The broken city was quiet. Or so it seemed.

Deeper in, things waited. Eyes watched carefully for movement. Something was always waiting. Hunting.

But this far out from the city center, away from the remnants of skyscrapers reaching out to the sun, it was quiet. Still, the city was watching.

***

"Listen up, you all know why you're here. Follow the rules and we'll be done before afternoon."

This was the fifth team in as many days the proctor had been charged with. They were all young, which wasn't unheard of. The dungeon was still a live one and most teams brought at least one experienced player with them. Last week, he'd proctored a test with just one graduating cadet and four guild players. The brat even had a brand new armor set, probably a gift from a family member. 

He scanned the list in front of him. All graduating cadets were looking to pass their final exam except for one younger academy student. Barely a freshman. One of the older cadets placed a hand on her shoulder reassuringly. A ride along.

"The cadets know the rules, but seeing as how we have a freshman, a review couldn't hurt."

Senior cadets of the academy are given one final test before graduation: a live dungeon crawl. Each team may consist of up to 5 members with no limitations or requirements for party makeup. That means they can be filled with fellow senior cadets, younger academy students, or skilled players. 

The goal is to reach the first dungeon checkpoint, retrieve a flag, and return to the entrance where the proctor is waiting. The combat zone is live so there will be monsters between the entrance and the checkpoint. 

There is no time limit. There is no combat requirement. The only requirement is that each cadet graduate retrieve a flag for themself before returning to the entrance.

Teams may equip themselves with any provisions, weapons and armor they see fit. The academy provides a physical map which the team must use to navigate their way to and from the checkpoint.

The proctor led the young team to the mouth of an underground entrance. The signs had worn with time, but it used to be a subway station. The academy had sent scouts to this and a dozen dungeons like it weeks ago. The scouts mapped out a section of the dungeon for the cadets using the main pathways and confirmed that there weren't any high-level monsters until the first checkpoint. But it was up to the team to stick to the map and make their way back out alive.

"Take a minute, make sure you have what you need. Are you ready?"

The team looked at one another and five young faces nodded in unison. The proctor grinned. He liked this group.

"Okay, enter the dungeon. Good luck."