King's Will Adventurer Guild, Staff Dining Hall, Kingdom of Ardraven.

It was lunchtime at King's Will. After an exhausting morning of handling adventurers, paperwork, equipment, and various guild responsibilities, the officials had finally gathered in the staff dining hall for a well-deserved break.

The dining hall was relatively spacious, with a long wooden table, several chairs, and a large kitchen occupying one side of the room. The smell of freshly prepared food filled the air, accompanied by the occasional clatter of kitchen utensils.

At the center of this culinary operation stood Pros Cooc Cer, the guild's head chef and, according to many, the finest cook in the entire Kingdom of Ardraven.

The 1.75-meter-tall, slim-built man had brown hair and a neatly maintained goatee. Wearing his distinctive red chef uniform and matching chef hat, he stood proudly behind the kitchen counter, carefully stirring something inside an enormous cooking pot.

Unfortunately, his definition of a normal lunch was questionable at best.

Pros Cooc Cer: "Ah! Perfect! The texture is coming together beautifully!"

He lifted a spoonful of the mysterious mixture, inspected it under the light, and nodded with professional satisfaction.

Pros Cooc Cer: "I've been thinking about expanding today's menu. Something truly revolutionary. Something that will challenge the boundaries of culinary excellence..."

He reached for a nearby notebook and began writing down a new recipe.

Pros Cooc Cer: "BullCrap."

He paused, admiring the name.

Pros Cooc Cer: "Yes... BullCrap! A magnificent creation!"

At the dining table, the other officials were already beginning to settle in.

Governia Mardeinko, the 1.88-meter-tall Headmistress, sat comfortably with her long white hair flowing over her shoulders. Her eyepatch covered her left eye, and her mechanical right leg rested casually beneath the table. Despite being the guild's highest authority, she looked considerably more interested in lunch than in maintaining any sort of dignity.

Governia: "BULLCRAP?! HAHAHA! Pros, you've outdone yourself! What's next? A dish called HorseShit?!"

She nearly spilled her drink laughing.

Across from her sat Dorani-o-te, the 1.75-meter-tall tiger demi-human clerk. Her short tiger-like hair, red eyes, and striped tail were visible beneath her official red guild uniform. She stared toward the kitchen with an expression that suggested she was already regretting coming here.

Dorani-o-te: "...Can we please have one lunch without someone inventing a new food-related disaster?"

Beside him, Klein Fal Von adjusted her flat dark blue fedora. The 388-year-old half-elf, standing at just 1.66 meters, had long black hair and green eyes. Her exceptionally long dark blue robe nearly dragged across the floor, as usual. She looked toward Pros with an increasingly irritated expression.

Klein Fal Von: "I swear, if that man serves me another experimental dish, I'm going to start charging him for medical treatment."

Further down the table sat Qartell Mater, the guild's 1.88-meter-tall, muscular quartermaster. His scarred face and broad build made him look rather intimidating, although his friendly expression suggested otherwise. Wearing his official red uniform, he leaned back in his chair with a curious grin.

Qartell Mater: "Well, I suppose we should give it a chance. His cooking hasn't killed anyone yet."

Klein Fal Von: "Yet. Emphasis on yet."

Standing near the dining hall entrance was Wada Fuch, the 1.88-meter-tall security officer. Her blonde hair and blue eyes stood out beneath her red security cap, while her red guild uniform remained neatly worn. She casually leaned against the doorway, watching the kitchen.

Wada Fuch: "What's BullCrap supposed to taste like?"

Pros Cooc Cer: "An exquisite balance of richness, texture, and unforgettable flavor!"

Wada Fuch: "...That's not an answer."

Meanwhile, Ess Tie Cee, the guild's two-meter-tall Strength Tester Chief, had already claimed a chair. Her short red hair, red eyes, and heavily muscular physique made her stand out even among the guild officials. Wearing her usual tank top and black trousers, she rested both enormous arms on the table.

Ess Tie Cee: "OI! PROS! DOES IT HAVE ENOUGH PROTEIN?!"

Pros Cooc Cer: "Of course! Everything I prepare is nutritionally considered!"

Ess Tie Cee: "GOOD! I'M STARVING!"

At another corner of the room, Heas Mase was completely absent from the conversation.

The Head Mage, wearing his traditional mage robe and pointed cone-shaped hat, sat surrounded by scattered notes, strange mechanical components, and several magical instruments. His exceptionally long beard nearly touched the table as he leaned over a complicated invention.

Small magical sparks occasionally emerged from the device in front of him.

Heas Mase: "Fascinating... If I redirect the mana flow through this secondary channel..."

He didn't even look up.

Back in the kitchen, Pros suddenly raised his wooden spoon like a conductor preparing to lead an orchestra.

Pros Cooc Cer: "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! I believe today's lunch deserves a grand unveiling!"

He dramatically removed the lid from the cooking pot.

A thick cloud of steam rose into the air.

Governia: "OOOOH! SHOW US WHAT YOU'VE GOT!"

Dorani-o-te: "Please don't encourage him."

Qartell Mater: "Hahaha! Come on, let's see it!"

Klein Fal Von: "I'm staying far away from that pot."

Pros proudly placed his hands on his hips, wearing the expression of a man who had just discovered a new culinary civilization.

Pros Cooc Cer: "Prepare yourselves! For today, you shall witness the birth of... BULLCRAP!"

The entire dining hall went silent for a moment.

Wada Fuch: "...What the fuck?"

Governia immediately burst into laughter.

Governia: "HAHAHAHAHAHA! OH, THIS IS GOING TO BE GOOD!"

And just as Pros prepared to begin plating his newest creation, the dining hall's entrance opened.

Someone had arrived at precisely the wrong time.

Governia: "OI! PERFECT TIMING! COME HERE! YOU HAVE TO SEE THIS!"

This lunch is going to be legendary.

King's Will Adventurer Guild, Magical Appraisal Department, Kingdom of Ardraven.

Deep within the guild's appraisal department, away from the noisy Main Hall, sat a rather peculiar woman surrounded by magical instruments, assessment records, and stacks of paperwork.

Klein Fal Von, the guild's resident power appraiser and magical healer, was currently having what she considered a relatively peaceful afternoon.

At 388 years old, the half-elf had developed an impressive tolerance for nonsense. Standing at just 1.66 meters, she possessed long black hair, green eyes, and an exceptionally long dark blue robe that nearly swallowed her feet. A flat dark blue fedora rested on her head, completing her rather distinctive appearance.

In front of her sat a crystal ball, its surface occasionally shimmering with magical light. It was one of her primary tools for assessing the potential and magical capabilities of newly registered adventurers.

She carefully examined a set of appraisal results, occasionally scribbling notes onto a nearby document.

Peaceful. Quiet. Productive.

At least, until the door opened.

Governia: "KLEIIIIIN!"

Klein's hand stopped moving.

She slowly closed her eyes.

...Not again.

The Headmistress entered the department with her usual enormous grin. Governia Mardeinko, standing at 1.88 meters, had long white hair, a green right eye, and an eyepatch covering her left. Her mechanical right leg made a faint metallic sound as she approached.

In one hand, she carried a wooden mug of beer.

Governia: "Hey, hey! I've got something important to discuss with you!"

Klein Fal Von: "If it's about paperwork, leave it on the desk."

Governia: "It's about beer."

Klein Fal Von: "Then leave it outside."

Governia completely ignored that suggestion. She pulled a nearby chair closer, sat down, and placed her mug on Klein's desk.

Governia: "Listen to this. I just got myself a fresh barrel of beer, right? But something's wrong with it."

Klein Fal Von: "And why exactly is this my concern?"

Governia: "Because it tastes bitter!"

Klein stared at her.

She glanced at the mug.

Then back at Governia.

Klein Fal Von: "...It's beer."

Governia: "YEAH! AND IT'S BITTER!"

Klein Fal Von: "I see."

Governia: "No, no, no! You don't understand! This is unacceptable! I've had plenty of beer in my life, and this one tastes like somebody squeezed a thousand angry lemons into a barrel!"

Klein slowly returned her attention to the appraisal documents.

Klein Fal Von: "Perhaps you should ask the brewer."

Governia: "But you're a magical appraiser! Can't you appraise it or something?"

Klein Fal Von: "I appraise magical potential, not your beverage preferences."

Governia: "What if the beer is cursed?"

Klein Fal Von: "Then stop drinking it."

Governia: "WHAT IF IT'S A VERY SUBTLE CURSE?!"

Klein Fal Von: "Then stop drinking it."

Governia leaned forward, placing both hands on the desk. Her expression had become unusually serious, as if she were discussing a matter of national importance.

Governia: "Klein. I need you to understand something. A good beer should be smooth, refreshing, and enjoyable. This thing tastes like a personal attack."

Klein stared at her for several seconds.

Klein Fal Von: "Governia."

Governia: "Yes?"

Klein Fal Von: "Get out."

She returned to her paperwork without another word.

Governia remained seated, seemingly processing the rejection.

Governia: "...So you're refusing to help?"

Klein Fal Von: "Correct."

Governia: "Not even a little appraisal?"

Klein Fal Von: "No."

Governia: "A tiny one?"

Klein Fal Von: "No."

Governia: "What about a very tiny one?"

Klein Fal Von: "I will throw that mug out of the window."

Governia immediately burst into laughter, leaning backward in her chair.

Governia: "HAHAHAHA! ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT! You're no fun!"

She picked up her mug and took another generous sip.

Governia: "Mmm... Still bitter."

Klein's eyebrow twitched.

Four hundred years of life, and somehow this is what I have to deal with.

Just as Klein attempted to return to her work, the sound of approaching footsteps came from outside the department.

Someone was arriving.

Governia: "OH! PERFECT TIMING!"

She turned toward the entrance, raising her mug enthusiastically.

Governia: "HEY! COME HERE! WE NEED AN EXPERT OPINION!"

Klein Fal Von: "...No, we fucking don't."

King's Will Adventurer Guild, Headmistress's Office, Kingdom of Ardraven.

The atmosphere inside King's Will was noticeably different from its usual lively routine.

Earlier that morning, a scouting party dispatched beyond the Kingdom's outer territories had returned with an alarming report. Their discovery was no ordinary dungeon, nor was it another abandoned ruin waiting to be explored.

An Apocalypse Dungeon had been discovered.

Located beyond the Kingdom's borders, the dungeon displayed unmistakable signs of instability. Its surroundings were deteriorating, strange magical fluctuations had been detected across the area, and the dungeon's entrance was showing abnormal activity. The scouts couldn't determine exactly what was happening, but one thing was certain: the situation was getting worse.

The report had immediately been forwarded to King's Will.

Inside the Headmistress's office, Governia Mardeinko stood beside a large wooden desk, carefully examining the documents delivered by the scouting party. Her usual cheerful expression was nowhere to be seen.

Her long white hair rested over her shoulders, while her mechanical right leg remained firmly planted against the floor. Her green right eye followed the written observations, occasionally stopping at the attached sketches of the dungeon.

Governia: "...An Apocalypse Dungeon, huh?"

She placed the report down and leaned back slightly.

Governia: "Well, that's certainly not something you find every other Tuesday."

Across the room, Dorani-o-te stood holding another stack of documents. Her tiger ears were slightly lowered, and her red eyes remained fixed on the report.

Dorani-o-te: "The scouting party recommends immediate intervention. They believe the instability could escalate if left unattended."

Governia: "Did they manage to determine the dungeon's current threat level?"

Dorani-o-te: "Unfortunately, no. They weren't willing to approach the entrance any further."

Governia hummed quietly, tapping one finger against the desk.

Governia: "Can't blame them. Walking into an unstable Apocalypse Dungeon without knowing what's waiting inside sounds like a pretty stupid way to die."

She picked up another document, examining the information gathered about the surrounding area.

Governia: "We'll need someone capable of handling this. Sending an ordinary expedition would be irresponsible."

Her expression became thoughtful.

There was, however, one particular possibility.

Someone whose capabilities might be sufficient to confront a threat of this magnitude.

Governia turned toward the office entrance.

Governia: "Actually... I think we might have someone."

Dorani-o-te glanced at her.

Dorani-o-te: "You mean...?"

Governia: "Yep. Go get them."

Several minutes later, the office door opened.

Governia was standing behind her desk, the scouting report spread out before her. Her usual mischievous grin had returned, although her eyes remained considerably more serious.

Governia: "Ah! There you are."

She gestured toward the documents.

Governia: "We've got ourselves a little problem outside the Kingdom. And by little, I mean potentially catastrophic."

She picked up the report and held it out.

Governia: "An unstable Apocalypse Dungeon has been discovered beyond our borders. The scouts couldn't determine its exact condition, and things aren't looking particularly promising."

She paused, giving the situation a moment to settle.

Governia: "Now, I won't force you into anything. But considering what you're potentially capable of, I'd like to hear your thoughts."

Her green eye narrowed slightly as she gave a small, confident smile.

Governia: "So, what do you say? Interested in taking a look at something that might just swallow an entire expedition alive?"

...Hopefully this doesn't turn into another disaster.

King's Will Adventurer Guild, Headmistress's Office, Kingdom of Ardraven.

The Kingdom of Ardraven had experienced its fair share of dangerous monsters throughout history. Most were dealt with by adventurers, soldiers, or occasionally the royal forces. However, some creatures were far beyond the capabilities of ordinary hunting parties.

And something of that magnitude had recently been spotted.

Several days ago, scouts operating near the outer forests reported an enormous unidentified creature roaming deep within the wilderness. Its presence alone had caused widespread disturbances throughout the surrounding ecosystem. Entire groups of lesser monsters had abandoned their territories, wildlife had fled the area, and several scouting teams reported unusual magical fluctuations.

The creature had eventually been classified as a Calamity-class monster.

The report had reached King's Will, and the guild was now preparing to respond.

Inside the Headmistress's office, a large regional map had been spread across the central table. Several reports, scouting sketches, and handwritten observations were scattered around it.

Governia Mardeinko stood over the table, her long white hair hanging loosely behind her. Her green right eye carefully examined the marked location while her mechanical right leg remained firmly planted beside the table. Unlike her usual carefree self, she wore a focused expression.

Governia: "Alright, let's see what we're dealing with..."

She tapped the marked forest territory.

Governia: "Big enough to scare off the local monsters, strong enough to cause magical disturbances, and apparently nobody has managed to get a proper look at its full capabilities."

She sighed.

Governia: "Wonderful. Just fucking wonderful."

Standing nearby was Dorani-o-te, dressed in her official red guild uniform. Her short tiger-like hair, red eyes, and striped tail were visible as she reviewed the available adventurer records.

Dorani-o-te: "I've contacted the available high-ranking adventurers. Unfortunately, the situation isn't particularly favorable."

Governia: "How bad?"

Dorani-o-te: "Most of the higher-ranked members are currently occupied with their own quests. Several others haven't returned from their expeditions yet. We also have no confirmed information regarding their current whereabouts."

Governia rubbed her chin.

Governia: "So we're short on experienced people."

Dorani-o-te: "Precisely."

She leaned back, staring at the map for a moment.

Governia: "Well, we can't exactly sit around waiting for that thing to decide it wants to visit the Kingdom."

She grabbed a nearby sheet of parchment and placed it on the table.

Governia: "We're putting together a Conquest Party."

Dorani-o-te: "A dedicated expedition?"

Governia: "Exactly! We'll gather whoever's available, evaluate their capabilities, and assemble a team capable of dealing with that monster."

Her expression turned serious.

Governia: "No reckless volunteers, no unnecessary heroics, and absolutely no sending inexperienced adventurers into something they can't handle. I want people who can actually work together."

The office door opened.

Entering was Qartell Mater, the guild's muscular quartermaster. His scarred face carried its usual friendly expression, though he had clearly heard the discussion.

Qartell Mater: "Heard we're preparing for something big. Need equipment?"

Governia: "You bet! We'll need supplies for a proper expedition. Weapons, provisions, medical equipment, camping gear... the whole package."

Qartell Mater: "Hahaha! That's going to be quite a shopping list."

Shortly afterward, Klein Fal Von arrived, carrying several documents beneath one arm. Her long black hair, green eyes, flat dark blue fedora, and excessively long dark blue robe made her immediately recognizable.

Klein Fal Von: "I assume this is about the Calamity report?"

Governia: "Yup! I need you to assess the available candidates. I want to know exactly what we're working with."

Klein Fal Von: "And naturally, you expect me to do all the appraisals."

Governia: "That's why you're our wonderful appraiser!"

Klein Fal Von: "...I should have taken a vacation."

Another heavy set of footsteps approached the office.

Ess Tie Cee, the guild's two-meter-tall Strength Tester Chief, entered with her usual imposing presence. Her short red hair, red eyes, muscular arms, tank top, and black trousers made her look more like a warrior than a guild official.

Ess Tie Cee: "OI! I HEARD WE'RE PUTTING TOGETHER A CONQUEST PARTY!"

Governia: "That's right!"

Ess Tie Cee: "GOOD! I'LL HANDLE THE PHYSICAL TESTING! LET'S SEE WHO'S ACTUALLY WORTH SENDING!"

Dorani-o-te: "Please don't break anyone."

Ess Tie Cee: "NO PROMISES!"

From the opposite side of the office came the sound of someone clearing their throat.

Heas Mase, the guild's Head Mage, had finally arrived. His exceptionally long beard, pointed mage hat, traditional robe, and magical staff gave him the unmistakable appearance of a seasoned spellcaster.

He placed several documents on the table.

Heas Mase: "I've reviewed the preliminary magical readings. The creature's presence appears to be generating considerable disturbances throughout the surrounding area. I would advise preparing adequate magical protection."

Governia: "Good. Anything else?"

Heas Mase: "Not until I can examine more information. The current readings are insufficient for a detailed conclusion."

Governia nodded before looking around the room.

The available officials were assembled. The preparations could finally begin.

She picked up a blank sheet of parchment and wrote a large title across its top.

CONQUEST PARTY

Governia: "Alright! Let's get this thing organized!"

She placed the parchment on the table and looked toward Dorani-o-te.

Governia: "Start contacting the available adventurers. I want a list of everyone who might qualify."

Dorani-o-te: "Understood."

Governia: "Klein, prepare your appraisal equipment. Qartell, get the supplies ready. STC, prepare the physical assessments. Heas, I want whatever magical information you can gather."

Ess Tie Cee: "LEAVE IT TO ME!"

Qartell Mater: "I'll get everything prepared."

Klein Fal Von: "Fine, fine. Just don't expect miracles."

Governia looked down at the map again.

Her expression briefly became stern.

Governia: "A Calamity-class monster isn't something we can afford to underestimate. We bring everyone home. Understood?"

The room fell quiet for a moment.

Dorani-o-te: "...Understood."

Governia then straightened herself, clapped her hands together, and flashed her familiar mischievous grin.

Governia: "ALRIGHT! LET'S GO HUNT A FUCKING MONSTER!"

Now this is going to be interesting...

And so, King's Will began assembling its Conquest Party.

King's Will Adventurer Guild, Main Hall, Kingdom of Ardraven. 2:37 AM.

The Kingdom of Ardraven was asleep.

Beyond the enormous walls, the streets had grown quiet, taverns had closed their doors, and the occasional night patrol was the only sign of life left in the city.

King's Will was no different.

The Main Hall, usually filled with the voices of adventurers, the clattering of equipment, and the endless commotion of daily guild life, was now completely silent. The reception counters were empty, the quest boards had been left untouched, and the staff had long since returned to their homes.

Only a few lamps remained lit.

At one of the desks sat Governia Mardeinko.

Her long white hair fell loosely over her shoulders, partially covering her eyepatch. Her mechanical right leg rested beside the desk, while her green eye stared quietly at the empty hall.

There was no beer in her hand tonight.

No laughter. No ridiculous remarks. No mischievous grin.

Just silence.

In front of her sat an old wooden box. Its surface was worn, with several scratches and signs of age. It had been kept among her personal belongings for years, rarely opened and even more rarely discussed.

Inside were a few old possessions from her adventuring days.

A damaged piece of equipment. An old party photograph, its edges faded. A handful of small keepsakes that had survived a journey whose ending was far less fortunate than its beginning.

Governia slowly picked up the photograph.

There they were.

Her former companions.

People who had travelled alongside her across Kaelthorn. People who had laughed with her, fought beside her, shared meals around campfires, and trusted one another with their lives.

She stared at the photograph for a long time.

Governia: "...Heh."

A faint smile appeared on her face.

Governia: "You lot were a troublesome bunch, weren't you?"

Her thumb gently brushed against the photograph.

She tried to remember their voices.

The way they laughed. The things they used to say. The little arguments they had over insignificant things.

But the memories were becoming distant.

She could no longer clearly remember every face. Some names had slipped away from her, buried beneath decades of new experiences, new people, and countless ordinary days.

She tried to recall one of them.

Just one name.

Governia: "...What was your name again?"

Nothing came.

Her smile slowly faded.

She lowered the photograph, looking at it with a quiet, almost apologetic expression.

Governia: "Damn... I'm sorry."

Her fingers tightened slightly around its edges.

She remembered the battle. The blood. The monster that had taken so much from them. She remembered the pain, the terrible silence afterward, and the long road that followed.

She had eventually hunted down and killed the Demon King herself.

She had accepted what happened. She had continued living. She had founded King's Will, watched countless adventurers grow, and built something that her old companions would probably have found ridiculous.

But accepting their deaths hadn't meant forgetting them.

And yet, time had begun taking even the memories she desperately wanted to keep.

Governia leaned back in her chair and looked toward the high ceiling.

Governia: "...I wonder what you'd think of this place."

Her gaze wandered across the Main Hall.

Governia: "It's pretty lively now. Lots of idiots running around, making trouble, breaking things..."

A quiet chuckle escaped her.

Governia: "You'd probably fit right in."

The chuckle faded.

For a while, she simply sat there, holding the photograph in her hands.

Then, with a tired expression, she carefully returned it to the wooden box. She didn't close the lid immediately.

Governia: "...I hope I don't forget the rest of you."

Her voice was barely above a whisper.

The Headmistress of King's Will, the woman who had once stood against a Demon King and returned alive, sat alone in the empty hall.

No adventurers to entertain. No employees to annoy. No responsibilities demanding her attention.

Just an old photograph, a forgotten past, and a quiet night that seemed to last forever.

Eventually, Governia closed the wooden box.

She remained seated.

There was still plenty of time before morning.

Kingdom of Ardraven, The Armor, King's Will Adventurer Guild. 6:45 AM.

Several months had passed since the Elarion Dominion formally declared war against the Kingdom of Ardraven.

What began as a diplomatic incident had gradually escalated into an international crisis.

An Elven tourist had been murdered by a human within Ardraven's territory. The incident immediately attracted the attention of the Elarion Dominion, whose authorities demanded answers and accountability. However, negotiations failed to produce an agreement acceptable to both sides.

The Dominion eventually issued its declaration of war.

Since then, the atmosphere throughout Ardraven had changed considerably. Royal messengers travelled between settlements, military personnel were being mobilized, merchants hurried to secure their businesses, and ordinary citizens increasingly found themselves discussing the possibility of an approaching war.

The Kingdom was preparing for an invasion.

And King's Will was no longer operating under ordinary circumstances.

Inside the Main Hall, the familiar sounds of adventurers had been replaced by a much more subdued atmosphere. Several quest boards had been cleared or reorganized, while new notices concerning military assistance, supply transportation, reconnaissance, and emergency protection covered the available spaces.

Some adventurers had already volunteered to assist the Kingdom. Others had decided to leave Ardraven before the borders became restricted.

Behind the reception counter, Dorani-o-te examined a growing collection of documents. Her short tiger-like hair, red eyes, and striped tail were visible beneath her official red uniform. She looked considerably more exhausted than usual.

Dorani-o-te: "Another military assistance request..."

She placed the document onto an already enormous pile.

Dorani-o-te: "At this rate, we'll run out of available adventurers before the war even begins."

Nearby, Qartell Mater was inspecting several supply inventories. The muscular quartermaster, standing at 1.88 meters with his scarred face and broad shoulders, carefully reviewed the available equipment.

Qartell Mater: "We're going to need more medical supplies, provisions, and replacement equipment. If the Kingdom gets involved in a prolonged conflict, our current reserves won't be enough."

Dorani-o-te: "I'll forward the request."

Across the Main Hall, Klein Fal Von sat at a table surrounded by magical assessment records. Her long black hair, green eyes, flat dark blue fedora, and excessively long dark blue robe were unmistakable.

Klein Fal Von: "I've already received requests for magical assessments from the military. Apparently, everyone suddenly wants to know how much magical potential their soldiers possess."

She adjusted her hat.

Klein Fal Von: "As if I didn't have enough work already."

Meanwhile, Ess Tie Cee was standing beside a group of adventurers, her two-meter-tall muscular frame making her impossible to overlook. Her short red hair and red eyes were particularly noticeable as she crossed her arms.

Ess Tie Cee: "LISTEN UP! IF YOU'RE VOLUNTEERING FOR MILITARY DUTY, YOU BETTER BE PREPARED! THIS ISN'T SOME FUCKING TRAINING EXERCISE!"

Several adventurers nodded nervously.

At the opposite end of the hall, Wada Fuch stood near the entrance. Her blonde hair and blue eyes were visible beneath her red security cap, and her official red uniform remained neatly arranged.

She watched a group of nervous merchants discussing the possibility of leaving the Kingdom.

Wada Fuch: "Can't say I blame them..."

Inside a nearby room, Heas Mase was occupied with several magical documents and instruments. The Head Mage's exceptionally long beard, pointed cone-shaped hat, robe, and staff were visible as he examined reports concerning magical defensive measures.

Heas Mase: "If the Dominion begins deploying large-scale magical artillery, our existing defensive formations may require considerable modification..."

He continued his research without looking up.

And finally, there was Governia Mardeinko.

The Headmistress stood near the central quest board, examining a newly delivered royal notice. Her long white hair fell over her shoulders, her eyepatch covered her left eye, and her mechanical right leg rested firmly against the wooden floor.

She wasn't drinking beer.

She wasn't making jokes.

She wasn't even smiling.

Her green eye carefully followed the royal notice.

Governia: "...So it's finally come to this."

She folded the document and placed it on the nearby desk.

Governia: "Several months of negotiations, countless diplomatic meetings, and all we have to show for it is an incoming war."

She glanced toward the Main Hall.

The adventurers. The employees. The people who had spent years building their lives within these walls.

She understood that King's Will was not a military organization. But that didn't mean she could simply ignore what was happening outside.

Governia: "Listen up, everyone!"

Her voice echoed throughout the Main Hall.

The conversations gradually stopped as adventurers and officials turned toward her.

Governia: "I know things have been getting pretty damn unpleasant lately. And I know some of you are worried about what's going to happen."

She paused.

Governia: "I'm not going to pretend everything will be fine. We don't know when the fighting will begin, how far it'll spread, or what the Dominion intends to do once their forces arrive."

Her expression remained firm.

Governia: "But King's Will isn't going to abandon its people. We'll continue providing assistance, organizing supplies, and supporting those who need it. Anyone who wishes to volunteer can do so, but nobody is getting forced into a battlefield."

She looked around the hall.

Governia: "And if you decide to leave before things get worse, I won't hold it against you."

There was a brief silence.

Governia exhaled and rested one hand against the desk.

Governia: "Just... don't do anything stupid."

Outside, the distant sound of marching soldiers could be heard from the streets.

The Kingdom of Ardraven was preparing for war.

And somewhere beyond its borders, the armies of the Elarion Dominion were preparing to march.

Kingdom of Ardraven, King's Will Adventurer Guild. 8:16 AM.

It was supposed to be an ordinary morning at King's Will.

Adventurers were checking quest boards, clerks were handling registrations, and the Main Hall was filled with its usual morning commotion. Nothing particularly unusual was happening.

Until a royal scouting messenger arrived.

The messenger entered the Main Hall in a hurry, carrying a sealed document bearing the insignia of the Kingdom of Ardraven. His clothing was dusty, and his expression suggested that whatever he had witnessed was not something easily explained.

Messenger: "I need to speak with the Headmistress! Immediately!"

Dorani-o-te, the tiger demi-human guild clerk, looked up from her paperwork. Her short tiger-like hair, red eyes, and striped tail were visible beneath her official red uniform.

Dorani-o-te: "The Headmistress is currently in her office. What is this concerning?"

Messenger: "An emergency discovery. Something has appeared beyond the northern territories."

Dorani's ears twitched.

Dorani-o-te: "Appeared?"

Messenger: "A dungeon. But... it's unlike anything we've ever encountered."

The messenger handed her the sealed document.

Several minutes later, the report reached Governia Mardeinko.

Inside her office, the 1.88-meter-tall Headmistress stood beside her desk, examining the contents of the report. Her long white hair rested over her shoulders, her left eye remained covered by an eyepatch, and her mechanical right leg made a faint metallic sound as she shifted her weight.

Her usual cheerful expression had gradually disappeared.

Governia: "...What?"

She turned the page.

Governia: "Hold on. You're telling me this thing just appeared out of nowhere?"

Dorani-o-te: "That's what the scouts reported. There was no previous indication of a dungeon in that location."

Governia continued reading.

According to the report, the newly discovered structure had appeared in an otherwise ordinary stretch of wilderness. Its entrance was enormous, surrounded by unfamiliar formations and strange magical phenomena.

But the most concerning discovery was its magical essence.

The scouts had detected an extraordinary concentration of magical energy radiating from the entrance. Its intensity was so overwhelming that their instruments struggled to produce reliable readings.

Even more troubling was the fact that its magical presence exceeded anything they had previously recorded from an Apocalypse Dungeon.

Governia: "...Beyond Apocalypse, huh?"

Dorani-o-te: "We don't have an established classification for something like this."

Governia: "And nobody knows what's inside?"

Dorani-o-te: "Not a single person has entered it."

Governia placed the report on Governia's desk.

For several seconds, she remained silent.

Governia: "Well, that's just wonderful. A mysterious dungeon appears out of nowhere, radiates enough magic to overwhelm our instruments, and apparently makes an Apocalypse Dungeon look ordinary."

She rubbed her forehead.

Governia: "We're not leaving that thing sitting outside our Kingdom."

She straightened herself.

Governia: "Dorani. Send out an immediate summons. I want every available guild official and our strongest available adventurers assembled."

Dorani-o-te: "Understood. Who should I contact?"

Governia: "Everyone. Including Xon and Dyan."

Her expression became firm.

Governia: "We're going to investigate that thing ourselves."

Approximately two hours later, the Main Hall had been transformed into an emergency assembly point.

Several guild officials and adventurers had gathered near the central reception area. Maps, scouting reports, magical readings, and equipment inventories were spread across a large table.

Governia stood at the front, holding the original scouting report.

Beside her stood Dorani-o-te, wearing her usual red guild uniform. Her tiger ears were alert as she organized the documents.

Qartell Mater, the muscular 1.88-meter-tall quartermaster with a scarred face, stood nearby. He had already prepared several lists of expedition supplies.

Qartell Mater: "I've arranged additional provisions, medical equipment, camping supplies, and replacement weapons. We'll have enough equipment for an extended expedition."

Governia: "Excellent! Make sure we don't forget anything important."

Qartell Mater: "I'll double-check everything before departure."

Nearby, Klein Fal Von adjusted her flat dark blue fedora. The 388-year-old half-elf had her usual long black hair, green eyes, and excessively long dark blue robe. She was carrying several magical instruments and a crystal ball.

Klein Fal Von: "I've examined the readings from the scouting party. They're extraordinary, to put it mildly. I can't even determine the exact nature of the magical essence from these measurements."

Governia: "Can you appraise it once we're there?"

Klein Fal Von: "I can try. But don't expect me to magically understand something that defies our existing measurements."

Governia: "That's why you're the appraiser!"

Klein Fal Von: "...I regret accepting this position."

Not far from them stood Ess Tie Cee, the two-meter-tall Strength Tester Chief. Her short red hair, red eyes, muscular build, tank top, and black trousers made her particularly imposing.

Ess Tie Cee: "HAHAHA! FINALLY! SOMETHING INTERESTING!"

Dorani-o-te: "Please remember that this isn't a recreational expedition."

Ess Tie Cee: "I KNOW! I'M JUST EXCITED!"

Wada Fuch, the 1.88-meter-tall security officer, stood with her arms crossed. Her blonde hair, blue eyes, red security cap, and official red uniform were unmistakable.

Wada Fuch: "So we're really going inside that thing?"

Governia: "That's the plan."

Wada Fuch: "...What the fuck."

At the other end of the assembly, Pros Cooc Cer was checking several food containers. The slim 1.75-meter-tall chef had brown hair, a goatee, and his familiar red chef uniform with matching hat.

Pros Cooc Cer: "I've prepared enough food for the expedition. A balanced selection of meals, including some of my latest culinary creations!"

Dorani-o-te: "Please tell me you didn't bring BullCrap."

Pros Cooc Cer: "Naturally, I brought BullCrap!"

Dorani-o-te: "..."

Governia: "HAHA! GOOD! WE'LL NEED IT!"

Meanwhile, Heas Mase was examining the magical readings. The Head Mage's exceptionally long beard, pointed cone-shaped hat, traditional robe, and staff were accompanied by several instruments and handwritten calculations.

Heas Mase: "Fascinating... These readings are unlike anything I've previously encountered. The magical essence appears extraordinarily concentrated."

Governia: "Any idea what we're dealing with?"

Heas Mase: "Not yet. I would strongly advise against making assumptions before conducting a proper investigation."

Finally, two adventurers arrived.

The first was Xon Di Quante, a remarkably small woman standing at just 1.52 meters. Her flowing white hair and red eyes were accompanied by a military-style jacket uniform. She wore a pair of reinforced metal gauntlets equipped with hydro-powered thrust mechanisms, capable of unleashing devastating physical force.

She was a White Diamond adventurer with 33 stars, known for her cold demeanor and extraordinary combat ability. She had once defeated ten Minotaurs alone without sustaining a single injury.

Xon quietly examined the report.

Xon Di Quante: "Unknown dungeon. Excessive magical energy."

She looked toward Governia.

Xon Di Quante: "Understood."

Beside her stood Orb Sie Dyan, a 1.78-meter-tall professional archer with short orange hair and orange eyes. Wearing her black scout uniform, she carried her distinctive white longbow and a collection of arrows.

As an Obsidian adventurer with 15 stars, she was an experienced ranged combatant and scout.

Orb Sie Dyan: "If the entrance is surrounded by unstable magical activity, I'll take responsibility for observing the surroundings and identifying potential threats."

Governia: "Perfect! That's exactly what I need."

Governia placed the report onto the central table.

Governia: "Alright, everyone! Listen up!"

The conversations gradually stopped.

Governia: "We've got ourselves a very unusual problem. A dungeon has appeared out of nowhere, and its magical essence exceeds anything we've ever recorded. We don't know its origin, its inhabitants, or what kind of threats are waiting inside."

She pointed at the map.

Governia: "We're calling this a Conquest Expedition. Our objective is to investigate the dungeon, identify its source of power, and eliminate whatever threat it poses to the safety of the Kingdom."

Her green eye moved across the assembled group.

Governia: "I don't care how strong you are or how many stars you've collected. Nobody gets to act like an idiot inside that place. We stick together, communicate, and watch each other's backs."

She paused before flashing a small grin.

Governia: "And preferably, we all come back alive. I'd rather not spend the next few years filling out funeral paperwork."

Dorani-o-te: "...That's surprisingly reasonable."

Governia: "WHAT DO YOU MEAN SURPRISINGLY?!"

Several people chuckled.

Governia picked up her massive magical fused chainsaw-sword, approximately 1.6 meters long, and rested it against her shoulder.

Governia: "Alright! Let's move out!"

Unknown Wilderness, Northern Territories of Ardraven.

Several hours later, the expedition finally reached its destination.

And there it was.

The dungeon.

Its entrance stood before them like the gateway to an entirely different world. An enormous structure of unfamiliar material extended from the ground, its surface covered in strange formations that seemed to shift whenever someone attempted to examine them.

The surrounding landscape was visibly distorted.

Patches of vegetation had grown into unusual shapes, stones floated several inches above the ground, and faint magical particles drifted through the air like glowing dust.

The atmosphere itself felt heavy.

Even experienced adventurers could sense something unusual pressing against their bodies.

Wada Fuch: "...Okay. That's definitely not normal."

Qartell Mater: "I've never seen anything like this before."

Ess Tie Cee stretched her arms, looking toward the enormous entrance.

Ess Tie Cee: "HAHA! NOW THAT'S A PROPER DUNGEON!"

Klein Fal Von: "Would you please stop shouting? I'm trying to concentrate."

She held her crystal ball in both hands.

The surface immediately began glowing.

Then it flickered.

Then it went completely dark.

Klein Fal Von: "..."

Governia: "What's wrong?"

Klein Fal Von: "My crystal ball just stopped responding."

Governia: "Is it broken?"

Klein Fal Von: "No. It's being overwhelmed."

Heas Mase approached the entrance, carefully examining the magical fluctuations.

Heas Mase: "Remarkable... The magical essence is considerably denser here. I've never encountered a concentration of this magnitude."

He adjusted his hat.

Heas Mase: "Whatever created this place possesses an extraordinary amount of magical energy."

Orb Sie Dyan raised her white longbow, carefully scanning the surroundings.

Orb Sie Dyan: "I can't identify any movement near the entrance. No visible creatures, no signs of an active patrol."

Xon Di Quante remained silent, examining the structure.

Her reinforced gauntlets emitted a faint mechanical hum.

Xon Di Quante: "...Something is inside."

Everyone briefly turned toward her.

Dorani-o-te: "You can tell?"

Xon Di Quante: "No."

A short pause.

Xon Di Quante: "But I doubt we're alone."

Governia looked toward the entrance.

For once, she didn't have a joke ready.

She slowly drew her enormous chainsaw-sword and rested it against her shoulder.

Governia: "Alright. No more standing around."

She turned toward the expedition.

Governia: "Whatever's waiting inside, we're going to find out."

The enormous entrance stood open before them.

Beyond it was an immense passageway extending into darkness. Strange formations covered the walls, occasionally emitting faint pulses of light. The floor appeared almost perfectly smooth, despite the structure having seemingly appeared without any construction.

The moment the first members approached the entrance, the magical essence became even more overwhelming.

The air vibrated.

The expedition's equipment began reacting to the surrounding energy.

Klein Fal Von: "This is getting ridiculous..."

She tightened her grip on her crystal ball.

Klein Fal Von: "The readings are fluctuating far too rapidly. I can't establish a stable measurement."

Heas Mase: "The internal magical structure may be completely different from anything we've documented."

Governia: "Then we'll document it ourselves."

She stepped forward.

Her mechanical leg made a metallic sound against the dungeon floor.

Governia: "Everyone, stay alert. We don't know what kind of environment we're entering."

Orb Sie Dyan moved toward the front, holding her white longbow ready.

Xon Di Quante followed quietly, her reinforced gauntlets prepared for combat.

Qartell Mater adjusted his equipment.

Ess Tie Cee cracked her knuckles.

Wada Fuch checked her surroundings.

Pros Cooc Cer secured his food containers.

Dorani-o-te took one final look at the expedition's formation.

Dorani-o-te: "Everyone accounted for?"

Governia: "Looks like it!"

She looked into the darkness.

For a brief moment, the entire expedition stood still.

Then Governia raised her weapon.

Governia: "Alright, King's Will! Let's conquer this damn thing!"

And with that, the expedition crossed the threshold.

One by one, the members disappeared into the mysterious dungeon.

Behind them, the entrance remained open.

Ahead of them lay an unexplored world, filled with an immeasurable concentration of magical essence.

Whatever had created this dungeon...

They were about to find out.

...