It seemed that the Second Virtue carried the Personal Information on the prior-Awakened he had gathered with him, as there was nothing in his computer nor in his safe. Since he was back, I could now confirm the files had been put back in his desk drawer. As I expected, there was someone with the Ranger Trait. He had been lucky since he had survived an encounter with the dungeon. There were other rare traits, but none with psychic skills like Yeonhee, as she was an extremely rare case.
**
I saw that all the prior-Awakened had gathered, without exception. While the atmosphere had been solemn last night, it was probably because no one knew the real reason why the dungeon had shut down. The only reason a dungeon shuts down is when all members of the invading party die. Civilians also counted, and I looked at the civilian mercenaries who were packing their backpacks.
So, this would be a group of prior-Awakened and of civilian mercenaries. The total number was over a hundred people. There were more mercenaries than pre-Awakened, and I saw that the one with the Ranger trait lurking around as the Second Virtue explained that all of us would go into the dungeon.
I saw that the Second Virtue, Joshua, was leaving him be, as Joshua probably knew that he was something special. He had probably found the dungeon we would go in by accident. I saw that Joshua’s already had a hierarchy, as those Joshua placed first were members who could show results. They were prior-Awakened with Scout and Tracking skills, and the Fourth Virtue was among them.
I had thought the Fourth Virtue would be close to Joshua, but I had not seen him talk with Joshua all the time I was here. He was like Mick, as he had pledged his loyalty just because of the Second Virtue’s charisma and the allure of belonging to his group.
“I don’t know whether you’re lucky or not, as I had trained for a year while you’ve had only a week. Therefore, I’m telling you that you should stay close to me as there will be a difference between us when we go in.”
The Fourth Virtue had asked the higher up to get me into his team, and he was looking out for me perhaps because I was the only other Asian besides him.
“Let’s GO!”
I heard the shout and the Fourth Virtue tapped my shoulder as he stood up first. The trucks filled with supplies were about to move with the vans, and a total of eight men, including the Fourth Virtue and I, rode in one of them. We were the only prior-Awakened in the van, and the six others were civilian mercenaries. The one who seemed strong and experienced spoke up, and all others stopped what they were doing and focused on him. The elder mercenary seemed to be warning the Fourth Virtue. Still, the conversation was in German, which the Fourth Virtue translated for me afterward.
“His name is Oliver, and he will be our leader. He thinks that you will be a nuisance since you cannot speak German and have only been here for a week. I believe that you will prove him wrong.”
The Fourth Virtue taught me other mercenaries’ names, and we exchanged greetings. I saw that they were belittling me with their looks, and the reality was that we were thought to be weaker than the mercenaries who had survived battlefields.
It felt surreal that Revolucion had started like this, and it must have shown in my face as the Fourth Virtue immediately warned me.
“Forget our abilities. The only advantage you have against them is your insignias. Your life depends on them since we’re on the same team now. You understand that, right?”
“I know.”
“Then what’s your problem?”
The problem was that nothing was going right. The Second Virtue did not know that quantity was not the right answer, as it will lead to mass panic in the dungeon, resulting in significant casualties.
“Things will probably go wrong in dungeons, and strength of will and the ability to be calm in face of danger will be more important than guns. I am curious how many have enough.”
“They’ll be better than you and me, so shut your mouth and follow orders.”
The Fourth Virtue answered like he wanted to punch me.
**
It took more than two hours, and our van arrived later than the others. The eerie blue light emitting from the underground stairway leading into the dungeon bewitched those who had arrived earlier, after the Second Virtue had opened it. He was now speaking to his troops.
His speeches had been famous in my past life, as he knew how to mesmerise a crowd. I had to admit he still had that skill in this life as all members were now focused on him. I saw that the Fourth Virtue was just as immersed in Joshua’s speech as the others, and I did not need translation to feel the aura coming from Joshua.
I saw that the one with the Ranger trait was clapping with teary eyes after the Second Virtue ended his speech, and there were shouts from the troops that they would follow him anywhere.
While the area was secured enough so people could shout, this incursion should have been done quietly. However, Joshua urged them on by shaking hands with each one of them before sending each team into the dungeon. It was now our turn.
“Thank you for trusting me this far. I plan to share the reward with everyone, so do your best, Lee.”
It seemed that Joshua was planning to go in last or not at all, and I did not care even though my best-case scenario was that he came in.
“You gave me courage, and I will clear the path for you inside.”
I checked Joshua’s response and saw he did not even lower his gaze. It seemed that he was planning to come in, despite all the riches he had in this world. I had to admit that he was consistent in treating his subordinates or at least showed that he cared. That was important.
“Are you ready?”
The Fourth Virtue tapped my shoulder after Joshua left to encourage others. The Ranger was still following Joshua around.
“Words mean only so much, and according to you, our leader will know who the real deal is in the dungeon.”
It seemed that the Fourth Virtue was jealous of the Ranger as his eyes were filled with hatred.
“What have you done in your civilian life, Mikhail?”
“That’s not important.”
He avoided my answer, and I thought he might have been a social outcast. While I also hated those who’s only ability was flattery, I did not dislike those like that Ranger, who could sell themselves and their abilities. People like him lasted longer.
Anyway, the Second Virtue looked at me in surprise and joy as we took a step off the stairway, inside the dungeon.
“I got a skill, Night Eyes. You?”
“I also got it, but it’s too early to be happy if we all get this skill.”
“Yeah…”
“Don’t think too much of weak skills like this one. Let’s go.”
There was a commotion inside the entrance room as Oliver, and other civilian mercenaries all tried to turn on their flashlights. Most forms of technology did not work here, and they had to use flames from simple flint and propane lighters to see, so they could talk to the prior-Awakened. Oliver and others were talking to the Fourth Virtue, who then spoke to me.
“…It seems that they cannot see anything here.”
One of the mercenaries made a torch and realised that the darkness was not normal as a torch illuminated only as much distance as a lighter flame. They could only see the face of the person standing next to them.
Joshua came down after a few other teams had arrived, and the Fourth Virtue translated what he had just said.
“Our leader says that he will have to reform the teams again. Follow me.”