Year 790 of the Vaathi Lunar Calendar

  Continent of Naas

  Ancient Dungeon: The Great Labyrinth of Naas

  First Floor of the Labyrinth

  A young man was shouting at the top of his lungs to everyone passing by.

  — I'm looking for members to take on the fifth-floor boss! — he yelled loudly.

  The other hunters ignored him, thinking he was crazy.

  — Fifth floor? The reconnaissance team hasn’t even made it past the fourth floor, and this lunatic thinks he can reach the fifth floor and defeat the boss? What an idiot — they muttered as they walked away.

  No one seemed to believe this young adventurer. He had been waiting for days to find strong allies, but no one seemed willing to team up with him.

  — Hey, kid, lying is for children. I’m sure you’re past that — said a tall man approaching him. When he pulled back his hood, it was clear he was a High Orc. — If you can truly reach the fifth floor, you can count me in, but I’ll need proof that you’re telling the truth.

  — What are you? A druid? Or a shaman? — Aric asked curiously. — Well, how can I prove my words, Mr. Orc?

  — I’m a shaman, and not just any shaman. I can see that there’s something special about you. — This orc bore the blessing of the Lord of Orcs, with golden eyes as proof of this blessing.

  — Ah, a shamanic orc. I was thinking of assembling a more aggressive team. Honestly, the fourth-floor boss requires a lot of attack power — Aric said, playing hard to get.

  — No wonder you can’t find a team. No one would trust someone who can’t anticipate the situation, you know? The reconnaissance team also has a shaman — the orc pointed out.

  — And even with their shaman, they haven’t defeated the boss — Aric replied angrily.

  — Anyway — the shaman said, a little exasperated — with my power as a shaman, One Voice, One Truth, I can tell if you’re lying. If you’re truthful, I’ll join you. You just need to make your statements once my shamanic power is active.

  Aric agreed to undergo the shaman’s test, who activated his power.

  — I know how to defeat the fourth-floor boss, and I know how to reach the fifth-floor boss — Aric said under the shaman’s power.

  The shaman’s ability activated, and the truth was revealed. From Aric’s mouth emerged a white and purple light that settled into the shaman’s hands.

  — You’re not lying, kid — said the shaman, astonished. — It’s decided then; you can count on me.

  Now having a shaman on his team, Aric felt a bit more confident.

  — My name is Serpensq’i — said the shaman. — I’ll return to the surface to resupply. I suppose you can wait for me for a couple of hours.

  — I still need to recruit at least three more people, so I’ll be here for a few more hours.

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  Without delay, the shaman left and was soon intercepted by a woman.

  — That boy says he’ll take on the fifth floor. Did you use your ability to confirm it? — she asked from behind. — I’d be interested in joining his group if you confirmed his words.

  — Why are you coming to me? Wouldn’t it be better to verify it yourself? — the shaman asked back. — Anyway, he was telling the truth. He’s a good kid, a bit naive but a good kid. Don’t waste time; talk to him before someone more observant than you makes the first move.

  After that, Serpensq’i continued on his way, and the woman turned back. From a distance, she observed Aric, who was once again shouting.

  — I'm looking for members to take on the fifth-floor boss! — he shouted, looking at the adventurers who passed by ignoring him.

  The woman decided to approach him, but a small group of women beat her to it.

  — Boy, I saw you talking to that High Orc. I saw him use his power on you, so I assume he won’t be joining your group since he left — assumed the group leader.

  Aric looked at them. Their items were top-notch and exuded a strong aura of power.

  — He went to the surface to resupply. Yes, he used his ability and confirmed I was telling the truth — he replied. — We’ll set off as soon as he returns.

  — I’m Lucien — said the woman. — Elemental mage specializing in water. This is Kaenia, a spirit mage specializing in illusions, and this is Danndra, a divine mage specializing in first-rate physical support magic.

  — Wow! — Aric exclaimed. — Your group is pretty strong as it is. Are you in?

  — Not so fast, kid. We want half the loot — said Lucien. — And we’ll keep the items dropped by the fourth-floor boss. Also, I want to know what kind of...

  — Hey, you lot! — the girl who had been interrupted by the group approached as Lucien spoke.

  Her large, shiny silver armor and the emblem of the dragon-slaying family imposed authority wherever they were seen. Her red hair and blue eyes couldn’t overshadow the redness of her cheeks. This woman had great difficulty socializing and, as the youngest of the dragon-slaying family, carried a great weight of expectations on her shoulders. Moreover, the Ozz Family, as renowned as they were, had a reputation for being violent lunatics, bloodthirsty and lovers of destruction.

  — A dragon slayer — Kaenia said, surprised. — Take it easy, Lucien.

  — I’ll join your party — she said, her cheeks flushed. — My name is Lysandra Ozz. I’m a warrior specializing in combat against dragons, reptiles, and flying monsters. I believe these girls are trying to take advantage of you.

  — Oh, now that you see the golden goose, you want it for yourself? — Lucien scolded her, threateningly. — Why do you say we’re taking advantage of him? He and his shaman make two; we’re three. Splitting half the loot and keeping the fifth-floor items is more than fair.

  — Ladies, calm down — Aric said, standing up. — Neither the loot nor the items matter much to me. They’ll be divided according to each member’s contribution level. Now, we have a human warrior, myself as a human spellblade specializing in summoning, the elven mage Lucien for offense, the two hybrid support mages, and the shaman. I think we have a chance against these bosses.

  After calming the argument, the group sat down and formed a circle, beginning to talk. A couple of hours later, Serpensq’i returned to the Great Labyrinth of Naas.

  — I see the group grew in my absence — Serpens said as he approached the crowd. — I recognize a few faces.

  — That’s right. She’s Lysandra, our warrior. She’s Lucien, our offensive mage. Those two sisters over there are Kaenia and Danndra, offering support magic. And I’m a spellblade.

  — I’m Serpent Walking in the Sky, but you can call me Serpens — said the orc, introducing himself. — I’m a High Orc shaman specializing in curses and soul enchantments. I also know a lot about ancient scripts.

  As the group introduced themselves, there was a loud rumble followed by a slight tremor throughout the first floor of the labyrinth.

  “Attention all adventurers on floors 1 and 2, immediate support is requested. A wave of monsters similar to the third-floor boss is heading toward the second floor. We believe they intend to exit the labyrinth…”

  All the groups seemed alarmed. This was high-level magic, and only Sulfias, the mage from the reconnaissance team, could use group telepathy at this level. Every group seemed worried except for Aric. He was calm.

  — Well, it’s great you came back so quickly, Serpens. Now we can begin right away