CHAPTER 87: A DUNGEON BREAK

"A dungeon break! What class? Which type of monsters are coming out?" Rowan asked in an urgent voice.

"I... I don’t know for sure which class it was. But I saw dire wolves. They were hunting and eating whoever failed to run away. And..." the man stopped.

"And?" Rowan asked again.

"I heard a roar. Maybe... maybe it was an orc. That’s all I know. Please let me go now." Then without even waiting for Rowan’s reply, he turned and sprinted away. He knew exactly who the person he had been talking to really was. It was the 3rd prince. But he was consumed by fear and couldn’t care less about showing any courtesy at that moment.

Rowan was rooted in his spot. "It’s at least a D-class dungeon then," He thought. His mind raced, already planning the next course of action. "If it’s a D-class dungeon, then it would require at least a B-class hunter and 7–10 low-class hunters to clear it out. But he was only a Tier 3 mage—maybe equal to a C-class at best. And he had only Logan and a royal guard with him. He needed to ensure Daliah’s safety as well.

While he was still immersed in his thoughts, there was another boom. And the earth shook again. The royal guard and the coachman of the carriage came running.

"Prince, let’s leave the place as soon as possible. It’s too dangerous," the royal guard said.

Rowan turned toward them and finally came to a decision.

"Gilbert, you come with me. And Sean, you leave the place and go back to the palace with Daliah and Logan. Send backup as soon as possible. Inform the Hunter Guild as well," came Rowan’s instructions.

"I am staying," Daliah said. "I won’t leave without you."

"Don’t be stupid, Daliah. It’s a class D dungeon at least. You just awakened six months ago. You’re not even a proper mage yet. You are far from being able to help. Listen to me, please. And don’t make this harder than it already is," Rowan tried to convince Daliah.

The source of the shouts was getting louder and closer. The monsters were nearing.

"What! A D-class? Then you won’t be of any help either. Let’s leave together," Daliah panicked. She didn’t want to lose Rowan. After their mother’s death, he was the only genuine family she had left.

"I can’t leave like this. Even if I won’t be of much help, I need to stall for time so that the innocents can leave and the hunters get time to arrive." He turned to the coachman. "Sean, make no mistakes. Get them both out of here safely and send backup. Go. Move." With that said, both he and Gilbert shot toward the hill where the roars and screams were coming from.

Daliah tried to run toward her brother as well, but she was stopped. Someone pulled her back, grabbing her wrist.

She turned back and saw it was Logan.

"What are you doing? Unhand me right now!" Daliah shouted.

"Calm down, Princess. I also don’t want anything bad happening to your brother. But you running after him will surely put him at risk. What do you think will happen when you’re in danger? Will he fight to defeat them or protect you? If you go, you will only hold him back," Logan elaborated in a calm voice.

"Then what am I supposed to do? Just sit here and wait for bad news? It’s a market. There are no official hunters here. One or two may be present if we are lucky, but even they will die before they can even think what to do. It’s a class D dungeon. You need at least a Tier 4 mage who is a B-class hunter and a minimum of 5–6 more hunters to clear it safely."

What Daliah said was true. Though all were mages in this world, not all were fighters. Just like having limbs doesn’t make someone a soldier. To be a hunter, you needed training, experience, and battle instinct. So though all present in the market were mages, none of them were of any help.

"Nothing bad will happen to your brother. But to make sure of that, you need to be patient. For now, leave this place immediately with Mr. Sean. Go somewhere safe and wait for your brother. Don’t worry. Your brother will return safely to you," Logan said. "Count it as a promise."

Daliah blinked. She didn’t know what to say. The person in front of her was the same age as her. What could someone their age possibly do? But then Daliah remembered. Maybe...just maybe, this person could actually help. Or at least he was the best option at that moment.

Seeing Daliah’s hesitation, Logan spoke again. "Please, Princess. Don’t waste more time. The longer you wait here, the more the situation will degrade on your brother’s end."

"Alright," Daliah finally said.

"Take her somewhere safe, please, Mr. Sean."

"But the young prince ordered me to take you to safety as well. Please come with us. It’s dangerous here. And you can’t do anything." The coachman didn’t know anything about Logan. So he couldn’t put his faith in a kid and was afraid to be punished for not following Rowan’s orders.

"It’s alright. Let him help. Maybe he can do it," Daliah said.

Daliah turned to Logan. "Best of luck. And please be safe yourself too." With that, she turned around and strode toward the carriage.

The coachman hesitated. But then, finally letting go, he followed Daliah.

After the two of them left, Logan looked toward the hill. Smoke was curling up in the air. People were running away from the foot of the hill. The cries and roars had thrown everything into chaos.

"D-class dungeon," Logan murmured.

He didn’t know how strong that really meant. He didn’t know if he could keep his promise either. But that didn’t mean he would sit back and do nothing just because he was unsure.

Logan sprinted toward the hill. His face was calm, but his speed was like a cannonball.