The dungeon gate stood silently at the edge of the forest.
It looked like a massive crack in reality itself, swirling with dark purple energy.
Anyone who looked into it for too long felt an uncomfortable chill crawling down their spine.
Arin stood near the back of the raid team, gripping his worn iron sword.
The blade was old and chipped from countless fights.
Just like him.
"Listen up!"
The raid leader, a tall B-Rank hunter named Darius, raised his voice.
"This is supposed to be an E-Rank dungeon. Nothing dangerous. We go in, clear the monsters, kill the boss, and get paid."
The hunters nodded confidently.
Most of them looked relaxed.
For experienced hunters, E-Rank dungeons were basically free money.
Arin, however, felt nervous.
He always did.
Even the weakest monsters inside a dungeon could easily kill someone like him.
"Move out!"
The team stepped through the gate one by one.
As Arin crossed the threshold, the world around him instantly changed.
The forest disappeared.
Cold stone walls surrounded them.
They had entered the dungeon.
The air inside was damp and heavy.
Water dripped from the ceiling, echoing through the dark corridors.
Suddenly—
Grrrrr…
A low growl echoed from the shadows.
Red eyes appeared in the darkness.
"Monsters!"
Goblins rushed out from the tunnels, their twisted bodies covered in filthy armor.
The hunters immediately attacked.
Steel clashed.
Arrows flew through the air.
Magic exploded across the stone walls.
Within seconds, several goblins were cut down.
Arin hesitated for a moment before charging forward.
One goblin lunged toward him with a rusty dagger.
"DIE!" the creature shrieked.
Arin barely managed to block the attack.
The impact pushed him backward.
His arms trembled from the force.
I'm too weak…
He knew it.
Everyone knew it.
Suddenly—
The ground shook.
The dungeon walls trembled violently.
"What the hell was that?" one hunter shouted.
Darius frowned.
"Something's wrong…"
Then it happened.
The dungeon gate behind them…
Closed.