In the heart of Technomendia's bustling Central Court, the group paused at the massive dungeon archway, then circled around to the central shaft. The air carried tempting scents of sizzling meats, exotic spices, and sweet frying oil from nearby stalls, making Roy briefly fantasize about trading the mission for something deep-fried.
Roy broke the silence with a sigh. "The goal is simple, we push down to catch Team Two. Easy!"
A restless shift signaled Eryndra's frustration. "Still no fighting for me?"
Takara shot her a flat look. "You'd clear the floor before we could even kill a single monster."
Fidgeting with a gear strap, Andri muttered nervously. "I wouldn't mind some help if things get bad…"
Orin shook his head firmly. "We've got this, Andri! Stand tall!"
With a soft chuckle, Roy stepped into the elevator. "We'll see, won't we?"
The elevator doors slid shut, their mechanical hum filling the brief descent. When they opened on Floor 61, rough stone corridors stretched into shadowy corners.
A grin spread as Roy nudged Takara. "This place looks straight out of Stringer 9, doesn't it?"
Her cheeks warmed slightly, but she gave a sharp glance. "Why assume I watch your weird movies?" After a pause, she frowned at the stonework. "But… yeah, you're right."
Lynder tilted his head curiously. "Stringer 9… is that a kingdom or castle you've conquered?"
Roy laughed lightly. "Just a movie, Lynder."
A thoughtful sigh escaped as Lynder rubbed his chin. "Movie… Maelara tried explaining those once. I fell asleep halfway. Doubt she got it herself."
From the side, FDR stepped forward, extending a sandwich. "Captain, your sandwich."
Taking it with a nod, Roy bit in, chewing contentedly as the group advanced.
A tightening passed over Lynder's weathered face as his eyes swept over the three young adventurers. His attention snagged on the dull, almost invisible shimmer around their wrists and necks. He stepped closer, his boots silent on the stone floor of the dungeon, and leaned in.
"Your wards look dangerously weak, have you charged your armor's mana stones?" he asked aloud, his voice a gravelly rumble that nonetheless cut through the ambient noise of the dungeon. "They're barely holding a charge. If you meet anything stronger than a stray kobold with them in that state, you'll be asking for trouble."
He was met with the collective, infuriating density of three blank, youthful stares. Andri was nibbling on a pretzel, Rava was idly flicking a silver coin and Orin was simply looking at Lynder as if he'd just started speaking in Ancient Draconic.
A scowl of profound frustration deepened the already severe lines on Lynder's face. He pivoted sharply, the movement radiating annoyance, and fixed his glare on Roy.
"Have you taught these kids nothing?" Lynder demanded, the question laced with judgment and disbelief. "They don't even know how to check the power level of their basic defensive enchantment gems! That's remedial arcane maintenance!"
Roy nearly choked on the mouthful he was attempting to swallow. Crumbs of bread out of his mouth in a fine spray. He coughed violently, slapping his chest with a closed hand.
"How should I know, you old bastard?" Roy wheezed out once he recovered his breath, wiping his chin. His eyes were wide with offended indignation. "I've been here less than a year! I don't even know what arcane maintenance is!"
The first sector they entered on the 61st floor opened into dense forest, towering trees and thick vines choking out the sparse light that seeped down from above. Instinctively, the group slowed their pace, footsteps muted against moss-covered ground. Lynder raised a cautious hand, signaling quiet, eyes fixed on shadows shifting violently ahead.
Branches splintered suddenly, exploding outward as massive beasts lumbered into view. Hulking limbs rippled beneath matted fur, their movements heavy yet swift. Most grotesque were their stomachs, which split open into enormous mouths bristling with yellowed fangs, saliva dripping from every crooked tooth.
"Ugh, what is that?" Rava recoiled sharply, hand clamped tight over his mouth.
"Guapima," Lynder answered calmly. "Dangerous up close, but nothing you shouldn't be able to deal with."
"They're...actually kind of cute?" Andri said softly, tilting her head in curious fascination.
Before anyone could react to her questionable taste, one of the beasts surged forward, massive claws swiping directly toward Rava. His eyes widened in panic as he stumbled backward, barely avoiding the attack. Instinctively, he thrust his hands out, conjuring a violent gust of wind, but it barely rippled the creature's coarse fur as it charged again, undeterred.
Rava scrambled back farther, heart pounding, breath catching in his throat. "Guys!" he shouted, panic raising his voice to a strained pitch. "A little help?"
Andri was busy fending off another Guapima, dodging heavy blows, her focus locked on survival. Orin, too, was occupied, blade clashing against another beast's claws in rapid succession.
Left alone, Rava gritted his teeth, throwing up a barrier of jagged ice spires that erupted from the ground. The charging Guapima smashed through them effortlessly, shards of ice scattering harmlessly across its fur. Desperation swelling, Rava unleashed another blast, this time a burst of flame, that washed uselessly over the beast, singeing fur but failing to slow it.
With options dwindling and the monster nearly on top of him, Rava's fear finally overtook him. Chains of golden light exploded from his fingertips, Administrator to the Three Hats activating as a final, desperate effort to survive.
A surge of raw strength filled Andri without warning, sending her forward into a wildly uncontrolled spear thrust. Her momentum spun her past the target, causing her to fall forward awkwardly onto the damp forest floor. Nearby, Orin felt the opposite effect; he strained against the sudden weight of his greatsword, its blade dragging his arms downward like an anchor. Before he could adjust, a heavy blow slammed into his chest, launching him violently backward into a splintered tree, wood shards scattering on impact.
An ear-splitting roar from another Guapima signaled its lethal charge toward Rava, but it never reached him. In a flash of movement, Eryndra appeared between them, her fist smashing into the beast's stomach-mouth with bone-shattering force. Teeth and gore burst outward as the creature collapsed onto the forest floor in a limp, broken heap.
From behind, Roy punched the air exuberantly. "Hell yeah, Eryndra! Crushed that big ugly thing like it owed you money!"
Blushing faintly at the praise, Eryndra glanced back at him with quiet pride. Orin caught Roy's eye with an appreciative grin. "You're a good guy, Captain, hyping your team up like that."
Roy blinked, suddenly feeling a sharp pang of guilt. His words had been playful exaggeration, but seeing Eryndra's earnest reaction, there was no way he'd admit it now.
They retreated hastily, regrouping in a quiet clearing away from the battle site. Orin slowly rolled his shoulder, wincing as he stretched. Nearby, Andri silently sharpened her spear, lips pressed tightly together as she cast a frustrated glance toward Rava.
"You could've warned us," she murmured, her voice edged with quiet annoyance. "I was completely caught off guard."
Rava lowered his eyes, cheeks burning with embarrassment. "I know. I'm sorry, Andri." He took a shaky breath, forcing his voice steady. "I'll…I'll get it right next time."
Roy, leaning casually against a nearby tree, tilted his head thoughtfully toward Rava. "Hey, quick question. Why not just link to the monsters instead? Make them weaker, you know?"
Rava shook his head immediately, still avoiding direct eye contact. "It's not that simple. If the enemy's a lot stronger than me, I can't link without them agreeing to it."
Roy clicked his tongue. "Ah. Gotcha. Yeah, doesn't sound like something they'd cooperate with."
Takara glanced between the Trio, her expression firm but not unkind. "Alright, clearly that didn't go well." She stepped decisively toward them, cracking her knuckles with a confident smile. "You're fighting with me now. Let's see if we can sort you guys out."
They returned swiftly to the previous sector, the same dense forest where they'd narrowly escaped defeat. The Guapima immediately sensed their return, lumbering forward aggressively. This time, however, Takara led confidently from the front. Her fists glowed faintly, runic markings tracing along her knuckles and wrists as she dodged the beasts' clumsy swings. Every strike she landed rang out sharply, stunning and staggering the monsters with explosive force. Whenever a Guapima lunged toward one of the kids, Takara flicked her wrist, weaving quick layers of shimmering runic barriers that absorbed the attacks harmlessly.
Emboldened by Takara's presence, Orin surged forward with renewed focus, his sword striking true and heavy, while Andri and Rava followed close behind, their movements finally synchronized. The battle quickly shifted from chaotic struggle to decisive victory, ending with the last beast collapsing into the underbrush.
Takara stood tall, breathing lightly as she glanced proudly toward Roy, clearly waiting for praise. Roy, oblivious, was already busy inspecting one of the fallen creatures, completely missing her expectant stare.
"Um, Roy?" Takara asked, frowning slightly. "Hello?"
He jumped slightly, quickly straightening up. "Oh! Yeah, uh, you looked...super cool! Totally impressive! Very, uh…flashy and stuff!"
Takara's eyes narrowed sharply. "You weren't even watching, were you?"
Roy scratched his head sheepishly. "What? Of course I was! Absolutely watching. Super closely."
Orin walked casually by Roy, shaking his head in mock disappointment. "Captain, you really shouldn't play favorites. It's not very tall of you."
Roy's eyes narrowed immediately. "Shut up, punk! You wanna start wearing a full sweater and sweatpants with armor plating?"
Orin froze, eyes wide with sudden horror. "No! I don't know what a sweater or sweatpants even are, but they sound gross and heavy! I need my speed!"
Roy folded his arms, smirking triumphantly. "Then apologize."
Orin dropped instantly into a dramatic bow. "My deepest, sincerest apologies, Captain Gunn! I have learned the error of my short-sighted ways!"
Roy nodded, satisfied. "Much better. You can continue to wear that silly outfit."
Instantly, Orin whipped out a crumpled piece of parchment from seemingly nowhere, shoving it enthusiastically toward Roy's face. "Great! Sign here, please!"
Roy recoiled slightly, baffled. "What the hell is this…and where exactly were you keeping it?"
Orin beamed. "It's a contract stating that I can always wear just my compression shorts and you'll never force me into anything else! Now please, Captain, sign it!"
"Uh, no, dude," Roy said, gently avoiding the paper. "I'm not touching that. But consider it a promise instead, which is way better than a contract to me."
Orin pumped his fist triumphantly. "Then it's a promise!"
Buoyed by this success, the team continued downward to the next sector. A group of enormous drakes lay in wait, their scaled hides gleaming menacingly in the torchlight. Under Takara's steady guidance, the Trio engaged fluidly. Andri precisely targeted vulnerable points with confident strikes; Rava used focused blasts of ice and fire effectively from a safer distance; Orin maneuvered nimbly, delivering punishing blows that felled even the toughest of the creatures.
By the time they reached the boss chamber at the sector's end, confidence had visibly replaced their earlier doubt. Stepping into the wide, torch-lit cavern, they immediately recognized the creatures awaiting them, Elite Red Caps. The goblin variant, distinguishable by their crimson-stained caps and fierce, aggressive demeanor, paced restlessly.
Lynder observed them carefully, a hint of curiosity in his voice. "Interesting...these usually lead packs of lesser Red Caps. Ten elites gathered together is quite unusual. Stay vigilant."
Takara smiled grimly, cracking her rune-covered knuckles again. "Alright, you three. Just like we've practiced."
Takara took point immediately, charging ahead, but before she could fully close the distance, six of the Red Caps surged forward, swiftly surrounding and isolating her from the rest of the Trio.
At the same moment, two more broke off to intercept Orin, and one each charged toward Andri and Rava. Rava backpedaled quickly, throwing a quick burst of fire toward his attacker, but the Red Cap merely chuckled and raised its arm, revealing a crude metal bangle. Rava's magic dissolved uselessly against the artifact.
"An anti-magic charm," Lynder called sharply. "Your spells aren't strong enough yet to break it."
Rava barely dodged two vicious slashes, stumbling slightly. His heart raced as he raised his hands instinctively, golden chains forming briefly at his fingertips, Administrator to the Three Hats. But he forced himself to stop, clenching his fists and taking a steadying breath. With determination, he drew his sword instead.
The Red Cap paused in shock, before its ugly face twisted into a delighted sneer. It tossed aside its small blade, replacing it with a brutal-looking shard of rusted metal more akin to broken glass than a proper weapon.
Nearby, Andri sidestepped her opponent's wild, reckless swings. After casually evading two axe strikes, she drove her spear neatly into the creature's chest, dropping it instantly. She pivoted, moving toward Rava.
"I've got this!" Rava shouted quickly, noticing her approach. "Help Takara or Orin instead!"
Andri shrugged lightly, leaning casually on her spear. "I would, but..." She pointed across the room, smiling faintly. "They're already done."
Rava's cheeks flushed as he noticed everyone's eyes now turning toward him. Taking another breath, he tightened his grip and rushed forward. The Red Cap faltered slightly at the unexpected aggression, stumbling back from Rava's flurry of swift, precise strikes.
Watching the exchange, Lynder leaned subtly toward Roy. "Rava is extremely adept with the blade, unusual for a young mage, is it not?"
Roy blinked slowly, then shrugged. "Lynder, you could've said the exact opposite and I'd still believe you. You realize I know literally nothing about this world, right?"
"Oh," Lynder responded, voice slightly deflated. "Just...making conversation. You seemed to enjoy it earlier, so..."
"Hey, I don't mean anything bad by it," Roy quickly added. "Just consider me stupid as hell from now on."
Before Lynder could reply, a loud clang echoed through the cavern as Rava delivered a powerful parry, sending the Red Cap's weapon flying. In a single fluid motion, he lunged forward, his blade cleaving the creature neatly down the middle.
"Nice!" Orin yelled enthusiastically, darting forward and lifting Rava triumphantly into the air. "Looks like someone finally got a bit taller!"
With laughter and relief, the group collected themselves and headed swiftly toward the stairs leading down to the next floor.