Henry didn't say a word.
He didn't need to.
He met Sienna's gaze for a fraction of a second—long enough to see the guilt, the hesitation, the excuses forming in her mind.
But he didn't care to hear them.
Without another word, he turned around and walked out the door.
And just like that—
Sienna was behind him.
The street outside felt colder than before. The neon lights of Neo-Veridia cast long, flickering shadows on the pavement as Henry walked.
Step by step, something strange settled in his chest.
Relief.
He had thought it would break him, seeing her with someone else.
That it would twist a knife deep inside his gut, leave him hollow and bitter.
But all he felt was a quiet certainty.
It was over.
And in a way—
It had been over long before tonight.
Henry exhaled, rolling his shoulders.
He glanced down at his hands, flexing them.
His grip was steady.
His mind was clear.
He was done looking back.
And right now?
He had more important things to do.
A few minutes later Henry stood before the swirling portal of the E-Rank dungeon, its deep blue surface pulsing like a living thing. The energy it radiated hummed in the air, sending faint ripples across the ground.
He wasn't supposed to be here.
An F-Rank hunter stepping into an E-Rank dungeon? A death sentence for most.
Most wouldn't risk it.
Henry?
He didn't hesitate.
Around him, other hunters gathered in small groups, whispering among themselves, stealing quick glances in his direction. A few were bolder.
"Hey, kid," a gruff voice called out. A man with a scar down his cheek and a broad-bladed sword slung over his back stepped forward. "You alone?"
Henry said nothing.
"Look," the man continued, folding his arms, "You're an F-Rank. You won't last five minutes in there by yourself. Why don't you join our party? Safety in numbers."
Another hunter, a woman with a spear strapped across her back, chimed in. "Yeah, sticking together's the smart play. You go in solo, and you're dead the second something big sniffs you out."
Henry met their gazes. They weren't being condescending. Just practical.
They thought they were helping.
He shook his head. "I'll manage."
The spearman frowned. "Suit yourself."
A few others threw him skeptical looks, but no one pushed further. It wasn't their problem if some fool wanted to throw his life away.
Henry turned back to the portal.
He was getting used to this.
The doubt. The dismissive looks. The assumptions.
The worst had already been thrown at him before.
This?
This was nothing.
Without another word, he stepped forward and entered the portal.
As he felt the world twisted.
A brief sensation of weightlessness.
Then—solid ground beneath his feet.
Henry exhaled, his eyes adjusting to the dim glow of the dungeon.
It was vast. Larger than any F-Rank dungeon he had seen before. Towering stone formations jutted from the cavern floor, their rough surfaces pulsing with eerie blue veins of energy. The air was thick, damp, carrying the scent of old earth and something else—something faintly metallic.
Blood.
He wasn't alone for long.
The portal behind him shimmered again.
A few seconds later, the other hunters arrived.
One by one, they materialized, stepping forward, adjusting to their surroundings.
Some immediately took defensive stances, scanning the area. Others exchanged quick nods, forming up with their teams.
Henry, however, didn't wait.
He walked forward.
Ignored them.
They weren't his concern.
Some of them might survive this place. Some wouldn't.
That wasn't his problem.
He adjusted the cloak wrapped around his shoulders, making sure his Hunter ID remained clipped in place. The worn fabric draped over his coat, offering an extra layer of protection.
Small advantages mattered.
The silence stretched.
Too quiet.
Henry's fingers twitched toward the hilt of his blade.
Then—
A slow rustling sound.
Low, guttural growls echoed through the cavern.
From the darkness ahead, shapes began to move.
Predators.
Enemies Identified: Hollow Stalkers – Level 5-F rank.
HP: 200,
Threat Level: Low,
The low growls echoed through the cavern, bouncing off the jagged walls. The Hollow Stalkers emerged from the shadows, their red eyes gleaming with hunger. Their long, sinewy limbs twitched as they prepared to lunge.
Henry didn't flinch.
He had already drawn his blade.
The others behind him?
They hesitated.
They whispered.
Some even braced themselves, waiting for the monsters to move first.
Henry didn't wait.
He charged.
His body was a blur, his True Blade gleaming under the eerie dungeon light.
The first Stalker lunged—its fangs flashing, claws outstretched.
Henry sidestepped effortlessly, his blade carving a clean arc through the creature's side.
SPLURCH.
The beast let out a strangled hiss before collapsing, black ichor spilling onto the cavern floor.
The next two rushed him at once.
Henry moved like a shadow through the battlefield, weaving between their strikes.
His first sword slashed through a Stalker's leg, severing it at the knee.
The second blade pierced through another's skull, its red eyes flickering before going dark.
Within minutes, the creatures lay dead at his feet.
Henry let out a slow breath, flicking the black ichor off his blades.
Only then did he glance back.
The other hunters?
They were still struggling.
The other hunters were locked in battle, their movements slower, clumsier.
Some had formed tight defensive lines, trying to push the creatures back.
Others?
They were barely keeping up.
Henry watched for a brief second.
Then turned away.
They weren't his concern.
He didn't need to prove anything to them.
If they survived? Fine.
If they didn't?
That wasn't his problem.
With practiced ease, Henry crouched beside the beasts he had slain, pulling out his storage bag.
The crystals.
That's what he was here for.
With quick, efficient movements, he extracted the beast cores from each fallen creature and stored them away.
Then, without looking back, he walked forward.
There was no point in staying behind.
They would only slow him down.
The air changed as Henry stepped into the next chamber.
The cavernous walls pulsed with a deep red glow, the temperature rising sharply.
A wave of heat rolled over him.
This wasn't like the first level.
No more shadows. No more silent killers.
This level was alive with fire.
Enemies Identified: Blazing Hounds – Level 7-F Rank beast.
HP: 350,
Threat Level: Moderate,
Abilities: Fire Breath, Pack Tactics,
A low snarl echoed from the darkness.
Then flames erupted.
A Blazing Hound launched itself at Henry, its jaws wreathed in fire.
Henry dodged to the side, feeling the scorching heat graze past him.
Too slow.
The second beast came from behind.
Henry twisted, raising his blade.
CLANG.
His sword met burning claws, sparks flying as steel clashed against the beast's hardened hide.
Alright, Henry thought, adjusting his stance.
This might actually be fun.
The first Blazing Hound circled him, its flames flickering as it prepared another attack.
Henry moved first.
He dashed forward, blades flashing.
The Hound snapped its jaws at him, but Henry was already moving.
His first strike sliced through its side, black blood sizzling against the hot ground.
The second Hound lunged—
Too slow.
Henry's boot slammed into its snout, sending it skidding back.
One clean strike.
That's all he needed.
And then—
He delivered it.
A precise, brutal slash through its throat.
The beast collapsed.
Dead.
A system notification flashed.
EXP Gained: +70
Henry grinned.
The other beasts hesitated.
Then—
They attacked.
Henry welcomed them.
By the time he cleared the level, his bag was heavier with crystals, and his blade carried the marks of battle.
His EXP had increased steadily.
EXP Gained: +50, Blazing Hound Kill
EXP Gained: +70, Blazing Hound Kill
Not bad.
He said looking the total amount of his EXP,
Not bad at all.
But he wasn't done yet.
The third level awaited.