The Only Son Amongst The Daughters Of Eros

Chapter 51 First Quest Lobby • 1



After stepping inside and finding the darkness that closed around him like a shroud, Aeric stood still and silent, waiting to see if anything would happen as the shadows swallowed him into its suffocating embrace.

He looked back to see if he could still see the outside, but the last remnants of the world outside had vanished, replaced by an abyss so deep that he couldn't tell if his eyes were open or closed.

'Well, isn't this slightly terrifying,' he thought. For a few moments, he could hear nothing but his own breath, sharp and tense. Then, finally and very slowly, the darkness began to recede, thinning like mist until shapes began to solidify.

Aeric narrowed his eyes. He found himself standing in a vast, echoing chamber with walls that were created from ancient stone, and patterned with dancing engravings that glistened oddly like silver.

'I guess this is the First Lobby,' Aeric thought.

He saw the rest of the team move forward carefully, studying the place.

There were strange, phosphorescent moss clung to every surface, bathing the room in an eerie, greenish glow. Pillars stretched high into a ceiling lost in shadow, giving the space an endless, foreboding feel. Here and there, cracks in the stone emitted wisps of silvery smoke, creating an otherworldly fog at ground level.

As Aeric stood there, anxiously waiting for what would happen, a soft ding rang through Aeric's mind, accompanied by the system's cold, metallic voice.

[First Quest Lobby]

[Difficulty: 10%] Explore more at empire

[Objective: Survive the first Quest Lobby. Slay all beasts within to progress.]

The objective shimmered briefly in his vision, and his heartbeat quickened. He knew this was only the beginning, and yet his hands tightened instinctively around the small blade he had brought.

Unlike being in his room back in his old world, sitting on his chair while facing the beasts without his life actually being in danger, now it was totally different. His life was dearly in danger if things went sideways inside this Dungeon.

Aeric eyed Alzera, watching her hips move and she walked around, studying the place. 'The things that must be done must be done, I guess.'

After saying that quote, he steeled himself.

"Why are you that far away, Dagwood?" Alzera's voice cut through his thoughts as she gave him a faintly unapproving look.

Aeric eyes bent, confused. "I'm sorry. I thought I was supposed to keep a safe distance."

Alzera cocked her head at his reply and turned around to fully face him and the team. "As a courier, you must know when to be close and when to be distant. None of us have our weapons and you are that far away. What do you think happens if we get ambushed."

"Oh." Aeric's head lowered as he understood. "I'm sorry. I'll do better."

He walked closer to them, carrying the bags with no strain at all which made Alzera give him a curious brow raise. However she said nothing concerning that.

"Do not be sorry," she said. "Just do better."

Aeric squeezed his lips and nodded. 'Hell's balls. I might as well give up now. She completely hates me. There's no way I'm going to be able to get her to have sex with me.'

Alzera's eyes flicked over each member with a commanding presence. "Now we stay focused. Anytime now, whatever kind of monsters this Dungeon has to offer will start attacking us. Follow your roles, and we'll get through cleanly."

One by one, they began to collect their weapons from the bags Aeric carried. The hidden prince watched as they quickly fell into their positions.

Kael, their Vanguard, took his place at the front, ready to guard the team against oncoming attacks with his broad, sturdy shield abilities. Ryn, the Striker, positioned himself just behind Kael, already brandishing his weapon, a long-handled halberd, in anticipation. Bel, the team's Support, was at the ready, holding a staff glowing with a gentle, healing light.

And Aeric? He adjusted the straps on his shoulder, preparing to play the role he'd agreed to: the Courier.

It wasn't like he didn't want to get in on the fun, anyone would. But he had to be smart here, he'd never been into a Dungeon or faced any Divine Quest. In order to know what he was getting into, he had to be smart.

Besides, his target was Alzera and her powers, not the rewards of the Gate.

Speaking of Alzera, as the Leader, she radiated an aura of command, her sword held with deadly expertise as she assessed the shadows around them. Once again, Aeric couldn't help but admire her fierce focus.

A snarl echoed from the far side of the chamber, and shadowy forms began to emerge from the edges of the lobby. Their eyes glinted in the darkness, and they moved with a sleek, dangerous agility.

Ding!

[Objective Updated: Defeat all beasts to progress]

[Beast type: Beastlings]

"Ugh, I hate Beastlings," Ryn commented, slouching his shoulders.

Beastlings — small but fast, with dagger-like claws and eyes that gleamed with animal hunger. There were around 40 or more of them, their dark, matted fur rippling as they advanced.

Aeric squeezed his face and quickly pulled out the blade, just in case he needed to defend himself against those ugly things.

"Positions!" Alzera commanded, voice steady. In seconds, the team fell into formation. Kael stepped forward, he raised both hands then pulled them to the side as flames suddenly followed them.

Then he clasped both hands together and pulled them apart. "Skill Activation: Aegis!"

This created a large dome of fire that covered them as all of the Beastlings lunged, their claws scraping against his shield with a sickening screech.

With a roar, he pushed them back, allowing Ryn to dart around the shield, halberd whirling. Ryn's weapon tore through one Beastling with a brutal efficiency, his movements almost dance-like as he maneuvered.

When one dived at him, he suddenly disappeared — poof! — into a mist of dark smoke, then appeared behind it, striking his halberd so hard, it sliced the beast in half.

Another Beastling reared back, only for Alzera to move in. Her sword blurred as she thrust it forward, impaling the creature in one clean strike. With the ease that came with expertise, she pulled her sword free, a satisfied look in her eye as the Beastling's form crumpled.

But she swung her hand alongside the pull, slicing the head of an approaching Beastling.

As Ryn and Alzera fought the beasts, Aeric saw Bel just standing there, not using her abilities to support them with a buff or a protective magic.

He walked to her. "What are you doing? Why aren't you using your Skill to support them?"

Bel looked at him and smiled amicably. "Don't worry, silly. This is just the first Lobby. Ryn might need a little buff, but Alzera is there and she has his back. That way I can save my Divinity reserves for another more difficult lobby."

Hearing that, Aeric looked at the ongoing battle with a surprised frown on his face.

"You shouldn't worry," Bel said again. "Alzera will have this Lobby cleared in a minute."

'Damn,' Aeric thought, watching her kill Beastling after Beastling. 'Is she really that strong?'

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