In the dead of night, the forest stood restless.
The wind moved quietly through the trees, leaves whispering against each other as if warning of something approaching. The darkness felt alive.
Kael sat atop a large rock, his sharp eyes scanning every direction. His posture was still, but his awareness stretched far beyond what could be seen.
"We have to stay focused," Yumiko said, her tone serious as she crossed her arms.
Rieko nodded, her gaze moving through the shadows. "We need to be ready for a fight at any moment."
Ren grinned, full of energy despite the tension. "Don't worry. I'll stay awake and protect everyone."
Izumi gave him a flat, unimpressed stare. "That's because you already slept enough during the day."
Before Ren could respond—
A roar tore through the forest.
Deep. Violent. Primal.
The ground seemed to tremble beneath it.
"They're here," Kael said instantly, his tone turning sharp. "Manifest."
Energy surged.
Aurelia, Xion, and Talus appeared beside him, their presence heavy and battle-ready.
From the darkness ahead, massive beasts emerged. Their bodies were monstrous, their auras thick and suffocating.
"They don't have weapons," Rieko said, a hint of hope in her voice. "This might be easier than expected."
Kael didn't relax. Not even slightly.
"That means their bodies are the weapons," he replied calmly. "Or they rely on something else. Stay sharp."
A blade formed in his hand.
Xion stepped forward, drawing his sword with a cold expression. "Then let's kill them."
He dashed forward.
From behind, Aurelia raised her hand. Dozens of spears formed instantly, shimmering with mana before launching toward the beasts like a storm.
One of the monsters lifted its hand.
The spears stopped mid-air.
Suspended.
Then—
They were thrown aside effortlessly.
Izumi's eyes narrowed. "Telekinesis."
Her mana flared.
She vanished—
And reappeared directly in front of a beast.
Her hand grabbed its head.
A single burst of force—
The skull exploded.
Kael moved at the same time, dashing toward another beast. His blade flashed once—
Its head separated cleanly.
"It's easier with strong allies," he said, grabbing another creature's arm and tearing it off with force.
Before the beast could react—
Talus appeared behind it.
His hammer came down.
Crushing.
The body collapsed instantly under the impact.
"Now that's better," Yumiko said, adjusting her glasses as flames erupted from her hands, engulfing nearby monsters in blazing fire.
Rieko raised her hand, activating her support skill. A soft glow spread across the group, enhancing their speed and strength.
"This is going smoothly," Kael said, striking another beast straight through the chest.
Yumiko's gaze shifted forward. "We need to take down the dungeon bosses."
At the back.
Two massive creatures stood still.
Watching.
Waiting.
Their presence alone was heavier than the others.
Ren smiled. "Got it."
He ran forward.
Then vanished.
In the next instant, he appeared in the air behind one of the bosses and delivered a powerful kick to its back.
The force sent it crashing into a tree, splintering it apart.
Ren landed lightly, grinning. "That was easy."
A shadow moved.
The second boss appeared behind him.
Too fast.
A massive fist slammed into Ren's back, sending him crashing into the ground.
"Humans…" the beast growled, its voice deep and monstrous.
It raised its foot.
And stomped down repeatedly.
The ground cracked with each impact.
"Ren!" Kael shouted, his eyes widening.
Before the beast could continue.
Aurelia appeared behind it.
Her blade moved.
Clean.
Its arm fell.
Her mana erupted outward in a violent burst, blasting the creature away.
Ren lay on the ground, breathing heavily, blood trailing from his nose. He looked up at her and gave a weak grin. "That… was a bit dangerous."
Not far away.
Izumi stood on top of a fallen beast, her foot pressing against its chest.
"Pathetic," she said coldly.
Her mana surged.
And she crushed its face completely, the force blasting through its entire body.
Elsewhere.
Far from the battlefield.
Inside a quiet corridor, Haruki walked with steady steps, his expression serious.
"We need to start the mission as soon as possible," he said.
His secretary walked beside him, nodding. "I understand, sir. But we must inform all the guilds and the government first. That process will take time."
Haruki stopped briefly.
His gaze hardened.
"We don't have time," he said firmly. "Speed everything up. We cannot allow these monsters to wipe out humanity."
He pushed the door open and entered his office.
The secretary bowed his head. "As you say, sir."
Then turned.
And left to carry out the orders.
Deep within the dungeon, the battle had reached its peak.
The air was thick with mana, pressure pressing down from every direction as the ground trembled beneath each clash.
Kael stood before the dungeon boss, his blade steady, his gaze sharp.
The monster towered over him, its massive frame radiating overwhelming force.
"You think you can kill me?" the dungeon boss roared.
Its voice shook the cavern.
Then—
It slammed its foot down.
The الأرض cracked violently, shockwaves tearing through the battlefield, stone rising and shattering like fragile glass.
Izumi appeared behind it in a flash, her leg striking its back with precision—
But—
Nothing.
The boss didn't even move.
Izumi landed a few steps away, her breathing uneven. "They're getting stronger," she said, stepping back slightly, her tone strained.
On the other side, Yumiko's flames surged brighter, hotter, wrapping around another dungeon boss. The fire burned intensely, yet the creature still pushed forward through the blaze.
"We need to take them down together!" she shouted.
Xion dashed in without hesitation.
His sword pierced deep into the boss's shoulder.
"Now!" he barked.
"That's the opening," Kael responded instantly.
He vanished—
And reappeared behind the same boss.
His blade drove into its other shoulder, locking its movement.
"Talus!"
Kael disappeared again, this time appearing in front of Izumi, pulling her back just in time.
Above—
Talus had already moved.
He appeared in the air, gripping his hammer tightly, his presence heavy like a falling mountain.
Then—
He brought it down.
The impact was devastating.
The dungeon boss was crushed into the الأرض, its body collapsing under the sheer force, the ground caving in beneath it.
A deep silence followed—
Then the creature went still.
On the other side of the battlefield—
Aurelia moved with precision.
Her blades pierced through the second dungeon boss at multiple points, locking it in place.
"That's the spot," Yumiko said, stepping forward.
She placed her hand against the creature's chest.
For a split second—
Nothing.
Then—
Her mana surged violently.
The pressure built instantly—
Then exploded.
The dungeon boss burst apart from the inside, its body unable to withstand the overwhelming force. Blood and fragments scattered across the battlefield.
Silence.
Then—
Aurelia stepped back, her expression shifting into mild disappointment. "Eww… now my lord won't stay near me," she said, looking at the blood splattered across her.
Yumiko wiped her face with a sigh. "It's done. But this was only an A-rank dungeon. We need to get much stronger for what's coming."
Ren laughed lightly, full of energy even now. He dashed forward and crushed two remaining beasts' heads in quick succession.
"We'll win," he said confidently.
Nearby, Rieko suddenly collapsed onto the ground.
"That… was intense," she muttered weakly.
Everyone rushed toward her.
"Are you okay, Rieko?" Yumiko asked, her tone filled with concern.
Rieko looked up at them, breathing heavily. "I'm fine… just tired."
As if responding to the end of the battle—
Rain began to fall.
Soft at first.
Then heavier.
The blood on their bodies slowly washed away, flowing into the cracked الأرض beneath them.
The battlefield grew quiet.
Clean.
As if the violence had never happened.
After some time, they stepped out of the dungeon.
Behind them—
The entrance flickered.
Then vanished completely.
"...What's happening?" Yumiko asked, her brows furrowing as she noticed vehicles and people gathered nearby.
A man approached them, dressed formally, his expression serious.
"We've been sent to inform the Slayer Guild," he said. "The mission will begin within one to two days. We expect all of you to be prepared."
Without waiting for a response, he turned and left.
Rieko's eyes widened. "That soon?"
Yumiko clicked her tongue, clearly irritated. "That Hunter Corporation is seriously annoying."
Kael let out a small, awkward smile as he looked at the group. "You all did well."
He reached out and gently ruffled Aurelia's hair.
Aurelia's expression brightened instantly. "Thank you, my lord," she said sweetly.
And for a brief moment.
Amidst the coming storm.
There was peace.
Elsewhere.
Inside a dimly lit chamber, the atmosphere felt heavy, almost suffocating.
Sajutoro sat calmly at the center, his presence dominating the room without effort. His posture was relaxed, yet there was a quiet intensity in his eyes that spoke of experience… and danger.
A message crystal lay faintly glowing on the table before him.
"The Hunter Corporation has sent word," Sajutoro said, his voice steady and serious. "The mission will begin within one to two days."
A brief pause.
"We must remain cautious."
Beside him, his secretary sat with a composed smile, her posture straight and elegant. "We are prepared to face any threat, Sir," she replied confidently.
Her tone carried no doubt.
No hesitation.
Across the room, the remaining three members sat in silence.
Then.
They nodded.
At once.
Their auras surged.
Violent.
Unrestrained.
The temperature in the room rose instantly, heat pressing against the walls as if the very air was being forced to endure their presence.
The faint glow of the message crystal flickered under the pressure.
Sajutoro didn't move.
Didn't react.
He simply watched.
Calm.
Measured.
As if this rising storm was exactly what he had been waiting for.