Students were making their way towards their classrooms. Some looked half asleep, others were looking energetic and fresh. I wonder what kind of activity they do at night to look like that.

Meanwhile, I was on my way to illegally leave the academy and head towards the dungeon. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

I suddenly stopped in my tracks and looked at the travel bag resting over my shoulder. ’Why am I carrying it around like a fool? I have a goddamn storage ring.’

As I approached the main gate, two academy guards immediately stepped forward. "First years aren’t allowed to go out."

I took out the silver key from my ring, the moment they saw it, both guards straightened slightly. The earlier arrogance turned into respect. "Authorization confirmed. You may pass."

The gates opened and I passed through them. This key was handed only to senior professors and the barrier didn’t record those who had the key.

The moment I stepped outside the barrier, I slowed down for a second. This was technically my first time going out. I put my hands into my pockets and started walking toward the nearest rail station.

The streets became more crowded the closer I got to the station. Several senior students passed by while talking excitedly.

"I heard an A-rank hunter cleared a dungeon alone last week."

"No way, seriously?"

"My brother said the northern territories are becoming more dangerous lately."

A small child nearby tugged excitedly on his father’s sleeve while pointing toward a group of armored hunters entering a restaurant. "Dad, I wanna become like them when I grow up."

The man laughed heartily before patting the child’s head. "Then study hard first before dreaming about fighting monsters."

I quietly looked away. I scanned the child and found out he was destined to stay as a mortal. Some people just weren’t made for greatness.

The mana rail station looked massive from the outside. I made my way inside and bought a ticket. A giant holographic screen above the station displayed the latest news.

[Dungeon Activity Increasing Across Northern Regions]

[Government Requests Additional Hunter Support]

[Three Demon Worshippers Arrested Within The Capital]

Demon worshippers. Even after living in this world for weeks, hearing things like that still felt surreal sometimes. I boarded the train before taking a seat near the window. I liked enjoying the scenery while travelling. The journey continued smoothly till I reached my destination.

Several hours later, I finally stepped off the train near the northern mountain region surrounding Velmora City. Cold wind brushed against my face. Compared to the capital where the academy was, this place was almost like a ghost town. A few hunters gathered near the station while discussing monster sightings nearby. Most people avoided traveling deeper into the mountains unless necessary. This area was very dangerous.

The deeper I traveled into the mountains, the quieter everything became. I reached the place where I would now need to climb. So I took out my climbing gear and started climbing. I’m not strong enough to just jump and reach the top. My mastery over Nine Void Steps is still low.

"Finally." I reached the top and immediately activated the Nine Heavens Eyes.

Pale blue light flickered across my vision before I immediately noticed something hidden between two massive cliffs.

"Hahaha... found it. Love you my eyes." But the closer I got to the dungeon, the more I felt something was wrong. My instincts screamed at me to run. But my curiosity won and I stepped inside the dungeon.

The deeper I walked, the worse the feeling inside my chest became. "There is something definitely wrong with this place..."

According to the novel, this dungeon was relatively simple. A few corrupted beasts, a hidden reward and nothing more.

Suddenly Something in the darkness moved. A creature lunged toward me without warning. I instinctively stepped sideways using Nine Void Steps before slashing Eclipse across its body.

Slash

Black blood splattered across the floor. The creature screamed violently. "Screeeee"

My expression stiffened immediately. "...What the hell?" The creature looked humanoid, but twisted beyond recognition. But the worst part was, it was difficult to kill. Even after losing one arm, the creature kept attacking like it couldn’t feel pain like a zombie.

More footsteps echoed deeper within the tunnels. Then more creatures started appearing. I tried to scan their information with my eyes but I couldn’t. Something was blocking my ability here.

Cold sweat slowly trickled down my neck. This wasn’t part of the plot at all. I’m getting scammed.

The following hours became increasingly worse. The deeper I descended, the stronger the creatures became. Some were agility types and were the hardest to kill.

By the time I reached the final chamber, my breathing had become uneven. My body ached all over. Several cuts covered my arms while blood stained parts of my uniform. I tightened my grip around Eclipse while staring at the massive door standing before me.

My instincts screamed at me to leave immediately."...I came this far already. I need my reward for all this hardwork." My eyes turned bloodshot as I pushed the door open.

I froze from what I saw "...Impossible." Because standing at the center of the chamber was a demon covered in chains. Red hair fell loosely across its pale skin, covered in black markings while chains wrapped around parts of its body. His crimson eyes slowly opened and landed on me.

Then, it smiled. That smile sent chills down my spine instantly.

"...A human?" the demon said softly. The voice echoed throughout the chamber..

My grip around Eclipse tightened unconsciously. This wasn’t supposed to happen. There was NEVER a demon here in the original story.

BOOM.

An overwhelming pressure exploded from its body instantly. My knees gave out. Too strong, I can’t fight him. This thing was far beyond anything I could currently fight.

The demon suddenly vanished. My instincts screamed. I barely activated Nine Void Steps in time as black claws tore through the space where my head had been moments earlier. The wall behind me exploded instantly.

I immediately tried to counterattack it. Qi surged through Eclipse as I swung toward its chest with everything I had.

CLANG.

The blade struck its arm and stopped completely. Not even a scratch. My eyes widened slightly. The demon looked mildly surprised before slamming me across the chamber.

BOOM.

Pain exploded through my ribs as my body crashed violently into one of the pillars. Blood spilled from my mouth.

"...Weak," the demon muttered while slowly walking toward me.

’Damn it. I should’ve just stayed at the academy.’ I tried forcing my body up again, but every movement sent intense pain through my body.

The demon raised one hand. Dark energy gathered around its claws.

I closed my eyes and waited for my death. I really miss Luna.

BOOM.

I opened my eyes and saw that I was still alive.

"Hmm..What’s that?" A sword coated in mana crashed directly into the demon and forced it backward several steps. The chamber trembled violently.

Then footsteps echoed behind me.

"...A demon inside a hidden dungeon." The voice sounded very familiar. I slowly looked at the new figure that arrived. "Well...This is troublesome." I muttered.

The hero of the story Kael Ashbourne had arrived.

’What the hell is he doing here? And what is up with this protagonist level entry and timing.’