Chapter 5: Dungeon raiding; Wolf king

The forest thickened as the group ventured deeper. Leaves rustled beneath their boots, and tree branches scraped against their armor and cloaks. The morning sun barely filtered through the canopy, casting streaks of gold and shadow over the adventurers.

Jin trudged behind, breath ragged and muscles aching. The pack slung over his shoulder felt like it weighed a hundred bricks. He had no armor, just worn sandals and plain clothes. But he didn't complain—not once. He was determined to prove himself.

They soon reached the base of a mountain range. Between two jagged ridges lay a wide cave entrance, half-hidden by drooping vines. Cold air wafted from within, chilling Jin to the bone.

"Alright, this is it," barked the team leader—a burly man clad in dark metal armor. His presence was commanding, his deep voice sharp. "We'll rest here briefly before entering the dungeon."

Jin blinked.

Dungeon?

He had signed up for a simple forest hunting expedition, not a dungeon raid. But no one else looked surprised, so he kept quiet and dropped the heavy pack onto the ground with a dull thud.

Sarah walked over, brushing leaves from her cloak.

"You okay?" she asked, her eyes scanning his pale face.

"We're going into the dungeon. First time?"

Jin nodded. "Yeah... but I'm ready."

She studied him—the worn sandals, the shaking arms, the exhaustion. Yet in his eyes was a fire. Determination.

"Stay close to me," she said gently. "Let us handle the fighting. Don't try to be a hero."

"I won't get in your way," Jin said quietly.

Moments later, they stepped into the cave. The entrance swallowed them in darkness. Only the soft glow of enchanted lanterns and dim moss lit the winding path. The air was heavy, moist, and filled with the faint stench of beasts.

The descent didn't take long.

A low growl echoed from deeper within, making Jin freeze. Several glowing yellow eyes appeared ahead.

[Enemy Detected]

Name: Wind Wolf (x6)

Level: 1

Element: Wind

Talent: Speed

The wolves emerged slowly—lean, agile creatures with pale green eyes and fur that shimmered faintly in the dark.

But then, from deeper in the cave, a heavier thud. A massive wolf padded forward, each step deliberate and full of authority. Its white mane rippled like wind-touched snow, and green eyes locked onto the group with primal focus.

[Enemy Detected]

Name: Wolf King

Level: 3

Element: Wind (Level 2)

Skill: Roar (Lv.1)

Passive: King's Aura (Lv.1)

"Battle formation!" the leader commanded, his voice instantly turning cold and precise. "I'll take aggro. Sarah, keep healing. Fire Mage, don't hold back. Archers—go for their legs. Let's go!"

He slammed his foot down.

"Taunt: Iron Pulse Roar!"

A wave of energy rippled outward, drawing the wolves' attention like a magnet.

Sarah's voice followed, soft and steady as she chanted.

"Blessing of the Grove…"

Green light wrapped around the leader's armor like a living shield.

The Fire Mage stepped up next, flames swirling around his hands.

"Raging Fireball!"

A blazing orb roared through the air, slamming into one of the wolves. The creature yelped, its fur singed as it skidded backward.

Two archers moved into position.

"Take the shot," one muttered.

Twang. Twang.

Two arrows pierced the air—fast, deadly. Two wolves collapsed before they even reached the group.

The leader crouched and slammed both palms into the ground.

"Earth Defender!"

The earth rumbled, and a stone wall erupted between the team and the remaining wolves, forcing them into a tight corridor—a choke point. Perfect.

The remaining wolves snarled and lunged, but their wild charge was met with steel, flame, and arrows.

Jin stood behind the formation, eyes wide, chest pounding.

This isn't a game. This is real… but it's just like what I imagined.

The regular wolves fell one after another, their bodies sprawled across the stone floor. And then… silence.

Only the sound of labored breathing and distant dripping remained.

But the Wolf King stood tall, completely unfazed. Its aura blanketed the cave in thick, suffocating pressure. It stepped forward once—slow, powerful, unshaken.

A chill ran down Jin's spine. He couldn't move. Could barely breathe.

So this is fear. This is real fear.

Then the system chimed in:

[System Notification]

Party of Host has slain: Wind Wolf ×6

Gained: +250 EXP

Obtained: 6 Wind Element Fragments

[Level Up]

Current Level: 2

Jin blinked.

I... leveled up? Already?

His heart swelled with emotion. This was his first step toward power. But the thought vanished as fast as it came.

The Wolf King raised its head—and howled.

The sound wasn't just loud. It shook the walls, echoed through the stone, rattled their bones. With a blur of motion, it launched itself forward—fangs bared, eyes murderous.

The real battle had just begun.