I walked through the long dim hall with somber feeling.
The checkroom had turned into a vast mausoleum with multiple levels that extended underground.
It now made sense why Sigyn ordered to upgrade the facility a while back.
I had journeyed to the third stratum now and all the altars so far were decorated with heroes' belongings.
Dead heroes'.
That was the purpose of the checkroom.
To store the belongings of fallen heroes and turned them into remembrance tokens.
Sigyn had already placed the belongings of every raider that fell in the twentieth floor.
From the First to the Fourth Advanced Scouts. Eighty heroes in total.
Each of our fallen comrade who died in the fourth Quintal Trial now had something in the checkroom to remember them by.
Nonetheless, the raiders that died in the Exploration Dungeon to obtain the Advent Stone also had their belongings stored here.
I just saw Quinda's on the second stratum. A handmade bracelet she crafted from the things she collected from the Weekday Dungeons. She did once helped the gatherers to collect ingredients for our antidote solutions.
Their valor and deeds would not be forgotten. Master had safeguard the remnant of their bravery inside the checkroom.
The question was…
…whether all of us in the Main Forces would join them after today or not.
"So this is how you treat fallen warriors in the forged land."
Ulrica said behind me while I was observing the altars for Rizarde and the other Party 6 members.
Alongside the Near-Kin were Djhotti, Graihan, and Zecht.
All the party leaders of the Main Forces insisted on joining me in this small pilgrimage.
"This building is well-designed and well-constructed. It is befitting to honor the dead."
The dwarf said.
Zecht nodded to him.
"Of course, it is! A lot of the people here were our friends that we trained and fought alongside with. It wouldn't be right if we just forget about them."
"I like this place."
Graihan said with approving smile.
The lycanthrope went on as he casted his eyes throughout the gloomy environment.
"It's cool and dark. There isn't any light that is too overbearing. You think Master would turn my living quarter into something like this if I ask them?"
I chuckled at his nonchalant words.
"You're awfully calm considering what we're going to do today."
"Would it help our cause if I were to be afraid?"
"No. Of course not."
"There you go."
He was a lycanthrope, alright.
No unnecessary emotions.
Graihan might be a bit abrasive at times.
But we could depend on him when it comes to battle.
"I'll be counting on all of you today."
I told all the party leaders nonetheless.
I went on as I stared at the altars of the fallen heroes.
"Party 1 can't face this upcoming challenge by ourselves. Our survivals might lie entirely in your hands."
"I understood that one of our Guntur exiles once ended up here and caused you a good deal of trouble."
Ulrica said suddenly.
She must be referring to Jyrgil. That man indeed caused quite a fair amount of problem on the tenth floor.
The Near-Kin then joined me by the altars.
"Don't worry, southlander. I don't intend to let you down like that fool outcast. True Guntur folks cherish camaraderie in battle. Together, we will be victorious in the twentieth floor."
Djhotti joined us at my other flank.
"We shall overcome whatever trial that lies before us. I swore as a Keeper to make that a reality."
"I've helped you overcome the second Quintal Trial, Serafina. I will now do the same with the fourth!"
Zecht sounded strongly.
I sensed no lies in their voices.
These party leaders were truly committed to help further our climb.
I could definitely count on them this time.
Hopefully our combined determinations would be enough to conquer the twentieth floor.
[Serafina?]
Alam suddenly appeared before us.
Her presence alone signified why she came.
"Is it time, warden?"
The fairy nodded with a serious face.
[Master's waiting. You're to come to the first floor square right away. All of you.]
I nodded back to her.
"We'll be there shortly."
Once the fairy vanished from our sight, the five of us party leaders trekked back out of the checkroom facility.
I could create a dimensional portal straight to the first floor square from where we were.
But I would like to conserve as much mana as possible.
Doubtless, I would need every drop of mana that I had for my great battle to come.
The checkroom was placed just by the first floor square. So we immediately rejoined with our party comrades that had been waiting for us there.
"This is it, fellas! Party 2's second Quintal Trial! Are you guys ready?"
Zecht said excitedly to his comrades.
Jordane, the former squire, stiffly saluted his party leader.
"Yes, sir!"
The little Tarran nodded strongly alongside him.
"Of course! None of us will be left behind this time! We will all enter the trial together and return together!"
"You didn't have a powerful mage like me on the tenth floor. I will wipe out the enemies before you could even raise your weapons."
Yuxia exclaimed confidently.
Norn giggled at the elementalist's words.
"It really is nice to have our own 4-star mage. I feel safe already."
Contrary to Yuxia's lax attitude, Matrias in Party 3 was sternly lecturing his comrades.
"You ladies better protect me in there! I don't want any stinking pirate or filthy dogs poking new holes on me!"
Ulrica burst out laughing and heavily smacked the disheveled man on the back.
"Oh don't you worry! We will keep you safe and sound like a southlander prince!"
"We sure won't let anything bother you in there, uncle!"
"You will be untouched like my sister's vegetable pie during the Serpent Festival."
"Just make sure you keep on sending those lightning at the enemies, old man. Otherwise we might gonna break a sweat while protecting you."
As the Near-Kin and her female comrades laughed together at Matrias, Vallerynne was still busy lecturing her older comrades.
"Remember, I am not like these elemental mages! I won't be able to hurl fireballs or shoot out lightning from my fingers. I have shown you all that I could do instead. And I do have my golems, but you will have to do most of the killing. Understand?"
Djhotti nodded to the girl.
"You can leave most of the fighting to us, Mage Zalostin. And we will keep you safe so you could support us with your enchantments."
The other old men of Party 4 joined the dwarf to assure the enchanter.
"We will keep the enemies away from you, Lady Vallerynne."
"I will protect you as if you are my own granddaughter back home."
"Haha! You have nothing to worry about, child!"
Meanwhile, the boys in Party 5 were crowding Graihan and Arian in excitement.
"We'll hunt many preys today, won't we, Graihan?"
"I can't wait to fight those pirates again!"
"Apparently this will be the Raid Team's most difficult mission yet. So we ought to have many thrilling battles!"
Arian immediately banged the base of her spear to settle them down.
"Have you forgotten what Graihan taught us? A good hunter catches his prey by being focused, precise, and calm."
The lycanthrope nodded.
"Having a big spirit is important, but don't get too excited that you become reckless, yeah? That's how young cubs gets killed. Pay attention to your surroundings in there. Be prepared for anything."
The boys bowed simultaneously at the advanced heroes.
"Understood!"
After ensuring the other parties were prepared, I went over to mine.
Each and every one of them had equipped their armors and weapons. New weapons.
Their eyes were sharp and fierce in anticipation of battle.
No words were necessary to be exchanged.
They were ready for the Quintal Trial.
"Time for the Raid Team to further our climb."
Trudy said as she walked over to us.
I nodded to my former party comrade.
"Indeed. And I assume you know what to do should the worst occur."
The Chief Instructor chuckled.
"Save your breath, Serafina. Just win the Quintal Trial and come back. The others and I will be waiting."
It was then that a notification window emerged above the first floor square.
[※Caution!]
[This mission requires five parties. If there aren't enough party members, use summoning to fill in the ranks!]
[The parties will be divided into vanguard and rearguard roles. If certain conditions are met or a certain amount of time has passed, the rearguard can join the battle!]
[Master can choose when each party will attack. Your choice will have a lot of impact, so think wisely!]
"It's starting."
I alerted all the raiders on the square.
Upon my warning, every member of the Main Forces steeled their faces and turned toward the rift.
[Choosing 'Main Forces' for the mission.]
[Raid Leader - 'Serafina (★★★★)']
[Proceed with your choice?]
[Yes (selected)/ No]
It was now official.
Master had made their order.
The Main Forces would attempt the fourth Quintal Trial and further our climb.
Now, which party would Master choose to spearhead this mission?
[Choosing 'Party 1' as the vanguard.]
[Party Composition - 'Serafina (★★★★)', 'Jonah (★★)', 'Shanny (★★)', 'Darius (★★★)', 'Devisha (★★★)']
[Proceed with your choice?]
[Yes (selected)/ No]
No surprise there.
I would probably even volunteer our party as vanguard should Master chose another.
Party 1 had been training and preparing to serve that major role in the Quintal Trial, after all.
[Alright!]
Alam suddenly appeared before us.
[Party 1, as expected, you guys will be going in first! Are you ready?]
I turned to my comrades and found them staring unwaveringly toward the rift. Toward the gate to the fourth Quintal Trial.
That was a good enough answer for me.
"Send us to battle, warden."
Upon my words, the fairy flew toward the large stone gate and performed her usual exaggerated pose.
[Open the rift of space and time!]
The stone gate depicting two winged-maidens embracing each other burst with ethereal glow.
Once we passed through there, we would be transported to the twentieth floor.
The fourth Quintal Trial was imminent.
I turned to the other party leaders.
"See you all inside."