"Ah… huh… my head hurts…" I groaned, blinking against the harsh light.
"You've woken up," Replica said calmly, its voice echoing inside my mind.
I sat up slowly, rubbing my temples. "Why… why did you do that to me?" I groaned. "I could've handled it—or at least tried!"
Replica's tone was sharp, almost teasing. "I needed to do that. You are so weak that a single move in that dungeon would have ended you. You would have died instantly. This way, you survived."
I froze. "…So you knocked me out just to save me?"
"Yes," Replica said simply. "You did not completely fail. And now… I've given you a key. When you grow stronger, you can return to that dungeon."
I blinked at the faint image of the key hovering beside me. My chest tightened. That dungeon… that place was beyond my current abilities. And yet, Replica had prepared it for me, waiting until I was ready.
Almost at the same moment, a familiar pop-up appeared in my vision.
[Quest Update: Hidden Dungeon Access]Requirement: Level 40New Feature Unlocked: Vault
I squinted. "Vault? Huh? What's this now?"
"This," Replica said with a small digital hum, "is your personal storage. You can keep items here. Add anything you find or earn. Talk later—it is essentially an expanded inventory."
I grinned faintly. "Not bad… that's useful."
Replica's tone shifted. "Well… whatever. Let's go home."
Finally leaving the lingering darkness behind, I stepped out. Thanks to Replica and the dungeon portal, an advance payment had been transferred to me.
My thoughts immediately went to weapons. Finally… I can buy something decent for myself.
The familiar scent of home greeted me as I stepped through the door.
"API, I'm home!" I called.
"Oh! You're back! Perfect timing," Aniya replied, appearing in the kitchen. "Dinner's ready."
The warmth of home wrapped around me, a welcome comfort after everything I had been through.
While eating and watching TV, I felt a small, satisfying thrill in my chest. "I earned money today," I said proudly, showing her the transaction notification on my phone.
Aniya's eyes widened slightly. "Wow… my brother… you're growing up. Earning for yourself now?"
I smirked. "Don't worry. I'll give you the best life possible. You don't have to work yourself to death for me anymore."
She tilted her head, teasing. "Oooh, is that so?"
"Hey! Don't tease me!" I shot back, though a small smile betrayed my amusement.
The TV flickered, and a news banner caught my attention. "Breaking News: Second S-Rank Hunter Emerges in Pakistan."
A masked girl appeared on the screen, her presence commanding. Her aura was sharp, almost overwhelming. She looked… impossibly cool.
I blinked. "…Why does she look familiar?"
Aniya stiffened slightly, glancing at the screen nervously.
Replica's voice cut into my thoughts. "It seems she has realized her abilities."
I froze. So soon… she's already awakened? I thought. The timing was… incredible. But after a moment, I forced myself to focus. "Well… whatever. That's good for our country."
I finished my dinner, placing my plate in the sink. "I'm done. I'm going to sleep now."
Aniya raised an eyebrow. "Take a bath first, you messy thing."
"Okay, okay," I muttered, heading to the bathroom.
Through the steam and chatter of the evening, I caught her gaze lingering on the TV again. A subtle smirk played across her lips as she watched the S-rank hunter's news report.
Something tells me she knows more than she's letting on, I thought.
But for now… I had survived another day. I had earned my first payment, unlocked my vault, and grown one step closer to the Level 40 required for that black dungeon.
And I had a feeling… the world wasn't done testing me yet.
Tomorrow, I would continue my journey—stronger, wiser, and ready for whatever awaited.