Night had fallen, Sector 5 was in deep slumber, the Voltaire estate deathly quiet, yet in one of the upper bedrooms, Elektra sat reclined on a sleek, metallic chair, her legs crossed casually as she toyed with the VR visor on her lap. A piece of expensive technology designed by Kajima Labs, elegant, lightweight, and as expensive as one might expect for something designed to train hunters. For Elektra, VR was more than just training, but a way to unwind and have fun.

Lifting the visor, she attached it to her temples, feeling the familiar click as the tinted glass panel slid down over her eyes. She couldn’t see much through the glass and the attachment blocked her ears. With the visor numbing two of her senses, it only calmed her. Her chair creaked as she leaned back, taking a deep breath as the world around her dissolved, replaced by the crisp, artificial clarity of the virtual realm. The pure gray world assembled right before Elektra’s eyes like a jigsaw puzzle.

The small area seemed forever expanding yet caged. Occasionally, the wall rippled like a stone being thrown into a lake, a reminder that this world was simply an amalgamation of ones and zeros, completely detached from the real world. A virtual world where Elektra’s life could be forgotten, where she could do what she pleased, if only for a fleeting amount of time.

The virtual world created to be Elektra’s playground, was not just a game, but a training tool designed to enhance IQ, sharpen reflexes, and improve battle sense. Originally intended for young hunter students to hone their combat skills, the equipment had since become a toy for the wealthy and powerful, entertaining themselves as they saw fit.

Elektra’s avatar in the game materialized before her: identical to her real-world appearance, with her short hair and slender, toned build. The only difference was her hair and eyes, both a plain brown, making her look eerily similar to her half brother. A floating window hovered in front of her. She glanced at the window’s faint glow, as it blended with the dull backdrop of the virtual world.

With a flick of her wrist, she began scrolling through the options. “What should I fight today?” she mused, her fingers moving as if tapping on invisible walls.

“Wyrmrings? Too boring. Vinefiends? Way too easy.” Her gaze hovered over a more interesting option. A wicked smile played on her lips. “Arachtula, that’ll do, I suppose.”

With a click, the surrounding environment shifted, and the ground trembled as eight gleaming eyes shot out from the ground. pixels danced and pulsated, as more eyes were rendered, all fixed on her. Its body materialized next, pixel forming lumps that soon came together to form three sections of a body, eight long limbs shooting out from beneath. It was enormous, its black, segmented body glistening as it clicked its mandibles, emitting a low, menacing hiss.

“Gross,” Elektra muttered, wincing in disgust. But her fingers twitched eagerly, hungry for a battle.

The Arachtula skittered forward, its monstrous legs pounding against the white floor. Each step sounded like the strike of a war drum. Elektra could feel her feet vibrate as it moved closer to her. Purple Venom dripped from its mandibles, hissing as it hit the floor. Elektra narrowed her eyes, every muscle in her body coiled and ready to spring.

The Arachtula lunged at her; she sidestepped with a pirouette, feeling the rush of air as its deadly limbs slammed down where she had been standing just moments before. The air caused her to lose balance. Quickly, she used her hands to propel her into a somersault.

“Too big,” she thought, biting back a curse as she spun out of reach of another swipe from the creature. Elektra was used to close combat. Her fighting style relied on quick kicks and precise strikes, but against something this size, her usual tactics were useless.

She smirked. “Fine. Change of plan.”

Electricity crackled to life from her shoulders, dancing all the way to her fingertips. She flicked her wrists, and the air buzzed with raw energy. Putting her palms together, she felt the electricity pushing and pulling. She twisted the energy, grunting against the pulling force. At her fingertips, the crackling arcs of lightning coalesced into the shape of a glowing bow. Elektra grinned, drawing the electric string back, aimed directly at the spider-like monster.

The Arachtula lunged again, its venomous fangs bared, but this time Elektra was ready. She released the string, sending a sizzling bolt of lightning hurtling toward one of its massive legs. The electric arrow hit the mark with a deafening crash, exploding in a shower of sparks as the limb disintegrated into pixelated ash. The creature screeched, its balance faltering as it stumbled to the side.

Before it could recover, Elektra pulled the bow once again, another bolt of energy drawn ready to be fired. She released the blast once again, this time targeting a second leg. The blast went through its leg like a spectre, tearing the limb clean off. The Arachtula shrieked, thrashing wildly, its remaining legs struggling to keep it upright. It moved awkwardly, swaying from side to side, its eyes still pinned on Elektra, fighting its only instinct.

“Two down,” Elektra muttered under her breath, not deterred by the multiple eyes watching her filled with anger.

The spider’s remaining legs flailed desperately, trying to swipe at her, but Elektra only sped up faster. She jumped into the air, her electrokinesis propelling her up high. A series of precise shots followed, each blast of lightning leaving behind a smoking ruin where a limb once stood. The Arachtula’s massive body crashed to the ground, crippled and helpless, its once-terrifying form reduced to a writhing heap of smoldering chitin.

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But Elektra wasn’t done yet. The strong never show mercy.

The creature hissed, its enormous head twisting to face her, venom dripping from its fangs as it prepared one final, desperate attack. But Elektra’s last shot already whistled through the virtual space, the energy in her hands glowing so brightly it lit up the entire battlefield.

She took a deep breath, summoning all the strength she had. She felt the crackle of raw power as she fired. The bolt of pure energy tore through the air, striking the center of the Arachtula’s body. A blinding flash of light engulfed the creature entirely, leaving nothing but charred flesh.

Elektra stood over the smoking remains, her breath steady, the bow of lightning dissipating from her hands in a flash. She wiped a bead of virtual sweat from her brow, smirking down at the destroyed creature. “Gross,” she muttered.

As the battlefield around her dissolved, the neutral colours of the virtual world returned. She exhaled sharply, feeling the adrenaline still coursing through her veins, even though her actual body was just sitting comfortably in her room. That was enough for one night, she thought.

Just as she reached for the floating menu to log out, an unexpected shimmer appeared before her. The air wavered, and slowly, a tawny owl materialized, its wings spread wide as it descended, landing gracefully in front of her. Its feathers were a deep brown, with streaks of gold that caught the white light of the virtual space, and its eyes were piercing yellow, staring at her with an almost all-knowing intelligence.

Elektra jumped in her seat, momentarily losing her balance. “What the—?” she blurted out, falling to the ground as the owl flapped its wings and landed atop her head.

“Arran,” she growled. Her server had been hacked, and she knew exactly who to blame. She immediately recognized the bird, or rather avatar, as her bitter rival. Maize Gaian, little miss perfect. “Maize, stop using Arran to hack into my server.”

The owl, or rather, Maize’s voice through it, let out a soft chuckle. “Oh, come on, Elektra. You had Arran help you only a couple of months ago to track down poor old Cassius. What’s one little favor between friends?”

Elektra scowled, brushing the owl off her head. Although Maize was right, it didn’t feel good being intruded on. When she had called Arran to find The Hound’s address, she didn’t think it would be used against her like this. “I already apologized to The Hound for what I did!” she cried.

“Not to him, you didn’t,” Maize’s voice teased. The owl flew from Elektra’s shoulder, hovering in the air. “Cassius almost killed you, didn’t he? Deservedly so, if you ask me.”

Elektra shot a hand out, trying to grab the owl, but it darted out of reach with a flap of its wings. “What do you want, Maize?” she asked, her tone sharp, though there was a trace of exhaustion beneath it.

Maize landed directly in front of Elektra, tilting its head in that peculiar way that owls did. “Remember what we discussed when we were on Violet while we were flying to the Commons?” Maize’s voice asked, feigning innocence.

“What are you talking about?” Elektra asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.

“Oh, I knew you weren’t paying attention!” the owl hooted, flapping its wings in frustration.

Elektra thought back, her mind racing to recall their conversation. They had been flying on Violet Maize’s massive, terrifying mount. But she had been so consumed with finding Sabir Quinn that she had paid little attention to what Maize had been saying.

“Well?” the owl prompted, stomping her talons against the floor.

Elektra sighed. “Fine, fine. What did we discuss?”

“We agreed to a partnership for a dungeon expedition, of course,” Maize said, her tone suddenly more serious.

Elektra blinked. “Wait… what?”

Maize’s voice didn’t falter. “We found a dungeon. It’s about 700 kilometers from Havana. We’re leading the expedition. You, me, and a few others.”

“That’s far as hell!” Elektra protested, feeling a twinge of dread. “Our entire summer will be wasted. I wanted to enjoy my time off, not spending it fighting monsters. We do that kind of thing every day at the academy.”

Maize’s tone was unsympathetic. “Yes, well, that’s all lovely except for the fact that your father, my mother, and the Boreas family have already agreed to this expedition. It’s been arranged for our ‘development,’ as they call it. Remember, this is going to be a real dungeon, no simulation, or some teacher monitoring us. We’re going to be leading fully fledged hunters.”

Elektra cursed under her breath. “Why couldn’t you just find a dungeon nearby, ugh? Alright, when exactly do we leave?”

“You have a week to prepare,” Maize said. “Though I suppose your people will do most of the work for you. I, on the other hand, won’t be given that privilege.”

Maize paused, then added, “That brings me to my second request. Since we’re now partners, I need some help. We need porters for the expedition, and it seems no one is eager to volunteer.”

“Why don’t you make some of your collaterals go?” Elektra asked, a bit irritated.

“I don’t want to bring any of my family,” Maize explained, her voice serious now. “It could get dangerous. We need people who are… expendable.”

Elektra’s mind immediately flickered to the two prisoners locked away in the estate’s dungeons. “I think I know who I can get. Is two porters enough?”

“Should be fine,” Maize replied.

“Good. Then, if that’s all, I’m logging off,” Elektra said, her hand once again hovering over the floating menu.

“One more thing,” Maize’s voice chirped, a hint of mischief returning.

Elektra groaned. “What now?”

“Whatever happened to Sabir Quinn?” Maize asked sweetly.

Elektra grinned, her mood brightening slightly. “Oh, he’s doing just fine. Just fine.”

“Mmm,” Maize purred through her owl avatar. “He was such fun. I’ll have to meet him soon when I can. I’ll introduce him to some of my other toys.”

“You’ll meet him sooner than you think,” Elektra said with a smirk, finally pressing the power button.

As she logged off, she could still hear Maize’s voice trailing. “I’ll see you soon,” Maize called out. Elektra ignored her. The world around her dissolved into a cascade of black, and the familiar weight of reality returned.