Summoned with an SSS-Rank Portal Skill

Finding the portal's location was straightforward, but that didn't equate to an easy entry or passage.

The strongest of the bandits were there, guarding the area. Even their current leader was present!

The portal was concealed within one of the city's numerous abandoned sectors, shrouded by thick vegetation. Only a single path led to it, and it was dimly lit.

The light radiating from the portal was the brightest illumination in the vicinity. In front of the portal stood a few tents. The bandits were camped there, studying the mysterious gateway.

"We will have to fight," William stated, his gaze fixed on the scene before them, "but where's the boss creature protecting this place? Shouldn't it be around here?

Every portal they had encountered so far had been guarded by some kind of boss creature. While it was possible to avoid a fight with some, most encounters were unavoidable.

Yet, there was no boss creature guarding this particular portal, at least not one that William could see. And judging by the relaxed stance of the bandits, there was no immediate threat.

"I have the same doubt," Burt admitted, "but there has to be a boss creature here. They tried to make me go through the portal, and it didn't work."

The adventurers exploring the dungeon knew that they had to defeat the boss before being able to pass through a portal. That was why Burt was confident the creature was lurking somewhere nearby. William shared the same opinion.

"We must find the creature then," William asserted, "even if we reach the portal, we won't be able to go through if we don't defeat it."

Just the thought of fighting through all those bandits only to be blocked by a missing boss creature was frustrating. It would be a complete waste of effort.

"Did they say anything about the creature? Or did you sense or see anything while you were here?" William inquired, hoping Burt had some useful information.

Burt furrowed his brow, deep in thought, trying to recall every snippet of conversation he had overheard from the bandits. However, with the constant beatings, his mind hadn't exactly been focused on their words, so he might have missed something crucial.

"No, I have no idea," Burt admitted, a hint of frustration in his voice. "They never said a word about a creature guarding the gate. Could this be a different type of portal, not the one leading to the next dungeon floor?"

William and Rena exchanged a look. If this wasn't a portal to the next dungeon level, it would be the first time they had encountered a different kind.

The perplexing thing was that the portal looked identical to the ones they had used to travel through the dungeon before! The appearance was the same, and even the feeling emanating from it was familiar.

"I don't think it's another type of portal," William concluded, his gaze fixed on the shimmering gateway. "The boss creature must be hidden, or it acts differently than the other bosses we've faced. Remember, the next dungeon floor is the resting hub, so this isn't a normal dungeon floor."

"Right, I almost forgot about that," Burt replied, a flicker of understanding in his eyes.

The dungeon remained a profound mystery to all of them. No one could definitively predict what awaited them on each level, and this time was no exception.

William was uncertain about the best course of action. He could remain there, meticulously observing for any subtle clues that might reveal the location of the portal's guardian, or he could disregard caution and launch a full-scale attack against the bandits.

"What do you think?" he asked his companions, seeking their perspectives since Burt and Rena would be fighting alongside him.

"I think we should just fight the bandits," Burt declared, his gaze fixed on the tents ahead. "If a creature was guarding the portal, it would have attacked them already, or me when they tried to push me through. So, the quicker we deal with these thugs, the sooner we can start exploring and figure out how to use the portal."

That was Burt's straightforward opinion. Rena, however, leaned towards a more cautious approach, suggesting they wait and observe.

William, though, was growing impatient with waiting. The freed prisoners would eventually become a problem for the bandits, so the more time that passed, the harder it would be to secure the area around the portal.

In William's mind, the longer they delayed, the more bandits would likely arrive. Burt seemed to share this sense of urgency.

Ultimately, William decided to try and parley before resorting to violence. Perhaps they could reach some sort of understanding, however unlikely.

William took the lead, followed by Rena and then Burt. The bandits noticed their approach, and they immediately recognized them as outsiders, intruders. Not because of Rena and William—their disguises were still effective—but because of Burt. They knew him all too well.

"How did you escape?" the bandit leader demanded, his eyes narrowed with suspicion.

"I set him free," William stated calmly. "Can we talk?"

"Why should I talk to you? You're invading my city and freeing my prisoners!" the bandit leader retorted, his voice laced with fury.

Their initial exchange hadn't gone smoothly. The other bandits were tensing up, ready for a confrontation, and their leader looked genuinely incensed.

"We simply want to pass through the portal, and perhaps we could even be of assistance to you," William offered, trying a different approach. "I understand you're trying to utilize the portal, just as we are. So why should we be adversaries when we could potentially collaborate?"

The bandit leader raised a hand, signaling his men to halt their preparations for battle. William's words had piqued his curiosity.

"And what makes you think you can help us understand this portal? We've attempted to use it countless times, and nothing happens. Even your friend here, who supposedly should be able to use it, couldn't."

He gestured towards Burt. The bandits were aware that, for some reason, only adventurers could activate the portals. This was because adventurers originated from outside the dungeon, unlike them. William knew this but kept the information to himself.

However, even Burt's inability to use the portal was a major point of frustration for them. An adventurer like Burt should have been able to pass through.

"That's because you haven't defeated the creature guarding the portal," William explained, his voice firm. "All portals have some form of guardian, and the only way to activate the portal is by defeating it."

"What? Really?" the bandit leader scoffed, his skepticism evident. "We haven't seen anything here, no creature whatsoever, and we've been trying to use this portal for months. Are you trying to deceive me?"

The conversation, which had momentarily taken a positive turn, shifted abruptly once more. The bandit leader's anger flared anew, and he gestured sharply for his thugs to prepare for a fight.