Kael had no trouble finding Blackfall Pier. The taxi rolled to a stop near the waterfront, and he paid with the cash he lifted from the man's house. The driver kept glancing at him through the mirror, almost shy, almost nervous, like he was ferrying someone important.
If Kael had not seen the photo inside the man's boat, he would never have guessed the guy always wore a mask during raids. The outfit felt strange on him, but the people around here didn't seem bothered at all. In fact, the moment he stepped out of the taxi, passersby bowed slightly as he walked past. Some even stepped aside with quiet respect.
He had forgotten how familiar this treatment felt. In his old life, this kind of reaction followed him everywhere.
Blackfall Pier sat on the edge of the city like a place caught between worlds. At the center of the pier was the dungeon gate, glowing like a massive wound in the air. The portal pulsed softly, swirling like thick blue clouds trapped in one spot. The air around it hummed with a strange pressure that made the hairs on his arms stand.
Mr. Takeda was already waiting near the gate, dressed in a clean suit that somehow made him look even more tense. He lifted a hand. "Renji. I am glad you changed your mind."
Renji. So that was the man's name.
Kael gave a simple nod and kept his mouth shut. The less he spoke, the less chance he had of exposing himself.
Takeda stepped closer and offered some documents. "Sign here. The usual consent form. The association will not take responsibility if anything happens to you. If you survive, medical care is covered."
Kael wanted to scoff but kept his tone steady. "Fine."
He signed quickly. Takeda then guided him toward the rest of the raid team.
And there they were.
The exact six hunters Kael had seen in that strange vision. They stood together like a pack of wolves waiting for blood. The A rank leader towered at the center, arms crossed, staring at the gate as if daring it to misbehave.
Kael's stomach twisted.
No, no, no. I cannot die here. Emiko needs me.
He took a step back, ready to turn around and abandon everything. But just then, a sharp system window flashed before his eyes.
[ NEW QUEST: ]
[ ELIMINATE THE SIX HUNTERS PAIRED WITH YOU FOR THIS RAID. ]
[ FAILURE WILL RESULT IN INSTANT DEATH. ]
Kael froze.
What the hell? You want me, an E rank, to kill six trained hunters? Why? For what reason?
There was no answer. Just the cold, hovering message threatening his life.
While he stood there fighting the urge to scream, the crew continued chatting among themselves, unaware of the meltdown happening behind the mask.
Then the leader turned. His gaze fell on Kael with mild irritation. "Snake Eyes. We are moving. You know the drill. No mistakes this time."
Kael swallowed hard. His pulse hammered, but his steps moved on their own.
He followed the group toward the glowing portal, forcing his breath to steady. Fear or not, the system had already pushed him into the deep end.
And the only way out was forward
Kael stepped through the portal and instantly felt his stomach twist. The nausea hit him like a punch, but he forced it down. One slip and they would know he was not the real Snake Eyes. No way he was exposing himself this early.
The dungeon was nothing like the one from his vision. Instead of a dark cave or fiery pit, he found himself standing in a world covered in white. Snow drifted quietly from the sky, settling on trees that stretched far into a thick forest ahead. It looked like another version of Earth, cold and quiet, yet somehow alive. His breath fogged in front of him, and he thanked the heavens that Renji's clothes were warm enough. The long coat felt like a duvet wrapped around him, the furry hood brushing his neck. His black camo trousers blended well with the snow-shadowed ground.
"Hey, Snake Eyes," a voice called out from behind.
Kael stiffened. Maybe they had figured him out. Maybe they knew he was fake.
The C rank water elementor walked up with an annoyed look and tossed two heavy bags at him. Kael barely caught them. His knees almost buckled from the weight.
"I have been watching you," the man said. "Either you forgot how to think, or you want to die early."
Everyone turned to stare at Kael. Their eyes felt like arrows aimed at his skull. He quickly bowed in apology, hoping that was something Renji would do.
The second B rank stepped forward and drew his bow. He fired an arrow that slammed into the snow right in front of Kael's boots. The warning was clear enough.
"Lead the way," the archer said. "And the next time you forget your place, it will be your last. A freeloader who cannot fight a single beast should at least know how to carry bags."
Kael swallowed the insult and moved to the front. He had no idea where he was going, but he kept a calm face. He reminded himself over and over not to panic.
Then he heard them. Footsteps. Fast. Many. Rushing through the woods.
He raised his hand and whispered, "Stop."
The crew froze.
"What is it?" the leader asked.
"There are many," Kael said, trying to mimic Renji's deep tone. "More than I can count."
A low growl rolled out from between the trees. Then another. Then a sharp howl that made Kael's skin crawl.
"It is a wolf pack," he said.
The wolves burst out of the forest, snow spraying around them. Above each wolf, Kael saw glowing blue screens showing their levels.
[ Level 15 ].
Every single one of them is stronger than him. His heart squeezed in fear.
The C rank water elementor walked forward calmly and spread his arms as if he was welcoming old friends. Kael expected him to be torn apart. Instead the man simply let himself fall back, like dropping into a soft bed. The snow swallowed him whole.
Kael stared, confused. The others did not even blink. They stood as if the charging wolves were nothing but breeze.
Spikes of ice suddenly shot up from the ground, stabbing through the wolves mid-charge. Their cries were short and ended quickly. Blood splattered the white snow, turning patches of it dark red.
Kael finally understood. The man was not swallowed. He had slipped into the snow on purpose.
"Enough playing with these low creatures," the leader said. "End it."
The water elementor rose from the snow again, calm as ever. He lifted both hands, and the wind twisted into a swirling storm. A snow tornado roared to life, pulling the remaining wolves off their feet. Ice formed within the spinning wind, turning into sharp blades that sliced the wolves apart.
When the tornado settled, silence fell. Only red-tinged snow remained.
Kael stared at the massacre, shocked and amazed.
If this was the weakest among them, he thought, then how powerful were the others?
He tightened his grip on the heavy bags and tried not to imagine himself being torn apart next..
Kael felt a cold prickle run down his spine. Something was watching them from the forest. He could hear it, a steady breath mixed with a low rumble. Whatever it was, it was not alone. More footsteps followed, heavy and unhurried, like creatures that feared nothing.
He pointed ahead, but he did not need to say a word. The entire crew had already shifted their stance. Even the arrogant B rank archer straightened up.
Shapes moved between the trees. Then the monsters stepped out.
A horde of goblins spilled into view, their sickly green skin and crooked weapons gleaming with frost. Behind them came more wolves, but all of Kael's attention was pulled toward the massive one leading the pack.
The Alpha.
It stood taller than a grown man, its shoulders thick and broad like a beast shaped for war. Its fur was a deep silver, bristling with cold anger. Each step it took pressed deep prints into the snow. Its eyes glowed with a sharp red light that flicked straight toward the fire elementor as if accusing him of murder.
A blue screen flickered above its head.
[ Alpha Wolf ]
[ Level 25 ]
The goblins behind it all sat at level 20.
They charged as one, a wave of snarling teeth and screeching voices.
Kael stumbled back in fear. His legs gave way and he fell into the snow. His heart hammered so hard he thought it might burst. He had never seen monsters this close, talk less of seeing them sprint straight at him with bloodlust in their eyes.
But the hunters moved into position with practiced ease. Fire burst to life. Ice erupted again. Arrows flew. The snowfield turned into a battlefield in seconds.
Kael tried to crawl away, desperate to hide. This fight was far beyond him. Getting caught in it was no different from suicide.
But as he turned, a shadow dropped into his path.
A wolf.
Its fur was soaked in dark, sticky blood, and each breath came out as thick mist in the cold air. Its eyes stayed fixed on him, burning with a kind of anger that cut deep. It felt like the creature held him responsible for wiping out everything it once had.The air around it felt heavy and suffocating. Kael's body froze. He could almost taste the creature's killing intent. Every instinct in him screamed to run, but his limbs refused to move.
He knew he had to defend himself. Somehow. Anything. Even if the monster outclassed him in every way, he needed to survive.
But before he could think of a plan, the wolf lunged. It tore through the snow, jaw wide open, fangs ready to crush his throat.