Chapter 112: First Dungeon in the Industrial Ruins
Twenty minutes later, the vehicle slowed and came to a smooth stop. A faint hum signaled the activation of camouflage and peripheral security systems.
- "We’ve arrived," announced Lazare, his voice breaking the silence like a stone tossed into still water.
The tactical screens simultaneously displayed the location: "Mirador Industrial Complex Exclusion Zone 27." Satellite images showed a tangle of abandoned structures, corroded by time and encroaching vegetation. Half-collapsed industrial buildings, truncated smokestacks like accusing fingers pointed at the sky, and a chaotic web of rusted piping created a bleak post-apocalyptic landscape.
At the center of this modern ruin, a stable D-rank portal had recently been reported by reconnaissance teams. Preliminary data, shown in green characters across the screens, indicated minimal energy activity, low mana concentration, and an estimated negligible level of hostile biomass.
- "An apparently classic and basic dungeon," commented Lazare as he skimmed the information. "Likely linear layout, low-tier hostile fauna, predictable mana flow."
His gaze settled on Isaac, a calculating gleam briefly flashing in his eyes.
- "Perfect for some fun," he added flatly.
The team disembarked from the vehicle with choreographed silence that impressed Isaac. Every movement was efficient, precise, devoid of the usual nervous chatter that often preceded dungeon entry. These people moved with the quiet confidence of predators in familiar territory.
Isaac was quickly flanked by two team members the taciturn tall man and the tattooed one. Without a word, the latter handed him a seemingly simple belt that was surprisingly heavy. As he strapped it around his waist, Isaac immediately felt the protective field activate, like a second, invisible skin molding to his form.
The belt was warm to the touch not uncomfortably so, but noticeably as if generating its own energy. Tiny runes etched into the buckle pulsed faintly with a blue glow, gradually adapting to his energetic signature. A high-quality defensive item, likely capable of withstanding multiple A-rank magical impacts.
- "Frontline protection," murmured the tattooed man. "It won’t save you from a dragon but it’ll handle everything else."