When Seunghyo graduated from Academy, he wasn't like Hana. He was never the top of the class nor did anyone expect much out of him. Some players had natural talents for the arcane or battle. Seunghyo spent four years at the Academy looking for some sign of what that might be. Four years reading through books in the library, training with weapons, and studying strategy. Occasionally, he thought back to what he was like in his youth and he could almost laugh at how impossibly untalented he was.

Seunghyo only had one thing going for him: he never gave up.

After interviewing with multiple clans, he eventually chose the sharpshooter class simply because there was a shortage. It was the quickest way to find employment by clans or freelancing for the Society. And for good reason, a newbie sharpshooter had access to [Explosive Shot], [Critical Eye], and [Huntsman]. At level 20, even the most amateur player could take down most monster mobs solo.

His first years, he took on openings in quests offered at the Society quest board. And in his free time, he took on support jobs with Hana and her clan.

For years, it was grueling work. While most players waited weeks between assignments, Seunghyo would often move from quest to quest.

By the time he was twenty-nine, he had made it through the Sharpshooter, Hunter, and Ranger classes before landing the Pathfinder class. Rather than focus on lethality, Seunghyo focused on skills that could round out a team. [Hunter's Mark] allowed him to [mark] a monster so that it was more visible to any other players in the area with a fluorescent glow. [Swift] allowed him to move quickly and [Shock Bolt] allowed him to stun monsters with an electric arrow.

From his vantage point, Seunghyo could see barely Willow waiting by the stairs leading down into the staging area. Since he couldn't see Hana or Jinyoung,he was relying on Willow to signal him when the gate-lock was open.

You there?

Seunghyo cursed softly under his breath.

I thought I said I wanted radio silence.

You did.

The deadpan tone made Seunghyo's blood boil. He thought of the many things he'd do to Henry when he was finally done with all this and slowly let his breath out.

They go for it?

Yes.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Good.

He could imagine Henry's grin. A shit-eating grin if there ever was one. And Seunghyo imagined himself punching his clan leader in the face for the thousandth time.

What do they know?

They know that I was sent in with another party to investigate.

So they don't know about the rest of us?

I told them the rest of my party is behind the gate-lock.

The lies had bothered Seunghyo more than he let on. Their marriage vows may have been a thing of the past, but lying to Hana made him uncomfortable. Worse still was the ease with which he could do it.

Henry. They don't know about the SOS message.

That's their problem, 'Hyo.

She needs to know. They both do. It's their-

You know the rules. You start opening up and it'll get back to corporate, I promise you.

The threat was unmistakable. But Seunghyo had nothing else to say to the man so he kept his mouth shut.

In the distance, he could see Willow signaling. Hana was getting ready to open the gate-lock.

***

"You ready?" Hana asked.

Jinyoung took a deep breath as he gazed at their surroundings. The sun was getting lower in the sky, sending shafts of light across the floor through the entrance and windows to the west. They had a good hour before the sunset completely and the temperature dropped too low for their Fire Stones to be of much help.

"Let's do it."

The console has a dim light that blinks, the only sign that the machinery that operates this place is still operational. Jinyoung watches as she punches in the key.

For a moment, Hana's breath catches as nothing happens. The screen blips out and silences reigns for a few precious heartbeats.

CREEIIKK

The screeching is loud enough that Jinyoung has to cover his ears as the gate opens to unveil... darkness.

Here we go.

Hana and Jinyoung lean forward, balancing their weights on the balls of their feet as they strained their eyes against the darkness of the vault. It was certainly in there, even if they couldn’t see it.

[Scan+]

Mon^t5r: SIN WRA)TH

R3co&mended -evel: 37

Health: 100%

Attributes: SIN, U!D#AD, FR-$TBITE (immune)

Weaknesses: *%-AN@, FIRE

Willow, it's weak against fire.

For a second, Jinyoung thought he saw the flash of something. Petrified flesh and bone. It reminded Jinyoung of roadkill.

Out of the corner of his vision, he saw Hana lift her shield. But before he could react, a frigid gale-force wind blew him off his feet and sent him tumbling across the smooth floor.

The last thing Jinyoung remembered was a face of pale, petrified skin pulled tight over a skull.