Dungeon Raider System

Of all the possible treasures he could have found inside the vault disguised as a water tank, he found the most precious of them all. The dagger was a symbol of their friendship, but contrary to a token piece that could only be used as a memento, it was a useful weapon that would certainly make his life easier and more than likely, save his life.

The colors, the design and even the type of weapon were a clear sign that their friends knew him very well. As an expert archaeologist, Uriel needed but a quick look to know that although the dagger was crafted with Medusa, Luna and Nika helped in its creation. All of their feelings were poured on the weapon which made it priceless to him.

That appraisal was also backed up by the fact that he was able to store the dagger inside his museum, but it wasn't until he read the carvings on the pedestal beneath the dagger that he truly grasped how priceless the dagger actually was.

[Red thread of fate] A masterfully crafted orichalcum blade weapon, its sharp tip allows piercing through armor and the blunt hook makes it a perfect climbing tool. It is a symbol of friendship and love. It was discovered by the infamous archaeologist Uriel Sage.

Uriel read the full description fighting back the urge to give the dagger, silently complaining about the system still calling him an infamous archaeologist, though the best part had yet to come.

[Passive] Causes additional damage to armored enemies.

[Passive] Boosts physical attributes by 10% for every nearby friend.

[Active] Drains life force from the tip to the handle.

Uriel didn't miss how the system used the word 'friend' instead of ally in the second passive ability, but even if he only counted the friends he currently had it would still grant him an amazing boost. Causing extra damage to armored enemies was also great, but it was outshadowed by its ability to drain life force.

It meant that the more damage it caused to the enemy, the more his wounds would heal allowing him to stay in combat for longer. It wasn't the same as Water warlock's blessing, but it suited perfectly his reckless fighting style.

Thanks to being accustomed to having regenerative capabilities, Uriel always focused on the offensive without even caring about getting wounded and his pain threshold was higher than most hunters.

"This is amazing." Uriel exclaimed in a gasp, without noticing he wasn't alone anymore.

"I wouldn't go that far, but they're okay." Miss Dragonfang replied, snapping Uriel out of his trait and allowing him to finally see the people in front of him.

The former Dungeon raiders formed rows in front of Uriel, looking expectantly at the man who they now knew was the CEO of their company. They knew him well since he was always close with the higher ups like Nika, and he was also allowed into the second floor, though some of them thought he was just a janitor since he spent so much time cleaning the place.

There were the Armstrong men, a clan of hunters with great physical strength Uriel hired as miners to extract orichalcum from the Alamo dungeon. There were also some of the hunters who assisted Medusa on anything related to orichalcum, capable engineers she trained herself to meet her standards and there were even a few medics who used to be under Luna's command.

There were also new employees, people Nika hired after Uriel left the company, but something was missing.

"Where's Janett? Did something happen to her?" Uriel asked Miss Dragonfang.

"Who's Janett?" Miss Dragonfang directed him a confused look.

"Janett, you know, the mean receptionist who always complained about something."

"Oh! Janett! I don't think she was mean, she just didn't like you. We lost a bunch of people to the Fallen corporation..."

"I see," Uriel lowered his gaze with regret. "She was always mean to me, but it makes me sad to hear of her passing." Uriel continued with a solemn tone of voice, which Miss Dragonfang dissipated with a chuckle.

"She's not dead, she just shifted sides. When you guys left the city, Sam came here himself acing like a big shot. I asked him to give us a hand, but instead he poached some of our members. What you see is what you get, these are all the remaining members of the Dungeon Raiders."

"Hey boss, I think you should give a speech." A woman Uriel recognized as the martial artist who defeated him in the ladder voiced out loudly and she was soon followed by the rest of the crowd. Uriel stood dazed in front of everyone for a few seconds and then cleared his throat as the expectant members of his company kept silence.

"I'm bad at giving speeches, but I am deeply grateful to all of you faithful companions. Even if we're up against the biggest corporations in the city and the world, even if I can't even pay your wages.

I thank you for remaining loyal even in this trying times when the city is under attack by cryptids and hybrids alike, all while there's a titan rank cryptid outside the walls waiting for a chance to break in," An awkward silence formed after Uriel finished speaking.

It was so anti climatic and negative, all Miss Dragonfang thought of doing was to start clapping her hands to break the grim mood that formed, but Uriel wasn't done yet. "I didn't come here to save you and I'm not as generous as to try and save this city. I don't think I'm a good person, but I pride myself in repaying everyone in kind and I came back to pay all my debts.

Everyone will get what is due to them."

Those present didn't know if Uriel was giving them hopes or if he was actually threatening them. They all felt judged under his icy cold glare, something that didn't match the stories miss Dragonfang told the new members about Uriel.

She always described him as a warm nerdy student who somehow became the heart of his group of friends, but they couldn't perceive any warmth coming from the man in front of them.

None of them expected much from an impromptu speech coming from someone most of them didn't even know in the first place, but somehow Uriel managed to leave everyone disappointed and scared at the same time. But all that hanged the minute Uriel spoke the following words.

"That's why we're going to celebrate tonight." This sentence was followed with a loud cheer that became even stronger when Uriel proceeded to transfer Miss Dragonfang enough credits to pay for a catering service.

Holding a private party was already expensive, doing it in the slums and with such short notice made it so expensive Uriel felt he was bleeding out through his wallet but Uriel's suffering was far from over.

"I'm so glad to see you." Vivian said blushing up to her ears.

"I can't say the same this time. How much is this going to cost me?"

"Well, last time it was pretty cheap, but after the renovations this place became a lot more expensive. I managed to keep those who wanted to buy this place at bay by telling them this place was haunted, but I can't do anything about the price."

"Haunted? Nevermind that, where's your sister?" Uriel asked when he failed to spot Mary among those present.

"She couldn't make it. One of her friends is getting married soon and she's on the bridal party." Vivian replied, taking care not to mention which friend was the one getting married. Uriel, though, held no interest in those kind of matters as he was too busy enduring the pain of an expense bigger than the lavish party he was throwing.

If it wasn't for the insane amount of credits Uriel was able to acquire after exchanging the trites he received as a reward for the level 3 physical training, It would have been impossible for him to even think of buying back the headquarters. Thankfully, though, he did have enough credits and he was able to transfer the full price in a single payment.

Not even Vivian expected him to do something like that, especially since they were still allowed to used the building without paying for it, but after receiving the 'Red thread of fate' as a gift he couldn't fathom losing the place that held so many good memories just because he was too cheap to pay for it.

The party carried on until late morning and the starved hunters managed to sate their hunger and then some more. To most of them it was the first time they had their bellies full in over a month and the joyful mood spread like wildfire.

The only one who wasn't immersed in the fun was Miss Drgonfang, who knew how stingy Uriel was and thought there had to be a reason behind his 'generosity'. He did say he wasn't generous, but then proceeded to throw a party. It didn't make sense.

Yet the strangest thing had yet to come because, contrary to the Uriel she knew who would have eaten his worth of credits while ignoring everyone, he was mingling with people and trying to get to know them.

"Just when you think you know someone..." Miss Dragonfang let out a sigh.