A bright yellow taxi could be seen entering the area of D-23. About a dozen individuals were assembled there. Many heads turned toward the vehicle as people wondered who the Hell would come to a restricted area in such a flashy way.

Some Climbers summoned their weapons cautiously while others nervously laughed at what they assumed to be a stupid tourist. As the trio of Markus, Josh, and Armin appeared, they couldn't help but be puzzled. The confusion only increased as the two remained at his side.

The atmosphere felt oppressive. The red fog looked even more vivid but also showed instability. It was as if the wall could burst at any moment, releasing whatever atrocity it contained. It reminded him of the Blood Moon event in that one game with the entire world turning a bloody hue.

It all felt surreal and rendered the dozen of climbers present on edge. Then again, who could blame them? There was no way that such a small troop could do anything but sound the alarm. Apparently, they were all representatives for S-Rank or A-rank guilds. Markus stepped up.

"Hello everyone, and thank you for coming. What is the situation so far?" He inquired.

"Nothing's happening at all. It's all been looking like this for a while now. From time to time, there is a tremor happening and —" A handsome man wearing a T-Shirt with the caption answered, only to be interrupted.

*TREMBLE!*

The ground trembled with a low rumbling sound. A regular human would have lost his balance. In fact, an old man fell along with Armin as people sent curious glances at the taxi driver. A minute later, everything returned to normal.

Josh gestured to the valiant driver that he could go back after paying his fare. He didn't need to risk his life here. He seemed to hesitate for a few moments but then resolved not to be a disturbance.

"How often are the tremors?" Josh asked, with Markus signaling them to answer.

"It used to be every hour, but now it's every quarter of an hour. According to my calculations, in 2h19 there will be a constant earthquake going on." A man with a metallic airplane-shaped necklace replied.

"Anything else?" Josh asked.

"Naw, bro. That's all we know. There is one thing I want to know, though. Who are you?" A man wearing huge shades asked. A woman with a toolbelt stepped forward.

"We can go by elimination. Looking around, everyone that agreed to join from Metropolis D and E is here. Destructoid, Solaris, Aeris, No-Disturbance, Cutting Edge, Foundation, Volcanic, Dominion, Tornado, Aqua, Erebus, Tortoise, and Artisan. He's obviously from Metropolis-C!"

What was the point of naming them all? Was he even supposed to bother remembering that? No way!

"If you want to answer, do it right. You didn't even point out the lack of guild insignia or that fact that Markus is letting him speak in his stead." A man wearing headphones chastised her.

"So, who is he?!" A man equipped with massive flaming gauntlets almost shouted.

"Pfft. That's why I'm saying that you're too hot-headed. You didn't even bother researching this mission, did you? This guy is the only survivor of the first batch of Climbers that went in. He's probably the one that knows this place the best." A delicate woman wearing a blue dress chuckled.

"Oh? Interesting! Also, why would I need to research when you can do it for me." He winked as he said so, making her blush.

"Mister only survivor, do you have any tip for us?" A very ordinary-looking man with a steel beam drawing on his shirt asked humbly.

Josh almost chuckled, picturing how well this guy would go with Joe that used that as a weapon. He then solemnly advised:

"Don't fight the slothtrosities and run as far as you can if you see one about to yawn."

"Yawn, is it? Why?" He was as curious as humble.

"That's how they cast an immobilizing AoE invisible attack. It's possible to get rid of the effect, but it takes time. Before you know it, you'll end up in their stomach."

"What about the Tower inside?!"

"The Alter Tower shouldn't be an issue. Well, that is as long as everyone is cautious. Just remember that in that disaster zone, all of you are weak. Is that clear?" Josh looked at them all as he said that.

"Weak?! I am the first knight of the Dominion guild, the strongest guild in the entire Metropolis-E. I suggest you keep your assumptions for yourself both for—" A man in armor shouted before Josh cut him off.

"Holy shit! No fucking way! Either you agree that you are weak compared to the creatures inside, or you need to leave now. I guarantee your pride will lose to their sloth power and you'll screw us over!" He had to make things very clear.

"Impudent, cutting my speech like that! Markus, Dominion sent me out of good faith. I won't make things too troublesome for you. As long as that guy kneels in apology and leaves, I'll remain to help." He somehow seemed serious too!

"Go away. We don't need people like you here." Josh confirmed. The man was just about to rage when Markus intervened.

"It seems we won't need your services. Thank you for coming, and please send my regards to the guild master of Dominion."

"How deplorable! Metropolis-D is doomed. It is such a shame, really." The idiot left, sighing and shaking his head from side to side.

"Are you aware that he is a powerful S-Ranker? Shouldn't you have acted with more tact? Do you want me to deliver an apology message for you later?" The breeze knight kindly offered.

"Fool. He clearly wanted to leave and was only looking for an excuse. These Dominion guys are like that. They won't do anything that doesn't advantage them. Well, it's true that you should have minded your position." A man carrying a literal pickaxe said.

"Actually, I'll take you up on your offer. Would you mind telling him that he is not welcomed in D-23 or Metropolis-C in the future? If he does visit, we'll guild war his ass." Josh threw this term he remembered hearing once.

Could he even do that? He wasn't sure, but Draconic loved fighting. Chances were they would follow him. Kasha had sounded really happy about the prospect of exercising too.

"HAHAHA, I totally agree! I like you! There is no need to give any face to that arrogant asshole! So what if he's a ranker? It's not about power! It's about character!" The gauntlets guy boisterously agreed, giving him a thumbs up.

That's when the airplane guy involuntarily changed the topic while deep in thought.

"I can't help but be restless about this whole thing. What will happen? Will the disaster zone expand? Will it disappear? Will there be an entirely new change?" He was gazing at the red fog.

"Change? Any change in the Tower is always for the worse! Like that added difficulty, it's just stupid even to select the option!" The toolbelt woman complained.

"What?! Item sets are the best! Have you seen how amazing these skills are! One needs to remember that anyone can use them too. It adds so much versatility!" A guy with a turtle shirt replied.

"Please! Don't even get me started on this. It's only good as a decoration! Only the low-level Floors have been cleared in Hellish for a reason! It requires way better gear than what it rewards for attempting it!" She argued.

"But it will be awesome for Newbies! When the next summoning happens, it will be super useful!"

"So what? They can catch up quickly anyway. It's a waste of time!"

"We just need to find a way to clear Hellish at our level."

"That's clearly impossible!"

Hellish impossible? A new summoning? Ah, whatever. Josh left them to bicker as he went to see the old guy, the one that he kept meeting every time he came. How had he not been driven away?

How amazing would it be if that guy had been a spy all along for a rival Metropolis? There was no way, but Josh couldn't help but picture it: codename 007ē. He was now opening a bag of marshmallows relaxedly.

"Aren't you afraid in the least of what is to come?" Josh asked.

"At my age, one can kick the bucket any number of ways. Honestly, dying here beats doing so alone in a bed, pissing and shitting myself. Want one?" He offered as he brandished a marshmallow.

"Sure. Shall we start a fire?"

They both smiled at each other before nodding. That's how they slowly began roasting delicious snacks with the various conversations happening in the background.

Sad to say, but this was all they could do as preparation. During the ride here, he had talked with Markus about potentially mobilizing the regional army or getting combat robots to help. The issue was that it would be too costly. Plus, there was too much information missing here.

The next two hours were spent peacefully. There were often tremors, but everyone was doing their business.

The guy from Erebus had gotten a sleeping pod out for a nap. The Cutting Edge one had begun carving wood with a dagger. The Solaris guy kept chilling under the sun. The lady from Artisan was working on some kind of tiny magical robot. The others mostly talked.

All until the decisive moment came. They all felt it yet there were no tremors.

The entire world became silent. In fact, besides them, any lifeform had long run away. A heavy wind began blowing, and with it, the fog slowly disappeared.

Through the holes in the red wall, they could already see what lay behind. Josh recognized it: this was the interior of the instance! That's when he understood.

This wasn't an instance anymore. From now on, the monsters would belong to the real world. They could feel the wind of change. It made them all stand still in utter shock, even Josh.

This wind contained mana!...