Chapter 200: SHADOWS IN THE DUNGEON

The moment Logan stepped inside, the tense atmosphere shifted a little. Some hunters frowned at his presence, their mood sour, especially Leonard. But not everyone felt that way. Gideon’s party, for example, looked almost relieved to see him.

Ali noticed Logan too, and a small look of satisfaction crossed his face. But instead of focusing on him, Ali turned toward Noah.

“Good, Noah. You and Emily are here,” Ali said firmly. “You and I will try to bring down the wyvern boss. Emily, your job will be to treat any civilians or hunters as quickly as possible.”

Noah and Emily exchanged a glance, then answered together without hesitation. “Sure.”

Ali gave a sharp nod. “Then let’s not waste time. I believe everyone understands the plan clearly. Move out toward the east, where the dungeon break began. Best of luck to all of you.”

He hadn’t even finished speaking before the hunters rushed out, their boots echoing across the hall as they scrambled to leave.

As Logan prepared to follow, Leonard suddenly stepped in front of him. His eyes were sharp, his lips curled into a sneer.

“Aiden,” Leonard spat, his voice low and mocking. “Today, you’ll see just how big of a mistake you’ve made.”

Without waiting for a reply, Leonard strode out, his sneer still plastered on his face. Lucas followed right after, throwing Logan a mocking grin as he disappeared with the rest of their party.

Seeing Leonard speaking to Logan, Gideon’s party quickly stepped closer, ready to stand by him if things turned ugly. But Leonard only threw his words and left in seconds, giving them no chance to say anything.

Melissa’s eyes, however, caught something different. She tilted her head at Logan and pointed at his face. “What happened to your old mask? This one looks… way more imposing though. And kind of interesting too.”

Before Logan could answer, Gideon cut in, his tone sharp. “This isn’t the time for that. Let’s move.” He turned to Logan, his eyes narrowing slightly. “You’re coming too, right?”

Logan gave a firm nod.

“Of course.”

Within minutes, the guild hall was completely empty. Only Elizabeth remained behind her reception desk, watching silently as the last hunters disappeared.

Outside the gates, dust clouds rose into the sky. Some hunters galloped on horses. Others drove wagons. Entire parties moved together, all rushing east toward the dungeon break.

Logan was about to climb onto Gideon’s wagon with the rest of the party when a voice called from behind.

“Aiden. You’re coming with me.”

Logan turned and saw Ali waiting inside a large, sturdy wagon. Inside, Noah and Emily were also seated beside him.

Ali glanced at Gideon and spoke calmly. “I’ll be taking one of your members. I trust you don’t mind.”

Gideon shook his head quickly. “Of course not, Guildmaster.”

Among Gideon’s party, Lilith was also there. Her eyes flicked toward the wagon, spotting Noah and Emily inside. She raised a hand, giving a small signal, almost asking if she should come too.

But Emily met her gaze and gave the slightest shake of her head saying no.

Lilith only shrugged, saying nothing more. To her, it didn’t matter who she traveled with. All she wanted was the thrill of the fight.

Soon the march began. The sound of hooves thundered against the dirt, wheels rattled, and bodies swayed with each jolt. Yet every face carried the same thing—grim determination. All of them surged east, toward the dungeon break.

Inside Ali’s wagon, Noah finally broke the silence. “Guildmaster, you and I are going to face the wyvern. Emily will handle the injured on the way. But then… why bring Aiden along?”

Emily had the same question on her mind, though she kept quiet.

Ali’s eyes stayed forward, his voice calm but heavy. “When the time comes, you’ll understand. For now, trust me. That’s all I ask.”

Neither Noah nor Emily pressed further.

They both knew Logan was strong, talented beyond normal standards. But just how strong he really was… that, they didn’t know yet. Even Gideon’s party didn’t know the entire truth.

In this life, the only one who had some bit of an idea about Logan’s true power was Ali. And that was exactly why he had chosen to bring him. For the fight against the wyvern.

_______

Inside a dungeon….

A human-faced monster knelt before a towering beast. It was the same creature Logan had fought the other day, the one that wore Nolan’s face.

The giant creature’s voice rumbled, deep and cold. “How is the progress? We need an S-class hunter for our next trial. Make it fast.”

“Yes, Master,” the monster replied, bowing lower. “I have already released the barrier of a dungeon. The wyvern has been starved for a long time. It will surely draw our prey.”

“It better be so,” the giant creature growled, its voice sharp with fury. “Or else your fate will turn worse than death. Last time you failed completely, defeated by just an A-class hunter. Do not let such blunders repeat. Now tell me… how much longer before the S-class dungeon barriers can be broken as well?”

The human-faced monster trembled, bowing lower. “Master, we are close. Just a few more years and enough spiritual energy will gather to shatter the S-class dungeon’s seal. Once that happens, we will no longer need to wait. When the creatures within are unleashed… none will escape our grasp.”

“Good,” the giant beast snarled. “Now go. And make sure today’s mission succeeds.”

The monster lowered its head and left the deep layer of the dungeon. It moved steadily toward the entrance, but suddenly…

its dark, glowing eyes flickered strangely, almost… human. Again.

Its knees buckled, and it collapsed to the ground, clutching its chest in agony. Through gritted teeth, it whispered, broken and strained, “I must inform him… I must inform the master…”

Its hand slid slowly down its chest to its abdomen. A faint glow sparked beneath its skin, until finally, something emerged, a sphere the size of a clenched fist. Dense. Pulsing. Overflowing with power.

If Logan could have sensed it, his eyes would have widened in sheer disbelief.

It was spiritual energy.

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