A Leap into Abyss

The salty air of Manila Bay was heavy as Josh boarded the rickety boat. He had paid the boatman with almost all the coins left in his pocket, leaving nothing for food tonight. But it didn't matter. If he succeeded, Maria would have everything she needed. If he failed... well, he didn't allow himself to think about that.

Corregidor Island loomed on the horizon, shrouded in mist. It had once been a historic site, a remnant of wartime struggles. Now, it was infamous for its recurring dungeon breaks. A D-Rank dungeon had appeared a few days ago, scaring off the fishermen who relied on the island's surrounding waters. Hunters were being dispatched, but their arrival was delayed. This left a window of opportunity—one Josh was desperate enough to exploit.

As the boat scraped against the rocky shore, Josh jumped off, clutching his rusty dagger. His heart pounded in his chest, the rhythm of fear and determination. The jungle beyond the beach was eerily silent. No birds, no rustling leaves—only the distant hum of magical energy emanating from the dungeon gate.

The gate stood in the center of a clearing, an unnatural vortex of swirling black and crimson light. Josh hesitated, his hand trembling as he reached for the small bag slung over his shoulder. Inside were simple supplies: a torch, a piece of stale bread, and a canteen of water. He wasn't ready for this, and he knew it. But Maria's image flashed in his mind—her frail body, her weak smile.

"I can't fail," he whispered, stepping into the portal.

The sensation was disorienting, like being pulled through a whirlpool. When Josh's feet landed on solid ground, he found himself in a cavernous space lit by bioluminescent fungi. The air was thick with moisture, and the walls glistened with an otherworldly sheen.

Josh took a cautious step forward, his dagger clutched tightly in his clammy hand. The dungeon was quiet, too quiet. He had overheard scavengers say that D-Rank dungeons were manageable for lower-tier Hunters if they avoided combat. That was his plan—stealth over strength. Find a monster carcass, harvest its core, and escape before anyone noticed.

But as he ventured deeper, an ominous vibration shook the ground. The glowing fungi flickered, and a chilling roar echoed through the cavern. Josh froze, his breath hitching. Something was wrong.

A notification window appeared before his eyes, glowing red:

"Dungeon Level Up: Block Dungeon Activated. No Exit Allowed Until Boss is Defeated."

Panic surged through him. He had heard stories of Block Dungeons—death traps that sealed their entrance and exit, allowing no one in or out until the final boss was defeated. It was a phenomenon caused by an unstable magical core, and it often escalated the dungeon's rank.

"I-I have to get out!" Josh stammered, his voice barely audible over his ragged breathing. He turned back the way he came, but the portal was gone. The cavern now seemed endless, a labyrinth of twisting tunnels.

Fear gripped him as he stumbled forward, searching for any sign of an exit. But the dungeon was alive, sensing his desperation. Shadows danced along the walls, and the sound of claws scraping against stone grew louder.

Josh's dagger felt useless in his hand, a child's toy against the horrors lurking in the dark. He tripped over a loose rock, falling hard onto the ground. Tears welled in his eyes as he realized the hopelessness of his situation.

"Maria… I'm sorry," he whispered, clutching the dagger to his chest.

But just as despair threatened to consume him, a faint glow caught his attention. In the distance, something shimmered—a relic, half-buried in the dirt. It pulsed with a soft, golden light, contrasting sharply with the darkness around him.

Crawling toward it, Josh felt a strange warmth envelop him as he touched the relic. It was a fragment of something ancient, its surface etched with intricate patterns. The warmth spread through his body, momentarily replacing his fear with a sense of calm.

The shadows around him recoiled, and the sounds of approaching monsters halted. Josh didn't understand what had happened, but he knew one thing—this relic was his only chance of survival.

He stood, gripping the relic tightly, and took a shaky step forward. The dungeon wasn't going to let him leave without a fight, but for the first time in his life, Josh felt a spark of hope.