The New World
Two years had passed since the emergence of the system and the first dungeon raids that plunged the world into chaos. During humanity's darkest hour, when all hope seemed lost, one man rose to the challenge. His victories against impossible odds inspired the world, proving that the system could be humanity's key to survival.
Now, Players across the globe fought tirelessly to defend the world from the relentless threat of dungeons.
Within a high-rise building in Tokyo Midtown, an unexpected sight stood menacingly: a towering pillar-like structure, better known as a dungeon, now surrounded by a group of eager Players, all vying to be the first to raid its depths.
The dungeon had been barricaded around the perimeter, with officials ensuring strict control over who could enter. At the entrance, a checkpoint had been set up, resembling a small outpost. Officials there were diligently verifying each individual's identity before granting access to the dungeon grounds.
Amid the steady stream of Players lining up to enter, a young man stood out as he approached the checkpoint. He was dressed in the sharp uniform of a prestigious academy, exuding a confident aura.
When his turn came, he pulled out a sleek card with an intricate design—the unmistakable Player's License issued by the Adventurers Guild. The official took the card, inserting it into a scanner embedded in the checkpoint.
Beep!
The holographic screen above the scanner flickered to life, displaying the young man's details. The official's eyebrows raised in surprise as he read the information.
"Class A Rank Player," the official said aloud, his tone shifting to one of respect. He handed the card back to the young man with a slight bow. "The others on this raid are going to feel a lot safer knowing you're here."
The young man took the card and placed it back into his pocket with a confident smile. "Rest assured, you have nothing to worry about. With me here, success is guaranteed."
Behind him, murmurs spread through the other Players waiting in line.
"Isn't he a little too young to be an A Rank?" one whispered skeptically.
"Yeah, but look at that confidence," another added. "It's like he's already won before stepping inside."
As the young man stepped past the barricade and entered the dungeon's perimeter, a faint glow enveloped his body. In an instant, an ornate set of armor materialized around him, complete with intricate gauntlets that glimmered in the sunlight. His transformation drew gasps from the onlookers.
The young man adjusted the armor with ease, glancing at the dungeon towering above.
[Harpy Raid]
[Raid Difficulty]
★☆☆☆☆
Remaining Time: 00:01:30
---
As the system notification hovered above the dungeon, players remained calm, fully accustomed to the system's presence. Unlike before, when panic would ensue, every participant in the raid was now ready, prepared for whatever monster would emerge.
As the timer ticked down to zero, the tension in the air grew.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
[Dungeon Raid has started]
[Objectives]
Survive the waves
[Wave 1/3]
Defeat the Dungeon Boss
As the first wave of monsters emerged from the dungeon, a bird-like humanoid creature revealed itself.
A deafening screech echoed, its sound piercing through the air.
[COMMON HARPY]
[LVL. 5] [RANK E]
The harpies attacked, summoning powerful gusts of wind that prevented the Players from advancing.
The gusts sent debris flying and knocked players off balance.
Some of the Players shouted, "We can't move at all!"
"The wind is too strong!"
"How are we supposed to fight like this?"
"We're at a disadvantage—they have the high ground!"
Several players were sent flying, crashing into the barricades with a loud thud.
It was only the first wave, but they were already struggling.
Amid the chaos, one Player noticed a figure standing completely unaffected by the powerful gusts.
"Who is that? How can he stand firm in this wind?"
It was the A-rank Player.
As he stood there, unmoved by the storm, he glanced upward and clenched his fist. The sound of his gauntlet clinking echoed in the air as his grip tightened.
As he stepped forward, a quick burst of sound exploded in the air. In the blink of an eye, he dashed forward, leaping upward with his fist aimed at one of the harpies.
"Take this!" he shouted, his voice filled with determination.
Impact... Punch!
The punch landed with a resounding crash. The harpy was sent hurtling downward, its body plummeting like a lightning strike. The force of the blow left a deafening echo, and the harpy hit the ground with a thud that shook the very earth.
As he successfully take down the harpy, they earned experience points and a decent amount of gold.
[+500EXP]
[+10Gold]
The other harpies, momentarily stunned, halted their gusts of wind in confusion.
As he landed gracefully on the ground, he immediately dropped into a fighting stance, prepared for the next wave of attacks. His eyes scanned the battlefield, sharp and focused.
The other Players, now able to move freely, surged forward. The wind had calmed, and their confidence was renewed.
One Player, a mage, began chanting a spell, and with a flick of his wrist, a fireball shot toward the remaining harpies, lighting the air with a fiery explosion. Another Player, a lightning-wielder, summoned bolts of energy that arced toward the enemy.
Meanwhile, an archer, from the rear of the group, pulled back his bowstring and launched an arrow aimed at a harpy circling above.
But the battle was far from over. One of the harpies swooped down from above, claws outstretched, aiming for the A-Rank Player's head.
He saw it coming. With a quick sidestep, he dodged the strike, feeling the air rush past him as the harpy's claws missed by inches.
"Too slow," he muttered, grinning.
Before the harpy could recover, he thrust his fist forward. "Shockwave.. Punch!"
It send a shockwave impact that tore through the air with explosive force. The punch hit the harpy square in the chest, sending it crashing into the nearby barricade. The shockwave reverberated, knocking the other harpies back and creating an opening for the Players to advance.
"Nice shot!" a Player yelled as he charged forward, slashing his sword at one of the harpies that tried to dive down.
The A-Rank Player smirked, his confidence unwavering. "You guys better keep up," he called, his voice booming. "This is just the warm-up."
Another harpy lunged at him from above, but he was ready. He ducked under the harpy's claws, spinning in mid-air to deliver a powerful uppercut. The force sent the creature tumbling backward.
"Watch out!" one of the Players shouted as another harpy prepared to strike.
The A-Rank Player turned just in time, his gauntlet glowing as he slammed his fist into the air. A second shockwave erupted, blasting the harpy back, its wings flailing as it lost control and crashed into the ground.
With the harpies now reeling from his attacks, the other Players seized the opportunity. The archer fired another barrage of arrows, each one finding its mark as they pinned down the creatures in the air. The mage and lightning-wielder combined their spells, launching a storm of magic that tore through the remaining harpies.
The battlefield was alive with the sounds of battle—arrows flying, spells cracking through the air, and the sounds of swords clashing.
As the last of the harpies fell, the A-Rank Player stood tall, breathing heavily but unscathed. His eyes gleamed with determination, a confident smile playing on his lips.
[+500EXP]
[+10Gold]
"Not bad," he said, wiping his brow. "But we're just getting started."
As they finally cleared the first wave, a system notification appeared.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
First Wave Cleared
+1000 EXP
+500 Gold
A wave of relief washed over the group as the rewards flashed across their screens.
"Nice, that was easier than I thought," one Player said, letting out a small laugh as he checked his status screen.
"Speak for yourself," another grumbled, wiping sweat from his brow. "I nearly got my head taken off back there."
"At least we got decent rewards," a mage chimed in, gripping her staff tightly. She glanced at the gold counter in her inventory with a faint smile.
"Uh... uhm, thanks to the opening, Mr. A Rank. You really saved us there," the marksman said, blushing as she looked at him.
The group's chatter grew quieter as the other warrior asked, "Really? Who is this Player?"
The mage adjusted his glasses and pushed them up his nose. His tone turned serious. "That's Ryo Takeda, the youngest A Rank in Japan."
The name caused a ripple of murmurs among the Players. Some exchanged surprised glances, while others looked at him with newfound awe.
From Ryo's perspective, the scene unfolded in slow motion. He could feel their eyes on him, filled with admiration, curiosity, and perhaps even a little envy. This feeling was still new to him. Ever since he became a Player—and surprisingly one of the strongest—he'd started gaining attention he never expected. One thing was certain: he kind of enjoyed the spotlight.
Standing still, Ryo glanced at his gauntlets and flexed his fingers.
Damn, I feel a little nervous when they look at me like that, he thought.
His lips curled into a small, confident smirk.
But if I'm being honest... it kind of makes me happy.
He let out a laugh in his mind.
I guess this is how idols feel when they get attention from their fans.
His smirk stayed as he indulged in the thought, but he quickly shook his head to regain focus.
What am I thinking right now? Focus on the dungeon.
He opened his system menu with a quick command.
Menu!
[SYSTEM MENU]
▶ Player
▶ Equip
▶ Quests
▶ Collection
▶ Skills
▶ Inventory
▶ Map
✖ Hide Menu
Navigating through the menu, he tapped on Inventory to select a specific item.
[INVENTORY]
Item Storage:
Small Health Potion: [3]
Medium Health Potion: [2]
Small Mana Potion: [3]
Small Stamina Potion: [2]
Rations: [3]
Torch: [1]
Lockpick: [1]
Rough Cloth: [1]
He tapped Rations and selected the option to use it.
Rations [3]
[Use] [Detail] [Drop] [Sell]
As he used it, a notification popped up.
You recover 100 Stamina!
[350/500] "" [450/500]
Ryo straightened his posture and addressed the group. "Don't get too comfortable. That was only the first wave. The real challenge hasn't even started yet."
He let his words hang in the air for a moment, watching as some Players nodded while others fidgeted nervously. The tension on their faces was a stark contrast to his own calm demeanor.
Players exchanged nods and smirks, the tension momentarily lifting. Some began to stretch, while others reached into their inventories to grab potions.
But before they could relax…
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Next Wave Begins In:
00:00:59
The subtle hum of the countdown timer pulled everyone's focus back to the battlefield.
"Seriously? Not even a minute to breathe?" one Player groaned, readying his weapon again.
"Okay, here comes the next wave," a warrior muttered, raising his sword and steadying his stance in preparation.
Nearby, a mage tightened her grip on her staff, her eyes narrowing with focus. She muttered a few words under her breath, and faint wisps of magic began to swirl around her fingers.
An archer, standing further back, silently pulled an arrow from his quiver. With practiced precision, he set it onto his bowstring, aiming toward the dungeon's entrance.
The air grew heavy with tension as the Players braced themselves for what was to come. The faint hum of the countdown ticked ever closer to zero.
[Wave Start]
[Wave 2/3]
As the wave begins, the sky slowly becomes overcast with dark clouds, making the area feel ominous and foreboding.
From the dungeon, a variety of harpies emerge—some flying gracefully, while others casually walk out. However, these monsters appear far more menacing and powerful than before.
As the harpies flap their wings to stay in flight, each beat creates powerful gusts of wind, even though they have yet to initiate any attacks.
Suddenly, a piercing screech echoes through the air.
[COMMON HARPY]
[LVL. 10] [RANK F]
[ELITE HARPY]
[LVL. 15] [RANK E]
Meanwhile, the harpies on the ground, unable to fly, use their wings as arms and are equipped with swords, maces, and axes.
[HARPY WARRIOR]
[LVL. 20] [RANK E]
"Divine Shield!" the maiden chanted, casting a spell that boosted the defense of nearby players.
🔰 """🔰
With his defense enhanced, the warrior took his position at the front line.
He then used "Intimidate", causing the nearby monsters' attack power to decrease.
⚔️ """ ⚔️
Following up with "Taunt," he raised his massive shield, positioning it in front of him to block incoming attacks. The nearby monsters became aggroed and charged at him, their focus entirely on the warrior.
One of the Harpy Warriors rushed at him, but before it could strike, the Paladin Knight stepped forward.
"Heavy Thrust!"
With his enormous spear, the Paladin stepped back to form a striking stance. Then, with a burst of power, he delivered a devastating charging thrust.
The blow landed heavily on the Harpy Warrior, dealing massive damage. Though it wasn't enough to take it down in a single strike, it left the monster severely weakened.
Then the mage shouted, "Lightning Strike!"
A bolt of lightning struck the weakened Harpy Warrior directly, slaying it instantly.
"Let's keep using this tactic, and I guarantee we can finish this quickly," the mage said confidently.
The other players who watched their synchronized attack were amazed, leaving them speechless before cheering.
"Woah, that's GriffinRed members for you! They move differently, for sure. I hope I could join their guild."
Suddenly, a loud boom echoed, followed by smoke and dust from the other side.
As the dust cleared, it revealed Ryo in his stance after delivering an intense punch. He then stood up, clenching his fist.
"And this is my own strategy—just overwhelm them!" Ryo declared.
The mage from GriffinRed smirked. "He's definitely on a different level than us." He then called out to Hina, the maiden. "Keep buffing everyone!"
He shouted to all the mages and ranged players, "Let's keep supporting the frontliners!"
"Yes!" they all responded in unison.
Ryo then charged, leading the frontline.
As Ryo faced off against two Harpy Warriors, the one with a sword raised it high, and in an instant, a sword slash wooshed toward Ryo. But he easily maneuvered and dodged it, leaping upward to match the size of the Harpy Warrior.
"Urgh, take this!"
"The punch landed with a resounding crash," sending the Harpy Warrior slightly backward.
The other Harpy Warrior, about to swing a mace at his right side, was intercepted.
I can't dodge this.
Using the momentum from his punch, Ryo spun mid-air and struck the undodgeable mace, scattering it.
As he landed on the ground.
"How about this?"
he followed up with a 1-2-3 combo. Finally, with his footing secured, he charged up a punch, gathering wind into his gauntlet-covered right hand as he clenched his fist.
Im...pact... Punch!
The two Harpy Warriors were struck by a wave of impact, twisting in the air before being sent crashing into the dungeon walls.
On the other side, where the GriffinRed guild party was:
"Shield Bash!"
The warrior with the huge shield charged forward, the shield held in front of him like a battering ram. A common Harpy charged at him but was sent flying, while a Harpy Warrior tried to face him and was also sent flying backward.
The Harpy Warriors on the ground collapsed after being bashed by the warrior with the huge shield.
The Paladin suddenly crashed down, landing with his huge spear, stabbing it into the ground, striking the Harpy Warriors.
"Justice Crash!"
The landing crash was so intense it shook the area, slaying the Harpy Warriors caught in its wake.
The other players were also able to catch up with their own strategies.
Two warriors—a sword wielder and an axe user—teamed up with a fighter to take down a Harpy Warrior.
"Let's show them what we've got!" the sword-wielding warrior shouted.
"Okay, I've got your back!" the axe-wielding warrior replied.
"Let's go! We can do this!" added the fighter with determination.
They worked together to chip away at the Harpy Warrior's defenses.
The sword-wielding warrior faced off directly with the Harpy Warrior.
"Aaaah!" he yelled as their swords clashed in a fierce duel.
The sound of steel meeting steel echoed around them as they kept swinging, their blades locked in a heated exchange.
Meanwhile, the axe-wielding warrior spotted an opening.
"I got you! Aaaah!" he roared.
"Cleave Swing!" he shouted as he swung a heavy strike, landing his axe on the Harpy Warrior's arm.
The blade embedded itself deep, leaving the monster staggered.
The nimble fighter didn't waste the opportunity and followed up with a flurry of consecutive kicks and punches.
"Now take this! Round Kick and Fist Barrage!" the fighter exclaimed, his attacks overwhelming the Harpy Warrior.
The Harpy Warrior let out a screech as it weakened, its strength draining away.
As the Harpy Warrior fell to its knees, the sword-wielding warrior spoke with resolve.
"Even though we're just E-rank, together, we can be stronger!"
"Now take my final blow!" he shouted.
"Sharpen Stab!"
With a decisive move, the sword-wielding warrior delivered the final blow, stabbing the creature and finishing it off.
At the backline, where the mages, archers, marksmen, and support players were stationed, they continued to provide support to the frontline, dealing with the common Harpies and elite Harpies flying around on the high ground.
"Keep buffing our frontlines!" commanded the mage from the GriffinRed guild. "Make sure to keep covering them!" Acting as the team leader, not only for his guildmates but for all the players participating in the raid, he issued orders while actively joining the fight.
He pointed his staff at a flying common Harpy about to attack the frontline.
"Fireball!"
He fired three fiery projectiles—
Shoo! Shoo! Shoo!
The fireballs struck the Harpy, burning it and slaying it, sending its charred body plummeting to the ground.
A warrior who had nearly been attacked glanced back.
"Thanks! I didn't see that coming!"
The mage responded, "I got you! Just keep advancing!"
"Heal Blessing!"
A maiden cast a healing spell, restoring the health of the injured frontlines.
Shhh! Shhh!
The whistling sound of arrows being fired filled the air.
"Arrow Shot!"
Meanwhile, another player wielding a sniper rifle, a marksman, aimed at an elite Harpy.
"Piercing Shot!"
Thug! A loud shot rang out as the sniper's bullet struck true, taking down the elite Harpy.
They continued to fire from a distance, gradually thinning the monsters' numbers and providing critical support to the frontline.
The players demonstrated better teamwork and strategy as they faced the second wave of monsters.
However, among them, one player stood out, displaying an overwhelming level of skill and power.
He was already deep in the rear, fighting on his own.
Moving like a beast—quick and agile—he ran on all fours like a predator chasing its prey.
As he reached another Harpy Warrior, the creature swung its sword, aiming to cut him in half.
He ducked swiftly, dodging the attack with precision. His face and body were almost touching the ground. Then, with the strength in his legs, his muscles tensed and compressed like springs. In one powerful leap, he launched himself upward and landed a devastating uppercut, instantly decapitating the Harpy Warrior. His punch was far stronger than before.
As he glanced toward his next target, his body began to emit a red aura.
"Berserk Mode!"
⚔️ """ ⚔️
👟 """ 👟
🔰 """ 🔰
His speed, strength, and defense were all enhanced.
Whoosh!
With a burst of speed, he dashed toward his target at an incredible pace.
In the Harpy Warrior's vision, everything seemed to slow down. It saw the world spinning before realizing its body was separated from its head.
Ryo had twisted its neck in an instant, the sound of bones cracking as the Harpy Warrior's head detached from its body.
He used the lifeless body as a platform, leaping toward another target.
Clenching his fist, he brought it down on another Harpy Warrior's head, slamming it into the ground with immense force.
Crack! The ground beneath shattered from the impact.
One by one, Ryo relentlessly defeated the Harpies, leaving devastation wake.
[+1000 EXP]
[+50 Gold]
[+1000 EXP]
[+50 Gold]
[+800 EXP]
[+30 Gold]
[+1000 EXP]
[+50 Gold]
[LEVEL UP]
[LVL 33 → LVL 35]
As the wave finally cleared, leaving behind a trail of defeated Harpies, Ryo stood amidst the chaos. His body glowed with a red aura, his heavy breaths audible as his eyes gleamed with a predatory glint. He had showcased a devastating and overwhelming power that set him apart from the other players.
"Is he a monster? He sure went wild out there," one player muttered.
"Good thing he's on our side," another added.
"Glad we teamed up with him for this raid," remarked the mage from the GriffinRed guild.
"I need to recruit him into our guild," the mage thought silently, his eyes fixed on Ryo.
As Ryo calmed down, the red aura faded. He walked toward the other players, his thoughts preoccupied.
"I leveled up, finally."
The other players stared at him, their expressions varied—some looked frightened, while others gazed in admiration at his strength.
The mage from GriffinRed approached him cautiously.
"You're really something else. For a moment, I thought you didn't even need us here," he said with a nervous chuckle, extending his hand. "I'm Oto. I hope we can get along after this raid."
Ryo reached out and shook his hand. "Sure, but I'm not interested in joining a guild."
Oto laughed awkwardly, thinking to himself, "Damn it, he saw through me."
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Second Wave Cleared
+3000 EXP
+1000 Gold
The other players cheered.
"Yo, the rewards are getting better!"
"Yeah, but the next wave is going to be even tougher."
"Wait, that wasn't the final wave?"
Ding!
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
[FINAL WAVE]
Final wave begins in:
00:04:59
As the timer counted down, the players gathered together, sharing rations and water. They exchanged worried glances, discussing strategies and assigning roles for the upcoming battle. The weight of the impending confrontation hung heavy on their shoulders, but they knew they had to face it together.
Suddenly, another notification appeared.
[SYSTEM WARNING]
[DUNGEON BOSS WILL SPAWN IN: 00:00:30]