Kosu stood in the designated meeting area of the guild, anticipation coursing through him as he awaited the arrival of his new team. The atmosphere buzzed with energy, and he felt a mixture of excitement and nervousness. Most of the adventurers he'd recruited were rookies, fresh to the world of dungeon exploration, but he was determined to mold them into capable allies.

As the team gathered, Kosu took a moment to assess them. The first to step forward was Ashley, a timid mage with wide eyes and a nervous demeanor. She wore her robe slightly askew, and Kosu could see the potential in her—she wielded fire, wind, and thunder magic. But her shyness had held her back, leaving the guild considering her a rookie despite her talent.

"Hi, I'm Ashley," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I—um—hope to learn a lot from this experience."

Kosu smiled at her. He remembered his own early days filled with doubt and wanted to help her gain the confidence she needed.

Next was Rhyth, a bard with a flair for the dramatic. He had a relaxed posture and a charming grin, dressed in colorful attire that reflected his personality. "I'm Rhyth! I used to sing at the bar, but now I'm diving into adventuring part-time. I specialize in water magic and can help heal our injuries," he announced, his voice bright and melodic.

Kosu admired Rhyth's enthusiasm. His supportive abilities could be invaluable in keeping the team on their feet during tough encounters.

Finally, there was Mitscle, a young adventurer who had just received his license. He looked a bit chubby but wore his dual guns with pride. "Hey, I'm Mitscle! I just graduated from the School of Magic and Technology. I can scout ahead and cover our backs with my guns," he said, his voice filled with eagerness.

Kosu appreciated Mitscle's excitement. His background in technology and firearms would bring a unique edge to the team, complementing their magical abilities.

"Welcome, everyone!" Kosu called out, a smile breaking across his face. "I'm glad to have you all on board. Today, we're going to prepare for the challenges ahead by training in the virtual world called Dungeon of Earth."

At the mention of the virtual world, the team's expressions shifted from curiosity to surprise.

"Wait, Dungeon of Earth? Isn't that the name of the video game that very famous with people these days?" Mitscle exclaimed, his eyes widening. "You can train there?"

Ashley looked intrigued, her shyness momentarily forgotten. "How does it work? Is it really safe?"

Rhyth leaned in, clearly interested as well. "That sounds amazing! What kind of training do you do there?"

Kosu felt a wave of nostalgia wash over him. He remembered the countless hours he had spent in that very space, training under Jinpei's guidance. "Yes, it's completely safe. It's a simulated environment where we can face various challenges without real danger. My mentor taught me everything I know in that world."

Mitscle's enthusiasm bubbled over. "That sounds incredible! Can we really experience combat scenarios? What kinds of challenges do you face? And how do we get there?"

Kosu chuckled at Mitscle's eagerness. "Absolutely! We can simulate everything from basic combat drills to complex team strategies. It's designed to help us improve our skills and learn to work together."

As the team continued to ask questions, Kosu felt a sense of excitement growing within him. He could see their minds racing with possibilities, just as his had when he first learned about the training grounds.

"Alright, everyone, let's head to the training facility," Kosu instructed.

Ashley's eyes sparkled with a mix of excitement and anxiety. "I-I'm ready," she stammered, her confidence wavering but her determination evident.

"Let's make some music and magic together!" Rhyth said, his energy lifting the mood.

"I'm looking forward to showing what I can do!" Mitscle added, adjusting his guns with enthusiasm.

Kosu felt a swell of hope. Each of them brought something special to the team. He saw potential in Ashley's magic, Rhyth's supportive abilities, and Mitscle's technology-backed skills. This eclectic mix could form a well-rounded party if they learned to work together.

Kosu led his new team through the bustling halls of the guild, excitement evident on their faces. However, instead of heading directly to the training ground, he turned toward a more secure area: the lab.

As they entered, the atmosphere shifted dramatically. The room was filled with sleek technology, and there were numerous people seated inside pods that resembled large cocoons. Each person wore a head device and appeared deeply immersed in their own virtual worlds, oblivious to the activities around them.

"Welcome to the lab," Kosu announced, gesturing to the impressive setup. "This is where we'll access the virtual world. It's a state-of-the-art facility designed for training and exploration."

Mitscle's eyes widened as he observed the pods. "Whoa, this is amazing! Are we really going to use those?"

"Yes," Kosu replied, a smile on his face. "Since it's your first time in the virtual world, I'll guide you through the basics. You'll each create your own avatar before we start training. Just remember, while you can customize your avatars, since we're here for training, try not to spend too much time on appearances. Focus on functionality!"

Ashley looked a bit nervous but intrigued. "What's an avatar? How do we create one?"

Kosu chuckled softly, sensing their eagerness. "An avatar is your character in the virtual world. You can customize everything about it—appearance, abilities, and even your starting skills. It's a chance to express yourself, but we'll be using these avatars for training, so keep it practical."

After explaining the process, Kosu led them to the control panel where they could request rooms. "We'll need four separate pods," he said, and the team quickly submitted their requests.

Once they were assigned, the team stepped into their individual pods. As the doors closed, Kosu felt a familiar rush of anticipation. He had already set up his avatar, one that he felt represented him well in the virtual realm. The soft hum of the technology around him began to fade, replaced by the sensation of being drawn into the digital world.

Kosu concentrated as he entered the virtual space, recalling the time he had trained under Jinpei. He felt a twinge of nostalgia as he materialized in the world beneath the imposing Tower of Challenges.

He took a moment to absorb the sight of the towering structure, its grandeur striking against the backdrop of a vibrant sky. Memories flooded back to him—intense trials, lessons learned, and the hardship he had overcome.

With a deep breath, Kosu turned away from the tower and focused on his objective. "Time to meet the team," he said to himself, teleporting to the newcomers' room.

As he arrived, the area was bright and welcoming, designed specifically for new adventurers. Soft lighting illuminated the space, adorned with various digital displays showcasing tips and tricks for navigating the virtual world.

Kosu settled in, eager to see his teammates. One by one, they began to arrive, stepping through the portal into the newcomers' room, each person looking amazed by their new avatars.

"Wow, this place is incredible!" Mitscle exclaimed, glancing around wide-eyed. "I can't believe how real it feels!"

Ashley stepped in next, her avatar reflecting a more confident version of herself. "I love the colors! This is so much fun!"

Rhyth followed, his avatar donned in vibrant bardic attire. "I feel like a rock star! Let's make some magic!"

As they gathered, Kosu felt a swell of pride. They were ready to embark on this journey together, and under his guidance, they would learn to harness their strengths in the virtual world.

"Alright, team," Kosu said, clapping his hands to get their attention. "Welcome to the virtual world! Here, we'll train, explore, and develop our skills. I'll be guiding you through the basics of combat and teamwork."

With determination in his heart, Kosu knew that this was the beginning of something special. Together, they would face the challenges ahead, and he was ready to help them grow into a formidable team.