MIGHT AS WELL BE OP

Anthony touched down lightly before a modest hotel, his gaze briefly sweeping across the surroundings.

Without hesitation, he approached the counter and booked a room for the entire month.

His intentions were clear: to immerse himself in the life of an adventurer, and for that, he needed somewhere to stay.

The next morning, he awoke at 11 a.m., the sun already high in the sky.

After a brief bath, he dressed and made his way to the Adventurer's Guild.

"Good morning"

Anthony greeted Kerm, his voice casual but warm.

Kerm, standing behind the counter, raised an eyebrow.

"Done with your mission already?"

Anthony gave a simple nod, his expression neutral.

Without further preamble, Kerm demanded the proof of completion, and with a quiet confidence, Anthony produced the severed head of a beast he had slain earlier.

Her eyes scanned it for authenticity before she turned back to him.

"Good enough"

She remarked flatly, handing over his reward. Explore more stories with empire

Anthony took the ten low-grade mana crystals and, without hesitation, slipped them into the space ring on his finger, a recent addition he had secured for this very purpose.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

It was part of his plan to take on this new life with a carefully constructed, albeit fabricated, identity.

"Any more... substantial missions today?"

Anthony asked as he leaned casually on the counter, his voice betraying a subtle hint of impatience.

Kerm glanced at a nearby list, her eyes scanning the requests.

"There are a few dungeon-clearing missions available. If you're looking to make some quick money, you could start there. You can sell the monster carcasses to us afterward"

Anthony's lips twitched in mild disdain as he considered the proposition.

He had given himself a month to explore the true challenges of the adventuring world, not to waste his time on such trivial tasks.

Before he could respond, a voice from behind caught his attention.

"How about you join our party for a mission?"

Anthony turned, his gaze meeting that of a man standing with four others, all radiating the unmistakable aura of Master rankers.

"And who might you be?"

He asked, intrigued by their imposing presence.

The man smiled, a casual confidence in his demeanor.

"Ah, my apologies. I'm Adrian, the leader of this group"

With a gesture, Adrian introduced his companions.

"This is Lira, our elemental mage"

A young woman stood beside him, average in appearance but wielding a wand with practiced ease.

"This is Thane, our shield bearer, and the one who absorbs most of the damage"

Thane, a hulking figure clad in thick armor, gave a nod, his massive shield resting against his back.

"Then there's Kael, our archer, specializing in long range attacks"

Kael stood with his hood drawn, a quiver of arrows at his back and a bow slung across his chest.

"And finally, Elena, our healer"

Elena smiled warmly at Anthony, her gentle demeanor at odds with the intensity of the others.

Anthony couldn't help but whistle internally, impressed by the group's setup.

'This is like something straight out of an MMORPG'

He thought.

'A well-rounded team'

"My name's Lorian. It's a pleasure to meet you all"

Anthony replied smoothly, shaking Adrian's hand firmly.

He then nodded at Kerm, who returned the gesture before turning her attention back to her work.

Without further ado, the group departed the Adventurer's Guild, heading toward a nearby tavern to discuss the details of their potential mission.

The tavern was a cozy establishment, filled with the low murmur of conversation and the clinking of mugs.

The warmth of the hearth crackled nearby, and the heavy wooden tables, worn smooth by years of use, creaked under the weight of their patrons.

At the far corner, a sturdy round table seemed to beckon.

The group of five made their way toward it, their steps deliberate.

Once seated, Adrian had already arranged for a round of drinks, hearty ales and cool drinks, placed before them as they settled in.

Though the table was slightly cramped for their number, it would suffice.

Each member of the group found their place with ease.

Adrian took the seat at the head of the table, and Anthony, though still a newcomer, chose a spot across from him.

The quiet of the group settled in, an unspoken understanding shared between them.

Adrian, sensing the curiosity in Anthony's gaze, leaned back slightly, clasping his hands in front of him.

"So, you'd like to know more about the dungeon we're heading to?"

Anthony's interest was piqued.

He nodded, his gaze shifting to each of the group members.

Despite their brief exchange, there was an undeniable sense of unity among them, something forged by past experiences, struggles, and victories.

Adrian's voice was steady, yet carried an air of gravitas.

"The labyrinth we're targeting is only a few hours away by flight. It was discovered relatively recently, within the past few months. But don't be fooled by its youth; it's not without its challenges. The creatures inside aren't ancient, but they're still formidable, and the traps… they're devious. The further we venture, the more unpredictable it becomes"

He paused, taking a sip of his ale before continuing.

His gaze drifted toward the window, where the last rays of sunlight stretched across the horizon.

"The dungeon is layered, with each floor posing new dangers. We've made it through the first few levels, but there are rumors of something deeper, something that doesn't sit right. Some believe it's cursed, but there's no proof. What we do know is this: it's lucrative, if you survive"

The tone of his words turned more somber as he spoke.

The weight of the dangers ahead was clear, and it was evident that this wasn't a casual mission for the group.

"We're heading back to finish the job. We have a mission to complete, and we won't leave until we've seen it through"

Anthony, absorbing the information, finally spoke, his voice calm yet inquisitive.

"What about the reward? How is it split among the group?"

Adrian's lips curled into a smile, a gleam of respect in his eyes.

"Straight to the point, I like that. The split is simple. There are five of us, well, six now with you, but Elena, our healer, takes a slightly larger portion. She plays a critical role in our survival, and without her, we'd be putting ourselves at much greater risk. So, she gets 20%, while the rest of us take 16% each. It's a fair system, everyone pulls their weight and everyone gets their due"

Adrian's gaze shifted toward Elena, who was sitting quietly across from Anthony.

She met his eyes for a moment before looking down at her drink, a small, almost imperceptible smile tugging at her lips.

The healer's role was often overlooked, but those who truly understood the risks of adventuring knew better.

Anthony took all of this in, nodding thoughtfully.

"So, I'll be getting 16% then?"

He asked, his tone light but with a hint of curiosity.

Adrian nodded.

"That's correct. But don't let that discourage you. The deeper we go, the more valuable the spoils become. There's always a chance for something… unexpected. But remember, it's not about the reward. It's about completing the mission, helping each other, and making it out alive"

Anthony leaned back, his eyes flickering over each member of the group.

Lira, Kael, Thane, and Elena, all seemed to carry an unspoken bond, one formed through shared risks and a mutual understanding of the dangers they faced.

"I'm in"

Anthony said, his voice steady and confident.

"Let's do this"

Adrian smiled, a challenge and respect glinting in his eyes.

"Good to have you on board, Lorian. I'm looking forward to seeing what you can do in the field"

The rest of the group nodded in agreement, their expressions matching the unspoken understanding that had settled between them.

They were ready.

Whatever the labyrinth held, they would face it together.

As their conversation turned to further details of the mission, the tavern's noise seemed to fade into the background.

The camaraderie of the group, their focus, and their determination filled the space as the plans took shape.