Surviving as the Second Main Lead: Second Lead's POV

“So, which dungeon are we heading into Instructor Harris? I don’t think you specified the details to us yet.”

Lucas asked the question a little over an hour into their journey. Horas was interested to know the answer to this as well.

He had written many dungeons but they were all under the control of the government in the end. Some wealthy people and top guilds had a semi-ownership in some dungeons for training but no individual owned a dungeon.

And dungeons came in all kinds of shapes and sizes. They could be a jungle or an urban setting. It was impossible to say unless one headed inside.

“Well, it’s a surprise. But don’t worry since we are about to reach our destination soon. I hope you did your studying and know what to do and not to do during your dungeon run.”

Instructor Harris did not tell the group where they were going and instead diverted their attention elsewhere.

“We know. We are not supposed to run off and face the boss since it can cause the dungeon to collapse. Unless we get special permission, we are not allowed to go into the boss room.”

There was two way to conquer the dungeon - overwhelm it and take control of it with your mana, or kill the boss. Both were frowned upon since they could cause a dungeon to collapse.

And in current times, dungeons were resources one could repeatedly mine if you were careful.

“Very good. Since you are all such good students I know you will behave well. Ah, looks like we are finally here.”

Instructor Harris put Horas down once he spotted his target. Horas did not see it at first but once they walked closer, it was quite obvious where they were headed.

There was a mechanical door in the middle of the forest and it hid the entrance to a well-established base of the dungeon association. It was a place that controlled the maintenance as well as protection of dungeons.

Currently, a man was waiting outside the facility gate and he looked agitated. His concerned look faded away as soon as he noticed Harris head over.

“Instructor Harris, you are finally here. And this is your team? I thought the academy said it will be a fresh squad of three?”

The nervous agent asked as he looked behind instructor Harris.

Horas did not have to be a genius to know that he was being overlooked by the man in front of them.

“What do you mean? There are four of us. Look, three kids and one instructor.”

Harris boasted as he pointed at his back. Finally, the agent noticed Horas’s existence and he looked just as taken aback.

“Instructor Harris, I think you are getting a little too old nowadays. You brought a kid with you.”

The broker looked toward Horas with an uncomfortable expression. He seemed to be judging Horas’s usefulness.

“Hahahah, don’t worry my friend. The principal is the one who decided on this team so let’s trust her judgment. I am sure you will not be disappointed by our decision.”

Their broker still looked like he was not convinced but he decided to not question the authenticity of the claim. He looked on uncomfortably as the instructor led his group behind closed doors.

“Just so that you are clear Instructor Harris, the Dungeon association will take no responsibility if something happened to your kids. So they will need to be careful in the dungeon.”

The broker reminded Harris again and Horas had a feeling it was all because of him.

Had these been normal circumstances, even Horas would have found it hard for a kid to enter the dungeon. He still found it hard to swallow that he had to enter the dungeon at the mere age of five.

“Don’t worry my friend. It’s just a rank F dungeon so nothing will happen. Besides, I will be entering into it with suppression on as well. Everything will be alright.”

It did not look to be alright from the broker’s face but even he was running out of excuses at this point. In the end, the broker just sighed and agreed to open the door. But not before he made everyone sign a waiver.

“Alright gang, we are finally in. And it’s time I tell you why you all were selected and what your role here is.”

…………………..

It turned out that despite everything that happened, Inspector Harris did have a plan in place. And the team he had selected was not chosen without reason.

[[[Name : Nesh, Age 15 years, 2 months

Affinity: Esper’s academy

Special skill: Mesh binding archery]]]

Nesh used a bow and pulled the string back. Her arrow broke into small net-like things and caused the small monsters to become immobile. It did not take long for the net to dissolve the monsters as well.

She was good at crowd control.

“Nesh, a small wave is incoming at 90 degrees. Make sure you get them all.”

Lucas quickly ordered as he focused on sensing more of their surroundings.

[[[Name : Lucas, Age 16 years

Affinity: Esper’s academy

Special skill: Hyper awareness]]]

Lucas’s ability allowed him to notice even the smallest of the moment and point it out. Both teenagers were not apt at using their gifts yet but they were doing good.

Instructor Harris looked especially giddy to see them working their way ahead as he held Horas.

Horas had not been allowed to fight at the moment and that was for the better. The bright grin instructor Harris sent his way told Horas that Instructor Harris had plans for him.

“Alright group, you are doing good. Now slowly head toward the west and you will see a building.”

The current dungeon they were in was a mix of forest and modern landscape. It made adapting just a little easier for Horas and the others.

“Hey, old man *huff* shut up if you are not going to help.”

Nash replied as she pulled her bow back again. Another net was fired out of her bow and took care of the last wave. They finally had breathing room again.

“Alright, you both did well. Now Horas, it’s your turn to do what you need to. Do you see this duct up there? You need to crawl inside and open the door from inside. Think you can do this?”

Horas looked up at the pipe and he doubted if he would be able to sneak through something this thin. He was a thin and frail child so the chances of him succeeding were decent.

“And why can we not just break the door and announce our welcome?”

Nash asked and raised her bow but Lucas stopped her in quick moments.

“Are you an idiot? If we break the wall then the whole next will come out to look for us. I do think it’ll be best to open the door from inside.”

Lucas instantly drove in and stopped Nash from continuing her thought process. Nash had an embarrassed look on her face as she was reprimanded but her eyes were still full of stubbornness.

She did not say anything after it was proven that she was wrong. She did not want to admit her mistake.

“Anyway, let’s get this operation underway. Horas, be careful out there and do not take unnecessary risks. Here, also carry this since you cannot use a gun.”

Horas was handed a small but shining ball in his hand. It looked like it short is scorching hot but it was pretty cold to the touch. Horas was interested in the ball but he decided to keep it in his utility storage for the time being.

“Good luck kid. And use the bomb if you find yourself in a pinch. It’s quite strong.”

Horas was really glad he had put the small glowing orb away when he had. If he had heard that it was a bomb before putting it away, a few accidents would have happened.

Even Jay and Nash looked surprised at their instructor’s lack of tact. Nash especially had a surprised look on her face.

“You gave a kid explosives? Instructor, what the hell-”

Horas wanted to hear more but he decided to take care of the mission before he could relax. The small vent was just enough space for Horas’s small body to be able to crawl through.

He was thankful for the protective suit he was wearing. Otherwise, there would be a lot of scratch marks on his knees and hands.

‘I wish I could tap on my arm to see the map. It’s so annoying to walk through this maze-like space’

The main reason Horas was having a difficult time was that his small body was not able to perfectly. It was a little annoying how much effort crawling around required.

Finally, Horas ended up finding a small grill and he dropped the tool he had been given. The grill was melted away, leaving nothing behind.

“Ugh, how do I jump down from this height? I don’t want to break my legs.”

Horas sighed as he looked around the room. It was quite clean and it was not that high. There was even a couch that Horas could use as a landing to save himself from the impact.

Luckily, his arms had enough energy to hang on and land on the couch. His legs would have been a goner otherwise.

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