Demonic Po*nstar System

Chapter 132: Cleared to Proceed

Kaiden glanced out the window and saw the cityscape slowly fade behind them, replaced by the untamed wilderness. After thirty minutes, the convoy pulled off the road and onto a dirt path leading to a clearing. There, standing tall amid the open landscape, was the dungeon gate.

A perimeter had already been established around it, manned by men dressed in black combat suits. These were employees of the Awakened Association, the governing body responsible for regulating dungeon activity and ensuring that no unauthorized personnel entered restricted zones. They carried high-grade equipment on them to suppress both dungeon threats or rogue awakened if necessary.

One of the guards stepped forward as the minivans came to a stop. He scanned the group without uttering a single word before turning toward Tessa. She knew the procedures, so she walked up to him and handed over the papers that were required for her group to gain entry.

“Your team is clear to proceed,” he stated after checking even the minutest details in the papers to ensure everything was in order. He then raised his arm and glanced at his watch. “You have 71 hours to clear the dungeon before we send our forces in.”

Even if maximum capacity wasn’t specified by the dungeon gate, only a limited number of people could enter each dimension. The number depended on the dungeon’s rank, which for D-rank was 20, meaning Tessa had organized a full task force for this undertaking.

The only way more people could enter was if someone left or died inside, but there was one additional method: to wait until the final period before the dungeon break began, which in a D-rank dungeon’s case was the last 48 hours. During the final period, the capacity limitations would be doubled, allowing the Awakened Association to send in their own task force even if the original group was still alive inside.

“Understood,” Tessa nodded.

With that, the group began unloading their supplies and checking their gear one last time as they prepared to step through the gate into the greatest challenge any of these youths had faced.

Kaiden could take a better look at his team now, and he saw what he’d expected. Most of them were young, not many were older than him. Vaelira was the same age as him at 22, Jack seemed to be around 20. Most of Nova Circuit’s low-level members were around the same age as the blonde musclebrain, with some outliers. A teenage girl caught his eye in particular because her tender features reminded him of Alice, his little sister.

However, unlike his sister, this girl lacked confidence. Her hands were trembling as she checked the contents of her bags one after the other. She was one of the four people in the group who carried multiple large backpacks on their persons without equipping any fancy protective armor or weapons. Instead, they had pickaxes and cooking pans attached to their belts. They were the non-combat units of the group.

Every expedition into uncharted dungeons required mules who did the odd jobs no one else wanted to. This included carrying everyone’s supplies, setting up camp, cooking meals, mining materials, collecting monster drops, etc. Almost all of these people tended to be F-tier awakened. They might as well have been normal citizens based on their power level, but thanks to their status as awakened, they were able to enter dungeons. Non-awakened were not permitted entrance; the dungeon gates simply did not permit them to pass through.

The group gathered around as one of the three instructors, a grizzled man with short-cropped black hair and a jagged scar running across his cheek, spoke up.

“Listen, students. This is your final briefing before stepping through that gate. As you should be well aware, this is a D-rank dungeon with a level limit of 10. That means if you’re level 10 or lower, you can enter freely. If you level up past that point inside, you won’t get kicked out, but you will be unable to return should you leave for one reason or another.”

A second instructor continued from here. “The game plan is simple. You will farm levels in the immediate area near the gate first. That way, you can gain a few levels while still having the option to retreat if necessary. Once you’ve strengthened yourselves, you will move deeper into the dungeon.”

The instructors’ gazes swept over the group, ensuring everyone was following.

“As for the dungeon itself, it’s a sandy biome with a pyramid theme. Expect mummies, sand felines, scarabs, and other desert-dwelling nasties. These creatures may seem basic but don’t get cocky. D-rank dungeons are no joke.”

Some people in the audience straightened their spines with confidence and excitement, while others swallowed with building nervousness.

“The leader of this expedition will be A-tier awakened Vaelira. She will be in charge of all major decisions. Follow her lead, and don’t do anything reckless.”

He swept his gaze over the group before locking on Jack.

“Lastly, this will be your first time working alongside mercenaries. Under normal circumstances, we wouldn’t have brought them in, but our hand was forced. Take that as a sign that we don’t believe the sixteen of you alone are enough to clear this dungeon. That means any infighting is straight-up unacceptable. Like it or not, you need the four of them to make it back alive and successful. Get that through your thick heads. Understood?”

Many nodded at his words. While most still viewed the mercenaries with skepticism, if not outright condescension, no one could deny the threat posed by a D-rank dungeon, especially now that their seniors wouldn’t be by their sides. In the end, survival took precedence over pride. If these outsiders made their odds of returning better in one piece, then so be it.

“Guild members,” Tessa spoke up. “You’ve spent years preparing for this exact moment. Remember the teachings your instructors left you with, trust your allies, and do your best. If you can do all three of these, you’ll return safe and sound. You’ll gain recognition from your fellow awakened, furthermore, you’ll gain levels, riches, and invaluable experience. That’s all from your leader. Make me, your teachers, and the legacy of Nova Circuit proud!”

“Yes, Leader!” a chorus of cries replied.