Dragonians. A collective term for magical beasts that possess a mixture of dragon and human characteristics. They include a wide variety of individuals, from dragon-type to reptilian-type monsters. However, there was one magical beast that came to Rio Singh's mind first.
'Naga.'
India had myths based on various animals, but when it came to dragons, the snake god 'Naga' was indispensable.
"Could it be that Nagas have appeared?"
"I can't say for sure without confirming on-site, but according to the report, their appearance is similar to Nagas." The staff member handed over the relevant documents in a business-like manner as response to Rio Singh's question.
"Oh dear... Are they really Nagas?!" Rio Singh exclaimed in dismay as he received the documents.
The silhouette of a reptile-like monster emerging from the water. The silhouette of the magical beast captured in the photo in the document was very similar to the Naga that Rio Singh knew.
'And of all places...!' Rio Singh sighed in regret after confirming the location where the Dragonians appeared.
"How could this happen! Loktak Lake has turned into a field-type dungeon!" He couldn't believe it. To think that such a large-scale disaster had occurred in India while he was on a business trip abroad.
'Loktak' was a large lake located in Manipur, India, one of the largest freshwater reservoirs in Southeast Asia. The entire area surrounding it had turned into a field-type dungeon.
Rio Singh asked the staff member with a stern gaze, "Just how many dungeon breaks occurred around here?"
"A total of five happened simultaneously. But thanks to the Guild Master personally clearing one, four remain."
"Huh! I shouldn't have been leisurely wandering around abroad! I should have stayed by the Guild Master's side and assisted him!" Rio Singh was heartbroken. To think that such a thing happened in his homeland, and he didn't even know!
"This is no time to be idle! I must go and help the Guild Master right away! Manager, assign all the remaining forces in the guild under my command!"
"All elite Hunters have already been deployed to the site."
"That's to be expected in such a dire situation! Then I'll go alone. Tell me the exact location of the Guild Master!"
Rio Singh left the guild with great enthusiasm. Even if he was an A-rank Hunter, it was reckless to enter the Loktak Field alone. But strangely, none of the staff members in the Asura Guild tried to stop him. Rather, they continued to do their own work expressionlessly, as if possessed, unconcerned whether he went out or not. Their faces were vacant. Only the necklaces around their necks emitted a quiet, faint blue light. And the necklace around Rio Singh's neck, heading towards Loktak Lake, also...
* * *
A while later.
Screech!
'This is the place!'
Rio Singh arrived at the Loktak Field with a confident look. He wasn't afraid at all, even though he came here solo. He was alone. So what? Many guild members would welcome him once he entered. Moreover, he didn't come here empty-handed. He had brought a huge gift for his colleagues who were struggling inside.
'Wait for me! I've brought a lot of Korean-made Hunter equipment!'
The large truck he rode here was filled with expensive items made by skilled Korean craftsmen. Originally, his plan was to show off his achievements by personally presenting these precious items to the Guild Master one by one. But wouldn't it be even more dramatic to appear with them in such a critical moment?
'Promotion! This is definitely a promotion!' Rio Singh's heart swelled with excitement as he imagined his colleagues cheering at the sight of this amazing equipment.
"Alright, let's go!"
"Rio Singh, are you sure it's okay for just the two of us to go in? This place is..."
The truck driver, Jackson, looked at Rio Singh with a terrified expression. He was a C-rank Hunter with a Stealth skill, Rio Singh's former subordinate. He was fired from the Asura Guild last year due to lack of ability, but his driving skills in rough terrain were top-notch. Of course, there wasn't much use for a C-rank Hunter's driving skills, but he was perfect for transporting goods to a dangerous field-type dungeon like this.
"Rio, I can somehow escape with my Stealth skill even if I'm in danger inside, but you only have offensive skills..."
"Hey! Who's worrying about whom! Jackson, I'll take full responsibility for your safety, so just focus on driving!"
"...Namaste."
Jackson, the truck driver, who knew Rio Singh's combat abilities well, closed his eyes tightly. And when he opened them again, his eyes were burning with a sense of mission to save his former colleagues. He gripped the steering wheel and gritted his teeth.
"Then... let's go."
Rumble!
And so, a cargo truck loaded with Korean-made equipment boldly entered the Loktak Field. Immediately, reptile-like magical beasts blocked their path from all directions.
Roar!
Slash!
Slassssh!
"Lizardmen!"
"Jackson! Don't stop! Trust me and keep going!"
Rio Singh jumped onto the truck, firmly planted his feet, and gripped his twin swords. He grinned ferociously at the Lizardmen charging towards him.
"They are not dragonians, just Lizardmen!" In this urgent moment, a face suddenly came to Rio Singh's mind.
'My comrade, Sung Suho.'
He had been through so many adventures following Sung Suho. The Egyptian pyramids. The Glacier Dungeon. Every single incident he experienced with him was dangerous. And the Hunter who survived countless hardships alongside that great hero and finally returned to his home country was...!
"It's me, Rio Singh!"
Slash! Slash! Slash! Slash! Slash! Slash! Slash!
Rio Singh's twin swords unleashed a flurry of attacks in all directions. The Lizardmen were cut down while screaming, caught in his net-like, merciless attacks.
"Bring it on! I can fight all day!"
Rio Singh, protecting the truck while jumping left and right, slaughtering the magical beasts, thought to himself that he somehow resembled Sung Suho right now… No, he definitely did!
'No matter what anyone says, I am Sung Suho's one and only comrade!' The truck sped through the pool of blood Rio Singh had created.
"Rio! I see the lake ahead! This is the real deal!" Jackson shouted, pressing hard on the accelerator.
"Yes! Once we pass this, we'll reach the Asura Guild's fortress!"
Rio Singh's entire body was already drenched in the blood of Lizardmen. But not a single drop was from his own wounds. Jackson also smiled, showing his teeth at the cool look in Rio Singh's eyes, red liquid still dripping from his forehead.
'Haha! So Rio Singh also has that side to him!'
A-rank Rio Singh. He was undeniably the elite of the Asura Guild, a rising star recognized as a top-class Hunter. But he had one fatal flaw; he used his brains too much instead of his body. His only concern was promotion! He was obsessed with fame, loving to be admired and the center of attention.
'When did that guy become like this...'
Jackson, who only knew Rio Singh's past self, felt his heart burning at the sight of him fighting without regard for his own safety. And he sincerely wanted to help him achieve his goal. He took a deep drag of his cigarette and grinned. Then, gripping the steering wheel tightly with both hands, he shouted bravely towards his friend, still engaged in a bloody battle outside.
"Alright! Rio Singh! I trust you and I'll keep going! I'm heading straight for the lakeshore! Protect my path...!"
"S-stop!"
"...!"
And then…
It felt as if time slowed down. Jackson's pupils dilated and he saw Rio Singh's panicked expression as he desperately ran towards him.
Splash!
The sound of water reached his ears. Jackson's head instinctively turned to the side. Before it could even rotate completely, he saw the figure of a giant magical beast suddenly rising from the Lake.
'...Naga?!'
Bang!
The truck Jackson was driving was flung to the side.
"No...!"
Crash!
Rio Singh immediately jumped towards Jackson's truck, which was rolling on the ground, crumpled like a piece of paper. With the superhuman strength of an A-rank Hunter, he barely managed to stop its movement. But before being able to check on Jackson in the driver's seat…
Roar!
"...!" The giant shadow of the 'Naga' that appeared from the lake loomed over Rio Singh.
Bang!
A giant, reptilian hand struck down on his head. Rio Singh's pupils dilated and a mental calculation ran through his mind.
'I'm not a Tanker.'
The difference between a Dealer and a Tanker was significant. As a Dealer, he had the strength to stop a truck, but he didn't have the HP or skills to withstand the attack of such a massive magical beast head-on. Which meant…
'It's more efficient to dodge and counterattack!' That was the perfect strategy as a Dealer who gave up defense and used twin swords. But if he did that…
'Jackson will die if I dodge!' Rio Singh straightened his posture with a determined look and crossed his twin swords. And recalling the image of Sung Suho in his memory-
"Haaaaaaaaah!"
Crack...!
"...?!"
But the Naga's defense was stronger than he expected. The blade of his sword, hitting the beast's approaching hand, snapped. Despair appeared in Rio Singh's eyes.
'N-no...'
The reason for his despair wasn't because he was afraid of dying. Even as a Dealer, an A-rank Hunter like himself wouldn't die from a single hit. However, what was certain was that Jackson, who was in the truck, would definitely die from that attack. Jackson, whom he had urged to come to this dangerous place!
'No-!'
Whoosh!
In that desperate situation. The Shadow Assassin, Kira, who had been quietly hiding beneath Rio Singh's feet, moved following his master's command.
Ding!
[Skill: 'Shadow Exchange' activated.]
Bang!
"...!"
Rio Singh's wide eyes looked forward.
At the sturdy back of the man who suddenly appeared before him.
At 'him,' who effortlessly blocked the Naga's powerful attack with one hand.
At the faint smile that appeared on his lips.
"...Found a useful one."
As if its pride was hurt, the Naga roared ferociously and pushed its hand down with even greater force. But for some reason, the man standing before it wouldn't budge. Suho glanced at Rio Singh and said,
"Rest there for a bit. I'll take it from here." And as he turned his gaze forward again, Suho's eyes changed, like a hunter who had found its prey.
"Arise."
Fwoosh!
"Greed."
"...!"
At that moment, the S-rank Hunter, who had returned as a Shadow Soldier, rose before the giant magical beast.