"First of all, based on what we've gathered, humans shouldn't go outside when it's raining. Otherwise, they'll easily turn into monsters. It also looks like getting rained on will cause strange pimples to grow." Frank spoke slowly.
As soon as the dungeon countdown began, Frank gathered everyone to discuss this new dungeon.
He looked grave. "Besides that, we have no other leads. The previous group didn't even investigate the village. It seems that by the second day, they were all mentally affected. The pollution effect of the rain is stronger than we expected."
Then, Frank swept his gaze over everyone. Before he could say anything, Drake raised his hand. "I want to enter this dungeon."
"Then we're going too!" Ron and Fiona quickly followed.
Drake glared at them and said coldly, "You two just got out of a dungeon. Don't go looking for trouble."
"But didn't you also just get out of a dungeon...?" Fiona pouted, clearly unhappy with her captain's decision.
But Drake gave them no chance to argue. He raised his hand and spoke in an icy tone, "We are not the same. You two are too weak."
Ron and Fiona: "..." Even though they knew their captain didn't want them to take unnecessary risks, it was still frustrating to hear.
Seeing their expressions, Drake could only hope they'd train harder.
Frank looked at Drake and said, "Honestly, I think you should rest too, Drake."
Drake frowned and waved him off. "Do you think a high-level Esper like me wouldn't recover after resting for over two days? Besides, if I enter the dungeon, the chances of summoning the Prophet will be higher!"
Of course, Drake would never admit that he wanted to see the Prophet again. That final move from the Prophet that day had truly shaken him! Not to mention, he was a believer chosen by the Prophet, yet his prayers had gone unanswered these past few days. That fact alone annoyed him to no end.
That's right—Drake had prayed to the Prophet, the stupidest thing he had ever done, something he thought he would never resort to.
"I'm going into the dungeon too."
At that moment, Silas's voice suddenly rang out.
Drake immediately frowned and looked at him. Silas, unfazed, said calmly, "No one can be certain if you'll summon the Prophet. Don't risk dying just because you refuse to use your brain."
"Hah." Drake was so furious he laughed. He was just about ready to pounce on Silas for a fight, but despite Drake's menacing expression, Silas remained eerily composed. That's right—his eyes were still closed. He probably wasn't even aware of how terrifying Drake's expression was. The veins on Drake's forehead pulsed violently. He wished he could teach Silas a lesson right then and there.
Mr. Adonis's deep voice suddenly cut through the tension at that moment.
"Enough arguing. Silas and Drake will each lead a team for this dungeon. Gather your members and head to the location. We don't have much time left."
Frank couldn't help but glance at Mr. Adonis. "Are you planning to crush humanity's last hope?" He even felt that sending Cocona along with Drake would've been a better idea.
Mr. Adonis said nothing. The moment he finished speaking, Silas lowered his head in acknowledgment before leaving. Drake sneered coldly, saying nothing as he also turned and walked away.
At this moment, both of them carried items that ensured the dungeon would choose them.
This dungeon was perilous. Naturally, the stronger individuals who entered, the greater the chances of closing it.
The sky above the dungeon-covered area was shrouded in swirling black clouds, so heavy it seemed they might collapse at any moment.
Drake could even see some ordinary people clinging desperately to the edge of the dungeon's boundary, their eyes filled with despair and fear—those who hadn't managed to escape in time. Upon seeing Drake's group, their eyes lit up with newfound hope.
They were hoping Drake's team would be able to close the dungeon and save them from their fate. The strongest Espers were destined to become humanity's heroes from the moment they stood there.
Drake clicked his tongue and said, "Key members, go in first. Stay close together to ensure selection."
"Follow Drake's orders. From now on, there's no distinction between Team 1 and Team 2," Silas suddenly spoke. The others took the lead and stepped into the dungeon's boundary.
This time, the participants were all Silas's team members, so they naturally followed his command.
Drake clicked his tongue again, but Silas didn't glance at him. He said, "Let's go."
When those words left his lips, they both stepped into the dungeon together—just as the bright red countdown timer hit zero!
[Dungeon 'Frog' confirmed open!]
Countless beams of light appeared beneath the feet of those chosen within. A new battle had begun...
Damian, a high-ranking devotee of the Archangel Michael, had entered Dungeon [Frog] as a volunteer Esper, determined to close it as soon as possible.
"Looks like I'm the first one here," Damian murmured.
Just then, beams of light flashed, and the others arrived.
There were eight people, including Damian, but his attention was immediately drawn to two of them.
One had golden hair as radiant as sunlight and deep blue eyes like the ocean—though his face was twisted in apparent irritation. The other kept his eyes shut, his slightly long black hair almost covering his forehead and eyes. Both of them had extreme and well-proportioned builds.
It didn't take Damian long to recognize them—this was Captain Drake and Captain Silas!
They would be closing this dungeon in one go!
"Damn it, I can't believe I got chosen for this cursed dungeon!" A loud voice suddenly rang out.
Damian turned to see a stranger—a rogue, possibly even a black Esper.
Beside him stood a young woman, her face equally twisted in frustration. It was clear neither of them wanted to be here.
"Oh? I can send you off right now if you're upset about it. That way, you won't have to deal with the monsters, huh?"
Drake turned his gaze toward the man who had just spoken. A blade suddenly appeared in his hand, its tip aimed directly at the man's face as he flashed an exaggerated grin.
"C-Captain Drake..." The man finally seemed to register the others around him. He instinctively shrank back, trembling, not daring to utter another word.
Drake knew this man—an unscrupulous black Esper. He hadn't committed any major crimes, but his character was rotten.
At that moment, Silas's voice suddenly rang out.
"Kid, why are you here?"
Everyone seemed to snap awake, their faces turning to shock.
They had all seen the live broadcast earlier. They knew there would be rain. They knew a child would lead them to the village. But the moment they entered this place, it was as if all that information had been wiped from their minds.
Good thing Silas was here!
A few people turned their gazes toward Silas, admiration flickering.
[The strongest are those who have both power and intellect! Who is humanity's greatest hero? None other than Silas!]
[Some people need to stop deluding themselves. Regarding hero rankings, Drake is the strongest hero among humans. Stop downplaying his strength to hype up your favorite. It's pathetic, hahaha.]
[But you can't deny that they might've already walked straight into the rain without Silas.]
[So what? I'm sure Drake already noticed the kid, too. Besides, Drake is already half a monster—do you think a few raindrops would affect him? Only the weak have to worry about things like that. That's why Drake is the strongest, hahaha.]
Silvanus stared blankly at the chaotic fan war unfolding in the comments. Even after coming this far, he still had to witness this nonsense.
In his past life... his past life...
"Wait, what was my past life like?"
Silvanus murmured to himself, not realizing his eyes were filled with panic, cold sweat running down his spine.
"System, am I forgetting everything? Why can't I remember anything?!"