I Ascend Alone-Chapter 77: Meeting The Strongest Hunters

I closed one eye, focusing on a distant tree that stood alone near the edge of the park. A few yards away, but far enough to be a perfect test.

I drew back the string.

A shadowy arrow of abyssal energy took shape.

No physical ammunition. No need for any. Just raw, dark power condensed into a single projectile.

I aimed, my fingers tightening on the string.

The arrow trembled.

Then, I released.

The arrow shot forward with incredible speed, leaving behind a trail of black mist in its wake. It struck the tree's bark, splintering it with a thunderous crack. The tree's trunk shattered, the force of the impact sending pieces of bark flying. The arrow embedded deep into the center of the tree, leaving a gaping, dark hole in its place.

I stood there for a moment, watching the remnants of the tree fall to the ground in chunks.

I exhaled slowly, the adrenaline still pumping through my veins. The sensation was different—faster, sharper, and more deadly than any physical weapon I had ever used.

I couldn't help but smirk.

This was more than just a bow. It was a weapon born of the Abyss itself. And it had just made its mark.

I turned my gaze toward the horizon, the feeling of power settling into me.

Now, I was ready.

-

The day of departure arrived quicker than I anticipated. The weight of the looming raid felt heavier now, not just because of the dungeon itself, but the realization of what was at stake. This wasn't just any raid—it was a mission that could determine the fate of City A, if not the entire world.

I stood in front of the mirror, dressed in my combat attire, adjusting my gloves. My weapons, the Bow of the Abyss Monarch and the Abyss Monarch's Daggers, were stored securely inside my System's Inventory, waiting for the moment they'd be needed. I had tested the bow the night before, but its true power was still a mystery. Something told me that soon, I'd find out exactly what it was capable of.

A knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts.

"Ryzen," Leon's voice came through. "We're heading out soon. You ready?"

I exhaled and opened the door. Leon stood there, arms crossed, already in his Black Valor combat gear. His usual confidence was there, but his sharp eyes held something else—concern? Caution? Maybe both.

I gave a small nod. "Yeah. I'm ready."

He didn't say anything at first, just studied me for a second before nodding back. "Good. Let's go."

Together, we made our way downstairs, where the rest of Black Valor and several other elite hunters had gathered. The atmosphere was thick with tension, the kind that only came before an event where lives would be on the line.

The Hunter Association had arranged a private jet for the S-rank strike force, ensuring a direct and secure flight to the United States. The moment I arrived at the private hangar, I was met with a scene of quiet tension.

Christa Vaughn stood near the boarding ramp, speaking with Darius Vaughn and Alastair Crowe, both of whom carried the weight of leadership in their gazes. High-ranking hunters, including the full Black Valor squad, were gathered in small groups, doing last-minute equipment checks or speaking in hushed voices.

I approached the jet just as Leon stepped beside me, rolling his shoulders.

"Everyone's here. Once we take off, there's no turning back," he said, his tone unreadable.

I gave a small nod. "I figured."

Christa spotted us and made her way over. "Took you long enough." She smirked. "Nervous?"

I let out a small chuckle. "Not exactly."

Her gaze flickered with something unreadable before she simply nodded. "Good."

Within minutes, final checks were completed, and we boarded the jet.

The private jet was massive, designed specifically for high-ranking hunters and officials. The seats were spacious, but the atmosphere was tense. No one wasted energy on idle conversation—this wasn't a casual flight.

I sat near the window, watching as Velmora faded into the distance. Across from me, Christa sat with her arms crossed, eyes closed as if meditating. Leon was reviewing something on his tablet, but every now and then, his gaze flicked toward me.

After a while, Christa finally broke the silence. "How do you think this will go?"

I glanced at her. "You mean the raid?"

She nodded. "We've all been in dangerous dungeons before, but this... an SSS-rank? The first in history? Even the strongest hunters don't know what to expect."

She wasn't wrong. The Abyssal Tyrant was still an unknown entity, and the dungeon's energy signature was unlike anything ever recorded. Even Alexander Graves—the Titan of Calamity—was taking it seriously. That alone spoke volumes.

I exhaled. "I don't know. But I do know one thing—if we hesitate, we're dead."

Leon finally looked up from his tablet. "That's the reality of it." His tone was firm. "No room for second chances. The second we step into that dungeon, we either adapt or die."

A heavy silence followed his words.

I leaned back in my seat, closing my eyes for a moment.

-

After hours of flight, the jet finally began its descent. Through the window, I could see our destination: a high-security Hunter Association base near the dungeon gate. Military forces surrounded the perimeter, and several aircraft were stationed nearby, ready for emergency deployment.

The moment we landed, the presence of S-rank hunters from around the world became immediately clear. Some stood in small groups, while others remained alone, analyzing the colossal SSS-rank gate in the distance.

As we stepped off the jet, a presence unlike any other caught my attention.

A figure stood near the landing zone, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. Alexander Graves—the Titan of Calamity.

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The moment I stepped off the jet, I felt it.

A suffocating pressure blanketed the air. An overwhelming force that demanded attention. It wasn't magic, nor was it the dungeon's influence.

It was Alexander Graves, the Titan of Calamity.

The world's strongest hunter.