Across the continents, hunters pursued glory, braving dangers that could snuff out their lives in an instant. Some survived their first raid through sheer luck. Others carved out modest careers, earning their keep without stirring legends.

But a select few ascended beyond mere survival—standing as living icons, their names whispered in awe. Touched by power so extraordinary, it seemed as if the constellations themselves favored them.

And at the pinnacle of these legends stood The Starlit Vanguard.

Their exploits inspired ballads, their presence demanded reverence. For those who crossed their path, the weight of their power was suffocating—a reminder that they were forces beyond the reach of ordinary mortals.

Deep in the heart of an ancient, crumbling fortress, the air was thick with menace. Shadows clung to the jagged walls like living entities, and faint whispers echoed, carrying promises of ruin.

This was no ordinary dungeon. It was an S-rank labyrinth—a realm of death designed to obliterate all but the strongest.

Jun led the way through the narrow corridors, his smoldering orange eyes cutting through the gloom. Flames flickered at his fingertips, illuminating the oppressive dark. The air around him shimmered with heat, keeping the cold at bay.

“Stay sharp,” he said, his voice calm but firm.

As if in response, the ground beneath him groaned. A split second later, jagged spikes erupted from the floor, aiming for his chest.

Jun didn’t flinch. His hand shot out, a surge of flames melting the spikes into glowing, molten slag.

“Too predictable,” he muttered, stepping over the charred remains.

Behind him, Suho’s blue flames flickered brighter, casting ghostly shadows on the walls. Ethereal skulls hovered faintly at his back, each glowing with ominous energy.

“There’s another trap ahead,” Suho said, his voice low and analytical. “Energy siphon. A barrier feeding off the core.”

“Figures,” Jun muttered, stepping aside. “All yours.”

Suho smirked faintly and extended a hand. The flames around him twisted and surged, wrapping around the shimmering barrier that blocked their path. The air crackled as the arcane flames consumed the energy, unraveling the ward.

“It’s down,” Suho said, brushing faint embers from his suit.

Kenji stepped through first, his massive frame dominating the corridor. His black armor gleamed faintly, jagged silver edges catching the light. A pulsing blue core glowed at the center of his chestplate, resonating with fiery red energy swirling around his hands.

“Still too quiet,” Kenji rumbled, his deep voice vibrating through the stone walls. His crimson cape flickered like embers, adding to his aura of restrained power.

“Patience,” Ahvi said softly, her melodic voice cutting through the tension. She moved with ethereal grace, her glowing tattoos pulsing in rhythmic constellations.

“The stars are restless,” she murmured, her celestial eyes distant. “Something stirs ahead.”

The corridor opened into a vast chamber, its high ceilings cloaked in shadow. Ancient carvings lined the walls, their meanings lost to time, while the faint glow of the core pulsed ominously at the far end of the room.

“There,” Ahvi said, pointing toward the light. “The dungeon core.”

A low, guttural growl echoed from the shadows, followed by the scrape of claws against stone.

Jun’s flames surged, illuminating the space. A hulking creature emerged, its obsidian scales gleaming like polished onyx. Black mist poured from its maw as its glowing red eyes burned with unrestrained fury.

“Guardian,” Suho said, his voice calm but sharp. “It’s tethered to the core. We’ll need to sever the link before it collapses the dungeon.”

Kenji’s fists crackled with red energy as he stepped forward, a faint grin tugging at his lips. “Good. I was getting bored.”

The guardian roared, lunging with terrifying speed. Its massive claws tore through the air, aiming for Kenji’s chest.

Kenji met it head-on, his gauntleted fists slamming into its frame. The impact sent shockwaves through the chamber, cracks splitting the stone floor.

“Keep it occupied,” Suho said, his flames coiling as he advanced toward the core.

Jun darted forward, his Inferno blazing to life. Fire consumed the air around him as blazing tendrils lashed out, striking the guardian’s side with devastating force.

The creature howled, its obsidian scales cracking under the relentless assault. But as it turned toward Jun, its eyes glowed brighter.

“It’s adapting,” Ahvi warned, her celestial tattoos shifting into new constellations. “Its movements will change—right side this time.”

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Jun sidestepped instinctively, avoiding the creature’s claws as Ahvi’s prediction came true. He countered with a fiery slash, cutting deep into its flank.

Kenji roared, his red energy surging as he delivered a devastating blow to the guardian’s shoulder. “Hurry up, Suho!”

“Almost there!” Suho snapped, his flames unraveling the dark tendrils tethering the core to the guardian. Sweat beaded on his brow as the core’s glow began to falter.

The guardian stumbled, its movements growing sluggish as the connection weakened.

“Done!” Suho called out, the final tendril snapping. The core’s glow dimmed, and the guardian let out a deafening cry.

Jun didn’t hesitate. Flames coiled around his blade as he lunged forward, unleashing a blazing eruption. The fire consumed the guardian, reducing it to ash in a single, searing blow.

The chamber fell silent, save for the faint crackle of residual energy lingering in the air.

Jun sheathed his blade, the flames around him dimming. “Well, that was fun.”

“Speak for yourself,” Suho muttered, brushing soot from his suit.

Kenji smirked, his crimson cape flickering faintly as he flexed his gauntleted hands. “Another job well done.”

Ahvi approached the now-stabilized core, her celestial eyes scanning its faint glow. “It’s stable now,” she said softly. “The dungeon won’t collapse.”

Jun turned toward the exit, his steps steady and deliberate. The others followed, their breaths heavy but measured.

As they emerged into the fading light of the outside world, the stars above shimmered, their faint glow reflecting in Ahvi’s eyes.

“They’re watching us,” she said, her voice calm but thoughtful.

“Let them,” Jun replied with a faint smirk. “We’re not done yet.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The sun had barely risen, its golden light casting long shadows across the village as Nyx adjusted the clasp of her dark cloak. The soft fabric draped around her, concealing her small frame and the tools she carried. Her hands moved to the veil covering her eyes, ensuring it was secure. The faint hum of energy from her Shadow Domain buzzed quietly in her mind, a reminder of the power hidden beneath the surface.

At her side hung a sturdy, well-made bag—an apology gift from the guild after the goblin dungeon incident. The leather was smooth, and its silver buckles gleamed faintly. She shifted its weight, making sure the straps rested comfortably across her shoulders.

“Are you sure about this?” Till’s voice cut through the crisp morning air, his arms flailing dramatically as he hovered near her. His bright blue eyes were wide with concern, and he practically bounced on his toes with nervous energy.

Nyx turned to him, the veil over her amethyst eyes softening the sharpness of her gaze. “You’ve asked me that five times already,” she said, adjusting the straps of her bag with deliberate calm.

“Well, I’m asking a sixth time!” Till huffed, crossing his arms. “It’s a dungeon raid, Nyx. A dungeon. Do you even know what kind of slimes are in there? What if they’re the kind that melts armor? Or spits acid? Or—”

Nyx held up a hand, cutting him off. “I’ll be fine,” she said firmly. “I’ve handled worse.”

Till groaned, throwing his hands into the air. “You promise you’ll come back if things get bad, right? You’ll actually run away this time?”

Nyx’s lips curved into a faint smirk as she rested a hand on his shoulder. “I promise, Till. If it gets too dangerous, I’ll come back. Okay?”

He eyed her suspiciously, then let out a long sigh. “Fine. But don’t think I won’t come looking for you if you don’t!”

“I wouldn’t expect anything less,” Nyx replied, her voice light as she adjusted her hood.

She appreciated his concern, even if she didn’t share his worry. Till cared in a way few others did, and that was enough to make her promise she’d return—whether she meant it or not.

Together, they made their way toward the village gate. The early morning bustle had begun, with farmers and traders preparing their carts for the day’s work. Nyx’s steps were steady, her focus sharpening as the weight of the job settled over her.

When they reached the gate, the guards standing watch straightened at the sight of her. Abel, the tall, sharp-eyed guard who had questioned her after the goblin dungeon incident, gave her a long look.

“You heading out again, Nyx?” he asked, his voice calm but lined with concern.

Nyx nodded, pulling the job listing from her bag and holding it up. “Slime dungeon raid,” she said simply.

Abel took the paper, scanning it briefly before handing it back. His brows furrowed as he met her gaze. “Think you can handle it on your own?”

“I can manage,” Nyx replied, her tone steady.

Another guard, a burly man with a thick beard, let out a low whistle. “Brave kid,” he muttered. “Just be careful, alright? Slimes might seem harmless, but they can swarm if you’re not prepared.”

“I will,” Nyx said, tucking the paper back into her bag.

Abel sighed, his expression softening slightly. “Alright, then. Good luck out there. And remember—if you need backup, don’t hesitate to call for help.”

Nyx nodded, her lips quivering into a small smile. “I’ll be fine. Thanks.”

As she stepped past the gate, she glanced back at Till, who was still standing there, fidgeting with the hem of his shirt.

“See you later,” she called over her shoulder.

“You’d better!” Till shouted after her, his voice filled with a mix of worry and determination.

Waiting just beyond the gate was an older man with weathered hands and a kind smile. He held the reins of a sturdy brown mule, its saddlebags packed with tools and supplies.

“You’re the little hunter, eh?” the farmer said, tipping his wide-brimmed hat. His voice was warm, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he looked her over.

Nyx nodded. “That’s me. You’re affected by the slimes too?”

“Been losing crops for weeks,” the farmer replied, patting the mule’s neck. “Them slimes keep coming up from that dungeon, tearing through the fields like they own the place. If someone doesn't deal with ’em soon, we’ll all be in trouble.”

“Then let’s not waste time,” Nyx said, her voice firm but kind.

The farmer chuckled, shaking his head. “Bold one, ain’t ya? Alright, follow me. It’s a bit of a walk to the dungeon, but I’ll get you there in one piece.”

Nyx fell into step beside him, the mule’s hooves clopping steadily against the dirt road. As they made their way toward the dungeon, the fields around them stretched wide, their once-green expanse dotted with the slimy residue of past attacks.

The farmer gestured to a patch of ruined crops, his expression somber. “See that? Used to be my best field. Now it’s nothin’ but muck.”

Nyx’s gaze hardened as she surveyed the damage. “I’ll take care of it,” she said quietly.

The farmer gave her a sidelong glance, his smile returning. “You’re somethin’ else, kid. Just be careful in there, alright? Them slimes might look dumb, but they’re trickier than you think.”

“I’ll be fine,” Nyx replied, her tone unwavering.

As they approached the mouth of the dungeon, the air grew cooler, a faint mist clinging to the ground. The entrance loomed ahead, a jagged opening in the earth that seemed to pulse with an eerie, unnatural energy.

The farmer stopped a few paces away, pulling his mule to a halt. “This is as far as I go,” he said, his voice tinged with unease.

Nyx nodded, adjusting her bag on her shoulder. “Thank you for the escort.”

The farmer tipped his hat again, his expression serious. “Good luck, little hunter. Don’t let ’em overrun you, now. I’m countin’ on you to bring back some peace for us.”

With that, he turned his mule around and began the journey back toward the village, leaving Nyx alone at the dungeon’s entrance. She took a deep breath, the veil fluttering slightly as she stepped forward.

The hunt had begun.