Summoned with an SSS-Rank Portal Skill

"Calm down," William said. "I'm telling you the truth. First, we need to find the creature protecting this portal."

The bandit leader wasn't entirely convinced but was willing to try. "Fine," he conceded, "but if you're lying, we'll kill you."

William wasn't scared by the threat. He was confident he could easily defeat all the bandits if it came to a fight.

Now that they had reached an understanding, they moved closer to the bandits to discuss the situation further. Burt, however, disliked being there. These were the bandits who had kidnapped and beaten him, and all he wanted was revenge. He couldn't stand being in their presence and looking at their faces.

"How do we even begin looking for this creature?" the bandit leader asked. "We haven't seen a single creature or any strange movement in this area."

William didn't have an immediate answer. He moved closer to the portal and tried to activate it, but it remained blocked, just as it had when Burt attempted to use it.

"Honestly, I don't know yet," William said with a sigh. "But I'm sure something is blocking this portal. We just need to figure out what it is."

The bandit leader decided to cooperate. "Fine," he said, then addressed the other bandits. "All of you, work together to look for anything strange. We're searching for a creature."

The bandits nodded, and each group dispersed to different locations around the portal, scanning for anything suspicious. Just then, someone arrived to inform the bandit leader about a recent event.

"Sir, the prisoners escaped their cells, but we've already dealt with the situation. Though we do have a few wounded…"

The bandit leader turned his gaze to William. "Did you do this?"

"Yeah, I released everyone to create a distraction so I could get to this portal," William stated plainly. "Is there a problem?"

He allowed a hint of his powerful aura to emanate. The bandit leader frowned momentarily, then smiled. "No problem at all."

Fighting William over this wasn't worth it. The potential risks far outweighed any possible gains.

Everyone, including William, was busy searching for anything unusual. He wasn't one to stand idly by. Rena and Burt joined the search as well, though Burt, still injured, couldn't exert himself as much as the others, which was understandable.

"Are you sure there's a creature? I mean, I'm starting to think there's something else going on with this portal," Rena commented.

Everything about the situation felt strange. "It'll be hard for us to understand this portal. If it weren't, these bandits would have figured it out long ago," William replied.

According to the bandit leader, they had been trying to use the portal unsuccessfully for months. So, deciphering its workings wouldn't be easy. William knew this.

However, he didn't anticipate it being this difficult…

Three days passed. During this time, William and his friends slept in tents alongside the bandits, dedicating their entire days to searching for anything that might help them activate the portal. They found nothing.

The bandit leader was growing anxious. "I don't like where this is going," he said, "but I also don't want to fight you. So, you might as well leave with your friends."

Being in close proximity to William had made the bandit leader realize just how strong he was, making a confrontation unthinkable. This suited William just fine, allowing him a more relaxed atmosphere.

Just as William was about to respond, something happened to the portal. It began to move on its own, as if something was trying to break free.

"Prepare!"

The bandit leader yelled at his men, ordering them to gather in the center next to the portal and prepare for a fight. William could sense a powerful aura emanating from the portal.

"An enemy is coming," William warned. "And it's a strong one."

They anticipated a creature emerging, a monstrous being ready for a fierce battle. Perhaps it was the guardian they expected to find near the gate, protecting the portal.

However, what stepped out was not a beast, but a man. An old man with long, grizzled hair and a beard, resembling a survivalist who paid little attention to his appearance.

As the old man surveyed the scene, seeing everyone staring at him with weapons at the ready, he said, "Hey, relax everyone. I'm just passing through."

The old man radiated strength. William wasn't sure he could defeat him.

"Are you coming from the resting hub?" William inquired. "Is this the portal leading to the next floor?"

The bandits didn't understand William's words, but the old man did.

"No, this isn't the portal to the resting hub. It's a portal to a magic academy. Why do you ask?"

"What? Really?"

William looked bewildered. Why would a magic academy be located here?

The old man noticed his confusion. "It's a magic academy built within the dungeon itself. We have the portal leading to the resting hub there. I can see if I can arrange for you to pass through…"

"That would be marvelous. Thank you," William said with a slight bow.

"Haha, no problem. Wait here for a bit."

The mysterious old man stepped back through the portal. While they waited, the bandit leader demanded answers. "What's he talking about? Dungeon? Next floor? I don't get it."

For those who lived in the dungeon, it was their home, and they couldn't use the portal to travel to different floors. This explained the bandit leader's confusion.

"Things are…complicated," William said. "I can't give you the answers you need right now. I'm sorry."

The bandit leader's anger flared again. "I'll fight for the answers," he declared. "You might be strong, but we can still win with our numbers. Are you sure you want to risk your life for this?"

William's hand moved to the hilt of his sword, ready for a fight. Just then, the old man returned. He sensed the tense atmosphere and, looking at William, said, "You can enter the magic academy. Come with me."

William, Rena, and Burt moved towards the portal. The bandit leader started to follow, but the old man turned and fixed him with a stare. "I didn't say you could come."

The bandit leader smirked. "And what are you going to do about it?"

Well, he shouldn't have said that. In an instant, the bandit leader's head fell off. He was dead.

The old man's attack was so swift that William didn't even see it happen. After that, the old man continued forward, leading the way to the magic academy.