Chapter 119: The Crimson Fang

Chapter 119: Chapter 119: The Crimson Fang

There were eight of them, all carrying high-quality weapons and wearing well-maintained equipment. Their armor was a mixture of crimson and dark steel, with a distinctive fang-shaped emblem engraved on their chest plates and shoulder guards. Their equipment alone was enough to distinguish them from ordinary adventurers, but it was the aura of confidence they carried that truly set them apart.

They were the Crimson Fang, rank third adventurer groups in Lufast City.

Their reputation had been built through years of dangerous expeditions, successful dungeon raids, and battles against powerful monsters. Unlike newly formed groups that relied on luck and enthusiasm, the Crimson Fang possessed experienced members who had fought together for years.

Naturally, their arrival attracted everyone’s attention.

"Is that really Rick? I’ve heard that he’s already reached Level 32!"

"Level 32? I heard he reached Level 33 recently. He’s one of the strongest swordsmen in Lufast City!"

"Don’t forget the other members. Their mage is said to have mastered three spells, and their Guardian once held off a monster several levels above him. With a group like that, even a dangerous dungeon shouldn’t be too much trouble."

"Are they really going to explore this dungeon? If the Crimson Fang manages to clear it, the dungeon’s reputation will spread throughout the entire region!"

Some adventurers spoke with admiration, while others looked at the group with envy. A few younger adventurers even moved closer, hoping to hear what the famous explorers planned to do.

The Crimson Fang members were accustomed to such reactions. They had received similar attention whenever they visited a guild, entered a city, or participated in a major expedition. Although a few of them smiled at the attention, none appeared particularly surprised.

Their leader, Rick, walked at the front.

He was a tall swordsman with short brown hair, sharp eyes, and a confident smile. A finely crafted longsword hung at his waist, its dark scabbard decorated with crimson patterns. His armor was lighter than that of a typical frontline warrior, allowing him to move freely while providing sufficient protection against physical and magical attacks.

Rick glanced around the crowded hall, taking in the registration counter, the notice boards, and the numerous adventurers gathered in small groups.

Then, he grinned at his companions.

"Boys, look at this place! A new dungeon to explore, and the whole hall is practically overflowing with adventurers. Tell me, aren’t you excited? We’ve spent the last few weeks dealing with the same old monsters and revisiting places we’ve already explored. Now, we finally have somewhere new to test ourselves."

One of the men walking behind him, a broad-shouldered warrior carrying a heavy axe, laughed.

"Of course we are, leader! I’ve been waiting for a chance like this. The moment I heard that a new dungeon had been discovered near Hetin Town, I knew we had to come and take a look. Who knows what kind of treasures we’ll find inside?"

Another member, a lean mage wearing a dark blue robe, adjusted the staff in his hand before joining the conversation.

"Forget the treasures for a moment. Have you heard the reports about the second floor? Apparently, some of the monsters found there don’t match anything recorded in the guild’s existing bestiary. Even the Mad Wolves adventurers who encountered them couldn’t identify their species."

His words immediately caught the attention of the others.

"Unknown monsters?" the axe-wielding warrior asked. "Are you sure that’s not just an exaggeration? Those group love making ordinary monsters sound terrifying whenever they want to impress people."

"I’m serious," the mage replied. "I’ve already spoken to a few people who returned from the dungeon. They described creatures covered in decaying flesh and exposed bones, surrounded by strange death energy. According to them, those monsters can regenerate their injuries, and their roars can disrupt a person’s concentration. None of them could identify the creatures, even after comparing their descriptions with the information available at the guild."

A woman carrying a bow across her back frowned thoughtfully.

Rick listened to their discussion with an increasingly interested expression.

A new dungeon was already worth exploring, but the possibility of encountering unknown monsters made the expedition even more appealing.

Rick rested one hand on the hilt of his sword and grinned.

"Now you’re talking. If the monsters on the second floor really are unknown species, then this dungeon might be more interesting than I expected. We should gather as much information as possible before heading inside. I don’t want us walking blindly into an unfamiliar area just because we’re confident in our strength."

The broad-shouldered warrior chuckled.

"Since when have you become so cautious, leader? I thought you’d be the first one to charge in whenever you heard about a powerful monster."

Rick shot him a sidelong glance.

"I’m cautious because I want to keep you idiots alive long enough to enjoy the treasures we find. Besides, charging straight into danger without understanding what we’re facing isn’t bravery. It’s stupidity. If you want to die, do it somewhere that doesn’t require me to drag your corpse back to the city."

The surrounding members burst into laughter.

"Don’t worry, leader. I’ll make sure I die somewhere convenient!"

"Shut up. You’re not dying until you pay me back the money you borrowed last month."

Their casual banter drew a few amused looks from nearby adventurers. The Crimson Fang might have been one of the strongest groups in Lufast City, but they behaved much like any other experienced party when they were among their own companions.

After exchanging a few more jokes, Rick turned his attention toward the reception counter.

"Come on. Let’s find out what the city has recorded about this place."

---

A few days passed, and the dungeon’s reputation spread even farther than before.

However, it was no longer famous merely for the valuable equipment and monster materials that adventurers could obtain inside. Its second floor had become the center of countless discussions, particularly after the Crimson Fang, one of the three strongest adventurer groups in Lufast City, returned from their expedition in a condition nobody had expected.