Currently I, Boran and Vivi are standing in front of a Wide mouth of a Cave.
At the entrance of the cave visible Mana is swirling, creating something similar to a Teleportation door.
Around us, the commerce of adventuring was in full swing. Vendor stalls lined the path, their tables groaning under the weight of steel sharp blades and other weapons`, Colorful potions, and stacks of Magic Scrolls.
Hmm.. It's a good Business market. I can smell money.
Oh, On that note, Magic scrolls are paper sheets with runes where high level spells are 'Saved'. So, even someone who does not have fire affinity or is not a high level mage, can use a high level Fire Magic, if he applies only a small amount of mana to activate it.
Of course, most scrolls are one time use items. And Highly expensive too.
But even the sight of all these high-end fantasy items and Vibe couldn't lift my spirits. Why?
The Darka city is famous for the great Labyrinth Dungeon of Vtoroy, one of the Few labyrinth type dungeons that the world has to offer.
I had read that the entrance of each of the labyrinth dungeons is huge. More than fifteen meters high.
And right now, we are Standing in front of such a dungeon entrance.
....is what I would love to say. But that's not the truth.
Of course, the fact about the vendor stalls is, but the thing About standing in front of a Labyrinth Dungeon is not true.
The dungeon entrance, in front of us is about five meters in height not fifteen.
It's a regular Dungeon.
I kept staring at the entrance.
"Why the disappointed look, Kid ?" Boran grunted, crossing his massive arms. "don't tell me, you expected us to take you to the Labyrinth ?"
"Well, when people normally come to the Darka city for Dungeon Dive, the First thing that pops into your mind is the Labyrinth, isn't it ?" I said trying to defend high level of expectations which now feels like a Delusion.
You don't take a tourist to Paris and show them a local bakery instead of the Eiffel Tower!
"Don't be So down, Ty." Vivi Said, perhaps trying to keep this cute little boy's heart "we can go to Labyrinth next time. Or, you can come by yourself once you become an adventurer yourself."
She reached out as if to pat my head, though I dodged the gesture like an ungrateful little runt in his rebellious phase.
I feel like a kid whose parents promised to buy him a new Gaming Console. But when the Day actually arrived, what he got was a second hand PS3 instead of a New PS5 like he expected.
Yes, and then they say the same old lines, 'you can buy one yourself when you get a job, or maybe on your next birthday'
Yes, feels shitty, doesn't it ? Me too. I feel your pain, fellow brothers who have been victim to their Parent's bait-and-switch lying.
Regardless, we can't head back now, can we ? The decision is theirs to make. I am here for a free ride.
"Fine..." I sighed, adjusting my gear. "What kind of dungeon is it, then?"
"A C-rank Goblin dungeon." Boran answered, his voice flat.
Goblins ? Seriously ?
I stared at the entrance, my eyes narrowing. My snarky internal monologue flickered out, replaced by a cold, analytical focus.
"Why the serious look, kid ? Are you concerned or something ? And from Goblin ? I didn't know I raised you to be such a coward."
I can't even talk back because technically, he really did raise me. For two grueling years.
"Is it not worth concerning ?" So I asked back, with the matter of concern in hand.
In the hierarchy of fantasy tropes, Goblins are the bottom-feeders. Usually, they're the target practice you clear before the first boss. They are among the lowest classes of monsters, after slimes.
Oh, Speaking of Slimes, this world has plenty of them. And let me tell you, once you learn how to properly grill them with a bit of fire and wild herbs, they are absolutely delicious. High protein, zero fat, slightly chewy. Just the way, I like it.
But back to the Goblins.
So, The concern with goblins are, even though, they are small, cowardly, weak, pathetically weak if it's in terms of individual strength.
But they are still a force to be feared of. Especially, when they are in a group and they know the territory well enough. They are the guerilla warrior monsters of Fantasy.
They are like hunters. They study their prey, make traps for him and play with it instead of straight up killing it.
That's why most people avoid fighting them in their own territory and instead try to lure them out to an unfamiliar terrain.
Their teamwork and intellectual ability to create traps is just that scary.
And this is C rank Dungeon. Not exactly a low rank. So, i can't even imagine what awaits us beyond that portal.
It can be dangerous, Frighteningly so.
Of course, that is, if I didn't have two SSS-ranks as my bodyguard.
"I know what you're worried about, Ty." Vivi Said, her eyes twinkling with that all-knowing Sage mentor gaze.
See ? Vivi is the only one who understands me. That's why she is the GOAT teacher, the GOAT!
"They are Dungeon Goblins," she clarified. "They're different from the ones you find roaming the Verden wilds."
"Different How exactly?" I asked, still not convinced by her words.
"Yes. They are not as intelligent as normal Verden Goblins." she explained, gesturing toward the swirling portal. "They don't set elaborate traps or conduct long-term psychological warfare. Of course, in exchange to balance things up, they are individually stronger than normal ones and since this is a C-rank dungeon, they will be much stronger than normal ones. And Their teamwork is still a problem, but it's a direct problem—not a 'hidden pitfall' problem. It's doable."
Is that so ?
I nodded in understanding. I never encountered dungeon goblins in the game so, i wouldn't know.
How truly fascinating.
"Alright, let's go." saying that, Vivi stretched her hand and I took it.
Boran followed suit and did the same and we entered.
The sensation was a sharp, pressurized tug, like being pulled through a straw. We emerged into a cavern that smelled of wet earth and ancient soot. Torches burned with an unnatural, blue-tinted flame along the walls, casting long, dancing shadows that seemed to whisper of things waiting in the dark.
Now we are talking. This! This is the world of Dungeon in a Fantasy world that is So rich and Full of Mana! Haha!
I looked At the front, into the distance.
Let The Raid Begin!