Marvel : Strongest Siblings

Matt looked over the options carefully. "Don't I need to take on dungeons of my own rank ?" he asked curiously.

"That's usually the case," she explained, "but as a new guild, you're allowed some flexibility. Clearing lower-class dungeons also counts toward your progress, as long as you maintain consistency and demonstrate growth."

Matt nodded in understanding, glancing at his team. "Alright, let's get started."

They nodded as Matt examined the list, finally pointing at one. "We'll take this one, called Lava Hounds," he said confidently.

The receptionist nodded and began registering the dungeon for their guild. "Do you need an excavation team to handle the magical crystals and rare ores found in the dungeon, or do you have your own team for that?" she asked.

Matt thought for a moment before replying, "We'll need one."

"Alright," the receptionist said, noting it down. "We can assign you a team from the association, but keep in mind that we charge 10% of whatever you recover from the dungeon as a service fee."

Matt nodded in agreement. "That's fine."

"Perfect," she said, handing him a small card with a glowing rune etched on its surface. "This is your dungeon access key. Simply bring it to the dungeon's entrance, and it will activate the portal for your team. Good luck!"

"Thanks," Matt replied, pocketing the key as he turned to his team. "Let's get moving. We've got a dungeon to clear."

"How does that key work?" Liam asked, eyeing the glowing rune-covered key in Matt's hand as they sat in the carriage.

Matt smirked, holding up the key. "There's an S-rank hunter who has the ability to seal almost anything, including dungeons. He works for the association to seal dungeons when there are too many of them and not enough people to clear them. This key is one of his creations—it's how we access sealed dungeons."

Liam nodded, his eyes wide with admiration. "That's so cool. Being an S-rank hunter must mean you've got insane powers."

Matt shrugged, leaning back. "Maybe. But don't get the wrong idea—we're a team. I'm not going to leave you guys behind. We'll all grow stronger together."

"Yeah, but my powers are weird," Misty said suddenly, her tone tinged with doubt as she slouched in her seat. "Controlling zombies and undead? That's bad-guy stuff... or, like, something out of those Korean manhwas"

Matt chuckled, shaking his head. "It's not totally necromancy, as I explained. You're also a warrior, capable of devastating attacks. One slash from you, and anything in its path decays and dies. Honestly, Misty, you're the most powerful after me in this team," he said, giving her a reassuring pat on the back.

"Really?" she asked, her voice filled with tentative hope.

"Yes, absolutely," Matt replied with a firm nod.

"So, how do I use it? Aside from raising the dead?" Misty asked, leaning forward with curiosity.

"Raising the dead is just one part of it. You can create powerful servants—not mindless zombies—but intelligent ones, like vampires or other high-level undead," Matt explained. "Even more powerful servants, like Arch Liches, could manage lower undead for you. They're incredibly strong, like that lieutenant I heard about from the dungeon raid in China."

Misty frowned, still a bit hesitant. "It still feels... gross."

"Lower-level ones, sure," Matt admitted, shrugging. "But higher-level ones? Vampires are cool—and sometimes even handsome, right?"

Misty chuckled reluctantly and nodded, feeling a bit more confident. "I guess you're right. I'll have to see how it works."

They soon reached the dungeon location, hidden inside the basement of a quaint café.

"They really do pop up anywhere," Trion muttered, eyeing the entrance to the dungeon. The others nodded in agreement.

"Well, let's not waste time—let's just go," Matt said, pulling out the Rune Key card. He pressed it against the shimmering barrier covering the dungeon entrance. With a faint glow, the barrier cracked and dissipated, revealing the way forward.

As they stepped inside, they found themselves surrounded by glowing pools of molten lava and a pack of Lava Hounds, their sulfurous breath filling the air.

"What are these... Lava Hounds?" Misty asked, looking around warily.

"They're a good resource for you," Matt replied. "Once defeated, you can raise them as Dark Hounds. They're strong, and since they're skeleton-based, they don't stink."

Misty glared at him. "I don't want undead creatures, and I definitely don't want undead dogs. It's gross."

Matt shrugged, smirking. "Suit yourself."

Suddenly, the Lava Hounds attacked, their fiery mouths snapping as they lunged at the group. Their intense heat distorted the air around them.

Matt moved swiftly, cutting through the first wave with his golden sword. The strikes were precise, killing nearly twenty hounds with ease.

"Alright," Matt said, turning to the others, "from here on out, you guys are going to work. No sitting back." He picked up a glowing Lava Hound core, tossing it to Trion. "This is for you. It'll unlock more of your potential."

Trion caught the core hesitantly, staring at the glowing object in his hand. "Do I really have to eat this thing?" he asked, grimacing.

Matt smirked. "Yes, it's how the power integrates into your body. Don't worry—it's not as bad as it looks."

Sighing, Trion gulped it down, wincing as the fiery heat surged through him. The core dissolved within him, and a rush of energy coursed through his veins. His body felt like it was on fire, the sensation both painful and exhilarating. But then the sensation was lost replaced by intense hunger as his body begin to absorb the fiery mana of the core. Soon the fiery mana was all absorbed as he felt something breaking from him and then he felt the same as he felt when he was awakened for the first time only stronger now.

"Congratulations," Matt said with a grin. "You now have an innate trait: Pyromancer. It's rare and powerful."

Trion raised his hands, marveling as flames danced at his fingertips. "This... this is amazing," he said, his voice filled with awe.

"Good," Matt said, stepping back to let him test his new abilities. "Now let's see what you can do with it."

***

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