The Ebon Claw guild hall looked exactly like I imagined, all polished black marble, glass walls, and a reception desk staffed by someone who could probably kill you with a clipboard.
Kazuo met me at the door, dressed in combat gear this time, black leather reinforced with mana plating, his signature greatsword strapped to his back.
"Glad you're on time" he said. "Let's see if you survive introductions."
He led me to a table where the rest of the raid team was gathered.
There were six of them, all S-class, all looking at me like I'd just wandered in from the kiddie pool.
"Everyone, this is Rian Wale. He's joining today as a... guest."
A tall woman with braided red hair and twin axes snorted. "Guest? More like baggage."
"Don't worry" I said, flashing a smile. "I travel light."
She scowled. Kazuo smirked. We were off to a good start.
The plan was simple, at least on paper.
We'd be clearing a c-ranked dungeon in Chiba, one that had been generating more mana fluctuations than usual. Kazuo expected a boss mutation. Which was guild-speak for things are about to get messy.
I was placed mid-line, far enough from the vanguard to avoid immediate death, close enough to jump in when the front needed backup. Perfect.
Travel to the dungeon was quiet, broken only by the hum of the armored transport and the occasional sound of someone checking their gear.
I double-checked my own, sword sharpened, Rift Step ready, Venom Slash primed. Steelhide was active, though no one needed to know that.
Kazuo caught my eye from across the aisle. "Nervous?"
I grinned. "If I said yes, would you send me home?"
"No."
"Then I'm terrified."
That earned a chuckle from the guy next to him. Small victories.
The dungeon gate shimmered before us like a curtain of oil in the air. The moment we stepped through, the world shifted, sky replaced by jagged cavern ceilings, air thick with the stench of sulfur and something that smelled like burning meat.
Kazuo's voice was steady. "Standard formation. Keep your eyes open. Rian, you stick to me until I say otherwise."
"Like glue" I said.
We advanced, torches flickering against wet stone walls. The first growl came from deeper inside, low, guttural, and followed by the sound of claws scraping rock.
I tightened my grip on the sword. My blood was singing already.
Somewhere in the dark, something hissed.