"This is so exciting, we finally get to go on a raid together again!" Grinned Aria, as I stifled a yawn.

"Yeah, it's our first time working together as official Hunters," I smiled in response.

Today's the 10th of June, 2169, around 10 AM.

I was currently heading to the Dungeon I'd signed up for, along with the rest of the party.

We'd met up at the Guild about an hour ago, and it was a bit tense. It wasn't just Keira, the Detector assigned to this party also looked pretty displeased at the inclusion of me and Damien in the party.

She was pretty much ignoring us, which I guess is fine. Keira, on the other hand, had been giving me the stink eye the whole time, with occasional glares aimed at Damien too, though she hasn't said anything yet, at least.

On the bright side, the rest all seem fine.

The Ice Mage was polite and friendly, and same with the Healer too. I still can't help but feel wary of Keira though, having my back turned to her just doesn't seem safe.

At least Damien gets to be behind her since he's at the back line.

"There it is, we've almost arrived. Get yourselves ready, everyone, the raid will commence soon!" Kelsey instructed us, as the Dungeon came into sight.

Damn, that's tall.

This Dungeon's supposed to have seventy-one floors, while is a good bit taller than any of the Dungeons I've raided before. I wonder what kind of Monsters will be in it?

Not to mention the terrain, I'd be fine with anything besides a swamp-type or desert-type Dungeon.

Well, guess I'll find out soon enough.

As we arrived by the entrance of the Dungeon, the van transporting us came to a stop, before we all got out of the vehicle.

I began stretching as I stepped onto the sandy ground, the area surrounded by rundown buildings.

"Man, that's a lot of floors...this is going to be a long raid. But once it's over, it'll be nothing but a memory, fading into the past...just like life," Sighed Damien, as he stared up at the Dungeon.

"Tch, why'd we have to get stuck with a freak like him? Not to mention-...," Began Keira as she started to turn her gaze towards me.

"I thought we talked about this. Just keep quiet and do your part in the raid, don't antagonize anyone," Kelsey interrupted her with a frown.

"Uh, about that...I have a small request. I'd prefer it if she didn't back me up at all in there. I just can't shake the feeling that, you know...her hand might 'slip' and I end up getting blasted in the back," I chimed in.

I just haven't been able to shake this concern, and I don't want it distracting me in the Dungeon, so might as well address it.

"Yeah, I've been really worried about that too," Aria nodded in agreement, before narrowing her eyes at Keira, who muttered something under her breath as she averted her gaze.

"See what I mean? You've got people genuinely convinced that you'll attempt to murder someone, is that really the impression you want to make?" Huffed Kelsey.

"No...," Muttered Keira sullenly.

"I suppose I have no choice but to tweak the formation a bit. Kaivel isn't going to be able to fight at his best if he's constantly worried and looking over his shoulder for attacks from you.

The front line will stay the same, I'll be in the middle, Ariella to the left and Kaivel to the right. But for the middle line, Keira, you'll be shifting a bit further to the left, you'll focus on backing up Ariella and I," Remarked Kelsey, before adding as she glanced at the Ice Mage, "And I'd like you to primarily focus on backing up Kaivel."

"Sure, leave it to me, Captain."

"Also, I'd prefer it if you just called me Kai, I-...," I began.

"Huh?! Are you fucking hitting on my girlfriend, you fucking creep?!" Snapped Keira furiously.

"No, I just don't like my full first name all that much, so I prefer to go by Kai. That goes for everyone...well, except you, I'd prefer it if you didn't address me at all," I responded icily.

"Tch, the feeling's mutual, prick."

"That's enough. You're overreacting over nothing, Keira, just calm down already," Sighed Kelsey, an exasperated look on her face.

"But he-...!" She began, before trailing off as Kelsey glared at her.

Yeah, this bodes real well.

"Let's...let's just get started already," Muttered Kelsey, taking a deep breath and letting out a strained exhale.

She led the way as we headed for the entrance of the Dungeon, stepping through the shimmering doorway, our surroundings changing as we entered.

"Hey, this is pretty nice. It's a grassland-type Dungeon, right?" I remarked as I looked around, a wide, grassy stretch ahead of us, the temperature pleasantly cool.

"Yes, also known as grass plains, arguably the easiest type of terrain to traverse through. That's no reason to get complacent though, make sure to keep your guard up," Responded Kelsey, as we began heading forward.

Mhm, that goes without saying. This is my first High Level raid, after all. Gotta stay focused and locked in, it's also my first raid as a Guild Hunter, don't want to screw it up.

"Hm? Hey, three Monsters up ahead, seventy-five meters, all Mid Levels!" Called out the Detector.

Oh? Being able to discern a Monster's Threat Level through Detection Magic is pretty advanced, she must be a highly skilled Detector.

"Got it!" Responded Kelsey, before adding as she glanced between Aria and I, "Sounds like we'll each take on one, should be a nice warm-up. Ariella, you and I will each draw one of the Monsters to us with Taunt. Kaive-...sorry, Kai, you deal with the third one."

"Sure, leave it to me," I nodded, as Aria gave her a thumbs up.

As we continuing making our way forward, the Monsters soon came into sight. They narrowed their eyes and growled threateningly as they noticed us.

They were humanoid creatures with scaly red skin, they had black wings on their backs and long, narrow black tails.

The whites of their eyes were black, they had scaly bald heads, and their claws and fangs were jet-black and gleaming ominously.

They kinda look like...

"Lesser Demons...looks like we're facing a Demon Dungeon," Remarked Kelsey with a grimace.

Demons...then, the Dungeon Boss is likely to be a Greater Demon, like the one I got Desecrator from.

Alright, then...I've gotten a lot stronger since then, so let's see how this goes...

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