16 – Entering the Dungeon
"We don't exist to get rich in dungeons; we exist to protect those who cannot protect themselves. Do you understand?"
Alex was witnessing the difference between reality and fiction. In the stories he had read and in anime, such moments were rarely shown, and when they were, they were presented artificially, usually in the form of statistics.
The four entered the tent of the platoon leader. The man was robust, with an age estimated to be around forty.
"Sword Saint, the General informed me of your arrival. I'm glad to have you here to handle the situation."
"Leader Morar, as always, it is a pleasure to work with you. I would like to know the current status of the situation."
Arnaldo, the mission leader, greeted the platoon leader and the members operating the command post with appropriate decorum.
"Reporting the status of the mission: among the civilians, we have 28 dead and 50 injured. We lost two affiliated hunters and four military personnel."
With a straight posture and solemn voice, the leader continued his report.
"All the monsters that left the dungeon were killed in a joint effort between the hunters and the military. Now, according to the experts' calculations, the next wave is expected in two hours. The assessment of the destroyed and damaged structures is still being compiled."
Arnaldo received a report displayed on a tablet showing the surrounding area.
"What's in this building?"
Arnaldo pointed to a building that appeared partially destroyed.
"It doesn't seem like these damages were caused by monsters."
Alex looked at the debris but was unable to notice the difference Arnaldo had pointed out. The same was true for the military personnel.
"Judging by the damage in this specific location, it's evident that it was caused by a hunter."
Joana pointed out a marking among the wreckage. Felix received a tablet and contributed his analysis.
"Look at the corpses of these monsters. The traces of blood don't match the injuries. It seems someone deliberately placed them there after killing them."
"What happened here, and what is this building used for?"
Arnaldo asked, frowning, while Felix quickly researched and provided an answer.
"The building is entirely occupied by the Galaxy Aiz branch."
Joana continued with the explanation.
"Galaxy Aiz is a cryogenics company. It has been operating in conjunction with the region's pharmaceutical industries for ten years. This branch has only been active for ten years."
Felix picked up where Joana left off without breaking the flow of the conversation.
"With the emergence of new medical classes, the pharmaceutical industry has been expanding rapidly lately. For those who can afford it, organ transplants and limb regeneration can be performed in a matter of hours."
"And what does this have to do with Galaxy Aiz?"
Arnaldo asked curiously. Joana decided to respond.
"The researchers are looking for a cure for death, and when this news became public, cryogenics companies became very popular."
"Do people really believe there could be a cure for death?"
Alex asked, expressing disbelief.
"Initially, no. Only the rich requested these services, but now even hunters believe they might come back to life one day."
"Let's take a look at this Galaxy Aiz branch. Anyway, we have about two hours before the next wave arrives. Platoon Leader, could you come with us?"
"Of course, sir."
The four-person team of the Sword Saint was accompanied by five armed soldiers to the building, which was a two-minute walk from the provisional base.
The soldiers cleared the way, not allowing the employees to stop them.
"Gentlemen, this is private property. You can't just enter like this without a warrant."
An obese man wearing a white lab coat approached, trying to stop the delegation. Joana briefly looked at the man. His name was embroidered on his right pocket.
"Mr. Quelone, are you the person in charge here?"
She showed her identification card and continued speaking.
"We are from the Hunters' Association, and we are here to investigate the dungeon breach that occurred in this block. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation."
"What does the breach have to do with us? Wouldn't it be a problem for the guilds and the Association itself, since you are evading it?"
Joana approached the Sword Saint and whispered.
"It seems he's hiding something."
From the moment the man appeared, Joana had paid attention to everything about him: how he moved, spoke, breathed, and even the movements of his fingers and eyes.
"I apparently see no irregularities. Felix, now it's your turn."
Felix smiled slightly, snapped his fingers, moved to the nearest computer, and began typing at a surprising speed.
"You can't do this! The Association is interfering with our business? We'll file a lawsuit against you!"
As he spoke, the obese man tried to stop Felix from carrying out his activity, but when he saw the soldiers' weapons aimed at him, he restrained himself, gritting his teeth.
"You make so much money but don't invest in your encryption. Even a child can hack your system. How lamentable."
Felix seemed quite disappointed as he spoke. When several screens opened, he continued without caring about the surprised expression on the obese man's face, who looked at him as if he were a monster.
"They don't even pay taxes. What kind of criminals are you?"
"What did you find?"
"Saint, I think you'll want to see this. The financial data doesn't match, and the records are all messed up. Let me organize them for better clarity."
Alex was genuinely surprised by the speed at which Felix typed. It seemed that his Dexterity was far greater than his own. And what about his Agility?
"It can't be..."
Felix said, disgusted.
"What is it?"
Joana and Arnaldo asked at the same time, and even Alex was stunned by the revelation.
"They have been smuggling the bodies of deceased hunters under the pretext of preserving them for future revival. Not only do they keep the membership fees, but they also sell the bodies while continuing to receive payment for their preservation."
Seeing the signal given by Arnaldo, the squad leader used his intercom to call more of his men.
"You're lying. We haven't done this. Our services here are legal and certified by the government and the pharmaceutical authority."
Hearing Felix's words, the obese man panicked and began to retreat, speaking in a trembling voice.
"Squad Leader, detain all employees here. Joana, you have one hour to conduct interrogations. Find out whatever you can. Felix, show me the building layout and report the situation to the General. Alex, you're coming with me. Let's check the cryogenics cameras."
"Yes, sir."
Everyone received their orders and acted accordingly. Alex followed Arnaldo to check the cryogenics cameras, and what they found there left them speechless.
Eighty percent of the cameras had already been accessed, and the hunters' bodies had already been sold, leaving only a few bodies of ordinary people. Arnaldo was able to detect necromantic activity.
"Damn necromancers."
Arnaldo grabbed the intercom and issued orders to lock the place down. No one could enter or leave without his command.
After an hour, Felix and Joana had uncovered almost the entire operation and reported everything to both the General and the investigators who had taken over the case. There were only about forty minutes left until the next wave.
Ordinary people could not enter the dungeons, which was why hunters were so valuable to the State and the guilds. Without hunters, it would be necessary to wait until the monsters left the dungeons before they could be killed with modern weaponry.
It would also be impossible for the world to benefit from materials that could only be obtained inside the dungeons.
"This must be your second time in a dungeon, isn't it, Your Majesty?"
Alex nodded slightly at Felix's question.
"It's also my second time. Don't look at me like that. My class is Technology Genius. What could I do inside a dungeon?"
The four of them stood in front of a gigantic gate radiating intense energy. Ordinary people could not approach it, as the radiation would kill them in a short time. Only hunters could withstand this energy, which was hostile to humans.
"Let's go in."
The three followed Arnaldo's steps into the dungeon, and once inside, a vision of a devastated forest unfolded before them. The sky was filled with dark clouds.
Immediately, they were surrounded by several green-skinned orc warriors. They wore loincloths, had long tusks, and their skin was marked with black patterns. Their eyes appeared red, symbolizing their furious state.
At the command of the Sword Saint, everyone took their positions: Arnaldo and Joana at the front of the attack, Alex and Felix covering the rear.
Felix did not have a combat class, but he had his own way of fighting and staying safe if necessary. Two platinum spheres were taken from his inventory, floating and transforming into two platinum robots.
"Your Majesty, meet Platinum 1 and Platinum 2. I built them myself."
Felix grabbed a PS controller and proudly showed his robots to Alex.