Kaito tightened his grip around the spear for a moment before letting out a slow breath. A weapon alone wasn't enough. If monsters had claws or teeth, his body would still be exposed. Even low-tier creatures could injure him if he made a mistake. Protection mattered just as much as offense.
His eyes shifted back to the floating interface.
"System… open Armor Shop."
Ding.
The panel flickered once before reorganizing itself into a new section. Unlike what he had expected, the items displayed weren't bulky steel suits or heavy knight armor. Instead, the designs looked… refined. Stylish. Almost fashionable, yet clearly built for combat.
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ARMOR SHOP
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Starter Tier Armor — Available
• Hunter Outfit Set — 900 SP
A lightweight full-body outfit designed for beginner hunters. Includes reinforced jacket, fitted pants, gloves, and boots. Offers basic protection while maintaining flexibility and speed.
• Urban Combat Set — 1,200 SP
A modern, stylish combat outfit resembling fashionable streetwear. Reinforced inner layers provide moderate defense without sacrificing appearance.
• Light Leather Armor Set — 1,500 SP
Traditional leather armor inspired by old-world hunters. Covers chest, arms, and legs while allowing free movement.
• Shadow Runner Set — 1,800 SP
Dark, sleek outfit built for agility and stealth. Lightweight materials increase movement efficiency.
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Kaito studied the options carefully.
Each one looked like a full outfit rather than individual pieces. Jackets, pants, gloves, boots—complete sets designed for movement, not just survival. That was good. Heavy armor would slow him down, especially inside a dungeon where speed could mean the difference between life and death.
His gaze shifted lower as new sections appeared.
The text dimmed.
Locked.
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Rare Tier Armor — Locked
Unlock Requirement: Reach Level 50
[ Multiple Armor Sets — Hidden ]
Status: Locked
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Epic Tier Armor — Locked
Unlock Requirement: Reach Level 70
[ Multiple Armor Sets — Hidden ]
Status: Locked
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Legendary Tier Armor — Locked
Unlock Requirement: Reach Level 80
[ Multiple Armor Sets — Hidden ]
Status: Locked
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Mythic Tier Armor — Locked
Unlock Requirement: Reach Level 100
[ Multiple Armor Sets — Hidden ]
Status: Locked
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Kaito stared at the locked sections for a few seconds. Even without seeing their designs, he could imagine how powerful those higher-tier armors would be. Stylish or not, they were clearly meant for battles far more dangerous than what he was about to face.
Still—
Those were for later.
Right now, survival in his first dungeon mattered most.
His attention returned to the available list.
Among the starter options, one stood out immediately.
Hunter Outfit Set — 900 SP
Lightweight.
Flexible.
Full coverage.
Perfect for a beginner.
"Purchase Hunter Outfit Set."
Ding.
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PURCHASE COMPLETE
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Hunter Outfit Set — Acquired
–900 SP
Remaining SP: 1,590
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A flash of light formed in front of him, and within seconds, the armor set materialized neatly in his hands. The fabric looked tough yet flexible, reinforced in key areas without appearing bulky. It didn't look like armor meant for war—it looked like something a professional hunter or explorer would wear.
Kaito quickly changed into the outfit, adjusting the gloves and rolling his shoulders slightly to test the fit. The material moved naturally with his body, offering protection without slowing him down.
Perfect.
Now armed.
Now protected.
Now ready.
His gaze slowly lifted toward the swirling portal once again.
Kaito tightened his grip around the spear as his gaze locked onto the swirling portal ahead of him. The dark vortex twisted slowly in the air, releasing faint ripples that distorted the space around it. Even now, standing just a step away, he could feel the unnatural pull coming from within, like the entrance itself was urging him forward.
He exhaled slowly, steadying his breathing.
There was no turning back now.
Without hesitation, Kaito stepped forward and entered the portal.
For a brief moment, his vision went completely dark. The sensation felt strange—like falling without moving, as if his body had been swallowed by empty space. A cold pressure wrapped around him, tightening for just a second before suddenly releasing.
Then—
His boots touched solid ground.
Kaito's eyes opened instantly.
The first thing that hit him was the smell—a damp, heavy scent of wet stone and earth filled his lungs. The air felt colder than outside, thick with moisture, carrying a faint metallic scent that made the back of his throat feel dry. It was quiet… unnaturally quiet, the kind of silence that made even small sounds feel loud.
He slowly straightened his posture and tightened his grip around the spear, his senses sharpening immediately.
The surroundings came into focus.
He was standing inside what looked like a wide stone cavern. Rough walls stretched upward into darkness, their surfaces covered with cracks and patches of moss. Faint blue crystals embedded in the rock gave off a dim glow, barely enough to illuminate the area around him. Shadows gathered in every corner, shifting slightly whenever he moved.
Kaito turned slightly, glancing behind him.
The portal was still there—but it was already shrinking.
Within seconds, the swirling darkness collapsed into itself and vanished completely, leaving nothing behind but an empty wall of stone.
He was inside now.
No exit in sight.
Kaito let out a slow breath, forcing himself to stay calm. His heartbeat remained steady, but his body had already shifted into alert mode. Every sound, every movement of air, every faint echo inside the cavern felt magnified.
Then—
Ding.
A familiar blue panel appeared before his eyes.
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DUNGEON INFORMATION
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Dungeon Type: Private Practice Dungeon
Dungeon Rank: E-Rank
Recommended Level: 4–6
Monster Threat Level: Low
Expected Monster Types:
• Goblins
• Slimes
• Low-Rank Wild Creatures
Objective:
Eliminate dungeon monsters and survive.
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Kaito read the information carefully, his eyes scanning each line. E-Rank dungeon… low-tier monsters… recommended level slightly above his own previous level. It wasn't harmless, but it wasn't impossible either.
Still—
That didn't mean he could relax.
He lowered his stance slightly, positioning the spear forward in a defensive grip. The reinforced gloves tightened around the shaft, giving him better control as he adjusted his footing against the rough stone ground.
For a few seconds, nothing happened.
No movement.
No sound.
Just silence.
Then—
A faint noise echoed from deeper inside the cavern.
Scrrk…
Kaito froze instantly.
His eyes snapped toward the source of the sound, muscles tightening as his grip around the spear became firmer.
Something was moving.
Not far.
And whatever it was—
It wasn't human.