The cheers for Ryuzen still echoed in the distance.
"Ryuzen! Ryuzen!"
"He's the strongest!"
"Humanity's hope!"
Kael walked away from the crowd without looking back.
He slipped into a narrow alley between two buildings. The noise faded behind him, replaced by silence. The smell of dust and damp concrete filled the air.
For a moment, he stopped.
His breathing slowed.
Then—
"Kael!"
Footsteps rushed toward him.
Ren appeared, breathing heavily.
"Hah… Hah…"
He grabbed Kael's shoulder.
"You… you can't just walk away like that."
Kael slowly turned around.
Ren's face was pale.
Confused.
Afraid.
"What… what was that?"
"You fought that monster… no… monsters."
"You killed them."
Ren's voice trembled.
"You were E-Rank… You never fought before…"
Kael looked at him quietly.
This was expected.
Ren was simple.
Too simple.
And dangerous.
Because honest people asked too many questions.
Kael scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"I… don't really know."
Ren blinked.
"What?"
"When you were about to die… my body just moved."
Kael frowned slightly.
"Maybe adrenaline."
Ren stared at him.
"But… you saw that invisible monster."
Kael placed a hand on Ren's shoulder.
"I wasn't thinking clearly."
"I just wanted to save you."
His voice softened slightly.
"That's all."
Ren's eyes became watery.
Suddenly—
He pulled Kael into a tight hug.
"Bhai…"
"I thought I was going to die."
Kael froze for a second.
Memories flashed.
Ren dying in his arms.
Blood everywhere.
Screaming.
Pain.
Then—
Kael slowly patted Ren's back.
"You're heavy."
Ren laughed weakly and stepped back.
"You saved my life…"
Kael forced a small smile.
"Just… don't tell anyone."
Ren nodded immediately.
"My lips are sealed."
"See you tomorrow."
Ren left.
Kael watched him disappear.
The moment he turned the corner—
Kael's expression changed.
Cold.
"Emotional fool…"
He muttered.
"But loyal."
And loyalty…
Was useful.
Night fell.
Kael sat inside his small room.
The only light came from his laptop.
The room felt quiet.
Too quiet.
Kael reached into his pocket and pulled out the glowing orb.
The orb floated in the air.
Then—
It transformed.
Black smoke spread.
A cloak formed.
Dark.
Smooth.
Almost alive.
[Item: Shadow Cloak]
Rank: A
Effect: Invisibility — 10 minutes
Cooldown — 1 hour
Passive — Speed +20% in darkness
Kael picked it up.
He wore the cloak.
Slowly…
His body faded.
Invisible.
Only faint distortions remained.
Kael removed it.
"Perfect…"
He sat down.
Opened his laptop.
Hunter Forum.
New dungeon notification.
[D-4 Dungeon — Public Zone]
Golden Tiger Guild Raid
Kael smiled faintly.
Golden Tiger Guild.
He remembered them.
Low-rank hunters.
But greedy.
They exploited newbies.
Took all the loot.
Kael leaned back.
"I need money."
"I need power."
"And I won't get either… playing fair."
He wore a black hoodie.
A mask.
Then opened the window.
Cold wind entered.
Kael jumped.
The dungeon entrance glowed faintly.
Several hunters entered.
Golden Tiger Guild.
Five members.
Well equipped.
Confident.
Inside—
A cave.
Torches burned along the walls.
A Stone Golem stood ahead.
The hunters attacked.
Steel clashed.
Magic exploded.
Kael watched from above.
Invisible.
"They clear… I collect."
The fight lasted minutes.
Finally—
The golem collapsed.
The leader shouted.
"Move! Boss room ahead!"
Kael followed silently.
Boss Room.
Twin-Headed Ogre.
Massive.
Brutal.
The fight lasted ten minutes.
Hunters exhausted.
Potions used.
The Ogre weakened.
"Last hit is mine!"
The leader charged.
Kael moved.
Silent.
Fast.
"Sorry…"
He whispered.
"Finders keepers."
He jumped.
Dagger in hand.
[Vital Strike]
The blade pierced the Ogre's neck.
THUD.
The boss collapsed.
[MVP — Unknown]
Loot appeared.
Chest.
Skill book.
Mana stones.
Invisible hands grabbed everything.
Leader froze.
"What—?!"
"Who's there?!"
Kael whispered beside him.
"Not a coward…"
"...a hunter."
Leader fell back.
"B-ghost!"
Kael slipped away.
Outside the dungeon—
Kael removed the cloak.
Sweat covered his face.
He checked inventory.
Ogre Strength Potion
Heavy Strike Skill Book
Mana Stones — 5 Lakhs
Kael picked up the potion.
His body still weak.
E-Rank.
Too weak.
"If I want to survive…"
"No shortcuts."
He opened the bottle.
Drank.
Pain exploded instantly.
His veins bulged.
Muscles tightened.
He dropped to his knees.
"UGHH!"
Blood dripped from his lips.
[Strength +5]
[Pain Tolerance Increased]
Kael slowly stood.
Smiling.
"Not enough…"
Then—
His phone rang.
Unknown number.
Kael answered.
"Hello."
A woman's voice replied.
"Mr. Kael…"
"We noticed you sold five lakh worth mana stones."
Kael's eyes narrowed.
"Who are you?"
Silence.
Then—
"Someone who can help you."
"Or kill you."
Pause.
"Depends on your answer."
Kael smiled faintly.
The game…
Had just begun.
Chapter 3 End