Chapter 36: Meeting An Old Friend

The sun was shining.

In front of the main entrance to the Colosseum Dungeon, the entire area was sealed off with security tape and guarded by members of the Awakened Association. But that didn’t stop reporters from lining up at the fences with microphones, cameras, and phones.

"I’m at the entrance where the selected team of Awakened is about to enter the Colosseum Dungeon—currently under red alert status and on the verge of dimensional Break..."

The voices of reporters echoed everywhere. People recorded with their phones, and some even held up signs with the names of their favorite Awakened, screaming excitedly.

There was no avoiding it—the Colosseum Dungeon was famous. If a team managed to clear it, they would gain massive fame.

Suddenly, a moment of silence fell. The sleek doors of protective vehicles opened.

From the first vehicle, two people stepped out. One wore a shining silver armor. The other had a black cloak draped over his shoulders and carried a short staff, about half a meter long.

Other vehicles were emptied one by one. All were young. Some looked around confidently, while others stared nervously at the dungeon.

Most were ranked between D and C. They were famous rising talents in the city, either already known or hoping to make a name. This dungeon was their chance to be seen and become famous.

Among them, a few stood out more than the rest.

Kruger Drask stepped out of the last vehicle. A tall, muscular young man with short, fiery red hair. A long scar ran from above his eyebrow to his chin.

His eyes were constantly searching for something to crush. A giant double-headed axe rested on his shoulder, barely fitting in the vehicle.

Another was Linor Estrey—a mage with a calm face, gray eyes, and a tall magic staff. Her demeanor was soft, composed, and controlled. Compared to Kruger, she was the mind to his muscle.

Next to them stood another girl who drew quite a bit of attention. She was slim and wore clothes that looked more like a medical uniform than battle gear. She also seemed a bit shy.

There were others too. Some carried long swords, others wore light armor and carried glowing magic staffs. But one person was still missing.

And that was what made Kruger irritated.

"So where’s this new member of ours? What is this? Another rich kid who just awakened thrown into our team?" he stomped toward an Association agent and shouted.

It was clear he wasn’t happy about a last-minute addition.

The agent just shrugged and said nothing.

"We already have a healer. Silo is enough. Why toss another one into our group? A backup healer?!" Kruger continued.

"Perfect! Just great! All we needed was some school kid with mommy issues tossed into the middle of a dungeon!" he yelled to the rest of the group.

"Kruger, that’s enough. This is the Association’s decision. I’m sure they have a reason. Getting mad won’t change anything," Linor stepped up, calm but firm.

"The reason is that the Association wants a media show. Don’t worry, I could clear this dungeon even with a kid on the team!" Kruger replied with a grin.

At that moment, a yellow taxi stopped at the entrance.

The door opened and a boy with a simple backpack stepped out. His messy white hair and plain clothes gave no sign of armor or power.

"Hey... Sorry I’m late." He raised a hand and smiled.

The group went silent.

Kruger looked him up and down, muttered something under his breath.

Daniel didn’t seem to care. His eyes landed on one of the Awakened.

Linor.

"Linor?" He paused for a moment. Then said with hesitation,

"Daniel?! Oh my god..." Linor froze for a second, then smiled and stepped forward.

Kruger stomped forward, muscles bulging under his armor, his face red with anger.

"You’re the new member? You look too scrawny to be useful. Just don’t get in the way."

Some of the Awakened nearby turned toward Daniel, curious.

"Strange... I didn’t think a gorilla could speak so clearly," Daniel said calmly, without frowning or defending himself, just raising an eyebrow.

A few muffled laughs rose from the group.

Even Silo, trying to hold herself back, chuckled under her breath.

"What did you say?! Say it again, you little punk!" Kruger’s eyes flared as he dropped his axe from his shoulder and stepped forward.

But before he could take a second step, a loud, formal voice cut through the tension.

"That’s enough!"

One of the Association agents stepped forward. His black coat shimmered under the sun. Beside him, his partner—a slim woman with short white hair—gave Kruger a sharp look.

"It’s time. Final approval for dungeon entry has been granted. The team must prepare for immediate transfer."

Kruger snorted, threw his axe back over his shoulder, and stomped off toward the reporters.

"I, Kruger Drask, will clear this dungeon. Those trash monsters? They’re prey for my axe. The people of Sanctis can count on me." He faced the cameras and said with pride.

The guild that hired him had invested heavily in him to clear this dungeon—if he succeeded, he’d surely earn a spot among the top young talents of the generation.

The cameras flashed, and reporters quickly began throwing questions.

"Let’s hope his fighting’s as big as his ego," Daniel muttered, shaking his head.

"I still can’t believe I’m seeing you here. Small world." Linor stood beside him with a gentle smile.

"Same. I thought you went to the capital. Didn’t expect to run into you here," Daniel glanced at her.

"I was supposed to go, but the city’s Awakened Association posted another request to clear this dungeon, and the guild that hired me decided to send me instead."

"I see." Daniel smiled. Linor was one of his good friends back in middle school.

It was actually him, Joe, and Linor—they were a trio who spent most of their time together. Joe was popular for his wealth, Linor for being the smart one, and Daniel... well, he was the charming one.

They were a complete team, but everything changed when Linor awakened. Their paths split. Daniel and Joe both failed to awaken, and they slowly drifted apart.

Linor, who hadn’t been very well known before, suddenly became the center of attention. he not only awakened but, as far as Daniel could remember, even got a high-tier mage class.

"What happened to you? Didn’t expect you to get a second awakening, and as a healer?" Linor placed a hand on Daniel’s shoulder.

"It just kind of... happened. I wasn’t expecting it either," Daniel replied honestly.

"You must be pretty good if the Association recommended you to join the team," Linor raised his eyebrows.

This team was made up of the city’s top young talents. If the Association wanted Daniel on it, it was clear he had good skills.

Daniel just chuckled and said nothing.

Before more questions could be asked, the agents announced it was time to enter.

They all moved toward the dungeon entrance and stepped inside. A bright white light surrounded them. The crowd noise disappeared.

The ground beneath their feet began to shake, and a moment later, everything changed.

When they came to, they stood in the middle of a giant stone arena.

The Colosseum.

Spectator stands rose high around them like walls. But there was no sound. The audience sat still, but they had no faces. Like hollow masks. Soulless. Silent. Just staring.

The air was heavy. Even breathing felt harder. On the other side of the arena, on the royal platform, sat a figure.

A massive knight in black armor with a golden crown.

His eyes shone from behind his helmet. Beside him, six golden-armored knights stood still with tall spears, like statues.

[ Welcome to the Colosseum Dungeon ]