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.
[Chapter 17 Begins]
The team had finally reached the last door of the dungeon. Torches flickered faintly against the damp, frozen walls. Beyond the thick slab of stone, an eerie light pulsed like a dying heart.
They stepped in.
At the far end of the chamber sat a colossal figure armor forged from broken bones and melted steel, eyes glowing like molten gold. The being sat upon a throne of shattered skulls, his presence enough to make the air heavy.
"Welcome, puny humans, to my domain," the deep voice boomed. The ground trembled under the force of his words.
"What did he just say?" George muttered, both hands tightening around his greatsword. Every instinct screamed that he was facing something beyond their league.
Mia, standing at the front, drew her daggers. Her gaze never wavered. "Are you the boss of this dungeon?"
"Yes!" the giant roared. "I am the Great Zalag, Lord of the High Orcs! And you pathetic humans dare to enter my hall? You shall taste despair before death!"
Mia frowned. "You're not supposed to be here. This dungeon belonged to another species."
"Oh, you mean my watchdogs?" Zalag sneered. "They lost their den when they failed to defend it from me. I claimed what was rightfully stronger."He laughed, a thunderous, mocking sound. "You humans will entertain me before you perish."
At his snap, the tunnel beside the throne rumbled and a massive orc warrior emerged, wearing blackened armor. Its size dwarfed even George. In its hand, a cleaver-like greatsword scraped across the floor, leaving sparks behind.
"Where are the others who were stationed here?" Mia asked.
Zalag leaned forward, his grin widening. "Some ran. Others… served as sport. They screamed beautifully."His laughter filled the chamber, echoing endlessly against the stone walls.
Ruby's face paled. "If we let something like him reach the outside, the capital will burn."
"What do you mean?" George asked, eyes still fixed on the high orc.
"Dungeon Break," Ruby said grimly. "When monsters overflow or when the balance of power shifts bosses like that can drag others out with them."
Mia nodded, eyes narrowing. "Then this fight decides everything."
The orc warrior growled, slamming his blade into the ground. The impact cracked the floor and sent shards of ice flying.
"Spread out!" Mia shouted.
The battle erupted.
Billy charged first, his sword gleaming faintly with mana as he met the orc's downward swing. Sparks exploded as their blades clashed. The impact threw him backward, boots sliding across stone, but he steadied his stance and pushed forward again.
Ruby darted along the edge of the chamber, twin knives flashing. She moved like a shadow, slashing at the orc's sides whenever Billy drew its attention. Her strikes left shallow wounds that hissed against its thick green hide.
George roared, lifting his greatsword. "Get away from Billy!"
He slammed it down in a brutal arc that shattered part of the orc's armor, staggering it for the first time.
Mia seized that chance. She leapt high, daggers flashing like twin meteors, and slashed across the orc's neck. Blood sprayed a dark, steaming mist in the cold air.
But the creature didn't fall. It bellowed and grabbed Mia mid-air, flinging her across the chamber like a ragdoll. She hit the ground hard, rolling twice before stopping.
"Mia!" Ruby shouted, rushing toward her.
"I'm fine!" Mia coughed, forcing herself up. "Keep attacking!"
The orc turned toward George and swung its cleaver again. He blocked the strike with his sword, sparks flying, but the force drove him to one knee. The ground cracked beneath him.
"Now, Ruby!" Billy shouted.
Ruby leapt forward, her blades glowing faintly as she crossed them in a swift motion slicing straight through the orc's wrist. The beast howled as its weapon fell, clattering across the stone.
Mia darted in again, her daggers stabbing into the orc's chest, one after the other, aiming for the heart. George lifted his sword and drove it deep into the creature's gut, twisting until the orc's roar turned into a choking gurgle.
The massive body staggered back and collapsed with a ground-shaking thud.
For a moment, silence filled the hall.
The air reeked of blood and iron.
Everyone breathed heavily, their weapons dripping with crimson.
Ruby wiped her knives clean on the dead orc's armor. "That was… not easy."
George nodded weakly, lowering his sword. "That wasn't even the real boss."
A low, rumbling laugh echoed from the throne.
Zalag stood now, towering above them all, his shadow swallowing the light of the torches. The wounds of his fallen warrior meant nothing to him. If anything, amusement gleamed in his golden eyes.
"Impressive," he said, his voice calm yet filled with venom. "You actually managed to kill one of my guards. I suppose you humans have some worth after all."
Mia clenched her daggers tighter. "So you were watching."
"Of course," Zalag replied, stepping forward. The ground quaked with each footfall. "But the real game starts now."
The temperature dropped sharply. Frost began crawling up the walls. Even the torches froze and went out.
Billy raised his sword again, panting. "Guys… this is bad."
Mia took a step forward, standing between her team and the towering figure. "Everyone, stay alert. This isn't over."
Zalag drew a weapon from behind his throne a massive, rune-engraved axe that pulsed with dark mana. "Let's see," he said, his tone dripping with excitement. "Can the little humans survive my next swing?"
The team readied themselves, their hearts pounding as the floor itself began to hum under the pressure of his power.
And deep above the dungeon unaware to them all something was falling through the night sky at incredible speed, screaming in panic.
A caped figure, spinning wildly.
"SLIME-CHAN, WE'RE CRASHING!"
The voice echoed faintly as Hiro Ludin dove straight toward the Frostfang Den.