Yuki stood in the lobby of Hunter HQ, staring at the large digital board that desipalyed active Dungeons applications. Her eyes locked onto one listing in particular.
[URGENT SCOUTING RECRUITMENT]
Story Dungeon (estimated A-Rank entities within)
Restrictions: A-Rank and Below
Compensation: 50,000,000 credits upon successful clear
Applications close: 2 days.
---
Fifty million credits, that kind of money would change her life. She could pay off every debt, move out of her apart, heck she could even move to a different city and never worry about Vonn or the dark reapers again.
But the requirements and the restrictions bother hinted at dangers A-Rank and above.
Even Hunter HQ was strongly discouraging anyone below B-Rank to apply, not like anyone that valued their lives were going to.
But Yuki stared at the application board, feeling an idea reel into her mind.
"What are you doing, Yuki?" Owen asked telepathically as he was seated on her head. "You can't seriously be thinking about---"
"I need to ask..." Yuki replied. "Just...let me ask"
She walked to the front desk where Helena Ridge sat, the same emotionless agent who has interrogated her after the Reptilian Forest dungeon clear. Helena looked up as Yuki approached the counter, her expression remaining neutral as usual.
"Ms. Goldberg. It's good to see you again, How can I assist you?"
Yuki appeared nervous but still steelled her resolve to ask. "The Story Dungeon application. I know it says A-Rank and B-Rank are recommended, but technically C-Rank hunters can also enter, right?"
Helena's expression didn't change, but there was a long pause before she answered.
"Technically, yes. Unlike normal dungeons, it doesn't come ranked, but with restrictions and this one only prevents S-Rank and above from entering. C-Rank hunters are physically capable of passing through the gate."
Yuki felt relieved. "Then I'd like to apply---"
"However..." Helena interrupted. "the Association is strongly discouraging any hunter below B-Rank from entering. The preliminary mana readings suggest threats ranging from A-Rank to potentially S-Rank within. A C-Rank hunter would have an estimated survival rate of less than five percent, please....reconsider what you were just about to say"
But Yuki's determination didn't waver. "I cleared a D-Rank dungeon as an F-Rank. I just cleared a C-Rank dungeon with a B-Rank boss. I have Owen too, I---"
"Ms. Goldberg" Helena's voice remained emotionless, but now mixed with a little Concern. "Story Dungeons are not like normal dungeons. They don't follow predictable patterns. The story often requires the hunter to make choices that could directly impact the dungeon itself. Your dragon's power may not be enough if the dungeon decides that direct combat is meaningless."
She leaned forward slightly. "And in the two Story Dungeons that failed in history? They didn't just kill the hunters inside. They broke containment and destroyed an entire city. Vanguard Hold was lost because hunters underestimated a Story Dungeon. Fifty thousand people died in the dungeon break."
The weight of those words made the air shift.
But yuki clenched her fists. "So you're saying I can't apply?"
"I'm saying if you apply, I cannot stop you. The dungeon will accept C-Rank hunters. But I am strongly advising you to reconsider."
Helena's gaze softened almost unnoticeable "You have potential, Ms. Goldberg. Don't waste it by dying in a dungeon designed to kill people twice your rank."
Yuki stood there, silent, weighing her options.
Helena continued, "If you truly wish to participate, focus on ranking up first. Reach B-Rank, and you'll have a real chance of survival. The scouting team enters tomorrow. But the dungeon won't be fully explored for weeks. It normally takes more than a few months to clear a story dungeon, You have time."
Yuki finally nodded. "Thank you..."
As she turned to leave, Helena spoke once more.
"Ms. Goldberg. May I ask why you're so desperate to enter a Story Dungeon?"
Yuki paused, then answered quietly as thoughts of her last with Vonn flooded her mind. "Fifty million credits will buy me freedom."
Helena's expression didn't change, but she understood.
"Is this Freedom worth dying for?" Helena said. "Find another way."
Yuki left the building with her mind at an unrest.
"Yuki, you heard her, right?" Owen said firmly. "Story Dungeons are death traps. We are not doing this."
"Fifty million credits, Owen. That's enough to disappear. To be free of Vonn, Finally, actually, free."
"Or you could just let me kill Vonn and solve the problem permanently."
Yuki sighed. "N-No...No killing. We'll find another way."
But as she walked home, Vonn's three-day threat hung over her like a blade ready to take her head off.
And somewhere in the industrial district, a Story Dungeon gate pulsed with an ominous energy.