The team entered the dungeon at a steady pace, the air growing colder as they disappeared into the linear gate. Liana stayed at the entrance for a moment longer, ensuring the team moved safely into the dungeon's depths. Her eyes swept over the layout displayed on her tablet. She nodded to herself, confident in their ability to handle the incoming threats.
Once she was satisfied, she turned and left the dungeon, heading back to the guild headquarters to deliver her report to the Guild Master, Toren.
********
Liana arrived at the Vanguard Haven Guild's main hall, a sleek, futuristic building that stood out among the older structures of the city. The guild had a reputation for taking on high-risk, high-reward dungeons, and its resources reflected that—backed by the powerful organization that sponsored them, they had access to cutting-edge technology.
As she entered the Guild Master's office, the cool, metallic sheen of the room gave off a professional and efficient atmosphere. Guild Master Toren sat behind a large desk, his sharp eyes scanning through several mission reports. He was a tall, imposing figure with dark hair peppered with gray and a presence that demanded respect.
Liana approached, giving a respectful nod. "Guild Master."
Toren looked up from his reports, his gaze settling on Liana with keen interest. "Liana. How did the team perform in the dungeon?"
"They've entered the Linear Gate as planned," she began, handing him her tablet with a detailed map of the dungeon. "It's a straightforward layout, and the enemies are numerous but manageable. I have no doubt they'll handle it."
Toren nodded but didn't look entirely surprised. "Good. I expected as much. But I imagine there's more?"
Liana's expression shifted slightly, a glint of something deeper in her eyes. "Yes, Guild Master. The Infernal Nexus mission was completed earlier than expected."Toren raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Earlier? That's impressive. I assume you're going to show me why."
"Indeed," Liana said, tapping a few buttons on her tablet. A large screen on the wall behind Toren lit up, displaying footage from the Infernal Nexus.
They were able to capture footage thanks to the advanced tech provided by the organization. These devices adapt to the mana wavelengths within the gates, allowing the users to record their performance.
Toren leaned back in his chair as the footage played. The screen showed the team in action—Astron issuing commands with precision, Dorian and Elena working in perfect tandem to strike at the Fire Spirit's weak points, as well as the coordination of the entire squad.
The footage highlighted Astron's critical moment when he unleashed his seven green arrows, each one striking with impeccable accuracy as they followed the trails of mana threads he had laid down earlier. The scene captured the controlled chaos of the battle, with Astron directing the fight in a way that was both methodical and devastatingly effective.
Toren watched the footage closely, his keen eyes narrowing as Astron's performance played out on the screen. He had expected to see the typical hallmarks of an exceptional Hunter candidate from the Arcadia Hunter Academy—overwhelming strength, raw power, or sheer aggression. Yet, what he witnessed was far from the usual spectacle of brute force. It was something else entirely.
"This…" he murmured, leaning forward slightly in his chair, eyes fixed on the screen. Astron's seven green arrows were precise, but it wasn't the physical feat that caught Toren's attention—it was the strategy behind it. Every arrow, every movement, and every command was calculated as part of a larger plan that orchestrated the entire battlefield like a well-oiled machine. The Fire Spirit, a formidable opponent in its own right, was systematically dismantled, not by overwhelming power, but by meticulous planning and flawless execution.
Toren's expression shifted, a mixture of intrigue and respect. "I had expected overwhelming strength—something explosive, something that would display raw power and dominance." He spoke softly, more to himself than to Liana, his voice tinged with surprise. "But this... this is different. This is profound."
He sat back, folding his arms as the footage continued, showing Astron directing his teammates with an unshakable calm. Every command was issued with precision, guiding them through the chaotic environment of the Infernal Nexus. It was clear that Astron's strength didn't come from overpowering his enemies alone. It came from understanding the flow of battle in a way that left no room for error. There was no waste of movement, no unnecessary action—everything served a purpose.
"This is why an agent like him was sent," Toren continued, his voice now carrying a note of realization. "Astron's strength isn't in his individual capabilities as a Hunter. It's in his ability to command, to lead a team through even the most perilous situations without faltering." He nodded to himself, the pieces falling into place. "He doesn't overwhelm his enemies with power—he dismantles them with strategy."
Toren's gaze returned to Liana. "This is the kind of talent that's almost impossible to teach. You either have it or you don't. And Astron… he's a natural."
Liana, standing nearby, gave a small nod of agreement, her expression as professional as ever. "Indeed, Guild Master. His approach is unlike anything we've seen recently. He operates with a level of foresight that makes him not just a valuable asset but a tactical mastermind in the field."
Toren sighed, though the smile tugging at the corners of his lips betrayed his satisfaction. "I see now why the organization placed such high expectations on him. This one isn't just another rising star—he's a game-changer."
He turned back to the footage.
Liana, standing beside him, broke the silence, her voice measured but carrying a note of urgency. "Such an individual must not be missed, Guild Master. Even if he is a member of the organization, his talent in this field is immense. This level of tactical awareness and foresight is rare. He's more than just a skilled Hunter—he's someone who can shape the future of any guild he joins."
Toren didn't look away from the footage, but he nodded slowly, clearly considering her words. "You're right," he said, his voice thoughtful. "Astron is too valuable to let slip through our fingers. But even if we see his potential, my authority alone might not be enough to bring him under our wing. The organization has its own plans for someone like him, and I would need more than just admiration to justify making a move."
He leaned back in his chair, folding his arms. "I'd need a reason—something concrete. And considering his current position at Arcadia Hunter Academy, if he continues to perform like this, he won't lack offers. He could easily enter stronger guilds, ones with more resources than we can provide. Or worse, he could be recruited by families like the Thornhearts. They're always on the lookout for talent, and someone like Astron would be a prime target for them."
Liana nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "It's true, Guild Master. His talents would appeal to any of the top families, especially those looking to strengthen their influence. But that's why we need to act sooner rather than later. If we wait until he's fully graduated, the competition to recruit him will be fierce."
"That's right….." Toren let out a low sigh, though there was a hint of desire in his eyes. "Well, I will talk with the organization. We will see if we can do anything or not. For now, let's just focus on what we have. Make sure that he has at least a hospitable experience here. At the very least, we should give him some good reasons to stay with us."
"Understood."
Toren leaned back in his chair, and as the moment hung in the air, Liana, always quick to redirect the conversation when needed, smoothly shifted the topic.
"Speaking of operations, Guild Master," Liana began, tapping her tablet to bring up another set of data, "the dungeon clearing progress is moving at a remarkable pace. I've reviewed the preliminary reports from the team. The dungeon at the Linear Gate was cleared efficiently, but I've also included footage of the Infernal Nexus, which shows a similar pattern. The report from the analyst team should be arriving soon."
Just as she finished speaking, there was a firm knock at the door.
"Enter," Toren said, his voice steady as he glanced toward the entrance.
The door opened to reveal a man in his mid-thirties, tall and lean, with sharp eyes that conveyed intelligence and focus. He wore the formal attire of the guild's analytical department and a small holographic display projected from his wrist. This was Alric, the head of the analysis team.
"Guild Master, Liana," Alric greeted them with a respectful nod before stepping forward. "I have the data you've been waiting for."
Toren motioned for him to continue, and Alric tapped a few buttons on his device, causing a series of holographic charts and graphs to materialize above the desk.
"As you can see," Alric began, his voice steady and confident, "the Infernal Nexus was cleared 40% faster than projected. The team worked in perfect coordination, which drastically reduced downtime between engagements. According to our calculations, if the team continues at this pace, all of the dungeons assigned to Vanguard Haven could be cleared by Sunday—three days from now."
"All of the dungeons?"
Alric nodded; his expression was neutral but professional. "Indeed. This level of efficiency has accelerated the rate at which we can clear these high-level dungeons. The teamwork on display was exceptional, and the lack of significant delays during combat operations allowed them to maintain a pace we haven't seen in recent months."
Alric was not aware of the footage inside the gate as such members did not have access to such data. After all, there were many spies in the guilds who would leak important information, and the organizations would prefer their agents to stay undercover.
Toren's eyes flickered with a hint of excitement as he processed Alric's report. The speed at which Astron and his team were clearing dungeons wasn't just impressive—it was an opportunity.
"All of the dungeons cleared by Sunday…" Toren repeated thoughtfully, his gaze shifting back to Liana. "That leaves us with a lot of leeway, not just in operations but in perception as well. This efficiency can be turned into more than just a number on a report. It can be a message—a marketing strategy."
Alric raised an eyebrow slightly, clearly intrigued but unaware of the full scope of what Toren had in mind. His access to the intricacies of the footage was limited, but he understood the implications of what the Guild Master was hinting at.
Toren leaned forward, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
"We shall make this a cornerstone of our next campaign. The speed and precision at which Vanguard Haven operates—highlight the team's ability to clear high-level dungeons with efficiency and minimal delay. As you know, reporters and officers from the Hunter Association are present at every cleared dungeon. They see it all, and they'll report on it."
That was already the plan from the start, but Liana was not informed about that for the time being.
But she was still fast to catch onto his thought process, and she gave him a small nod.
"Indeed, Guild Master. If we position this correctly, it will not only solidify our reputation but also attract higher-caliber recruits and possibly even additional resources. We can leverage the presence of the Hunter Association's officers to verify our claims. Their involvement adds credibility."
Toren turned to her fully, his expression one of a clear one. "Contact Rong Shin Media Company. I want them on this immediately. Let's make sure the right people are talking about Vanguard Haven's success by the time the final dungeon is cleared."
The plan was on the motion now.
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