Chapter 118: Split Up Trip
———Wiina———
<12: 38 pm>
Hmm… Despite all the research done on this place. It still doesn’t really explain why some architectures are so reminiscent of the present-day buildings. Is this place really meant to be from so many thousands of years in the future? Why would there be so many things that are familiar to us? Did the world barely advance in those times?
I guess modern humans have existed for over a hundred thousand years at this point, a tenth of that probably won’t cause anything too drastic. Advancements have been getting stagnant as of late too.
Doesn’t really explain why the patch of grass here looks pretty familiar. Surely the fauna changed at a faster rate than other things.
I don’t think I would ever find the real reason for that, and now there is a bigger problem to contend with, or rather, a role I need to fulfill. No time to crouch down and play with a patch of grass. That is going to look ridiculous regardless of what reasonings I use.
The giant flying ship slowly floats down at the edge of the island, the grass dancing wildly in the wind from nonexistent propellers.
The door on its side opened up with a stair forming for the people inside to step out. First the teachers, then everyone else. Edea is the only one who didn’t step out since they’re the one managing the ship. I doubt anyone or anything is going to try hijacking it, but standard procedures.
“Welcome, all of you.” I said somewhat dispassionately, seeing their baffled expression at my appearance. “What is that look for?”
“She’ll accompany us as extra insurance to make sure you are all safe. Last thing we need is having to bring a corpse or two back home.” Rico morbidly said. “Make sure nothing like that actually happens, alright?”
“No need to repeat that statement.” I said before turning around to look at the entrance. The amalgamation building is certainly not something you could easily describe beyond looking like a bunch of building types being glued together. Like cobbled up toys or even memories. “Let’s get inside and get this over with. The rules of this trip are simple. We will go as far as you all can muster, or once we reach 2 pm, then we will teleport back into the ship and go back to school.”
“How did you even get here without the ship?” One of the students in the other class asked.
“I have my ways.” I’m not going to disclose everything, let alone my teleportation. This here is a body with most of my power present, and I have been waiting here since morning. “Everyone, follow me.”
We walked along the giant stone path leading towards the giant doors. Certainly a different kind of entrance to other dungeons that works more like an underground labyrinth.
I push the massive set of doors open, generating loud sounds as it opens up entirely for us to walk inside.
We don’t immediately get swarmed by monsters. This lobby we walked into is more akin to the starting area where you can talk to your teammates and strategize before actually starting the run.
There are three doorways on the other end of the room, on higher elevation we can get to with two sets of stairs on either side. There is one gimmick to this place and that is the multiple instances of dungeon runs.
“We have a lot of people with us on this trip, and there are three doorways. Each one will lead you into your own instance of a dungeon run. We will be separating the group into three. One will be led by me, one by Rico, and one by Elrik and Able.” I explained how this is going to work. It’s going to speed up things considerably, and make sure they can’t all coordinate to flop over and feign exhaustion to end the trip early. I doubt anyone in my class is going to do that, but someone in the other class might try to stir up that idea.
*Shine*
I waved my hand and summoned a bunch of tiny sparkles of light in three colors as a way of selecting who will be part of which group. While it might be better for them to choose by themselves as a way for them to be more comfortable, I’d like it more if they were taken out of their element just a little bit… Also because I can rig the result.
“The blue team is with me, the red team is with Rico, and the yellow ones are with those two.” I instructed. “Now, group up already, don’t waste our time.”
Be it by fear or something else, they move quickly into groups. Not super organized, but there’s no need for that in what should be a… simple trip. This isn’t a boot camp.
“From here on out, you will receive instructions from teachers from your own group. We’ll be moving at our own pace.” I said before walking away, beckoning my team to follow. Karra is there, and so is Lynda and Glery. I’m just choosing a few people I know from both classes. My other body is actually in a different team. There’s no need for two Wiinas on one team, that’d be overkill. “Alright then, we will go into the rightmost door. If you have any electronics on you or other fragile devices, make sure to let me know before you start fighting.”
They all simply nodded as we went up the stairs and walked past the doorway that had a shroud of darkness obscuring what is on the other end.
In the very first room of this dungeon, there are only two of those fuzzy creatures on the first floor of our dungeon, only that they are… a lot bigger.
“That’s like three buses stacked on top of each other!” One of the students from the other class shouted out. Does he not know that will alert them right away? They were making their way towards us the moment he shouted!
*Dash* *Slice* *Sizz* *Slice* *Slash*
Karra quickly ran in and made short work of the two monsters, brandishing the knife she has kept using for the longest time.
“Not bad.” I commented as she put the knife away. “I’m sure anyone here could’ve taken care of them, but it is nice for there to be someone who steps up quickly, and not sabotages the group.”
I can see the guy who yelled earlier flinching. It’s just what it is. Looks like he doesn’t quite understand how dungeons operate.
“The power level of the first few rooms should be enough for all of you to get a kill in. I believe at level ten is when things become unbearable for all but a select fews.” Karra and my other classmates will be fine, same with Lynda and Glery. “I want all of you to at least get one hit in, make sure to not disappoint me.”
A good deal of them look quite intimidated. Come on now, surely drawing a bit of blood isn’t that horrifying of a concept, everyone bleeds at some point in their lives.
———Lerim———
<12: 59 pm>
“<The self-proclaimed supervillain, despite the big stature and devastating fire abilities, was defeated by a human who seems much weaker in comparison. What do you think this means?>” What the hell is the news even talking about now? Don’t they have the footage? Just go through it and have an expert on the subject.
“...How long are you going to stay here?” He asked, looking like he was about to complain.
“As long as I can afford it. It’s not a crime to stay in a public place now is it?” I said, continuing to watch the news, even if it isn’t anything really important.
“It’s not, it’s just that… Nevermind.” He wisely chose to not pursue the matter. Really, I have more than enough rights to stay here and relax. I just completed a massive job for him.
“Where’s the remote so I can switch the channel? These guys are so boring to listen to.” I said, wondering why they don't show more footage of these super strong guys fighting instead of pretending to be experts on the topic.
“Hmm…” He doesn’t seem interested in doing that and listens to the broadcast for a while. “It does look like there are more people with powers roaming about freely. Can’t say that’s a good thing, considering the last time it happened…”
“If that kind of nonsense is gonna happen, it would’ve happened yesterday.” I pointed out. If this news is any indication those people are gonna be so high on power they can’t even think about strategizing. “I think we can relax on that front. We… Well, mostly me, have got rid of all the troublesome people already.”
“Hmm…” Guess he doesn’t quite think it would end that easily. I mean, I doubt that’s the case, but I would like to be a bit more optimistic after all the nonsense we’ve been dealing with. I could use a long period of mental break.
“...So are you going to change the channel or not?” I asked, wondering if he’s going to do something about it.
“I can’t, it looks like every guild is fed the same kind of content managed by the higher ups. I guess they’re showing us things related to superpowers and dungeons to keep us interested.” He explained… Right, I just remembered something. He became the guild master recently, so he doesn’t have a lot of information or authority to work with.
“Well doesn’t that suck. Can’t even do anything on your own TV.” I said, taking my focus away from the broadcast, just a bunch of useless rhetorics anyway.
“...Just enjoy the free entertainment.” He said, already sounding defeated. Come on, surely he doesn’t get bitter from just that, what happened to the brave leader a few months back?
“Whatever. Don’t even try to kick me out. Let me enjoy the air conditioner for free after all that nonsense.” I said before a long sigh. Those three really do slow me down considerably. It’s really not fun having to save their skins multiple times. Thankfully they aren’t jackasses, otherwise it would’ve been very intolerable. “Come on now, you can manage that much as the guild leader, right?”
“Uh huh. Hold the power, do whatever you want, all that nonsense.” He said, sounding a bit out of it, does he even say that seriously?
“...You don’t believe that nonsense, do you?” I said, hoping he doesn’t harbor those kinds of thoughts.
“What, racism? Why would I?” He said, sounding a bit bewildered as he looked at the TV.
“...I wasn’t talking about this broadcast.” I pointed out.
———Jeff———
<1: 02 pm>
“CCAAWWW!!!” Argh! Way too freaking loud!
Its appearance is very simple and easy to comprehend. A giant crow with glowing red eyes. I think comparing its size to that of a dinosaur makes sense? It completely towers over us.
“I’ll take care of this.” Emmie confidently walked forward, forming a scythe out of mana and approaching the massive crow. She didn’t even wait for the two teachers to give her a weapon.
*Leap*
She jumped up towards the giant bird, which of course took notice of her bold approach.
*Blast* *Slash*
A blast of energy came out of its mouth, launching towards Emmie, which she simply slashed away like it was nothing.
*Slice*
A simple swinging motion going straight through its neck like it was butter. She makes it look so easy, but I can tell that the precision and power needed is more than she presented.
Maybe I could do it, but I don’t think dudes from other classes can?
“Roughly ten seconds from start to finish. Impressive.” Elrik commented with a dull tone. I could’ve provided a more exciting commentary than that.
———Kenni———
<1: 04 pm>
*Grab* *Swing* *Swing* *Spin*
“Take this!” I shouted out as I grabbed it by its short leg and spun its body around again and again and again!
*CRASH*
Throwing it right into the wall, causing the wall to crack and no doubt does the same to the bones of this dumb giant bird.
*PUNCH* *CRACK*
I flew towards it with an arm raised and fist formed, punching it straight in the chest and causing its bones to caved in, fully ending it.
“Heh. Easy peasy.” I said with a smug expression as I landed back down, flicking the blood off my wrist. I think I have shown off just enough for now. “Good luck to the rest of you.”