The first B-rank dungeon was just the beginning. With the Essence Breakthrough Pills coursing through their systems, their new enchanted gear singing with power, and Kenji's precise leadership, the Dawn Breakers were an unstoppable force. The next nine dungeons fell with the same terrifying efficiency. Each portal, whether shimmering purple, ominous green, or pulsing red, yielded to their relentless assault.
Demons, from charging Gargoyle Brutes to cunning Phase Stalkers, were cut down with surgical precision. Akari's Whisperwind Recurve sent volleys of tracking arrows, pinning down foes. Renji's Terra Fist Gauntlets unleashed earth-shattering blows, staggering entire waves. Saki's Veridian Bloom Staff wove intricate shields and sent pulses of healing light, keeping everyone in peak condition. Hiroki's Shadowflame Twins became blurs of crimson fire, dissecting enemies with lightning speed. Goro, cloaked by his Whispering Shade Cloak, strategically moved to cut off escape routes.
And at the heart of it all was Kenji. Ataraxia, his ancient blade, shimmered with its blue angelic aura, cutting through even the toughest bosses with a single, devastating strike. His Solar Flare Manifestation made him a constant, crimson whirlwind of power, his Agility (S-Rank) allowing him to be everywhere at once, intercepting, leading, and obliterating.
Each dungeon was cleared in under nine minutes, some even faster. Incredibly, the Dawn Breakers had completed ten B-rank dungeons in a total of 90 minutes. The pace was unprecedented.
The world, glued to the live feed, was buzzing with excitement. News channels ran endless replays of Kenji's single-strike boss kills and the Dawn Breakers' flawless teamwork.
"Ninety minutes! Ten dungeons! This is madness!"
"The Dawn Breakers are redefining dungeon clearing! They're like a precision strike force!"
"Kenji Tanaka is a phenomenon! He barely broke a sweat in any of those fights!"
"And his team! All B-rank now! Unbelievable!"
Back at the hovercraft, as they sped towards a brief respite, Kenji reviewed the System notifications. Aside from the expected experience and credit rewards, something rare had dropped.
[RARE DROP: A-RANK SKILL BOOK - 'SPIRITUAL FLARE']
[RARE DROP: A-RANK SKILL BOOK - 'DIVINE INTERVENTION']
[RARE DROP: A-RANK SKILL BOOK - 'PREDATOR'S INSTINCT']
A-rank skill books! These were incredibly rare drops, almost never seen in B-rank dungeons. Kenji immediately distributed them.
"Akari, this is for you," Kenji said, handing her the 'Spiritual Flare' book. "It'll boost your long-range spiritual attacks and give them a wider area of effect."
"Saki, 'Divine Intervention'," he offered. "This will drastically improve your healing output and allow you to cleanse major spiritual ailments."
"And Hiroki," Kenji said, presenting the 'Predator's Instinct' book. "This will hone your combat senses, allowing you to instinctively pinpoint enemy weaknesses and increase your critical hit chance."
His teammates gasped, their eyes wide. These were skills that even some A-ranks coveted. Their excitement was palpable.
Kenji directed the drone towards a popular, high-end restaurant in a secluded, but still public, part of the city. As the hovercraft landed, a small crowd of fans was already waiting outside, having tracked their flight path. They cheered and snapped photos, basking in the glow of the heroes who were clearing dungeons with such impossible ease.
Inside, the team settled into a private dining area, their faces tired but alight with powerful new gear. They ordered a decadent meal, the kind of food they hadn't had time for in weeks.
"I'm so tired," Akari admitted, leaning back in her chair, "but I feel so incredibly strong. That was... amazing."
"Yeah," Renji agreed, shoveling a forkful of pasta into his mouth. "My gauntlets feel like they're a part of me now. It's exhilarating."
Kenji looked at them, a profound sense of pride swelling in his chest. "I couldn't be more proud of you all," he said, his voice sincere. "You pushed yourselves, you worked as a perfect unit, and you adapted beautifully. That's what being a Dawn Breaker is all about."
He then looked at his watch. "Tomorrow will be much of the same pace, if not faster. I want you all to take another Essence Breakthrough Pill in the morning before we start. We need to keep that edge." He paused, his gaze softening. "But for now, you all need to rest. Get some real sleep. Recharge."
He paid for the extravagant meal, the total easily in the hundreds of thousands of credits. A notification flickered on his personal account: [ACCOUNT BALANCE: $9,000,000]. He chuckled, the sound devoid of worry.
"Well," he said, showing the others his now healthy balance. "Looks like we're making progress. We had 15 billion credits before coming here, and now we've spent a chunk of it, but we've got incredible gear and powerful new skills." He shook his head playfully. "After 100 B-ranked dungeons, we will not even remember ever spending any money."
He stood up, slinging Ataraxia back onto his hip. "Alright, everyone. I'm heading out for my solo runs now. I should be back within two hours or so. Hopefully, I don't run into any troubles alone." He winked, a silent message to his team about his S-rank capabilities.
With a final nod, Kenji stepped out of the restaurant, leaving his exhausted but invigorated team to their much-needed rest, and disappeared into the night. His personal challenge had begun.