Chapter 34: Encountering The Fifth Gradeless Dungeon Response Unit
Meanwhile, in the Upper Sector, where the chain of dungeon outbreaks was creating havoc, the Fifth Gradeless Dungeon Response Unit was on its way to help with the suppression of one of the newly opened Grade 4 dungeons.
Each unit of the task force was ranked according to the highest-grade dungeons they were capable of sealing, from Grade 1 onward. There were also a few exceptional units that specialized in traversing the Void instead, leading to their Gradeless designation.
The Gradeless Units usually abstained from interfering in the city’s affairs unless things spiraled out of control, like they had today.
The three members of the Fifth Gradeless Unit effortlessly cut down every monster along their path.
On the left stood the towering panda, Bao. He wore a friendly expression and a large bamboo hat, while a traditional martial arts vest covered his bulky frame. His loose trousers were secured by a black belt wrapped around his waist.
Beside him was Malakor. His slim figure was concealed beneath a dark robe, a stark contrast to his grey hair and sunken green eyes. Despite his fragile appearance, he easily carried a large silver coffin over his shoulders, its metal chains bound to his wrists.
In the lead was the chief of the unit, Scarlett. Her long white hair danced against the strong wind created by her dash, while her crimson eyes remained utterly unbothered. A red tattoo depicting a network of vines stretched from her thigh down to her foot, shining intensely.
"Too many dungeon outbreaks are happening at the same time to be a coincidence... It’s unnatural." Bao exclaimed in a dejected voice, his paws thudding heavily against the ground.
"Judging by how fast the corruption spread, it’s artificial. The Void Believers must be the ones who orchestrated the ordeal. This isn’t the first large-scale disaster they have caused." Scarlett’s eyes darkened, feeling repulsed to the very core.
Besides the dangers of the dungeons and the Void were the Void Believers, who abandoned their humanity and submitted to the influence of the corruption. They believed that the ever-growing expansion of the Void was proof that denying its influence was a mistake and instead insisted that humanity needed to embrace it with open arms.
Most disagreed with their ideals because advancing the Void’s corruption always came at the cost of countless innocent lives.
Along their way, the Fifth Gradeless Unit made sure to provide support whenever needed, lessening the casualties. The inside of the Upper Sector was supposed to be the safest place in the city, and if too many deaths occurred, it could lead to unfavorable consequences.
Noticing a commotion up ahead, the unit arrived in front of a dungeon that radiated a weak aura of a Grade 1. Before it, a team of bodyguards was frantically searching for aid.
"What is the situation?" Scarlett asked. Although her unit was short on time, she didn’t miss the despair on the guards’ faces.
"C—Chief of the Fifth Gradeless Unit, Scarlett?!" The leader of the bodyguard squad immediately recognized her. "Please help! Miss Daisy of the Tameless household was forcibly dragged into the dungeon! Since it’s Grade 1, none of us can enter!"
"You mean you let a lone kind be dragged into a dungeon?!" She bellowed, more furious about the mention of Daisy’s age than her title.
"T—The young miss isn’t alone! Before we could act, a young man jumped after her. However, a few minutes have passed since then, and we don’t know what is going on inside." The bodyguard leader added, trying to save his skin.
"Malakor, you know what to do." Scarlett ignored the excuses and glanced at the member of her unit.
"On it, Chief." Malakor replied, slamming the coffin he carried onto the ground. He opened the lid and reached out with both hands toward the impenetrable darkness within.
"Bad news... I am out of low-level corpses. I can’t deploy reinforcements." He said somberly.
Malakor’s class was necromancer, which allowed him to command his subjects into entering dungeons that repelled awakeners of his level and provide aid from the outside.
Unfortunately, due to the recent wave of dungeon outbreaks, his reserves had run out.
Scarlett frowned. Without Malakor’s assistance, they were essentially cut off.
"What can you tell me about the one who entered the dungeon?" She turned back to the bodyguard leader. Perhaps if the lone awakener who had ventured after the girl knew how to fight, they stood a chance.
"I’m not sure." The man shook his head and gestured toward the woman standing quietly behind him. "She told me her name is Miranda. She was traveling with the man, but she hardly said a word. Ever since he dove in, she’s been waiting for him to return."
"Miranda..." Scarlett murmured, her sight focused on the silhouette before the portal. "The name sounds oddly familiar. I must look into it later."
Just then, the dungeon flickered.
"C—Could the dungeon be evolving to the next grade?" The guard’s face grew pale. Although they would be able to enter, it would almost guarantee that those inside were already dead.
"No." Scarlett’s eyes narrowed. "The dungeon has just been sealed."
In the blink of an eye, the portal vanished. In its place stood Leonard, his face alarmingly pale, and Daisy, who gripped his hand with one hand while carrying her newly bonded familiar with the other.
"Young Master!" Miranda ran toward Leonard without hesitation.
"Miss!" The bodyguards swarmed around the little girl to make sure she was unharmed. Otherwise, not only their paychecks but also their lives could be jeopardized.
"Young... a newly awakener who probably hasn’t even enrolled in the academy yet... and he still chose to walk into a dungeon to protect the girl?" Scarlett analyzed from a distance, finding herself impressed.
"Please don’t move too suddenly. We need to treat you right away!" Miranda urged with rare panic in her tone. She had never seen Leonard suffer such severe wounds.
Leonard let out a relieved sigh. He had been worried that Miranda’s illness might have taken a turn for the worse while he had been away. Fortunately, his concerns had been unfounded.
While Miranda’s thoughts raced in rapid succession, searching for a way to help her master, Bao stepped forward.
"The life force of this young man is chaotic. May I help him?" The panda asked, readjusting his bamboo hat with one paw.
"Please do!" Miranda immediately stepped aside.
Bao’s eyes shone brightly. He brought his front paws together, and eight golden orbs began to rotate behind him, leaving a mesmerizing glow.
Although surprised by the appearance of awakeners he didn’t recognize and their willingness to help him, Leonard didn’t refuse the aid, with no other alternative in sight.
"Find peace within yourself, my friend. Be like water." Bao exhaled deeply.
Leonard’s wounds began to give off a green light. A warm yet comforting sensation surged throughout his body, easing the pain.
[A healing skill has been applied. Your injuries are being restored...]
The system’s notification eased Leonard’s concerns.
He stood still, allowing his wounds to mend themselves. Soon enough, the bruises and cuts running across his physique disappeared. Although the panda’s healing hadn’t restored the blood he had lost, his life was no longer in danger.
"See, my friend? As good as new." Bao’s features softened into an easygoing smile. "Thank you for saving the young miss’s life."
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