Chapter 11: The Hunter's Map
Morning light filtered through Luo Shen's window, soft and warm. His body felt different—stronger, sharper. Every movement was effortless, precise. Yesterday's victory over the Mindpiercer still echoed in his mind.
> A Rank strength… even if the System lists me as B Rank.
He smirked faintly. His stats, synchronization—everything told him he'd already surpassed normal B Rank Hunters.
---
School
The halls were buzzing as usual, but Luo Shen walked in calm and collected.
> "Hey, did you hear? Someone was asking about Luo Shen this morning."
"Yeah, a scary-looking guy. Definitely not a student."
Luo Shen's steps slowed.
> Zhang Ren.
Zhang Wei's brother. A B Rank Hunter of the Thunder Fang Alliance Hunters Guild.
Luo Shen's lips curved slightly.
> Heh. Let him come. He has no idea what I am now.
---
Classes passed in a haze. Luo Shen barely paid attention, his thoughts elsewhere—combat patterns, stat growth, neural responses. When the bell finally rang, he didn't linger.
---
Back Home – System Panel
Once home, Luo Shen summoned the System Panel.
> [Special Dungeon: Available?]
A faint chime:
> [Cooldown Active: Special Dungeon accessible once every 7 days.]
[6 Days Remaining.]
He sighed.
> Figures…
Regular dungeons? Possible—but his Hunter ID still listed him as E Rank. In official raids, that meant he couldn't fight; he'd just be hired as a carrier, hauling supplies for real Hunters, earning scraps of loot or a measly payout.
> No bosses. No rewards. Just humiliation.
He clenched his fists.
> "I've killed an A Rank-equivalent boss, and yet I'm treated like trash…"
---
A New Feature
Suddenly, the System chimed.
> [NEW FEATURE UNLOCKED: MAP]
A glowing icon pulsed faintly. Luo Shen tapped it.
Instantly, a 3D map unfolded in front of him—streets, districts, dungeon gates marked with glowing symbols. Even more surprising:
> [Hunter Occupancy: Detected]
Each dungeon displayed real-time rank data and who was inside.
> [Ironfang Ruins (C Rank) — 5 Hunters Present]
[Hollow Crypt (B Rank) — Empty]
[Venomwood Labyrinth (D Rank) — 6 Hunters Present]
Luo Shen's eyes narrowed, intrigued.
> Empty B Rank dungeon… No competition. No restrictions. Perfect.
---
Decision
He grabbed his Dagger, strapped his gear, and locked his door behind him.
The map projected a route, glowing in his vision:
> [Destination: Hollow Crypt Dungeon. ETA: 30 minutes.]
A slow grin spread across his face.
> "Time to see how an A Rank power clears a B Rank dungeon solo."
---
No warnings. No hesitation. His System didn't protest—because after clearing a Special Dungeon equivalent to A Rank difficulty, a mere B Rank dungeon wasn't even worth flagging.
The portal loomed ahead—an obsidian arch swirling with faint energy. Luo Shen stepped closer, calm and confident.
> Yesterday proved it. I'm already beyond this level.
He passed through without hesitation.
The world dissolved into light.
Inside the Hollow Crypt
The air inside the dungeon was heavy with the stench of decay. Dim blue torches flickered along crumbling walls, casting eerie shadows across piles of broken bones. Luo Shen moved like a phantom, dagger in hand, each strike swift and precise as he cut down the skeletal fiends lurking in the corridors.
> Pathetic. Too slow.
Each monster fell in a single blow, their brittle bones shattering under his blade. He barely broke a sweat as he advanced deeper into the dungeon.
But then—
> [SYSTEM ALERT: Being Followed]
[Target Identified: Zhang Ren | Rank: B | Affiliation: Thunder Fang Alliance Hunters Guild]
Luo Shen's eyes narrowed. A faint grin tugged at his lips.
> So he came himself… Perfect.
He didn't slow. Instead, he pressed forward, stepping into the towering Boss Chamber—an expansive hall lined with statues of forgotten kings, a massive armored wight looming at the center.
Before he could engage, heavy footsteps echoed behind him.
The dungeon gate shimmered. Zhang Ren entered.
---
The Confrontation
"Well, well…" A mocking voice rang out.
Luo Shen turned slowly, meeting Zhang Ren's cold gaze. The man was tall, muscular, clad in black combat gear laced with electric veins of Thunder Fang tech. His Gloves were A Rank.
Zhang Ren smirked.
> "So you actually had the guts to enter the boss room of a B Rank dungeon alone. I'll admit, I underestimated you."
He took a step forward, spear spinning lazily in his grip.
> "An E Rank Hunter wandering into a B Rank dungeon solo… No one in their right mind would do that unless they were hiding something."
Luo Shen's grip tightened on his dagger, but his expression stayed calm.
Zhang Ren's smirk widened.
> "It seems you're a lot stronger than that little card of yours says. But…" His tone sharpened like a blade. "You messed with the wrong people this time."
He gestured around the empty hall.
> "Do you get it? We're in a dungeon. No officials. No cameras. When an E Rank dies here, nobody questions it. Everyone will just assume you bit off more than you could chew."
The faint hum of the System panel flickered in Luo Shen's vision:
> [Threat Detected: Zhang Ren | Intent to Kill Confirmed]
Luo Shen smiled faintly.
> "So that's your plan? Kill me here and walk away clean?"
Zhang Ren tilted his head mockingly.
> "Exactly. You should've stayed in your place, Luo Shen. Weaklings don't get to insult my brother and live."
He leveled his spear, electricity crackling down its length.
> "Now die quietly, and I'll make it quick."
---
Luo Shen's Response
Luo Shen chuckled—a low, dangerous sound that echoed in the silent hall.
He twirled his dagger effortlessly, his movements sharp, precise.
> "You know…" he said calmly, stepping closer, "I was hoping you'd follow me."
Zhang Ren's smirk faltered slightly.
> "What?"
Luo Shen's eyes locked onto him, cold and sharp.
> "This dungeon doesn't have witnesses. No guild. No officials. Just you… and me."
He tilted his head slightly, his grin widening.
> "When you don't walk back out of here, Zhang Ren… they'll just think you got killed by the boss."
For the first time, Zhang Ren's expression shifted.
> "You arrogant little—!"
The boss wight roared in the background, rattling its chains, but neither man looked away from the other. The dungeon was silent except for their voices and the faint crackle of Zhang Ren's spear.
Luo Shen lowered into a stance, dagger flashing.
> "Come on, then. Let's see which one of us doesn't walk out of here alive."