He stood at the edge of the landing zone, arms crossed, his gaze locked onto me. His presence alone made even the other S-rank hunters hesitate. He didn't speak, didn't move, but his aura was like an unshakable mountain—one that had crushed countless enemies before.
For a brief second, the weight of his power pushed against me, testing me.
I didn't flinch.
If anything, the Abyss inside me stirred, recognizing a powerful existence.
Leon stepped beside me, exhaling as he followed my gaze. "He's already paying attention to you, huh?"
Christa folded her arms. "Not surprising"
I glanced at her, but before I could say anything, another presence approached.
A man with silver hair, a sharp gaze, and an undeniable air of authority. He wore a sleek combat suit lined with lightning motifs.
Raiden Arakawa. The Storm Emperor.
Japan's National-Level Hunter.
His piercing gaze swept over our group before stopping at me.
"Ryzen Kael," he said, his voice smooth yet carrying an edge. "I've heard about you."
I arched an eyebrow. "That so?"
Raiden studied me for a second, as if measuring something. Then, with a small smirk, he turned to Leon. "You brought someone interesting, Leon Vael."
Leon let out a short chuckle. "I do that sometimes."
More figures gathered nearby like: Ji Seong-Ho, the Celestial Blade of Korea, Gabriel Dela Cruz, the Radiant Sovereign of the Philippines, and other S-ranks from Europe, China, and Russia—all here for the world's first SSS-rank raid.
Darius Vaughn and Alastair Crowe soon arrived as well, officially signaling the start of the briefing.
We were led to a high-security command center located near the dungeon gate. Inside, holographic displays projected detailed maps and live energy readings from the SSS-rank dungeon.
The U.S. Hunter Association Director—a middle-aged man with short gray hair—stood at the center, his expression grim.
"Let's get straight to it," he began. "We're dealing with an unknown entity that has surpassed every measured energy threshold. The Abyssal Tyrant inside this gate is unlike anything we've faced before."
He motioned to the hologram, displaying fluctuating energy waves. "This dungeon isn't stable. At its current rate, we estimate a full-scale break in less than a week if left unchecked."
Alexander Graves finally spoke. His deep voice carried effortlessly across the room.
"Then we don't wait a week. We enter, neutralize the Tyrant, and seal the dungeon. Simple."
The director nodded. "Agreed. But we need a coordinated entry. This isn't a normal raid."
***
The plan was laid out:
Strike Team Alpha: Led by Alexander Graves, would directly engage the Abyssal Tyrant.
Strike Team Beta: Led by Raiden Arakawa and Ji Seong-Ho, would handle the dungeon's internal structure and suppress high-threat entities.
Strike Team Gamma: A flexible response team, supporting wherever needed.
A-Ranks and Below would be stationed outside as defense.
***
Darius Vaughn surveyed the room, his expression serious. "This is the largest coordinated dungeon raid in history. Do not let your guard down."
Alastair Crowe followed, his voice colder. "If the Abyssal Tyrant is truly as strong as the readings suggest, then even this force may not be enough."
His words settled heavily over the room.
Even with the Titan of Calamity, the Storm Emperor, the Celestial Blade, and the Radiant Sovereign—the world's strongest hunters—there was no certainty of victory.
All A-rank hunters and below would be stationed outside the gate as the emergency containment force. Only S-ranks and National-Level Hunters would enter the dungeon itself.
It was the most logical course of action.
If A-rank hunters entered, they would be wiped out instantly before even realizing what had happened.
But that didn't mean I would be left in the dark.
I still had my own way of keeping track of what was happening inside.
-
As the meeting ended, I left the room with Christa and Leon.
We would be departing in three hours via a fleet of private military aircraft.
Leon ran a hand through his hair. "This is beyond anything we've dealt with before."
Christa crossed her arms. "Yeah. Even with the best of the best, we're walking into complete uncertainty."
I stayed silent for a moment, then finally spoke. "You better not die in there."
Leon smirked. "You sound worried."
I shrugged. "You're useful to me. It'd be a hassle if you died."
Christa chuckled. "Wow, so heartfelt."
Despite my words, I knew the danger they were walking into.
And I wasn't going to just sit around waiting.
Without them noticing, I silently commanded my familiars to slip into National hunter's shadow.
-
The descent was smooth.
Through the aircraft's reinforced windows, the landscape below stretched out in an eerie contrast of chaos and forced order.
The SSS-rank dungeon gate loomed in the distance—a swirling vortex of black and crimson energy, pulsating like a living entity. The air around it shimmered with an oppressive aura, sending waves of discomfort through even the most hardened hunters.
Military forces had already set up a defensive perimeter around the area. War machines, artillery, and specialized anti-mana barriers were deployed as the last line of defense in case of a dungeon break.
As soon as we landed, squads began moving into formation.
Darius Vaughn and Alastair Crowe wasted no time.
"All S-ranks, move to the inner perimeter. The raid team will enter the dungeon in T-minus fifteen minutes."
Leon, standing a few meters ahead, rolled his shoulders before glancing back at me and Christa.
"This is where we split," he said.
I nodded. "Try not to die in there."
He smirked. "You sound like you actually care."
I simply shrugged.
Christa, standing beside me, crossed her arms. "We'll hold things down out here. Just do your part inside."
Leon's smirk faded slightly, and for a moment, there was only quiet understanding. Then, without another word, he turned and followed the rest of the S-rank raid team toward the dungeon's entrance.