Chapter 2: The Path of a Hunter Begins

Chapter 2: The Path of a Hunter Begins

Aiden's heart still pounded as he stood over the corpse of the Lesser Nightfang. The adrenaline of his first kill surged through his veins, mixing with the strange warmth of his newly acquired skill.

[Ding! Skill Copied: Nightfang's Agility!]

His body felt lighter, more responsive. He flexed his fingers, testing his reflexes, and with a mere thought, he dashed forward—far faster than he had ever moved before.

He grinned. "This is insane."

The Chest System was real, and it had just given him a power he could never have dreamed of possessing before.

A New Mission Unfolds

Just as he was marveling at his newfound abilities, another screen materialized before him.

[New Mission: Clear a Low-Level Dungeon (Reward: Random Chest)]

Aiden's excitement dimmed slightly. A dungeon? Already? He had just barely managed to kill a Nightfang with luck and desperation. But hesitation would get him nowhere—this was his chance to rise above the weak existence he had endured his whole life.

"Alright," he muttered, determination hardening his gaze. "Let's see what this system is really capable of."

The nearest low-level dungeon was only a few kilometers from the city outskirts. It was an abandoned factory that had been converted into a C-Rank dungeon. Normally, Hunters would form small teams before entering, but Aiden had no such luxury.

He was going in alone.

Entering the Dungeon

The moment he stepped through the dungeon's shimmering entrance, the air changed. The factory's broken machinery was covered in thick cobwebs, and the scent of decay filled the air.

[Ding! Dungeon Detected: C-Rank Spider Nest]

Aiden tightened his grip around the metal pipe he had taken from the alleyway. It wasn't much, but it was better than nothing.

Skittering sounds echoed from the darkness ahead.

He barely had time to react before three large spiders emerged from the shadows, their multiple eyes gleaming hungrily.

Aiden took a deep breath. "Let's do this."

The spiders lunged at him, their sharp legs clicking against the concrete floor. But this time, Aiden wasn't the same weakling he had been before.

He activated Nightfang's Agility, dodging the first attack with ease. His body moved on instinct, faster than ever. He twisted, bringing the metal pipe crashing down on the closest spider's skull. The creature screeched, its exoskeleton cracking under the force of the blow.

The second spider spat a web toward him, but Aiden leaped to the side, rolling out of its trajectory. With newfound precision, he grabbed a nearby broken metal rod and hurled it straight at the spider, impaling it through its abdomen.

"Holy shit, I actually did that?" Aiden breathed, astonished at his own reflexes.

The final spider hesitated, sensing that its prey was far more dangerous than expected. But Aiden didn't give it a chance to escape.

With a burst of speed, he closed the distance and slammed his makeshift weapon into the creature's head, finishing it instantly.

[Ding! Mission Progress: 3/10 Enemies Defeated]

Panting, Aiden looked at the notification. "Ten enemies? Guess I'm not done yet."

Evolution of Strength

By the time he had cleared the dungeon, Aiden had killed a total of ten dungeon monsters. His body ached, but the thrill of battle still coursed through him.

[Ding! Mission Complete! Opening Reward Chest…]

Before him, a shimmering golden chest materialized. His heart raced as he reached forward and flipped the lid open.

[Congratulations! You have received: Beginner Hunter's Dagger (C-Rank) & Skill: Minor Regeneration!]

Aiden's eyes widened as a sleek black dagger appeared in his hand. It was well-balanced, lightweight, and had a faint glow to its blade.

The second reward was even better. Minor Regeneration. That meant he could heal from injuries faster. That alone would give him a massive advantage in future fights.

A grin spread across his face.

"This is just the beginning."

With his first dungeon cleared, his first weapon in hand, and new abilities at his disposal, Aiden knew one thing for certain—

He was no longer just an ordinary man.

He was becoming a Hunter.

To be continued…