Mist clung to the ridgeline. The sun was rising, but its light bent oddly around the dungeon's edge—like it refused to touch the place directly.
Boots struck soil in rhythm. No drums. No banners. Only steel and breath.
Ysarre Veln walked at the front, armor quiet despite its make. The Arcblade at her hip gave off a low hum, a slow-throbbing light with each step. She said nothing.
Behind her, the three Level 6 adventurers moved in triangle formation—Dorek Emberveil with a blackened axe across his back, Maera Linth walking beside crackling rods, and Iven Drost already tasting the wind for rot.
The Ironthorn Knights brought up the rear—twenty-four in total, visors down, tower shields linked in pairs. Ser Brennov barked quiet commands as they formed perimeter protocol around the forward team.
Their path curved down into silence. No scouts. Just the sound of the living heading into something that shouldn't be.
The dungeon appears front of them
---
[War Room – Prince, Ferrow, Guildmaster Hale]
The war room was quieter now, the buzz of officers and aides gone. Only three remained: Crown Prince Caelen, Lucan Ferrow, and Guildmaster Hale.
The dungeon map lay half-covered. Caelen had pushed it aside in favor of a sealed document from the Adventurer Association—its seal marked in silver wax with a twelve-spoked emblem.
"You received this last night?"
—Crown Prince Caelen
"Delivered by hand. From Guild HQ in Firstspire."
—Guildmaster Hale
He broke the seal and passed the contents to Caelen. Ferrow leaned slightly forward, reading without comment.
"They're convening a high council. Two weeks from now. Level advancement review. Select Level 7s and national representatives will attend."
—Guildmaster Hale
Caelen's fingers tapped once on the edge of the table.
"Full advancement level?"
—Crown Prince Caelen
"Not quite. Just a review of potential candidates and an achievement audit. With how unstable the past year's been, the Guild wants to re-evaluate whether current rankholders still merit the designation… and whether anyone is close to pushing toward Level 8."
—Guildmaster Hale
Ferrow raised an eyebrow faintly.
"That's rare. Advancement votes are usually done in quiet."
—Lucan Ferrow
"Not this time. The Guild's nervous. Too many Level 7s have gone independent—or missing. They want to solidify authority while they still can."
—Guildmaster Hale
Caelen folded the letter shut, eyes steady.
"Who holds voting rights for advancement?"
—Crown Prince Caelen
"Still the same tri-mark system: the Adventurer Guild's Grand Committee, one royal seat per kingdom, and a single vote from the Level 9 circle."
—Guildmaster Hale
"And how many candidates?"
—Lucan Ferrow
"Five, rumored. Two from the Eastern Territories. One mercenary. One from the Flame Reach. One ghost—I haven't seen her in years."
—Guildmaster Hale
Caelen considered that in silence.
"I'll send a delegation. But I want our nominee on the list. One who's actually earned it."
—Crown Prince Caelen
Hale gave a small, tired smile.
"Then he or she better have achievements that make the others look like side quests."
—Guildmaster Hale
The dungeon report was pushed aside. Caelen leaned forward, pen in hand, while Hale unfurled a large parchment with seven names in ink—each one bearing the crest of national registry under the Adventurer Association.
"These are the seven active Level 7s within our kingdom. All recognized by the Association. No recent black marks. Not all of them are contenders… but these are your options."
—Guildmaster Hale
He laid the sheet flat on the table, pointing to each name in turn.
---
1. Ysarre Veln – Arcblade Warden
Status: Active, present at Hollowspire raid
Achievement: Slaying the Glass Hydra of Breven's Hollow, leading a five-day siege in Ashfen Marsh
Previous cleared dungeon:5 level 7 dungeon,
16 level 6 dungeon,30 level 5 dungeon
Strengths: Leadership, consistent dungeon record, battlefield control
Weaknesses: Poor political alignment, avoids advancement talks
---
2. Sarek Dunwolfe – Nullcaster, Wandering Scholar
Achievement: Sealing the Rift Spiral in Low Thorne; documented over 130 unstable anomalies
Previous cleared dungeon:3 level 7 dungeon,17 level 6 dungeon,22 level 5 dungeon
Strengths: Theory, warding, dimensional expertise
Weaknesses: Avoids military involvement, nomadic
---
3. Veyla Rom – Bloodshadow, Assassin-Specialist
Achievement: Eliminated three warlords in the Western Uprisings under royal contract before they usurped the throne.Not focused on clearing dungeons, more into bandit exterminating mission.
Previous cleared dungeon:1 level 7 dungeon,4 level 6 dungeon,11 level 5 dungeon
Strengths: Solo operations, confirmed anti-leader strikes
Weaknesses: Public image unsuitable for advancement
---
4. Harven Rooke – Steelbrand Vanguard
Achievement: Defended Hollowgate from two consecutive incursions; frontline legend
Previous cleared dungeon:5 level 7 dungeon,42 level 6 dungeon,13 level 5 dungeon
Strengths: Morale symbol, highly visible, knight-favored
Weaknesses: Lacks multi-field achievements; overly reliant on brute tactics
---
5. Mirian Cauldrake – Chrono-Alchemist
Achievement: Built time-delayed spell bombs used in Vaestmoor, reversed localized mana-collapse.Specialized in unstable and collapsing dungeon
Previous cleared dungeon:4 level 7 dungeon,7 level 6 dungeon,18 level 5 dungeon
Strengths: Invention, arcane innovation
Weaknesses: Poor combat record, often works via proxies
---
6. Tenrin Volsh – Storm-Rider of the Northern Ranges
Achievement: Repelled frost titan invasion with minimal casualties; mobile assault leader
Previous cleared dungeon:2 level 8 dungeon,14 level 7 dungeon,38 level 6 dungeon,60 level 5 dungeon
Strengths: Tactical movement, weather control, monster clearance
Weaknesses: Operates solo or with locals; never leads structured teams
---
7. Caed Thorne – Gloomblade Warlock
Achievement: Purged six corrupted demesnes; sealed the Ashvault Curse dungeon
Previous cleared dungeon:1 level 7 dungeon,6 level 6 dungeon,17 level 5 dungeon
Strengths: Dark-magic control, cursebreaker of renown
Weaknesses: Questionable affiliations, under magical surveillance