2025-03-09 21:06:23The journey back to the surface was a blur of exhaustion and tension. The group moved in silence, their bodies aching and their minds weighed down by the horrors they had faced. The amulet in Sung-min’s pouch pulsed faintly, a constant reminder of the strange power they had encountered. As they emerged from the dungeon, the sunlight felt almost foreign, its warmth a stark contrast to the oppressive darkness they had left behind.
The hunter’s guild was a bustling hub of activity, filled with hunters of all ranks exchanging stories, trading loot, and preparing for their next missions. The building itself was a massive structure of stone and wood, with banners bearing the guild’s emblem, a crossed sword and staff hanging from the walls. The air was thick with the smell of sweat, ale, and the faint metallic tang of blood. As Sung-min and his friends entered, they were met with a mix of curious glances and outright sneers. E-rank hunters were a common sight, but their disheveled appearance and the faint aura of danger surrounding them drew attention. “Look at them,” a burly A-rank hunter sneered, his arms crossed over his chest. “E-rankers thinking they’re hot stuff. Probably got their tails handed to them in some low-level dungeon.” “Ignore them,” Sung-min muttered, his voice low. “We’ve got more important things to worry about.” They made their way to the mission counter, where a stern-looking woman with sharp features and a no-nonsense demeanor awaited them. Her nameplate read “Guild Officer Hana.” “Mission report,” she said briskly, her eyes scanning the group with a practiced efficiency. “What did you find?” Sung-min stepped forward, placing the amulet on the counter. “We cleared the dungeon,” he said, his voice steady despite his exhaustion. “But it wasn’t a normal low-rank mission. We encountered a goblin knight and a troll. This is all we managed to retrieve.” Officer Hana’s eyes narrowed as she picked up the amulet, turning it over in her hands. “A goblin knight and a troll in a low-rank dungeon?” she repeated, her tone skeptical. “That’s highly unusual. Are you sure you’re not exaggerating?” “We’re not,” Li Wei interjected, his voice tinged with frustration. “We barely made it out alive. Something’s not right about that dungeon.” Officer Hana studied the amulet for a moment longer before setting it down. “I’ll have our researchers take a look at this,” she said. “In the meantime, you’ve completed your mission. Your payment will be processed shortly.” With their mission report filed, the group made their way to the guild’s tavern, a dimly lit room filled with the sounds of laughter, clinking glasses, and the occasional brawl. They found a table in the corner, away from prying eyes, and collapsed into their seats. “We need to talk,” Sung-min said, his voice low. “That dungeon… it wasn’t normal. And this amulet…” He pulled it from his pouch, placing it on the table. The faint pulse of light seemed to grow stronger in the dim tavern. “It’s dangerous,” Dae-hyun said, his voice grim. “We should turn it over to the guild and forget about it.” “And what if it’s worth something?” Jung Uk countered, his eyes gleaming with curiosity. “We risked our lives for this. We deserve to know what it is.” Li Wei leaned forward, his glasses reflecting the amulet’s glow. “It’s not just about the money,” he said. “That dungeon… it felt alive. Like it was testing us. And this amulet… it’s connected to something bigger.” Sung-min nodded, his expression serious. “We need to be careful. If word gets out about what we found, we could be in danger. For now, we keep this to ourselves.” As the group debated their next move, a familiar voice cut through the noise of the tavern. “Well, well, if it isn’t the E-rank wonders.” They turned to see a tall, muscular hunter with a cocky grin and a scar running down his cheek. His name was Kang, a C-rank hunter known for his arrogance and his disdain for lower-ranked hunters. “What do you want, Kang?” Sung-min asked, his voice calm but firm. Kang smirked, leaning against their table. “Heard you guys had a rough time in that dungeon,” he said, his tone mocking. “Guess even a bunch of goblins are too much for E-rankers like you.” “We handled it,” Dae-hyun growled, his hand tightening around his mace. “Sure you did,” Kang said with a laugh. “But let’s be real. You’re out of your depth. Stick to picking herbs or something. Leave the real hunting to the pros.” Before anyone could respond, Kang straightened up, his smirk fading as his eyes fell on the amulet. “What’s that?” he asked, his voice tinged with curiosity. “None of your business,” Sung-min said, quickly covering the amulet with his hand. Kang’s eyes narrowed, but he didn’t press the issue. “Whatever,” he said, turning to leave. “Just don’t get in over your heads. You might not be so lucky next time.” As Kang walked away, the group exchanged uneasy glances. “He’s going to be a problem,” Jung Uk said, his voice low. “We’ll deal with him if we have to,” Sung-min replied. “For now, we focus on figuring out what this amulet is and why that dungeon was so different.” Li Wei nodded, his expression serious. “We need to be smart about this. If we’re going to keep digging, we need to get stronger. Fast.” “Agreed,” Dae-hyun said. “But how?” Sung-min looked at his friends, his resolve hardening. “We train,” he said. “We push ourselves harder than ever before. And we find out what’s really going on.” As the group left the tavern, the amulet in Sung-min’s pouch pulsed faintly, its light growing stronger. Unbeknownst to them, deep within the guild’s archives, a researcher examined the amulet under a flickering light. His eyes widened as he recognized the symbols carved into its surface. “This… this shouldn’t be possible,” he muttered, his voice trembling. “These markings… they’re ancient. And dangerous.” He quickly scribbled a note, his hands shaking. “We need to report this to the guild master. Immediately.”
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The journey back to the surface was a blur of exhaustion and tension. The group moved in silence, their bodies aching and their minds weighed down by the horrors they had faced. The amulet in Sung-min’s pouch pulsed faintly, a constant reminder of the strange power they had encountered. As they emerged from the dungeon, the sunlight felt almost foreign, its warmth a stark contrast to the oppressive darkness they had left behind. The hunter’s guild was a bustling hub of activity, filled with hunters of all ranks exchanging stories, trading loot, and preparing for their next missions. The building itself was a massive structure of stone and wood, with banners bearing the guild’s emblem, a crossed sword and staff hanging from the walls. The air was thick with the smell of sweat, ale, and the faint metallic tang of blood. As Sung-min and his friends entered, they were met with a mix of curious glances and outright sneers. E-rank hunters were a common sight, but their disheveled appeara
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