[ Guild Hall ]
Also known as the place where the literal infinite dungeon can be found in their backyard, and can only be accessed by going through their confirmation process. The process begins with the adventurers meeting the Guild's Receptionist, to see if they are qualified enough to enter and how many floors they can only go through by verifying their ranks.
Which is…
"Did you... just return here just after a single day of rest?" A grumpy woman wearing glasses can be seen at the other side of the counter, profusely baffled as to why the person in front of him is standing before her.
"Um... Is it wrong for an adventurer to–"
Before he could even finish his sentence, he got cut off by the woman's wrath. Which blew his hair back just from the air she released from her anger.
"YOU'VE BARELY RECOVERED! NOT ONLY THAT, YOU'RE AN E-RANK!"
"AGH– I'M NOT GONNA GO DOWN TO THE FOURTH FLOOR, I DON'T WANNA SUFFER AGAIN DOWN THERE!"
I do, I want to farm items now that I'm stronger.
"And how the hell would I make sure you don't do that, huh?! You've already broken the rules, and the fact that you have money means you can just break them again!" Clarissa slams her book onto the counter, creating a loud bang that everyone hears and trembles, including Cliff.
"Ehh! It wasn't– Alright, I'm only going to the third floor for a quest, okay? I just had to loot some items– sell them at the guild shop and go on my way!" Cliff tries to negotiate, but the frown from her face isn't disappearing at all. It got worse. However, she was silent. Clarissa glared at the red-headed man with killing intent.
"...Igh. If you violate the rules again, I will send a messenger pigeon to the academy and the Carmesi family. That's not a bluff, that's a threat."
Shouldn't the saying go that it's a statement?!
"...A-alright. I won't go down to the fourth floor, no matter how tempting it is. I swore on the Carmesi name that I, Cliff Carmesi, will not go down the fourth floor."
"Alright, I'll trust you on that–"
"Unless it's necessary…" He silently added.
"Wha-?!" Suddenly, she jumped across the table and grabbed his hair to inflict as much damage as she could. It caused chaos, other adventurers jumping in to save the lad from her wrath and the other staff trying to hold the receptionist back from killing the man.
←—------------------------>
𝙎𝙩𝙚𝙥…𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙥…𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙥…𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙥…
A bunch of footsteps come down the stairs, in between the adventurers on the stairs are maintained stone bricks with a bunch of dry blood between the gaps. Signs of people who almost died escaping the never-ending dungeon. Those weren't cleaned to intimidate adventurers who wanted to explore the unknown for fun, to make them go back and value their lives.
[ Only those who are worthy and brave can go down the dungeon can learn its mystery and obtain its treasures. ]
That description came from the synopsis of the game "Infinite Dungeon". The increasing darkness reminded the red-headed teen of that description from the synopsis, and it is true.
The unknown is scary.
However, he isn't alone. Beside him are a group of adventurers that are experienced. Despite them being old, he could tell that all 4 of them were professionals.
"Cliff, is it okay to speak informally with you?" A bald adventurer wielding a giant axe asked while going down the stairs with his other companions. A [ Warrior ] classed adventurer.
"Sure. I don't mind, I value experience over authority." Cliff reassures the old-timer with a smile, though the man greeted back with an awkward smile.
"That makes things easier– Well, you almost killed yourself earlier, man. How can you not get scared of the receptionist?"
"Cause…She's just a receptionist, why?"
"She's 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 a receptionist? Boy, she is no ordinary girl." The man replied, ending it with a terrified sigh. Cliff lifted his eyebrow, and it seemed that he was out of the loop.
"That lass is the strongest out of all of us, did you not see how she easily bent your arm despite being an archer?" The other man replied, covered in cloth with their daggers hidden inside of their cloak. A [ Rogue ] classed character.
Cliff's body trembles, and his left arm shivers in fear as he suddenly stops in his tracks.
"M-my body remembers... I couldn't get out of her grapple, she pinned me down… Is she not scared of hurting a member of a royal lineage?" He snapped out of it as soon as he got tapped in the back by a female holding a wooden staff with a cyan crystal on the tip of the staff.
"Do you not know? All staff of the adventurer's guild have immunity when it comes to lots of things. They have the right to stop you by all means necessary, even if you are royalty, just to save your life." A black-haired woman from behind answered Cliff's inquiry, she dawned black leather armor and a blue mage's cloak. She's a [ Mage ] classed adventurer.
"That…makes a lot of sense." In the end, Cliff gave up on thinking about what just happened. It is useless to keep complaining about a system that keeps him safe. He sighs, adjusting the shoulder pad of his armor.
"We're near the first floor, you guys ready to eat some jello?" The bald man stood still, a stone door stood in their way. It is the entrance that leads to the first floor of the dungeon.
What are the enemies? Pretty easy guess.
The man with an axe opened the door and acted as the vanguard, holding his large axe on the front to protect those who were behind him.
"Slimes incoming!" The mage beside Cliff shouted, alarming her allies to be cautious.
The rogue stood silent and ready, he lowered his stance while unsheathing his daggers. One in a normal grip and the other in reverse.
Suddenly, a slime jumped forward. However, it got slashed down by an axe and it immediately evaporated on the ground. A downward slash from an axe-wielder deals major damage.
"The name's Enrid!" The Warrior stated, having taken the first enemy down.
Then, a slime suddenly appeared to their right. It lunged towards Enrid, but it got split in half, including its core by a hooded man holding two daggers. He used shadow step, an advanced skill for Rogue-class adventurers. He raised his thumb and didn't look back.
"Riyu." A straightforward introduction to a rogue, so cool!
"Keep looking forward, you idiots!"
Suddenly, a medium-sized slime came forward. It shoots out a liquid that is bubbling, presumably boiling. Cliff was ready to evade to the side, but a giant icicle from above went towards the liquid and froze it instantly. It went through the liquid and hit the medium-sized slime as well.
"Esther, a great magicia–"
Within a second, Enrid pushed forward and jumped with his axe lifted into the air.
"WOOOHOOO!!" The Warrior screams in excitement.
"...Show-off." The rogue silently spoke as he giggled.
"Ugh... I told him to keep it together!" The mage slams her foot downward to the rock, obviously mad that her introduction got cut off.
Enrid slams down his axe on the frozen slime, splitting it in half before landing on the ground perfectly fine. He turned around and the slime shattered into pieces. He chuckled and also did a thumbs-up.
"Welcome to the team, boy! Even if it's just temporary!"
A real party of adventurers, with incredible synergy and teamwork. Right now, Cliff is part of the team. His eyes filled with light. Amazed by their actions, he quickly took out his bow.
With his swift fingers, he took an arrow from his quiver strapped on his back and put it on his bow, pulled it, and released it within a millisecond.
𝗦𝗪𝗜𝗜𝗜𝗜𝗦𝗛~!
The arrow cut through the wind. It went towards the direction of the warrior, Enrid. It barely grazed his cheek, hitting a slime that was supposed to sneak attack him from behind. It went through the jello body and destroyed the core in the middle. With this single action alone, he solidified his position in the party.
"Cliff Carmesi, a ranger! I will be in your care temporarily, thank you for the assistance!" Cliff bowed, as his blood was rushing from excitement and thrill. His first party!
All four of them smiled and a bond was formed. The golden string of fate has been connected to all four of them, what will be their fate inside the dungeon?