A hissing sound was then heard all throughout the dungeon room. All the members in the raid suddenly tensed up and was given a sudden system notification.
*EMERGENCY QUEST NOTIFICATION*
Run For Your Lives
The dungeon mini-boss Magma Titanoboa was awoken from its sleep. Hurry and escape this room as it will pounce on all that is left here.
Time limit: 00: 05:00
Failure: All members of the raid will be wiped out.
Reward: Tempered Skin Buff (Temporary)
The hissing sound suddenly became more apparent. All the raid party members looked towards Mariposa as she did not say something like this was supposed to happen. Adrian thought something was amiss and saw the worry in Mariposa’s face.
“Everyone clear the room! Get to the next location immediately. If you have mounts use them! This is a serious order!” Mariposa suddenly commanded.
The raid party members who saw their Vice Guild Leaders expression suddenly summoned their mounts if they have mounts. Only ten members have mounts and one could tell that they are the richer members of the raid as a mount would still cost a lot of gold.
Mariposa had to carry four members including herself on her two summoned soulbounds. It still left sixteen more members to fend for themselves. Adrian wanted to help them but even with Kanlaon, he can only carry ten more and that would leave six to die or fend for themselves.
“Kanlaon! Carry the tanks. They are the ones who do not have a mount.” Adrian commanded.
The others were befuddled of what Adrian shouted but was shocked because a red dragon materialized out of thin air.
“That is my soulbound do not panic. Kanlaon can carry ten persons at his back but take off your equipment first to lesses his burden. The other two who are slow must ride on Sirius. Hurry!” Adrian commanded.
“What are you waiting for?! Hurry and get on his soulbounds.” Mariposa shouted to which the players snapped out of their daze.
A few moments later, the earth suddenly trembled but all were already running to the next floor. Adrian summoned his sword Psyche Armament and immediately transformed it into its Twin Fang Form for the movement speed buff. Adrian would apply Chrono Shift to himself if he was still slow.
The other three party members who did not ride any mount was two assassins since they were fast enough on foot and Cersei who had a broom that can fly. A big crack sound was heard and Adrian was curious so he looked back. What he saw terrified him!
From the big crack, a huge snake head emerged. The sneak head was covered with black scales and magma like lines were between them. The snake head was enough to swallow two people whole and it saw the raid members as food as it chased after them.
Those who looked back to see the source of the sound, wished that they did not. Nobody wants to know the insides of a giant snake. If the game, Pandemonium, taught Adrian one thing, it would be being swallowed whole means you would see the insides of said monster.
Adrian did not even inspect the giant snake as he was running for his life. If he suddenly stops for a moment, it could mean being trapped in a snake belly for a few minutes. He was not curious to know how the insides of a snake works.
It did not take long for the whole group to see the entrance to the next area. All the mounts pushed themselves to their limit and there was clear exhaustion written on their faces. Except for Kanlaon, he relished he heat in the area as he was a fire and frost dragon all at the same time.
After all of them entered the next room, the mounts slumped from the ground. Some mounts even turned into particles due to overexertion. Adrian too slumped on the ground as his stamina bar was already flashing red. Kanlaon safely put down the ten tank players as they re-equipped their armor and weapons.
Sirius and Saena also looked exhausted so Adrian fed them with food and water from his inventory. Due to the stamina bar existing, the sub job class Cook became a hit and many dishes that could greatly restore stamina became hot items. Adrian fed them and also Kanlaon as he also did a great job despite not being tired.
The others finally snapped from their exhaustion when Mariposa suddenly asked a question.
“Is that your dragon, Equinox?” Mariposa asked.
Adrian was expecting this question as he already revealed Kanlaon’s form. He decided to not hide it anymore due to the predicament the just experienced. Adrian only replied with one word.
“Yes.” Adrian answered.
Mariposa only nodded and expressed her thanks as if not for Adrian’s quick thinking then they would have failed the raid. Adrian was stunned because he thought that Mariposa would inquire more but it seems she was mindful of the former’s personality. The raid difficulty might have increased but it was still manageable to a certain degree. A few seconds later, a system notification appeared to all of them.
[You have successfully completed the emergency quest Run for Your Lives.]
[You have been given the temporary buff Tempered Skin.]
Buff: Tempered Skin
Effect: The heat from your surroundings will no longer be an element to decrease your stamina.
Duration: Until the player leaves the hidden dungeon Calcite Bedrock.
Many were relieved to receive the buff but someone finally questioned Mariposa about the situation. The one who questioned him was actually Alder.
“Vice Guild Leader, please tell us what is clearly happening. From your flustered expression earlier, it is easy to see that you did not expect this development for this raid.” Alder questioned.
Some were stunned because a lower ranking member of the guild dared to ridicule the Vice Guild Leader.
“You may be the Guild Leader’s brother but you should still show some respect.” Mariposa rebutted.
Many were shocked because one of the person that was part of the raid was actually the guild leader’s brother. Adrian saw their reaction and believed that no one actually knew the status of this Alder person. Adrian has too admit that he was a bit natural in leading from what he observed in the fights. Except for Alder’s petty competitive attitude that needed work, he would make an excellent leader.
“And you!” Alder said while pointing to Adrian.
“Me?” Adrian replied while pointing to himself.
“If you had a dragon then why did you not let it battle previously! It would have made things far easier.” Alder stated.
Adrian raised his right brow because of the sudden judgement. Adrian was about to reply but Cersei was the first to speak up.
“It did not matter if his dragon joined the fight much earlier than not. From my observations, his dragon is his hidden card or ace in his sleeve. He was already faring well despite not having his dragon join the battle. Also brat, you should not be rude to guests.” Cersei rebutted while pinching Alder’s cheeks.
“Now brat, I want you to apologize to our vice guild leader and Equinox.” Cersei stated and then releasing Alder’s cheeks from her grasp.
Alder looked like a kid being scolded by her mother so Adrian could not control himself and chuck a little bit. Alder saw Adrian’s reaction but backed down when Cersei was glaring at him fiercely. He had to bite his tongue and apologize.
“I am sorry vice guild leader for being rude.” Alder stated.
“Ehem.” Cersei intentionally coughed loudly.
“I am sorry to you too, Equinox. I was just too pent up with stress.” Alder said while giving a glance to Cersei.
“Good. I hope he did not offend you much, Equinox. This brat is like this during intense moments. He does not handle pressure too well.” Cersei stated while giving a wink towards Adrian.
“No worries. I also get why he is frustrated. I also want to know what is the situation really is.” Adrian replied with a smile.
After Adrian said that, all eyes then went towards Mariposa. Mariposa then released a long sigh with a downcast expression.
“If my guess is correct then the hidden dungeon entered its extreme cycle. We might have to use all our means to successfully clear this one. We also might make sacrifices but we should avoid that from happening.” Mariposa stated in a heavy tone.
“Did the dungeon differ from the normal layout?” Cersei asked.
“Yes. There was no time attack instance in the normal raid. The boss should be a Magma Boa but the thing that chased us was ten times bigger and it was just labeled as a mini-boss.” Mariposa replied.
“I think it was called Magma Titanoboa or something. I could remember clearly.” Alder stated which he quieted down once more when Cersei stared him down.
“You are right. It seems to be a better version of the original boss of this dungeon. I fear that the true boss of this dungeon is much more fearsome than that mini-boss.” Mariposa stated and all the faces of the raid members turned grave.
Visit .𝘤𝑜