Daisuke blinked his eyes open, lowering the hands that had instinctively shielded his face. For once, he hadn't smashed his head against solid stone. The last thing he recalled was the floor giving way beneath him, the overwhelming sensation of being swallowed by a column of blinding light—and the frustrating realization that he'd missed the chance to secure Gorgothor's corpse before being teleported to God-knows-where.
It didn't take him long to realize where he was—a graveyard. The air was thick with the stench of death and decay. Standing at the center of a sprawling, sixty-meter crater, Daisuke scanned his surroundings, wary and alert. The skeletal remains of countless monster species blanketed the massive indentation like fresh snow on asphalt, though this sight was anything but serene—it was utterly chilling.
Activating the Eye of Verity, Daisuke quickly verified his location. He'd somehow been transported into a Hidden Dungeon; the ominous purple aura seeping from every crevice confirmed as much. But was this twist of fate a blessing or a curse?
"I guess only time will tell," he muttered under his breath as he started to climb over the ivory bones scattered across the desolate landscape. That bastard, he thought, recalling Gorgothor's malicious grin as it shattered the ground beneath him. Was this its ace in the hole, to trap me here… or worse, to let me become fodder for the mobs lurking in this place?
Willing the shiver creeping up his spine to cease, Daisuke carefully checked that Zephyr was still nestled safely in his shirt. The pup was sound asleep, the aftermath of the Berserk still weighing heavily on him. Afterward, he glanced at his HP, MP, and the cooldown time of his skills, before taking a quick swig of mana potion to restore himself. With a steadying breath, he began scaling the steep incline, wishing he had something higher up to anchor his magic chains.
That would certainly make this a heck of a lot easier.
Daisuke exhaled in relief as he emerged from the eerie basin, momentarily lost in thought. The scene reminded him of the catastrophic aftermath often shown on documentaries when dinosaurs were said to have been wiped out by an asteroid—though the scale of destruction here, he imagined, paled in comparison to the extinction-scale event that ended the Mesozoic Era.
Mentally assigning the Dash and Shadow Veil skills to speed dial, Daisuke scanned his surroundings with unease. To his surprise, several other craters marred the landscape, each teeming with the skeletal remains of various monsters.
Familiarizing himself with the area was crucial; he knew there had to be a foe out there eager to either devour or tear him apart. The first to find the other would hold the advantage, and Daisuke was confident as he had a particular set of skills that would grant him the upper hand in this grim game of survival.
The Bird's-Eye View and Eagle Eye skills combined to grant Daisuke an aerial perspective of the dark dungeon, but it wasn't as detailed as he had hoped. A thick mist rolled across the barren terrain, obscuring much of the landscape.
However, he could at least confirm that this chamber was the only one present, and its sheer size more than compensated for the absence of additional floors. The vast expanse stretched out all around him, filled with ominous shadows and potential dangers, creating an atmosphere thick with tension and anticipation.
One notable feature caught Daisuke's attention: a towering tree in the far western region of the dungeon. It loomed like a natural monument, its expansive branches reaching skyward with an ancient majesty. Embedded within its bark were glowing chunks of mana crystals that emitted a soft, ethereal light, casting a gentle luminescence along its limbs and filtering through its dense canopy.
The light shimmered down radiantly, illuminating the tree's vibrant emerald leaves and tracing the contours of its sprawling roots. In the oppressive gloom of the dungeon, shrouded in mist, the tree stood as a beacon—a living lantern amidst the darkness. It was no surprise, then, that a small hut had been erected beneath its expansive branches.
Daisuke approached cautiously, daggers at the ready as he felt a sense of unease wash over him. The patch of land encompassing the tree and the hut seemed out of place, as if it had been plucked from the pages of a fairytale. Vibrant butterflies flitted about, perched delicately on blades of grass that carpeted the rolling meadow. A small pond, framed by decorative stones, shimmered under the soft light, teeming with fish and other aquatic life. Nearby, a well-tended garden burst with color, a riot of flowers and plants thriving against the odds.
This enchanting scenery stood in stark contrast to the looming, dungeonesque features that surrounded it, creating an otherworldly oasis amid the decay and despair. It was clear that the resident of the crude dwelling wasn't fond of strangers or trespassers, because it didn't take long before an imposing figure emerged from the building.
The bipedal, reptilian humanoid towered at least twelve feet tall, its powerful frame and muscular tail clad in gleaming golden armor and rugged leather that starkly contrasted with its brilliant red scales. Two massive dadao swords were strapped across its back, their blades glinting menacingly in the ethereal light. Its striking blue eyes shimmered with an intensity reminiscent of a tidal wave, filled with both curiosity and a latent ferocity that warned Daisuke to tread carefully.
The atmosphere shifted as the creature stepped forward, the ground trembling slightly beneath its weight. With every deliberate movement, it exuded an aura of authority, an unspoken command that hinted at the strength and skill it possessed.
DING!
[The Hidden Dungeon Boss awakens to your presence!]
DING!
[«Kaizyreus, the Weapons Master» approaches!]
DING!
[Kaizyreus | Lvl 430 | Named Monster | HP: 119411000/119411000]
The blood drained from Daisuke's face.
***
"Kheh?!"
"Gheeki?!"
A band of Goblins darted into hiding, making themselves scarce as waves of grinning humans swept through the dense forestry. Despite their innate loathing for people, instinctively, all manner of beasts shrank back, sensing the dark intent in the air.
But these humans weren't here for monsters—they were on the trail of something far more enticing. Their faces, twisted with greed, betrayed their aim: they hunted a single, elusive human, a target precious enough to justify the ruthless pursuit unfolding across the wilderness.
Dozens of individuals, mercenaries, and several guilds dotted the forest floor, exchanging gossip about a player rumored to possess a legendary skill—one that not only allowed him to locate and one-shot unique monsters but also to transform rocks into gold and entire lakes into healing elixirs.
As word of Haxks Starfrost circulated across the web, spreading like wildfire through online communities, claims of his abilities quickly spiraled out of control. Yet, even if most of these claims were exaggerated, one fact was undeniable and verified by the Leaderboard: Haxks had cleared both a standard and a hidden dungeon, defeated five Field Bosses, and taken down a unique monster. That alone was reason enough to justify the hunt.
One among the hunters, however, sought a different kind of prize. Concealed behind a thick tree trunk, a male journalist quietly shadowed a group, eavesdropping on snippets of conversation exchanged between several suspicious figures. Leading them was a man outfitted in high-grade gear, his attire setting him apart from the others who trailed behind in worn, dark attire—the unmistakable mark of hired mercenaries.
A crude, metallic device—reminiscent of a modern-day drone—hovered soundlessly beside the anxious journalist. Its mana crystal lens, enchanted to capture both visuals and audio, glowed faintly. Intricate runes engraved along the gadget's frame enabled flight, levitation, remote control, silence, and a host of other elements. These runes made the device both discreet and highly efficient for the task at hand.
Fighting to steady his shaking knees, Nigel trailed the group as quietly as he could. But when a Honeywasp landed on his forehead, he barely managed to choke down the startled scream rising in his throat.
"What was that?" one of the mercenaries demanded, his sudden outburst stopping the group in their tracks.
"…I didn't hear anything," replied another, glancing around.
"Me neither," added a third, watching as his comrade peered suspiciously around, then approached the dense brush where the sound had supposedly come from.
As the Honeywasp crawled onto his nose and settled there, Nigel slowly slid down the trunk of the tree that neighbored said brush, tears pooling in his eyes, his bladder teetering on the brink of disaster.
Gripping his polearm, the mercenary edged toward the suspicious bushes, his gaze fixed as he prepared to probe them with the blade of the weapon. Nigel paled, sweat pooling beneath his chin. Just as his hiding spot was about to be compromised, a Bullet Hare shot out from the undergrowth and darted into the canopy—only to be brought down mid-leap by a ruthless volley of throwing knives.
"False alarm," the man said with a frustrated sigh as he sheathed his menacing weapon.
"You bastard," another man replied, a devilish grin spreading across his face. "You're just itching to kill something, aren't you?"
"It's that obvious, huh?"
"Let's move," commanded the man clad in impressive gear. "The longer we linger, the greater our disadvantage."
Nigel let out a sigh of relief, only to nearly yelp as the Honeywasp decided his nose was the perfect landing pad for its stinger. As it daintily buzzed away, he quickly peeked over the brush to check if he'd been heard. With tears streaming down his face, he gulped down an antidote, his nose now swollen and glowing like a traffic light. "Great, just what I needed," he muttered, fighting to keep his composure.
Similar to obtaining a driver's license, the minimum age to play Sehreneti Online was set at sixteen. However, eligibility extended beyond just age. Just as some individuals possessed a natural tolerance for g-forces or seasickness, playing Sehreneti Online demanded a unique kind of talent.
Unfortunately for Nigel, he didn't quite fit that bill. To make matters worse, the game's hyperrealistic nature deterred many parents from letting their children play. Even with the option to lower the immersion level, the thought of being devoured limb by limb—agonizingly slow—by a monster was enough to instill a serious case of lifelong trauma, no matter how you sliced it.
Fortunately, Nigel wasn't part of the game's diverse user base for the thrill of hunting, adventure, or glory. He was a journalist, and Sehreneti Online was his full-time gig—his bread and butter. By crafting informational and entertaining content in the form of newsletters, videos, and live streams, he could generate income across multiple platforms. It was a lucrative niche, provided one knew how to market their work and spin a compelling story.
Of course, acquiring exceptional content material required a certain degree of hunting and exploration, but Nigel wasn't about to let that dampen his enthusiasm. As a journalist, he had the flexibility to choose a subclass that suited his reporting style. For those eager to get up close and personal during dungeon raids or guild wars, a tanky subclass might be ideal, allowing them to withstand crossfire and monster attacks. Conversely, if someone was more interested in covering stories about the undead, a clerical or necromancy class would prove invaluable for their needs.
Nigel, for his part, opted for the assassin class. It was perfect for players who wanted to ambush and stealthily take down their foes. However, it also had a reputation as the go-to class for cowards looking to specialize in hiding and making a swift exit. When it came to leveling up, he employed a different strategy altogether: he simply paid rankers to «power-level» or «carry» him. In essence, while he maintained a safe distance, powerful party members would slay monsters, ensuring he received a full hundred percent of the Experience Points without lifting a finger.
After downing a potion and witnessing his once-swollen nose gradually return to normal, Nigel took a calming breath and resummoned his drone. His instincts were rarely wrong, and this time they were whispering that following this group would lead him to great fortune—and by "fortune," he meant a massive scoop that could make headlines and fatten his wallet.
Though, if I had to be completely honest, I'm curious about this guy in the fancy gear. Why does he look so familiar? Where have I seen him before?