I woke up awkward, as usual.
My hair was standing in five crazy directions, like a broom exploded on my head. My shirt was twisted halfway around my chest, like it tried to choke me in my sleep and when I turned my head my pillow was stiff with dried drool, Gross.
I just laid there for a while, staring at the ceiling. I hoped, just for a second, that maybe I would wake up in another world again. Maybe in one where I wasn't stuck as a mystery kid with an SSS-rank soul but only Level 3.
But nope, still me, still Souta.
…
After dragging myself up, I took a bath and got dressed. Except… I messed that up too. My shirt was inside out I didn't even notice until someone on the street laughed at me and pointed it out. I wanted to bury myself in the ground right there.
My boots? Mismatched. Don't ask me how I managed it, but one was darker than the other. On the way, I might have frightened two cats and even a small kid. He ran away screaming.
Great I think.
Another normal morning. Totally not how an SSS-rank person should look.
…
When I reached the guild, it was already loud inside. Hunters everywhere were shouting about quests, bragging about kills, and arguing about who was stronger. The air smelled like sweat, leather, and metal.
I was half ready to crawl under a table and disappear when I spotted her, Luna. Arms folded, face blank, unimpressed. Honestly, I think that's her permanent face.
"You again," she said flatly.
I live a short walk away, I replied.
She sighed like she was already tired of me. The manager wants to see you.
That got my attention. "Why?"
She didn't answer, just turned and led me past the desk, deeper into the guild.
…
The manager's office surprised me. It was clean, way too clean compared to the noisy guild hall. Leather chairs a shiny desk that looked like someone polished it every morning. On the walls, there were framed pictures of famous hunters.
Then there was the man himself. Tall, older, silver eyebrows that looked sharp enough to stab someone, and scars across his face. He had this heavy aura about him, not overwhelming but strong, probably an A-rank hunter out of his prime.
He stared at me like I was some puzzle. "So. This is the new kid with the mystery path?"
I stood stiff, awkward, like a badly carved statue. "I… guess that's me."
"What's your name, son?"
"Souta," I said, giving a small nod.
He nodded back slowly. You have caused quite a stir for someone we barely know. You awakened a path no one has ever heard of.
He pulled out something shiny and handed it to me, A Hunter ID. It glowed faintly, making it look special.
I bowed slightly as I accepted it. "Thanks."
He didn't say anything else, just kept watching me until I left.
…
Outside, Luna was waiting. She gave me a wicked smirk. "Try not to die out there."
"Wow," I said. "So much confidence."
"I'm just being realistic," she replied sweetly, and walked away.
…
Not long after, I found myself standing at the entrance of a dungeon portal. It pulsed with faint blue light, glowing. The portal was nestled between broken stone walls and old trees covered in vines.
There were hunters lingering nearby. Some were already in groups, checking gear or laughing. Others looked like guides or guards. The place felt alive with voices and clanking weapons.
Before I could step forward, a muscular guy in full armor waved at me. His arms were like tree trunks. He looked at me up and down.
We are not full, he said, Party of four, waiting for a fifth. You don't look like much or do you already have a team inside?
I am not trying to join, i don't do teams, I said.
He raised an eyebrow. "Then what do you plan on doing? Go in alone?"
"Yes, alone."
The whole group burst out laughing like I just told the funniest joke in the world.
Suit yourself, newbie, the armored man said. Just don't cry when something chews off your arm.
I noticed they had scratches on their armor and tired faces. They must have already gone in once, failed to get enough kills, and came back. Probably waiting for a healer or mage to join them.
I ignored them and walked past.
My plan today was to spend two full days inside the labyrinth at least that was the plan.
...
The dungeon here was different compared to the ones in my old world. It wasn't just corridors or caves, These had multiple floors, each floor was huge, almost like its own little world. Wide, open, even big enough to have cities in some parts.
I walked quietly, my boots echoing against the grounds.
But after twenty minutes, nothing. Not a single monster, I did pass some human camps where hunters had set up little safe zones with tents and fires. But still, no creatures.
Something didn't feel right.
…
The air shifted.
The stone corridors seemed to swallow me whole. The cold wasn't sharp, but it was heavy, like someone was watching me. Mossy vines curled along the walls. The silence pressed down, not empty but full of something unseen.
I reached for the blade in my inventory, pulling it into my hand my grip tightened.
Then it happened.
The air pulsed like a giant heart beating once. The pressure changed.
A ripple ran through the space, and before I could move…
Whoosh!
I was sucked in.
…
Thud!
"Ouch!" My head smacked the ground. I groaned, rubbing it. "First, I get sucked into some portal. And now, no safe landing. Don't tell me I fell from the sky!"
Ding!
[D-rank Dungeon — 3rd Floor]
My eyes went wide, Huh?! What kind of prank is this?
[Warning: Dungeon Level Increased]
[Current Threat Level: D]
[Recommended Party Size: 3–5]
I froze my stomach twisted, Well, crap, I muttered. "I'm cooked."
That's when I heard it.
A hiss.
I turned my head.
From the shadows, they crawled out. Six-legged beasts, slick and armored with cracked black shells. Their glowing yellow eyes scanned the area shining like lamps in the dark. Their breath came out like steam, and each step they took left cracks on the floor.
[D-Rank Monsters]
They were bigger and looked faster, also a sense of hunger around them.
I felt my heartbeat… but it wasn't racing. It was steady, my lips curled into a grin.
I raised my blade.
"All right," I whispered. "Let's dance."
To be continued…