The long table was shrouded in shadows, its surface gleaming faintly under the dim light of a single, flickering chandelier. Six figures sat around it, cloaked and masked, their faces hidden in an unsettling anonymity. Only their voices betrayed any hint of personality—sharp, tense, and commanding, saturating the air with an unspoken weight. The room itself seemed to hold its breath, the walls pressing in as if to contain the gravity of their discussion.
The figure at the head of the table leaned forward, his gloved hands clasped tightly on the polished surface. His voice was calm, deliberate, and carried an undercurrent of authority that demanded attention.
"One of our agents is dead," he began, his tone flat and steady, each word measured. "This is not something we can take lightly. One of the contractors informed me. We need answers."
To his left, a low chuckle broke the silence. The figure there spoke with mock authority, his voice dripping with arrogance. "I already know who it was. One of my minions. I can't contact him anymore, so it's fairly obvious he's been... taken care of."
Another voice cut in, sharp and skeptical. "Really? That weak? Died on his knees without even sending a signal or leaving a trace. Pathetic."
The first figure growled, his voice rising in defense. "Watch your words. He might have gone down quickly, but that doesn't mean he was weak. Do not underestimate my men."
The skeptic snorted, unimpressed. "Weakness is weakness. You brag about your minions, yet here we are—one dead, nothing to show for it. Where are the results?"
A low, rumbling growl emanated from the offended figure. "You want to test that theory in battle? Let's see who's truly more powerful."
The skeptic leaned forward, his challenge clear. "Anytime."
"Enough!" The man at the head of the table snapped, his voice slicing through the tension like a blade. Silence fell, heavy and suffocating. "This is not the time for infighting. We have to focus. One of our agents didn't just die—he vanished. No energy traces, no remains. Nothing. As though he was erased from existence."
At the far end of the table, a figure tilted their head slightly, their curiosity evident. "Intriguing. Whoever did this is extremely skilled. I'm... curious now." They exhaled slowly, their voice tinged with a mix of admiration and unease.
"Our agents of this caliber do not fail," the leader continued, his voice cold and measured. "And they do not disappear on a whim. This is... unusual. What level was the agent who vanished?"
Another voice chimed in, analytical and detached. "Since we don't measure our powers with ranks, but by how much demonic energy one can withstand, I can say for certain he was at X STAGE and he wasn't weak. But neither was he among the strong."
The leader's voice turned icy. "Since this operation began, our agents have never failed or died like that. This changes things. I want answers. Send people. Find out what happened and who's responsible."
A chorus of affirmations rumbled around the table. "Yes, sir."
As the meeting drew to a close, another voice joined in, laced with dark amusement. "Whoever did this—killing, erasing all evidence... they're either a genius or an idiot. Either way, this is going to be... fun."
The leader rose to his feet, his presence filling the room. "Meeting adjourned."
Meanwhile Akira walked toward the entrance of C-rank dungeon, the air thick with the murmur of Stars preparing for the raid. His eyes scanned the area, finally resting on a group of four standing off to the side. This would be his new party—the ones he had contacted to level up faster. The evening air was crisp, carrying a faint chill that nipped at his skin.
The man in the middle stepped forward. Cha-Jong, the team leader, stood a head taller than the rest. Middle-aged, with neatly combed brown hair and a calm demeanor, he exuded an aura of quiet authority. Though his B-rank STAR status was subdued, it was unmistakable.
"You must be E.B.," Cha-Jong said, his voice smooth and warm, like a steady stream.
Akira nodded politely and extended his hand. "That's me. Looking forward to working with you all."
As their hands clasped, Akira couldn't help but notice the subtle energy radiating from Cha-Jong. It wasn't overwhelming, but it was there—a steady, controlled pulse that spoke of experience and power. "So this is a B-rank," Akira thought. "He's strong, but not on the level of an A-rank. Still, the gap between B and C is no joke. I can see why they're respected."
Cha-Jong shook his hand firmly, then gestured toward the others. "Let me introduce the team."
First was a slim woman with fiery red hair. Mira, a Near B-rank STAR mage, was dressed in robes adorned with flame motifs. Her sharp, confident gaze met Akira's, and she gave a slight nod. "I'm Mira. Elemental Mana—fire's my specialty. I'll handle most of the big damage, so don't get in my way."
Akira's eyes flickered over her, noting the faint shimmer of heat around her fingertips. "Her energy is sharper, more volatile than Cha-Jong's. A mage, huh? She's probably the glass cannon of the group."
Before Akira could respond, a towering figure stepped forward. Garret, a C-rank Warrior STAR, was a mountain of muscle with a broad axe slung over his back. A jagged scar ran across his face, a testament to countless battles. "Name's Garret. I'm the frontliner. If it's big, ugly, and dangerous, I'm the one keeping it off you." He grinned, his scar pulling slightly. "Just try to keep up."
Akira's gaze lingered on Garret's axe, the weapon's edge gleaming even in the dim light. "C-rank, but his presence is solid. He's probably been in more fights than I can count. Still, his energy feels raw compared to the others."
Last was a blonde girl, slender and radiating warmth. Lyra, a B-rank STAR healer, held a staff that glowed softly with light magic. Her calm confidence was evident as she smiled. "And I'm Lyra. If you get hurt, I'll patch you up—but don't expect me to fix stupidity." Her teasing tone softened as she added, "Glad to have you with us, though."
Akira's eyes narrowed slightly as he felt the gentle, soothing energy emanating from her. "A healer, and a B-rank at that. Her energy feels... different. Not aggressive, but deep. Like a well you can't see the bottom of. "
Cha-Jong clasped his hands together, his voice commanding attention. "Alright, listen up. This is a low C-rank dungeon. The primary threats are Great Red Wolves—fast, aggressive, and stronger than they look. There may also be deeper, mutated beasts, so expect surprises." He paused, scanning their faces. "Stick together. Follow the plan, and we'll clear this place without casualties."
Garret smirked, his confidence unshaken. "Don't worry about me. The wolves can try, but they won't scratch me."
Mira rolled her eyes. "Maybe less bravado and more focus. I'd rather not have to save your hide."
Lyra smirked, chiming in. "I'm with Mira on this one. Let's not make my job harder than it needs to be."
Akira listened to the exchange, his face masked but a slight smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "They're strong, no doubt. But they're also... human. They bicker, they joke. It's almost refreshing."He glanced at Cha-Jong, then at Lyra. "Still, the energy they emit... it's on a completely different level from what I'm used to. Eri was the only A-rank I meet, but I hadn't awakened at the time, so I couldn't sense her mana pool—and I never saw her in action. If B-ranks emit this much mana, I can't even imagine what an A-rank is capable of."
"Got it," Akira said aloud, his voice calm but firm. "I'm ready to start anytime."
Cha-Jong nodded in satisfaction, turning toward the glowing portal of the dungeon. "Good. Let's move."
As they stepped toward the portal, Akira's mind raced. "This is my first time teaming up.This is a good opportunity to see what they're really capable of. And maybe, just maybe, I'll learn something about the gap between the current me and them."
The world shifted into a dark cavern, its jagged walls thinly lined with faint bioluminescent moss. The air was heavy with the metallic tang of danger. As the dungeon entrance sealed behind them, marking the start of the raid, the party instinctively fell into position.
Cha-Jong took the lead, his instincts sharp as he scanned the surroundings. Garret moved to the front, his axe at the ready. Mira and Lyra positioned themselves in the middle, optimal for casting spells and providing support. Akira brought up the rear, his presence silent but vigilant.
From deeper within the cavern, the low growls of wolves echoed, soft but menacing. The hunt had begun.