The days that followed Ryota's trial with Shadow Fang were a blur of preparations and practice. Every free moment he had outside of school and his part-time job was spent inside Vanguard Genesis, sharpening his skills, studying enemy attack patterns, and perfecting his role within the team. The closer the Grand Tournament came, the more intense everything became.
Kaito and Hana weren't ones to go easy on new members, and they pushed Ryota hard during dungeon runs and PvP battles, ensuring that he could handle the pressure. He welcomed it, knowing that this was the only way to improve.
But in the real world, things were getting tougher.
Ryota sat on the worn couch in their small living room, staring at the bills piled up on the table. His part-time job barely covered the rent and essentials, and his mother's medical expenses were only getting worse. Every day felt like a race against time. He had to win the tournament. He had to.
"Ryota?" Sakura's voice broke through his thoughts.
He looked up to see his sister standing in the doorway, a worried expression on her face. She knew the weight he was carrying.
"I'll be okay, Sakura," he said, trying to sound reassuring. "I just… I need to focus."
She didn't say anything, but her eyes told him she was worried. Still, she gave him a small nod and disappeared back into her room, leaving him alone with his thoughts.
Ryota sighed and reached for the VR ring sitting on the table. The device felt light in his hand, yet it held the key to their future. He slipped it on and lay back on the couch, making sure he was comfortable before activating the connection. The moment the ring synced with his body, the world around him vanished, replaced by the familiar digital reality of Vanguard Genesis.
Raijin materialized in Asgard's marketplace, where players hustled and bartered for rare items, crafting materials, and more. The air was alive with the hum of activity, a stark contrast to the quiet of his apartment in the real world. Raijin immediately opened his menu to check for any messages from the team.
A notification popped up almost instantly.
Kaito: We've got something big lined up. Meet us at the usual spot in 15. Bring your best gear.
Raijin's heart skipped a beat. He quickly tapped a reply, confirming that he'd be there, and hurried to the nearest shop to restock on potions and gear repairs. He had no idea what Kaito meant by "something big," but if it was enough to get that kind of message, he knew it would be intense.
After a quick check on his equipment, Raijin mounted his Griffon, a sleek, winged beast that allowed for rapid travel across the virtual world, and headed for the rendezvous point outside the city.
The meeting place was a hidden corner of Asgard, just beyond the gates, where few players ventured. When Raijin arrived, the rest of the Shadow Fang team was already there, Kaito, Hana, Riku, Akira, and Mei all looking more serious than usual.
Kaito waved him over. "Glad you made it."
Raijin nodded, dismounting and standing among them. "What's going on? What's this big mission?"
Hana stepped forward, her arms crossed. "We've been invited to take part in a special raid, a high-level dungeon that hasn't been made available to the general player base yet."
Raijin raised an eyebrow. "Special raid? How's that possible?"
"It's an early-access dungeon," Kaito explained, a glint in his eye. "We're not the only guild being invited, but this is a chance for us to gain an edge before the Grand Tournament. The rewards are rumored to be insane."
Raijin's mind raced. This was huge. Not only was it a chance to gain rare loot, but getting a head start on a dungeon that would eventually be part of the tournament could make all the difference.
"But there's a catch," Riku added, his voice low. "It's dangerous. More dangerous than anything we've faced so far. Most players won't even survive the first room."
A chill ran down Raijin's spine, but he steeled himself. He couldn't afford to back down now. Not when everything was on the line.
"We're in," Raijin said firmly. "Whatever it takes."
Kaito grinned. "That's what I like to hear. We're moving out in five. Make sure you're ready."
As the team made their final preparations, Raijin checked his inventory one last time. He had enough healing potions and mana restoratives to last through a grueling fight, and his Katana of Tempest was fully upgraded and sharpened. His hands trembled slightly, but it wasn't fear it was anticipation.
Finally, Kaito gave the signal, and the team activated their mounts, heading toward the dungeon. The world around them blurred as they sped across the vast landscapes of Vanguard Genesis, leaving the safety of the city behind.
The entrance to the dungeon loomed ahead, a massive stone archway carved into the side of a jagged mountain. Lightning cracked in the distance, illuminating the ominous structure. A large, glowing portal stood at its center, swirling with dark energy.
Raijin felt a sense of dread as they dismounted. This place was unlike any dungeon he had seen before. The air itself felt heavy, almost oppressive.
"This is it," Hana said quietly, her eyes narrowing as she studied the portal. "No turning back once we step inside."
Kaito nodded, stepping forward to address the team. "Remember, this isn't a normal dungeon. We'll need to stay focused and work together if we want to survive. Raijin, stick close to me and Hana. Follow our lead, and don't take any unnecessary risks."
Raijin nodded, his heart pounding. "Got it."
One by one, they stepped through the portal, and the world around them shifted once again. The dungeon's interior was a stark contrast to the virtual world outside. The walls were made of black stone, slick with moisture, and the air was thick with a sense of malevolence. Dark corridors stretched out before them, twisting and turning like a labyrinth.
As soon as the last of the group entered, the portal behind them vanished, leaving only silence.
Suddenly, the ground rumbled, and from the shadows emerged their first enemies: Shadow Beasts, massive creatures made of swirling black mist, with glowing red eyes and razor-sharp claws.
"Here we go!" Kaito shouted, drawing his dual blades and rushing forward.
The battle began in an instant, the dungeon proving its danger right from the start. The Shadow Beasts were fast—faster than anything Raijin had faced before and their attacks were relentless. But Raijin focused, his katana moving in fluid arcs as he sliced through the creatures' misty forms.
Hana and Kaito worked like a well-oiled machine, directing the team and coordinating their attacks with precision. Raijin found himself falling into the rhythm, his confidence growing with each strike.
But the beasts kept coming. For every one they cut down, another two appeared from the darkness, and the team was quickly being overwhelmed.
"Focus on the cores!" Hana shouted over the chaos. "Their weak points are in the center of their bodies!"
Raijin nodded, adjusting his strategy. He aimed for the glowing red cores within the creatures, his katana striking with pinpoint accuracy. The beasts let out piercing shrieks as they crumbled to dust, their cores shattered.
It was a brutal, unrelenting battle, but after what felt like an eternity, the last of the Shadow Beasts was defeated. The team stood in the dimly lit corridor, panting from exertion, but alive.
"Not bad," Kaito said, sheathing his blades. "But that was just the beginning. The real challenge lies ahead."
Raijin wiped the sweat from his brow, his heart still racing. This dungeon was unlike anything he had ever experienced, but he wasn't about to back down.
They pressed on, deeper into the dark labyrinth, knowing that the worst was yet to come.