Footsteps.
They'd entered.
The sound of each step echoed through the cavern, each one exuding confidence.
"Michael!" Big D said. "Activate detection and search for any nearby enemies."
"Roger," Michael replied.
"!"
"…"
"Michael?" Big D said.
"MICHAEL!!"
"W-we n-need t-to l-leave," Michael muttered, his voice shaking. Fear was visible on his face.
"What?!" Big D snapped.
"We will not retreat—calm down, maybe it was a skill malfunction—"
Big D was cut off.
A resounding roar erupted, shaking the entire cavern. The sound was so loud they all had to cover their ears.
They instinctively looked up.
There it was.
An overwhelming entity.
Their breath was seized, their eardrums reverberating violently.
It descended. Each flap of its wings sent waves of wind powerful enough to blow away cars. They met its gaze, and panic spread among them.
"A-ATTA—" Big D tried to command.
Splurt.
With a single swing of its tail, their tank was beheaded. Blood gushed from his neck like a fountain.
Shock, fear, and disbelief filled the cavern.
Michael bolted, running with all his might.
Futile.
It opened its mouth, releasing a condensed ball of purple flames. Michael turned his head—this was the only reaction his body could muster.
An explosion.
His entire body was engulfed in unending flames.
"AHHHHHHH! HELP—HELP ME!!" Michael screamed.
"W-we're cooked…" Big D muttered.
---
"WHAT?!" the head of the Hunter Life Detection Department exclaimed.
"A-all life detectors of the 'Gods Plan' party…" his subordinate said, "…all indicate they're dead. It hasn't even been a minute yet."
---
"Breaking news. Today, we report the passing of the popular S-rank party 'Gods Plan.' Yesterday, the Hunter Life Detection Department of the Hunter Association declared all members of the party deceased. The party entered the gate at 8:00 p.m. C.U.T. (Central Unika Time) and all died exactly thirty seconds later," Susan said.
"The Hunter Association has since re-evaluated the gate and assigned it an SS-rank classification. The government has sealed off the entire Carestin District and evacuated all residents to neighboring districts. A dungeon break is estimated to occur within a year if the gate is not cleared within the allocated time."
"But this raises an important question—did the leader of the 'Foresight' party know of the danger beforehand, explaining his outburst in the Carestin District weeks ago? We are convinced this may be the result of his special skill, Foresight. Intelligence suggests he has been undergoing intense training in preparation to re-raid the dungeon."
---
"Huff… huff…" Tristan panted, beads of sweat rolling down his skin.
"I knew it," he muttered after watching the news. "I never knew Foresight could see that far."
Still gasping for air, he sat down on the floor.
"Status window!" he exclaimed.
A holographic panel surfaced before him.
Strength — 88
Agility — 81
Intelligence — 75
Mana — 85
Stamina — 88
"Tsk." He clicked his tongue. "My intelligence is still too low. Not just that—I'm still too weak."
A flash of the dragon filled his mind.
"Let's continue. I must surpass the me I am right now!" he exclaimed.
"!"
"What's this?" he asked.
There was a skill—no, a debuff effect.
"Regression?" he muttered.
An infinite debuff affecting him, displaying a death count.
684 deaths.
"Six hundred and eighty-four…?" he muttered, confusion palpable. "But I'm still alive."
Hahaha… truly an entertaining sight.