Morning sunlight poured across the massive training grounds of the Iron Legion.
Hundreds of hunters trained across the courtyards.
Swords clashed.
Magic flared.
Stone dummies shattered under powerful blows.
In the center arena stood Kael Varyn.
His fists slammed into a reinforced training pillar.
BOOM.
Cracks spread across the metal surface.
Nearby hunters stared.
"That guy is insane."
"He's only been here one day."
Watching from the sidelines was Valerian the Titan.
The Myth Rank warrior crossed his arms.
"Again."
Kael sighed.
"…You've been saying that for two hours."
Valerian didn't move.
"Again."
Kael raised his fists.
BOOM.
Another strike.
His arms burned.
Sweat ran down his face.
The system flashed.
Training Progress
Strength +1
Endurance +1
Kael breathed heavily.
"So the system increases my stats when I train…"
Valerian nodded.
"That's how hunters grow."
"But systems accelerate the process."
Kael looked down at his hands.
The fragment of the Worldbreaker Gauntlets glowed faintly.
Valerian spoke again.
"You fought well yesterday."
"But that Void hybrid wasn't even close to the real threats."
Kael nodded.
"I figured."
Valerian's voice grew serious.
"Do you know what a World Dungeon is?"
Kael shook his head.
"No."
Valerian pointed toward the horizon.
"A dungeon that affects the entire planet."
Kael blinked.
"…That sounds bad."
Valerian nodded.
"It is."
Before he could explain further—
An alarm suddenly rang across the guild.
LOUD METAL BELLS echoed throughout the fortress.
Hunters immediately stopped training.
"What's going on?"
A messenger ran into the courtyard.
"Emergency announcement!"
He held a glowing communication crystal.
"The Hunter Council has issued a global alert!"
Everyone gathered around.
The crystal projected a massive holographic map of Aetherion.
Across the map—
A massive crimson vortex appeared over the ocean.
The messenger spoke with urgency.
"A new dungeon has appeared!"
He pointed toward the swirling vortex.
Location: near the forbidden continent known as Umbraxis.
The crowd went silent.
Valerian frowned.
"…Already?"
The messenger continued.
"This dungeon has been classified as a World Dungeon."
"If it breaks open…"
"Millions could die."
Kael's system flashed urgently.
Emergency Quest Activated
Quest: The World Dungeon
Objective: Participate in the exploration raid
Reward: Massive experience, rare equipment
Danger Level: Extreme
Kael's heart pounded.
"A world dungeon…"
Valerian turned toward him.
"You wanted strong enemies."
He pointed toward the map.
"There they are."
Another hunter stepped forward.
One of Iron Legion's elite.
"…Commander."
Valerian nodded.
"Prepare a raid squad."
Then he looked back at Kael.
"You're coming too."
Kael blinked.
"…Already?"
Valerian smirked.
"You defeated a D Rank warrior and survived a Void hybrid."
"That's enough proof."
The hunters began gathering equipment.
Weapons.
Armor.
Potions.
The guild suddenly transformed into a war machine.
But suddenly—
A powerful aura filled the courtyard.
Everyone froze.
Even Valerian looked surprised.
From the guild entrance walked a tall man wearing black battle robes.
His presence alone made the air tremble.
Several hunters whispered nervously.
"That's him…"
"One of the strongest in the world."
Rank: Myth Rank
One of the Ten Strongest Hunters Alive
Ardyn Solis.
Golden energy shimmered around his body like a miniature sun.
His eyes scanned the courtyard.
Then stopped on Kael.
"…So."
"You're the berserker who awakened the relic."
Kael scratched his head.
"Word spreads fast."
Ardyn chuckled.
"It does."
He looked toward the map projection.
"That dungeon…"
"Isn't natural."
Valerian frowned.
"You think it's connected to Umbraxis?"
Ardyn nodded slowly.
"Yes."
Then his voice became serious.
"This could be the beginning of another Interdimensional War."
The hunters fell silent.
A thousand years earlier…
The world had barely survived such a war.
Kael clenched his fists.
If the war returned—
Then the entire world of Aetherion would be in danger.
And his journey to become the strongest…
Had just become far more dangerous.