The dungeon no longer felt like a hunting ground.
It felt like a battlefield.
Arka walked deeper.
But this time—
He wasn't the only predator.
Behind him.
Above him.
Across different corridors—
Presences moved.
Fast.
Organized.
"Crimson Fang…"
Arka muttered.
"…So they chose force."
His lips curved slightly.
Not fear.
Not panic.
Excitement.
[Blood Predator – Passive Active]
His senses sharpened further.
The air felt heavier.
Every movement—
Clear.
"…Three ahead."
He stopped.
"…One above."
A pause.
"…And one… hiding."
Silence.
Then—
CLAP. CLAP. CLAP.
Slow applause echoed.
From the shadows—
A figure stepped out.
A woman.
Silver hair.
Sharp crimson eyes.
Light armor mixed with dark cloth.
A dagger spinning casually between her fingers.
"Impressive."
Her voice was calm.
Almost playful.
"You noticed all of us."
Arka didn't move.
"…You're with them?"
She smiled faintly.
"Depends."
"Today?"
She stopped a few meters in front of him.
"I'm your hunter."
[Target Identified]Name: LyraLevel: 12Affiliation: Crimson Fang (Special Unit)
"…Level 12."
Arka exhaled slowly.
"Quite the welcome party."
Lyra tilted her head.
Studying him.
"…You're strange."
"No level history."
"No awakening record."
"But your growth…"
Her eyes narrowed.
"…monstrous."
Behind her—
Three more figures appeared.
The rest of the squad.
All strong.
All dangerous.
"Last chance," Lyra said softly.
"Come with us."
"…Or?"
She smiled.
"We break you."
Silence.
Then—
Arka laughed.
Low.
Cold.
"…You're welcome to try."
The moment snapped.
WUSH!!
Lyra vanished.
"—FAST!"
Arka turned—
Just in time—
CLANG!!
Her dagger clashed against his.
"…You blocked it?"
Her eyes widened slightly.
"Barely."
Arka pushed back.
"Now—my turn."
SLASH!!
Lyra jumped back.
Clean.
Effortless.
"…Interesting."
The other hunters moved.
One from the left—
BOOM!!
A heavy strike.
Arka dodged—
But—
THUD!!
Another hit from behind.
"GH—!"
He was thrown forward.
"Three-on-one…"
Arka wiped the blood from his lips.
"…Guess that's fair."
[Blood Predator Activated]
His aura shifted.
Darker.
Heavier.
"…Now I'm getting serious."
He moved.
Faster.
Sharper.
The first hunter—
CRACK!!
Dropped instantly.
"What—?!"
The second attacked—
DODGE. COUNTER. SLASH.
Another one fell.
"…Impossible—!"
Only Lyra remained.
She stared at him.
Breathing steady.
But her eyes—
Focused.
"…So this is your real strength."
Arka stood across from her.
"Still want to break me?"
Lyra smiled.
"…No."
She lowered her dagger.
"…Now I want to test you."
Suddenly—
BOOOOOOM!!!
The dungeon shook violently.
The ground cracked.
The air twisted.
A deep roar echoed from below.
Not a goblin.
Not a hobgoblin.
Something far worse.
[WARNING]Boss Entity Awakening
Both of them froze.
"…You feel that?" Lyra whispered.
"…Yeah."
Arka's eyes sharpened.
"…That's not normal."
The system glitched again.
[ERROR… ERROR…][Unauthorized Growth Detected]
Arka's heart skipped.
"…Unauthorized?"
The dungeon trembled again.
Stronger this time.
From the depths—
A massive presence rose.
Watching.
Waiting.
Hunting.
Lyra stepped beside Arka.
"…Temporary truce?"
Arka glanced at her.
Then forward.
"…Fine."
For now—
They had a bigger problem.
Something in this dungeon—
Had awakened.
And it wasn't supposed to.
🔥 END OF CHAPTER 7