CHAPTER 256: READY TO BURST

At the head of the crowd stood Talia.

No longer in casual clothes.

No longer crying.

No longer the overwhelmed guild leader that Kaiden had shattered in the negotiations.

Talia offered Kaiden a small nod as he approached. She didn’t look angry. But neither did she look friendly.

Instead, she looked like a woman with something to prove.

"Kaiden."

"Talia."

"Lawyers are prepped. Contract’s printed, marked, and triple-validated. We sign now. After that, you must descend immediately."

"Understood," Kaiden said, but then looked around, feeling something was missing. "Where are the other awakened of Runewoven? I see nobody besides Diaz... Last time, there were many of your members standing idly by."

"The ownership transfer is to be kept secret for now. Our high-level awakened would not feel great about having such low-levels as partial owners of the guild they work for. I hope you understand..." Talia sighed.

"But it’s okay to have level 1, non-awakened owners?" Aria asked.

From the line of suits, someone clicked their tongue. "Tch!"

Another whispered, "Disgraceful."

"It must be natural to them. The suits are rich, many being wealthy for generations, so it’s given that they’d own the guild," Luna responded, ignoring the disapproving sounds and answering Aria’s question. "They were born privileged, with Daddy’s and Mommy’s money helping them get ahead in life."

Nyx nodded in agreement. "Right. But we, low-level awakened who had to start from nothing just as most of them had, should not enjoy the same benefits. It makes them feel like we made shortcuts to get ahead in life. It doesn’t make too much logical sense, but I can easily see Luna being right for once."

"Fine with me," Kaiden replied to Talia after considering his girls’ words. "It’s not like we wanted to broadcast this deal anyhow. I even prefer it this way."

Talia nodded, then extended her hand. "Let’s get it done."

He stepped forward and took it.

Their handshake was brief but powerful.

And the moment they let go, a team of assistants moved forward with paper-thin mana-slates, formalizing the execution of the 20% ownership transfer agreement.

Kaiden’s name appeared on the screen in luminous script. So did his title.

Kaiden Grey — Silent Shareholder, Runewoven Guild.

He glanced at it once, then used his finger to sign.

A chime sounded, confirming the finalization.

Kaiden turned from the document to see the outcome of the signing.

A silent, seething crowd. That was the result.

Some had already turned away.

Others remained still, arms crossed, eyes calculating.

They were waiting for the next part.

The real test.

Dungeon clearance.

Kaiden adjusted the strap on his sword.

Then, without fanfare, he walked toward the dungeon gate.

His team followed.

The Valkyries.

The felinid.

It was time to descend to the depths of the vampire dungeon.

The shimmer of the dungeon gate rippled, then parted.

Cool, damp air greeted them. They passed through the threshold in formation, already in battle mode.

Kaiden first.

Then Luna and Nyx on either side.

Aria just behind, adjusting her gloves.

Bastet brought up the rear. She licked her lips in excitement.

Behind them, a second ripple came as Diaz emerged with his hood pulled low and twin daggers at his hips. He said nothing.

They stepped into the believed ’safe zone,’ a ballroom.

At the far end of the room stood Vaelira.

Flanked by her subordinates.

Jack leaned on his tower shield, his armored figure appearing quite ominous in the dim atmosphere.

Sasha twirled an arrow between her fingers, her bow already in hand.

Leon was doing some final polishing of his longsword.

Vaelira herself was regal as ever, dressed in form-fitting combat robes, and her long hair was braided back for battle.

They turned as Kaiden’s party arrived.

Jack was the first to speak, voice rich with mocking concern. "Well, well. If it isn’t the hospital campers."

He let out a snort. "Are you planning to split up again this time? Because last I checked, that strategy didn’t work too well for you. Your team composition is not balanced properly, though I’m guessing the real issue was a lack of individual skill."

Sasha laughed with just as much mockery as Jack’s tone held. "Yeah. You’re lucky you didn’t all die. It’s better if we hold your hands throughout the clear, or Miss Talia will cry again."

Kaiden didn’t respond. He just stepped further into the room and went to pick up a water bottle from the supply crates.

Before the situation could escalate with her subordinates adding even more scornful remarks, Vaelira raised a hand toward them.

"Enough. Tessa asked us to play nice."

She said it as if the words burned her tongue.

The thought of cooperating with Kaiden’s group was an insult in itself.

Still, she offered a brittle smile toward them, making it clear she wasn’t truly meaning what she was saying. "Let’s try to be civil, shall we?"

Diaz finally joined them, stepping between the two groups. "If you’re done flexing egos for the time being, we’ve got recon to do. The dungeon evolved since the last clear attempt."

"Let me guess..." Nyx muttered with her eyes sweeping the corrupted ballroom, "It’s getting more dangerous."

Diaz nodded. "Exactly. The parasite spores are spreading quicker. Echo effects are getting stronger. And the spawn types are mutating..."

"The dungeon almost seems to be aware that it is able to unleash its contents on Earth soon. It might sense the weakening grip of the dungeon gate..." Luna thought out loud. Her gamer girl senses were tingling.

"It’s not an unseen phenomenon, but it is rare," Vaelira joined the conversation. "Dungeons that display capabilities for evolution when the dungeon break is about to commence tend to be the most devastating. If we don’t clear it, a lot of people would die."

"Yeah... Especially because the monsters gain levels when they pass over to Earth. Whatever is inside should be around the level 25 cap or slightly above that, but chances are that their levels will multiply on Earth," Leon also voiced his thoughts.

Diaz confirmed with a grim nod. "Now that we’re on the same page, let’s agree that this time, we stay together. No matter how annoying that is for everyone involved. Trust me, as a rogue, I’d much rather explore on my own than walk next to loud hulks of armor who make my job infinitely more difficult."

Jack ignored the man and let out a theatrical groan. "Wonderful. Babysitting duty."

Sasha snickered again.

But this time, Bastet stepped up next to Kaiden, stretching her arms behind her head, making her sensual, Arabian-themed clothes rise. "Master, I don’t like dogs who bark. Can we hurry up and begin? Once I’m busy slaying the filthy undead, tolerating these people will be much easier."

"Let’s do that."

Kaiden’s simple response earned him a scoff from both Jack and Sasha. But as he and his team, as well as Diaz, began walking toward the next room, they hadn’t had much of a choice besides joining them. After all, they were under strict orders to stick together as a group by their guild leader.

A dungeon brimming with vampires and undead monstrosities, one that is even evolving at that... Valhalla’s Sinners had their job cut out for them; that much was certain. And, dungeons such as this have a chance to hold much more secrets in them than mere enemies to slay...