Zokaro and Diaz were waiting to enter the dungeon. Everyone carried their gear, ready for what was coming, their bodies trembling with tension, sweat covering them, and the sound of their breaths echoing through the area, fast and uneven.
One of the organizers stepped forward and said:
"I see fear running through you, but don't worry. Just cooperate with each other, and you'll come out fine. Nothing will happen to you."
Zokaro smiled confidently, his eyes steady.
"Let's go… it's time to level up."
When everyone entered the dungeon, they were shocked by what they saw. They found themselves in a completely different world: a forest with tall trees, yellow grass resembling wheat, a fragrant scent, orange leaves, and purple branches, while the sky was entirely white.
Zokaro stood in astonishment. It was his first time entering a Dome Dungeon, and now he had to fight inside it. Diaz walked beside him, smiling.
"We have to move forward… watch my back. Promise me you won't betray me… and we'll split the loot in half."
Zokaro looked at him in surprise.
"Don't worry, I'll never betray you… but if you betray me, you won't survive."
Diaz's face broke into sweat, and he shivered, but Zokaro placed his left hand on Diaz's right shoulder.
"Don't be afraid… I was just joking."
After a few moments, everyone ran between the trees, but Zokaro remained standing in place.
Diaz asked,
"Aren't we moving? Everyone else went ahead, and they might get the loot."
Zokaro turned to him coldly.
"We need a plan before moving… they're many, and there are only two of us. Also, I want to ask you—earlier, they said whoever comes out alive gets the card… this isn't your first time here, is it?"
Diaz smiled nervously.
"Actually… I wouldn't have come in if I hadn't been with some criminals… escaped hunters looking for money, and I was carrying their equipment."
Zokaro narrowed his eyes, looking at him sternly.
"So you were like a donkey for them…"
Diaz froze in place, stammering.
"You can say that, but I needed the money… and I earned 3,000 Aluro that day."
Suddenly, screams echoed. The cries came from the people who had entered with them. Zokaro and Diaz froze where they stood.
Diaz's eyes widened, he started breathing heavily, stepping backward, his heart pounding, sweat covering his face.
"What's happening… is it over here? No, I have to move forward to save my mom and support my siblings."
Zokaro clenched his fist and slowly directed it toward Diaz's chest.
"Be brave… you said you need to support your family. Don't be afraid, I'm here with you."
Diaz's expression shifted to determination, his fist tightened.
"Yes, let's do it… for my family."
Zokaro smiled.
"First, let me do something before we move forward."
The Ratio system screen appeared in front of him, square-shaped, with a small display in front of his left eye, showing the number of monsters and their strength levels.
---
Ratio System
Number of monsters present: approximately 138 in total.
Monster type: Refka – monsters resembling wild apes, about 170 cm tall, with long knife-like fingers. Agile between the trees, striking swiftly and silently.
Strength level: 60.
---
Zokaro's eyes widened, sweat forming on his forehead.
"What… their strength level is 60! Diaz won't be able to face even one alone… and there are so many. But why haven't I heard them? Strange…"
Suddenly, Zokaro dashed from his spot toward Diaz.
"Run fast!"
The two of them ran, Diaz glancing behind but seeing no one.
"Why are we running?" Diaz asked.
Zokaro turned to him.
"Because the monsters' strength is higher than yours, and there are too many… we'll need a plan."
They ran over the yellow grass, avoiding the trees, until Zokaro stopped and looked at Diaz.
"Listen, I'll fight… you gather the loot. Agreed?"
Diaz was surprised but couldn't respond.
Zokaro said,
"Ratio system, weapon vault, new weapon."
---
Ratio System
Vault: Yellow Demon Dagger – extracted from the King of Demons, 60 cm long, with a sharpness of 250.
Do you choose it?
---
Zokaro was thrilled with the dagger, also extracted from the Yellow Demon King. He didn't know how the system did it, but it didn't matter. Now, he had to fight.
The dagger appeared in his right hand. He gripped it firmly, waiting for the monsters.
Diaz looked at him, frozen, trembling.
"Impossible… there are too many!"
Zokaro's eyes were sharp as he looked at him.
"Be brave. Fight until I help you… fight for the ones you love. Change the fate of your life."
Diaz was moved by his words, deciding to push forward, his eyes burning with determination. He gripped his sword tightly, ready to fight.
"No matter the cost… I will succeed."
The Ratio system screen appeared before Zokaro again.
---
Ratio System
Monsters ahead: 87.
Kill them all to gain 10% of their strength, and earn points equal to 26,100.
---
Zokaro got even more excited, his eyes ignited with power. Standing firm, he launched toward them with blinding speed.
The Refka monsters advanced with rapid attacks, one after another. Zokaro dodged with synchronized movements, in straight lines, but the monsters grew more feral. Their surprise attacks accelerated, forcing Zokaro to take the fight seriously.
"I will not underestimate you… I will kill you all… come at me!"
His moves became a fluid combination of evasion and attack: backflips, spinning maneuvers, rapid thrusts, parrying and countering at double speed.
Each Refka monster charged at him, attempting to block his strikes, but he retaliated with sharp, swift blows. Maneuvers, side bends, and spinning rolls—all precise and fast.
Diaz was astonished by Zokaro's power, his eyes watching intensely without blinking.
"Amazing! Is he a high-level hunter? His movements, his skills… incredible."
At a moment when Diaz was distracted, three Refka monsters advanced on him. One attacked swiftly, knocking Diaz's sword away. Another leapt toward him with sharp fingers ready to kill, but in a split second, the Yellow Demon Dagger struck the monster in the head, thrown from Zokaro to save Diaz.
He advanced forward with quick steps, then placed his hands on the ground and kicked his legs into the air, performing spinning kicks like a windmill, perfectly synchronized with the rotation of his arms.
The strike hit all the Rafka monsters that were surrounding him and Díaz.
Zokaro stood on his feet next to Díaz, holding the Imp Dagger, which he had extracted from the head of a Rafka monster.
But the Rafka monsters were advancing toward him. Díaz said,
— I'm sorry for holding you back, sir.
Zokaro smiled with bright eyes:
— Don't call me sir… you're like me in some ways, so I'm helping you.
Díaz's eyes widened in astonishment:
— Thank you… but can I ask you your name?
Zokaro was slightly taken aback and said:
— You didn't know my name, sorry… My name is Zokaro… Now, Díaz, let's fight with all our strength.
The battle escalated to another level, and Zokaro fought with full power, activating the Instant Energy Boost system.
Ratio System
— Your strength will increase as you collapse at unlimited speed.
— Do you want to use Absolute Healing?
Zokaro fought with all his might, choosing both options so that if he was injured, he would heal immediately.
Meanwhile, Díaz protected Zokaro's back from any attacks from behind, while Zokaro advanced to strike the monsters. Their teamwork was excellent, each move perfectly coordinated, every advance feeling like a continuous clash of swords.
Outside the Dome Dungeon, the workers were waiting for them to emerge. One said:
— I think they killed them all—they have no level… pathetic hunters.
Then their laughter rose.
The fat boss said:
— Let's see… will anyone come out, or will no one survive? And we'll set the duration… the loser pays for dinner tonight.
Everyone confidently agreed that none of them would survive, except the fat boss, who added:
— Some might get out—they'll try to escape.
Inside the dungeon, after a fierce battle with the Rafka monsters, all the monsters had fallen, and both Díaz and Zokaro were safe.
Suddenly, the Ratio System screen appeared:
Ratio System
— Congratulations! You have gained 26,100 points.
— Your strength level has increased to: 882.
— Move forward to further increase your level.
Zokaro felt joy at what he had achieved, as his level had more than doubled. He decided to advance in battle to become even stronger.
He turned to Díaz and said:
— Come on, extract the Heart Crystals from them—they are numerous. Also, if we defeat the boss, we'll gain an even bigger reward.
The Heart Crystals were the essence of each monster. The stronger the monster, the more powerful the Heart Crystal, which contained natural energy and could be sold for a high price.
With his eyes blazing, Zokaro decided to push forward and raise his level even higher.