The next morning, the city was quieter, but the tension from yesterday's minor dungeon still lingered. Hunters moved briskly, preparing for new raids, while civilians whispered about the mysterious man who had appeared seemingly out of nowhere.
Seora arrived at the entrance of a newly opened dungeon, a swirling portal that emitted an ominous purple mist. Her S-rank status made her confident, but even she knew that monsters this strong could be lethal without backup.
"Looks like a B-level dungeon," she muttered, assessing the portal. "I can handle this… alone."
Han Ye was already nearby, casually leaning against a lamppost. His presence was calm, almost too calm. The morning sunlight reflected off his silver hair, though he made no move to enter the dungeon.
"You… again," Seora said, a mix of surprise and suspicion in her voice. "Did you just happen to be here, too?"
Han Ye smiled faintly. "Perhaps. Or perhaps I thought someone might need a hand."
Seora scoffed. "I don't need help."
"Of course not," he said softly. "But accidents… are unpredictable."
Before she could respond, the dungeon portal pulsed violently, and several grotesque monsters surged forward. They were faster and larger than any she had faced yesterday.
Seora's blades moved in a blur, cutting through one monster after another. But she faltered when one particularly massive creature knocked her off balance. Her arms trembled, adrenaline spiking as her body struggled to keep up with the assault.
Han Ye stepped forward, casually flicking his fingers. The creature froze mid-attack, its body locked in place as if time had slowed around it. With a gentle motion, he tapped the ground once—and the creature shattered into fragments, dust scattering across the dungeon floor.
Seora turned sharply, eyes wide. "Again… what are you?"
"I'm nothing worth worrying about," Han Ye replied, keeping his voice calm and warm. Yet even in those words, there was a weight that felt eternal. "But perhaps… you shouldn't overextend yourself."
Seora frowned, frustrated and curious. She didn't like the feeling of being overshadowed—but this man wasn't a rival in the usual sense. He was… different. Something about him stirred a strange familiarity she couldn't explain.
Han Ye stayed close, ensuring that none of the remaining monsters could reach her. His movements were subtle, almost casual, yet every threat disappeared before it could touch her.
After the dungeon had quieted, Seora wiped her blades clean and stared at him. "I don't understand… you're strong, stronger than anyone I've ever met… but why act like you're ordinary?"
Han Ye's eyes softened. "Some truths are dangerous. And some people… deserve to be protected, without knowing the full cost."
A small, quiet moment passed between them. For the first time, Seora felt a pang of something unfamiliar—trust, curiosity, and perhaps the faintest spark of admiration.
Han Ye smiled faintly and offered his hand. "Come on. Let's get you home. Even hunters need rest."
Seora hesitated, then took his hand. She didn't know why, but the warmth of it felt… reassuring.
And in the back of her mind, she wondered, quietly: Who is this man, really?
Little did she know, the one walking beside her—so calm, so composed—was none other than The Great Dao's Venerable, the most powerful being across all realms, hiding his divine essence to stay close to the woman he had sought for countless eons.