AI: Artificial Isekai

Let's analyze the situation. I cannot detect any gate out of the pocket dimension. Conclusion—this is a Trial Dungeon. It must be an unregistered dungeon that the Rangers have been managing or were aware of. Probably from before I was transported to this world. Judging by all the data I have and the radiation from the gate, firmly in the D grade.

The dungeon is a relatively small area, around two kilometers in diameter. The sky is an overcast mess of unnaturally twisting gray clouds. Occasionally, I can make out macabre shapes forming for a split second and then dissipating into vague distortions. The ambient light implies a late dusk, and the temperature is an uncomfortable chill. We are standing on the edge of an ancient cemetery. Weathered and unrecognizable gravestones are jutting out of the earth, strewn around in a haphazard configuration. The center of the grounds is occupied by four mausoleums, each one made out of dull, black stone. The cemetery is circled by a thick evergreen forest. The trees are so close together that one cannot see more than a few meters deep, creating the illusion of being stranded in the only clearing in an infinite sea of green.

Though, the carefully crafted ambiance of the dungeon is ruined by the preparations Sini has created. Pillars of ice, stone, and dirt are dominating the battlefield. Smaller and much more deadly spikes of ice have embedded themselves in some of the graves. Taking a closer look reveals that the first wave has met their end before they could have even dug themselves out from their resting spots.

Miv does not make a move to join the other two, staying glued to my side, his hand resting on the hilt of his blade, and his eyes scanning everything around. Something catches his attention, as he turns his head somewhere toward the center of the dungeon. In the next moment, hundreds of wails can be heard from all around, drowning out any other sounds. Lesser Wraiths.

The monsters' materialization is preceded by misty condensation, but before they can fully reveal themselves, the icy pillars connect with one another. Then those connections connect yet again. The result is a razor-sharp jungle gym skewering the next wave. When every ghastly figure stops moving, Sini simply drops her hand down. The mass of ice and monsters crashes to the ground and then flattens, creating a slippery surface and clearing the temporary obstruction.

Miv sneakily glances at me and at my hanging jaw. A small smirk tugs at his lips, but he suppresses it.

"Watch closely. This is only the start." He appears satisfied at my nervous gulp.

Like a delayed demolition, concentric rings of bursting graves start radiating from the center of the dungeon. Giant, hulking figures can be seen rushing toward us through the falling dust, soil, and shards of ice. With each plume, more and more join the clumsy stampede. But before they can even pick up any significant speed due to the previously created hazardous conditions, the pillars detonate. If the wails were loud, then this is deafening. Except for a tiny bubble around us four, the rest of the area is filled with shrapnel. The air is so thick with zipping projectiles that visibility is pretty much gone, leaving only a grayish curtain of churning death.

Before the pieces of debris can finish their flight, Sini brings her hand down again. Instead of continuing on, the pieces ignore any and all laws of physics and change direction toward the ground. The curtain of death sinks into the earth, shredding anything still standing into pieces of gore, dragging it down and burying it again. The outcome is an unrecognizable, frozen field. The only signs of anything even happening are the uneven soil and the still standing mausoleums, though they are much worse for wear. Her hand rises, and the pillars return.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"I hope this will give you an idea of what the more dangerous dungeons we delve are like. The one we are currently in is particularly nasty. We generally wouldn't even risk anything harder, but sometimes, we don't have a choice. Strong adventurers are rare. Stronger than us, even more so." I turn to him. The question forms on my lips, but I don't say it out loud. "Rank isn't everything, Luci. Does Sini look like just an E to you?" I vigorously shake my head, still too stunned to answer properly. He sighs. "The responsibility that a higher rank entails is not an easy decision."

Miv looks at Pemik. The archer has his bow in hand, and his posture is tense and alert. Then he looks at Sini. The mage is trying to control her breathing. Her exertion is starting to show. Then he looks at me.

"Sini gave me permission to tell you." I can feel her momentarily tense at his words. But then she exhales and relaxes, focusing on the battle. "She lost her husband. A break. She didn't want to follow the same fate and leave her child all alone. But there are not a lot of options for a battle mage. At least not any that are worth it. Her teleportation is too costly for commercial use, and her spells are too... explosive. She is talented,"—he briefly looks at her with admiration—"but learning takes time." He looks around, and somewhat assured with the length of the current lull in waves, continues, "My brother and I have fought for everything we have ever had. We have fought for our lives, for our freedom, for our food. Everything. And now, we are still fighting." He spreads his hands, gesturing toward both Pemik and Sini. His hands drop, the right resting on the sword again. "We are not taking a lot. We are not asking for a lot. We can't fight forever. When Sini has made enough so her daughter is taken care of, and when me and Pemik have enough to be secure, we will stop. Until then, our services are valuable."

"Let me join the fight."

Miv looks surprised, but before he can object, Sini yells at me, "Absolutely not! It was a stupid idea to even bring you here this early."

Pemik tries to placate her, "You saw how the kid fights. He can take care of himself." I nod at the timely assist, giving a sneaky thumbs up.

She turns to him and growls out, "Eyes on the forest." Pemik snaps his head to the trees.

Okay, don't fail me now big bro. "Sini, he'll have to face stronger dungeons sooner or later."

"I warned you, Miv. No fighting." She tsks angrily. "We should have just talked like Lucius wanted, not this fucking demonstration."

Miv prepares to retort, but refrains. He most likely wanted to lay out the consequences of not convincing me to keep their secret.

You softened her up for me, don't worry. "Sini." She moves the pissed off glare to me, and it shifts to a more concerned stare. "We are going to be a team, right?" She doesn't move to reply, so I continue, "What I guessed is that you've made too many promises and can't handle the volume anymore. That's why you need a fourth, and that's why you need to split into two teams—handle more ground." All three look at me surprised. "Observe me. See what I lack and what I can improve. You don't want someone unpredictable having your back, do you?"

She groans in frustration. "You two! Watch him. Got it?"

Both answer together, "Yes, ma'am."

She then waves her hand toward me. Frost starts creeping on my clothes, armor, and skin. I regard the phenomenon with fascination not concern. There is no coldness in the growing crystals. When the ice stops moving, she drops her hand down.

"This should keep you safe." With a sterner tone she adds, "But don't even think about being reckless." And then an icy statement, "If you even look at the boss, I am freezing you in a block of ice."

I sputter out a barely comprehensible 'Yes, ma'am'.

Howls echo out from within the trees, bringing a timely end to the discussion. Soft but fast steps can be heard, crushing the occasional twig and thumping against the spongy, needle-covered floor. The first enemy runs out from the forest and onto the clearing. The Lesser Werewolf is then immediately followed by the rest of its pack. The howls are slowly replaced by angry growls, as more and more of the lycanthropes madly rush toward us.

Wait, are they actual werewolves. I wonder if they can shapeshift. Hmm, maybe I could— Focus. More important stuff to handle. Prioritize.

Miv swiftly instructs, "Sini'll rest. Pemik overwatch. Stay close."

We both spring into action as one.