"So this is the place it happened," Chairman Ruud Van Hasten muttered as he stepped out of his sleek, black limo. His gaze swept the cordoned-off area. Yellow tape flapped lazily in the breeze, sectioning off the otherwise mundane street corner.
"Yes, sir. The dungeon spawned right around that area," Ella replied, pointing toward a cracked section of asphalt. Nearby, the only real evidence of the battle was a dismantled car—twisted metal and scorched rubber, the same one Denzel had crashed into.
Hasten narrowed his eyes, scanning for signs of destruction. "This doesn't look like the aftermath of a C-rank dungeon..."
"I've checked the classification multiple times," Ella said, tapping her tablet. "It was definitely a C-rank."
Ruud frowned. "What did Ralf say about the encounter?"
As if summoned, a tall, red-haired man approached them. He had piercing blue eyes and a solid, muscular build—impressive for his old age. In his hand, he held a strange crystal device.
"Chairman Hasten," Ralf greeted with a smirk. "Long time no see. An honor, as always."
"You haven't changed, Ralf. And drop the 'Chairman' nonsense—just Hasten is fine."
"Alright then, Hasten. I'm guessing you're here about the dungeon incident too?"
"Obviously."
Ralf nodded, glancing at the taped-off zone. "The two who fought here... they weren't ordinary players. They didn't just clear the dungeon—they overwhelmed it. My ability, Kariphasor, lets me reconstruct recent events in a given area. The fight lasted less than an hour. The monsters never even made it past the spawn zone."
"That's insane. And the identity of the other player?"
"That's where it gets weird. My ability couldn't trace him. It's as if he didn't exist. Total blank."
Ruud's brows drew together. A player immune to time tracking... Could he be like them?
"You've been a big help, Ralf. Ella, we're heading back."
As Ruud turned toward the car, his expression darkened. "Trust me... I'll find you. I'll get my answers." His silver eyes gleamed ominously beneath the sunlight.
---
Meanwhile...
Leon stood outside the Association headquarters, only to find himself face-to-face with a woman who radiated overwhelming presence.
"Well, if it isn't the 'Hero' Leon," she said with a confident smirk. "It's nice to finally meet you."
Leon flinched slightly. The number of stalkers in his life was becoming unbearable. But this one? This one was different. Dangerous. Beautiful. And far too smug for her own good.
"Uh... nice to meet you too...?"
"Emma. Emma Greene. Guildmistress of Lumiere."
The name hit him like a truck.
"Oh! You're that Emma—the one Milo and Olivia won't shut up about."
She chuckled. "So they already tried to recruit you. Let me guess—you said no?"
"You're right again."
Emma lowered her gaze with a sultry smile. "That won't do. I want more. I want you."
Leon blinked. "Wait, what?! That's way too fast! How did we even get here?!"
"You really know how to make a woman beg," she whispered, stepping close—so close their lips almost touched. "Don't play coy. I know you understand me. Join my guild."
Leon's brain scrambled for a response. This woman was leagues ahead in the manipulation game.
"I'll admit you're beautiful," he said, raising a brow, "but I'm not like other men. You'll have to try harder to seduce me. Besides, I've got things I need to handle solo. Guild life isn't on the menu—yet."
Emma bit her lip in slight frustration. Tch. What a waste.
"You're a smooth talker. I can't read you like the others," she said, turning on her heel. "But where's your partner? Did he run off? Tell him I said hi."
Leon blinked. "Wait, He was just here…"
He looked around. Empty. When did he leave?
Half an Hour Earlier...
Denzel and Leon were on their way to the Association when Denzel stopped mid-step.
Without any words to Leon, Denzel branched into an alleyway and kept moving...
Denzel had felt it. That presence again. Someone was following him—and had been for a while. He turned left into an alleyway, weaving through until he found a secluded spot. Then he stopped.
He slowly drew his dagger.
"I've let this go long enough," he said, voice low. "How long are you planning to tail me—years?"
Laughter echoed from the shadows. Thick mist curled from the ground like smoke.
"You noticed? Interesting."
From the darkness emerged a towering man. Blonde hair slicked back, a massive longsword strapped to his back. Tattoos wrapped around his left arm, and a half-skull mask covered the lower part of his face. He wore a tight black shirt and camo pants. His presence was suffocating.
"For how long have you known?" the stranger asked.
"Since I exited the tower," Denzel answered firmly.
"Impressive. Most never even sense me."
"Who sent you?"
"Sorry, that's classified," the man said casually. "I was ordered to watch, and you've passed with flying colors. You're good."
His eyes scanned Denzel with amusement. "Didn't even flinch once. Well, where are my manners? I'm Karus."
"Why are you acting friendly?"
Karus chuckled. "You're sharp. I like that."
He pointed at Denzel. "You're cleared, kid. Mission complete."
And with that, he melted back into the shadows.
Denzel dropped to his knees, panting.
If he wasn't friendly... I'd be dead.
Even with Leon, they wouldn't have stood a chance. Karus was an anomaly. A monster in human skin. Appraisal didn't even work on him.
> [Error! Appraisal of the set target failed]
[Karus – LVL: ?? | Race: ?? | Gifts: ???]
Denzel clenched his fists. "We'll meet again. Whether friend or foe, I'll be ready for you. You're... dangerous."
---
Back to the Present...
Denzel finally reached the association building not long after Emma left.
Ryan and Denzel stood together beneath the sky, both men unusually silent.
"Denzel," Ryan finally said, his voice heavy. "We've gotta get stronger. Way stronger."
Denzel nodded.
He couldn't stop thinking about Karus.
And Ruud couldn't stop thinking about him.
The hunt had begun—and the shadows were moving.
End of Chapter 20