A beam of light slammed into the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust. As it settled, Joe appeared, crouching low as though bracing himself. Slowly, he straightened, his voice barely above a mutter. "I don’t think I’ll ever get used to that."
[Transportation Complete!]
[You Have Landed On The Hidden Zone (Death Zone)]
Joe’s eyes scanned his surroundings. Sand stretched endlessly in every direction, interrupted only by a few barren, leafless trees. The ground beneath him was an unbroken expanse of white, and when he looked up, a dark sky greeted him. A perfect crescent moon hung there, its pale glow illuminating the still landscape.
There was no breeze, no sound, no movement. It was utterly silent. Joe took a deep breath, glancing over his shoulder at Franklin, still slumped against his back. “You holding up, old man?”
"I think we both know the answer to that. I won't last long kid." Franklin coughed painfully, his chest wheezing. "I appreciate you doing this, but I used a skill I shouldn't have. Overheat Is a skill that doesn't just burn the body, but it also damages the soul. That's why it's a Forbidden Skill. Not even a healer can save me now."
"You don't know Shelly. I'm pretty sure she'll find a way. Why would you even use something like that, knowing the consequences?"
"Well, I may have overestimated myself a little," Franklin admitted with a chuckle that quickly turned into a painful cough. "I'm not as young as I used to be. Still, I don’t regret anything I did back there. My only regret is not being able to at least say goodbye to the princess."
"Then you'll say it," Joe declared firmly. "I'll get you to the princess. You'll have your moment with her. I promise."
"Why do you care what happens to an old man like me anyway?"
"Let’s just say I understand your situation. I know what it’s like to want to see someone with every fiber of your being. So, you can't just throw in the towel now, old man. You're not giving up, right?"
"Of course not—"
"Then that’s that," Joe interrupted. "I’ll get you to the princess at all costs. You just have to hold on a little longer. Can you do that?"
"Of course I can. I’m not some weakling, you brat."
"That’s the spirit, old man," Joe said with a small grin, taking steady steps forward with Franklin secured on his back.
After a moment of silence, Franklin broke it. "Hey, kid… that Mana Tool you used back in the First Zone. That wasn’t the Scorching Dagger, was it?"
Joe glanced back, startled by the question, before turning his gaze forward again. "It was. Why do you ask?"
"You're telling me you have the Scorching Dagger? That’s one of the most prized Tools of the Amber Family. It belongs to one of Diana’s princesses—Princess Kate Amber. So how did a kid like you end up with it?"
"It’s a long story," Joe replied, his tone guarded. "I got it from a bastard called Ray. He said he got the dagger from Kate's brother, Kite. They were in the same party, so I think he was telling the truth. Ray was a murderous bastard, though, so I had to take him down. That’s how the blade ended up in my hands."
"That doesn’t make sense. Did you just say Princess Kate has a brother?"
"Yeah... his name is Kite."
"That can’t be true. In all the years I spent in the Amber Family, I never heard of Princess Kate having a brother."
"Then why would she give Kite the Scorching Dagger? They must be family. Maybe your ancient memory is failing you, old man."
"I’m not that old, you brat," Franklin argued. "And I’m sure she didn’t have a brother. I don’t know what’s really going on here, but if you have the dagger, it’s only a matter of time before Kate comes looking for it. For your sake, I hope you’re ready."
Franklin’s warning hung heavy in the air, but Joe brushed it off with a shrug. "I’ll be fine. You should worry about yourself, old man. I know how to take care of myself."
Franklin sighed, realizing his words weren’t sinking in. "Since you’re so confident in your skills, can I ask you for something?"
"What is it?"
"If I don’t make it... could you make sure that the princess at least gets to The Hunt safely?"
Joe paused for a moment, he took a few seconds before he responded. "Sure thing, old man. But I’m doing this for you, not for her," Joe clarified.
Franklin chuckled softly, his voice growing weaker as his eyes began to close. "Thanks… kid..." His words trailed off into silence.
Joe could still feel Franklin’s faint breaths on the back of his neck. He was unconscious but still alive—barely hanging on.
"I have to pick up the pace," Joe muttered, breaking into a sprint. He was careful to keep Franklin steady, ensuring he didn’t jostle him or worsen his condition.
[This Old Man Is Dead Weight. Look At Him—He’s On His Last Legs. How Do You Expect To Fight While Carrying A Walking Corpse? He’s A Liability, If You Ask Me. I Say We Get Rid Of Him.]
"And that’s why I didn’t ask you for anything, Syr. I made a promise to the old man, and I intend to keep it," Joe replied firmly.
[You Need To Look At The Bigger Picture. The Old Man Is Barely Holding On. If You Ended Him Yourself, You’d Earn A Few Rank Points—Maybe Even Enough For A Rank Up. Let Him Succumb To His Injuries, And What Do We Get? Nothing. His Soul Isn’t Worth Much Either. He’s Already Damaged It Beyond Repair.]
"No," Joe said sharply. "I won’t do it. I’ve already Ranked Up several times in this dungeon. There are other ways to gain power, Syr. If I clear this Dungeon, I’m sure my rank will skyrocket."
[We Must Take Every Chance We Can Get. You Can Never Be Too Strong In Grisha. You May Think Your Progress Is Enough, But it’s Not. You’re Still Nowhere Near Where You Need To Be. Clearing This Dungeon Is Just One Small Step—You Need Every Rank Up You Can Get.]
"I agree, but I’ll earn those Rank Ups without killing the old man."
[Out Of All The Outsiders I’ve Met, You’re One Of The Most Stubborn—And That’s Really Saying Something.]
"You worry too much. We’ll get through this. I’m not going to die."
Syr fell silent, leaving Joe to press on in the stillness, the only sound was the crunch of his boots on the sand. The silence was abruptly broken when a notification screen flickered into view before him.
[Hidden Zone Sub-Quest]
• Objective: Slay 4 Humans As Offerings To The 'Skull King.'
• Reward: 15,000 Rank Points
• Failure: You Will Be Stuck In This Zone For Eternity.
• Time: 8 Hours
• Progress: 0/4 Humans Slain
Joe froze in his tracks, his heart pounding as he reread the message. "What’s the meaning of this? Syr, are you messing with me?"
[No. These Are The Dungeon’s Conditions —They Have Nothing To Do With Me. It Looks Like You’re Not Alone In This Place. If The Dungeon Is Giving You A Quest Like This, There Must Be Humans Nearby.]
"If I don’t kill four people, I’ll be stuck here forever? What kind of sick quest is this?"
[These Kinds Of Quests Are Actually Quite Common In Dungeons. You’ll Have To Get Used To Them.]
"There has to be another way."
[There isn’t.]
Joe shook his head. "No. I’ll find my own way out of this place. I think I’ve had enough of your advice, Syr."
Joe quickened his pace, his boots sinking into the soft sand with each step. The endless expanse of dunes stretched before him, unchanging and monotonous. He pressed forward for four grueling hours, doubt creeping into his mind. Maybe Syr was wrong. Maybe this zone didn’t have any humans after all—or worse, maybe he was lost.
Just as despair began to weigh on him, he spotted a steep sand hill in the distance. it had what looked like a forest at the top. With renewed determination, he pushed forward, scaling the incline with surprising ease. When he reached the summit, he stopped to catch his breath, scanning the horizon for what lay ahead.
Countless skeletons littered the ground, their bony remains crunching beneath his boots. Looming ahead were towering, leafless trees—much larger than any he had encountered so far.
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.
But it wasn’t the trees that held his attention. His eyes were locked on the figures partially obscured behind the trunks. Five colorful Mana Signatures glimmered faintly. They were unmistakably human.
Before Joe could take another step, a voice rang out.
"Stop right there!"
A lanky, brown-haired kid wearing a black cloak stepped out from behind one of the trees. He held a blade pointed directly at Joe.
Joe stopped in his tracks, his expression calm.
"G-Get on your knees!" the boy demanded, though his voice trembled. The sword in his hands wavered, his grip unsteady and his body shaking.
"I know the others are hiding behind those trees," Joe said, motioning toward them. "There's no point in hiding now."
The kid’s eyes widened in surprise. He glanced nervously behind him, and, one by one, the other figures revealed themselves. Four more adventurers emerged from the shadows of the trees, their movements hesitant, unsure.
Joe studied them carefully. They were all adventurers, but something was clearly off. Their postures, their uncertain steps, and the fear etched on their faces told him everything—these were amateurs. They weren’t used to situations like this.
"Now get down!" the brown-haired kid shouted again, more forcefully this time.
[Looks Like We’re Dealing With Amateurs. These Guys Have Not Been Adventurers For Long. This Is Your Chance. Even If It's Five Versus One, You Should Be Able To Handle Them.]
"No, Syr. These guys aren’t looking to kill me. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have revealed themselves—they would’ve ambushed me."
[That’s Exactly What I’m saying. They’re Amateurs. This Might Be Your Only Chance. Who Knows How Many Other Humans Are Still In This Zone?]
"I said get down!" the kid barked once more.
"No, Syr, I won’t kill them."
[Why Not? You’ve Killed Before. Stop Acting Like A Saint.]
"Those times were different," Joe replied firmly. "Look at them. They clearly don’t want to do this. If they did, they’d have attacked me by now."
[That Doesn’t Matter. You Have To Complete The Quest]
"No, Syr. I won’t do it."
[You fool! Your Reluctance To Do What's Needed Will Be The End Of Us. We Need As Much Power As We Can Get. This Is Another Chance To Rank Up, And You’re Throwing It Away!]
"Look, Syr—"
[No, Joe. I Won’t Let You. I Won’t Let You Get In The Way Of Our Progress. We Need To Be Ready.]
[System Connection Has Been Forcefully Initiated.]
"Arghhhh!" Joe cried out, clutching his head as he dropped to his knees. Franklin tumbled from his back, landing in the dirt.
Pain shot through Joe’s mind like jagged knives, his vision blurring as he felt his consciousness being torn apart. "Stop… it… Syr… Please…"
[You’ll Thank Me Later. This Is For Both Our Sakes.]
Joe’s screams echoed through the forest, piercing the stillness.
"What’s wrong with him?" one of the adventurers asked, exchanging panicked glances with the others.
"I don’t know!"
"Damn it, I knew coming to this Dungeon was a bad idea!"
[System Connection Complete!]
Joe’s screams faded, and he slowly rose to his feet, his movements deliberate yet unnaturally controlled. His breathing was steady and msadured.
[Duration Of System Connection: 5 Minutes.]
"Just five minutes?" The voice wasn’t Joe’s. It was deeper, colder. "I thought I’d have more time than that. The kid is more stubborn than I gave him credit for." The voice belonged to Syr.
Syr’s gaze scanned the adventurers standing before him. One of them was a yellow-haired boy with a sharp jawline. Beside him stood a bald, muscular boy—the only one dressed differently, wearing a black vest and pants instead of a cloak. To his left was a girl with silver hair, gripping a black staff tightly. Next to her was the brown-haired boy who had first revealed himself.
Yet, to Syr, none of them mattered. His focus locked on the last member of the group, and his breath hitched in disbelief.
It was a black-haired girl, clad in the same ankle-length cloak as the others, adorned with a flower emblem and the party’s name: Five Leaf Clovers. But it wasn’t her cloak that caught Syr’s attention—it was her face. The way her purple eyes sparkled and her hair cascaded down her back reminded him so vividly of someone he once knew.
“Is that you? Rebecca… is that really you?” Syr’s voice trembled, his eyes wide with astonishment.
The girl looked startled. “Rebecca? I’m not Rebecca… I’m Amy,” she replied hesitantly.
Syr’s expression twisted with confusion. Her answer didn’t make sense.
“Rebecca? Does he mean that Rebecca?” the bald boy asked, glancing at his companions.
“Surely not, right?” the yellow-haired boy added. “I mean, Amy resembles her a little, but… didn’t that Rebecca die like a really long time ago?"
“She’s not dead! She’s not dead! Rebecca's not dead!” Syr’s voice erupted, booming like thunder.
The sheer force of his outburst silenced the group immediately, their eyes wide as they stared at him in stunned shock
Without warning, The black blade materialized in Syr’s hand.
“Rebecca Isn't the one whose dead, that would be you." His voice was cold and detached.
[-2,000 Rank Points From Your Mana Pool.]
[Current Mana Pool: 21,020.]
[You Have Activated The Skill(Outsider’s Enhancement).]
With a single swing of Syr's blade, a gust of wind brushed past the adventurers before a blood-curdling scream shattered the stillness. Instinctively, they turned their heads—and froze. The youngest among them, the boy with yellow hair, had been severed cleanly in two. His upper and lower halves hit the ground with a sickening thud, the white sand beneath him rapidly soaking in crimson.
The girls screamed, their terrified voices echoing through the forest like a harrowing wail.
Syr advanced with measured, deliberate steps, black mana seeping ominously from his figure.
The two boys exchanged a glance filled with shock and uncertainty. Resolute, they nodded to each other and charged forward.
"Cover us, Tracy!" shouted the brown-haired boy, his voice cracking under the strain of panic.
Still trembling and teary-eyed, Tracy adjusted her grip on her staff, trying to steady herself.
"I see," Syr murmured to himself, his tone chillingly calm. "So, she's the healer."
Without hesitation, Syr surged forward, a blur of movement. He weaved between the two boys with effortless precision, his lithe form slipping past them like a shadow. In an instant, he appeared in front of Tracy.
Before she could react, his hand shot out, clamping around her throat. With terrifying strength, he slammed her against a nearby tree, the impact shaking the branches overhead.
"Bob… Leo…" Tracy croaked weakly, her voice strained as Syr's grip tightened.
The boys spun around, horror written across their faces. But before they could act, they saw it—Syr’s hand tearing into Tracy’s throat with brutal ease.
Blood spurted violently as she collapsed against the tree trunk, her trembling hands clawing at her neck in a futile attempt to stop the flow. Her gurgled breaths grew weaker, and her body slid limply to the ground.
Syr stood over her, his gaze cold and unfeeling, his hand still dripping with blood.
He turned to face the boys, his eyes half-lidded and indifferent as he used his cloak to casually wipe the blood from his hand.
The muscular boy, Bob, surged forward, his face twisted in fury. “I’ll kill you!” he roared, his voice trembling with rage.
Leo stood frozen, rooted to the spot.
Bob closed the distance in an instant, appearing in front of Syr with his mana-coated fist raised high, ready to deliver a devastating blow.
Syr, seemingly unfazed, sidestepped him with an almost lazy grace, brushing past as if Bob weren’t even worth his attention.
Bob whipped around, his anger boiling over at Syr’s blatant disrespect. But he didn’t notice it—not until it was far too late.
Blood erupted from his throat as a deep gash became visible. The realization struck him like a thunderclap. "How… he didn’t even swing his blade…
But Syr had swung. His blade moved so swiftly that not a single person on the field had caught the motion.
Bob collapsed to his knees, his fingers clawing desperately at his throat.
Syr turned slowly to face him, his gaze cold and unfeeling. Bob’s right hand remained clamped on his neck, while his left quivered as it reached out, brushing weakly against Syr’s ankle.
Syr glanced down at the feeble grip, unmoved. As Bob lifted his gaze, their eyes met, and Syr could see the terror and resignation in them—the dawning realization that his life was slipping away.
Without a word, Syr raised his Black Blade and drove it through Bob’s skull. The sickening crunch echoed across the field, lingering in the air like a grim final note.
Syr turned slowly, his gaze locking onto Leo. The moment their eyes met, Leo's widened in shock. Without hesitation, he spun around and bolted.
He managed only a few steps before a chilling breeze brushed past his legs. Then came the scream—a bloodcurdling sound ripped from his throat as both his legs were severed.
Leo collapsed, his body hitting the ground hard. Blood poured from the stumps where his legs had been, pooling rapidly beneath him. Despite the agony, he clawed at the ground, dragging himself forward, leaving a dark crimson trail in his wake.
Syr followed at an unhurried pace, watching Leo's desperate crawl with cold indifference. Each movement grew weaker, the struggle draining out of him.
It took only moments for Syr to close the gap. Standing over Leo, he gazed down at him, his expression devoid of emotion.
Leo's eyes filled with terror as the realization struck. His time had run out. He was going to die.
With a single, fluid motion, Syr raised his blade and swung. The strike was clean, swift—Leo's head separated from his body in an instant.
[Quest Progress: 4/4 Humans Slain]
[Hidden Zone Sub-Quest Complete!]
• Reward: 15,000 Rank Points
[You Have Slain 5 Human Natives (+40,000 Rank Points)]
[You Have Ranked Up!]
[Rank Up Progress: 21 (21,000/90,000)]
[Updated Attributes]
• Physical Attributes: 57 (+15 From The Black Sheep)
• Mana Attributes: 95
• Psychological Attributes: 38
[System Connection Remaining Duration: 2 Minutes]
Syr turned around again, his eyes locking onto Amy, who was on her knees with tears streaming down her face.
He stepped toward her cautiously, but she flinched, retreating slightly. Her trembling hands raised a staff, aiming it shakily at him.
"What are you doing, Rebecca? Get up! Don’t you recognize my voice? It’s me, Syr!"
"Stay away from me! Stay back!" Amy screamed, her voice cracking with desperation.
"Rebecca, it’s me! Don’t you remember? I’m in a kid’s body right now, but it’s really me." Syr pleaded, taking another step closer.
"I said stay back!" Amy yelled again. This time, mana surged from her staff, forming a glowing orb of water that shot toward him. [Water Ball]
The shot went wide, and Syr ducked beneath it effortlessly. "I don’t understand. Are you really not Rebecca? Are you confused? Did the humans do something to your mind?" Syr asked, his voice tinged with sorrow as he moved closer.
Amy’s response was immediate. Two more spheres of water formed and launched from her staff. These were better aimed, forcing Syr to raise his black blade. He deflected them, but the impact pushed him back, his feet skidding across the white sand.
"I guess... you’re really not her," Syr muttered, his voice low with disbelief. His grip on the black blade tightened. "Why? Why would you copy her face? How dare you imitate Rebecca!"
Amy’s lips trembled, unable to form a single word, her fear evident in her wide eyes.
In a blur, Syr closed the distance with a single step. His kick struck her face, slamming her into the ground with a bone-jarring impact. Her staff clattered to the side as she screamed in pain.
Without hesitation, Syr stomped on her right arm, the crunch of breaking bones followed by Amy’s anguished cries. He moved to her other arm, then her legs, shattering them one by one. Each strike was accompanied by his furious shout.
"How dare you! How dare you!"
Syr’s rage consumed him as he brought his foot down on her face again and again, ignoring the sickening sound of flesh and bone being pulverized. When he finally stopped, there was nothing left of Amy’s face but a grotesque, unrecognizable mess.
Syr stared at Amy's bloodied corpse for a long, harrowing moment before tearing his gaze away. His eyes landed on Franklin’s crumpled body lying motionless on the ground.
He strode toward the unconscious old man, his grip tightening on the hilt of his blade. Raising the weapon high above his head, his voice was cold and resolute. “I told Joe you were nothing but a burden. He was too much of a fool to see it, to do what needed to be done. But he'll understand. He'll see I’m doing this for us.”
Before the blade could descend, a searing pain erupted in Syr’s head, sharp and unrelenting.
“Get out of my head, you bastard!” Joe’s voice rang out, growing louder and more insistent.
“Damn it, can’t you see I’m trying to help us? You stubborn fool!” Syr snarled, his voice cracking as he dropped to his knees. The black blade slipped from his hand, falling with a dull thud into the sand. He clutched his head, screaming in agony, before collapsing face-first onto the ground.
And then, darkness swallowed him.
[System Connection Has Been Disabled]