Night settled quietly over the guild district.
After the chaos of whispers, stares, and the embarrassing rejection of a noble's offer, Kaien found himself standing before a modest lodging building tucked between two stone structures. It wasn't luxurious, nor was it miserable—just a simple resting place for adventurers who needed a roof over their heads and a bed sturdy enough to collapse into after risking their lives.
He paid for a single-night stay and was led to a small room.
The door creaked open.
Inside, there was almost nothing.
A single bed pressed against the wall.
A small wooden table.
A window with a shifted curtain that would give him some fresh air but no decorations in the room.
Kaien didn't complain.
"This is more than enough," he muttered.
The moment the door shut behind him, the weight of exhaustion crashed down like a delayed wave. He flung his shoes off his feet with a careless kick, letting them tumble near the wall. His sword was gently placed in the corner of the room, leaning neatly where his instincts told him it would be safest.
Kaien dropped backward onto the bed.
Thud.
The mattress groaned under his weight.
"…I didn't realize how tired I was," he murmured.
His eyes closed almost immediately.
The room fell silent.
Morning came swiftly.
Kaien woke up before sunrise, his body sore but no longer screaming in pain. He took a quick shower, letting cold water wash over him, clearing away lingering fatigue and sharpening his senses.
Once done, he strapped his gear on, secured his pouch, and fastened his sword behind his back.
The guild hall was already buzzing when he arrived.
Adventurers came and went in waves—some boasting loudly, others silent with grim expressions. Kaien moved through the crowd and soon spotted a short, broad-shouldered man with a thick beard, standing near the central desk.
The aura around the man was… heavy.
Strong, Kaien thought.
Without hesitation, he approached.
"Excuse me," Kaien said.
The bearded man turned, eyes narrowing slightly before softening. "Hm? What is it, kid?"
"How much Veirons does it cost to legally enter a raid portal solo?"
The man blinked.
"…Solo?"
"Yes."
A brief silence passed before the man let out a low chuckle. "Normally? 3,000 Veirons."
Kaien nodded. "I see."
Then the man waved his hand dismissively. "But forget it. Go ahead and enter for free."
Kaien froze. "…Free?"
"Yeah," the man said casually. "You're an E-ranker. Exploring a low-tier portal alone shouldn't be too bad."
Kaien frowned slightly, confused.
Why would he—?
But the thought barely lingered.
Free entry… That's all that matters.
"Thank you," Kaien said, bowing slightly.
The man watched him leave, beard twitching.
"…Interesting kid."
The portal stood at the edge of the guild's regulated zone.
Dark purple energy swirled violently, sparks of violet lightning snapping across its surface. The air around it felt thick, corrupted—far more oppressive than the portal Kaien had entered before.
He stopped before it.
Inhaled.
Exhaled.
Please don't throw me into another abyss…
Then he stepped forward.
The portal swallowed him whole.
—and sealed shut behind him.
This time, there was no violent descent.
Kaien landed smoothly on solid ground.
His eyes scanned the surroundings instantly.
The environment was heavy with aura, dense and oppressive, pressing against his skin. Twisted trees and cracked earth stretched forward, the faint sounds of growls echoing in the distance.
"Low-level monsters first," Kaien muttered. "As expected."
He moved.
Demonic wolves emerged from the shadows—snarling, feral, corrupted.
Steel flashed.
Kaien's blade struck cleanly, efficiently. One by one, the wolves fell, their remains dissolving into loot fragments. He collected what he could and pressed on.
After some time, the scenery changed.
Trees grew taller.
The air grew colder.
Mist rolled in thickly, blanketing the forest floor.
Kaien slowed.
"…Strange," he said softly. "This is new."
The hairs on his neck stood up.
A sharp presence cut through the mist.
SHING—!
A blade-like slash tore through the air from behind.
Kaien twisted instinctively, barely deflecting it.
Another slash followed.
Then another.
From different directions.
He dodged. Deflected. Countered.
"Tsk," he clicked his tongue. "Something's toying with me."
The mist parted.
A figure emerged.
Cloaked entirely in black from head to toe, its face hidden within a void-like darkness. In its grip rested a long, curved weapon—shaped like a scythe. Black aura poured from its form, sending chills straight into Kaien's bones.
Danger.
He activated his appraisal equipment.
Name: ???
Rank: S-Class
Level: 80
Strength: 1,200
Speed: ???
Spirit: ???
Skills: Stealth, Illusion, Soul Snatch
Kaien's blood ran cold.
"S–S-rank…?"
His mind raced.
Did the guild master set me up?
Did he mistake me for an S-ranker…?
Or is this a test?
Every instinct screamed retreat.
But his hand tightened around his sword.
"…S-rank or above," Kaien said, forcing a grin, "I'll still defeat you."
The creature vanished.
"Shit—!"
A slash descended from above.
Kaien barely avoided it—the blade grazed his left cheek, drawing blood.
"If I hadn't kept my guard…" he hissed. "I'd be dead."
The assault intensified.
Slashes rained down relentlessly. The creature moved like a shadow, its speed overwhelming. Kaien's body accumulated wounds—scratches, bruises, burning pain.
"I need a way out," Kaien muttered. "I need… that move."
He stepped back.
Lowered his stance.
Legs spread. Waist bent. Head lowered.
His hand reached toward his waist—where a sheath should have been.
He inhaled.
Exhaled.
"Forbidden Technique—"
The air vibrated.
"Lightning Dance: Heavenly Strike!"
His blade flashed.
A thunderous shockwave erupted—
PFFT—!
The creature shattered into fragments, the mist dispersing violently.
Kaien dropped to his knees, gasping.
"…That was close," he panted. "Master was right… that technique drains everything."
Loot scattered before him.
His stats surged.
Rank: E → E+
Level: 13 → 14
Strength: 485 → 500
Speed: 555 → 600
Mana: 390 → 400
Experience: 780 XP → 815 XP
New Skills Acquired: Stealth, Enhanced Perception
Kaien stood slowly, satisfied.
Then—
A dark castle loomed ahead.
"…Not again," he sighed. "So that wasn't the boss."
He drank a healing potion.
"Good as new… though my energy's still low."
The castle doors opened on their own.
KRRRR—
"That's new."
Inside, lanterns ignited—then extinguished.
"Haunted?" Kaien muttered. "Bring it on."
He fought through bats, ogres, and shadows—until he reached the fourth chamber.
A massive two-headed beast rose.
Red eyes burned.
Saliva dripped.
Name: Two-Headed Direwolf
Rank: S+
Mana: 2,000
Spirit: 3,000
Speed: 900
Skills: Berserker, Bloodlust
Kaien swallowed.
"…Alright," he said, forcing courage into his voice. "Let's see what you've got."
The beast lunged.
And the battle began.