The moment the stone doors closed behind them, the hall they were in lit up like fireflies. They soon found themselves in a wide hallway with steps descending to a faraway door. With the flickering light provided from the torches placed only a few meters from each other, Lukas suddenly felt like they were descending into the maws of a subterranean creature.

“So we have basically become dungeon sweepers.” The rogue muttered said as he walked up to a statue beside him, touching it with his fingers before flicking away the dust.

Along the walls were frescoes covered in dust while under each torch stood a bust of gargoyles and other monsters postured as if they were in a hunt. Their wings were spread; their chiseled faces glinting with malice yet what they all had in common were the tears of stained blood, dark as night dripping down their ornate features, adding to a sense of gloom and despair lingering in the musty air.

“Regard it however you want but this is still our mission.” Geoffrey said as he hefted his large shield from behind and then settled himself into a battle stance. “We have to perform well if we want better rewards later."

Rexsi briefly looked a certain direction. “As long as someone doesn’t lag use down…”

Lukas only smiled. “You don’t have to worry about me.” He then waved his hand materializing a ball of in front of him. Flicking it upwards it shone above them like a beacon, illuminating with such brightness that it chased away the distant shadows the torches on the walls seemed to cast.

Rexsi’s face twitched while the half elf spoke as she also readied herself.

“I think it's a matter of convenience.” She said as she raised the bow in her hands, “They are killing two birds with one aim. As this place is beneath the city, it holds almost no promises of wealth after countless years of purges. No one in their right mind would bother choosing such a futile quest. Let’s not forget that it is also connected to the underground trenches."

Lukas mused. “So in bestowing us this mission, they are getting rid of it and at the same time giving us our badges."

Rexsi grimaced as he focused right ahead. “Well…at least our gold is assured.” he sighed as they started walking, each one alert and ready for anything and everything.

The moment they walked through the door, it panned out into the darkened passage ways. Incidentally the globule of light Lukas had summoned proved invaluable. It shed a modicum of light, allowing for sight while also freeing their hands to their weapons as there was no need to lug a torch around.

Renesme softly chanted a few words under her breath and to Lukas's surprise; her once green tinted eyes now glowed. Fascinated by it, he found himself staring until she answered the very question he had in mind.

“It’s a support spell.” she told him.

“What?”

“The spell,” She gestured to her eyes, “It’s called Clear Jade Eyes. It bestows sight in darkness.”

“Ahh…” That was all Lukas said in amazement. It was such a contingent spell that he could practically glean just how versatile it was.

“Though it does have its limits,” she continued, “I can see no more than several feet in total darkness and I can't keep it up for long. It tires the eyes and over using it might lead to temporary or even permanent blindness.”

Lukas sobered up immediately. “It’s still a crucial spell.”

“That it is.” She agreed after she finished preparing herself. She then turned towards him. “I'm going in advance to scout for possible traps and dangers. This spell of mine will last only a few minutes so we might as well make use of it.” She paused, “Do be careful and try not to hold us back. After all you are our weakest link.”

What was meant as an advice came out extremely grating in Lukas’s ears. He frowned; the little goodwill he had for the half-elf dissipating into nothingness. He sensed the pride she carried herself with and it was the same pride that looked down on him too. In the end it was true his cultivation was simply lower than everyone else. In a world celebrated by strength and ability, his strength and most certainly his reputation did not place him in a good light. All he had to do was to make sure he comes out alive at the end of it whether they approved of his strength or not.

The rest of the team had no qualms letting Renesme scout ahead. Possessing such a niche spell in addition of her class, made her perfect for the role. As she disappeared ahead, the rest soon followed under the bright light, with Mira readying a fireball spell at the first notice of danger.

After more than a few meters ahead, Lukas silently paused, looked around and then walked to the nearby crumbling wall. The others noticing they were leaving behind their only source of light, stopped only to see him crouching beside the wall, with traces of magic flaring in his hands. Curious, Mira flitted closer and stared just as he finished the last touches. Etched on the wall, a fully formed rune flared before it slowly dimmed, making it hard to notice in at a first glance.

“What are you doing?”

Startled, Lukas looked around only to realize he had everyone’s attention. “I’m inscribing some detection runes.” He told them.

“For what purpose?” Geoffrey asked puzzled.

"In case of an ambush…” He explained as he pointed at the spot. “The runes act as a sentry, meant to warn us the moment we have unwanted guests.” He said a little bit too proud.

Geoffrey nodded at the good idea, while Rexsi not one to acknowledge the effort especially from him smirked.

“A little too paranoid, aren't we?” he said. “We are only facing some dumb beasts. They do not warrant such extreme measures.”

Geoffrey shook his head in consternation. “It never hurts being too careful and besides, if this part of the dungeon hasn't been cleared for a long time then we are still in danger of being surrounded. This can at least act as a warning flag, allowing us to prepare.”

“We don’t even know what we are about to face…”Rexsi muttered under his breath before he shrugged. Geoffrey beckoned them to continue while Mira purposefully lagged behind.

“How does it work?” she curiously asked. Lukas took a moment before he explained.

“They detect any kind of disturbance in the air before sending a small quick pulse that can be immediately picked up with my psyche. In this way I can perceive an early threat.”

Mira's eyes shone in a silent marvel. “Then wouldn’t it be easy to detect your enemies long before you ambush them?”

Lukas chuckled in response. “That might seem possible in theory but the spell is limited by my strength. Even now I need to conjure a new sigil every few meters to make sure they can trigger one another over a long distance. With my current strength, I can only have a few sigils side by side. In addition as they are in their basic form, they can only linger for the duration of 30 minutes before they naturally dissipate.”

Mira contemplated for a while before she asked him a strange question. “Are you a Rune Master then?”

The moment she inquired, Lukas felt a shift in the atmosphere as the remaining people clearly slowed to listen in.

“A Rune Master?” He asked.

Mira nodded, “A Rune Master.” She repeated. “Basically it is all those who master runes for all kinds of intents and purposes. One of the hardest professions to date…”

Lukas could only shake his head in response. “I'm afraid not.” He replied but he couldn’t help but wonder. Does possessing a complete book on foundational runes count?

The rest were visibly relieved at his reply. It was bad enough they had already underestimated him for being weak but if it had happened he was an official rune master… no, even one in training then they could only find a grave to dig for themselves in regret.

Basically amongst the many professions there is none a profession known to be hard yet so fulfilling like a Rune master. With their abilities to etch and comprehend runes, it was one of the most basic professions needed to become an Enchanter, a Talismanic Master, a Formation Master or even an Artifact Refiner. Rune Masters are treasured and respected all over the continent since it is from their hands many artifacts ranging from White to Diamond grade are made, a lot of the Heaven grade formations protecting sects and academies came from, and their abilities to create protective talismans that basically grant second lives to those that can unleash unimaginable power at a stroke of mana, Rune Masters were treated as the epitome of all crafters.

Sigils were just runes specialized in spell casting. Though they knew Lukas had denied being a rune master as it's obvious he had mastered few sigils, he had immediately increased his standing amongst them. Who wouldn't want to form a bond with a potential rune master? Only boundless benefits exist to the ones who were lucky enough to do so.

It didn't take long for them to encounter their first beast. They had passed halls and passage ways that seemed to meander deeper and deeper into the catacombs while Lukas grew even more proficient at drawing the detection runes on the passing walls. At the moment he could only maintain five of them at a time but as they barely took any mana, he kept on casting throughout their journey.

A scuffle and a swish first reached their ears under the still silence before a soft whining sound appeared just as fast as it faded. Quickening their steps, they came into a small clearing where they saw Renesme standing beside a sizable corpse of what could only be very vermin that they were made to hunt.