Scene Start:
Wang Lei exits the building, holding his newly obtained C-Rank Hunter's Token. As he walks along the street, a screen suddenly appears in front of him.
System Response:
[New Mission Update]
Objective: Kill 100 monsters in a dungeon.
Mission Accept: Yes/No
Time Limit: 2 days
Without hesitation, Wang Lei selects "Yes."
He thinks to himself, "I'll look for an E-Rank dungeon since the System didn't specify a rank." However, almost immediately, another screen flashes.
System Response:
[Dungeon must be C-Rank]
Shocked, Wang Lei mutters, "Hey, System, can you read my mind?"
Laughing it off, he searches for available dungeons on his phone and soon finds a post:
Team Recruitment:
Six members currently. Seeking one more member.
Rank Requirement: Must be D-Rank
Job: Carry teammates' gear
Time: Today, 4 p.m.
Location: [Insert Location Name]
Reluctantly, Wang Lei applies, thinking, "I never thought I'd end up as a porter, but I don't know when the next C-Rank portal will appear."
At 4 p.m., Wang Lei arrives at the location, where he meets the six other team members who were waiting for him. After a quick introduction, each member steps forward.
Team Member Introductions:
Yara Chen – one of the two female members, known for her quick reflexes.
Kai Tan – a bulky, muscular guy who seems like the team's tank
.Li Wei – an agile and cheerful young man.
Mei Lin – a quiet, observant woman with a graceful presence.
Bo Shen – the team's strategist, carrying various maps and plans.
Chen Zhu – a marksman, known for his precision with ranged attacks.
Finally, Wang Lei introduces himself, and the team is set.
Wang Lei held the Hunter License card he'd acquired as he joined his new team. The guard at the portal checkpoint examined it, then nodded, granting him permission to enter. "I came here alone, but looks like for a C-rank dungeon, a seven-member team is mandatory," Wang Lei thought as he glanced at his teammates. He had no choice but to go along with it.
As they entered the portal, Wang Lei noticed that the dungeon looked like a sprawling jungle, filled with twisted trees and dense underbrush. The team moved forward cautiously, weapons ready. Suddenly, the jungle seemed to come alive as a Black Tree monster lurched out of the shadows, its branches flailing like arms.
"That's a Black Tree!" Bo Shen shouted, identifying the creature as it lunged at them. Chen Zhu quickly stepped up, his sword flashing as he slashed through the monster's bark and brought it down with a heavy strike.
"Not bad," Wang Lei thought, watching from the back as the team handled the creature. They regrouped and continued through the jungle, passing through areas where the fog grew so thick it obscured everything beyond a few feet. After nearly an hour, they found a clearing and stopped to rest.
Suddenly, a massive python dropped down from a tree, its fangs bared. Yara Chen reacted immediately, summoning her ability, Dancing Fire Lotus. A brilliant lotus appeared, its petals flaring as it shot blazing leaves at the serpent, searing its scales. The python writhed in agony before slumping to the ground, dead.
Wang Lei watched, impressed, from his position at the back, holding the team's supplies. "She's skilled," he thought, deciding to activate his Copy Skill to acquire her technique.
The System immediately responded:
[Copy Condition: Save her.]
Confused by the condition, Wang Lei shrugged it off and activated his Status Ability to check out his teammates' information. When he scanned Bo Shen, however, his heart skipped a beat.
Species: Mirage Queen
"Bo Shen... isn't human?" His mind raced as he realized the truth, and without hesitation, he hurled his dagger directly at Bo Shen.
"Are you crazy, Wang Lei? Why did you just attack me?" Bo Shen exclaimed, stepping back and putting on an innocent face.
"Stop pretending," Wang Lei replied coldly. "Show us your true form."
The rest of the team exchanged confused, angry glances, their voices rising. "Hey, Wang Lei! Enough of this nonsense," one teammate demanded, brandishing his weapon in warning.
Yara Chen's eyes narrowed as she added, "Move again, and we'll take you down ourselves."
Wang Lei stayed calm, knowing he had no choice but to convince them. "Didn't you see how quickly Bo Shen dodged my attack? He's a strategist, not a fighter!" he argued.
Another teammate scoffed, "Dodging an attack doesn't prove he's not Bo Shen."
"Fine," Wang Lei challenged. "Then let him prove he's human. Cut himself just a little, and if his blood is red, I'll take whatever punishment you want to give me."
The group fell silent as they considered his suggestion. Finally, Mei Lin, who had been quiet up to now, spoke up, her voice firm. "We'll test it. But if you're wrong, Wang Lei, I'll kill you myself."
She turned to Bo Shen. "Show us your blood. Just a small cut will do," she commanded. Yara Chen looked uncertainly at Mei Lin. "But Princess—"
A subtle nod from Mei Lin silenced her.
Watching the exchange, Wang Lei realized Mei Lin had an unusual background. The respect Yara Chen showed her hinted at something powerful, maybe even royal.
Bo Shen hesitated, clearly wary of the request. As Mei Lin repeated her demand, Bo Shen's expression twisted, her innocent façade vanishing as she let out a low, mocking laugh.
"Oh, you humans," she sneered, her voice shifting as her form began to transform. "You managed to expose me. I thought I'd take my time, kill you all one by one, but now... I'll just have to kill you all at once."
Kai Tan gasped in horror. "This... this is the dungeon's boss monster!" he stammered, his face going pale with terror. "Three days ago, a mid-rank guild tried to kill her, but she escaped! She's the Mirage Queen!"
In a fury, Yara Chen yelled, "Where's Bo Shen?"
The Mirage Queen smirked. "That weakling? I killed him ages ago, while you foolish humans were wandering through the dense fog."