Fifty years ago, the world as humanity knew it changed forever.
Dungeons began to manifest, their dark, labyrinthine depths spilling forth monstrous creatures of every size and shape.
These beasts swept across the land like a plague, leaving trails of destruction in their wake.
Entire cities were razed, their inhabitants consumed by chaos and fear.
In the face of such overwhelming power, a glimmer of hope emerged—hunters, individuals awakened with extraordinary abilities.
They became humanity's first line of defense, warriors who wielded power to challenge the monstrous hordes.
But even their strength was not enough.
Lone hunters, no matter how strong, could not stem the tide of destruction.
Humanity teetered on the edge of annihilation.
It was then that the hunters decided to band together, forming the first organized coalitions.
Unity became their strength.
Together, they hunted monsters, raided dungeons, and fought to stabilize a collapsing society.
Slowly but surely, humanity began to rebuild, finding solace in the newfound order that these alliances brought.
For the first time in years, there was a fragile peace.
But peace was not without its price.
Over time, the united front of hunters fractured into guilds, each vying for supremacy.
What began as collaboration to save the world turned into fierce competition.
Guilds measured their success by the dungeons they raided, the territories they controlled, and the wealth they amassed.
The era of cooperation gave way to an age of rivalry.
Out of this fierce competition, four guilds rose above the rest, carving their names into the annals of history.
**Lionheart Guild**
Known as the strongest guild, the Lionheart Guild stands as a symbol of power and leadership.
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Led by two legendary S-rank hunters, this guild is a paragon of strength and strategy.
Its members are disciplined, fearless, and revered for their heroism.
They are often the first to respond to calamities, their presence alone inspiring hope among the masses.
To the world, Lionheart is the shield that protects humanity.
**Black Serpent Guild**
Dangerous and cunning, the Black Serpent Guild thrives in shadows where others fear to tread.
Specializing in poison, traps, and healing, they are masters of both life and death.
Their methods are ruthless, their reputation shrouded in mystery and whispers of treachery.
The Black Serpent Guild’s members are feared even among their peers, their enemies often succumbing to venomous deaths before ever seeing their faces.
**Demonic Guild**
The most notorious and feared of all, the Demonic Guild is a name spoken in hushed tones.
Their moral compass long shattered, they are known for their willingness to side with monsters if it serves their interests.
Many accuse them of betraying humanity for personal gain, yet their unmatched ferocity and skill in battle keep them among the top guilds.
To cross the Demonic Guild is to invite destruction, and to trust them is to gamble with betrayal.
**Mystic Tower**
Unlike the others, the Mystic Tower emerged seemingly out of nowhere.
No one knows its true origins or the full extent of its power.
Its members are enigmatic, wielding strange magic and artifacts far beyond the understanding of most hunters.
The guild’s sudden rise to prominence stunned the world, their presence surrounded by an aura of mystery and dread.
What lies at the core of Mystic Tower remains unknown, but their influence is undeniable.
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[Lionheart Guild – Intelligence Department]
The hall buzzed with activity, a sprawling space dominated by glowing monitors and the rhythmic clatter of keyboards.
Data streamed across the screens, updating every second with reports on dungeon activities, hunter movements, and gate anomalies.
Team leaders barked orders, analysts hurried between workstations, and the faint hum of machinery filled the air—a symphony of efficiency and vigilance.
Amidst the organized chaos stood the department head, a stern man with sharp eyes that missed nothing.
He oversaw the flow of information with the precision of a commander on a battlefield.
His presence alone seemed to lend the room a sense of order.
One of the team leaders, a young man with a furrowed brow and a visible tension in his posture, approached him hesitantly.
“What happened?” the department head asked, his tone brisk but calm.
“Sir, a dungeon named Chitin Caverns has suddenly disappeared,” the team leader reported, his voice tinged with unease.
The department head raised an eyebrow but didn’t seem overly concerned.
“So? Someone must have cleared it quietly. It happens.”
“No, sir. We’ve reviewed every CCTV feed. No hunters entered the dungeon during that period,” the team leader said, his voice dropping slightly as if reluctant to share the unsettling details.
The department head’s expression hardened. “Are you certain?”
“Yes, sir. We double-checked. It’s… unexplainable.”
The department head rubbed his temple, a flicker of annoyance flashing across his face.
“Fine. I’ll look into it later. Anything else?”
The team leader hesitated, clearly troubled. “Sir, there’s something else… another anomaly.”
The department head’s gaze sharpened. “Out with it.”
“A dungeon gate shifted in rank,” the team leader said, his words deliberate and heavy. “It changed from yellow to orange.”
The department head froze, his lips tightening.
Dungeon gates were classified by their colors: green, blue, yellow, orange, red, and finally black—each progression indicating a significant leap in danger.
An orange gate was a major concern, capable of unleashing monsters that even seasoned hunters struggled to contain.
“Are you sure?” he asked, his voice quieter but no less commanding.
“Yes, sir. The change happened earlier today. And…”
The team leader swallowed hard.
“It occurred on the same day that the other dungeon disappeared.”
For a moment, silence hung between them, the weight of the information pressing down like a stormcloud.
The department head’s mind raced, connecting threads and drawing conclusions he didn’t like.
“Anything else?” he asked at last, his voice steady but low.
“There is, sir,” the team leader admitted, his hesitation returning.
“The dungeon in question… it’s the one team leader Derek from the Hunting Department flagged for investigation last week.”
The department head’s eyes widened slightly, his calm façade breaking for a split second before he masked it again.
He pushed back his chair and stood abruptly.
“Come with me,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “We’re meeting with the Guildmaster immediately.”
The team leader nodded, hurrying after him as they strode out of the hall.
The usual hum of the intelligence department felt quieter as the pair exited, the echoes of their hurried footsteps reverberating through the corridors.
The department head’s mind churned with possibilities—none of them good.
A disappearing dungeon.
A gate surging in rank.
And a connection to Derek’s flagged investigation.
Something was happening, something beyond protocol and prediction.
For the first time in years, the department head felt a chill of unease settle in his chest.