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 man who shook the capital.
---
[Chapter 16 Begins]
Mia's team continued walking through the dungeon, their torches flickering against the rough, icy walls.
Each echo of their footsteps felt heavier as they descended deeper.
"When the Frostfang Den appeared, this whole area was populated," George muttered, glancing at the walls that looked too humanly carved. "Some stayed behind even after the dungeon came. The ones stationed here… I wonder what happened to them."
"Probably nothing good," Ruby said quietly. "If they were still alive, we would've found them by now."
Mia halted, brushing frost off her gloves. "We're wasting time talking. Let's move."
Billy sighed, his sword hanging over his shoulder. "I'm still saying we should call for help. It's not too late to turn back."
"You're too cautious, Billy." Mia didn't even look at him. "Being cautious keeps you alive but it also keeps you weak. If all you do is accept easy missions, do you think you'll ever grow as a hunter?"
Her words hit them like a spell. Especially George. He'd been stuck at a four-star rank for nearly a year now unable to break through no matter what he tried.
"That's why Master sent us here," Mia continued, her tone softening slightly. "To show us what we're lacking. To force us to face fear head on."
She looked at them one by one, her expression calm and sure."Like Master always says, 'Courage isn't the absence of fear—lit's walking through it.' And 'Levels don't decide who survives. Will does.'"
The three fell silent. Somehow, those random sayings Hiro always used to avoid serious conversations had turned into something deeply motivational.
George chuckled, rubbing his chin. "That old man sure knows how to talk big."
Ruby smiled faintly. "Guess we've been tricked into feeling inspired."
Mia grinned. "Then let's go beat the hell out of this dungeon boss, find those guards, and go home!"
"Yeah!" the three shouted together.
---
Hiro Ludin POV
"Ahhh, this cape is too fast!" I screamed into the wind as the Flying Cape hurled me through the night sky like a lost kite in a hurricane. The capital's lights were already miles behind.
I tilted my head down the Frostfang Den was in sight, glowing faintly under the silver moon.
"I can't find Mia and her party anywhere! Where the hell are they?" I yelled, pulling up my system window.
> [System Online]
Target Location: Frostfang Den, inner layer.
Warning: Dungeon anomaly detected.
"Wait..they're already at the inner layer?! Are you serious?!"
> [Affirmative. They're heading toward the final boss room.]
I froze. "Final… what now?"
> [Final boss. Please do not panic.]
"Do not panic?!" I shouted. "That's literally the opposite of what I'm doing!"
> [By the way, your Flying Cape's manual stop button is currently unavailable.]
"What do you mean unavailable?!" I flailed midair. "You're telling me this stupid artifact doesn't have brakes?!"
> [Erm... as I said before, using it was your choice. The product description clearly stated: "No refund. Not recommended for human use."]
"WHAT KIND OF PRODUCT DESCRIPTION IS THAT?!"
> [Please calm down, host.]
"Calm down, my foot! I'm going to sue the manufacturer! I'm going to get my money baaaaaack!"
Before I could finish my sentence, the cape dipped violently, sending me crashing through the dungeon's fog covered entrance like a falling meteor.
The moment I entered, red eyes glared from every direction. Growls echoed around me.
"Ah. Of course. Monsters." I sighed. "Because why not?"
> [Warning: Enemies approaching.]
"Slime-chan!" I called, snapping my fingers.
"Kyuuu!"
The small blue blob at my shoulder expanded instantly, transforming into a giant gooey mass with sharp, jagged teeth and glowing yellow eyes.
"Slime-chan, dinner time!"
"Kyuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!"
It lunged forward, devouring the nearest wolf-like monster whole. The beast's claws scraped helplessly before melting into the slime's translucent body.
Another creature jumped at me from the side only for Slime-chan's tentacle to lash out, grabbing it midair and slamming it into a wall.
"Nice one, Slime-chan!" I cheered as we sped deeper inside. "You're the best pet a coward like me could have!"
The air trembled as a huge shadow emerged from the corridor ahead.
Dozens of red eyes blinked open within the darkness, forming the outline of a colossal beast.
"Oh… come on." I groaned. "Why does every dungeon have to break its own rules?"
The cape lurched forward again, faster this time. My stomach turned upside down.
"I'm going to puke… PAAAAURGH—l! I feel sick! I just want to go home! PAAAURGH!"
> [Host, please remain stable.]
"Stable?! I'm literally flying on a death cloth while vomiting midair!"
The monsters below scattered as the Lazy Trickster shot through the sky, screaming his lungs out while his slime companion devoured everything in sight.
And somewhere deep inside the dungeon, Mia and her team heard a faint echo a long, desperate scream that didn't sound quite human.
Mia frowned. "…Was that?"
Ruby blinked. "That voice… sounded a lot like"
"monsters," Mia said with a sigh. "prepare in case we get surrounded"
George groaned. "We're doomed if we get trapped."