After searching high and low for information, Rega finally found a dungeon that suited him perfectly.
It was called Dungeon Warok, where the monsters were a species of wolf with an average level of 75.
Level 75 usually wouldn't be an issue for a novice hunter—unless, of course, they were faced with a monster wave.
A typical novice hunter would form a party with others before daring to enter Dungeon Warok, but such common sense did not apply to Rega.
Without a second thought, Rega descended to the first floor and began slaughtering the white wolves that lunged at him.
Each white wolf provided enough EXP to increase his level several times at once; it was safe to say this place was a leveling paradise for him.
Thrust!
Rega's spear pierced through a white wolf's chest.
The carcass dissolved, leaving behind magic crystals that fell onto the dungeon floor.
Rega gathered the crystals scattered everywhere and looked toward the stairs leading to the second floor.
"Should I head down? No, it's better to do it tomorrow after I've upgraded my equipment."
Rega turned around, intending to continue his hunt on the first floor, but a scream from the second floor stopped him in his tracks.
"Someone, please help us!"
The voice belonged to a man; it sounded weak, helpless, and filled with utter despair.
Rega immediately pivoted and sprinted down the stairs toward the second floor.
Near the stairs leading back up, a pair of hunters—a man and a woman—were cornered, surrounded by a pack of white wolves.
The female hunter's condition was critical; her face was deathly pale, and her breathing was dangerously irregular.
The male hunter wasn't faring much better. His right arm had been severed, and he was being forced to fend off the wolves using only his left hand.
Blood continued to pour from the man's stump, and his strength grew weaker by the second as the blood loss took its toll.
Just as the male hunter's consciousness began to fade, a black shadow blurred past him, tearing through the pack of wolves.
The male hunter's eyes widened and his mouth hung open in total shock.
"What... what is happening?"
In front of the dazed hunter, Rega began slaughtering the pack without showing a shred of restraint.
"Can you still move?"
"Yes!"
"Then take that woman and get out of here. I've already cleared the first floor, so you can leave without worrying about monster attacks."
Instead of acting on Rega's orders, the male hunter stood there frozen, mesmerized by the carnage Rega was unleashing.
"Such incredible spear skill... when will I ever be able to master techniques at that level?"
"Hey! Don't just stand there daydreaming! Hurry up and take her with you!"
Rega's irritated shout finally snapped the man back to his senses.
"Ah, I'm sorry!"
The male hunter scrambled to pick up the woman and headed up the stairs toward the first floor.
Since he no longer had both arms, he couldn't carry her properly or comfortably.
Even so, he pushed himself to the limit to get her out of the dungeon.
Once the two hunters were gone, Rega unleashed his magic to wipe out the remaining wolves.
The combination of Master Spear Arts and Master Wind Magic was truly formidable; in an instant, the rest of the pack on the second floor was annihilated.
Rega scanned the surroundings, then immediately increased his rank once he was certain the area was secure.
Having finished his rank-up, Rega decided not to continue hunting. He headed back to the first floor to ensure the two hunters he saved had made it out safely.
By the time Rega stepped outside, a crowd had already gathered around the two hunters.
A healer was immediately summoned to treat their wounds, though the healer was unable to regrow the man's severed arm.
Because the situation was so chaotic, Rega felt he wouldn't be able to sell his magic crystals right then, so he kept them all to sell the following day.
Rega slipped through the crowd and left Dungeon Warok without anyone ever noticing his presence.
Not long after Rega's departure, a luxury car arrived and screeched to a halt right at the entrance of the dungeon area.
A burly, middle-aged man stepped out of the car and ran frantically toward the crowd of hunters.
To be continued...