Silent Resolve
The relentless cacophony of Manila's bustling streets faded to the background as Josh stared at his phone screen. A notification blinked in bold red letters:
**[URGENT: E-RANK HUNTER REQUIRED FOR RETRIEVAL TEAM – Dungeon Location: San Mateo Highlands]**
Josh felt his pulse quicken as he read the details. A team of Hunters was requesting assistance for a dungeon expedition—a Rank E task to retrieve items scattered within the magical terrain. It wasn't an opportunity that would change his life, nor did it promise the kind of money he needed to save Maria. But it was a chance to venture back into a dungeon, to grow stronger, and—most importantly—to stay unnoticed.
Without hesitation, Josh clicked the acceptance button, securing his spot on the team. The next moment, his phone buzzed again, revealing a list of his temporary teammates and their respective skills:
- **Allan "Axehand" De Leon (Team Leader – Rank C)**: A seasoned fighter wielding a massive enchanted axe capable of summoning tremors in battle.
- **Mila "Flameblade" Santiago (Rank D)**: An agile swordswoman skilled in fire-based magic, known for her flaming strikes.
- **Gregory "Mystic Lens" Cruz (Rank E)**: A support mage specializing in scrying and detection spells, invaluable for navigation and spotting traps.
- **Josh "Unranked" Villanueva (New Recruit)**:
Josh's title stood out like a glaring beacon. "Unranked"—a label that felt both humiliating and liberating at the same time. It ensured no one would expect anything of him, allowing him to remain under the radar. He had no intention of revealing his true abilities—the Relicolus Shield, the Magicules skill, or the strength gained from years of training. His focus was singular: find Maria. Everything else was secondary.
---
**The Briefing**
The team gathered at a rendezvous point near San Mateo Highlands, a mountainous region surrounded by dense forests. Josh arrived last, quietly slipping into the group without drawing attention. The others barely acknowledged his presence, their focus on the task ahead.
"All right, listen up," Allan barked, his deep voice cutting through the chatter. He brandished his axe, the weapon's blade gleaming faintly with runic magic. "The dungeon here is Rank E, but don't let your guard down. There's been unusual activity reported—traps, unstable terrain, and even stray monsters not native to the area."
Mila crossed her arms, her sword sheathed at her side. "Doesn't matter. We'll handle it. Let's just get in, grab the retrieval items, and get out."
Gregory adjusted his glasses, which shimmered faintly with magic. "I'll be using Mystic Lens to map out the dungeon and detect any magical disturbances. Just stay close and follow my lead."
Josh remained silent, nodding when Allan's eyes briefly flicked toward him. The team didn't bother asking about his skills, assuming he was a rookie with nothing to offer. Josh preferred it that way.
---
**Entering the Dungeon**
The dungeon entrance was hidden within a dense thicket, its portal glowing faintly with a green hue. As the team stepped through, Josh felt the familiar disorienting pull of magical energy. The world shifted around him, plunging them into the eerie, otherworldly terrain of the dungeon.
The ground beneath their feet was uneven, a mix of jagged rocks and glowing moss. Strange, twisted trees loomed overhead, their branches pulsing with faint magical light. The air was thick and humid, carrying an unsettling silence broken only by the occasional distant roar of unseen creatures.
"Allan, I'm picking up a faint disturbance," Gregory announced, his glasses shimmering as he activated Mystic Lens. "Looks like a trap field ahead. We'll need to tread carefully."
Allan nodded, gesturing for the team to proceed cautiously. Mila led the way, her fiery aura illuminating the path as she used her Flameblade skill to burn away any obstructive foliage. Josh stayed at the back, his eyes scanning the surroundings while his mind focused on staying unnoticed.
---
**The First Encounter**
They didn't make it far before the first challenge emerged—a group of goblin-like creatures crawling out from the shadows. Their grotesque forms shimmered with unstable magic, their jagged weapons glinting in the faint light.
"Let's handle this quickly," Allan growled, charging forward. His axe struck the ground with immense force, sending tremors rippling through the earth. The goblins stumbled, some falling into fissures that opened beneath them.
Mila darted between the creatures, her blade igniting with flames as she struck with swift, precise movements. Gregory stood back, casting detection spells to ensure no hidden enemies were waiting to ambush them.
Josh watched from the sidelines, his instincts screaming at him to join the fight. But he held back, gripping his weapon tightly as he remembered his mission. He couldn't risk exposing himself—not yet. Instead, he used his Magicules skill discreetly, mimicking Gregory's scrying abilities to scan for any threats the others might miss.
---
**Deeper Into the Dungeon**
The team moved deeper into the dungeon, encountering more traps and enemies along the way. Each challenge tested their coordination and resilience, but Josh remained silent and efficient, providing support without drawing attention. His strength and skills were undeniable, but he masked them carefully, ensuring no one noticed his true capabilities.
At one point, the team reached a narrow chasm filled with unstable magical energy. Gregory identified a safe route using Mystic Lens, but the path was precarious. Mila used her Flameblade to create stepping stones of solidified fire, allowing the team to cross.
When a stray monster—a wolf-like creature with glowing red eyes—attacked from the shadows, Josh reacted instinctively, summoning the Relicolus Shield to block its strike. He immediately deactivated the shield, hoping no one had noticed. Allan and Mila finished the creature off, unaware of Josh's intervention.
---
**The Retrieval**
After hours of navigating the dungeon, the team finally reached the retrieval site—a glowing altar surrounded by swirling magical energy. The items they sought, enchanted gemstones, floated above the altar, pulsating with light.
"All right, grab the gems and let's get out of here," Allan ordered.
As Mila and Gregory secured the gemstones, the ground beneath the altar trembled. The swirling energy intensified, and a massive, horned beast emerged from the shadows—a guardian of the treasure.
"Prepare for battle!" Allan shouted, raising his axe.
Josh stepped back, his heart racing. He watched as the team engaged the guardian, their coordinated attacks keeping the creature at bay. He wanted to help, to unleash his true strength, but he forced himself to stay silent. This wasn't his fight.
When the beast finally fell, the team collected the gemstones and retreated to the dungeon exit. Josh followed quietly, his mind consumed by thoughts of Maria. The dungeon's challenges had tested him, but his resolve remained unshaken.
---
As the team emerged from the portal, the fresh air of San Mateo Highlands greeted them. Josh slipped away before anyone could approach him, disappearing into the dense forest. His path was clear—to find Maria, no matter the cost.