Chapter 191: The Gathering of the Six Squads

The Ace of Spades Guild’s main hangar was packed.

Hunters, doctors, and support staff moved back and forth. Some carried boxes of medical supplies, while others helped the injured reach the rest areas.

The atmosphere was far from peaceful.

After facing the altered SS-Rank dungeons, none of the squads had returned in perfect condition.

Several hunters had bandages wrapped around their arms and legs. Others struggled to walk, leaning on their teammates for support. Even some of their weapons had been damaged during the battles.

And yet, everyone had managed to return.

Liam entered the hangar alongside the members of his squad.

He looked around.

"Wow. Looks like we’re not the only ones who got beaten to a pulp."

Chuck adjusted his jacket.

"Boss, I think if someone had seen us a few hours ago, they would’ve thought we needed a hospital, not a meeting."

"Probably."

Jordan walked behind them, eating a bag of cookies.

"I’m perfectly fine."

Ray looked at him.

"You have a bandage wrapped around your head."

"It’s decorative."

"You’re limping, too."

"It’s part of my style, kid."

Lena burst out laughing.

Liam smiled before continuing forward.

Then he noticed the other squads gathered on the opposite side of the hangar.

And they were much larger than his own.

Amber was accompanied by dozens of hunters. Wayne was talking with several members of his team, while Don Rouch was receiving a report from one of his subordinates.

Jane Armstrong was also present.

And near her stood Timothy, surrounded by the female members of his squad.

Liam looked at his own team.

Zayn, Nora, Ray, Chloe, Jordan, Carol, Emily, Chuck, Lena, and Lydia.

Ten hunters. Eleven people if Liam was included.

He looked at the other groups again.

"I think we really do have the smallest squad."

Chuck followed his gaze.

"You’re only noticing that now, Boss?"

"I was just confirming it."

Lena crossed her arms.

"At least we can count everyone at a glance."

"Ten," Chuck said.

"Eleven," Liam corrected.

"Ten plus the Boss."

"¡Hey, Chuck!"

The laughter from some of his teammates eased the tension for a moment.

However, Liam’s expression changed when he looked at Emily and Carol.

Both were exhausted after the earlier battles. Although they had received medical attention, they still needed to rest.

"How are you two feeling?" he asked.

Emily rolled her shoulders.

"Better than before, I think."

Carol nodded.

"But if anyone asks me to fight again right now, I’m punching them."

"I’ll keep that in mind."

Liam smiled.

"You two should rest during the meeting."

Emily nodded, while Carol looked for somewhere to sit.

Lydia, meanwhile, stayed close to Liam.

Ever since her evolution into an Energy Slime, her powers had begun to stabilize. However, James had insisted that she shouldn’t push herself until they understood her body’s changes better.

Liam glanced at her.

"Honey... are you feeling okay?"

Lydia nodded.

"Yes. Don’t worry."

"I’m just asking."

"And I’m just answering."

Liam sighed.

Sometimes, he got the impression that his wife particularly enjoyed reminding him that she could take care of herself.

◇◆◇

"Liam Davis!"

A familiar voice echoed through the hangar.

Timothy approached, accompanied by a woman with short brown hair and light armor.

Liam raised a hand.

"Tim. Glad to see you’re still in one piece."

"Likewise."

Tim looked at Liam’s small group.

"Wow. Your squad looks like it survived a war."

Chuck raised a finger.

"Technically, I think we came pretty close!"

The woman beside Tim smiled.

"I’m Maya. I’m part of Timothy’s squad."

Liam nodded.

"Nice to meet you. We fought together, if I’m not mistaken."

"Exactly."

Maya had awakened the power of Magnetism. During the battle, she had used her ability to manipulate metal objects and hurl them at the dimensional creature.

Tim crossed his arms.

"By the way, where’s Emily?"

Liam pointed toward his teammate.

"Over there."

Tim followed his finger.

"Oh. She’s resting."

"After those combined attacks against a dimensional creature, I think she’s earned it."

"Of course."

Tim fell silent for a few seconds.

Then he sighed.

"It’s a shame. I’d already gotten used to the idea of having her in my squad."

Liam raised an eyebrow.

"You’re still thinking about that?"

Maya started laughing.

"Boss, get over it already! You picked her during the Squad Selection, and she still ended up choosing Liam!"

Tim put a hand over his face.

"Thanks, Maya. I hadn’t forgotten."

Another hunter from his team came close enough to hear the conversation.

"It’s just that Emily was the first woman to ever reject him!"

"She didn’t reject me! She rejected my squad!"

Maya smiled.

"Of course, Boss. That makes it so much less painful."

Liam burst out laughing.

Tim pointed at him.

"You’re not helping either!"

"Sorry. I just can’t help it."

Lydia stepped a little closer.

"Why are there so many women in your squad, Tim?"

Tim let out a deep sigh.

"Because fate has a pretty cruel sense of humor."

Maya patted him on the shoulder.

"We think it’s because you need us."

"I’m starting to regret picking you all!"

The hunters burst into laughter.

For a few moments, the hangar seemed to regain some of its usual atmosphere.

But the calm didn’t last long.

"All sub-captains, please report to the center of the hangar."

The announcement echoed through the speakers.

"Captain Armstrong is waiting for you."

The conversations gradually died down.

Tim straightened up.

"I guess it’s time."

Liam nodded.

"Let’s go."

◇◆◇

The six sub-captains gathered in the center of the hangar.

Amber, Wayne, Don Rouch, Timothy, Jane Armstrong, and Liam Davis.

All of them bore the marks of their recent battles.

Amber had a bandage wrapped around her forearm. Wayne had several cuts in his uniform. Don Rouch looked tired, though he maintained his usual calm smile.

Tim had a small wound above his eyebrow.

Jane also showed signs of exhaustion.

Liam was in no better condition.

The other hunters gathered some distance away, leaving room for the meeting.

Then Captain Armstrong appeared.

He was walking alongside Instructor James.

And floating near them was a small pixie.

Pix looked around the hangar curiously.

"Wow. I’ve never seen so many hunters gathered in one place."

James stopped in front of the sub-captains.

"Thank you for coming. I know everyone is exhausted, but we need to talk about what’s happening."

Amber crossed her arms.

"I’m guessing this has to do with the altered dungeons."

"Exactly."

Before continuing, James gestured toward Pix.

"But first, I’d like to introduce someone."

Everyone’s attention turned toward the little pixie.

Wayne frowned.

"What is that thing?"

Pix raised both hands.

"Hey! I can hear you!"

Wayne blinked.

"And it talks, too."

"Of course I talk!"

Chuck started laughing from the back.

"I like that little one."

James cleared his throat.

"Her name is Pix. She’s part of Sub-Captain Davis’s awakening and has been instrumental in analyzing the altered dungeons, dimensional connections, and portals."

The sub-captains looked at Liam.

Jane was the first to speak.

"She’s part of your awakening?"

Liam nodded.

"Yes. She’s helped me understand many of the things that are happening."

Don Rouch studied Pix carefully.

"Then is she responsible for much of the information we’ve received?"

"A significant portion," James replied.

"Her analyses have allowed us to establish connections between phenomena that, until recently, seemed unrelated."

Pix smiled proudly.

"I’m pretty good at what I do."

Liam glanced at her.

"And pretty full of yourself, too."

"Hey!"

A few hunters chuckled.

But Armstrong raised a hand, and the hangar fell silent.

"We’ll rest once we understand the situation."

The captain looked at the six sub-captains.

"Every one of you has faced threats that, just a few days ago, we would have considered extraordinary. However, what we’re seeing now appears to be only the beginning."

James nodded.

"That’s why we need to share all the information we’ve gathered."

He then extended a hand, and the lights in the hangar began to dim.

A massive hologram appeared above them.

It was a map of the world.

And several violet dots began lighting up across its surface.

Liam looked up, and Pix stopped smiling.

James took a deep breath.

"What I’m about to show you could completely change our understanding of dungeons."

The six sub-captains stared at the map.

And they all realized that this meeting wouldn’t be a simple review of their missions.

Something much bigger was happening.