Chapter 18: Chapter 18 – A Team of Uncertainties (1)

"...Huuuuuh?!"

The sound escaped Eternia before she could stop herself.

Around her, dozens of candidates reacted in similar shock, confusion rippling through the crowd like a sudden wave. Some whispered urgently, others frowned, and a few looked outright panicked.

Captain Varos lowered the scroll slightly, his sharp gaze sweeping across the arena.

"Silence."

His voice cut through the noise instantly.

The murmurs died.

Then he continued, calm and authoritative.

"The second trial will be conducted in teams of three."

Eternia’s eyes narrowed.

"...Teams?"

Varos nodded slightly, as if anticipating resistance.

"You will be entering a controlled monster dungeon."

A heavier silence fell over the crowd.

Even those who had been whispering moments ago now stood still.

Because those words carried weight.

Monster dungeon.

Eternia’s expression hardened slightly.

She knew exactly what that meant.

Monster dungeons were not ordinary training grounds.

They were naturally occurring—or sometimes artificially created—zones where mana accumulated at abnormal levels. Over time, this dense mana gave birth to creatures.

Monsters.

Unlike beasts, monsters were not part of the natural ecosystem.

They were born from mana itself.

Unpredictable.

Hostile.

Dangerous.

A monster dungeon functioned like a layered ecosystem of these creatures, often structured in floors or zones, each progressively more difficult.

Lower-level dungeons contained weaker monsters.

Higher layers housed creatures capable of killing even trained mages.

Most importantly—

Dungeons regenerated.

Even if cleared, the mana within them would eventually create new monsters again.

Which made them both valuable...

And deadly.

Varos continued speaking.

"Your objective is simple."

"You and your team will enter the dungeon and clear the designated zone."

"Survive."

"Coordinate."

"And eliminate the core target within your assigned section."

Eternia crossed her arms slowly.

"...So it’s not just about individual strength anymore."

This trial was different.

The labyrinth had been about personal ability.

Speed.

Skill.

Survival.

But this—

This required cooperation.

Teamwork.

Coordination.

Eternia’s thoughts immediately shifted.

Godfrey’s words echoed in her mind.

’You’ll win.’

Her jaw tightened slightly.

"...If I don’t..."

She didn’t need to finish the thought.

The memory of that murderous aura was enough.

Her neck wasn’t literally on the line.

But it felt close enough.

Eternia exhaled slowly.

"...Then I need a team that won’t hold me back."

Varos raised the scroll again.

"Teams have already been assigned."

That made several candidates stiffen.

No choice.

No negotiation.

The teams were predetermined.

Varos began calling out names.

"Team One—"

One by one, groups of three stepped forward.

Some looked confident.

Others nervous.

Some clearly familiar with each other.

Others complete strangers.

Eternia listened quietly, her eyes scanning the crowd.

"...Who did they pair me with?"

She didn’t have long to wait.

"Team Seventeen—"

Varos’s voice rang out clearly.

"Eternia Sinclair."

Eternia stepped forward without hesitation.

"Leon Valerius."

"...Valerius?" she thought.

"That’s a main bloodline name."

Varos continued.

"And Kael Dren."

Three names.

One team.