It was a terrible idea to jump straight in.
Juno landed with a loud 'thud!', earning a groan from her. She fixed her hoodie, looked up and was greeted by a tall woman whose face was broadcasted in Adelcross Headlines.
Juno couldn't fathom this event.
"Are you alright?"
A hand extended to Juno, who forced a cough while catching her breath. "I'm fine." Juno tried not to sound like a kid. She stood up with the woman's help, averting her gaze elsewhere. It felt awkward to stand before a 5'7 woman.
The chilly air added to the eerie atmosphere, as Juno wandered about the unfamiliar place. It did not seem like a dungeon at all. A crystal cave would be a better suited name, Juno thought.
The director then approached Juno.
"Young miss."
Her attention was on the enormous yet captivating gateway behind him, nonetheless nodding at the director.
He then cleared his throat. "This is where Adelcross's top rankers and other hunters gather for the annual hunting season which happens today. The barrier will be opened, and hunters can upgrade their skills while killing entities."
Juno cocked her head upwards, then questioned, "Is this a closed space?"
"No. The pathway directs us to the Dark Forest." Director Aidan sighed, closing his window. "We opted to invite you next year, but the President insisted your presence." His documents were scattered in his arms with visible eyebags as he continued.
"Are you not pressured, young miss?"
Juno remembered what happened just a day ago. She then painted an awkward smile on her face and said, "Not at all."
The older woman stood silently in between the two.
"Ah, right. Miss Ellien, the third local ranker, will be your companion."
..My companion? Standing next to her makes me seem like a clumsy young knight who's off duty and was forced be here.
"This mission will feel like attending a social event. You don't need to fight in the dungeon. Miss Ellien will protect you. Besides, we wouldn't send you to fight entities without prior notice." And training, he echoed in his mind.
"Miya, pleasure to make your acquaintance," Miya curtsied, clothed in a hunter's attire adorned in little trinkets, equipped with two swords on her back.
Juno was about to open her mouth, but paused and thought deeply for a moment. "Beatrice, pleasure to make your acquaintance as.. well." She noticed the director had only referred to her as 'young miss', and now would be the mark of Juno's false identity.
"Allow me to guide you," Said the director, turning his head to the gateway.
Juno swore she could feel daggers of Miya's gaze beside her.
The gates abruptly opened.
'Whiiir'
⌜Hunters are entering!⌟
⌜Adelcross Ranker: #3 - Diamond has entered the dungeon!⌟
People began to whisper, eyes following her movements as she stopped and waited for Juno's entrance.
Juno kept her eyes on the system as she passed through.
⌜Unidentified member has entered the dungeon!⌟
Unidentified? Juno wondered if this was done on purpose or there really was an error. She felt some eyes dawn upon her, while the rest were preoccupied.
⌜Adelcross Ranker: #35 - Aidan has entered the dungeon!⌟
Oho, Juno did not expect the director's ranking to be 35.
The place was crowded with hunters of various rankings. It did feel as if Juno were attending a social event, similarly to the ones her father hosted. This time, however, instead of exhibitions, it would be weapon shops. Juno was accustomed to social events of all sorts, especially with her as the center of attention. She felt quite relieved
for the fact she didn't have to put on a show.
She just hoped no one would recognize her there.
⌜00:00:01:24⌟
It was a timer in the center of it all, a large pillar. Juno couldn't inquire anything about it without losing sight of the director, walking past it in silence.
The director's footsteps halted at the stalls instilled with hundreds of weapons. He pulled out a card and presented it to the nearest shopkeeper. Without any words exchanged, the door with an 'employees only' slogan was opened. Juno slowly turned to the older woman with an indifferent expression. She hasn't spoken after her introduction.
"Follow me."
Juno felt baffled, being met with a locked elevator. She couldn't complain though, since it was better than staying in a horde of hunters.
'Tap'
[Headquarters member identified.]
An AI voice echoed as sir Aidan presented his smartwatch on the scanner, waiting for a 'beep!' that allowed them to enter. "The passes for this place is installed in your smartwatch, young miss. I won't always be here to assist you."
"I understand."
Juno slightly flinched when the elevator abruptly moved downwards. It was an underground facility.
'Ding!'
Juno could not believe her eyes. Luminous crystals, spacious areas, magic barriers. It was a perfectly hidden hideout for the hunters.
"This is our training ground. Local rankers train and exercise their power here, before heading to the dungeon which is interconnected with the border."
"Sir, apologies for the intrusion but there's 45 seconds before the event begins." Miya whispered, being responded with a gesture to lead the way.
As they all walked further from the lift, luminescent bulbs radiated from the surface, leaving a trail to a path down a staircase. In the distance was the same timer Juno saw previously.
⌜00:00:00:42⌟
That's what the timer was for, Juno assumed.
Hunters sat on different areas near the great window, either by pairs or quadruples. For such a grand place reserved for less than 20 people, Juno was enlightened. She was reminded of her father who only brought her to attractions with few people.
The reason behind it.. Juno shook her head, being seated in the middle lane.
"I'll attend to you both later. Miya, ensure the young miss is well accompanied."
The director turned back, disappearing from Juno's line of sight.
This... is so awkward.
Juno repeatedly prodded on her own arm, eyes wandering from the window to the other hunters, then sneakily at Miya before averting her gaze.
⌜00:00:00:19⌟
....
".. Sir Aidan may not have mentioned this, but the reason for this to be an annual event.." Her voice trailed off. Juno blankly stared at her, surprised at hearing her speak.
Miya simply wanted to make sure Juno was listening.
"There is an S+ entity we call 'Olethros's Mutant' that only hatches on Earth during this time of the year. They're found exclusively in the Dark Forest and Lost City of Adelcross."
Juno slowly began to understand, making a guess.
"You train here to-"
⌜The event has commenced.⌟
Her voice was cut off by the sudden cheers of the hunters, some even activating their power while raising their hands to the ceiling.
A live video started to play off the status window.
Juno stole a glance to the right, noticing another pair of eyes staring back. Taken aback, Juno's posture went stiff, pretending to have not noticed.
Surely, I'm not that well-known, right?