The forest was quiet.
Too quiet.
Only the sound of insects and distant wind filled the darkness. Moonlight filtered through the tall trees, casting long shadows across the ground.
Kael stood alone.
His phone screen illuminated his face.
His expression was calm.
No fear.
No hesitation.
Just calculation.
"Friend… or enemy…"
Kael spoke quietly into the phone.
"...depends on how much you're willing to pay."
Silence followed.
The wind rustled through the trees.
Then—
"...Oh?"
A woman's voice replied.
Smooth.
Cold.
"Interesting."
"Most E-Rankers would be begging right now."
Kael began walking slowly through the forest, stepping over fallen branches.
"I don't have time for games."
He switched the phone to speaker mode.
"You tracked my black market transaction."
"That means you're not police."
"You want something."
Something the normal system couldn't provide.
Silence.
Then—
"You really are smart."
The voice sounded slightly amused.
A split second later—
Kael stopped walking.
His instincts sharpened.
Something about this woman felt dangerous.
Very dangerous.
"Tomorrow night."
"10 PM."
"Velvet Lounge. Sector 5."
Her voice turned colder.
"If you don't show up…"
"...your black market record becomes public."
Click.
The call ended.
The forest returned to silence.
Kael lowered his phone slowly.
"Velvet Lounge…"
His eyes narrowed.
That place wasn't normal.
Only top hunters.
Politicians.
Black market elites.
Power brokers.
Deals weren't made with money there.
They were made with power.
Kael looked up at the night sky.
Then—
A faint smile appeared.
"Looks like…"
"...a big fish took the bait."
The next night.
Velvet Lounge.
From outside…
It looked ordinary.
Just another luxury building.
But two hunters stood at the entrance.
Both B-Rank.
Security.
That alone spoke volumes.
This wasn't a place for normal people.
This was where power gathered.
Kael walked forward calmly.
He wore simple clothes.
A black hoodie.
Cheap jeans.
The guards looked at him.
Their eyes scanned him.
But they didn't stop him.
Appointment confirmed.
Kael entered.
The inside—
Was completely different.
Dim golden lighting.
Expensive sofas.
Soft classical music.
Crystal glasses.
Every person inside looked powerful.
Dangerous.
Influential.
Hunters.
Guild executives.
Politicians.
Power players.
Kael walked quietly.
A waiter approached him.
"Madam is waiting."
Kael followed.
They reached a private VIP room.
The waiter opened the door.
"Please."
Kael stepped inside.
The room was dim.
Only a single lamp illuminated the table.
And sitting there—
Was a woman.
Silver hair.
Ice blue eyes.
Cold.
Beautiful.
Dangerous.
Kael immediately recognized her.
Of course.
It had to be her.
[Elara — The Ice Witch]
India Rank #3 Hunter
S-Rank Mage.
A faint icy aura surrounded her.
The air itself felt colder.
She scanned Kael slowly.
Like observing an insect.
"Sit… E-Ranker."
Her voice calm.
"Or should I call you… Ghost?"
"The man who stole a boss from Golden Tiger Guild."
Kael sat calmly.
Relaxed.
Crossed his legs.
"Kael is fine."
He gave a small smile.
"It's an honor meeting the Ice Witch."
Elara narrowed her eyes.
He wasn't scared.
That alone was unusual.
"You know who I am."
"And yet you're calm."
Her voice dropped.
"Aren't you afraid of death?"
Kael looked into her eyes.
His gaze turned cold.
Old.
Tired.
"Maut…"
He spoke quietly.
"I've met death too many times."
"It stopped being scary."
Elara's eyes sharpened.
She released her aura.
VWOOOOOM
The temperature dropped instantly.
Glass froze.
The air grew heavy.
Even A-Rank hunters struggled under this pressure.
But Kael…
Didn't move.
He calmly picked up his tea.
Took a sip.
"Tea got cold."
He placed it down.
"Let's get to the point."
Elara withdrew her aura slowly.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
"You aren't just a thief…"
"You have mental resistance."
Kael remained silent.
He already knew that.
99 regressions.
99 deaths.
Nothing she did could shake him.
Elara leaned forward.
"I need an irregular."
"Someone outside the guild system."
"Someone who breaks rules."
She tossed a file on the table.
Kael opened it.
A grey dungeon gate.
Location:
Abandoned Subway — Delhi
Kael's pupils shrank slightly.
He remembered.
Timeline 45.
Trial Dungeon.
Gods' test.
Elara continued.
"This gate opened last week."
"System shows F-Rank."
"But every team that entered… disappeared."
Guilds ignored it.
Too risky.
Too uncertain.
She placed a bag on the table.
"50 lakh advance."
"And access to National Hunter Vault… if you return alive."
Kael didn't look at the money.
Instead—
He looked at her.
"And one more thing."
Elara raised her eyebrow.
"You're negotiating?"
Kael nodded.
"High-grade recovery potions."
"Not the market ones."
Elara smiled slightly.
Cold.
"Deal."
"But if you betray me…"
Her eyes glowed faintly.
"I'll freeze you."
Kael smiled faintly.
Both of them knew.
They were both lying.
Both planning.
Both hunting.
The spider's web…
Had already formed.
The Architect of Ruin
Dawn was slowly approaching.
Kael sat quietly inside his small apartment.
The faint orange light of sunrise slipped through the cracked window, illuminating the room.
On the bed—
A black duffel bag sat silently.
Inside it…
Fifty lakh rupees.
Kael looked at it calmly.
"She thinks she's using me…"
He muttered quietly.
"But I was going to clear that dungeon anyway."
Kael already knew about the Glitched Gate.
Timeline 45.
One of the most important early-game opportunities.
A Trial Dungeon.
A dungeon created directly by the gods.
These dungeons were rare.
Dangerous.
But the rewards…
Were absurd.
Kael stood up and walked toward the table.
He began laying out his equipment carefully.
One by one.
Shadow Cloak — A Rank
The dark cloak shimmered faintly as it rested on the table. Its fabric seemed alive, shifting slightly in the dim light.
Heavy Strike Skill Book — C Rank
A glowing book, humming faintly with mana.
Two new daggers — Black Market Purchase
Sharp.
Lightweight.
Perfect for assassinations.
High-Grade Recovery Potions
Three glass bottles filled with glowing blue liquid.
Rare.
Extremely expensive.
Kael picked up the Skill Book.
The moment his fingers touched it—
The book glowed.
Light spread across his hand.
The book dissolved into particles.
Then—
[Skill Learned — Heavy Strike]
Kael felt information flood into his mind.
Combat timing.
Force concentration.
Muscle coordination.
The knowledge settled instantly.
Kael clenched his fist.
He could feel it.
His strength had improved.
"Good…"
He muttered.
Kael opened his status window.
Name: Kael
Class: Fate Weaver (Hidden)
Rank: E Rank
Strength: 15
Agility: 22
Endurance: 14
Mana: ???
Luck: ???
---
Kael studied the numbers.
Normal human strength: 10
His strength: 15
Already above average.
But still weak.
Too weak.
"Still far from enough…"
He picked up the daggers.
Attached them to his belt.
Balanced weight.
Easy access.
Then he wore the Shadow Cloak.
The darkness wrapped around him.
His body faded slightly.
Perfect.
Kael walked toward the door.
He stopped.
Looked back at the room.
This place…
He wouldn't be here long.
Not if things went according to plan.
Kael opened the door.
And stepped outside.
---
The city was waking up.
Cars moved slowly.
People walked to work.
Normal life.
Kael climbed a nearby building.
He stood on the rooftop.
The morning wind brushed against him.
He looked down at the city.
This city…
Would soon change.
Everything would change.
Kael pulled out a black mask.
He placed it over his face.
His eyes darkened.
"Let's see…"
He muttered quietly.
"...what trap the gods prepared this time."
---
An hour later.
Abandoned subway station.
The entrance was blocked.
Dust covered everything.
Rusted metal gates.
Broken signs.
No one came here anymore.
Which made it perfect.
Kael stepped inside.
The underground tunnel stretched into darkness.
Cold air moved slowly.
Then—
He saw it.
The gate.
Grey.
Distorted.
Glitching slightly.
Like reality itself was unstable.
"Just like I remember…"
Kael stepped closer.
The air felt heavy.
Trial Dungeon.
Only certain people could clear it.
Others…
Died.
Kael placed his hand forward.
The gate reacted.
Light flickered.
[Trial Dungeon Detected]
Kael smiled faintly.
"Let's begin…"
He stepped inside.
Darkness swallowed him.
The game had begun.
Chapter 4 End