Chapter 245: Cooperation Among Hunters Is Important

The Sixth Squadron's training session came to an end when Liam raised a hand to signal for everyone to stop.

The hunters had been practicing various combinations of their abilities. Zayn and Nora worked on their reconnaissance exercises, while Carol and Emily tried out new ways to coordinate their attacks. Jordan and Ray focused on defensive maneuvers, and Chloe practiced using [Resonance] to connect several teammates at once.

Chuck and Lena, as usual, had turned part of the training into a competition. Lucas and Eve joined the exercises, demonstrating that they were beginning to adapt to the squadron's pace.

"Good work, everyone," Liam said.

"Take a break for a moment. I want to talk to you about something important."

Chuck dropped onto a bench and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"More training, boss?"

"No. This time, it's about the Antarctic mission."

His comment caused several hunters to look up. Although everyone knew they were preparing for an important operation, they still hadn't received many details.

Liam waited for them to gather around him.

"James confirmed that the situation with the dungeon remains concerning. The energy readings continue to increase irregularly, and the changes inside are becoming more frequent."

"What kind of changes?" Chloe asked.

"The areas and the connections between sectors are being rearranged. The maps we have could become useless at any moment."

Nora frowned.

"So even if we know a route right now, we can't count on it being the same when we go back in."

"Exactly," Liam replied.

"And that makes any reconnaissance attempt much more complicated."

Ray crossed his arms.

"Is the energy also altering the dungeon's structure?"

"That's what they're investigating. They still don't have a definitive explanation. What they do know is that the energy buildup exceeds anything ever recorded in an SS-rank dungeon."

Liam paused before continuing, taking a deep breath.

"There's a possibility that it could evolve into an SSS-rank dungeon. It would be the first time anything like that has happened."

The group fell silent.

Zayn was the first to react.

"An SSS-rank dungeon? Does that mean it could be much more dangerous than the dungeons we've explored so far?"

"That's what the researchers fear. We don't know what changes it might undergo or what kinds of creatures could be inside. They can't predict when the evolution will occur, either. It could happen in a few days, a few weeks... or at any moment."

"And we're still going in?" Eve asked.

"Yes. All six As de Picas squadrons will participate in the international operation. We don't have a definitive date yet, but we need to prepare as though it could begin soon."

Lucas nodded seriously.

"Then the important thing will be to stick together and not rely on the maps."

"That's part of the plan," Liam said.

"But we'll also have to adapt to whatever we find. We can't assume the dungeon will behave like the ones we're already familiar with."

Carol glanced at Emily.

"At least we'll be able to rely on each other."

"And we'll be there for you, too," Jordan added.

"If the routes change, we'll have to make sure nobody gets left behind."

Ray nodded.

"We can practice defensive formations that don't depend on any specific terrain. If I need to alter the density of something to block a corridor or reinforce a position, I'll need to know where everyone else is."

"And I can keep you connected during certain moments," Chloe added.

"But my [Resonance] won't solve everything. We'll have to practice distributing the energy without leaving anyone exhausted."

Liam gave them an approving look.

"That's exactly why we're training. We don't know what awaits us, so we have to be prepared to work together."

Chuck raised a hand.

"What if we run into a monster so big that we can't get around it?"

"Then we won't try to get around it without thinking," Liam replied.

"We'll assess the situation and decide what to do."

"That sounds a lot less fun than throwing a grenade at it."

"Chuck, not everything can be solved with a grenade," Lena said irritably.

"But a lot of things can."

Emily laughed, and Carol shook her head.

"At least we know we won't be bored," Eve remarked.

Liam smiled faintly, though his expression quickly turned serious again.

"There's something else. This will be an international operation. There will be hunters from other countries and guilds we don't know. We'll have to coordinate with them, share information, and follow the instructions that are established."

"Does that mean we'll have to team up with hunters from other guilds?" Lucas asked.

"Yes. And we can't assume everyone will act the same way we do. We'll have to maintain communication and avoid making impulsive decisions."

Zayn straightened up.

"Then what do we do if we get separated?"

"We try to regroup by following the protocol we're given. But I don't want anyone wandering away from the team without a clear reason."

Liam looked around at his subordinates.

"The most important thing is that nobody feels obligated to prove anything. This isn't a competition. If something goes wrong, I want you to prioritize your safety and that of your teammates."

Nora nodded calmly.

"Understood."

The others did the same.

Liam knew his words couldn't eliminate the uncertainty, but he hoped they would at least understand how serious the situation was.

◇◆◇

Once their discussion was over, the squadron began gathering their training equipment.

Liam was putting away some protective gear when he heard someone calling him from the entrance to the training room.

"Liam!"

He turned and saw Millie and Evan approaching. It had been a while since he'd last seen them.

"What brings you two here?" Liam asked.

"Amber sent us to find you," Millie replied.

Evan raised a hand in greeting.

"She asked us to give you a message."

Liam crossed his arms.

"Did something happen?"

"No, nothing bad," Millie assured him.

"She just wanted you to know that if you need reinforcements for the Antarctic operation, you can count on us."

"And the rest of our squadron, too," Evan added.

"Amber said you don't have to face everything alone. If you need support, we'll organize ourselves to help you."

Liam fell silent for a moment. He hadn't expected such a direct offer of assistance, although he knew Amber was a determined person who valued cooperation among hunters.

"That's very kind of her. Please thank her for me."

"We will," Millie replied.

Evan glanced at the rest of the Sixth Squadron.

"Have you told them what's going on?"

"Yes. We were talking about the changes in the dungeon and the possibility of it evolving into an SSS-rank dungeon."

Millie let out a low whistle.

"This has really turned into something serious."

"It has," Liam said.

"That's why we're trying to prepare as best we can."

"Amber believes coordination between squadrons will be essential," Evan remarked.

"And she thinks it's important for you to know you can count on us before the operation begins."

"I agree. We still don't know how the teams will be organized, but having allies who are willing to help is always a good thing."

Millie smiled.

"Then we'll see you there when the time comes."

"Looks like it."

After saying their goodbyes, the two hunters headed back toward their squadron's training area.

Liam watched them leave before returning to his subordinates.

"Well, at least it looks like we won't be alone," Chuck said, blowing a bubble with his chewing gum.

"We won't be," Liam replied.

"But that doesn't mean we can relax."

Lucas nodded.

"We'll keep preparing."

"Exactly."

Liam looked at each of his teammates.

Ray and Chloe were already discussing how to improve the team's coordination. Nora seemed to be thinking about new reconnaissance strategies, while Zayn moved his legs impatiently, eager to start training again.

Carol and Emily were talking quietly, Jordan was checking his equipment, and Chuck and Lena were arguing about who had finished the last exercise first. Lucas and Eve had moved closer to listen to the final instructions.

Liam felt a mixture of pride and concern.

He trusted them. He knew they had worked hard to get where they were and that none of them would back down easily.

But the Antarctic dungeon was a threat unlike anything they had ever faced.

"That's enough for today," he announced.

"Tomorrow, we'll continue with coordination and adaptation exercises. I want everyone to think about how they could help the team if we lose our routes or are forced to change formations."

"Understood, boss," Chuck replied.

The others nodded.

As his teammates dispersed, Liam remained in the training room for a few moments, looking around.

Amber's offer had given him some peace of mind. Knowing that other hunters were willing to support them was important, especially in the face of a threat that could affect the entire world.

Even so, he couldn't stop thinking about what awaited them.

'We have to be ready. Not just to enter that dungeon, but to make sure we all come home,' he thought.

He then picked up his bag and headed for the exit.

The preparations had only just begun, and they still had a long way to go.