章節 19: The Lady in Black, Part Four
{Julia}
As Julia sat at her makeshift desk, organizing the schedules for the following day, her attention was drawn by the crackle of the radio at her side.
The voice on the other end relayed the news she had been expecting:
"Uh, m-ma'am, that woman in the black armor is back."
A surge of excitement and anticipation washed over Julia as she quickly rose from her seat, her leather jacket rustling as she moved.
"I'm on my way."
She had been eagerly anticipating Zenith's arrival ever since they had struck their deal, and now that the moment was finally here, she couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction.
Navigating through the station, Julia made her way to the entrance where Zenith stood, her imposing figure drawing the attention of everyone around her.
[... She's really tall, huh?]
Zenith's presence commanded respect, her towering frame exuding an aura of quiet strength and unwavering determination.
Her sharp, calculating gaze swept over the room, as though she were looking for any potential threats.
Despite the curious stares and hushed whispers that followed her every move, Zenith remained utterly composed, if somewhat annoyed.
Julia couldn't help but feel slightly smaller in her presence. And that was without taking into account that she was level 24, quite easily the strongest person in this station.
"Hey, Zenith!" Julia greeted the woman energetically, approaching the woman with a warm smile. "Glad to see you again. I was kinda worried you'd never show up, hehe."
"Oh, I was tempted, trust me." With crossed arms, Zenith narrowed her eyes a little. "I came to do a dungeon. Is your guild ready or should I come back later?"
"Uh, let me check."
"..." Zenith glared a little. "Fine."
Julia scanned through her HUD's list of guildmates, considering their levels and strengths.
[Ah... We really are super under-leveled compared to her.]
After a moment of deliberation, she nodded to herself, figuring this was all she could do.
"Okay," Julia announced, turning back to Zenith. "It'll be me and Alex, he's level 16. Should be a good match for you."
Zenith nodded in acknowledgment.
"But," Julia continued, "since you're higher level, you'll gain less EXP than usual by going into a dungeon that's below your level."
Zenith's brow furrowed slightly at the revelation, but she quickly composed herself, nodding in understanding.
"That's fine," Zenith replied, her tone firm. "As long as you keep your end of the deal and get me that weapon."
Julia met Zenith's gaze, her expression earnest.
"I promise," she said solemnly. "You help us out, and we'll make sure you're properly equipped."
With a curt nod, Zenith seemed satisfied with the arrangement, her demeanor unwavering as ever.
"Let's get going then," Zenith said, a hint of anticipation in her voice. "Time's wasting."
---
A dungeon loomed before them, its entrance cloaked in shadows and mystery...
... In the middle of a children's playground.
Dread Castle
Level 10 - 15
Players: 0/4
Julia, Zenith, and Alex stood at the threshold, their weapons at the ready, prepared to face whatever challenges lay within.
"Alright, I think this is it," Julia muttered. "Our ticket to boosting our Activity Points."
Zenith glanced around, her eyes narrowed in focus as she assessed their surroundings.
"Let's just get this over with," she said, her tone curt and determined.
With a nod of agreement, Julia led the way into the dungeon.
Towering spires reached ominously toward the darkened sky. A chilling wind swept through the air, carrying with it the faint scent of decay.
Though, honestly, Julia couldn't tell if that scent was coming from their surroundings or if it was coming from Zenith herself.
[I guess she's been fighting a ton of undead, huh?]
The corridors of the castle were narrow and winding, the walls lined with faded tapestries depicting scenes of battles long past, with otherworldly warriors in them.
Shadows danced along the stone floor, casting eerie shapes that seemed to shift and twist with every step. The sound of dripping water echoed off the walls.
As they ventured deeper into the dungeon, the air grew heavier. As they navigated the winding corridors, Julia couldn't help but steal glances at Zenith's new blade.
The weapon gleamed in the dim light, its edges sharp and deadly. Julia felt a pang of uncertainty.
[I really hope the sword I've got in store for Zenith is as good as that. If it isn't, she might just end up calling this deal off.]
Lost in thought, Julia almost missed the sound of approaching footsteps.
She held up a hand, signaling for her companions to halt.
"Enemies up ahead," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the faint rustling of armor.
Two undead knights of some sort, with steel armor, glowing red eyes, and hammers in their hands.
Level 14
MP: 50/50
Level 14
MP: 40/40
Zenith's grip tightened on her blade, her eyes ablaze with determination.
"Okay, I think we should-"
Without a word, Zenith surged forward, her movements swift and calculated.
Julia, mouth still open, froze.
Zenith moved with a ferocity that was both mesmerizing and unsettling.
Her strikes landed with devastating force as she rammed her blade into her enemies with reckless abandon.
There was no hesitation in her actions, no hint of fear or uncertainty. It almost felt like Zenith was a fighter in her past life as well.
As Julia watched Zenith in action, she couldn't help but feel a mixture of admiration and apprehension. There was something primal about the way Zenith fought, a raw intensity of sorts.
As she finished, the two skeletons crumpled at her feet, she turned toward Julia.
Julia flinched. There was still a hint of bloodlust in Zenith's glowing, emerald eyes.
Zenith walked up to Julia, one brow raised slightly.
"You were saying?" She asked, her voice low and a little husky.
Julia's heart skipped a beat.
"G-Good job!" She slapped Zenith's shoulder. "Nicely done."
"Hmph."
Just like that, Zenith turned away again.
Despite the fear she'd induced in Julia just now, there was something undeniably captivating about Zenith's confidence.
[I'm glad I scouted her out, hehe.]
Julia gestured ahead.
"Let's keep moving, shall we?"
As they delved deeper into the Dread Castle, Zenith continued to put her raw power on display.
It was definitely on purpose, though what message she was trying to send was unclear to Julia. Still, it was a sight to behold.
The feral strength, the rabid tenaciousness she exuded as she dispatched one enemy after another.
Julia found herself increasingly impressed by Zenith's skills, her initial apprehension giving way to a growing sense of respect and admiration for the mysterious woman at her side.
At the same time, Zenith's keen instincts and sharp eyesight proved invaluable, as she deftly navigated through the treacherous corridors of the castle, spotting traps and pitfalls before Julia even had a chance to react.
It was clear that Zenith was not just strong, but she was quick-witted as well.
Finally, they reached the chamber where the boss awaited them - a trio of headless knights, their imposing figures clad in armor and wielding spears and shields.
Level 18
MP: 100/100
Level 18
MP: 100/100
Level 18
MP: 100/100
"Stay back," Zenith commanded, her voice firm as she stepped forward to face the knights alone. "Let me get their attention."
Julia and Alex nodded, understanding their roles as support in this fight.
As Zenith stepped forward to face the headless knights, Julia and Alex remained on guard.
[... If we mess up, she might actually kill us if the knights don't, huh?]
Immediately, it became clear that Zenith wouldn't be able to keep them completely safe, though.
She managed to stand between both parties for a time, keeping the knights' attention until they swiftly sidestepped her.
"Shit, they're fast!" Zenith called out before the fight was brought to Julia and Alex.
Julia, her hands shaking slightly, struggled to keep her shield raised against the relentless assault that followed.
Each strike from their spears sent shockwaves of pain through her body, and she winced as she felt the sharp tip of one graze her side, drawing blood.
Despite her best efforts to hold her ground, she found herself being pushed back, inch by inch, by the sheer force of the knights' attacks.
Beside her, Alex fought valiantly, his sword swinging in wide arcs as he tried to fend off the attacks as well.
But his movements were clumsy and uncoordinated, his lack of experience evident as he stumbled over his own feet, his breath coming in ragged gasps.
Meanwhile, Zenith was visibly trying to close her end of the fight as soon as possible. Her raw strength and determination were the only things keeping them from being overrun, her blade flashing in the dim light of the chamber as she whittled away at her opponent's defenses, one by one.
Despite their struggles, Julia and Alex refused to give up, drawing on every ounce of strength and determination they possessed to hold their own against their formidable opponents.
And when the final knight fell, its armor clattering to the ground, they breathed a collective sigh of relief, their bodies battered and bruised, but alive.
Over-leveled EXP Penalty (Zenith Vale)
EXP Gained: 40
EXP: 65/130
WST Gained: 500
WST: 1125
As Zenith offered them each a healing potion, Julia and Alex gratefully accepted, their gratitude tempered by a sense of awe at the display of skill and strength they had just witnessed.
"Don't thank me yet," Zenith said cryptically, her voice echoing in the chamber. "We still have a long way to go before our deal is fulfilled."
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