CHAPTER 103: CHAPTER 103: KALAMUS HOUSE

After spending some quality time together, Jax and Manaia walked side by side down the hallway toward the guild’s altar. Manaia’s legs still trembled slightly; she was exhausted, yet she carried an irrepressible smile. As they arrived, several gazes locked onto her.

"Sorry for the delay," Manaia said with a small bow. "I’ll go change and be right back."

"Yeah, yeah... ’change’," murmured Zyra with a half-smile. "Was he left breathless, or was it the other way around?"

"If that’s how you show up at the altar," Tala added, "I don’t even want to imagine the ’warm-up.’"

"Save your energy for the GRB," Riven cut in, arms crossed. "And the rest of you, stop making noise."

"Confirming the volunteer list," Vira joked, raising an invisible slate. "Two columns, sorted by... ’urgency.’"

"I just want to know," said Nara, pointing at Jax, "is this by sign-up or invitation only?"

Jayden timidly raised his hand. "Uh... do I ask for an autograph, or a potion for my legs?"

Jax rubbed the back of his neck, holding back a laugh. "One at a time. The guild doesn’t cover collateral damage."

"Then put me down for after the GRB," Zyra shot back boldly.

"We’ll negotiate rewards if everyone comes back in one piece," Jax replied.

Manaia returned already clad in armor, serious and focused. "Enough jokes. Check supplies."

They recounted potions, talismans, and scrolls. Manaia had emptied nearly all of the guild’s reserves for this run—she wasn’t leaving anything to chance. She loved her sisters and her man with all her heart, and she refused to lose anyone.

"[The GRB will begin in 00:10]"

The chatter dropped instantly.

"[The GRB will begin in 00:03]"

"[The GRB will begin in 00:01]"

The altar’s light enveloped them.

"[Transport in progress]"

They appeared once again in the circular hall of doors. This time there were no novice messages or extra assistance—the system clearly recognized them as a veteran squad, granting proper respect to the reigning GRB champion guild.

"What do you think it’ll be this time?" Nara asked, tightening her gauntlets.

"Hopefully demons again," Jax said calmly. "That would be an easy win."

Several of them chuckled. Jayden, who had actually joined this time, adjusted his cloak.

"For the record," Tala said, "Jayden’s level 53; we’re all 75; and mister ’easy win’ here is level 98."

"Unnecessary pressure," Jayden muttered, though he was smiling.

A new message appeared above the doors:

"[This GRB event has been selected: Boss Hunting]"

Silence fell.

"Sounds... worse than common demons," Vira said.

A golden door opened before them. It was larger than the previous one, inlaid with gemstones along the frame.

"This isn’t the same," Jax muttered. He stepped closer, scanning the surroundings. "Look carefully. There are classes."

They spread out to observe. Bronze, silver, and golden doors lined the hall. Among the gold ones, three variations stood out:

"Plain gold, no decorations," Jax listed. "Gold with gems, like this one. And... a single one decorated with mithril."

They stared at the mithril door. The runes on it seemed to shift and writhe.

"Translation," Zyra said. "This is getting serious."

"This will be tougher than last time," Jax confirmed.

"Why?" asked Nara.

"Last time was plain gold, and we got swarmed by hordes. This one’s adorned—next difficulty tier. If we ever get sent to the mithril one, it could be an event even I couldn’t handle alone."

"Great," Jayden sighed. "So... plan?"

"Standard plan," Jax replied. "Enter, assess, don’t split up beyond line of sight, rotate skills, and don’t waste potions. If the boss has phases, save ultimates for the second."

"Copy that," Riven nodded. "Advance Formation A."

"Ready, Manaia?" Jax asked.

"Ready," she answered, scanning the group. "And no jokes this time."

Zyra raised a finger. "I promise nothing."

Jax touched the frame of the open door. The echo vibrated like a distant roar.

"Let’s go," he said. "Hunting time."

[GRB Objective]

[Defeat Kalamus]

[Optional Objective: Destroy all monsters inside the dungeon]

"Straightforward enough," Zyra remarked, folding her arms. "Kill the boss... or kill everything. Easy, right?"

"Yeah, sure, ’easy,’" Jayden muttered, swallowing hard. "The problem is that name... Kalamus doesn’t sound like a low-level boss."

"Simple rules," Tala said. "Brutal target. Nothing new."

"Relax," Jax said firmly. "Leave him to me. Just hold formation and follow my lead."

Manaia nodded, her gaze steady. "We trust you."

Jax lifted his hand and pointed to the portal. "Everyone behind me. We go in together."

They advanced up the ramp and crossed the vortex. On the other side, they emerged into a vast hall, lit by crystal chandeliers and carpeted in crimson. Marble columns held up a vaulted ceiling, and at the far end, massive golden gates blocked passage into the castle’s inner depths.

But before they could take another step, the welcome was brutal.

An entire battalion of sealakels stood ready: amphibious creatures with greenish skin, gleaming eyes, and sinister smiles. They carried spears, swords, axes, and shields, each clad in scaled armor. Behind them loomed larger figures: the commanders—and at the center, a general clad in black armor adorned with marine bones.

The air filled with a guttural roar.

"Already?" Jax growled, clenching his fist. "Not even time for introductions..."

"They ambushed us!" Vira shouted, drawing her blade.

Jax narrowed his eyes and opened his analysis interface. Numbers streamed before him:

[ Soldiers: Level 60 ]

[ Commanders: Level 70 ]

[ General: Level 75 ]

"This is going to be bloody," he muttered.

The first line of sealakels charged head-on.

"Shock formation!" Riven bellowed, rushing forward with his shield. The metallic crash echoed as spears slammed into his defense.

Zyra darted aside and slit a soldier’s throat, but an axe grazed her side. "Tsk, damn fast bastards!"

"Zyra, watch it!" Nara shouted, intercepting another strike with her gauntlets.

Manaia’s hands were already glowing. "Stay in range! Immediate healing!" A wave of light wrapped around Zyra, sealing the bleeding wound within seconds.

The sealakel general lifted his weapon—a trident tangled with dried seaweed. "I will drown your world in blood!"

The battalion roared back, pressing harder.

"Don’t fall back!" Jax thundered, charging straight into the fray. Each punch hurled enemies meters away, smashing shields as if they were made of wood.

"Told you we should’ve left it to him!" Jayden yelled, blocking a sword strike.

Even so, the sheer intensity of battle was overwhelming. Zyra took a deep slash to her arm, Tala collapsed to her knees after a heavy blow to the chest, and Nara barely dodged a spear that nearly pierced her leg.

Manaia gritted her teeth, channeling every ounce of power. "Chain Healing!" A wave of light burst outward, knitting wounds and restoring strength.

"Thanks, gorgeous!" Zyra shouted, rising again with a feral grin.

"Don’t make me patch you up again!" Manaia snapped back, eyes blazing with focus.

The hall had become a chaotic battlefield—sparks, blood, and screams filled the air. The sealakels seemed endless, each more savage than the last.

And through it all, Jax advanced like an unstoppable titan, his gaze locked on the general.

"That one’s mine!" he declared, shoving aside the soldiers in his path.

The sealakel general bared his fangs in a wicked grin and raised his trident, ready for the duel.