An Offer
The particles of Fenris slowly faded into countless motes of light. Silence returned to Wolfscar Cavern.
Then...
A brilliant golden chest materialized before Aster.
The dungeon rewards. He knelt and slowly opened it.
Several items floated into the air.
---
Dungeon Rewards
* Elite Beast Core ×1
A crystallized core containing the essence of an Elite Beast. Highly sought after by blacksmiths, alchemists, and merchants.
* Fortune Wolf Pendant (Rare)
Accessory – Necklace
Effects:
* Luck +15
* Item Drop Rate +5%
* Rare Item Drop Chance +2%
"A pendant crafted from the fang of the Alpha Fenris. Said to bring fortune to those acknowledged by the king of wolves."
* Silver Coins ×350
* Dungeon Tokens ×10
* Assorted crafting materials
---
Aster smiled faintly. The necklace immediately caught his attention.
"Luck..."
A difficult attribute to increase. He equipped it without hesitation. The silver pendant quietly disappeared beneath his cloak. A pleasant warmth spread through his body.
Before he could organize the remaining loot—
Another panel appeared.
---
World Announcement
You are the first player to clear Wolfscar Cavern (Normal Difficulty).
Would you like to reveal your identity?
YES / NO
---
Aster looked at the choices.
Then...
He selected:
NO.
Immediately, the announcement echoed throughout the Mistvale Region.
---
Regional System Announcement
Congratulations!
Adventurer ***** has become the First Clear of Wolfscar Cavern (Normal Difficulty).
Elite Difficulty has now been unlocked for all qualified adventurers within the Mistvale Region.
---
The announcement instantly caused an uproar.
Players inside Mistvale.
Those hunting outside.
Even parties preparing to challenge the dungeon themselves.
Everyone stopped.
"...Already?"
"Someone cleared it?"
"Solo?"
"Who was it?"
No answer came.
Only silence.
---
Aster quietly exited the dungeon. The blue portal transported him outside. As expected, the entrance had become crowded.
Dozens of players stood nearby. Some were recruiting teammates. Others simply wanted to witness the first group capable of clearing the dungeon.
Aster glanced around once.
Too many eyes.
Without attracting attention, he switched his equipped weapon from the Wolffang Longsword to his Shadowfang Twin Blades.
The movement was subtle enough that no one noticed.
Then—
Phantom Eclipse.
His figure gradually disappeared. Several nearby players suddenly frowned.
"...Did you feel that?"
"I thought someone just walked past me."
"Probably your imagination."
Invisible beneath the cover of the skill, Aster calmly walked through the crowd. No one realized the mysterious first clearer had already left.
By the time Phantom Eclipse ended...
He was already approaching Mistvale.
---
The village was even busier than before. Conversations about the dungeon echoed everywhere.
"The first clear must've been a guild."
"No way a solo player could do it."
"I heard it was a full party of five."
"Someone said they never even saw them come out."
Rumors multiplied with every passing minute. Aster ignored them. He entered the Adventurers' Warehouse. Unlike ordinary shops, the warehouse specialized in purchasing valuable monster materials.
The elderly NPC behind the counter carefully examined the Elite Beast Core.
His eyes widened.
"...Excellent quality."
"I can offer one gold coin and eighty silver."
Aster accepted.
Another gold coin significantly eased his financial worries. As he stored the remaining coins...
A familiar voice called behind him.
"...Aster?"
He turned. Cole stood a few steps away. She still carried the same sword he remembered. Only now, her equipment had noticeably improved. She smiled.
"I knew I'd find you eventually."
Aster remained quiet.
Cole walked closer.
"I'll get straight to the point."
"Our guild wants you to join."
Aster blinked.
Guild?
She continued.
"We're currently building one."
"We're recruiting skilled players."
"You don't need to participate in meetings."
"You'd only need to help with important content."
Aster shook his head almost immediately.
"I'm not interested."
Cole seemed unsurprised.
"I thought you'd say that."
She laughed softly.
"So I'll ask something else."
This time, her expression became serious.
"Our guild plans to challenge one of the Mistvale Regional Dungeon."
"We need someone strong."
"I want to hire you."
Aster frowned slightly.
"Hire me?"
Cole nodded.
"You won't need to join the guild."
"It'll only be for one expedition."
"We'll pay you."
She hesitated briefly before adding,
"The payment should be enough to help you.."
Aster's pupils contracted slightly.
"...How do you know about me?"
Cole simply smiled.
"I don't."
"I only guessed."
"You've always fought like someone carrying something important."
"There had to be a reason."
Aster fell silent.
She continued.
"Our guild is new."
"If we become the first guild to clear the Regional Dungeon..."
"Our reputation will skyrocket."
"It'll help us recruit stronger members."
"So..."
"I'm asking for your help."
Aster thought for several moments.Finally, he answered.
"I'll agree."
Cole's face brightened.
"But..."
He raised one finger.
"I have one condition."
"I lead the expedition."
The smile on Cole's face froze.
"...Lead?"
"Our guild already has a commander..."
"I know."
Aster replied calmly.
"But inside the dungeon..."
"My decisions are absolute."
"If your members can't accept that..."
"I won't participate."
Cole sighed helplessly.
"...I can't decide that on my own."
"I'll have to discuss it with the others."
Aster nodded.
"Then let me know after you've reached a decision."
Without another word, he turned and quietly left the warehouse. Cole watched him disappear into the busy streets of Mistvale.
A faint smile slowly appeared on her face.
"...I knew you wouldn't be ordinary."
Now...
She only hoped her guild members would be willing to place their lives in the hands of the mysterious cloaked adventurer.