I wake up to the sound of my phone blowing up.
[50+ new messages]
I groan, still half-asleep, and grope around for my phone. Who the hell is bothering me this early?
---
>Mr. Cranky
- The meeting starts in 30 minutes
- Why aren't you replying?
- Did you change your mind?
- Hello?????
- ????
- Where are you???
- THE MEETING STARTS IN 5 MINUTES
---
I can practically feel the panic in each message. I blink, then blink again.
Three minutes. I have three minutes before I'm late.
I launch myself off the couch, sprint to my room, and dig through my closet for anything even remotely wearable. I pull on the first half-decent outfit I find and make a pitiful attempt at brushing my hair before giving up and chucking the brush across the room.
Knowing I'll get a full lecture if I'm even a second late, I skip the long route and go straight to Plan B: teleportation.
Blue light flickers to life around me as my surroundings begin to warp. The sight makes my stomach lurch, and then—
I'm suddenly standing in front of my secretary, who's still frantically tapping away on his phone, completely unaware I've arrived.
"I'm here," I say, out of breath.
"FINA—" He spins around. "Why do you look like that?"
I shoot him a glare. He wisely shuts his mouth.
"Just lead the way."
We walk down the hall in silence until we reach the meeting room. I tap my keycard, and the door slides open.
"I apologize for my tardiness," I say as I slide into a seat.
"It's fine. The meeting hasn't started yet," says the raid captain, offering me a drink.
"Thanks," I reply, taking a sip. The coolness helps chase away the lingering nausea.
As the clock ticked 3, the official arrives.
"Ahem." He clears his throat. "Now that we're all here, let's begin." He drops a stack of papers on the table. "Since we've already selected a raid captain and vice captain..."
He gestures toward two individuals.
Both stand and walk to the front.
"The majority of the vote went to Thorne as your captain."
Thornebreaker, a seasoned tank with countless dungeon raids under his belt. He gives a respectful bow.
"Thank you for this opportunity. I won't let the team down." His aura gives you a sense of safety.
"And for vice captain," the official continues, turning to the other.
"I'm Riven Sylas. I'll be your vice captain," he says.
The Sword Saint. He once defeated me during the hunter exams. He is someone who wields a blade like it's a part of his soul.
And though something I would never admit, he has the same amount if not more control over his chosen weapon than I do with mana.
"If anyone has complaints, now's the time." The official scans the room. No one speaks.
"Alright then. Let's officially begin."
The screen lights up behind him.
---
[Sealed Dungeon 2]
- Dungeon Difficulty: S
- Entry Limit: none
- Dungeon Type: N/A
- Dungeon Break Time: 1 week & 6 days
---
"We haven't opened the dungeon yet, but something appeared that might be related." He clicks to the next slide: a photo of a massive clam in the middle of the ocean.
He clicks again, this time to a video.
---
*"A large clam has appeared on the west-side beach, approximately 365 kilometers offshore."*
*"Flying-type monsters have been observed circling the shell."*
---
He pauses the video.
"We're preparing a subjugation team to investigate the shell." He continues "As we think the key is inside that shell."
I tap my finger against the table, thinking. "Can I go?"
Riven turns toward me. "Why?"
I shrug. "Because."
The official clears his throat. "Preparations will be made for you to join the subjugation team tomorrow. Now let us talk about the possible strategies and what you may face inside the dungeon."
The meeting ends shortly after.
As I walk down the hallway, I hear someone sprinting up behind me. I turn reflexively and send them flying.
"Ugh…" a groan.
The hair on the back of my neck stands up. Oh no.
She gets up with unnatural speed. "ZEYRA!"
I don't wait. I bolt.
"ZEYRAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" she screams, chasing after me. I slow down seeing the door in front of me.
And without wasting a beat she grabs my arm, forcing me to stop.
"Ugh, I already said no!" I snap, glaring at her.
"Aww, come on! I promised you the best treatment!" She bats her eyelashes.
I feel myself cringing and push her face away. "No! Final answer! Let go!"
She doesn't.
"Come onnnn, we're one of the top guilds! We're offering you executive-level benefits!"
I sigh, massaging my temples. "I like freedom, okay?!"
"And I'm offering you all the freedom you want!" she insists. "Think of it as… a partnership! That's right! A partnership!"
I sigh already knowing reason won't work with her.
"I said no. Next time you follow me, I'm filing a restraining order."
She gasps dramatically, and I do the only thing left to escape.
[Teleport]
My vision distorts. Her voice fades and the pressure on my arm slowly disappears.
I reappear back home, then collapse onto the floor, dazed.
I stumble to the kitchen, grab a glass of water, and chug it before slamming it down on the counter.
"This is why I hate going outside," I mutter, closing the curtains and heading straight to bed.
Once I flop down, I open my status window.
---
[ Status Window ]
> Name: Zeyra Virewyn
> Age: 24
> Class: Mage
> Rank: S
>
> Titles: Extraordinary Mage, First Explorer, Analyst, Elementalist...
>
> Stats:
> - Physical: 56
> - Agility: 50
> - Mental: 98
> - Stamina: 101
> - Mana: 118
---
"I should've gotten extra mental points for that," I mutter, scrolling to the market tab.
---
[Minor Mana Draught]
> Restores a small amount of mana—just enough for a few low-tier spells or to stabilize mana exhaustion.
Price: 100 gold
---
I scroll down further until I find what I'm looking for:
---
[The Sight of Threads]
> A rare sensory ability, that allows its wielder to hear and feel the reverberations of mana like air. Making mana easier to detect.
12000 gold
---
I purchase it immediately. I'll need it for my research... once I actually have free time.
The next morning I wake up earlier than I usually do and head downstairs, I notice the association already sent a driver. I greet him and slide into the car only to find my gloomy secretary already inside.
"Morning," I say.
"Morning..." he replies, sounding like he hasn't slept in a week.
We ride in silence as the scenery blurs by. I yawn. My secretary, noticing, offers me a coffee candy. I take it gratefully.
We arrive at the beach. The breeze hits me the moment I step out cool, salty, and oddly calming. For a moment, the world feels still.
"Hey!" I greet the official standing nearby.
"Nice to meet you, Ms. Zeyra. I'm Paul." He extends a hand, and I shake it.
He leads me over to a group gathered by the tent. "This will be your team for the subjugation."