女神归来的夏天

~~~(POV: Commander Eren)~~~

~~~(Location: Dueling Adventurer Guild Branch leader Chris, Docks of Techart)~~~

~~~(Time 6:15 AM)~~~

Chris is getting tired, and I'll admit that I'm running on fumes too. Duels don't allow us to use our strongest Skills. It's literally a battle of better fighters. "Just give it up, Eren. You're wasting everyone's time by making this longer than it has to be. Ms. Adamo should be well compensated for her work, not ripped off by the city." My temples flex, and my anger spikes. 

The Adventurers Guild has far too much power all across Gaia for not being a religious or political power. "You should be ashamed of yourself, Chris. You used to be a good and decent man, but you've let money and power corrupt the person you used to be. If we weren't Players still, I'd kill you." He doesn't like what I said. Not one bit.

Unlike Chris, I don't let my emotions and state of mind drive my fighting style. While I'm angry, I'm not letting it influence my choices or thoughts. "Speak for yourself, Eren!! You don't know what it's like!! To be poor and weak! I'm never going to be the man you knew because I'll never live like that again!!" This is an unsightly Duel for Ms. Adamo to witness.

My eyes slip to her for just a moment, and she's watching with her arms folded. My attention is back on Chris a second later as he attacks with all he has. We're around the same level and tier, but I have a disadvantage in terms of gear. Techart doesn't have the resources The Adventurers Guild has. But it's the person using the gear, not the gear itself. 

He jabs his blade into my guard, but this is what I wanted to happen. I wrap my arm into his, and he realizes what's happening. Before we can do anything, I throw my head forward and smash it against his. He's hurt, and he stumbles back. He can't see straight, and he's stumbling. "Damn it..." The words are barely audible as they leave his mouth.

I dash forward, and I use my sword to throw his guard open, and he is knocked unconscious as I slam the flat part of my blade against the top of his head. "You've become strong, Chris. But it's not strength that you've earned yourself... All of it from the Guild..." He can't hear me, but I feel like I need to say this anyway. The barrier around us drops, and Chris regains consciousness.

[The Winner of this Duel is Commander Eren!]

[All Players have been healed of their injuries!]

Chris stands up, and his eyes look dead as he meets mine. "This isn't the end, Eren... Not by a long shot..." If there were a way to get rid of the Guild, I'd be the first to make them gone from Techart. "You can have the first crack at her, but when you fail. It'll be my turn." He turns and leaves, and there is hatred as he walks away. But at least he stayed true to the agreement. 

I turn from my current position, and I see Ms. Adamo standing there waiting for me. I sheath my sword and make my way to her. The moment I stop in front of her, I kneel down and place my forehead on the ground. Bowing in front of her. "Please... I beg of you to help our city... You're the only one strong enough..." A Commander shouldn't have to put his head in the dirt. 

<br/>But I'm willing to do anything for this city. Even if it means humiliation for me and the post that I hold. "At first, I wasn't going to do anything for either of you." My heart drops a little, but I keep my head lowered since she isn't finished talking. "But someone in your position wouldn't do this unless you were truly desperate. I'll hear you out." My hopes have been answered. She'll listen.

The guards keeping the civilians at bay have a sigh of relief as I raise my head. "Thank you. You don't know how much it means to even hear us out." She nods her head a single time. "Let's head to the guard's barracks so we can talk privately." She stays quiet and follows my lead. She's the strongest person within hundreds of miles or any nearby cities.

She's a personal friend of Slayer Zern as well. Her power isn't to be trifled with, and it should be respected. "Mind if I ask you something?" Ms. Adamo surprises me with the sudden urge to ask a question. I nod, and she looks forward. "Why do so many cities and Kingdom tolerate The Adventures Guild?" That's a million Gold question, and one I ask all the time.

Kingdoms aren't wealthy enough to keep powerful people on retainer like Empires are. Empires don't need to rely on The Adventurers Guild since they can afford to buy the permanent services of powerful individuals. "Cause we can't afford any other options, and ordinary people can't take on extraordinary quests and challenges." That's the simplest answer I can give. 

We eventually reach the barracks, and we head to my office. As she sits down, I make my way to the other side of the desk and sit. "I'll cut right to the chase. There is an imminent Dungeon break that'll happen near Techart, and it doesn't threaten just us, but the entire Kingdom." She looks interested now, which is something that I was hoping for.

~~~(POV: Hailey Adamo)~~~

~~~(Location: The City of Techart, Guards Barracks)~~~

~~~(Time: 6:32 AM)~~~

I've never heard of a Dungeon break before... I have no idea what that is. "You'll have to forgive me, but I've never heard of a Dungeon break before." He doesn't look surprised. Meaning that many people don't know what it is. I can't help thinking that Cera knows what a dungeon break is. I lucked out about this whole situation. 

Commander Eren is actually the person that I need to talk to. I didn't know until I heard his name from the Duel. Since tier-up quests don't have any markers given to you to find the person, it was a great accident that the person I need to talk to was already waiting for me. "To be honest, I didn't know Dungeon breaks existed until a month ago either." Now isn't that interesting.

A concept not even the natives of Gaia are used to. It must be a feature that the system secretly implemented. "Apparently, they've only been popping up recently. It started occurring when monsters got access to the system and became more intelligent. They've been breaking free of the dungeons that bind them." It's definitely a feature made by the system by the sounds of that.

The monster must be incredibly strong to break free from the Dungeon. They're able to level up now, so it makes sense. "I'm willing to help you, but I need to know more about the Dungeon. What is its history, what's inside, and what I'm up against." I've learned a lot from Cera, and one thing to always look for is the history. It holds answers to questions you might have.

He leans back in his chair and releases a long sigh. "Truth be told, the Dungeon is very old and has been there for a long time. From the beginning, it was filled with weak monsters and a boss. Ones that even our new guards could handle. But all that changed." That's a start, but I need way more information than this, and I'm not helping until I know everything I need to know.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A/N: Below this line, I'll be keeping Cera's player information. That way, I won't have to place it into the story above anymore. It takes about 180 words up.

[Slayer (Zern) Lvl.228][Tier-3]

[Exp: 42/100%]

[Title: The Son of Arch-Angel Michael (Hidden)]

[Stats] [Strength - 7095][Endurance - 7045][Dexterity - 7215][Speed - 8240][Focus - 19,660]

[Mana aura control: 6/100%]

[Health: 76,560,000,000/76,560,000,000] [Mana: 216,600,000,000/216,600,000,000]

[Stat Points: 350] [Armor rating: 500]

[Inventory] [Dice of Wayland (Divine)] [Hardened Tree sap Armor (Very Rare)] [The Witness (Legendary Sword)] [Fenrir's Whistle (Divine)] [Camping gear] [Food Rations 3x] [Dried meat 3x] [Fishing poles 2x] [Fish 8x] [Festival Garbs 2x] [4x EXP Boosts]

[Passive Perks]

[Inheritor of the Sword] [Son of Heaven] [Slayer of Evil] [Holy Willow Trees Savior] [Finder of Legends] [The Divine who has Legend] [Destined for Greatness] [Dungeon Diver] [An Overachiever]

[Active Skills]

[Heavens light Lvl.74 325/7400] [Protected by Heaven Lvl.74 225/7400] [Slash Lvl.92 4600/21000] [Parry Lvl.68 85/6800] [Double Strike N/A] [Kingslayer N/A] [Raging Machine N/A] [Winged Glory] [Angelic Flight] [Divine Pressure Exertion] [Divinity Pulse] [Controlled Fun]