OP Absorption
Chapter 41: Mission Time

Chapter 41: Mission Time

The morning of the mission arrived cool and grey. Fin stood at the door with his gear checked and short staff strapped to his back. Meg watched him from the kitchen doorway.

"Try not to get eaten," she said with a forced smile.

"Wouldn’t dream of it. Too chewy." He paused. "I’ll be back, Meg. Promise."

"You better. Don’t make me come drag you out of that dungeon myself."

"Wouldn’t want that," he chuckled before stepping outside.

A black Guild car waited at the curb. He slid into the back seat and the car pulled away.

The driver, a middle-aged man with a neatly trimmed beard, glanced at him through the rearview mirror. "First time in a Rank 6?"

"That obvious, huh?"

"You’ve got that look. Excitement mixed with ’what the hell am I doing?’" The driver shrugged. "Seen it before."

"You’ve driven many Hunters to dungeons?"

"More than I can count." The driver navigated a turn. "Some come back, some don’t."

Fin stared out the window at the passing city. "Think I’ll make it back?"

The driver was quiet for a moment. "You’re going in with Hana’s team. That improves your odds." He tapped the steering wheel. "They’re good. The best, actually."

"And the dungeon itself?"

"Nasty business. Rank 6 is where things get serious." The driver’s eyes met Fin’s in the mirror. "But hey, you wouldn’t be going if someone didn’t think you could handle it, right?"

Before he could respond, his phone buzzed. Mara.

"I’m heading out now," he answered.

"I know. Listen," she paused, "don’t think that training exercise means anything in there. Rank 6 is a different beast entirely. Those A-ranks you’re with? They’ve earned their stripes through years of brutal fights. You haven’t."

"Understood."

"Stick to the plan, follow their lead, and focus on survival above all else. Your primary role is support and observation unless directly ordered otherwise." Her voice carried a hint of concern beneath the professionalism. "This isn’t a game, Fin. One mistake in there gets you killed. Permanently."

"I get it, Mara. I won’t be reckless."

"See that you aren’t. Try to come back in one piece. It saves me paperwork."

"Will do. Fin out."

He ended the call and looked up to find the driver watching him.

"Boss?" the driver asked.

"Something like that."

The car eventually pulled up to a temporary encampment set up near a jagged tear in the landscape – the entrance to the Rank 6 dungeon. Tents dotted the area, Guild officials moved around, and the air crackled with mana from the entrance.

"Good luck in there," the driver said as Fin stepped out. "Try not to die."

Fin nodded and headed toward a large command tent. Inside, six individuals waited, their gear practical and well-maintained. They looked like veterans, radiating quiet competence.

A woman with sharp eyes and dark hair stepped forward. "You must be Fin. I’m Hana, team leader for this operation."

She gestured to the others. "This is Mary," – a woman with a calm demeanor. "Susan," – a stern-faced woman with a heavy shield. "Joe," – a wiry man with twin daggers. "Gary," – a bearded man with a massive warhammer. "And Lucas," – a focused young man whose hands subtly crackled with energy.

"All A-rank," she stated. "You’re the provisional member. We’ve been briefed on your performance at the training."

Fin nodded, feeling their collective gaze. "Fin Carver. Ready to follow orders."

Hana nodded. "Good. We move out in five. Stick close, stay alert, and try not to get yourself killed. We don’t have time for babysitting."

The team began their final gear checks, the atmosphere tense but focused. Fin took a deep breath, gripping his staff.

"A spider dungeon," Hana said, unfolding a map across the command table. "Appeared three months ago. Rank 6."

The team gathered around, studying the rough sketch of what little had been mapped so far. Only the entrance and first few areas were detailed, the rest marked with question marks and warning symbols.

"Two teams have gone in before us," she continued, her finger tracing the limited pathways. "First team made it halfway through and retreated due to injuries. Second team..." She paused. "Second team didn’t make it back."

Mary spoke up. "What makes this different from a typical Rank 6?"

Hana’s expression tightened. "Intelligence suggests there’s a hidden clear condition. It’s not just about killing the boss."

"So we’re going in blind?" Joe asked, fidgeting with one of his daggers.

"Not entirely. We know it’s spider-themed. Expect webs, poison, ambushes from above and below." She looked around the circle. "The dungeon seems to test problem-solving as much as combat ability."

Gary hefted his warhammer. "Spiders squish just fine under this."

"Don’t get cocky," she warned. "These aren’t ordinary spiders. They’re dungeon-born, with abilities we haven’t fully cataloged."

Lucas, the youngest of the A-ranks, nodded. "Elemental affinities?"

"Primarily poison, some shadow magic, possibly earth."

Fin listened carefully, committing every detail to memory.

"And our plan?" Susan asked, her arms crossed over her chest.

"Standard formation. Gary and Susan on front line, Mary and I flanking, Joe and Lucas providing ranged support." She turned to Fin. "You stay back, observe, and collect drops. No heroics."

Fin nodded. "Understood."

"We’re here to clear it if possible, map it more thoroughly if not," she continued. "But survival comes first. If things go south, we retreat. No exceptions."

The team began discussing specifics – entry timing, communication protocols, emergency signals. Fin absorbed it all, occasionally asking clarifying questions that earned him surprised but approving glances from Hana.

As they were preparing to move out, Susan approached him, eyeing his staff with undisguised skepticism.

"You’re seriously going in with just a stick?" she asked, tapping her heavy shield. "Against Rank 6 monsters?"

He met her gaze evenly. "It’s what I’m comfortable with."

She snorted. "Comfort won’t matter when you’re facing venomous fangs the size of your arm."

"I handled myself fine in the training."

"Training isn’t a real dungeon." Her voice hardened. "We’ve lost good Hunters in this place. A-ranks with proper weapons and years of experience. You’re a D-rank with a stick."

The others had paused their preparations, watching the exchange. Fin felt their eyes on him, measuring, judging.

"If you’re so concerned," he said quietly, "perhaps we should spar. No weapons. Right now."

A hush fell over the tent. Susan blinked, surprise briefly replacing the disdain on her face.

"You’re challenging me to a spar? Before a mission?"

"Just a quick one," he replied. "To ease your concerns."

Gary let out a low whistle. Joe suppressed a laugh.

Susan’s eyes narrowed. "Fine. Outside. Two minutes."

As she stalked out, Hana stepped closer to Fin. "Bold move," she murmured. "Susan’s our tank for a reason."

Fin nodded. "I know what I’m doing."

"Hope so," she replied. "Because if you get humiliated before we even enter the dungeon, your authority with this team is shot."

Outside, a small clearing had been established between the tents. Susan stood waiting, her heavy armor removed, wearing only her base layer – still imposing with her muscular build and stern expression.

Fin set his staff aside and took position opposite her. The rest of the team formed a loose circle around them.

"First to pin wins," Hana announced. "No mana usage, no strikes to vital areas. Begin when ready."

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