Two days had passed since Zokaro entered his first dungeon.
A case about missing people was opened, prompting the police to investigate. It turned out that the missing individuals had worked as hunters in one of the Dome Dungeons. The case files were soon handed over to the Supreme Guild.
A massive building belonging to the Supreme Guild — the Guild of Authority — came into view. Inside, there were several executives and trainees. The guild provided certain rights to hunters depending on their ranks, and it also coordinated with other guilds.
Kildar, the vice president, was a Rank A hunter — black-haired, sharp-eyed, with a perfectly balanced build. He was known for his skill in investigation and for secretly tracking hunters from the shadows.
Someone knocked on his office door.
Kildar turned his chair around and said:
Kildar: "Come in."
Employee: "Director Kildar, sir… I have an urgent report."
Kildar looked at him, his expression tense.
Kildar: "What is it? What's this report about?"
Employee (nervously): "To be honest, over a hundred and fifty people have died inside various dungeons. According to reports from their families and the police, they were hired as hunters and worked in the Dome Dungeon F. We searched through all guild records… but their names weren't listed among the registered hunters. In fact, based on their power levels, they shouldn't even qualify to be hunters."
Kildar grabbed the document and flipped through its pages.
Kildar: "Damn it… They've committed another heinous act — exploiting people below rank. But what could they possibly gain from all this?"
Employee: "Sir, there's another report. The surveillance cameras recorded two people leaving the Dome Dungeon, and right after that, the dungeon itself vanished. These are their files."
Kildar smirked.
Kildar: "If they survived, does that make them criminals? Proceed — bring them in."
The employee trembled.
Employee: "In truth, that may not be possible… According to our findings, one of them — Diaz — is under-leveled and clearly being exploited. His mother is in the hospital, and he has twin younger brothers, ten years old. Their father was a hunter who died in one of the Dome Dungeons. Now Diaz is the one supporting the family.
As for the other boy — his name is Zokaro. He's a university student majoring in Core Weapon Engineering."
Kildar set the report down on the desk, his gaze sharp.
Kildar: "First, make it clear that we never approved these individuals as hunters, and that their actions were illegal. Arrest the two remaining boys and put them in prison. If they resist, deal with them by force."
The employee hesitated, visibly shaking.
Employee: "I can't do that, sir. The university student… he's the son of Hunter Zarko. You know what that means — if you touch anyone from his family, he'll bring down an entire nation."
Kildar's expression shifted to one of grim seriousness. Having one of the elite-ranked hunters' sons involved made things troublesome.
Kildar: "Tell me — what's his son's power level?"
Employee: "According to the report, he's weak. Power Level 30… But the strange part is — he's the one who cleared the Dome Dungeon."
Kildar leaned back in his chair, smirking.
Kildar: "So he's hiding his true power… He might be elite-level. I'll investigate it myself — or I may have to inform the president. Angering that man, Zarko, would be the end of us."
Employee: "What about the other boy, Diaz?"
Kildar: "Yes, handle him. And if you ever encounter Zokaro, assess his level using the Ramees Scanner — it can reveal any hidden energy. If he's truly weak, arrest him. We already have all the evidence. Even if Zarko moves, he won't be able to do anything."
Employee: "Understood, sir."
The employee left the office. Kildar's face changed — his forehead wrinkled, the corners of his brows tightened downward until they nearly met. His eyes narrowed, pupils dilated. He interlocked his index and middle fingers from both hands, deep in thought.
Kildar (thinking): "Damn it… I should probably inform the president. This case might be beyond my reach."
---
Far away, in the city district of Calisfor, inside apartment number 38 — the home of Zokaro and his family.
Zokaro was eating lunch with great enthusiasm. His mother, Daliana, watched him in surprise.
Daliana: "Zokaro! Eat slowly — the food isn't going anywhere."
Zokaro smiled happily.
Zokaro: "It's delicious, Mom! You're the best cook in the world!"
His mother's face brightened at the compliment.
Daliana: "Thank you, dear. But still, eat slowly or the food might get stuck in your throat."
His father, Zarko, chuckled.
Zarko: "Let him eat as he likes. He must've been exhausted after his classes at the university."
Suddenly, Zokaro remembered something important he needed to tell his parents.
Zokaro: "Dad… can I work at the Dawn Guild? Maybe in excavation or weapon handling? I need some money."
His older brother turned to him, surprised.
Brother: "Why do you want to work? How much do you need? I can just transfer it to your bank account."
Daliana: "Isn't the allowance I give you enough? Do you really need more money?"
Zokaro sighed; he didn't know how to answer them, as he needed money to go on journeys to the small villages where wild monsters roamed, to eliminate them all and raise his level. After long thinking, he gathered his courage:
— Father, tell me... why doesn't your guild conduct patrols to eliminate dungeons from rank F to rank D?
Zarko was surprised by his question:
— Well, I'll answer you... If our guild monopolized all the Dome Dungeons, it would be exhausting for the hunters, and also a loss for the lower-ranked hunters. That's why every routine is assigned according to the guild's strength and the hunters it has.
With serious features, Zokaro said:
— I understand... and also, I want to work because I am no longer a small boy... one who should be supported by his family... but thank you. Also, brother, isn't your engagement day soon? You should save money.
Zarko laughed at Zokaro's words:
— I can't believe those words are coming from your mouth. Well, if you want to work, I'll arrange it for you, but are you sure you can handle it?
With sharp eyes filled with sparks:
— Yes, Father.
Zarko replied:
— Consider yourself starting tomorrow.
After long thinking, Zokaro said to himself:
— The winter vacation is near, according to what I read. Two days remain, and it lasts for two weeks. What if I take advantage of this vacation and go to raise my level... then I'll become stronger. But I need money. Should I ask for it, I wonder?
And from deep inside, Zokaro said:
— Father, can you lend me 50,000 Eloro? I'll go on a journey during this winter vacation.
Kairon laughed mockingly:
— You wanted to work, and now you're asking for 50,000 Eloro?
Zokaro froze, not knowing what to say, but he began to think financially:
— I have something I'll do with this amount.
Zarko smiled, saying:
— All right, no problem. I'll give you this money. It's been a long time since you last asked me for any.
Zokaro thanked his father and wanted to start preparing for the journey, for he also needed to buy some illegal Dome Dungeons.
---
The day passed quickly, and Zokaro was in his room. Then he decided to call Diaz and agreed to meet tomorrow to talk about entering the Dome Dungeon and searching for the Bow Stone.
After the day passed, in the early morning at 10:45, Zokaro left his house to meet Diaz at the café.
After a few moments, he arrived and saw Diaz waving at him from afar. Zokaro approached him, and they both sat down.
Diaz said to him:
— Hello, how are you... what will the journey be about, and where?
Zokaro smiled:
— It'll be a long journey, about two weeks. During that time, we'll deal with some illegal Dome Dungeon sellers. That's why we'll buy one, and then we'll enter the dungeon, you and I... do you understand?
Diaz was astonished:
— All right, I agree... but what about my brothers? I have to watch over them.
Zokaro thought deeply:
— Well, is there anyone in your family who can watch your brothers?
Diaz sighed, saying:
— I have my aunt, but she might refuse... she's greedy for money, and I don't think she'll like my brothers staying at her place.
With a cold look, Zokaro said:
— Fine, but money solves all problems... I have some money, and we'll use it for the journey too. Be ready after lunch. I'll handle everything. And don't forget to bring the equipment for collecting gem hearts, so we can make money from them.
With serious features full of confidence:
— I'm with you, brother... let's get ready to go. I forgot to tell you, did you hear the news? 150 people died inside a dungeon, all with fake hunter IDs, so they might be searching for us. I heard from someone that there were survivors — do you think they know anything about us?
Zokaro fell silent, his mind wandering:
— Damn it, if they discover us, we could be attacked by our own kind... that's why I think we must leave right away... I need to raise my level, and Diaz must also become stronger with the Bow Stone... that way, no one will defeat us if we unite our strength — we'll raise our rank to elite level.
With sharp eyes, Zokaro said:
— Listen, Diaz... we'll leave today. They might start investigating and hinder our plans... that's why let's go tomorrow.
Diaz was surprised:
— What, today... why? Is it because of what happened? Fine, let's move today then.
Zokaro stood up, ready to leave:
— Listen, Diaz, prepare your things, and I'll also get a car... let's start our journey. I'll rent one tomorrow.
Zokaro left the café, thinking about what was happening:
— Damn it, if the upper guild moves against us, we won't be able to face them at this level. I hope after this journey I can raise my level to the maximum, to become stronger and stronger than this.
---
Zokaro entered his home and began focusing on his travel gear, for he had to hurry. He started searching in a car rental shop for a vehicle suitable for a two-week journey. After arranging all his things, he set his first destination — a gate of rank E — which he had to face with all his strength.
In the evening, Zokaro went out and messaged his mother:
— Mom, I won't be home. I'll be away for some time.
Then he completely turned off his phone and went to the employee who delivered the car to him. Zokaro was happy that his counterpart in this world had a driving license:
— How I've always wished to drive a car... I was good at driving, but I never got the chance to pass the exam. Getting a driving license was too expensive.
Zokaro got into his car, heading toward Diaz's house. After arriving, he called him, and Diaz came out with his two brothers. They got into the car, heading toward his aunt's house.
After arriving, Diaz got out and went to his aunt's home.
Zokaro was watching everything from afar, as Diaz was begging his aunt to let his twin brothers stay with her for two weeks, but she refused his request. Zokaro got out of the car, carrying 7,000 Eloro, and approached her, saying:
— Hello, madam. You won't do it for free... there's an amount I'll give you, on the condition that you take care of them.
Diaz's aunt looked at him:
— And who are you, and how much will you pay?
Zokaro smiled coldly:
— 7,000 Eloro... that's a big amount for such a simple task for two weeks. But if you mistreat them during these two weeks, I'll end you.
Diaz's aunt trembled, her hands shaking, as she took the money:
— Don't worry, I'll take care of them for sure.
Both of Diaz's brothers stayed with their aunt, and Diaz and Zokaro continued their journey. Zokaro said to him:
— Don't worry, let's just finish some of the caves in the Dome Dungeon, and we'll return quickly. We might come back before a week passes. So let's go... one day we'll make our own money, and you'll also be able to take care of your family.
And thus, both Zokaro and Diaz began their journey to start their first dungeon. Zokaro's goal was to raise his level to become stronger and stronger than ever before.