The faint, rosy glow of dawn barely touched the horizon when Kenji's eyes snapped open. Adrenaline, a constant companion now, coursed through him. There was no time for idleness. The world's fate hung in the balance, and 100 dungeons awaited.
He slipped out of bed, moving with the preternatural quiet of his enhanced Agility (S-Rank). The villa's kitchen, usually bustling later in the morning, was silent. Kenji set to work, his movements precise and efficient. He prepared a hearty breakfast for the team – their favorites, a final, substantial meal before a week of brutal work. Eggs, bacon, pancakes, fresh fruit – a feast designed to fuel their demanding mission.
As the scent of cooking food filled the air, Kenji moved on to packing rations. High-energy spiritual bars, water purification tablets, compact first-aid kits – everything they might need for extended dives. He even packed small, morale-boosting treats he'd noticed his teammates enjoying.
By the time the sun fully breached the horizon, painting the sky in fiery hues, the aroma of breakfast had worked its magic. One by one, the Dawn Breakers shuffled into the dining room, rubbing sleep from their eyes, their expressions a mixture of fatigue and grim readiness.
"Morning, everyone," Kenji greeted them, a rare, soft smile on his face. "Come on, grab a plate. Last proper meal for a while."
The team's eyes widened at the spread. A comfortable silence settled as they ate, savoring the food, a silent acknowledgment of the calm before the storm. Kenji watched them, a fierce protectiveness swelling in his chest.
When everyone had finished, the plates cleared, Kenji looked at them, his expression becoming serious. "Alright. Let's talk schedule."
He pulled up a holographic map, displaying the 100 B-ranked dungeon locations spread across the globe. "We have one week to clear all of these. That means we need to complete roughly 15 dungeons a day."
A collective groan rippled through the team. Hiroki choked on his water. "Fifteen a day, Kenji?! Are you serious? That's insane! Even A-ranks don't push that kind of pace!" Renji's jaw dropped. Even Goro looked skeptical.
Kenji's gaze remained firm. "I know it sounds like a lot," he admitted, "but we're stronger now. We've got the gear. I expect we can push through the first 50 in two days, depending on how we feel and if we hit any snags."
Before anyone could voice their protests or express their disbelief at his seemingly "crazy" ambition, Kenji cut them off, his voice resolute. "And to make sure we hit that target... I will personally tackle an extra ten dungeons a day by myself, to pick up any slack or unexpected delays."
As he spoke those words, the System Overlay flickered into view for Kenji alone.
[NEW MISSION ALERT: SOLO CHALLENGE - ELITE]
[OBJECTIVE: COMPLETE TEN DUNGEONS SOLO IN UNDER THREE HOURS TOTAL.]
[REWARD: NEW SKILL ACQUIRED, SKILL POINTS +5.]
[GOOD LUCK, HOST.]
A new skill and five more skill points. The System, as always, was both a taskmaster and a silent enabler. This confirmed his plan. He had to push himself even harder.
The team, however, was still reeling from his initial declaration. "An extra ten... solo?" Akari whispered, her eyes wide with shock.
Kenji simply nodded, a determined glint in his eye. "We're doing this. For Earth. For humanity." He pushed himself away from the table. "Alright, let's move out. Gear up."
The hum of the hovercraft was a familiar sound as it carried them towards their first target. The atmosphere inside was tense, charged with a mixture of apprehension and grim resolve. They had packed their new gear, checked their spiritual reserves, and mentally prepared for the grueling week ahead.
The hovercraft descended into a desolate, abandoned urban district. Twisted metal skeletons of old buildings rose against the sky, their broken windows like vacant eyes. In the center of a rubble-strewn plaza, shimmering against the grimy backdrop, was their first objective: a dimensional portal.
It swirled with a radiant purple hue, mesmerizing and ominous. The spiritual energy emanating from it, while not overwhelming, pulsed with a hungry vitality, threatening to consume the very air around it. It was clearly a B-rank, but the implicit threat of it escalating was palpable.
Kenji stepped out of the hovercraft first, his hand instinctively going to the hilt of Ataraxia, which now hummed faintly at his side. The blade felt like an extension of his will.
He turned to his team, who stood behind him, their faces set in determined lines. "Alright, everyone," he said, pulling out the velvet pouch containing the Essence Breakthrough Pills. "Before we go in, I want everyone to take one of these pills."
He popped one into his own mouth, feeling the subtle surge of spiritual energy it provided, already pushing him closer to his own breakthrough. "This will give you a boost, help you push past your limits. You'll need it."
The team hesitated for a moment, then, understanding the gravity of Kenji's request, each took a pill. They exchanged glances, a silent vow passing between them.
"This is it," Kenji stated, his gaze fixed on the swirling purple portal. "Dawn Breakers. Let's show them what we're made of."