As Draven and his elite team arrived at the Ironclad Dungeon, they were immediately struck by the scale of the situation. The entrance loomed before them—a colossal archway of weathered iron, its jagged edges reflecting the dying light of the evening sky. The dungeon's outer walls were a blend of ancient stone and cold metal, giving it the ominous look of a fortress. Dark tendrils of magic pulsed around the entrance, thickening the air with an unsettling energy that seemed alive, vibrating under their skin.
The ground beneath them trembled, and a distant roar echoed from within the dungeon—monstrous sounds that rattled their bones.
But it wasn't just the dungeon's foreboding exterior that caught their attention—it was the monstrous stampede of creatures pouring from its entrance. The wave of monsters was like nothing they had ever encountered before. The creatures twisted by the dungeon's dark magic seemed endless, spilling forth in a torrent. There were hulking beasts with iron-like scales, agile insectoid horrors, and countless others that defied description. The number of monsters flooding the landscape was far greater than any regular dungeon break.
Gerald, his face pale with concern, turned to Draven. "We can't just enter there. Look at them—all those monsters... it's too much for us."
Draven clenched his jaw, scanning the stampede. His mind worked quickly, calculating their chances. A direct assault on the dungeon's entrance would be suicide—there was no way they could fight their way through that many monsters. They had to find another way in.
"I know of a secret passage," Draven said, his voice firm but low, betraying none of his inner tension. He turned to the team, his eyes steely with resolve. "Follow me. We'll take a different route—one that will keep us out of sight and away from the horde."
The group exchanged brief, knowing glances before nodding in unison. Without further hesitation, they veered off the path, moving swiftly through the dense forest that surrounded the dungeon. The distant roar of monsters gradually faded as the forest grew thicker, the trees towering above them like silent sentinels. The air grew cooler, and the faint hum of magic thrummed through the ground beneath their feet.
Draven moved with the confidence of someone who had passed through these woods countless times. His footsteps were sure, his senses alert. As they pushed deeper into the underbrush, the sounds of the monsters were replaced by the rustling of leaves and the occasional snap of twigs underfoot.
Eventually, the path grew narrower, the dense forest thinning out to reveal a natural clearing. Hidden behind thick vines and ancient, moss-covered trees, the team came upon the entrance to the secret passage.
It was marked by a formation of rocks—an ancient symbol carved into the stone, long forgotten by most. Draven approached the stone with a steady hand, brushing his fingers over the markings. A low hum vibrated from within the passage as the magic from within began to stir, growing palpable in the air around them.
"Stay alert," Draven warned as he stepped forward, motioning for the team to follow. His voice was low, his tone carrying the weight of experience. "Once we enter, there's no turning back. The dungeon's core is deeper in, and time is of the essence."
With one final look at the chaos outside, Draven pushed against the stone, revealing the hidden passage. The entrance groaned as it shifted, the cool air of the dungeon's depths rushing to meet them.
The team stepped into the darkened tunnel, and the entrance sealed shut behind them. They were now deep within the belly of the beast. The mission had only just begun.
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Meanwhile, Back in the City...
In the heart of the city, the adventurers who had fought valiantly against the second wave of monsters gathered together, their bodies exhausted but their spirits unbroken. They sat on the ground, taking whatever rest they could before the inevitable third wave.
"We've wiped out the second wave, but we need to stay on high alert," the S Rank Mage said as he passed around small rations to the weary adventurers. "We don't know when the next wave will come, but we have to be ready."
The adventurers nodded in agreement, taking the food with quiet gratitude. The morning was fast approaching, the first hints of dawn beginning to lighten the horizon.
Sensing the tension in the air, the S Rank Warrior turned to the Mage, his face tight with concern. "We need to request backup from the neighboring city. We can't handle this on our own for much longer. If the third wave is as large as the others, we might be overwhelmed."
The S Rank Mage nodded gravely. "You're right. We need to send a messenger. But we'll need someone fast."
He looked around the group before his eyes settled on a black-haired man with an energetic presence—a young, high-tier B rank adventurer who wielded a sword with fluid precision. His wind magic was strong, but he often used it to enhance his swordsmanship and speed. His name was Daiki Furuya.
The Mage approached him with a smile, trust in his eyes. "Daiki, I need you to send a request for backup to the neighboring country. The situation is dire, and we don't know how long we can hold this off. Can I entrust this mission to you?"
Daiki grinned, his usual upbeat energy shining through. "Of course, leave it to me!" He gave a firm nod. "I'll get there and back in no time."
The Mage smiled, relieved. "Thank you. We're counting on you."
With a single swift motion, Daiki raised his sword and focused. A gust of wind swirled around him, his body becoming a blur as the magic enhanced his movements. The wind infused his sword, making it shimmer with an ethereal glow. With a final breath, he activated his magic, and in an instant, he was gone—blazing across the terrain with the speed of the wind itself.
As Daiki sprinted ahead, the ground suddenly began to shake. The adventurers exchanged tense glances as they felt the vibrations underfoot.
"Here they come," the S Rank Warrior shouted. "Everyone, get ready for battle!"
And so, the third wave of the dungeon break was about to begin. The city's fate hung in the balance, and the adventurers braced themselves for the battle to come.