Point of View: Drakar
I watched as the warriors finished lining up in formation.
Snow continued to fall softly, covering the camp and muting every unnecessary sound. Even so, the tension in the air was obvious. No one spoke much.
As for me, I was already prepared.
My backpack was secured, and every detail had been checked in advance. I disliked mistakes—especially on a mission like this.
Then the system notification appeared.
[Five minutes have passed.]
I raised my gaze toward the ranks.
"It's time. Make sure your packs are tightly fastened. We leave in a few seconds."
I watched them inspect straps, weapons, flasks, and masks one final time.
Good.
I lowered my voice and spoke to myself.
"System, what would be the cost to teleport us to the dungeon entrance?"
A series of messages appeared before my eyes.
[Calculating…]
[Number of individuals…]
[Number of objects…]
[Distance…]
Several seconds passed before the answer arrived.
[Price for teleportation to target: 50 copper coins.]
I frowned.
"Fifty?"
I did the math immediately.
If I added the return transport to Dalaran along with the looted resources...
I clenched my jaw.
"Damn it."
The alliance had chosen my tribe because we were the closest to the target dungeon. Even so, the cost was still high.
My eyes hardened.
"All because of those abominations…"
I remembered the tribe that had passed through our territory a few days earlier. They had arrived exhausted, carrying their cubs and wounded. They had abandoned their lands near that region.
I allowed them to stay for one night.
Not out of kindness.
I needed information.
Even if it cost us resources.
I remembered their faces.
The fear in their eyes.
The exhaustion.
And above all… what they told me.
The abominations were highly active during the day.
And once darkness fell...
Going outside was practically suicide.
My expression darkened.
The situation was worse than most believed.
Not enough for a full evacuation yet... but it was heading there, if the chaos remained limited to that region alone.
I looked again at the floating number before me.
"System, explain yourself. Why is it so expensive?"
The answer came immediately.
[40 copper coins correspond to the distance.]
"And the other ten?"
[Additional tax for diplomatic reasons.]
I blinked.
"Diplomatic?"
[Affirmative.]
[The system cannot participate in power disputes between users.]
I narrowed my eyes.
"But you're helping us right now."
[Negative.]
[The system is only transporting alliance members into neutral territory.]
[Your relationship with King Rangar is neutral.]
I exhaled slowly.
"So you charge us for that."
[Affirmative.]
[If you were allies or subordinates of King Rangar, the fee would be lower.]
That made sense.
But there was something more important I wanted to know.
"And if we were enemies?"
There was a brief pause.
[The system would not perform the transfer.]
[That would violate my neutrality protocols.]
I remained silent for a few seconds.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
That meant we could still move freely because, officially, we were not enemies.
Not yet.
After today… that could change.
I asked one final question.
"System, will you inform King Rangar about this transport?"
[Negative.]
[The system protects the privacy of its users.]
That answer relieved me.
Though not completely.
If this went wrong, Rangar would not be able to use the system to discover who we were.
I looked at my warriors.
Beasts from many tribes.
I shook my head.
"The other chiefs should have anticipated this expense…"
But it was too late to argue.
The mission had to be carried out today.
And I had no intention of looking incompetent before the alliance.
"I'll pay the extra… and demand reimbursement later."
That was fair.
Or at least, I would try.
I raised my voice so everyone could hear.
"Prepare yourselves!"
Dozens of eyes locked onto me.
"The moment we arrive, no one speaks more than necessary. No one separates from the group. No one makes decisions on their own."
I walked slowly in front of the formation.
"We go in, loot the place, and get out."
I stopped.
"If anyone jeopardizes this mission… I will leave them behind."
No one protested.
Perfect.
I looked forward and gave the final order.
"System… transport us."
[Affirmative.]
[The coins will now be deducted from the user's balance.]
I felt a sting of annoyance.
Ten wasted coins.
A massive white circle appeared beneath our feet, covered in glowing symbols that slowly rotated.
Several warriors swallowed nervously.
Others tightened their grip on their weapons.
The light intensified.
The freezing wind vanished.
The snow stopped falling.
And in an instant, the entire world dissolved into white.
When the brightness faded…
We were no longer in my camp.
Before us rose a gigantic stone entrance covered in ice.
The dungeon stood before us.