 0/1
-Shadow Marquis Hyarms: 0/1
-Shadow Butler Celestin: 0/1
[Rewards: Gamer Naoto and Tamamo will receive 300,000 EXP, 20 Random Quartz, and 1 Top-Graded Boots. Associated Party Members will receive 1 new Craft. This can be exchanged for an increase in a desired Parameter.]
"Heh, so this mission is putting us against Erebonia's Nobles and its Imperial Army, huh? Makes sense, considering they'll likely be the ones who instigates something with Liberl after this attack on Hamel. I am not sure what these "Experience Points" are, but it sounds like it's more for His Highness and his Familiar, compared to it being applicable to us. Instead, we'll be getting new techniques out of it. Even someone like you might get a benefit, Steel Maiden.", Campanella said, explaining what he had just seen to her. Arianrhod nodded her head.
All of a sudden, she pulled out a weapon. A gigantic lance spear. This showed that she was serious. It is the very same weapon that she uses fighting against the SSS and Class VII in the future. To Ouroboros, she was called the Steel Maiden. To the rest of the world, she was once called the Lance Maiden for wielding this powerful lance spear.
"Someone's fired up. Can't say that I'm not either. We just need to approach the village, yeah?", McBurn asked.
"Kyuu.", Tamamo said, and did something that attracted everyone. She blinked, only to reappear further into the distance. This action alone was enough to prompt the Gamer System to trigger the Instance Dungeon.
[Ding! Party Leader Tamamo has reached Instance Dungeon Hamel - Level 50. Would you like to enter?]
"Kyuu.", Tamamo said, answering the Gamer Notification. She did another slap of her tail, and selected [Yes]. Vita realized what was going on, and her eyes turned wide.
"H-Hey! You can't just suddenly select [Yes] like this, Tama---!?", Vita tried to say, but she couldn't finish her speech before her body was engulfed in a blue light. She warped away right then and there. Seeing this, Campanella raised his eyes, but saw his own body shine a bright blue. He followed suit, as did McBurn and Arianrhod. The Faceless was last. He kept quiet, but a hidden smirk appeared on his lips as he too was warped into the Instance Dungeon.
Once they were brought inside, a huge burst of energy spread throughout the Instance Dungeon. All around Hamel. The once-burning village was now dead quiet. Buildings all collapsed. Burnt to cinders. No villager remained. It was then they were attracted by what appeared to be cube after cube appearing in rapid succession. The whole place became pixelated for a brief moment. It then vanished after. From there, they were all attracted by the sound...of a bell?
"Ding...ding...ding...", A sound of an ancient-like bell resounded around them. Before they realized it, from the ground itself, shadowy blurs began to pop out one after another. Shadow Jaegers. They all had an HP Bar, with Level 50 next to their tags. Shortly after that, larger shadowy auras burst forth, appearing from further within Hamel, likely at the opposite end of the village. The atmosphere then turned into a crimson red, becoming entirely red. It was eerie, to say the least.
[Ding! Party Member Tamamo and the Party have entered Instance Dungeon - Hamel: Level 50. Time outside will no longer flow. Please clear both objectives. What happens here will not change Hamel's pivotal point. Once completed, the Party will be warped out of the Instance Dungeon.]
Once that Gamer Notification appeared in everyone's eyes, they saw their new battlefield. Shadow Jaegers armed with orbal machinery and different kinds of weapons were beginning to lurk around the village. It was quite a lot, but this is Ouroboros. They should easily take care of this. Still, all of this was new to them.
"Well this is a lot to take in. Did this ability of His Highness just say time will no longer flow until we beat it?", Campanella asked. As he questioned that, the shadowy auras soon turned into black and dense battle qi. They began to move in erratic patterns that a normal Jaeger doesn't use...
"Guess His Highness made this boring place not so boring anymore, heh.", McBurn responded. He began to stretch his body, and even cracked his neck, showing that he was interested in the new enemies before him. "Can't say no to a free meal."
"...I have no comment on that. Tremendous power is slumbering within this...Dungeon, was it called? No...It is almost like it is from outside the Dungeon...", Arianrhod said, shifting her head toward all the way back inside Hamel. "I fear whatever is slumbering here has no relation to this "Dungeon" His Highness formed. It truly is a wonder, isn't it?"
"Hmm, an unknown power that isn't related to this "Dungeon"? It did mention something about an unknown power source. I am getting a strange, familiar feeling. It hasn't been that long since I have joined Ouroboros, will you use that Divine Knight of yours, Steel Maiden?", The Faceless asked with interest. Arianrhod just shook her head.
"No. Such power is not required to tackle this "Dungeon". I do not have any plans to use such power for the time being.", Arianrhod explained. As Arianrhod said that, they heard Vita sigh, dropping her staff downward.
"Sigh...I have no idea what's going on anymore. Was this place really created by Naoto?", Vita asked, still confused with the new sight. Hearing that, Campanella laughed.
"Hahaha! His Highness's ability sure is a unique one. It has been a while since I've gotten to have some fun. These Shadow Jaegers shouldn't pose much of a threat, knowing it's the five of us.", Campanella said, smirking.
"Kyuuu!", Tamamo said, appearing angry before Campanella. It was as if he had forgotten about her.
"Sorry, the SIX of us. That better?", Campanella said, looking at the little silver fox.
"Kyuu.", Tamamo replied, and arrived at Vita's side again.
"True. With all of our strength added together, tackling this Instance Dungeon shouldn't pose a problem to us one bit. I just have one teensy-weensy problem.", McBurn suddenly said, causing Campanella to look at him.
"Oh? And what would that be, Blazing Demon?"
"Why is this little shit the leader of our Party?", McBurn asked. The moment McBurn asked that, the hairs of Tamamo's fur flared outward in anger.
"Kyuuu!", Tamamo exclaimed, and opened her mouth. Another chilling blast of icy smoke was sent right into McBurn's face. Seeing this happen, Vita couldn't help but giggle.
"Hehe, while I still don't quite understand the scope of what's happening before us, you two are becoming fast friends I see.", Vita said, smiling.
"Like hell we are.", McBurn retorted. "Can we change the Party Leader?"
"Notion denied. Anyone else?", Campanella immediately answered, smirking at him.
"Does it really matter? I just want to see the results. We don't need to trifle over every little detail.", The Faceless said, becoming a little annoyed.
"Nor does it matter to me.", Arianrhod said, also shaking her head.
"Kyuu.", Tamamo said, also chiming in.
"Very well. I would say that we wouldn't have enough time, but His Highness graced us by stopping time itself in this Instance Dungeon, so we have all the time in the world to clear it. Since we know that for a fact, let us proceed with caution and route this Instance Dungeon.", Campanella said, and raised his hand upward. Everyone nodded to his words. A weird, green energy started releasing from him, making his body begin to flicker in and out of existence, almost like Campanella became an illusion...
But with that said, Ouroboros's group successfully entered the Instance Dungeon, and began tackling it!