The late-afternoon sun gilded the city's skyscrapers, but my eyes saw only the holographic map projected by my system. A red dotted route guided my steps toward an abandoned industrial area on the outskirts. [Daily Quest: Hunt 30 Shadow element monsters] [Progress: 0/30] [Time Remaining: 10:42:15] The Rift's entrance wasn't registered with the Hunters Association. Hidden beneath a decommissioned factory, its mana fluctuations were nearly imperceptible to ordinary detectors, but to my [Prime Devourer], the scent of dark energy was like a beacon in the darkness. I jumped through the hole in the concrete floor, landing softly three meters below. TAP. The surroundings changed instantly. The concrete walls gave way to a damp stone tunnel covered in thick purple mist. [You have entered the Unregistered Dungeon: Shadow Crypt (Rank C)] [Warning: Due to your affinity with the Shadow element, your attributes increase by 10% in this area.] I felt my senses sharpen. I drew the new tempered-steel dagger I'd bought on the way with the cores I'd earned from selling the last expedition's loot. SWOOSH! Two pairs of yellow eyes glowed in the mist. Quadrupedal beasts made entirely of liquid shadows and sharp teeth charged at me: Gloom Hounds (Rank D). They were fast, but to me, they moved as if they were underwater. I activated [Shadow Camouflage] and vanished from sight. The hounds froze, confused by the loss of their target. I appeared directly behind the first one. The dagger sliced through the air in a perfect arc, cleaving through the creature's head. CRACK! [You defeated a Gloom Hound!] [Activate Devour?] —Devour—I ordered mentally. Black mist gushed from my hand, consuming the beast's body before it could dissolve. [Absorption Complete!] [Agility +2] [Quest Progress: 1/30] The second hound tried to leap for my throat. I didn't even bother using the blade; I punched the creature straight in the snout, infusing the blow with the mana I'd absorbed. BOOM! The beast's body exploded into black smoke. [You defeated a Gloom Hound!] [Strength +2] [Quest Progress: 2/30] I spun the dagger in my hand and looked into the corridor's darkness, where dozens of yellow and red eyes began lighting up one by one. —Come on—I murmured with a crooked smile. —I'm hungry today.
Chapter 5: The Nameless King
Two hours later, the cave was utterly silent.