The Only Son Amongst The Daughters Of Eros

Nyx rolled her eyes but relented. "Fine. I'll go first. As you all know, my Class is Shadow Queen. And my Main Skill is [Rise]. [Rise] gives me the power to awaken and control the shadows of any being I kill. It also lets me use their abilities through their shadows."

Aeric looked at her, evaluating her silently while analyzing her words. 'That's an overpowered Main Skill actually,' he thought. 'I do feel interested in [Claiming] it, but I worry that having sex with Nyx is like playing with a tiger. She's too dangerous and excited. She'll want to do a lot of excessive stuff that's just not what I'm into. But anyway... that is a problem for another day.'

When it came to her Main Skill, [Rise], "That's invaluable for a Ranger," he said. "With your army of shadows, you'll find breaking through defenses and softening the enemies much easier. Any fallen foes you kill along the way can also help defend us."

Nyx smirked, pleased with Aeric's praise of her ability, that it shocked herself when she noticed how happy she was.

Since Phoebe was beside Nyx, she figured it was her turn. She hesitated, fidgeting before she spoke. "Like Aeric said before, I'm a Soul Mender. My Main Skill, [Mend], heals damaged souls and Divine Cores. But, uhm... I can heal physical wounds too!"

"You can?" Aeric asked with raised brows.

"Yes. I also have [Mend Minor], it's the first upgraded Tier, and it lets me heal physical injuries."

"That's critical," Aeric said, smiling at her encouragingly. "There are some beasts that can corrupt Divine Cores, so you're our lifeline, Phoebe. Just stay away from the frontlines and use the [Mend Minor] Skill to keep us healed at all times."

Phoebe smiled softly. "I'll try."

Celestia, noticing Aeric's softness to Phoebe, spoke next, but tried not to think about it. "My Class is Lightbringer, and my Main Skill is [Illuminate]. I guess with it I can disoriente opponents. But I do have a Sub Skill, [Light Shield] which is for defense. Since I'm the Vanguard, [Light Shield] is what I would use to protect everyone. The damage it can take without breaking is quite high."

"You know your stuff," Aeric looked at her with a playful smile. "You'll be our wall. Nyx attacks, Phoebe heals, and you hold the line. It's all coming together."

Misty spoke last, her voice trembling slightly. "I'm a [Junior Elementalist]. My Main Skill is [Bend] and [Burn], since I chose Fire as my element."

Aeric nodded thoughtfully. "You're a Courier today, Misty, but your abilities are much too brazen and offensive to be left in the back. That being said, I expect that if the pressure's too much on the front, you can help clear enemies with fire support."

Misty nodded her head. "Yes, brother."

Aeric stepped back, taking them all in. "Now, here's the plan…"

"Plan?" Nyx asked. "What other plan? Don't we just go in and kill some beasts."

Aeric stepped forward. "It's not that easy, and it shouldn't be. Dungeon Clearing is like a sport, and like any other sport, there should be game plans and formations to create fluid teamwork."

His eyes scanned each of the girls in his team and suddenly his mind shifted. Being the Team Leader gave him the freedom to have this perspective; to view all of them as characters and him as the player, seated on his gaming chair back in his old world.

This way, he could tell them what to do and how to do it. He could give directions and they would follow it. It was something he couldn't just do as an active member of the squad. Being the Team Leader meant that he had the controller pad.

Aeric's mind churned through possibilities. He was finally grateful that his gaming knowledge was being put into great use.

Not just his gaming knowledge, but all the light novels and manhwas he'd read over the years. Standing there, he wasn't just assigning roles — he was piecing together a formation like he would before a Dungeon Raid in his favorite levelling games. One that would exploit their strengths while minimizing weaknesses.

"We'll use a shifting wedge formation," he began, drawing their attention.

"Shifting wedge formation?" Nyx lifted a brow.

"What's that?"

"It's flexible, allows for quick adjustments, and keeps us compact enough to cover each other." He looked at all of them, then stopped his eyes at Celestia. "Here's how it works: Celestia, as Vanguard, you're going to take the front. Depending on the type of enemy we face, your Light Shield will be smaller or bigger."

Celestia nodded firmly, already gripping the potion she had taken earlier tightly.

"Nyx, you'll operate on the left flank. You're our spear, or more like arrows, since you lead an army of shadows. You will always be the first to attack, but as you break through defenses, do well to keep the pressure off Celestia."

Nyx smirked. "Now that's more like it."

"Phoebe," Aeric continued, "you'll stay central, just behind Celestia. Your job is twofold: support Nyx and me when we're moving between the flanks and be responsive enough to heal anyone who's injured or corrupted. With your abilities, the formation stays alive — literally."

Phoebe swallowed nervously but nodded. "I-I'll do my best."

"Misty, you're on the base. I know you're nervous, and you want to stay out of the fight, but like I said before, your fire skills are invaluable. If the enemy breaks through Celestia's defense or flanks us, you'll incinerate them. That way we can stop things from getting overwhelming."

Misty shifted uneasily but gave a hesitant nod.

"Remember, it's important to maintain the formation. The shifting wedge is diamond shaped. Celestia in front, shielding us all, Nyx to her right, and me to her left, Misty at the back and Phoebe at the center keeping everyone equally supported, and also for easier access in case someone needs healing."

"What if something goes wrong?" Celestia asked.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Plan B," Aeric replied after a thoughtful second. "If the wedge breaks, we regroup in a defensive circle of resistance. Celestia shields the center, Phoebe supports from behind, and Nyx, Misty, and I form a rotating perimeter to fend off attacks. We'll hold until we can counterattack or escape."

Nyx crossed her arms, her grin widening. "What is this? You've never challenged a Dungeon before have you? So how are you so smart all of a sudden? How do you know all this stuff?"

Aeric looked at her, initially wanting to ignore the question, but when he saw that the three other girls were curious as well, he said he studied the text books in detail.

Before Nyx could ask him any more piercing questions, he shifted the conversation. "Overall, like Lady Magda said, this isn't just about individual strength — it's about trust and coordination. If everyone plays their role, I think we'll clear this Dungeon efficiently."

Nyx watched him silently, and once again, without even knowing it, licked her lips. "I can't lie, Son Aeric. You've really impressed me. I've always known you were smart especially when you came up with that strategy in the Heart Hunt, but this is even more impressive. Maybe you're just really good at games."

"Yeah," Aeric replied dismissively. "Maybe."

She smirked. "Keep this up, handsome, and I might have to start listening to you."

Celestia shot her a withering glare, stepping closer to Aeric as if to assert her position.

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Meanwhile, the other teams had already progressed from the first Lobby, though they were hectic and arguing because of personality and ego clashes, it seemed that Aeric had managed to gel his own team together. Even though they were down by 20 points now, they were ready to start.

Back in the classroom, Lady Magda, watched, smiled knowingly. It wasn't in the way she expected, but Aeric was already beginning to stand out.

After making sure the girls all understood his game plan, he directed them to begin.

"Good. Let's advance."

They took a few steps closer towards the center of the Lobby and as expected, the dungeon rumbled. A deep, hollow voice filled the chamber.

Aeric's interface appeared before him.

[First Quest Lobby]

[Difficulty set at 10%]

[Objective: Survive the first Quest Lobby. Slay all beasts within to progress].

Aeric tilted his head and shrugged. 'With objectives comes XP, right? And that's exactly what I need.'

Above them, leathery wings stirred. They all lifted their heads and saw a swarm of manbats quickly begin to descend from the cracked holes above, their shrill cries splitting the air.

Aeric's grip on his sword tightened. "Formation!" he barked.