The team pressed deeper into the ruin path, their boots grinding against the old moss-caked stones. The forest canopy grew heavier with each step, letting through only thin, silver threads of light. Their breath fogged faintly in the cool, stagnant air as shadows dripped down the cracks of the ancient path like blackened ink. The further they walked, the quieter the forest became—until the rustle of their movements was the only sound left.
There was nothing. No monster. No carcass. No echo of anything that lived.
And the more emptiness they encountered, the heavier the team's steps became.
Go Taewoo kept glancing left and right, his brows furrowed into a deep knot.
This is wrong… he thought, hands tightening on his spear until his knuckles paled.
Ruin path is never this quiet. His shoulders twitched at every brush of wind through leaves. Something should've shown up by now.
Anything.
Han I-Seul walked with her lips pressed into a thin line, irritation simmering beneath her breath. Her arms swung sharply at her sides, not because she was relaxed but because she was trying to shake off the growing unease that crept up her spine like a cold hand.
Tch… are we really wasting time walking through nothing? she thought bitterly.
This is boring… no—worse. This feels wrong.
Leo, trailing close behind Zhao Xinglian, clutched the hem of her shirt tightly. His head drooped, eyes flicking nervously at the cracks between stones as if something would slither out any second. Why is it so quiet? he thought, throat tightening. Why… doesn't anyone else say anything? Every creak of leather or rustle of gear made him flinch.
Teddy walked in silence, his steps calm but slower than usual. He wasn't unnerved in the same way as the others—but he felt the weight of it all.
If the world goes this still, he mused quietly, it means something's waiting. His fingers idly grazed the edge of his spear, a small habit he had before a fight.
The team's once-alert movements dulled. No one kept perfect formation anymore. Their breathing grew louder, heavier. The forest's silence was beginning to feed their fatigue and sap their spirits.
Then—after what felt like a dragged-out eternity—they reached it.
At the very end of the ruin path, framed by jagged stones and crawling ivy, an entrance yawned open before them. A wide archway of blackened stone, its surface half-devoured by roots and moss, leading into a dim, unnatural darkness.
No carvings, no lights, no whispers of life—only the steady exhalation of cold air seeping from within.
The team froze. The oppressive emptiness snapped into a sharp, almost electric tension.
Wolf's eyes narrowed. Without a word, he swept his gaze slowly across the entire area—corner to corner, tree to tree, ground to sky. His movements were deliberate, precise. Then he stepped forward and crouched slightly, brushing his fingers lightly over the cracked earth, feeling for vibration or trace. His other hand rested on his machete as his eyes glinted faintly beneath the muted forest light.
"…This entrance," he finally said, standing back up, "is the only thing here."
He turned to the team. "We'll rest first—before going in." He lifted a hand and pointed at the gaping archway.
Taewoo's eyes widened slightly. His pulse spiked before he stepped forward, spear haft clacking lightly against the stones. "Captain—wait!" he blurted. "What if… what if it's a dungeon? What if once we go in, we can't get out until we… y'know… do something first? Like—like kill a boss or something!" His voice cracked at the end, betraying the flicker of genuine fear beneath his bravado.
Wolf paused, eyes half-lidded. He didn't sense any overwhelming hostility or killing intent from the entrance.
Hm. I don't sense anything bad from it, he thought, gaze narrowing at the dark threshold.
But… Taewoo isn't wrong. His hand flexed lightly against the hilt.
Going in blind right now isn't a smart move.
His expression didn't change as he turned slightly to face Taewoo. "That's how humans progress, isn't it?"
The words landed like a clean, unexpected strike. Taewoo blinked—momentarily stunned. Wolf's calmness always carried an edge that made people forget to breathe for a second.
Wolf continued, "We'll go only as far as we need to confirm what it is. If it is a dungeon, I'll stop." His eyes shifted back to the rest of the group, steady and sharp. "And as for Taewoo's concern…"
He let his gaze linger on the boy for a breath, then turned away. "We're going to need a volunteer. Or… should we vote?"
His words sliced through the low morale like a sudden blade.
Han I-Seul's body stiffened; her once-lazy slouch straightened as if someone had poured cold water down her spine. Leo's eyes flew open wide, his grip on Xinglian's shirt tightening painfully. Zhao Xinglian herself shivered—a tiny, involuntary tremor that passed through her shoulders before she clenched her fists to still it.
Teddy's calm face finally shifted—his eyes narrowing slightly, expression no longer placid but alert.
Taewoo was the first to break the silence. He raised a shaky hand, pointing straight at Leo.
"Well… if we're voting… then I'm voting that boy."
The boy flinched as though struck. His shoulders jerked; his small frame trembled violently. Before he could even respond, a firm hand landed on his head.
Teddy.
Teddy's gaze wasn't loud or angry—it was cold, razor-thin, and locked on Taewoo.
The weight of that look was enough to silence the forest itself.
Go Taewoo's breath hitched. Goosebumps crawled over his skin. And then—something else.
Wolf's hand clamped around his arm!
It isn't hard enough to hurt, but firm enough to freeze the blood in his veins.
Wolf's faint smile wasn't warm. It was soft… but cold. A smile that made the back of Taewoo's neck prickle like the air before a storm.
"Now now," Wolf murmured lowly, "we still don't know if we'll need to vote. Why did you jump to that conclusion?"
Taewoo's voice cracked. "I—I'm sorry, sir…" He lowered his head immediately, his voice shrinking to a nervous whisper.
Wolf released his arm, the faint warmth of his hand leaving a lingering chill.
"So," he said, raising his voice just enough for everyone to hear, "anyone want to volunteer to test if there's a barrier—or anything—to block the way out? Regardless of what's inside."
The silence stretched tight.
Then—one hand rose.
Teddy.
"I'll be the volunteer," he said simply, voice steady, not a hint of hesitation.
Wolf clapped lightly once. "Alright, we got our volunteer. Teddy."
He stepped closer and gave a light pat on Teddy's shoulder, his gaze meeting his with the kind of respect that wasn't spoken aloud. "Don't go far. Come back quickly. Understood?"
"Yes." Teddy nodded without a second of doubt.
Wolf's voice dropped to something softer—but still firm. "…Good luck. Come back alive, Teddy."
A warm smile flickered across Teddy's face. "Yes, I will."
He turned toward the entrance, but before stepping in, a small voice called out behind him.
"B-be safe… mister," Leo stammered, his voice trembling but sincere.
Teddy turned back. His usual calm face softened with warmth as he reached down and gently patted Leo's head. "I promise I'll come back alive."
Then he faced forward again. His steps were deliberate as he approached the black maw of the ruin entrance. The cold air grew sharper around him. He crossed the threshold slowly, disappearing into the darkness—until not even the outline of his body could be seen.
The rest of the team stood frozen in the still air, their breaths shallow, the forest once again holding its breath with them.
The forest fell into a brittle silence after Teddy vanished into the darkness.The kind that didn't just mute sound—but devoured it.
Everyone seemed to hold its breath. Every leaf trembled soundlessly. Even the faint wind died, leaving only the soft, uncertain rhythm of the team's breathing.
Wolf leaned with his shoulder against a thick, crooked tree, its bark cold and rough against the fabric of his uniform. One boot pressed casually against the root as if he had no concern in the world, but his gaze—sharp and unwavering—never left the black archway. His arms folded loosely across his chest, fingers tapping lightly against his bicep, counting seconds without thinking.
I-Seul's lips pressed together, then parted with a low sigh that sounded too loud in the quiet. "Captain," she finally spoke, her voice carrying a nervous flutter beneath its bratty tone, "we're just… going to wait like this?"
Wolf turned his head lazily, his gaze locking on her like a blade settling against skin. "You got a better idea? Hm?" His tone was calm—almost gentle—but it carried an unmistakable weight that made her shoulders stiffen.
I-Seul clenched her fists slightly, shifting on her feet, trying to gather something that resembled confidence. "…You know," she muttered, her voice softer now, "it just… feels wrong."
Before Wolf could respond, Taewoo's voice cut in—sharp, restless. "Then why didn't you raise your hand and volunteer earlier, huh?"
I-Seul's head snapped toward him, eyes flashing. But Taewoo didn't let her get a word in. His voice climbed louder, words spilling out in a rush—half fear, half accusation. "Right. You were scared. Just like the rest of us. But Teddy—he still went in there for us. For all of—."
"For all of us. Yes. He went in there for all of us."
Wolf's voice cut the air like a blade dragged across frozen glass.
The air between them froze instantly. He wasn't loud—but the cold finality in his tone snuffed out any further protest.
"So why aren't you being grateful," he added, eyes narrowing just slightly, "and shut your mouth to preserve your energy?"
I-Seul looked away, jaw clenched. Taewoo dropped his gaze after a brief glare, muttering something too quiet to matter.
Wolf didn't spare either of them another glance. His focus had already slipped back to the entrance… and to Zhao Xinglian.
She hadn't said a word. Her fingers fidgeted faintly with the hem of her gloves, but her expression remained still—a fragile mask that didn't reveal what was stirring beneath. Her eyes, however, flicked between the entrance and Wolf's face with restrained unease.
A shadow stirred beyond the archway.
Wolf straightened slightly. The tension that hummed low in the group suddenly snapped tight.
Then—a figure emerged from the blackness.
"Teddy," Wolf muttered under his breath.
The moment Teddy's boot hit the light, everyone's breath seemed to be released at once. He stepped out, completely unharmed, no invisible barrier or trap holding him back.
Wolf pushed himself off the tree, closing the distance with quick, purposeful strides. "So," he asked, voice steady, "what did you find?"
The others instinctively drew in closer. Their eyes clung to Teddy like vines.
Teddy exhaled through his nose, his voice uncertain but clear. "…I think it's an ore mine."
"…Ore mine?" Taewoo whispered, blinking rapidly.
Ore mine…? Wolf's brow furrowed slightly. Are we hitting a jackpot?. But something like that wouldn't be left alone. There's always a catch. His thoughts moved quickly, like knives sliding into place.
Teddy continued, and his voice shifted slightly—tightening. "But I also found a monster. I think it's a boss that guards the area… and behind it, I saw a door."
Wolf's head tilted faintly. "A door?"
"Yes," Teddy nodded. "An iron door. There's a symbol etched on it. My guess—it's sealed. Probably opens after we defeat the boss."
The word boss made something subtle stir in everyone's expression.
Taewoo's jaw tightened. His knuckles whitened on his spear. Boss…? Just like that?
I-Seul's brow knit, her weight shifting from one leg to the other as she bit the inside of her cheek. Yeah… I knew this was coming. I knew it.
Xinglian lowered her head just enough that her eyes were half-hidden under her bangs, a faint tremor fluttering through her hands before she clenched them into fists. Iron door… symbol… what kind of thing is waiting down there?
Leo… Leo didn't care about the door or the mine. His wide eyes locked only on Teddy. He's safe… thank god… The boy's fingers were still trembling, but his breath finally came out in small, shaky bursts instead of choked gasps.
Wolf's hand came up, thumb and forefinger slowly stroking his chin. "Describe the boss's appearance," he said, tone sharpened into command.
Teddy didn't hesitate. "It's very big. Half the height of the cavern. Its skin looks gray, but I don't think it's stone. More like… scales. Hard ones. It's… standing still for now, but it looks strong."
The faintest exhale escaped Wolf's chest—relief flickering briefly across his features like a shadow passing light. Not a monster beyond their reach. At least, not yet.
He straightened, voice calm and cold. "We'll go in. I want to see it with my own eyes before making a decision."
Taewoo's eyes widened, disbelief splashing across his face. "Wha—wait, what?!"
I-Seul shook her head gently, almost as if she had expected this exact outcome from the beginning. Her mouth curved into a tired, bitter smirk.
Xinglian didn't say a word; her unreadable expression stayed fixed, but her fingers twitched against her thigh.
Leo's small body stiffened. The boy bit his lip so hard it turned pale, his fear painted all over his face.
But not for himself.
But for Teddy.
Teddy, however, didn't flinch. He stepped past Wolf, crouching down until his eyes were level with Leo's. His gauntleted hand rested softly on the boy's shoulder.
"You're going to stay at the entrance, okay?" Teddy said gently, voice carrying a calm warmth that cut through the tension. "If you see anything weird outside, run in. If you see us coming back, get out first. Understood?"
Leo nodded quickly—once, twice, then more, his hair bouncing slightly with each nod.
Teddy rose back to his feet and turned toward Wolf. "Captain! Leo won't go down there with us. He'll stay to guard the entrance. Do you approve?"
Wolf's gaze settled on Leo for a brief moment. The edges of his faint smile tugged up just a little—satisfaction flickering through his eyes before it faded back into his usual cold calm.
"I approve," he said. "In fact, I already planned to leave him here in the first place."
His hand slid down to rest on his machete, tightening his grip until the worn leather creaked softly under his palm. He inhaled slowly, a quiet, measured breath—then exhaled with the kind of steadiness that could silence a room.
He stepped to the front, standing before the black archway. Behind him—Taewoo, Teddy, I-Seul, and Xinglian formed up. Their postures were stiff, but their eyes burned with focused light.
Wolf turned his head just enough that half his face was visible to them. His voice was steady. Unyielding.
"All right," he said. "Let's go in. Everyone."
And so they followed his lead, their boots crunching against the stone as they stepped into the darkness of the ore mine—leaving Leo alone at the entrance, sitting quietly, hands gripping his knees, waiting for their return.
The forest outside gave no answer. Only the soft wind returned, curling around him like a whisper.
The descent into the depths was quiet but tense, their boots sinking into the damp earth as the tunnel narrowed and bent into unseen curves. Every few steps, small fragments of gravel crackled beneath their soles, echoing softly against the cavern walls like whispered warnings. The air down here was heavier—cool and damp, but laced with a faint metallic tang that lingered in the lungs like cold smoke.
Teddy, walking at the front, held his weapon loosely in one hand, glancing back every now and then to make sure the rest followed. His shoulders were slightly hunched, the movement of a man who'd been here before and remembered exactly what lay ahead.
Faint bluish light began to seep through the darkness as they pushed deeper. The source revealed itself soon—veins of ore threaded through the cavern walls, faintly pulsing with a ghostly luminescence. It wasn't bright, but it was enough to make the damp surfaces gleam and cast rippling shadows along their faces.
The group instinctively slowed down, their breathing syncing with the faint dripping of moisture from the ceiling.
Wolf brushed his hand against the wall as they passed, the ore faintly warm beneath his fingertips—strange, considering how cold the air had become. His eyes narrowed as they moved forward, the dim light painting lines across his cheekbones. Something's different down here…, he thought, his jaw tightening.
Teddy's steps came to a halt at the edge of a slope. Below them stretched what looked like the remains of an abandoned ore mine—support beams rotten and cracked, old tracks half-buried beneath dust and ash. A few broken minecarts lay overturned, their rusted metal biting into the earth like skeletal remains.
But their attention wasn't held by the decay—it was what lay at the end of the path.
The tunnel opened up into a chamber that didn't belong here. A white room—a perfect, rectangular space built into the earth like something surgically implanted. Its smooth, pale stone walls reflected the ore-light faintly, creating an eerie glow. Torches burned in silent symmetry along its edges, the flames still and steady despite the faint draft. And at the far end of that white domain… the boss waited.
The creature was vast, fifteen meters tall, sitting in a coiled, half-hunched posture like a predator biding its time. Its body was unnaturally pale, its limbs stretched too long, fingers grazing the floor. Ash-grey vapor leaked from its form, veiling it in a shifting haze that made its edges blur, as though reality itself rejected its presence.
"Down," Wolf hissed, voice low but sharp, and they immediately ducked behind a cluster of jagged rocks. The entire group held their breath, the sound of their heartbeats suddenly louder than the dripping around them.
"I think…" Teddy whispered, leaning closer to the edge of the rock, his lips barely moving, "…it only moves when we step into the domain."
Taewoo, crouched next to him, frowned, whispering back, "You mean… that white room?"
"Yes." Teddy nodded once, his expression hard but his voice trembling slightly beneath the surface. "I was right in front of it before. It didn't react at all. Not even an inch."
Wolf didn't answer. He was already pulling up his own status window, the faint interface reflecting against his eyes like glass. He checked once, twice, five times over, gathering each number, each word, each implication like assembling pieces of a blade in his head.
Name: Experiment 1966
Gender: ???
Race: Homunculus
Age: 216
Height: 15m
Class: Predator
Title: Ashveil Lurker
Lv. ???
Stats:
STR: 20 | SPD: 23 (+3) | AGI: 20 (+5) | STA: 23 | END: 25 (+2) | POW: ??? | LUCK: 20
Mental Stats:
INT: ??? | CHA: 2 | FORTITUDE: 16 | EVILNESS: ???
Alignment: ???
Active Skills: Silent Rend, Ash Siphon, Suffocating Haze
Passive Skills: Unbroken Veil, Wraithstep, Pale Hunger
Wolf exhaled slowly through his nose, the air leaving him like a hiss of steel drawn from a sheath. Twenty-three speed, twenty-five endurance… and those skills. His brows furrowed slightly, and he flicked his gaze down to his own status window.
Name: Anantawat Thiphavong
Gender: Male
Race: Human
Age: 23
Height: 178 cm
Title: First Looter, First Hand, The Brutalist, The Apex Feaster, The Hundredfold Hand
Lv. 8
Stats:
STR: 21 (+1) | SPD: 20 | AGI: 18 | STA: 19 | END: 20 (+3) | POW: 11 | LUCK: 14
Mental Stats:
INT: 18 (+3) | CHA: 15 (+3) | FORTITUDE: 20 | EVILNESS: 20 (+14)
Alignment: Evil
Active Skills: Red Tide
Passive Skills: Adaptive Nutrition, Artisan's Instinct, Analytic Sight
His lips tightened into a faint grimace.
Not too far apart. It is Homunculus? is it even possible to live that long…
but those skills. Silent Rend, a fast strike I think.
Ash Siphon,something about draining?stamina? maybe and Suffocating Haze… he glanced up at the smoke around the creature, …probably area control. And the passives—those are not making it any better. Unbroken Veil, Wraithstep… seem like it can move without being seen.
He felt a faint pressure behind his sternum—not fear exactly, but that sharp, cold awareness of danger. He drew a long breath, steadying it until the air filled his chest fully, then let it out slow.
Teddy was still watching him, his hands fidgeting with the edge of his weapon.
Taewoo's knee bounced slightly, betraying nerves he wouldn't voice aloud.
I-seul was too quiet, her eyes wide and fixed on the thing in the white chamber, while Xinglian stood a little behind, arms crossed, but there was a subtle tension along her jawline.
Wolf finally turned toward them, his voice low and deliberate. "We'll kill this boss."
Teddy's head jerked a little at the certainty in his tone. Taewoo's eyes snapped to him. I-seul flinched almost imperceptibly. Xinglian raised her chin slightly, like someone bracing against an oncoming storm.
Wolf raised his hand and beckoned them closer with two fingers. His movements were unhurried, firm, as though this decision had already been carved into stone. "Come here. I'll tell you the plan."