Chapter 7: Zero?!

Early morning light filtered through the windows of Kara's spacious apartment, the remnants of the brainstorming session from the night before still scattered on the coffee table. Maps, dungeon data, and notebooks lay strewn about, a testament to the intense planning.

Zero stretched lazily as he stood by the window, gazing at the city skyline. Kara, already dressed in casual yet sharp attire, sipped on her coffee with her usual air of confidence.

"Alright, slowpoke," Kara said, setting her mug down. "You ready to gear up? If you're serious about going solo, we need to get you equipped properly."

Zero smirked, already dressed and eager. "You're acting like I've never held a sword before."

Kara shot him a look. "You've held a sword, sure, but not in my world. You're about to face monsters with claws sharper than steel and hides tougher than your ego. So yeah, you're getting proper gear."

With that, they headed out, the bustling streets of the city alive with activity. Their destination was one of the association's high-end shops, a place reserved for hunters to purchase weapons, armor, and other essential equipment.

---

The moment they stepped inside, the atmosphere shifted. Rows upon rows of gleaming weapons and intricately designed armor filled the space, each piece practically humming with mana.

Zero couldn't help but feel a little overwhelmed as he took it all in. "This… this is incredible."

Kara smirked, clearly enjoying his reaction. "Welcome to the association's hunter-exclusive shop. Only the best of the best here. Try not to touch anything unless you want me to explain why you suddenly owe someone a small fortune."

Zero chuckled nervously but kept his hands to himself.

A sharp-eyed clerk approached them, bowing slightly in greeting. "Hunter Kara, it's an honor to have you here. How may we assist you today?"

"I'm here to gear him up," Kara said, gesturing to Zero. "He's just starting out, so nothing too crazy. F to D-class range, but durable."

The clerk's gaze shifted to Zero, his expression neutral but polite. "Understood. Right this way, please."

---

They were led to a section tailored for lower-class hunters, though the quality of the items was still leagues ahead of anything Zero had seen before. Swords, daggers, shields, and lightweight armor lined the walls, each piece labeled with detailed stats and enchantments.

Kara crossed her arms, watching as Zero examined the options. "Don't just grab the flashiest thing. Look for balance. You need gear that complements your speed and adaptability."

Zero nodded, his fingers brushing over the hilts of several swords before stopping at one that caught his eye. It wasn't the largest or the most ornate, but something about its simplicity resonated with him. The blade was sleek and well-balanced, with faint runes etched along its surface.

"What about this one?" he asked, holding it up for Kara to see.

She tilted her head, inspecting the blade. "Mana-forged steel with basic reinforcement runes. Lightweight, good for quick strikes. Not bad for a beginner."

Zero grinned. "Perfect."

They continued selecting gear—light armor designed for mobility, a sturdy shield, and a utility belt equipped with potions and tools. By the time they were done, Zero looked every bit the part of a hunter.

---

As they made their way to the counter, Kara leaned in close, her voice low. "Now remember, Zero. Just because you're geared up doesn't mean you can take on the world. Stick to the plan, and don't do anything stupid."

Zero smirked, adjusting the sword at his hip. "Don't worry, Kara. I'll be careful. Besides, I've got the best mentor in the business."

Kara rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the faint smile tugging at her lips. "Flattery won't save you from monsters, but nice try."

---

With the gear purchased and Zero properly equipped, they left the shop and headed toward the guild's designated dungeon. The sun was high now, casting its warm glow over the city as they walked.

As they approached the dungeon, Kara slowed her pace, turning to Zero. "Alright, this is where we part ways. I'll be waiting out here while you raid. Remember what we discussed last night. Stick to your level, conserve your energy, and always watch your surroundings."

Zero gave her a confident nod. "Got it. See you on the other side."

With that, he stepped into the shimmering portal, the faint hum of mana surrounding him as he disappeared into the dungeon.

Kara crossed her arms, her gaze fixed on the portal. Though she appeared calm, a subtle tension lingered in her posture.

"Don't screw this up, Zero," she murmured to herself. "You've got potential… don't waste it."

The sun rose over the guild's central base, bathing the towering building in golden light. Kara stood near the dungeon's entrance, arms crossed, her cold gaze fixed on the shimmering portal. She was waiting, her posture calm yet commanding, a stark contrast to the flurry of activity from guild officials around her.

Zero had entered the dungeon alone, as they'd agreed, and Kara had promised to wait for him. It was supposed to be a simple F-class dungeon raid—an easy run for her boyfriend to build confidence and experience. But nothing about Kara's life was ever simple.

"Kara," a sharp voice interrupted her thoughts. She turned, her face unreadable as she recognized the approaching figures. Several guild higher-ups, led by Dorian, the head of operations, marched toward her with grim expressions.

"What now?" Kara muttered under her breath, her irritation masked by a neutral demeanor.

"Kara," Dorian began, his voice a mix of frustration and forced politeness. "We need to talk about your... excessive favoritism toward this Zero individual. Letting him into guild dungeons like this is—"

"My decision," Kara cut in, her voice icy. "And you're questioning it?"

"It's not about questioning your judgment," Dorian replied, though the sweat forming on his brow suggested otherwise. "But as an S-class hunter, you hold a significant position in this guild and the nation. You can't just bend protocol for a—"

"A what?" Kara's voice sharpened, her eyes narrowing.

"A lowly porter," Dorian finished, though his tone faltered under her glare.

The air grew tense as guild officials shifted uncomfortably behind him. Kara's reputation wasn't just built on her power but on her presence—a force of nature that could make even seasoned politicians and guild leaders second-guess themselves.

"You think I don't understand the weight of my position?" Kara stepped forward, her voice steady and cutting through the tension like a blade. "Do you think I'd endanger this guild, this nation, for no reason? Or are you implying that my choices as the strongest hunter in this country are less informed than yours?"

Dorian hesitated, but before he could respond, the air around Kara shifted. A faint ripple of mana pulsed outward, subtle yet impossible to ignore.

The overseers standing nearby instinctively stepped back, and even Dorian swallowed hard. Kara wasn't just talking now—she was reminding them exactly who they were dealing with.

"You seem to have forgotten why this guild thrives," Kara continued, her voice low but carrying undeniable weight. "It's not because of your politics or protocols. It's because I stand on the frontlines, ensuring the safety of this nation. And I don't need your permission to support someone I believe in."

As if to punctuate her words, Kara raised her hand. A controlled burst of mana erupted from her palm, spiraling into the sky before dissipating. The sheer precision and power left no doubt in anyone's mind. She could level this entire area if she wanted to—and do it effortlessly.

Dorian's confidence wavered, his face pale. "Kara, this isn't about doubting your strength. It's about—"

"It's about control," Kara snapped, cutting him off again. "You're scared because you can't control me. You think you can dictate my choices because it suits your political agenda. But let me make one thing clear—"

She stepped closer, her eyes locking onto Dorian's. "I am not just a hunter. I am the reason you have a guild to sit in and debate politics. If you doubt me or my decisions again, I'll show you exactly what happens when I stop playing nice."

The silence that followed was deafening. Dorian and the other officials looked like they wanted to disappear, their earlier bravado shattered.

"Now," Kara said, her tone returning to an almost casual calm. "If you're done wasting my time, I have more important things to focus on."

Without waiting for a response, she turned back toward the dungeon, her gaze softening slightly as she thought of Zero inside.

The officials exchanged uneasy glances but said nothing further. Kara's display of strength and authority had left no room for argument. They knew now, more than ever, that crossing her was a dangerous game.

As Kara resumed her watchful stance by the portal, she smirked faintly. Let them think twice before challenging me again.

For now, her focus was solely on Zero. She trusted him to handle himself, but she was ready—always ready—to step in if the need arose.

Before Kara could fully relish the aftermath of her display, the world around her shifted. The subtle hum of mana emanating from the dungeon portal suddenly turned discordant, warping into something darker, heavier.

The dungeon she had been calmly watching began to change. Its shimmering, bluish aura twisted into a deep crimson, pulsating ominously. Kara's sharp eyes widened in recognition, her chest tightening as the scene unfolded. This wasn't just a dungeon anomaly—this was something far worse.

The overseers, still recovering from Kara's earlier show of power, froze in place, their faces turning pale as they watched the portal's transformation. One of them managed to stammer, "That… that aura… it's mutated."

Kara's breath hitched, memories of the first time she had encountered such a sight flashing through her mind. It was during the Rift Crisis, when the skies tore open, and monsters of unimaginable strength poured into the world. The crimson aura was a telltale sign of a dungeon mutation—and not just any mutation.

"Class shift," Kara muttered under her breath, her voice steady but laced with tension. She clenched her fists, trying to keep her composure. "From F-class to…"

"B-class," another overseer confirmed, his voice trembling. "Or worse."

Kara's heart sank. Zero was inside.

Before anyone could react further, the portal shimmered violently, releasing a shockwave that pushed everyone back a step. Kara instinctively raised her arm to shield her face, her mind racing.

"Seal the area!" she barked, her authoritative tone snapping the overseers out of their daze. "No one goes in or out until I say so!"

"But Hunter Kara, if it's a B-class now, shouldn't you—"

"I know what it is!" Kara snapped, her voice cutting through the chaos. "But I can't get in."

The overseer looked at her, confused. "What do you mean?"

"The mutation," Kara said, her tone grim. "It's locked the portal. No one above its new class level can enter."

Realization dawned on the group. The dungeon's defenses were designed to prevent higher-tier hunters from interfering once a mutation occurred, ensuring the integrity of the challenge within. It was a cruel mechanism, one that left those inside to fend for themselves.

And Zero was one of them.

Kara's nails dug into her palms as she stared at the crimson portal, frustration boiling beneath her calm exterior. She had let him go in, confident it was an F-class dungeon, something he could handle. Now, the stakes had changed entirely.

The overseers around her whispered nervously, unsure of what to do. Kara ignored them, her mind racing through every possibility, every potential way to break through the dungeon's lock.

But before she could act, her communicator crackled to life. A familiar voice filled the air.

"Hey, Kara," Zero's voice came through, calm and almost playful despite the situation.

Her heart jumped. "Zero! Are you okay? The dungeon mutated—"

"I noticed," he replied, cutting her off. "The monsters look a little tougher than I expected, but… I think I can handle it."

"Zero, listen to me," Kara said, her voice firm but tinged with worry. "This isn't a joke. B-class monsters are no joke. You need to—"

"I've got this," Zero interrupted, his tone steady. "Trust me."

Kara clenched her jaw, torn between her instincts as a hunter and her emotions as his girlfriend. "Don't do anything reckless. I'm right here. If anything goes wrong—"

"It won't," Zero assured her. "Just… wait for me."

The line went silent, leaving Kara staring at the portal, her fists clenched.

For the first time in a long while, she felt helpless. But even so, she knew one thing for certain: if anyone could defy the odds and come out stronger, it was Zero.

Inside the Dungeon

Zero felt the ominous shift in the atmosphere as soon as the dungeon mutated. The faint hum of the air turned into a heavy, oppressive silence, broken only by the occasional echo of distant growls. The glow of the dungeon walls shifted to a sinister crimson, bathing the rocky interior in an eerie light.

He clenched his sword, assessing the situation. Before he could take another step, a thought struck him. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his communicator, quickly dialing Kara's number.

The device connected almost instantly, and Kara's voice came through, filled with urgency.

"Zero! Are you okay? The dungeon mutated—"

"Hey, Kara," Zero interrupted, keeping his tone calm and almost playful despite the situation.

Her heart jumped at the sound of his voice. "Zero, this isn't funny. The dungeon mutated into a B-class! Do you even understand what that means? The monsters in there—"

"—look a little tougher than I expected," Zero cut in, his voice steady. "Yeah, I noticed. But I think I can handle it."

"Zero, listen to me," Kara said, her voice growing firm but tinged with worry. "This isn't a joke. B-class monsters are no joke. You need to—"

"I've got this," Zero interrupted again, his tone unwavering. "Trust me."

Kara clenched her jaw, torn between her instincts as a hunter and her emotions as his girlfriend. "Don't do anything reckless. I'm right here. If anything goes wrong—"

"It won't," Zero assured her. "Just… wait for me."

The line went silent for a moment. Then Kara sighed, her worry evident. "Fine. But you'd better come out of there in one piece. I'm serious, Zero."

Zero chuckled softly, his confidence unwavering. "I'll be fine. See you soon."

He ended the call, slipping the communicator back into his pocket. Taking a deep breath, he adjusted his grip on his sword, the crimson glow of the mutated dungeon casting long shadows across his determined face. The growls grew louder, reverberating through the cavern, as if the dungeon was taunting him.

"Alright," Zero muttered to himself, stepping forward into the unknown. "Let's get to work."

As Zero stepped deeper into the dungeon, the atmosphere grew heavier, the air thick with a sense of foreboding. The walls seemed to pulse with life, a subtle shift in the mana surrounding him. His senses were on high alert as he prepared for the next challenge.

Suddenly, a sharp ping reverberated in his mind. The system had activated again, and a new mission alert flashed across his vision.

Ding!

New Mission: Subjugation – S-Class Dungeon

Objective: Defeat the Dungeon's Guardian and clear the area.

Time Limit: Unlimited

Rewards:

Skill Book: Unknown Skill

Unlock: System Exclusive Skill – Appraisal

Zero blinked in surprise as he read the rewards. A skill book? That was a rarity, and the idea of unlocking an appraisal skill sent a thrill through him. Being able to see the true value and potential of items or monsters could change everything. It could open up opportunities for growth and give him a significant edge in battle.

He steadied his breath, shaking off the excitement for a moment. No time for distractions. He still had a dungeon to conquer.

"Guess I'm in for a hell of a ride," Zero muttered, his hand tightening around the hilt of his sword. With a steady resolve, he pushed forward into the dungeon's depths, ready to face whatever lay in wait.

Outside the dungeon, Kara paced back and forth, her eyes locked on the ominous entrance. Despite Zero's confident words during their call, she couldn't help but worry. The dungeon's sudden mutation into a B-class was no small matter, and every second felt like an eternity as she waited.

Just then, her communicator buzzed again, snapping her out of her thoughts. She quickly checked the device, and her brow furrowed as she saw the caller ID: the Hunter Association. With a deep breath, she answered the call.

"This is Kara," she said curtly.

"Kara, this is Riven," a familiar voice came through, sounding urgent. "We've got a situation. There's been a dungeon break reported nearby—C-class, but it's dangerously close to a populated area. We're mobilizing hunters to contain it, and we need your help."

Kara's jaw tightened. A dungeon break this close to the city was a disaster waiting to happen, but she couldn't just leave. Her gaze flickered back to the dungeon entrance where Zero had entered. He was still inside, navigating the mutated dungeon alone.

"Kara?" Riven pressed when she didn't respond immediately. "We need an answer. The break is already spilling monsters into the outer districts."

Kara took a steadying breath, her mind racing. She had a duty as a hunter, and the lives at stake in the dungeon break couldn't be ignored. But Zero… Could he handle this dungeon on his own? She clenched her fist. He had asked her to trust him, and she had seen the determination in his eyes. For now, she would have to believe in him.

"I'll handle it," Kara said, her voice firm. "Send me the location."

"You'll have backup on the way," Riven added. "But we'll need you to take point."

"Understood," she replied, ending the call and immediately turning toward her gear.

Before leaving, Kara glanced one last time at the dungeon entrance. "You better stay alive in there, Zero," she muttered under her breath. "Because when I get back, I'll be waiting to chew you out for this stunt."

She didn't waste another second, activating her movement skill and disappearing into the distance, ready to face the new threat.