Pov: Vik
If this barrier prevents our systems from hearing our conversation, how can I communicate with my system? There might be an issue with the barrier. I think I should inform Louriel, but first, I spoke with the system.
It replied, "Host, I am currently blocked by the main system space. In a way, I am already a dead system; that's why this barrier didn't affect me. I am not its target."
With the system's explanation, everything was sorted for now. I waited for Louriel's response. As I expected, she said, "Vik, now that everything is sorted out, we can continue this dungeon raid. We will discuss our collaboration and make plans for Lin Chen once we reach the city. But remember, do not talk about harming any chosen one in public. Everything the chosen ones do is closely watched by heaven and beyond."
After saying this, she signaled her summons. At that moment, Winston performed some hand signs, and the barrier around us vanished. The strange summons formed a line around us, and I followed them. I wanted to learn how professionals raid a dungeon.
I had questions about what Louriel said regarding how people in this world, especially chosen ones, are monitored by heaven. I didn't want to ask Louriel about this. I didn't want her to think I knew nothing about these topics, so I approached the system instead and asked him.
System: "Host, this is known by very few people. Some worlds have a consciousness referred to as heaven by their inhabitants. These are typically higher-level planes. Strangely, this world also has a will, a very early-stage consciousness that detects when certain taboo topics are mentioned by its inhabitants. The same applies to those above heaven, but you don't need to worry. Once my connections were severed by the main system space, it forced this world to separate from me. So technically, in this entire universe, I am a dead system, a ghost system. As my host, you also experience this."
After hearing the system's words, I understood most of it. Usually, a sane person would panic if they learned that they and their system were considered dead by the universe. But for me, it was perfect. I didn't want to be bound to a system or be part of anyone's scheme or entertainment.
Returning my focus to the dungeon raid, I saw Louriel's party, armed with professional gear, walking in formation around us. We soon reached a clearing in the forest, and everyone stopped.
With my heightened senses, I could feel several creatures approaching us quickly. I knew the others sensed it too, which is why they also halted.
When I focused on the creatures, I realized there were thousands of wolf-like creatures, each the size of an elephant, charging toward us. Most of them were D-rank, but a few were C-rank. Even though we were stronger, facing such a horde would overwhelm a party of a dozen B-rank members. I finally understood why they had a rule requiring at least a hundred people for raiding a B-rank dungeon.
Our raid party took formation. Several strong-looking men and women pulled out large shields from their storage rings, forming a protective barrier. Then, others grabbed long spears, ready to strike anyone who tried to breach the defenses.
There was even space in the shields for the spears to pass through and attack the other side. Additionally, a group of people who appeared to be archers brought out guns that resembled a mix of a bow and a sniper.
They created a makeshift archer tower using earth spells to summon pillars of earth. There was also a healer team and others carrying what looked like large cannons, possibly mortars for launching bombs on concentrated areas.
Seeing this lineup gave me confidence that we could handle the horde. But for some reason, I felt compelled to test my fighting skills. I said, "Louriel, I want to fight this horde too."
After saying that, I found myself in the open field, with the raid team's formation of shields, spears, and archers at my back. In front of me was the horde of beasts, which would reach me in a minute.
Apparently, Louriel misunderstood my intention. She thought I wanted to fight the horde alone. That wasn't my goal; I wanted to fight alongside them, but I didn't refuse when I realized the misunderstanding.
System: "Host, why didn't you clarify that misunderstanding?"
I sighed and said, "System, you wouldn't get it. I didn't refuse because I wanted to impress Louriel. What will she think of me if I admit I'm scared of some wolves?"
System: "So, you did something foolish to impress a woman, just like every other man."
Vik: "System, this isn't foolish. I'm at the void refining realm. These wolves are D and C-rank, while I am a genuine S-rank beast. This will be easy for me; nothing will happen."
I immediately realized I shouldn't have said that. Just as I did, I felt a sudden spike in the spiritual energy of the dungeon, along with the howl of beasts filling the area. My gut feeling screamed at me.
System: "Warning! Host, this dungeon has evolved into an A-rank dungeon."
"Warning! Host, this dungeon has evolved again into an S-rank dungeon."
I finally understood that while chatting with the system, I had raised a flag. The horde of beasts, which were originally D and C-rank, now included several B-rank and one A-rank beast. And that wasn't all; I could sense the presence of another S-rank beast in this dungeon.