Prologue

(Year 2040–2045) The Era of Peace

For years, humanity thrived in an age of technological advancement and stability. The nation focused solely on economic growth, medical breakthroughs extended people's lifespans, and AI reshaped daily life. Crime rates declined, and wars became rare as a global alliance ensured peace between countries. Cities flourished with towering skyscrapers, clean energy, and advanced transportation, leading to a golden era.

Despite this progress, humanity remained unaware of the unexpected disaster—an event that would change people's daily lives and alter everything.

The Dimensional Cataclysm. 

Without warning, massive blue portals began appearing across the planet, spreading like wildfire. These portals, called dungeons, baffled even scientists, who couldn't explain their origin. At first, they were seen as ordinary portals, but soon, terrifying creatures emerged from them, slaughtering everyone in the city.

The governments attempted to resolve the calamity, but modern weapons were ineffective in containing the chaos.

Panic spread as the world's military forces struggled to hold their ground. Cities began to fall one by one, and humanity faced a crisis. However, after many years, something else awakened—magic.

In the middle of the crisis, some humans discovered unique abilities. These people, later called "Hunters," developed skills beyond human comprehension, wielding different elements of nature, enhancing their bodies, and controlling unknown forces.

To resolve the chaos invading Earth, the Hunter Association was formed, categorizing hunters into ranks from E (the weakest) to S. Dungeons became sources of both danger and opportunity. Some monsters held valuable resources that could strengthen hunters, and guilds emerged, competing for power, wealth, and influence.

Despite five years of fierce battles, humanity remained at risk. Dungeons continued to appear, spawning even stronger creatures, and the world's balance had changed forever.

Year (2050)

"Tuesday"

[VERMIRITH CITY]

*A-Rank Dungeon*

"You're always early, aren't you, Mr. Ares?" Cameron said with a smile, complimenting him. Ares bowed his head in response, a hint of shame flickering across his face.

"Boss, don't embarrass Ares you knew that he was the introverted person," one of the mining team said, confronting Ares's feelings.

While they are chatting, the hunting team has been coming out at the blue portal, and different hunters have shown up in a mage.

Who utilizes magical abilities by manipulating mana and attacking at a distance, and the tank is a type of hunter class that specializes in defense, utilizing their strong physical bodies to absorb damage and protect their team from attacks, and the assassin is a hunter class characterized by exceptional agility stealth and the ability to strike swiftly and accurately from the shadows.

"Get ready!" The leader of the mining team shouts, preparing their equipment for mining

after the hunting team had come out the mining began to proceed and entered the blue portal.

a large and dark place has been inside.

"Okay, we will split into 4 groups to finish this work as fast as we can," jayce commanded the leader of the mining team.

Then they prepared different tools, like a steel axe and a roller for placing mana crystals.

As they were walking in the cave, a mana crystal appeared side by side, and they began to collect it. A bunch of mana crystals is in it,

"Mr. Ares, don't hurt yourself, huh…" one of the mining team said, teasing Ares.

And the mining team laughed for a second as Ares's face slowly turned red. Feel embarrassed.

"Focus on your job, you fool guys!" The leader shouted, gazing at them.

"And you, Ares, don't push yourselves," because every day when they go back outside, Ares's hands are always trembling in pain due to tough the crystals are.

As Ares began, he placed both hands on the axe and began to collect the mana crystal as he struck that tough mana crystal.

"This crystal is hard to break," Ares thought as he broke apart the crystal.

Hours have passed as they entered the dungeon. The mining team today seems fired up since they collected a bunch of mana crystals in a short time.

"Seems we can go home early today, huh?" Gerald said, one of the mining team.

"Maybe due to how fast this team is," Bon replied, looking at the surroundings.

As Jayce noticed that the team had been finishing early, he decided to take a break to rest his teammate. "You guys take a break," he shouted to them.

as he said it, he saw Ares still smashing the crystal

"You, Ares, take a break now," Jayce said

"Sorry, I didn't hear you, sir," then he vowed to him.

"It's okay little brat, don't vow to me." Now take a rest.

"Yes, sir."

Then Jayce walked in right, and Ares walked in the opposite.

Ares sat at the side of the cave resting his hands, and then he took out the food that his little sister gave him.

"oh… a sandwich!" Ares glinted his eyes in the lunch box

He swallowed down his saliva before he bit into it.

*Munch

a soft bread and a delicious inside of it is roughly chewing in his mouth

While he's enjoying his meal, a thin sound he hears things.

His eyes widened after he heard it, a curious thought.

He stopped his meal for a moment and took a look into it, he stood up and looked in his surroundings, and he hadn't seen anyone.

His heart started to beat fast, and his curiosity and imagination began to grow; he thought that maybe an unleft monster was still alive.

Is anyone here?" He murmured. Maybe one of his team is still there because all of it is in another hole in the cave.

He walked towards his left side, where the sounds came from, and he let his eyes widen, scanning his surroundings and ready to run if there were beasts that appeared.

As he walked through the cave, he saw a glimpse of light as if a piece of broken mirror,

He came closer to it, and as he was near to that light, he saw a key in the ground.

"Oh, it's just a key," he mumbles, wiping his sweat from his face, and feels relieved.

After he saw it, he took it and took a moment to look.

He heard a monotonous female voice.

A blue screen appeared in front of him and texted.

A system notification appears on the blue screen.

[System Notification]

[You have acquired the qualifications to be a Player. Will you accept?]

[YES/NO]

As Ares pondered if he would accept it or his second option, ignored it and ran away to this, and as a minute passed, he carefully thought if this was a good decision that he would not regret

He carefully thought about whether this was a good chance to make his life better or just another fleeting opportunity that would slip through his fingers. 

It took a while, and he chose "yes," anxious about what the future would hold for him.

"Oh, God, if you are really real, please put some protection on me." Then he proceeds.

 Selected yes and the urgent quest has been showing up on the screen.

As Ares accepted being a player, the system gave him a task to complete as a requirement for being one.

[KILL 5 WEREWOLF]

[0/5]

Equipment:

 -Common: Pickaxe

As Ares saw the quest, his face turned pale, and his expectations were slid down, the moment he chose it, he thought that he would be granted a magical power or something that makes him stronger.

He's in tears, crying, and regretting his decision to become a player. He never thought this would happen.