Chapter 32: The escort

Outside in the city of Everest, a four car convoy was seen speeding along the roads. The convoy was led by an armored vehicle equipped with a rooftop-mounted autocannon. Inside sat four men wearing formal black suits, dark sunglasses, and red ties looking like characters straight out of a Men in Black movie. A heavy, suffocating pressure radiated off them, indicating that even without taking action, they were high ranking, powerful Players.

​Following the lead vehicle was the primary transport: a luxurious SUV. Bringing up the rear were two open top UTVs, both mounted with heavy machine guns. Inside the UTVs was a squad of elite tactical personnel in full military gear, equipped with tactical helmets, combat vests, and assault rifles. Their stoic, disciplined expressions made it clear they were highly trained professionals.

​Inside the luxury SUV, five people were seated: the driver, Diana, Smith, Brenda, and Velvet. Smith was seated in the back between Velvet and Brenda, while Diana rode in the front passenger seat next to the driver.

​Having reached an agreement with Lisa that morning to complete his first task, Smith had intended to depart quietly. However, the moment he boarded his SUV, Diana had stopped him. When asked, she explained that per orders from higher-ups, Smith was required to have an escort whenever he left the city. Lacking context for what lay ahead, Smith had acquiesced at the time—a decision that led directly to his current situation. ℯℯ𝑙.

​Looking toward the front seat, Smith broke the silence. "Since we already agreed beforehand, can you remind me why you felt the need to bring such a flashy escort?"

​"Master Smith, please forgive me," Diana replied calmly. "These were direct orders from above. They insisted you travel with your own dedicated guard detail. As for the flashiness, I assure you it is entirely necessary."

​"If it’s necessary, why couldn’t I just take an additional leading car?" Smith pressed. "Why full military vehicles and armed personnel?"

​"Master Smith, high-ranking Players possess immense power, but their energy reserves are limited," Diana explained. "While they are formidable, they cannot manage every low-level threat simultaneously. If an unexpected incident occurs, their sole priority is to secure your safety. Heavily armed personnel are far more efficient at clearing lower-tier creatures and managing peripheral threats. It is not for show; it is practical utility."

​Smith went quiet, understanding that the precaution was for his safety, even if the grandeur made him uncomfortable. The Players in the lead car were high-tier guards dispatched by the Seven Families to protect him, while others remained behind to safeguard his aunt.

​Diana framed the escort as protection against unforeseen threats—such as a sudden dungeon outbreak—but Smith knew the underlying truth: it was a shield against rival factions and government interests. Should a player of his strategic value—a master tied to a legendary titled Queen, opposing forces could easily construct a scapegoat, eliminate him, and resolve the matter politically without leaving behind a shred of evidence. It was a political headache, but Smith had no choice but to accept it; the arrow had already left the bow.

​As the convoy traversed the outer roads, Smith spotted a glowing white portal in the distance. A makeshift perimeter enclosed the dungeon, complete with makeshift tents, barricaded checkpoints, and elevated watchtowers manned by armed guards. They had arrived at their destination.

​The convoy slowed as it approached the gate. Guards on duty inspected the vehicle license plates and verified the identification cards of the individuals in the convoy before granting passage.

​Past the gate lay a temporary camp spanning roughly 2,000 square meters. The convoy pulled to a stop in an open area. The tactical personnel in the rear UTVs immediately dismounted and established a secure perimeter. The high-tier Players from the lead vehicle stepped out and opened the rear door for Smith.

​With assistance from Brenda and Velvet, Smith transferred from the SUV into his wheelchair. Velvet pushed the chair from behind, flanked by Diana on his left and Brenda on his right. The guards formed a tight inner security ring around them, while the rest of the personnel maintained a outer perimeter. The extravagant display made Smith dumbfounded, but he maintained his composure.

​They proceeded directly toward a two-story temporary command building set up near the portal. Up close, Smith observed that the portal itself was isolated within a 20-meter clear zone, surrounded by barricades.

​ the armed escort and guards remain outside. Only Smith, Diana, Velvet, and Brenda entered the facility.

​Inside, a wide corridor opened up before them. A temporary staff member greeted the group and escorted them to a designated room.

​At the center of the room sat a large round table occupied by three men. Two were young men roughly Smith’s age, both releasing traces of pressure that identified them as Players likely his assigned dungeon teammates. The third was a middle-aged man whose heavy aura marked him as a high-ranking Player overseeing the operation.

​Upon Smith’s entry, the middle-aged man stood up. Velvet rolled Smith’s wheelchair up to the table, while Diana, Velvet, and Brenda stepped back to stand at attention behind him.

​"Now that everyone is present, allow me to introduce myself," the middle-aged man began. "My name is Jacob, representing the Brown family." He turned toward Smith. "Welcome, Mr. Smith. Allow me to introduce your teammates."

​Jacob gestured toward a lean young man with black hair and striking green eyes. "This is Alexander, representing the Frost Moon family."

​He then pointed to a blonde young man with brown eyes. "And this is Apollo, representing our Brown family."

​Smith nodded politely to both young men, and they returned the gesture in kind.

​Satisfied, Jacob continued. "This dungeon was originally discovered by the Brown family. Per our agreement with the other families regarding Mr. Smith’s tasks, the spoils will be distributed strictly according to contract: Mr. Smith will receive 10 percent of all items by total value, the other participating families will receive 5 percent each, and the remainder goes to the Brown family as the discoverers. Are there any objections to this statement?"

​All three participants remained silent. The terms matched the contract Smith had signed earlier, so the distribution came as no surprise.

​"Good. If there are no objections, let us proceed to the dungeon brief," Jacob said, his tone sharpening as the room focused on the objective. "When we first discovered this portal, we identified it as a special one-way dungeon. However,observations indicate it had begun to mutate, which prevented us from clearing it immediately. Furthermore, it enforces a three-person entry limit, making it far too risky for a standard team."

​Jacob looked at the three young men. "Because the Dungeon has shown signs of imminent collapse and will dissipate if not cleared, we must act immediately. Alexander and Apollo, you will accompany Mr. Smith inside, assist him in any capacity required, and follow his instructions unconditionally."

​Apollo and Alexander nodded in unison.

​"Very well," Jacob concluded. "That covers the essentials. We begin now."