This Is Not the Life That I Imagined

The portal suspended quietly above the ground, giving a surreal feeling. As the smart lenses were gathering data about the dungeon, John called Henry.

Beeb!

"How is your situation, John? " Henry answered while his eyes drifting to the screens around him.

"I'm standing a few meters away from the dungeon entrance. I will send you the data of the dungeon once the smart lenses finish collecting it." John replied while his eyes scanned the trees around; his senses heightened. The forest seemed unnaturally quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves. The portal hummed every now and then, making the surroundings feel both alive and deathly still.

John was alert with a buzz as the data was transferred to his Watch. "I'm sending you the data." John cracked his neck as he asked, "So, what now?"

"Wait a minute, John. " Henry started processing the data. It took a few minutes before his face turned grim. "It is level one elite dungeon." His hand danced on the monitors, becoming blurry. He continued after a few moments, "It is the weakest elite type though."

Henry's frown deepened as the numbers ran across his screen. 'Elite. Even the weakest of its kind could push seasoned teams to their limits.'

He took a deep breath before exhaling, "John. I will send a team to clear the dungeon and trucks to bring back the mutant animals' bodies. Do you have any injuries or are feeling exhausted? "

 "No, I'm not injured. I spent some stamina but I still have plenty left. " John responded while placing one hand on the sword.

"Good to hear. Before the team reach you, I expect all the mutants in the dungeon surroundings would be eliminated. "

"No problem. The mutants around here won't be an issue." The call ended with John letting out a sigh.

Henry, on the other hand, edited John's mission before updating it. Then he created another mission for clearing elite dungeon before dragging a list icon on the mentor in front of him as he mumbled, "Who is available for the mission?"

Scrolling through the list, his eyes stopped on several names. "Hmmm! Zak Cote, talent earth manipulation could be a shield and a spear for any team. He has cleared several uncommon dungeons with others before and was a team member in one of an elite dungeon task. with his steady, calculating demeanor, had been a reliable presence in every mission. Good you are the first. "

He adjusted his posture as he skipped several names after finding them either on mission or injured. "Joe Bowers can transform into three different beasts: lion, eagle, and rhino. His transformation strengthens with every stat increase. He is confident and versatile enough. He went through many normal and uncommon dungeons. You are the second."

Scrolling down, he stopped on two names: "Toby, fire control talent... he can deal high damage to even those higher than him in attributes but he only experienced one dungeon. "

Hesitation was writing on all over Henry's face as he looked at the second name, "Maxwell, harden body. He can tank more damage, and his hits are powerful, but he is in the same situation as Toby... Let's see if there are others. "

Henry searched more for any other available member, but he found none. And any above basic levels can't be sent as they need their energy for any level 2 dungeons or above. And they are already small in numbers.

Shaking his head, Henry took a deep breath before sending the mission. He stood up, muttering, "I'll see for myself how much they've progressed. If they are still lacking, I will wait for another day and see if any more members are available. "

He walked from the planning department to the assembly station. He arrived and waited for a few minutes before Zak and Joe entered.

"Hello Henry. Didn't you just send a mission? Why are you here personally?" Zak was dressed in a casual T-shirt and pants, topped with a knee-length coat, while holding a dark brown staff with three small gems embedded in the top part.

"It's been a while, Zak and Joe. Nothing, just want to send you in a small simulation to see if all the team members are compatible with each other." Henry smiled as answered, hiding his true thoughts from them.

"Don't worry, as long as I'm here, nothing will go wrong." Joe's confident grin was not very reassuring to Henry.

 Joe, with his huge build, was wearing a sleeveless T-shirt and sport pants. His clothes were tailored for him to change as he transformed to not ending up naked when he turned back into a human. A black mixed with gray color gauntlet covered his fingers and wrist.

"I will judge that by myself. If the team is not strong enough, I will postpone the mission to another day when more agents will be available." Henry didn't wait long before Toby and Maxwell arrived.

Toby's eyes were shining, eager for some action. There was a new confidence in his posture, his fingers twitched at his side, a small flicker of flame dancing across his knuckles before vanishing, controlled and precise.

Maxwell, on the other hand, stepped forward with the same calm presence, but something about him had changed too. His body seemed even more solid and his stance unshakable. His movements were more deliberate, as though each step carried the weight of his hardened form. He scanned the room, sizing up the people present with his eyes.

"You're all here. Follow me." Henry started walking as he led them to a nearby simulation room.

"Zak has more experience. If you have no objective, he will be your leader from now on. Go in and train for an hour. I want to see your chemistry." His voice and face turned stern as he warned." The mission is an elite level one dungeon. I don't want any mistakes to happen. If you feel you are not capable of bringing your full strength or are not comfortable with anything, voice them out after this simulation. Because there will be no turning back after confirming the mission."