Before the silence could settle again, another series of messages flashed across his vision.
[Rewards identified.]
Several windows unfolded one after another.
[Bone Tyrant Dagger – Deals additional damage to monsters larger than the user. The blade grows sharper the more blood it drinks.
Grade C | Mid-Rare]
[Calopus Horn – Can be used for brewing potions.
Grade E | Regular]
[Monster Core – Contains condensed mana energy. Can be used for crafting, selling, or as an alternative power source.
Grade E | Basic]
[Beast Fangs – A material commonly used in weapon crafting.
Grade F | Common]
Another notification appeared beneath them.
[Stat Rewards Granted.]
+10 Strength
+5 Agility
+2 Luck
+7 Authority
Xavier quietly observed the messages hovering before him.
Strength, he understood.
Agility as well.
Luck was vague, but simple enough to grasp.
But the last one made his eyes narrow slightly.
Authority.
The word lingered in his mind.
"What kind of stat is that…" he murmured under his breath.
It felt different from the others.
Strength made his muscles feel heavier with power, as if raw force had been poured directly into his body. Agility sharpened the lightness in his movements, making every motion feel quicker and smoother.
Luck… that one was harder to feel, but the meaning was obvious enough.
Authority, however, sounded different.
Less like something meant for hunters.
More like something meant for rulers.
Before he could think further, another notification appeared, pushing the others aside.
[The Constellation of Gates (GM) is pleased with your performance.]
Xavier raised an eyebrow slightly.
So the silent sponsor had finally decided to react.
Another message followed almost immediately.
[The Constellation of Gates has sent you a gift.]
A faint shimmer of light appeared in front of him. Tiny particles gathered together in the air, slowly condensing until they formed a small object that dropped gently into his palm.
A ring.
It was made of dark silver, its surface smooth yet engraved with faint twisting patterns that looked almost like shifting paths carved into the metal. The ring felt cold against his skin, though there was a subtle weight to it that made it feel far more valuable than its simple appearance suggested.
Another notification appeared.
[Item Received: Deceiver's Ring.]
[Deceiver's Ring – Allows the wearer to conceal their true abilities and distort the perception of others.
Those who observe you will see only what you permit them to see.
Hidden attributes, suppressed presence, false impressions.
Grade A | SR]
Xavier read the description again, his eyes narrowing slightly.
Conceal my abilities…
So others wouldn't be able to see his real strength.
For someone suddenly thrown into a world of hunters, sponsors, and mysterious systems, an item like this was incredibly valuable.
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"So that's the kind of sponsor you are."
A constellation that favored secrecy and deception.
But it doesn't seem so bad, infact it was beneficial.
Slowly, Xavier slid the ring onto his finger. The moment it settled into place, a faint pulse ran through his hand before fading away, as if the ring had quietly fused with him.
Another message appeared.
[The Constellation of Gates nods in satisfaction.]
Xavier felt something close to reassurance.
At least for now…
His sponsor approved.
[Dungeon Complete]
(58 min and 24 sec before dungeon closes)
Would you like to exit?
[Yes] [No]
Defier of Fate:
I don't think leaving now is a good idea, boy. After all, you just committed murder.
Tyrant of Blazing Flame:
And how do you plan to answer when they interrogate you about how you even cleared this dungeon alone?
[Observer of Malice rejoined your channel]
Observer of Malice:
What did I miss?
Indeed… I'm sure the authorities are just outside the gate, ready to send hunters. Explaining how I got out and defeated the monsters would be a massive hassle.
It's either I tell everything… or lie a little.
I really don't want to make my life even messier. After all, the Hunter World is dangerous.
Yes, it has many benefits, but it also has countless dangers.
Hunters won't hesitate to kill each other for treasure, and they might even gang up on you for something as trivial as jealousy or a minor feud. It's especially risky if their sponsor orders it.
We don't know exactly how this constellation system works, but people have guessed they compete with each other based on their contractor strength.
It's like a game. Betting on who has the most kills, who becomes the strongest, or which contractor is the most competent.
But in general… it's a mess, especially for new hunters.
I don't want my life shortened. I just want a cozy subjugation dungeon if necessary, to live comfortably with good money.
Constellations of Gates (GM):
Are you having trouble? It seems you don't want to gain unnecessary attention.
"Yes! Yes! I'm in big trouble," I said, obviously sticking up to my sponsor. "I really need help from my kind, handsome—sponsor."
[The Constellations of Gates (GM) is amused by your pathetic plea]
[The other constellations are laughing their heads off]
[Especially Observer of Malice, who's currently choking on his own saliva from laughing]
!?
Did I really say something that funny to make them laugh at me like that?
Seeker of Fortune:
It's understandable that he doesn't know…let him be...
That only made me more confused.
"Bash me all you want," I said quickly, swallowing my embarrassment, "but desperate people can't be choosers."
Constellations of Gates (GM):
I'll help… on one condition.
A condition!? I thought, unease twisting in my stomach. What could it be? Could it be something terrible?
The thought alone made me uncomfortable.
Constellations of Gates (GM):
I want you to—