Risken looked over the "Non-disclosure Agreement" that the woman Cassandra demanded he accept. The people running the dungeon – the directors – seemed to be quite serious about security.

Risken could understand why they needed to handle things with care. If they just announced to the whole world who they were and what they wanted, chaos would ensue. But, at some point they would have to reveal themselves. They wouldn't be able to keep it secret forever regardless of how many court documents they had people accept.

Which side would people join when that time came?

There was no shortage of people who had been persecuted by the holy church, and many others who felt that the laws of the divines were unfair. But those were common people, ones who couldn't fight against superior powers. How could they hope to stand against the divines and their people?

Maybe that's what the dungeon is all about, Risken thought.

The dungeon allowed anyone to come inside and prove themselves. Those who passed the myriad tests were given great power. Even a beggar and an outcast like Bazel could become a powerful warrior. Did the directors expect to get their loyalty through those means and then use them to fight against the divines?

If so, it was a solid plan.

Bazel and Cassandra explained to Risken what they had to do in order to be cleared of suspicion. The three of them – Bazel, Samara and Risken – had to win a fighting tournament.

"Do you understand everything I've told you?" Cassandra asked.

"I do." Risken nodded, "I also have some more questions if you would permit."

"Go ahead."

Cassandra crossed one leg over the other and leaned back in her chair. They were in her "office", which was an audience chamber more grand and lavish than even the king's own.

"The directors," Risken pointed up, "can we meet them? I came here to make an alliance with them after all."

"I can pass on the request for a meeting," Cassandra said, "but I can't promise anything. They likely won't make time for anyone unless they are deemed worthy first."

"I see." Risken stroked his chin.

If he needed to prove himself worthy of their consideration, then that's just what he would do. Maybe the directors weren't exactly the same as the divines, but they were still gods. Like all gods, they didn't just grace anyone with their presence – only those who were worthy to be champions.

"Then I will endeavor to do my best," Risken nodded, "However, I feel my family may try to make trouble while I'm here."

"Yes," Cassandra looked at her interface, "Your brother already arrived, Tarken?"

"My eldest brother, the first prince."

"That's good to know," she tapped her interface a few times, "It looks like he made fast friends with the holy knight, Peton."

"That could be a problem." Risken shook his head.

"Wait," Bazel put his hand up, "Peton seems to know what the dungeon is too. Why are you guys letting him stay?"

"That was the head director's call," Cassandra sighed and waved her hand back and forth, "I suggested we terminate his employment, but the boss wanted to 'wait and see' what he would do. He's definitely a liability, probably more so with the first prince joining him."

The door to the office crashed open and Samara marched in wearing copper armor and a helmet with a red plume. Paris walked in right behind her, still wearing the green tracksuit.

"I leave you alone for a couple hours," Samara pointed at Bazel, "and you tell him everything?"

"I didn't tell him!" Bazel put his hands up, "he already knew about the dungeon!"

"He did!?" Samara looked over at Risken, "How?"

"Hargal, the court mage," Risken waved his hand, "He was given a task by the divines themselves who also disclosed to him the true nature of this place. I overheard him talking to my father about it."

"Oh," Samara pinched her chin and looked at the ground, "I see."

Cassandra spoke up, "I already had him agree to the same terms you and Bazel are bound by. Risken will be the third member of your party for the tournament."

"Great." Samara said. Although the look on her face said something else.

Risken was aware of Samara's dislike. He didn't know why she held a grudge against him, but it was clear to him that she did. He had resolved himself to prove to her that he wasn't a bad person, as well. He didn't want her to hate him.

"Now, I'm busy," Cassandra made a shooing motion, "You guys can see yourselves out. And Paris?"

"Yes, ma'am?" Paris stood at attention.

"Do your best to see that they don't cause any more trouble."

"Of course, ma'am." Paris bowed.

Samara led the way out of the building and back through the safe zone to the job office. She didn't speak as they marched down the street to the glass and steel building.

Once inside, they went up to the counter where a half man, half horse creature stood. Risken had seen this particular creature before and even received a few jobs from him.

"We need a bounty job, Chris." Samara said.

Chris looked like he wanted to say something, but stopped himself when he noticed Paris with them. Instead, he pulled up his interface and tapped it a few times.

"Here's a good one," he said with a final tap, "tell me if it works for you."

《 You have a job offer!

A small mountain town is being bothered by harpies! The winged women constantly steal food and vandalize the farms, then fly away before anyone can retaliate. Find the lair of the harpies and kill 'em all!

Rewards:

250 Credits for every Harpy killed,

5000 Credits for killing the Eyrie Queen

Accept Job?

Yes / No 》

"That one should give you guys some good team practice." Paris said.

Samara accepted the job without a word, Bazel and Risken followed suit.

"Should I teleport you guys?" Chris asked.

"Please." Paris answered.

"Very well, stand by."

Chris tapped something on his interface, and a few seconds later, the world changed. Risken, Bazel, Samara and Paris stood on a road outside a small town in the foothills of some mountains. Fields of wheat lined the road, the golden grains waving gently in the breeze.

"Should we talk with the townspeople first?" Bazel suggested.

"That would be prudent." Risken nodded.

Samara said nothing and started walking towards the town. The bronze armor paired with the large round shield and her mace made her look terrifying enough, but then she was frowning on top of that. Risken felt he shouldn't bother her too much, but he wanted to make sure she was okay.

"Lady Samara," Risken jogged up beside her, "I am terribly apologetic for any concern I may have caused, it was not my intention–"

"It's fine."

"Are you sure?" He tried to look her in the eyes as they walked, "I do not want discord among–"

"I said, it's fine."

Samara began marching faster and Risken gave up trying to keep up. He slowed down so he was walking with Bazel and Paris. Paris patted his shoulder.

"Just give her some space, she'll be fine."

"Yeah, I don't think she's really that angry," Bazel said, "probably just frustrated."

"I understand." Risken said.

The town looked like any normal mountain town, though the buildings were a bit fancy as things in the dungeon tended to be. The construction materials consisted of stone and wood, but all the buildings had glass windows and large porches. People walked around in clothing that was common in the dungeon, like jeans and t-shirts. Some of the women wore dresses, but even they looked more modern and well-crafted than anything seen outside.

As soon as the group walked into town, a man wearing what looked like a bedsheet approached them. His head was shaved as well as his face, but the wrinkles belied his advanced age.

"You must be the heroes sent to us!" The man said, spreading his arms wide, "Please allow me to introduce myself. I am the mayor of this town, Alexander."

Samara bowed her head, "I am Samara, these are my associates, Bazel, Risken and Paris."

Alexander nodded excitedly, "Good, good, follow me."

The old man led them through the town while constantly glancing at the sky. The building they went to was larger and more boxy than the others around it. Men with spears and bows stood guard outside the building and opened the doors for the group to go inside.

The inside of the building had wooden floors polished to a near mirror shine. Brightly colored lines were painted on the floor in geometric patterns that seemed to delineate boundaries and measure distances. Two boards were lifted up on poles on either side of the large room, and each of the boards had a small fishing net hanging from it.

Piled all along the walls were boxes and bags of foodstuffs. Wooden crates full of vegetables, bags of grain, and ice boxes which probably contained meat.

"The gym is the most secure place in town to keep food," Alexander waved a hand at the stockpiles, "unfortunately, it also gives the harpies a single target to focus on."

"Can they get in here?" Samara asked while looking around the room.

"Given enough time," Alexander nodded, "especially as their numbers continue to grow. Every time they attack, there are more of them, and they always take more food. At some point they might just overwhelm us."

"Which is why we need to go to their lair," Samara said, "and make sure we eliminate as many as possible."

"Precisely." Alexander said, "I can show you how to get there, but our people aren't equipped to fight a horde of monsters."

"Leave it to us." Samara put her hand on Alexander's shoulder.

Risken raised his hand, "Pardon me, Master Alexander, what exactly is a Harpy? The only description I have seen calls them women with wings."

"That's more or less accurate," Alexander shrugged, "but they are more animal than anything else. They use no reason or logic, and are only driven by their appetites."

Outside the building, people began yelling and shouting. Another sound, like the screeching of birds, could be heard as well.

"They're here," Alexander looked to the door, "I hope you guys are ready."

Samara already had all her gear on. The bronze armor, round brass shield and long mace made her look like a warrior of legend.

Bazel summoned his large gun from his inventory and held it at his side. The strange weapon paired with the dark leather trench coat gave him the air of a highwayman, but Risken decided not to tell him that.

As for Risken, all he needed to do was remove his cutlass from his inventory. He already wore the green gambeson he bought earlier that day and felt prepared to face the enemy.

Paris gathered everyone together and gave them a few pointers.

"Harpies are airborne enemies, so they won't be easy to take down with melee weapons." She pointed at Samara, "Samara, make sure to keep your guard up for the other two, don't let them stray too far."

"Bazel, you'll be the main attacker." Paris squeezed his shoulder, "Just make sure you look before you fire."

"Got it." Bazel nodded.

"Risken," Paris turned to the prince, "Don't worry about fighting too much, just use your skills to support everyone else."

Paris held out her hand and made a bow materialize from her inventory, as well as a quiver of arrows. She put the quiver on over her tracksuit and turned back to the group.

"I'll help make sure the townspeople don't get hurt." She faced the door, "ready?"

""Ready"" They answered in unison.

Samara led the group as they went back outside through a pair of double doors. Bazel was close behind her, and Risken brought up the rear.

Outside was chaos. The winged creatures flew in swooping patterns that made them hard to track. Most townspeople were running for cover rather than fighting the harpies, but the harpies tried to chase them down anyway.

While the harpies were attacking people, they didn't seem interested in only that. They also picked up rocks in their talons and hurled them at windows, or dropped them on roofs, trying to break into the houses.

The creatures were agile, and they dove into the streets at high speeds and dodged arrows shot at them by the guards. Their legs were replaced by the talons of birds, and their arms by wings. The faces of the harpies were twisted in rage and hunger, their stringy hair only growing in patches. They wore no clothing, and their bodies were dirty.

Risken watched as Bazel used a skill on one of the harpies. Red light swirled out of the monster and entered him, then he turned his gun towards the sky and prepared to fire.

Paris took a few shots with her bow, and unlike the town guards, she hit her mark. One of the harpies went spiraling towards the ground.

Risken heard the screeching sound of the monster's and turned to see three of them diving towards the group. He patted Bazel's shoulder and pointed at them.

"Got it!"

Bazel swung the gun around and aimed at the attacking creatures. He didn't hesitate to fire at them, and their first battle with the harpies had started.