The Iron Legion fortress was no longer a training ground.
It had become a war camp.
Hundreds of hunters rushed through the courtyard carrying armor, weapons, and supplies. The alarm bells continued to echo through the massive stone walls.
In the center stood Valerian the Titan, giving orders.
"Raid squads will depart within one hour!"
"Only C Rank and above hunters are allowed to enter the main assault force!"
The atmosphere was tense.
A World Dungeon had appeared.
Those were the most dangerous phenomena in Aetherion.
Entire kingdoms had fallen because of them.
Standing nearby was Kael Varyn.
He adjusted the gauntlets on his hands.
The fragment of the Worldbreaker Gauntlets pulsed with energy.
Kael looked around.
"So… we're actually doing this."
Next to him stood Ronan.
Ronan Blackforge cracked his neck.
"First raid?"
Kael nodded.
"Yeah."
Ronan grinned.
"Don't die."
Kael blinked.
"…Great advice."
Across the courtyard, a bright golden aura illuminated the gathering hunters.
The legendary hunter Ardyn Solis stood speaking with Valerian.
Two Myth Rank hunters in one place.
The surrounding hunters watched them with awe.
Kael quietly approached them.
Ardyn glanced at him.
"So the rookie is joining the raid."
Kael shrugged.
"Apparently."
Valerian crossed his arms.
"He insisted."
Ardyn studied him carefully.
His golden eyes seemed to analyze Kael's very soul.
"Interesting."
"What?" Kael asked.
Ardyn smiled slightly.
"Your spirit energy is unusual."
Before Kael could respond—
The sky suddenly darkened.
Everyone looked up.
Far beyond the city walls…
A massive crimson vortex spiraled above the ocean.
The entrance to the World Dungeon.
Valerian spoke firmly.
"Raid squads!"
Hunters assembled into groups of ten.
Iron Legion's elite warriors formed the front line.
Ardyn stepped forward.
"Teleportation gates are ready."
Massive magic circles ignited in the courtyard.
Arcanist mages began chanting.
One by one, the raid teams stepped into the glowing gates.
The dungeon awaited.
Valerian turned to Kael.
"You're with my squad."
Kael nodded.
"…No pressure then."
Ronan laughed.
"Relax."
"Worst case scenario, we all die."
Kael stared at him.
"You're not helping."
Valerian stepped into the teleportation circle.
"Move."
Kael followed.
The world warped.
Light twisted around him.
Then—
Everything went dark.
A moment later—
Kael felt solid ground beneath his feet again.
The raid squad had arrived.
They stood on a massive floating island surrounded by endless crimson clouds.
In the distance towered an enormous black fortress.
The heart of the dungeon.
The system flashed immediately.
Location Discovered
World Dungeon: Crimson Abyss
Danger Level: Cataclysm
Kael stared at the fortress.
"…That thing is huge."
Ronan whistled.
"I've never seen a dungeon like this."
Suddenly—
The ground trembled.
Valerian's expression hardened.
"Get ready."
The clouds below the island began to move.
Something enormous was rising.
A massive creature burst through the crimson mist.
A giant winged beast with glowing red eyes.
Its roar shook the sky.
Raid hunters shouted in alarm.
"Wyvern!"
"No—look at its size!"
Ardyn raised his hand.
Golden flames ignited around him.
"This isn't a normal monster."
The system confirmed it.
Monster Identified
Name: Crimson Tyrant Wyvern
Rank: S Rank
Kael's heart pounded.
"…My first dungeon raid."
"And it's already an S Rank monster."
Valerian grinned.
"Welcome to a World Dungeon."
The wyvern spread its massive wings.
Crimson fire gathered in its mouth.
And then—
It dove straight toward the hunters.