Night covered the city. Most people were asleep. But deep inside the underground facility of the Hunter Association, the lights were still on. Kai Draven stood inside a large briefing room. Director Han placed a tablet on the table. "This will be your first assignment under the confidential program." Kai looked at the screen. Dungeon information appeared.
Dungeon Classification: C-Rank
Location: Abandoned subway tunnel — Sector 9
Status: Restricted
Monster Type: Shadow Hounds
Han explained calmly. "This dungeon appeared three days ago."
"It's small, but the monsters are dangerous in groups." Kai nodded.
"Why not send a normal raid team?"
Han replied immediately. "Because this gate is unstable."
"If the media finds out, it could cause panic." He paused. "Also… it's perfect training for you."
Kai smiled slightly. "Understood."
Entering the Gate
An hour later, Kai arrived at the abandoned subway station. The place had been sealed by the Hunter Association. No civilians. No cameras. Only a glowing dungeon gate floating inside the tunnel. The purple vortex slowly rotated in the darkness. Kai looked at the ground. His shadow moved slightly.
"Come out."
The darkness stretched upward. A massive figure emerged. The Shadow Warlord. Its huge body almost touched the tunnel ceiling. Kai spoke again. "Shadow Storage." The giant shadow monster dissolved instantly. It sank into Kai's shadow and disappeared. The underground tunnel became quiet again. Kai stepped toward the gate. "Let's begin." He walked inside.
Inside the Dungeon
Cold wind blew through the underground cave. The dungeon looked like a giant stone cavern. Broken pillars and dark tunnels stretched into the distance. Kai immediately felt something. His skill activated. Predator Instinct. Red marks appeared across his vision. Many enemies. At least twenty. A low growl echoed through the cave. Then they appeared. Creatures made of dark fur and glowing red eyes. Large wolf-like monsters. The system reacted instantly.
Monster Identified
Shadow Hound
Rank: C
Kai cracked his neck slightly. "Good." The monsters charged. Fast. But Kai moved faster. The first Shadow Hound jumped. Kai sidestepped. His dagger flashed. Slash. The monster collapsed.
Enemy Defeated
Devour Available
Kai placed his hand on the corpse. "...Devour." Dark energy swallowed the body. The power flowed into him.
Devour Successful
Agility +2
Vitality +1
Kai smiled slightly. But the real battle had just begun. The remaining Shadow Hounds surrounded him. Growling. Waiting. Kai whispered quietly. "Rise." The ground beneath him darkened. His shadow expanded. And from the darkness—The Shadow Warlord emerged. The giant shadow monster roared. The Shadow Hounds hesitated. Kai raised his dagger. "Let's hunt." The dungeon battle began.
END OF CHAPTER 17