"How do we get out of this dungeon?"
Lucas, smirked. His eyes gleamed with an unsettling confidence as he crossed his arms.
"Simple… just follow me."
But
"There's a problem," he said, voice low. "You killed everyone. If anyone finds out that an SS-rank hunter died while two lower-ranked hunters C and B survived, they'll definitely suspect us."
Andre, standing silently behind them, tensed. He had remained quiet through most of the chaos.
Siman tapped his chin thoughtfully before breaking into a grin. "Hmm… I have a solution, but there's a condition. There can't be anyone S-rank or higher outside the dungeon."
Lucas narrowed his eyes. "Interesting… What's the plan?"
But First Siman "You'll need to wear the gear of one of the dead hunters.
Siman grimaced but nodded. "And you?"
"I'll be busy." Lucas smirk widened. "I need to collect the monster cores before we leave. If anyone asks how you survived, just say you used a powerful artifact that teleported you to safety during the fight."
"Fine," Siman said. "Let's move."
The three moved swiftly. Siman crouched beside the corpse of a fallen A-rank hunter, removing the man's armor and slipping into it with practiced efficiency. It was a snug fit, but it would pass under scrutiny.
Meanwhile, Lucas plundered the monster cores from the dungeon monsters
Andre stood watch, gripping a sword tightly, his senses alert for any last-minute surprises.
Minutes later, they reached the dungeon's exit a swirling vortex of dark energy, pulsing ominously.
Lucas hesitated before stepping through. "Are you sure we won't be exposed?"
Siman placed a hand on his shoulder, his grin unwavering. "Don't worry. I have a way to guarantee our safe exit."
Lucas exhaled, steadying his nerves. "Alright. Let's open the gate."
And then, they stepped through.
The world shifted. The moment they emerged, they were met with an overwhelming sight.
A massive crowd had gathered outside the dungeon journalists, hunters, government officials. Their gazes locked onto the three survivors with an intensity that sent a chill down Lucas's spine.
But that wasn't the true horror.
The screams came first.
A woman clutched her head, eyes wide with terror. "No… No, this isn't real!"
A man fell to his knees, sobbing. "M-Mom?!"
Another person gasped, voice trembling. "My deceased brother? H-How is this possible?"
Panic spread like wildfire. People pointed, screamed, cried faces contorted in shock and horror.
Lucas felt his heart pound against his ribs. What the hell is going on?!
He turned sharply to Siman, who stood there grinning completely unfazed by the madness around them.
Lucas grabbed his arm. "Siman. Explain. Now."
Siman chuckled, his golden eyes flashing. "This is my skill… Eye of Truth."
Lucas's breath hitched. "Eye of Truth…?"
Siman's smirk widened. "It lets people see the truth hidden behind reality. Right now, they're seeing their dead loved ones."
Lucas's stomach twisted. "You're telling me… everyone here is hallucinating?!"
Siman nodded. "Not hallucinations. Truths."
Lucas clenched his fists. "This isn't truth. This is madness."
The crowd grew more frenzied. Some ran forward, reaching out as if trying to touch the spectral images of their loved ones. Others screamed in terror, backing away as if confronted by ghosts.
The sheer chaos sent a shiver through Lucas's body.
This wasn't just a simple trick. This was warping reality itself.
Andre drew his blade slightly, his eyes darting around. "Lucas, we need to move. Now."
Lucas gritted his teeth. He's right. This is spiraling out of control.
But before he could say anything, Siman raised his hand calm, composed, and completely detached from the hysteria unfolding around them.
"Instant Teleportation… Nine times."
The world distorted. A heartbeat later, they vanished leaving behind a screaming, confused, and utterly broken crowd.
---
The world twisted, and for a split second, Lucas felt as if his body had been torn apart and reassembled in an instant. His feet landed on solid ground, but his mind still reeled from the teleportation.
A gust of wind hit him, carrying the scent of the city gasoline, food, and the faint trace of rain.
He blinked.
They were standing atop a skyscraper, overlooking the neon-lit expanse of the metropolis. Streets stretched endlessly below, speckled with moving vehicles and wandering pedestrians. Billboards flashed advertisements, their glow reflecting off the glass buildings that towered over the city.
Lucas exhaled, his heart still racing from the sudden shift in location.
"Did you see my ability?"
Siman's voice broke the silence, smug and dripping with amusement.
Lucas turned toward him. The guy stood near the edge of the rooftop, hands in his pockets, eyes glinting mischievously.
"What do you think?" Siman asked, tilting his head.
Lucas stared at him for a moment, analyzing every detail the relaxed posture, the smug expression, the unwavering confidence.
His thoughts churned.
This guy is insane…
That was an undeniable fact. The ability to teleport multiple times in an instant, combined with his eerie Eye of Truth skill, made him a terrifying opponent.
But what if he wasn't an enemy?
Hmm… What if I make him my friend?
The idea formed in Lucas's mind like a spark in dry wood.
If I can keep him close, I could use him.
Andre still needs to get stronger, and if Siman helps him hunt monsters, Andre will level up faster. And the stronger Andre gets, the stronger I'll become as well.
It was a perfect strategy.
Lucas was still lost in thought when Siman suddenly clapped his hands together.
"Alright, enough dramatic rooftop staring. Where's your home? We need to rest."
Lucas blinked. "Umm…" He hesitated, feeling an uncomfortable tightness in his chest. "I don't have a home."
Siman frowned. "What? Are you joking?"
Lucas shook his head. "No, I'm not joking." He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "And we actually need money to stay at a hotel."
Siman groaned, rolling his eyes. "Of course we do. Fine, give me a second."
Before Lucas could respond, Siman vanished.
It wasn't teleportation like before it was something faster, sharper. One moment he was there, the next he was gone, as if the air itself had swallowed him.
Arush of wind signaled Siman's return.
In his grasp were seven wallets.
Lucas's eyes widened. "…What the hell?"
Siman grinned and casually tossed them onto the ground. "Hmm… I just borrowed them."
Lucas knelt, picking one up. He flipped it open and found a thick wad of cash. A ridiculous amount, actually. The next wallet contained even more.
He inhaled slowly. This guy is completely crazy…
Andre stared, his expression unreadable. "…You stole them."
Siman gave him a mock gasp."How dare you? I'd never steal. I merely… liberated them from their overburdened owners."
Lucas closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Right. Of course."
He had no idea what kind of moral compass Siman operated on, but at the moment, he wasn't going to argue. They needed a place to stay.
Lucas pocketed the cash, then glanced at Andre. "Let's go."
And with that, they descended from the rooftop, merging into the city's endless pulse.
The streets were alive with movement. The trio walked at a steady pace, blending into the sea of pedestrians.
Lucas found himself lost in thought again.
Something about this moment felt strange.
He was walking alongside a thief with SSS-like abilities and a friend who had stuck by him through everything.
What the hell am I doing?
His entire life had been about surviving about making it through the next battle, the next encounter, the next meal. But now, things were shifting. He had a plan. A real one.
He glanced at Siman. The guy was casually whistling as if he hadn't just caused mass hysteria a few hours ago.
Lucas exhaled. Yeah… he's insane.
But perhaps, in this world, insanity was exactly what he needed.