"God dammit, why am I skulking through these overgrown weeds like some common assassin?" Daisuke muttered under his breath, carefully picking his way behind the perimeter of Renji's residence.
"I'm just supposed to be observing this spoiled brat."
A flicker of impatience crossed his mind. "Perhaps I should just confront Mr. Kurozawa directly and simply ask my questions." He immediately dismissed the notion. "No, that would be utterly counterproductive. If I take that straightforward route, I'll never secure the intelligence Mr. Hiroshi requires. I suppose I'll have to remain entrenched in this miserable foliage."
He continued his cautious, silent trek through the thicket, intent on avoiding detection. What he failed to realize was that his presence was already known.
Renji, already alerted, was positioned out of sight just behind the entrance door, waiting in a coiled stance. Should the intruder attempt to enter, he was prepared to strike instantly.
Daisuke finally reached the door and crouched low, trying to peer through the narrow gap at the bottom to ascertain if anyone was on the other side. "Excellent, the coast is clear," he thought, straightening up.
"I'll just slip inside and conduct a brief reconnaissance." He gently eased the door open, his eyes darting left and right before he stepped over the threshold, silently closing the door behind him. The moment he did, a sudden, concussive blow landed squarely against his cheek, so forceful it made his teeth clack and sent a spray of spittle flying. He crumpled instantly, hitting the floor hard.
"Wait, hold on! It's me, Mr. Kurozawa!" Daisuke managed to gasp, clutching his throbbing cheek as Renji advanced, readying for a follow-up strike. "It's Daisuke, from Iron Fang!"
Renji's brow furrowed in momentary confusion before his posture relaxed, his face returning to his typical, almost unnervingly placid expression. He looked down at the investigator with an air of detached inquiry. 'What in the world does he want here?'
Daisuke gingerly rose, still pressing a hand to his burning cheek, his face contorted in a grimace. "Why the hell did you strike me like that? And how were you even able to sense my approach?" he demanded.
Renji merely turned and walked away, settling onto the nearest sofa with a heavy, deliberate exhale. "Never mind that. Just tell me your reason for being here," he said, his tone flat.
Daisuke's eyes widened at the unexpected question; he was wholly unprepared. 'Should I admit Hiroshi sent me? No, that's completely ridiculous. I have to fabricate a plausible explanation. But what?' He scrambled for a suitable lie. "Um, well... I, uh... you're my friend," he stammered out.
Renji offered a faint, sardonic smile at the declaration of friendship, they had only just met that day. He rose to retrieve a glass, poured a measured amount of water from a nearby container, then returned to the sofa and crossed his legs, patiently waiting for Daisuke to elaborate. "And so?" Renji prompted, the slight curve of his mouth conveying veiled amusement.
"So... I simply thought I would pay my friend a visit," Daisuke finished weakly.
"A friend, you say? Heh, I suppose you're right," Renji said, the teasing edge in his voice now unmistakable. "In that case, you may leave now, friend."
Daisuke's eyes narrowed, a flush of embarrassment and sharp anger rising on his neck. He clenched his fists at his sides, his jaw tightening. 'This insufferable man! He's utterly arrogant. The thought of someone like him as my friend is abhorrent. God forbid!' he fumed internally.
"Oh, excellent. Then I shall take my leave,"
Daisuke forced out a stiff, unnatural smile, but Renji was already preoccupied with sipping his water, seemingly oblivious. 'What is wrong with this guy?' Daisuke thought, before turning and making a hasty, mortified exit from the room.
"Hmm, that fool was definitely spying on me," Renji murmured, setting his glass down with a soft click.
[System Quest Activated]
[ Daily Quest]
You must complete your current Daily Fitness Regime to maintain optimum performance:
Objective:
– 250 push-ups
– 345 sit-ups
– Run 5 km
Upon completion, you will be granted access to a D-Rank Dungeon Gate Key. Your mission is to enter and eliminate the hostile creature within.
Dungeon Target: A fearsome Grave-Fanged Strider.
Quest Rewards:
D-Rank Weapon Unlocks: [Shadow-Forged Dagger] and
[Aether-Weave Buckler]
Skill Enhancement: Bone Grasp has successfully leveled up to Level 2.
Japanese Government Briefing
"Mr. President, I have successfully executed the assignment you delegated," Ryo Tanaka reported respectfully to the head of state. "The National Hunter Bureau (NHB) teams are currently en route to the Akasaka Street area to commence dungeon clearance operations."
"We must systematically purge every last dungeon from this country," replied Prime Minister Katsuya Ishikawa, the highest official in Japan.
"We can only hope that no S-Rank Gate is scheduled to materialize."
"Sir, the Gate in Shibuya remains uncleared. Disturbingly, the White Claw Hunters have not reported back, and I have grave suspicions that the entire squad was annihilated," Tanaka stated, his voice grave.
"What is the rank classification of that particular dungeon?" the Prime Minister inquired.
"We have no data, sir. There are zero official records regarding that Gate or the nature of the dungeon it contains."
"Hmm. In that case, I will dispatch the Special Operations Hunters immediately to assess the situation," Prime Minister Ishikawa concluded.
"Understood, sir. I shall now take my leave."
---
Akasaka Street
The NHB hunters arrived at the gate on Akasaka Street, standing before it in silence as they studied its structure.
"Seriously, is this the gate the Kironis Stinger came out from?" one of them muttered.
"Yeah. Disgusting," another replied.
Without wasting time, they stepped through. The air inside was biting cold, and the dungeon stretched far deeper than they expected. Jagged holes lined both sides of the walls like open wounds.
"This place is colder than any dungeon we've cleared before," one hunter whispered, glancing around like he'd already lost his sense of direction.
"Yeah… and look at those holes along the walls," someone else added.
"We should stay alert. Those holes aren't normal, that's where the Kironis nest."
"Kironis? I thought the one that escaped already left this dungeon."
"Can't you see? There's more than one."
They kept walking, still not encountering a single beast.
From one of the holes, something strange caught their eye, a smooth, rubbery-looking surface, half-hidden in the dark.
The most reckless of them stepped closer and grabbed it. "Guys, look at this. How did rubber even get stuck in the wall?"
Before anyone could respond, something dropped from the hole, a Kironis. Its stinger flashed through the air, and in an instant, the hunter's head was gone. Blood sprayed across the ground before his body hit the floor.
"Kironis!"
The rest drew their weapons, eyes filled with grief and fury at the sight of their fallen comrade.
"You bastard!" one of them roared. He charged forward, swinging his axe with full force. His speed surpassed the creature's reaction, cutting straight through the Kironis.
But it didn't end there. More emerged, one after another, crawling out of the holes until there were six of them.
With their strength, skills, and systems, the hunters fought fiercely. It didn't take long before the Kironis were lying dead on the ground.
"Is that all?" one asked, breathing hard.
"No. We haven't reached the boss's layer yet."
They pressed on, deeper into the dungeon. The further they went, the more Kironis poured out from the walls. They killed dozens, then hundreds, nearly two hundred and nine yet the creatures kept coming.
"Is this an entire Kironis nest?"
"Definitely looks like it."
Slash!
Hwep!
"We've killed so many, but they just keep coming! How are we supposed to fight all of them?"
"Just shut up and keep pushing forward! We can get through this!"
Whoop!
Slash!
Two hunters fell. The Kironis' attacks grew faster, stronger, more precise than before.
"Stay in formation!" the captain shouted. "Their attack pattern just changed!"
Crack!
"Don't lose focus! We'll wipe them all out!"
Minutes later, the last of the Kironis collapsed. The dungeon fell silent again. But to clear it completely, they still had to defeat the boss.
"Finally… they're all dead."
"Yeah, that was rough."
"Now for the final task, taking down the dungeon boss."
"Hmm… that one's going to be dangerous."
"Either way, let's keep moving."
They advanced deeper. The air grew colder with every step, and an unsettling sound began echoing through the passage.
"Stay close. We're entering the boss's territory," the captain warned.
As they crossed into the final chamber, a powerful energy swept over them.
"Huh… what's this energy? It's insane."
"Is this the boss's domain?"
"Yeah. It has to be."
They scanned the area, trying to locate it but there was nothing in sight. The boss, however, had already spotted them from above.
It was another Kironis, far larger and stronger than the others. Seven sharp legs, twelve glaring eyes.
"Where's the boss hiding?" one asked.
Suddenly, a deafening roar shook the dungeon. The ground trembled beneath them.
"What the hell was that!?"
"Look up there! It's the same Kironis… but gigantic!"