As the dust settled from the final clash, the team members began to catch their breath. The sound of clanking armor from the shattered constructs still echoed faintly through the massive stone hall. Before anyone had a chance to fully recover, the sharp hum of a hovering drone cut through the silence, followed by the quick tap of footsteps against the stone floor.
A woman with an air of excitement surged forward, her professional appearance and sharp eyes gleaming as she positioned herself in front of the team. She had a notepad in one hand, though freewebnoveℓ.com
it seemed more for the show, as her attention was locked onto the drone, which was now recording the entire scene. Her face broke into an enthusiastic smile, and her voice rang out, clear and energized, as if she had just uncovered a major scoop.
"Good evening, viewers!" she announced, her voice brimming with energy. "I'm Shira Fenn, reporting live from the depths of the Ironclad Bastion, where Vanguard Haven's elite team is rumored to be here."
The drone zoomed in on her face and then panned dramatically over the battle-worn but still-standing team, capturing each of their puzzled expressions as they tried to process the sudden intrusion. The shift from the intense battle to this unexpected media ambush left most of them caught off guard, though they maintained their composure.
"Cough."
Shira's excitement visibly faltered at the sound of Liana's polite cough. She turned her head, her sharp eyes meeting Liana's amused but knowing gaze. For a split second, the hovering drone seemed to pause, its lens shifting between Shira and the team as if trying to capture the unfolding tension.
"Ah…" Shira's smile wavered, and she gave a slight, embarrassed chuckle. "It seems I may have gotten a bit overexcited."
She quickly straightened up, smoothing down her jacket, and the eager brightness in her eyes softened. The enthusiasm remained, but there was now a more controlled professionalism in her demeanor. She took a step back, clearing her throat softly before addressing the team directly.
"My apologies," she said, her voice calmer, more measured. "I realize I barged in without much explanation. Allow me to properly introduce myself. I'm Shira Fenn, a reporter for Rong Shin Media." She gestured toward the hovering drone as it zoomed out to encompass the whole team again. "We've been covering the latest developments in the Hunter community, and recently, there's been a lot of buzz surrounding your team. Rumors have been circulating about your impressive performance in recent dungeons."
The team exchanged puzzled glances. Dorian raised an eyebrow, while Kurt shifted his weight, still holding his shield, clearly unsure how to react. Elena looked slightly uncomfortable, while Gareth maintained his usual stoic expression, though a flicker of curiosity crossed his face.
Shira noticed their hesitation but pressed on with an encouraging smile. "I wanted to get the story from the source, directly from the people who made it happen. I'm here to understand your process, your teamwork—what makes Vanguard Haven's elite team so effective. Rumors can only tell so much, after all."
Dorian let out a small, awkward chuckle, clearly not used to being thrust into the media spotlight like this. "Uh, yeah, rumors can be a bit much," he said, scratching the back of his head.
Kurt glanced at Astron, his brow furrowed as if waiting for him to take charge of the situation. Astron, who had been watching silently from the back, finally stepped forward, his calm gaze locking onto Shira. His posture was relaxed, but there was a clear weight to his presence.
Shira's eyes brightened slightly as Astron moved toward her. It was clear she recognized him as the team's leader, the one who would give her the answers she needed.
"You wanted to hear directly from us," Astron began, his voice cool and composed. "We're just doing our job, but if you're asking about today specifically…" He paused for a moment, allowing the weight of his words to sink in, then continued, "We've cleared five dungeons."
Shira blinked, her eyes widening in genuine surprise. "Five dungeons?" she repeated, her voice raising slightly. She hadn't expected that, and her enthusiasm flared up again, though she tried to keep it in check. "That's… incredible! I knew there was talk about your success, but I had no idea it was on this scale."
The rest of the team stood silently, their expressions varying from awkwardness to subtle pride, but none of them spoke up. Shira's attention, however, was focused solely on Astron, who remained unruffled by her reaction.
"How did you manage it?" she asked, taking a step closer. "What's the secret to moving through so many dungeons so quickly?"
Astron's expression didn't change. "Preparation. Planning. Trust in the team. We all know our roles and execute them without hesitation."
Shira nodded, her eyes gleaming as she scribbled something on her notepad, even though it was clear the drone had captured everything. "It sounds like a well-oiled machine," she said, glancing around at the rest of the team. "And from what I've heard, that's exactly what the Hunter community has been buzzing about—your efficiency, your coordination."
She turned back to Astron, clearly wanting to delve deeper. "Clearing five dungeons in a day is no small feat. It must have taken a lot of preparation, mentally and physically. How do you handle the pressure?"
Astron's gaze remained steady. "We handle it because it's what we're trained for. Pressure is just part of the job."
Astron's eyes remained steady, his posture unchanged as he continued, "The equipment provided by the guild, as well as the attention to detail each member receives, is why we can prepare this well. Vanguard Haven ensures that we have everything we need to succeed."
Shira nodded, her eyes gleaming with interest. "That makes a lot of sense. Equipment and preparation are key, after all." She paused for a moment before tilting her head, her smile widening slightly as she asked, "But as a student of the prestigious Arcadia Hunter Academy, why did you decide to join Vanguard Haven? What can you say about your experience with the guild?"
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