“Would you look at that? The leader of The Six Hunters has finally arrived.”

I received a warm welcome from Mr. Reed as soon as I stepped inside the underground bunker. He gestured to Paul to secure the entrance as per usual, and the door closed with a metallic squeak.

“I still haven’t gotten used to that title.”

Mr. Reed chuckled and motioned at the empty chairs. “Heh, it’ll grow on you. Come in and take a seat.”

At the center's long table, Darion was occupying a seat. I took my seat across from him.

I glanced around the underground bunker. “Is it just us? Where are the others?”

“Don’t worry about them, Joel. You and Darion should be enough for this Dungeon. A group of hikers found it. Right as they were about to start their trek, a portal spontaneously formed near them. They notified the authorities, and here we are.”

“It formed at the base of a mountain? It would’ve taken a while to locate this Dungeon. If it was left alone…”

Mr. Reed leaned back in his chair and nodded. “Yes, an outbreak would’ve occurred. We got lucky this time. In any case, the mana readings of the gate were inspected by my team, and we have estimated it to be around D-Rank due to the orange color of the gate.”

“You called me over for a measly D-rank dungeon?” Darion said, glaring at Mr. Reed.

Mr. Reed sighed, unfazed by Darion’s hostility. “Darion, you know we are severely understaffed at the moment. I would send the weaker Dungeon Conquerors, but you know most of them are afraid of monsters. After what they experienced, I’m not surprised. I can only count on you guys until we get more superhumans on deck. Why do you think I wanted you guys to create guilds? To nurture and support the newbies.”

Darion blinked slowly at Mr. Reed and averted his gaze. “…Fine.”

Despite Darion's reluctant agreement, I was convinced that he would never venture into a D-Rank or F-Rank Dungeon again. I figured it was time to change the subject and spill the beans of what I discovered.

“Speaking of guilds, I found a hidden gem among a group of high school students I was speaking for.”

Mr. Reed and Darion locked eyes with me.

“Hidden gem, you say?”

“What did you say, old man?”

When you stare at me this hard, it’s kind of embarrassing.

“When her hand touched the appraisal orb, there was an influx of mana within it. After that, one letter that I wasn’t expecting appeared…”

I paused for a moment to build up the suspense.

“…Spit it out, will you?” Mr. Reed demanded.

“Her potential was estimated to be at least B-Rank.”

“WHAT?!” They both let out a collective gasp.

“I was as shocked as you guys! B-Rank potential that young? And with no formal training to boot!”

“Joel, do you know what this means? If your statement is true - and I have faith in you - we may have an A-Rank other than Sam in America!”

Mr. Reed was practically hopping up from his seat. Having two A-ranks would bolster our military might. Only five countries in the entire world have at least one A-Rank superhuman: India, Japan, the United States of America, China, and Russia. There may be more of them and it’s highly likely. It’s just that we have a sneaking suspicion some countries are hiding the ranks of their strongest superhumans. This is only a superstition with the information we have gathered. There have been no reports that an S-Rank has appeared; not yet, at least.

“Not only that, but she was also there when The Tutorial happened,” I added on.

There was a moment of silence from Mr. Reed. “She was there? Hm…”

“Mr. Reed? Are you okay?”

Mr. Reed put a hand up and grimaced. “Yes, I’m okay. I was just lost in thought, pondering deeply about what you just said. Since you found her, do whatever it takes to recruit her, alright?”

“Hold on,” Darion interjected.

Our superior looked over at Darion, puzzled. “What is it, Darion?”

“…How about you hand her over to my guild?”

My brow furrowed as I stared at the boy. “Darion. What is the meaning of this?”

“I feel as if she would shine even more in my guild: Dungeon Squadron,” he said with an inkling of a smirk.

The mention of the Dungeon Squadron sparked a flicker of curiosity within me, as I absorbed Leo’s account of this renowned guild led by Darion. According to Leo, those who pledged their allegiance to Darion’s cause were not ordinary individuals. Instead, they were formidable superhumans, united by a shared mission to venture into treacherous Dungeons and eradicate the menacing creatures lurking within. The members of this illustrious guild, I learned, had the opportunity to gain invaluable combat experience on the front lines, leading to a rapid and remarkable growth in their skills.

If Sara were to join their ranks, her immense potential would undoubtedly elevate her to the esteemed status of an A-Rank superhuman within a remarkably short span of time, perhaps even a matter of months. Darion remained selective in his recruitment process, choosing only those who had proven themselves worthy of his approval. Consequently, the size of the guild was relatively small, with the last count indicating a modest membership of around ten individuals.

I thought of what to say next. “…Darion. I know you mean well, but it’s not my decision. If you want her to join your guild, ask her yourself. I can set a meeting between you two if that’s what you want.”

Darion nodded at my proposal. “…Okay. Don’t forget what you said here, old man.”

Mr. Reed briefly glanced at Darion before returning to his main point. “As I was saying… the Dungeon is at the Appalachian Mountains, Tennessee. You two will be picked up and dropped off in front of the gate. I assume you have your weapons and gear stored in the Inventory?”

“Yep.”

“Good. My assistant will be waiting up front. Contact me once you arrive. Any questions?”

“No, Mr. Reed.”

“Nope.”

“Then what are you waiting for? Get going.”

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

****

“She was in The Tutorial, and she hasn’t reported this? Troubling indeed…”

Once Darion and Joel left, I reached into my pocket and pulled out a smartphone, dialing an important phone number. The phone didn’t get to its second ring until a polite feminine voice answered.

“Hello?”

“This is Reed. We have a big situation on our hands. It’s the one we feared when the superhumans arrived from The Tutorial…”

****

“Ready, Darion?”

“Let’s just get on with this.”

Darion stood in front of me, wearing black gloves on his hands. He held in his hand a spear that closely resembled the formidable weapons used in bear hunting. His outfit comprised of a streamlined, silver armor that initially seemed lightweight and flexible, enabling him to move with ease. Even so, the misleading nature of his armor was made clear upon closer inspection, as it exhibited a remarkable toughness that could withstand blunt-force trauma of up to an astonishing 20 psi.

As for myself, I wielded a battle axe, its formidable length measuring a solid meter. Like Darion, I too donned the protective mantle of the silver armor, crafted through the ingenious repurposing of materials sourced from the very Dungeons we ventured into and the remains of fallen monsters. This armor set bore the distinguished name of “protego,” derived from the Latin word meaning “to protect.”

“Alright, let’s go in.”

The orange portal stood in front of us, beckoning us to enter if we dare, but it didn’t matter. Only one of us is needed to complete this Dungeon. With both of us here, it would take only thirty minutes, depending on what’s inside that is. At the base of the mighty Appalachian Mountains, a vast expanse of forested peaks stretching for thousands of miles, the Dungeon lay hidden within this sprawling landscape. The air was heavy with the invigorating scent of pine, mingled with the earthy aroma of freshly upturned soil, creating an ambiance that heightened our senses as we stood before the portal, ready to embark on our quick journey.

We shared an unspoken understanding and simultaneously advanced towards the portal that summoned us forward. A sensation akin to plummeting from the skies enveloped us, similar to the exhilarating descent on a rollercoaster. I felt something solid beneath my feet, and once I opened my eyes slowly, the bright glare of the sun greeted me.

“Looks like the Dungeon takes place outside this time.”

Spread out before us, a rustic and rudimentary village came into view, its feeble defense manifested in the form of a modest wooden wall. The height was so insignificant that I could overcome it with ease and minimal effort, using only one leap. Our surroundings consisted of vast plains, where the vegetation was scarce and gave way to a carpet of grass that imbued the landscape with a warm, yellowish-orange hue reminiscent of expansive fields of ripened wheat.

Casting a glance over my shoulder, my eyes fell upon a dense woodland area, characterized by towering trees whose branches extended up to a remarkable length of twenty feet. In this lush domain, a complex ecosystem emerged, featuring an array of creatures, including both monstrous and mundane, wandering through the fields or grazing on the grass. As I was admiring the view, a blue message popped up.

[The number of goblins in their lair has been steadily growing, waiting for an opportunity to strike their opponents. Eliminate all enemies in the fort]

“Darion, did you get the message?”

“Mhm…”

“Okay then. You know what to do. It’s time to clean them up.”

We casually walked through the front of the fort, weapons in hand. A shrill noise like a horn being blown resonated through the area, and the green goblins emerged from their mud and straw huts, snarling at us with their wicked grins.

“You get the left side, I’ll get the right. Leave no one standing.”

Darion gave me a small nod and got into position. I looked away from him and faced the monsters, axe in hand.

“[Body Strengthening].”

An infusion of power permeated my entire being as I grew in size and strength.

****

The skirmish with the goblins had concluded quite fast, leaving no lingering trace of their presence, but a lifeless figure sprawled on the ground. Once the last goblin died and dropped its dagger, I made sure it was really dead before turning to Darion. He sat on a tree stump, looking at me with a straight face.

“You done on your end?”

“I finished a while ago, old man. These things are nothing to me.”

If he’s done on his end, then why hasn’t the portal reopened? Are there still living goblins?

As my thoughts faded away, a sudden disruption pierced the silence, slicing through the entrance of the area. Darion and I both turned our heads when we heard the heavy footsteps getting closer. And there, looming before us, stood an imposing figure, tall and robust. The creature's presence exuded an aura of sheer might, as evidenced by the bulging muscles that rippled beneath its skin. The creature’s expression was twisted with wrath, its eyes ablaze with fury as they scanned the aftermath of our battle.

This was no ordinary creature; it was a demogre—a fearsome breed known for its typically gray complexion. However, this demogre was different, boasting a striking mix of colors. Its body exhibited a peculiar fusion of gray and red hues, blending together in a mesmerizing and unsettling display. Adding to its imposing figure were two prominent white horns that protruded from its head.

“Is that a demogre? No, it looks fiercer, and way taller!”

“Old man, this seems like a fusion of both types. Maybe it’s the pinnacle of its species?”

“That would make the most sense. If that’s the case, this isn’t a D-Rank dungeon. Did the difficulty increase?”

“Let me handle this,” Darion said confidently. He rose from his little stump and was twirling his spear around like a toy.

“Darion, we should take it down together.”

Darion just laughed and stepped forward. “Just sit there and watch. I’m quite confident in myself.”

Assuming his usual battle stance, Darion positioned his body to face the demogre. His right leg was positioned forward and slightly bent, while the left leg extended back, maintaining a firm but poised foundation. The spear he wielded was held parallel to his abdomen, the grip of his right hand near the shaft, while his left hand anchored the weapon at its far end. In the face of the demogre’s imposing presence, Darion remained resolute, unfazed by the creature’s aura.

With a thunderous stomp, the demogre asserted its dominance, causing the very earth beneath us to tremble. With surprising ease, the massive creature produced an enormous sword from a seemingly insignificant spot on its back. Slowly and deliberately, it advanced toward Darion.

As I tightly gripped my axe, a powerful impulse surged within me, tempting me to intervene. Yet I recognized the significance of placing my unwavering trust in Darion’s abilities. As the leader of The Six Hunters, it fell upon me to assess his capacity to handle the situation on his own. Should the circumstance turn south, I would come rushing in. For now, I would remain a spectator, intently observing the unfolding confrontation while silently rooting for Darion’s victory.

The monster raised its sword high into the air and descended the hunk of metal at Darion. He sidestepped just in time as dirt enveloped the area. The demogre let out cries of pain as fresh wounds emerged on its legs and belly due to quick thrusts. Darion stood a few meters away, analyzing his opponent. A certain fire in his eyes was lit. The monster touched one of his leaking wounds and licked the tip of its bloodied fingers. It then started muttering a familiar incantation.

“Hm? Is that what I think it is? Darion! He’s going to cast some sort of fire spell!”

“I already knew that.”

Raising its arm skyward, a massive blaze materialized above the entity. Despite the distance, the intense heat was unmistakable, as if I were standing amidst a forest fire. If Darion was to take it head-on, even he might be rendered to ash.

I glanced back at him, hoping he was prepared to dodge, but he kept still. The monster didn’t care as he cast his spell down at the boy. The pace picked up with each passing second, until it was in Darion's immediate vicinity. I felt worried for a moment, but a small smile was etched on his face, his confident attitude never faltering. He gripped the spear as hard as he could and reared it back. He then mouthed a single phrase.

“[Wind Thrust].”

Darion's spear was crackling with energy as mana formed at its tip. The mana particles danced with an electric energy, swirling and combining with an intensity that bordered on fury. Then, as if commanded by Darion’s will, the gathering mana abruptly ceased its furious dance and surged forth as he thrust his spear into the blazing inferno before him. In an instant, the demogre’s malevolent magic was disintegrated, vaporized into nothingness by the sheer force of Darion’s counterattack.

But the display of power did not end there. A concentrated beam of devastating wind, propelled with astonishing speed, shot itself towards the demogre. The creature, unaware of the impending danger, was caught off guard as the lethal assault unfolded in the blink of an eye. In a cataclysmic burst, the monster’s head was cleanly severed from its body, the force of the impact echoing with a resounding boom. The decapitated body swayed momentarily before succumbing to gravity, crashing to the ground with a tremendous thud. Darion walked over to the corpse and stabbed his spear into its skin.

“Didn’t I tell you, old man? I had this under control.”

[You have completed the Dungeon!]