"Crap, I didn't mean to sleep in this late!" Sora thought as he frantically changed into comfortable, casual clothes.
He quickly walked out into the living room and noticed Brie, Sasha and Levi sitting on the floor around the main coffee table, listening to Jubelle explain something while he pointed to different points on a map.
"Hey Sora, you should come check this out," Sasha said.
"Morning everyone. Sorry, I didn't mean to oversleep." Sora said.
"You're fine, but look, Jubelle plotted up to five possible locations for the Monolith. I think if we carefully check these locations as a group, we'll be able to finally find it," Levi said.
"That's great! Nice work Jubelle, glad to have you on the team." Sora said with a smile. "I don't think we should rush this, though. Azazel already seems pretty protective of this dungeon. It must be guarding something he doesn't want to lose."
"Yeah, that's a good point. Plus, we need Jubelle to get in some real experience in dungeons before we throw him to the wolves. All the lore regarding the Monolith suggests it's a SS rank dungeon," Sasha mentioned.
"Ok, let's try out a S rank dungeon tonight," Brie exclaimed. "I know just the one. I saw it on the mobile job-board. It's been sitting there for 3 weeks. No one's been able to clear it. People have retreated and tried again, but luckily for us, it's still available!"
"Three weeks without a clear is a long time. That's odd," Sasha said. "I wonder what's causing everyone so much trouble.?"
Jubelle quickly scanned his phone, looked at it for about two minutes, and finally started to speak.
"It looks like no one can beat the boss on floor 25. There are loads of descriptions online about an unknown class of an elemental beast that can switch elements at will. People said they end up accidentally healing the beast because of how rapidly it can switch its elemental attributes." Jubelle explained.
"Is that the main boss?" Sora asked.
"From what I can tell, yes. But I doubt any inspect or analyze user would post that information online. Giving away a boss floor is an invitation for someone to beat you to the treasure," Jubelle said gleefully.
"Dorian wasn't lying, this kid is sharp."
"If it's a S rank dungeon, I can see there being another boss floor. We'll have to prepare ourselves to use hand to hand combat and maybe Brie can finally try out that banshee screech skill we obtained from our first dungeon together," Sora suggested.
"Alright, let's stock up Sora's dimensional void and head out. Don't be surprised if you see a bunch of people at or in the dungeon, Sora. I know we're usually the only party, but this dungeon is on everyone's radar and its daytime," Brie explained.
****
After stocking up on two vials of Sora's blood, 10 blood bags, 20 larger potions and 10 larger mana potions, Sora used his dimensional void and seal ability to equip his party members in their usual SS rank magically resistant armor, kabuki masks and cloaks. Levi sheathed his beautiful blue long sword, Brie asked Sora to keep her katanas in the void until she needed them and Jubelle, much like Sasha, said he preferred to use his vampire skills.
By the time they arrived at the dungeon, they noticed a large crowd surrounding the entrance.
"Who are they?!"
"Woah—what's with those masks and cloaks?!"
"I can't inspect them!"
"My tracing magic has no effect either!"
"Should we make them wait or just let them through?"
The comments of the crowd made the party smile. They watched as adventurers of all ranks, some even as low as D took out their cell phones and snapped pictures of the group.
"Well, Azazel already knows who we are. I just hope he doesn't make a move and try to send some of his lackies here," Sora thought. He waved to the adventures. It felt right.
****
The party wasted no time clearing the first 24 floors.
Jubelle tried to get in as many attacks as he could, but the others were too fast.
Other parties complained at how quickly this party cleared the dungeons and that it wasn't fair the floor they were on respawned monsters, even after they started and defeated a few.
The harsh reality of dungeon clearing was simple: highly skilled adventurers and highly skilled parties always held an advantage over the others. Being able to quickly work through a floor negated any progress other parties worked toward.
"Alright, when we get in, I'll cast wind magic over everyone's ears to be safe. Brie, use the special banshee skill and scream like you've never screamed before. Once it's down, I'll finish it off," Sora said.
"Wow, it's nice not having to work through all the strategy myself!" Jubelle said.
"If this doesn't work, we'll be relying on you so don't get too comfortable yet," Sasha reminded him.
They walked through the 25th door and a massive, spider type beast came charging at them. Despite looking like a spider, the beast's eight legs were muscular and shined different colors.
"Does that thing have 16 eyes? It's huge!" Levi said before he heard wind magic covering his ears.
"SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEECH," Brie yelled at the top of her lungs.
It worked as the beast cringed in pain. Sora quickly rushed to the beast and shouted, "Lockheart Dash!"
Sora's body torpedoed through the spider's body and cut cleanly, leaving nothing but a large hole where the head and body used to be.
Congratulations Sora, you have reached level 49!
You have cleared a S rank dungeon.
Reward: 1 ultravite
Clue to the Monolith unlocked. Ask for details.
"Uh, is the dungeon supposed to shake like this? Jubelle asked.
"Right, time to go. The exit should be right up here," Levi said, as they charged through the exit. They teleported to the entrance and watched the dungeon collapse to the dismay of the other adventures.
"What happened to all the other parties or adventurers in the dungeon?" Sora asked.
"They all teleported out, see that large angry mob over there? I think it's time we take our leave quickly!" Brie explained and the group took off running.
As they returned to the mansion, Sora informed them he received another clue about the Monolith.
"That's great news!" Jubelle exclaimed.
****
Meanwhile, back at the dungeon, the Sin of Sloth appeared.
"Oh well. Looks like they cleared another one. Why do I have to be the one to tell Azazel?" Sloth thought, as he teleported back to Azazel's throne room.
"Well?" Azazel demanded.
"There's five of them now. They cleared it. They received the second clue." Sloth spoke slowly.
"Unbelievable. Wrath. Go to the monolith and guard the top floor. That's an order."
"What about what's on the top floor?" Wrath asked.
"Do as you please, just don't kill it." Azazel smirked.