In the country of Marsen, the legendary hunter Dante Sparrow received a text message early in the morning. It read:
To Hunter Dante Sparrow,
A red-tier gate has appeared. Analysis shows it's escalating from rank S to SS due to major internal changes.
All other hunters are currently occupied with their own missions, so you're the only one available.
Also, Lord Dante… this is a chance for a grand challenge—one that could earn you fame not only across the continents of Aktom and Brarnerni, but throughout the entire world.
Gate location: West of Lucile City
Please reply with "Yes" or "No". That said, I'm confident your answer will be "Yes."
Dante was reclining in his luxurious bathtub, calmly reading the message while puffing on a cigarette. He smiled lightly and said:
"A dungeon shifting from rank S to SS? This'll be a fun challenge… There's nothing better than a solo hunt."
He rose from the bath, his muscular and sculpted frame glistening, and swept his hair back, smiling into the mirror. His glowing blue eyes shimmered.
"Let's see what kind of boss is waiting inside this dungeon…"
Minutes later, he donned his usual hunting outfit: a deep crimson coat over a black shirt that exposed his toned abs, paired with tight black pants. A heavy black belt around his waist held two massive pistols.
Gripping the door handle firmly, he whispered to himself:
"What a night… The color red will surely drown out the darkness."
He mounted his motorcycle and sped off toward the coordinates provided in the message.
After about thirty minutes, he reached a main road blocked by a crowd. The military was holding back the civilians.
He parked his bike some distance away and slipped through the crowd undetected—had anyone recognized him, they would've swarmed him for autographs.
He reached the back of the gate area, out of public view, where two men were waiting.
One of them was an elegantly dressed man, with long white hair and a well-trimmed beard. He wore black sunglasses, which he removed to reveal piercing blue eyes. He said in a deep, calm voice:
"Mr. Dante Sparrow… You really are arrogant. You could've at least replied to the message. A simple 'yes' would have sufficed."
Dante smirked as he scratched his chin and replied in a cool tone:
"I'm not good with phones, Mr. Aranis."
The other man leaned casually on the air itself, smoking a cigarette. He wore a black blazer over a white shirt, and had long black hair that reached his shoulders.
He exhaled a puff of smoke and said sarcastically:
"Right, you're only good with swords."
Dante grabbed the man's cigarette and said with a grin:
"Sounds like you want another fight—and you'll lose again, Lucas."
Lucas glared back and replied with a challenging tone:
"You clearly can't count. Every fight we've had ended in a draw."
In an instant, Lucas's red aura flared, and Dante's energy surged as well.
Aranis stepped between them swiftly, his voice sharp and commanding:
"Enough childish games. We have a high-tier gate to close before it expands beyond control."
Dante gave Lucas a sly grin and walked toward the gate with steady steps. Just before stepping in, he turned back and said to Lucas:
"When I'm done with this dungeon… you better be ready."
Lucas returned a mocking smile.
Dante entered the dungeon. The gate glowed red as it swallowed him whole.
Darkness enveloped the space. Dante couldn't even tell where he was standing—until someone snapped their fingers, and flames lit up the surroundings.
He found himself in a vast arena made of rock, scattered with giant tables and chairs. Ahead stood a golden gate leading to an unknown place.
"Haha… what a stylish dungeon," Dante muttered, impressed by the design.
DANG…
A sound like a tolling bell echoed, and creatures emerged from beneath the ground.
They wore short black jackets over tight, torn red shirts, with black pants that clung to their limbs. Their hair was jet black, tied tightly behind their heads. Black blindfolds covered their eyes.
Each held a long sword. Dark auras swirled around them, and eerie laughter crept from their throats.
Dante drew his sword, forged from black diamond, and tapped it against his shoulder with a smile.
"Fascinating creatures… Looks like this dungeon is full of surprises."
Their laughter was strange and unsettling, and each one bore scars in random places across their bodies—each mark whispering its own cruel story.
The one with the red scar lunged first, swinging her sword at Dante's head. He blocked it effortlessly with a smirk, then drove his fist into her stomach, knocking her back.
Before she could fall, he grabbed her by the hair and prepared to stab her—but he caught sight of another attacker charging in: the one with the hollow scar.
He quickly pulled out his pistol and fired, but she dodged with swift precision. At the same time, the red-scarred woman struck his sword arm, forcing him to retreat.
Growling inwardly, Dante dashed toward the hollow-scarred one. Their swords clashed violently, sparks flying—he was clearly enjoying the fight.
"Skilled swordswomen… This dungeon really is strange."
He tossed his sword into the air and drew both pistols, unleashing a barrage of bullets into her body. Then, he slammed a heavy punch into her chest, sending her flying into an old table.
Just then, the red-scarred and the double-scarred ones attacked together. Dante dodged their blades with elegance and speed, moving like a dancer of death.
But the one with the double scar managed to grab his right arm and yanked him in. A gap opened in his defenses.
The red-scarred one slashed deep across his back.
Dante groaned and spat blood—but retaliated immediately, slamming his fist into the double-scarred one's face. He grabbed her head and fired a shot straight into her forehead.
He didn't pause.
He turned to the red-scarred attacker, dodged her wild swing, and intercepted her sword with his own. With one powerful strike, he shattered her blade into ashes, then beheaded her in one clean motion. Her body crumpled.
Only the double-scarred one remained, laughing arrogantly amidst the smoke of death.
Dante scoffed:
"Looks like watching your friends die shook you."
He charged again. She dodged his every attack with uncanny agility. Then, with a sudden duck, she slashed his right hand.
"Damn it…"
His pistol dropped, but he caught it mid-fall and fired a shot imbued with fire magic. The bullet tore into her, setting her ablaze. She collapsed, burning and laughing as the flames consumed her.
Their corpses dissolved into black smoke, vanishing without a trace.
Silence settled… then the golden gate creaked open, releasing a terrifying aura that forced Dante several steps backward.
He raised his hands to steady himself and stared toward the gate. Red eyes glared back at him from within.
"What is this pressure? That aura alone pushed me back… This dungeon boss won't be easy at all."
Dante slowly approached and stood before the gate. Uncertainty flickered across his face—until the thought of fame and the rewards to come reignited his resolve.
He exhaled confidently… and stepped through.
The gate slammed shut behind him.
he place was dark, filled with a scent both pleasant and ominous—one that offered no comfort to the heart. Then, flames of blue and red ignited, gradually lighting up the arena.
A massive arena stretched far into the distance. Nine stone statues lined both sides, silently watching him. At the far end stood an ancient throne, crowned with a carved plaque etched in an incomprehensible language.
And upon the throne… sat a mysterious man, wearing a long black coat that reached his ankles, with a gleaming black armor underneath. His hands, cloaked in black gloves, emanated an aura of darkness. His hood was raised, completely concealing his features—his face was pure shadow.
Dante stood at a distance, feeling the weight of the aura… a force that pierced through the air itself.
The stranger lifted his hand, resting it against his shadowed cheek, and spoke in a deep, majestic voice:
"Dante Sparrow… I've been waiting for you all these years."
Le. he place was dark, filled with a scent both pleasant and ominous—one that offered no comfort to the heart. Then, flames of blue and red ignited, gradually lighting up the arena.
A massive arena stretched far into the distance. Nine stone statues lined both sides, silently watching him. At the far end stood an ancient throne, crowned with a carved plaque etched in an incomprehensible language.
And upon the throne… sat a mysterious man, wearing a long black coat that reached his ankles, with a gleaming black armor underneath. His hands, cloaked in black gloves, emanated an aura of darkness. His hood was raised, completely concealing his features—his face was pure shadow.
Dante stood at a distance, feeling the weight of the aura… a force that pierced through the air itself.
The stranger lifted his hand, resting it against his shadowed cheek, and spoke in a deep, majestic voice:
"Dante Sparrow… I've been waiting for you all these years."