The entrance to the Dungeon looked familiar, in the way certain events might feel like an echo of itself. It made Daniel shake, the strange familiarity that faced him as he stared at the way in. Around him, youngsters—teenagers for the most part—laughed and joked while waiting for the pair of older guards to begin the briefing. More than one shot Daniel a questioning look, more for the quality of his armor and his friends than his age. Or so he presumed.
“You didn’t have to come,” Daniel said, for the umpteenth time.
“Know. Still here,” Asin replied, grinning around the heavily spiced meat roll she was chewing.
“Your first Dungeon delve! How could I miss it, Friend Daniel!” Omrak rumbled.
“I’ve not done the Karlak Dungeon. It should be interesting,” Lady Nyssa murmured.
Charles nodded in agreement. “Very much so.”
Daniel let his gaze dart over the group, grinning at him. Johan had wanted to come, but his role as the prince’s personal bodyguard would keep him in the capital from now on. The prince himself was no longer allowed to go gallivanting around, Adventuring as he liked. Of them all, it was perhaps Roland whose newly constricted life had suffered the most from the attack. Still, his near death had seemed to settle the prince, leaving him more at peace with his role in the royal family.
“You know, I don’t need you to watch over me in a Beginner Dungeon,” Lady Nyssa hissed at Charles.
A familiar nod. “And I will not be. I am instead gaining my rank the proper way.”
“You . . .”
Daniel chuckled a little, listening to the pair bicker. Then, his attention was drawn back, to the pair of guards readying themselves for the speech. He stepped forward, waving goodbye to his friends, watching as Asin gave him a lazy, predatory grin before he was among the crowd of low-level Adventurers.
Adventurers like him who were here to finish their very first Dungeon. To make their way via force of arms, skill, and wit towards fortune and excitement. To cleanse the world of Ba’al’s continued taint and to do their duty. To experience things.
And he, among them. Just another Adventurer now, just another hopeful fool who had a lot to learn and a lot more to experience.
Though, looking back to see his friends and the blonde elf standing with them, smiling back at him gently, Daniel had to admit: maybe had a few advantages.