The moment the dungeon gate slammed shut behind them, the entire raid team froze.
Silence filled the dark corridor.
Then panic exploded.
"The gate closed?!"
"That's impossible!"
"Dungeon gates aren't supposed to close until the boss is dead!"
The hunters quickly gathered together.
Even the experienced ones looked nervous now.
Raid leader Darius stepped forward, his expression serious.
"Everyone calm down."
"We'll clear the dungeon and the gate will reopen."
His voice sounded confident…
But Arin noticed the tension in his eyes.
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
The team continued deeper into the dungeon.
The goblins they encountered became stronger and more aggressive.
Soon, the corridor opened into a massive stone chamber.
At the center stood a giant door made of black stone.
Strange symbols were carved across its surface.
The air around it felt heavy.
Almost… alive.
One of the hunters whispered nervously.
"That door wasn't mentioned in the dungeon report…"
Another hunter stepped closer to inspect it.
The moment his hand touched the door—
BOOOOOOM!
The ground shook violently.
The giant stone door slowly opened.
A cold, terrifying aura poured out from the darkness behind it.
Arin felt his entire body freeze.
His instincts screamed danger.
Absolute danger.
Darius whispered in disbelief.
"This… this can't be…"
His face turned pale.
"A hidden dungeon…"
The hunters stared at the darkness behind the door.
Something moved inside.
Slowly…
A massive shadow stepped forward.
Red eyes glowed in the darkness.
The creature's monstrous body towered over the hunters.
Its presence alone made the air feel heavy.
One hunter collapsed to his knees.
"No… this monster…"
His voice trembled.
"That's not an E-Rank boss…"
The monster finally stepped into the light.
A gigantic armored creature holding a massive axe.
A Dungeon Guardian.
A monster that should only appear in high-rank dungeons.
And they were trapped with it.
Darius slowly drew his sword.
His voice shook as he spoke.
"Everyone… prepare to fight."
The monster lifted its axe.
And smiled.