19 Episode 4: To Start Over (4)

In the next moment, the scene before the group changed into that of a lush green forest. There, it could be noted that the atmosphere surrounding the area was peaceful. Far too peaceful.

"...oh? So this is a dungeon, huh?" Being one of the first to exit the portal, Derek looked around the vicinity, taking a good look at the change of scenery before him. "It doesn't look so much different to the real world."

"Although this place may seem similar to our world, this is an entirely different place." Slowly walking towards the front of the party, Toriq stopped in his place, cautiously scanning the area. "Do not be fooled. Dungeons are not to be taken lightly."

Despite the forest feeling almost identical to that of an ordinary forest, it was a far cry from the truth. This place was like no other place known to mankind. It was a world of life and death, where monsters lurked in every corner, waiting for their next prey to feast on.

"Yes, yes. We get it, Mr Toriq." Penelope nodded her head, soon taking out a staff from her inventory. "There's nothing to worry about. We will be careful. Or well, I hope so." She glanced over towards Landon soon after.

"Huh? What do you mean by that?" Feeling the stare from Penelope, the blonde-haired man frowned. "I'm just as careful as everyone else!"

"...apparently not careful enough," she scoffed, giving a side glance to Jace.

"Seriously?!" His eyes twitched. "He's trustable! Just see him in action later!"

"Yeah, sure..." Penelope sighed, soon making her way over towards Toriq and Derek who were at the front. "Enough of that. Let's just get this dungeon started already."

"..." Whilst the air around the two people grew tense, Jace was lost in thought, staring at his status window the entire time since he arrived at the dungeon. "Hmm... Will these skills even be useful here?"

Although Jace was no longer in a situation where he had to do his utmost best to avoid attention, there was still a problem that persisted even after the license exam. And that was the niche of his kit, where he only had the ability to heal or provide shields.

"...providing shields isn't too much of a problem. But, when it comes to Soul Channeler..." That was where the problem started. The main mechanic of his kit—'bonds' was completely unexplored. There were many mysteries behind it, and he was worried about what would happen when a 'link' is formed with someone. "If I use it on Landon... Would it automatically form a link with him?"

To be frank, he was reluctant to form a bond with anyone. He knew not of what it entailed. With the vagueness of [ Soul Linkage ], the link could very well mean something good or bad, beneficial or parasitic to the person linked. There were many unknown risks, and doing it on someone who he had just met a few days ago didn't sit well with him.

"Sigh... With this being my last task to fulfil all the conditions, it's pretty nerve-wracking," he frowned. "Should I avoid using it for now? Hmm... There's also the other party members that I'll need to check the requirements for, just to be safe."

Whilst deep in thought, a voice called out to him. "Hey, Lazy Eyes! Are you there?" Landon waved his hand in front of Jace. "Let's go! You won't just stand around and do nothing this time, right? Right...?"

"...well, I did mention how niche my kit is." Jace calmly replied, soon swiping his status window away. "So... The only thing I can guarantee you is that I'll be on the lookout for any problems that may occur during the dungeon run."

"Seriously...?!" Landon glared at Jace. "Can't you put your accuracy to use at least?"

"I mean, that's what I'll be doing for the most part," he shrugged. "Though... You know about my accuracy, right?"

"Yeah, it's great!" Landon nodded his head. "So, if I don't see you shooting, you're dead! Now come on, let's go. We don't wanna be left behind!"

"Wait... No, I mean it's terrible..." Letting out a helpless sigh, Jace began to follow after Landon, who was hastily making his way over towards the rest of the group.

...

Within the lush green forest, a small group of hunters could be spotted engaged in a battle against a pack of monsters surrounding them in an encirclement. There, at the front of the group, an old man could be seen grabbing the attention of the flower-like creatures.

"Over here!" Toriq shouted out, crossing his arms as he directly took the impact of the sharp razor leaves that were sent over towards him. Though, despite taking the attack, not a single wound could be seen on him. "Hmph... This is nothing."

From behind the old man, a brown-haired man holding onto a spear lunged forward, directly piercing through the body of the dandelion flower monster the next second.

"Landon, now!" Derek cried out, using all his strength to catapult the monster straight to the blonde-haired man. "Shoot!"

"Got it!" Pointing his two pistols at the flying monster, he shot out two bullets towards it. However, right at that moment, the bullets flew past the helpless flower, causing it to fall face flat on the ground. "...a-ack...! I missed?!"

"Leave it to me." Jumping in front of Landon, Penelope began to chant out a spell, soon flickering out a fireball to the monster, burning it to a crisp the next moment.

"Tch... Dammit. Bad accuracy again!" Landon furrowed his brows. "Ugh... It was this close too."

"Don't worry about it, Landon!" Derek shouted out from the front. "Just focus on the battle and do something! There are a lot more monsters here than I thought!"

"Yeah, do something," Penelope replied, soon turning her head over towards the direction of Jace who was seemingly standing still. "Unlike that guy over there."

By the distance, Jace could be spotted in a focus-like state as he shot out a single bullet over towards a monster before him. As the bullet struck the plant-like creature, it could be noted that there was not a single dent on it. The monster casually shrugged off his attack, continuing about its day as if it had never taken damage.

"What? He's also doing something, you know!" Landon defended. "He's not missing his shots like me! I told you, his accuracy is great!"

"...and that's all he seems to be worth," she scoffed, turning around to face the rest of the monsters. "I haven't seen him use a single skill. So much for a Synergist..."

"Penelope!" As he was about to refute the woman, he was suddenly interrupted by a loud roar.

"L-Landon, watch out!" Derek cried out.

"...huh?" Turning his head over towards the direction of the sound, he noted that a rapidly spinning blade was flying straight to his face. "W-What...?!"

"Master Landon!" Toriq screamed.

"T-This...!" Being caught off guard by the sudden attack, Landon was unable to react in time. However, right at that moment, a sudden bullet shot out, piercing through the spinning leaf blade and sending it elsewhere. "...!"

"...try not to get distracted." Shifting his attention towards the direction of the bullet, Landon saw that it was Jace who had nullified the attack for him. "If it was any later, I wouldn't have been able to save you."

"A-Ahem," he coughed. "Thanks, Lazy Eyes!"

"Master Landon, be careful. I told you this didn't I?" Toriq furrowed his brows.

"S-Sorry..."

"H-Hey, guys... A little help over here...?" As the situation was resolved without issue, Derek, who was busy fighting off the monsters at the frontlines cried out. "I can't hold them back any longer, you know!"