We are now in the golden era of hunters.
Across the capital of Sylvean, dungeons and relics defined power, and countless adventurers rose and fell chasing glory. Among these rising stars stood one man who despite his odd reputation outshone them all.
His name was Hiro Ludin, the Lazy Trickster. This is the tale of how the weakest man somehow became the leader of the top-ranked clan Blazing Dawn and the party that shook the capital.
The moon hung high above the Frostfang Den, casting silver light over the forest. Its glow shimmered on the frost covered trees, making the world feel eerily still.
"There are a lot of monsters surrounding this place," Billy muttered, his eyes scanning the dark treeline. "And I don't think they belong to this area."
"Hey, look," George added, pointing his great- sword toward a group of shadows lurking nearby. "Some of them are carrying weapons we don't even see in the capital."
Ruby narrowed her eyes. "That's not normal. Monsters don't stray from their dungeon grounds unless something's forcing them."
The words had barely left her mouth when the first wave hit. A pack of wolf-like beasts burst out of the darkness, their eyes gleaming red and teeth dripping with saliva.
Mia dashed forward first, twin daggers glinting. She ducked beneath a lunging wolf, slashing its throat in one smooth motion. Blood sprayed across the snow. Billy followed right after her, his sword flashing in wide arcs that tore through the beasts' flanks.
Ruby spun between them like a whirlwind, her twin knives dancing as she cut down another monster with sharp precision. Behind them, George raised his massive greatsword and slammed it into the ground, the impact shaking the earth and crushing two wolves in a single strike.
The air filled with steam like breath and snarls. The surviving beasts circled them again, hungry and feral. The four stood back to back, blades raised, ready to fight.
The dungeon entrance loomed ahead an enormous stone maw with runes etched across its jagged frame. Cold, damp air poured out from within, carrying a faint, distant growl that echoed through the night.
"Stay sharp," Billy muttered, his grip tightening on the hilt of his sword.
No one answered, but all nodded. Together, they stepped into the Frostfang Den.
The instant their boots touched the mossy ground, the dungeon seemed to awaken. The walls trembled. Blue light flickered in the darkness. Then came the second wave.
A dozen frost wolves emerged from the shadows larger, faster, and stronger than the ones outside. Their fur shimmered like ice, and their claws left trails of frost with each step.
Mia darted ahead, flipping over one of the wolves and driving both daggers deep into its back. She landed lightly, spun, and kicked another monster in the jaw. Ruby followed up instantly, crossing her blades and unleashing a spinning slash that sent another wolf sprawling.
George's roar echoed through the cavern as his greatsword came crashing down. The strike split the floor and sent a shockwave through the chamber, toppling beasts like broken dolls. Billy's sword flared faintly with mana as he blocked a claw swipe, countering with a thrust that pierced straight through the wolf's skull.
Growls. Steel. The wet crunch of claws and bone. The air reeked of blood and frost.
Finally, the last monster fell. Silence followed broken only by the ragged sound of their breathing.
Then, one by one, the torches along the walls lit up, revealing a long, narrow corridor that led deeper underground.
Ruby wiped her blades clean, exhaling. "Guess that was the welcoming party."
Billy sheathed his sword, his face tense. "Then we should expect the real fight ahead."
The group took a moment to rest and patch their wounds before pressing onward. The deeper they went, the colder it became their breaths visible even with the torches burning. Strange frost patterns crawled across the walls, and faint whispers echoed from the shadows, almost like voices.
After a long silence, Mia stopped and ran her fingers along one of the icy walls.
"What are you doing?" George asked, walking up beside her, his sword resting on his shoulder.
"I'm trying to sense something," she said softly. "If my instincts are right, the boss of this dungeon is close. Master Hiro's missions always end with a strong one."
A chill ran down their spines not from the cold, but from the weight of her words.
"So what do we do?" George asked, glancing around nervously. "Can we even take it down? Or should we… just head back?"
Mia turned, meeting his eyes. "We've come this far. Are you seriously suggesting we run now?"
Ruby and Billy exchanged uneasy glances. George rubbed his chin, thinking hard. The silence stretched.
Then Mia's voice broke through calm, yet firm. "We finish this. If we go back now, what do I report to Master? That we ran away halfway? That we couldn't handle a single dungeon he sent us to?"
Her grip tightened on her daggers. "No. We'll complete this mission even if we have to crawl out afterward."
Billy sighed, looking at his sword. "You really think Master planned this?"
Mia nodded. "He always does. Every mission, every challenge it's all part of his test. He's watching us right now, somewhere out there. If we die here, it'll be because we failed to understand his plan."
Billy lowered his eyes, her words cutting deeper than he wanted to admit. He thought of his flame sword how it had rejected him after Hiro took it once. Maybe… she was right. Maybe this was all part of Hiro's way of proving a point.
Mia turned back toward the icy corridor ahead, her voice steady. "We move forward. For Master Hiro Ludin and for the Blazing Dawn."
The group drew their weapons once more.
The frost wind howled through the den as they marched into the darkness, unaware of the monstrous shadow waiting ahead.
Meanwhile, high above the clouds Hiro was still flying toward them, muttering under his breath. "Please tell me they've cleared it already… I can't afford another repair fee on this cape."
He didn't know it yet, but the real battle was about to begin.