Dungeon Raider System-Chapter 939: Ancient, not old Part 1

The path left by the Mapple corporation while they performed their exploration had long been reclaimed by the jungle to the point where it was impossible to follow it anymore. It seemed unnatural, though it was actually a pretty normal process as nature would slowly but surely reclaim any trace of civilization abandoned by men. This, along with the fact that they could not see past the dense rain forest, made it easy for any one to get lost, especially without them being able to rely on any electronic device or even a compass.

It was only thanks to Nika’s expertise, Uriel’s instinct and Medusa’s sense of navigation that they were able to somehow get a sense of direction. But Luna’s contributions were no smaller in any regards and were actually the most important.

Finding the structures would only be a matter of time whether or not they knew the way as they could even take down trees, but making it there alive was an entirely different matter and that is where Luna’s field of expertise came in handy.

While the rest of the team tried to find the way, Luna and the jaguar worked together to spot any cryptids before they could become a threat. Which taking into consideration how most of them were ambush predators was a particularly difficult task, a task made impossible due to the mixed energy signatures in the atmosphere.

However, no matter the amount of flux, the beastly senses of both the lycanthrope huntress and the feline cryptid far surpassed the limitations of a regular Hunter’s senses and they were able to announce whenever a cryptid was about to show up or creep onto them.

The jaguar spirit emitted a low growl whenever he sensed an enemy and while Luna could have used words, she was so immersed in her beast side she did the same as the jaguar. She even britled the first time a monster rank enemy showed up, though it turned out to be a harmless pigmy who didn’t even had a weapon.

"Are you sure the Mapple corporation was defeated by these cryptids? I’m finding it really hard to believe, even if they were numerous they’re not even a challenge." Medusa asked in disbelief after crushing the pigmy with her foot, almost crushing the flux orb it dropped along with it.

"You really do think your family’s company is all powerful, but if they’re so mighty, why didn’t they show up when the gos took over the world?" Uriel scoffed.

"I was there, Medusa...," Nika said in a serious tone of voice, the kind of tone she only used when facing impossible odds or when beer ran out. "They’re weaklings, but they never stop coming at you."

"Plus, we’re only seen the weaker enemies. Those that due to their lack of power or maybe ineptitude were forced to the rim of the barrier. The closer we get to the center, the stronger the enemies will appear." Said Luna in a monotone, which contrasted with her past beastly behavior.

"Let’s keep going." Uriel said after firing a shot at a snake that seemed large enough to be a cryptid but was actually a regular animal as it did not drop a flux orb nor did it fade. This caused Uriel to be disappointed and also regretful, since animals were scarce and in need of protection.

But their disappointments didn’t end there, as the first structure they found was precisely the one that least interested Medusa. As the team’s engineer she was tasked with understanding their inner workings and see if she was able to replicate the technology, though the ball court was the least interesting and mysterious of all the structures.

"Are you absolutely certain?" Uriel asked.

"Yes, it’s just a field with no technology whatsoever. It’s just lie a modern stadium, a place where people fought." Medusa huffed.

"Actually, this place was used for a sophisticated game of ball. The ancient Maya held competitions in which..."

"Fine! It’ll check it out, but only if you shut up with your archaeology stuff." Medusa rushed in to what used to be a stone wall structure, but after what happened the first time Uriel visited became a golden marvel that looked just like a small stadium.

"Someone’s cranky." Nika chuckled, then took a sip of a flask, only to have it snatched by Uriel.

"No drinking!"

"It’s water, staying hydrated is important." Nika said with a frown.

"As if It’d fall for that...," Said Uriel after taking a suspicious sniff, then a careful sip and realizing the truth."It’s water!"

Medusa inspected the building from every angle and took out some tools in an attempt to dismantle anything, open a control panel, or anything she could think of. She even looked around for traps or pressure plates, but she found nothing.

In the meantime, the rest of the team was bored to an extent they didn’t think possible. When Nika agreed to come back to the accursed place where so many bad memories were made, she expected to be running for her life most of the time but even that was better than standing idle with nothing to do.

"What do you say we play a little?" Nika said with a mischievous grin.

"We shouldn’t... We need to keep an eye open." Uriel grunted.

"You’re just saying that because you know you’ll lose."

"Afraid of losing? To you!?"

"I’m Mexican, soccer is in my veins. While you... Have you ever even played before?" She lifted an inquisitive brow, prompting Uriel to rush into his souvenir shop and buy the sturdiest ball he could find. It was a professional grade ball, which admittedly was pretty sturdy, but the moment Uriel kicked it it burst like a soap bubble. "See? You have no control over your body, let me show you how It’s done."

Uriel bought another one and Nika received it with her foot, passed it on to her knees and pretended to jog while standing in the same place making the ball bounce gracefully with every movement. Both Uriel and Luna were left mesmerized by her control and the fluid movements she made and Luna wouldn’t help but break the spell.

"Who would have thought you were actually good for anything."

"What’s it, young lady, You’re playing against me!" Nika challenged before kicking the ball. "And That’s me scoring the first point."

"I... Wasn’t ready." Luna said in a monotone that somehow sounded vaguely excited.

"And That’s why you’re losing."

The two started playing something that barely resembled any game of ball and not one in particular. They used hands, feet, held the ball and did all sort of forbidden movements in any sport, such as Nika using shadow tendrils to keep control of he ball or Luna shifting into a werewolf form to gain more reach in order to block the ball from going over her.

All under Uriel’s gaze as he studied their movements out of scientific curiosity. Sure, they weren’t following any kind of rule and they didn’t even keep a proper score as each of them claimed to be winning by an absurd amount of points, but they were behaving a lot of fun. At some point, even Medusa stopped what she was doing and stood next to Uriel watching the girls have fun. It was such a nice moment she wished she could snap a video recording, which was impossible not just by the cryptid’s FOD but also because the very field they were in blocked all electronic devices.

At that moment, a small light drew Medusa’s attention as it seemingly came from a figurine above It was small and barely noticeable for a human, but to a hunter it was a lit beacon that could not be ignored.

"How long as it been doing that?" Medusa asked.

"I think from the moment Nika scored a point without cheating." Uriel said.

"Do you understand the game they’re playing?" Medusa tilted her head, then took the chance to lean on his shoulder causing the ball game to come to an end as both players decided it was best to interrupt whatever romantic moment before it took place.

"We have a deal!" Nika snarled.

"What? I didn’t..." Medusa was about to lie, when Uriel cut the moment short

"Could you guys keep playing? I think the field has its rules and I’m trying to understand them." Uriel asked and the two went back to the court, but not before threatening Medusa with both eyes, gestures and silent curses.

The game continued, though now that they were aware that what they were doing could actually prove useful instead of it just being a fun time made them painfully conscious of their movements and that proved to work against any chance of understanding the game Uriel had in the first place.

At that moment, Uriel decided he needed to do something to motivate the players and spike the game to a whole new level. He offered the winner a date with him.

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