Wooden Freak.

The forest inside the dungeon was unlike anything the hunters had ever seen. The trees were massive, their thick trunks towering impossibly high, casting deep shadows that swallowed the light. Their bark was dark, twisted, and pulsating as if alive. The air was dense and filled with an unpleasant, nauseating smell—a mix of rotting flesh and decayed plants. The eerie rustling of the leaves above and the distant echo of unknown creatures created an oppressive atmosphere.

"Everyone! Prepare for battle!" Miss Kim, the A-Rank healer, commanded sharply. Her voice carried authority, and the hunters quickly readied themselves. "Hellhounds are known for their sharp fangs and speed. Be cautious, or you'll regret it."

The tension was palpable as the growls of the hellhounds echoed through the forest. The ground trembled slightly as the pack of monstrous creatures approached. Their eyes glowed like embers in the dim light, and their dark fur was matted with blood and dirt. Their snarling revealed sharp, jagged teeth capable of tearing through steel.

Vanitas stood at the back, watching the hunters scramble into formation. He didn't lift a finger, his expression calm and detached, observing the chaos unfold before him. The battle began with a deafening roar. Swords clashed, magic spells crackled, and explosions lit up the shadowy forest. The hellhounds were relentless, lunging at the hunters with terrifying speed.

The hunters fought desperately, their shouts mixing with the creatures' savage howls. Miss Kim was at the center, her healing spells glowing as she patched up her teammates' wounds. Despite the hunters' efforts, they were visibly struggling. The hellhounds were more ferocious and resilient than expected. Their claws slashed through armor, and their acidic saliva melted weapons.

Vanitas tilted his head slightly, unimpressed. They're wasting their energy, he thought, his smirk barely noticeable. He didn't move, didn't join the fray. He simply observed. What the others didn't realize yet—what even he was starting to suspect—was that this dungeon wasn't normal.

---

The 5 Chaotic Dungeons

In this world, dungeons were ranked based on their threat levels, but five unique dungeons stood out from the rest. These were the 5 Chaotic Dungeons—dungeons with unpredictable and deadly mechanics that often spelled disaster for even the strongest of hunters.

The first was the Unstable Dungeon, where monsters of much higher levels than the dungeon rank would appear. Hunters were often trapped until the high-level threat was defeated.

The second was the Glitch Dungeon (GD). These dungeons were anomalies, where creatures from entirely different ranks could appear. It was a nightmare for hunters who thought they were prepared for a low-level dungeon, only to find themselves face-to-face with an A-Rank or higher threat. Worse, escape was impossible unless the boss was killed.

The third was the Broken Dungeon, an enticing yet deadly trap. These dungeons contained treasures of immense value—S-Rank artifacts, weapons, and crystals—but only one monster guarded the loot: the "Emperor of Treasure." Though it was a high-level threat, the rewards made it worth the risk.

The fourth was the S, SS, SSS Dungeon, or the Six S Dungeon, feared for its destructive power. These dungeons caused massive dungeon breaks if not cleared within seven days, releasing monsters into the outside world.

The last was the most mysterious and deadly of all—the Unknown Dungeon, appearing as a black portal. It was so rare that only one had ever been recorded, seven years ago, on the island of Ulleungdo in South Korea. Entire nations feared its reappearance, as no one knew what lay inside.

---

As the battle with the hellhounds raged on, Vanitas stood motionless, his hands in his pockets, his eyes scanning the forest. He could feel it—a thick, oppressive energy radiating from deeper within. "This isn't just a D-Rank dungeon… It's a Glitch Dungeon." he muttered.

Finally, the hunters managed to kill the last hellhound, but at a steep cost. They were drained, their armor and weapons battered, their bodies covered in cuts and burns. Some hunters fell to their knees, gasping for breath.

Miss Kim wiped the blood from her nose, the strain of healing taking its toll. "That was… tougher than it should've been," she muttered.

Vanitas remained silent, his sharp gaze focused on the forest ahead. He could feel it more clearly now—the presence of something powerful, something deadly. The others seemed oblivious, too caught up in their exhaustion to notice.

"Everyone, let's move forward," Clinton, the D-Rank with silver armor, ordered. His voice lacked its earlier confidence, but he tried to hide his fear.

The group pressed on, the forest growing darker and more oppressive with each step. The air became harder to breathe, the stench of decay stronger. The ground was uneven, littered with roots that seemed to shift and writhe.

"What is that smell…?" one of the hunters whispered, his voice trembling.

"It's like… rotting flesh," another replied, gagging.

"Miss Kim…" a D-Rank hunter stammered, pointing ahead.

In the distance, a figure loomed. It was tall and humanoid, but its body was made of twisted wood and branches. Its crimson eyes glowed with malevolence, and its claws, made of sharp wooden spikes, gleamed in the dim light. A green aura surrounded it, thick and suffocating. Its poisonous saliva dripped onto the ground, hissing and steaming where it landed.

Vanitas smirked, recognizing the creature. 'So that's what I was sensing… But this thing isn't worth becoming my servant. It's better to just take its skills and move on.'

The monster turned to face them fully, its movements slow and deliberate. The hunters froze, fear gripping their hearts. The creature's aura was overwhelming, pressing down on them like a physical weight.

"Everyone… run!" Clinton shouted, his voice breaking.

But it was too late.

The creature lunged, its spiked arms extending into long, whip-like vines. The first hunter didn't even have time to scream as the vines impaled him, lifting his body into the air before slamming it into the ground. Blood pooled beneath him as his life faded away.

The second and third hunters fared no better. One was devoured whole by the creature's gaping mouth, his screams muffled as sharp wooden teeth closed around him. The other was wrapped in vines, his body crushed as the monster absorbed his energy.

Miss Kim and Clinton, along with one remaining D-Rank, barely managed to retreat. Miss Kim's healing spells flickered as she struggled to keep up with their injuries.

"This… this has to be a Glitch Dungeon," she gasped, blood dripping from her nose. "We're all going to die here…"

"You there!" she shouted at Vanitas, who stood calmly in the middle of the chaos. "You're an F-Ranker! Get out of here before you're killed!"

Vanitas ignored her, his smirk widening. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his dagger.

"Finally, something interesting," he muttered.

The shadows beneath him began to shift and writhe. Slowly, three figures emerged, their forms dark and menacing. It was Shado, Vode, and Baruck, his shadow servants.

The remaining hunters stared in disbelief.

"What… what are those?!" Clinton stammered.

Vanitas didn't answer. His purple aura flared, radiating power.

"You three," he said, his voice cold. "Take care of it."

The shadow servants charged forward, their movements swift and fluid. The wooden creature roared, lashing out with its vines, but the shadows were too fast. They dodged and weaved, striking with precision and force.

Vanitas watched, his hands still in his pockets, as his servants battled the monster. His smirk deepened. "Let's see what you've got… newcomer."

---

End of Chapter