Chapter 85: Climbing To The Peak
The Elite grade stared at the happy expression of the fluffy panda.
"Pardon?" They asked in unison.
Although they knew that the academy tended to be strict, were they really expected to enter a Grade 2 dungeon a mere week after enrolling?
"Mister Bao, are you also below Level 30?" One of the scholars asked, assuming that the panda would be accompanying them.
Bao placed his paws over his large belly and laughed heartily.
"Oh, no, friends. I am not going to be joining you. My presence is to clear up any confusion you may have, deal with any monsters that follow you outside, and tend to the wounded."
Remaining silent, Leonard looked around. They were still on the academy grounds, inside a special facility.
"To keep it short, there are several active dungeons inside the academy. You see, unlike the Grade 1 dungeons you have all dived into at some point in your lives, Grade 2 and beyond are much more spacious and harder to explore..." Bao explained.
"There is a finite number of experienced awakeners that can be tasked to close off dungeons with low-level thresholds. Each successful expedition would raise their Level and eventually lock them out from entering the Grade 2 dungeons."
He paused briefly.
"As such, passive dungeons that don’t endlessly spew out monsters like the one behind us are intentionally left open, both to train new recruits and gather resources from the monsters within."
Leonard nodded, everything clicking into place.
’Essentially, if they run out of strong awakeners below Level 30, there’d be no one left capable of quickly sealing the Grade 2 dungeons that could appear in residential areas, leading to disasters.’
The same principle applied to the assassin who had tried to take his life on the night of his awakening. The hitman had deliberately kept his Level low in order to overpower his targets with experience before they could resist.
Although the panda’s words made sense, the scholars were still reluctant.
"Don’t worry, young ones. You don’t have to seal the dungeon. Your task is simply to slay one monster and present it for verification. That’s all." Bao reassured them.
"Earlier today, you all passed Professor Albert’s test and mastered Fireball, right? That should prove more than enough. However, do take care to stay clear of the Death Zone. As you know, the Level of monsters residing there is beyond the dungeon’s entry threshold, and none of you are ready to face that yet."
"Understood." Elizabeth spoke in her usual icy voice and calmly stepped forward, disappearing through the portal.
"T—That’s the Ice Queen for you... Nothing fazes her." The scholars whispered among themselves.
"Come on, we can’t let ourselves be outdone." Arabella declared, following suit.
"As you wish, my princess." Plamen bowed, ready to protect her with his life.
"Will this ever get any easier?" Winston took a deep breath.
"Doubt it." Leonard shrugged nonchalantly. "At least this time, we’re prepared. We’ve stocked up on your food... Its buffs should prove handy."
[You have entered a Grade 2 Dungeon, Stormlands!]
Leonard’s eyes sprang open. He took a deep breath as powerful currents assaulted his ears.
After taking a few seconds to get accustomed to the thin air, he observed his surroundings.
They were in the middle of a large mountain range, so high up that he could see clouds forming below them.
Past the horizon, there was one colossal mountain that towered above the rest. It was so elevated that, no matter how much he strained his eyes, he was unable to make out the very top.
"No wonder they have left the dungeon open. If the requirement to seal it is to reach the top and face whatever Boss awaits there, very few would be daring enough to try..." He mused aloud.
The rest of the Elite grade were similarly amazed by the magnificent view, taking a few seconds to take it all in.
"Hmm... I wonder if Joker would help here?" Leonard wondered and summoned him.
Alas, the moment Joker appeared in his mist form, he was literally blown away by the strong currents at the peak.
"Relying on Joker to scout the surroundings for lurking enemies won’t work here. I’ll have to keep my eyes extra peeled." Leonard concluded.
He went to regroup with his friends.
"Who knew the view could be this beautiful from so high up..." Harley remarked, speechless at the spectacle.
"Y—Yeah... W—We are so high up." William’s body trembled, his teeth chattering.
"Could it be that you are afraid of heights?" Samantha giggled.
"P—Preposterous! I... just like to be closer to the ground!" William bellowed, refusing to look down.
"There is nothing shameful about admitting your fears. It’s what makes us human." Cassie interjected timidly. "A—At least, that’s what I think."
"What do you think would happen if I rolled down?" Winston tapped his belly and peeked over the edge curiously.
"An avalanche, maybe?" Leonard replied thoughtfully. "Though it would be great if we don’t find out..."
"Point taken."
Nobody wished to be in the dungeon longer than necessary. Once they memorized where the portal was located, they moved in the opposite direction, following a makeshift path created by human footsteps.
Although this wasn’t a team expedition, the entire Elite grade stuck together. Separating from the main group in an unfamiliar land was a recipe for disaster.
"Look how fearlessly Lady Elizabeth is marching forward..."
Leonard picked up on the gossip around them, his eyes fixing on her.
During the time they spent lost in the Void, he had come to realize just how detached the heir of the Starlight household truly was.
Even though she was capable of working in a party, she was obviously used to moving alone and not relying on others. Perhaps that was what separated the exceptional from the rest.
Gradually, as they climbed upward, they found themselves in a mountain valley, while the ridge of the mountain they walked upon wasn’t much farther ahead.
The idea was to use the open space to scout in search of monsters.
Suddenly, a rock tumbled down the slope, and fell to the ground.
Elizabeth froze on the spot. Arabella drew her bow.
"What was that?" Cassie asked in fright.
Leonard looked upward, narrowing his eyes against the shining sun.
A few screeching shadows flew past them.
"Get ready! We’re about to be attacked by a flock of Dire Eagles!"