The Grave-Fanged Strider lunged again, its maw wide open. He waited, one heartbeat, two and then he threw himself forward, sliding beneath it.
"[Bone Grasp]—chain bind!"
The ground split open as bone chains erupted upward, wrapping around the beast's torso, freezing it mid-motion. He leapt, shadow gathering around his blade.
"Die!"
He plunged the dagger straight into its throat.
A deafening roar tore through the dungeon as the creature convulsed, dark light bursting from the wound. The entire chamber trembled, and then felt silence as it body collapse.
The system panel appeared once again.
[Quest Complete.]
[Vitality: 5%.]
[New Skill Unlocked – Shadow Pulse.]
He fell to one knee, gasping for air.
"…Five percent left," he muttered with a faint, broken smile. "Too close."
The dungeon began to fade, its darkness unraveling into light. As he vanished from the collapsing realm, the final message echoed in his mind, cold, mechanical, yet oddly satisfying.
[System Notice: Dungeon Cleared.]
Renji felt the rush of fresh, cool wind, and he sighed a deep sound of utter exhaustion mixed with a quiet, undeniable satisfaction at his surge in power.
[System Record: Renji Kurozawa]
| Statistic | Previous Value | New Value |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | 10 | 12 |
| Vitality | 5 | 78 |
| Speed | 10 | 17 |
| Agility | 9 | 10 |
[D-Rank Weapons Acquired]
* Shadow-Forged Dagger: A black-hilted blade imbued with minor shadow properties. It is extremely sharp and difficult to detect in low light.
* Aether-Weave Buckler: A small, lightweight shield woven from durable, enchanted fibers. Provides a modest defense boost against magical and physical attacks.
"All these rewards... they actually might make a difference," Renji murmured, testing the mobility of his newly recovered arm. He pocketed the dagger and shield, the items feeling instantly familiar.
"But I still have to get much stronger before I even think about hunting in a high-rank dungeon."
He muttered the thought to himself, clinging to the quiet hope that every increase in strength brought him closer to finding his parents. He turned and walked into his residence, leaving the alley's shadows behind.
News Bulletin: Japan Under Siege
A reporter, standing directly in front of the looming Shibuya Gate where the Special Operations Hunters had just entered, spoke into a camera with barely controlled anger.
"Oh god, Tokyo is absolutely cursed! We're now tracking eight Gates that remain uncleared across the capital, and an additional five are open and unchecked in Kyoto! Where are all the Hunters?"
The woman's voice grew more frantic. "It's getting worse! I'm even hearing reports that China is relying on Japanese Hunters now because a Kironis just appeared near their borders!"
As she spoke, a sudden, chilling gust of wind rushed out from the dark core of the Shibuya Gate, momentarily whipping her hair and clothing.
Iron Fang Guild
Inside the Iron Fang Guild headquarters, Daisuke approached the Guildmaster, holding a document with frantic energy.
"Sir, we have a report of another Gate in Gion Street, Kyoto. This is our chance. We have to clear the Kyoto Gates because the Association is already straining itself clearing Tokyo's," Daisuke urged.
Hiroshi was standing near a shadowed corridor, seemingly lost in thought about Japan's deepening crisis. He took a moment, letting the silence hang before calmly responding.
"I know. We will go and clear the Gate at Gion Street. Now... call Mr. Kurozawa and tell him to come."
Daisuke instantly remembered the painful, concussive blow he'd received when he slipped into Renji's home. He instinctively reached up, rubbing the spot on his cheek where he'd been punched.
"Sir, I honestly don't think Mr. Kurozawa is hiding anything. I walked into his room today, and he completely panicked and tried to attack, but I quickly smashed him on the cheek. He was apologizing right away. He's just too weak and clumsy to hide any serious secrets, sir."
Hiroshi simply gave Daisuke a hard, unyielding stare, a silent command to obey.
"Sorry, sir. I'm calling him right now," Daisuke stammered, quickly retreating.
Hiroshi then walked toward the training grounds beneath the Guild building. Hunters were gathered there, celebrating, cheering loudly, and drinking together.
"It's hunting time!" one Hunter yelled, raising his bottle high as the others roared their approval.
"Oh, Mr. Hiroshi is here," someone announced, the noise level dropping slightly as the Guildmaster entered.
Hiroshi slowly cleared his throat. He folded one arm neatly behind his back and walked quietly across the training grounds. The Hunters, who had grown loud and celebratory moments before, were now watching him in calm, focused silence.
He turned and raised a finger as if to address the group, but he dropped it instantly. The uncertainty surrounding this mission was clearly troubling him.
Finally, he spoke, his voice measured. "Listen up. We don't actually know the rank or nature of this dungeon. You have to work as a seamless team. Do I make myself absolutely clear?"
"Yes, sir!" the group roared in unison.
"Takeshi," Hiroshi called out. "Come here. I need to have a word with you privately as Captain."
Hiroshi and Takeshi walked several steps away, putting enough distance between themselves and the rest of the Hunters so their conversation couldn't be overheard.
Moments later, Renji arrived. He walked in gently, his hands tucked casually into his pockets.
His comrades immediately greeted him with enthusiasm.
"Hey! Renji! You actually made it!" Kenta Hayashi said with a wide, genuine smile.
Everyone seemed happy to see him, except for one. Sora stood apart, her back pressed against a pillar, quietly smoking a cigarette.
"Tch, this guy again," she muttered under her breath, a faint scowl on her face.
Hiroshi smiled slightly when he saw Renji was present; the team was complete. It was time to leave.
Then Yuto stepped forward, smiling mischievously.
"Since you're the youngest and the weakest, we're assigning Kenta's old role to you."
Renji paused, confused by the unfamiliar term. "Um, old role?"
"Yes," Yuto chuckled, reaching out to playfully rub Renji's hair.
"You get to carry all our heavy bags and weapons. Kenta used to do the job, but now it's your turn."
Renji didn't bother to argue or complain. He simply nodded, smiled briefly, and began gathering the bulky, heavy equipment. He piled all the massive, awkward gear onto his back.
It was a crippling amount of weight, yet the ease with which he lifted and shouldered the load surprised everyone watching.
"Wow. How did you... just do that?" Daichi asked, his eyes narrowing in genuine surprise.
Hiroshi's eyes tracked Renji, the Guildmaster still sensing an unsettling energy about the young man.
Daisuke stood off to the side, watching Renji with poorly concealed anger and still clutching his cheek. Every time he saw Renji, he felt a phantom throb of the punch he'd received.
"Hmm, that little brat," he seethed internally.
Gion Street
"Ugh, we finally reached Kyoto," Akari muttered, stretching her tired body after the long, traffic-snarled hour-long ride from Tokyo.
The ten Hunters finished putting on their various combat attire. Most wore light armor or reinforced Hunter gear. Renji, however, simply pulled on his usual blue hoodie over a simple t-shirt and the same trousers he always wore.
They stood before the shimmering blue Gate.
"Well," Rin Kobayashi said, raising his hand in a silent gesture of prayer. "We put ourselves in the hands of the heavens now."
He offered a brief word of gratitude and asked for protection. But before he had finished, the team had already stepped through the swirling portal.