Friday, 5 PM.

I arrived at the workplace right on time. It was just a regular duty at an unremarkable police station. I'm the only hunter on duty, renting space in the police precinct.

"Good job."

"Yes, thank you."

I settled on my duty as soon as I took over. Fortunately, I don't have to go on patrols like the other police officers. Most of the time, it's an easy duty- just sitting tight and watching.

While some people openly make phone calls or slack off, I tried my best to maintain at least the appearance of professionalism. However, before I could dwell on that thought, my phone vibrated in my pocket.

"What's this?"

"This is Cedric's Creature Workshop. The requested item is completed and ready for delivery. Can you confirm the delivery address?"

Has the Black Dragon Dagger already been completed? I replied that I was currently on duty, but they assured me it was not a problem on their end.

Mm, strange.

Before I could fully grasp the situation, a large vehicle pulled up outside the precinct.

"What a coincidence, they are nearby?"

A pretty female employee with the name Cedric's Creature Workshop on the vehicle stepped out and handed me a box. The curious police officers gathered around, surprised.

"What's this, a delivery during work?"

"It's hunter equipment."

"Mr. Rowan Anderson, the Black Dragon Scale Dagger you requested is complete. Please check it."

"Oh, yes."

However, my attention was first drawn to the appearance of the female employee rather than the small box. Hiring such a beautiful person and having her work, I must admit, I'm a bit envious.

Nevertheless, I refocused my attention, and I opened the box; the envy I had felt quickly dissipated. I picked up the dagger and examined it closely. It was a unique dagger made by attaching thin and long scales together to form a blade-like edge.

"It's sharp, so be careful."

"It's light. Sturdy too..."

The blade was set so well that I was afraid to even touch it with my fingers. The female employee calmly informed me of the precautions.

"The blade shouldn't be easily damaged. Just make sure to clean off any blood, and if it ever gets damaged, bring it back to the workshop. We have repair parts ready."

"Thank you. I'll sign the receipt."

As I turned to accept the package, another female officer approached with a surprised look. After listening to our conversation, it seemed she was an avid fan of Hunter's YouTube channels.

"Cedric's Creature Workshop? Isn't it the best workshop in the US? I heard you must wait at least a year even after paying the reservation fee..."

It was natural for her to be surprised. After all, most Hunters assigned to a precinct like this are at most C-rank. Those with B-rank and above got assigned to the Hunter Association or larger police stations.

She might wonder how I managed to pick up my equipment at Cedric's Creature Workshop.

Though her question can be interpreted as, "How did someone like you get equipment from Cedric's Creature Workshop?" I don't think there's any malice behind it.

Since I'll be working with her for the day, I casually responded, "The workshop's owner is a fellow alumnus."

"If you're an alumnus... Wow, you graduated from the Harvard University Hunter Department! That's impressive!"

Technically, we were in the same graduating class, but revealing that fact would only tarnish my reputation. Being the most lagging person in the Golden Generation is not something to brag about. "Still, Cedric was considerate of me. I should thank him later."

To make customers wait for a year even after taking the reservation fee... they certainly have confidence in their business. But I guess that means their business is doing great, right?

Back inside the building, I sat down and carefully examined the dagger. It's a rare weapon, but the more I look at it, the more I like it. The craftsmanship is excellent, and the scales attached to it blend seamlessly.

"This looks nice. I wonder if I could obtain something like this again?"

As I was thinking about the strange dungeon, a familiar voice suddenly pierced my mind without warning. I was gradually becoming used to this.

[Oh, the great Rowan, your humble servant earnestly implores you. May you be praised for eternity!]

"Is it that same guy from last time? Is he here to ask for my blood again?"

As I recalled the magician who summoned me a few days ago, he continued to babble incessantly.

[I apologize. We failed to trace how the esteemed Rowan's presence was known to these people!]

"What?!"

It's only been about three days since I was summoned, and now they were already admitting defeat in their search. I must have overestimated them. I had hoped they could use their skills and powers to find the answer, but it seemed futile.

"Aren't you giving up so easily?"

[We scoured the Kingdom of Colen for three weeks, but we reached dead ends. Please don't be angry...]

"Three weeks?!"

I had been summoned just three days ago, yet now they said three weeks had passed? Judging from the trembling voice, it didn't seem like a lie. It finally dawned on me. The time flow in their world is different. No wonder news about the Black Dragon incident spread so quickly. The magician hurriedly continued explaining.

[The court magicians of the Kingdom of Colen who summoned you have mostly died or gone insane!]

"Died or gone insane? Why?"

[It's no easy task for beings as insignificant as us to summon a powerful other worlder like you.]

"...I see."

Indeed, it was quite amazing that such tiny beings managed to summon me. Hearing their explanation, it became apparent that they went through quite a lot of trouble.

"If I hadn't also received Rowan's blood, I would have perished by now."

"So, the elixir of immortality worked?"

"Thanks to the compassionate care of Rowan, it was a success! We offer our gratitude once again."

They really made an elixir of immortality with my blood? I nodded skeptically. It's not exactly to my liking, but I supposed I should be somewhat satisfied. "If we find more clues, we will proceed with the investigation."

"Understood. I forgive your failure."

They kept flattering me so much that I felt I had to say something pretentious.

After expressing their gratitude once again, the conversation finally quieted down.

As I was starting to get bored, the female officer, who had been holding the phone, suddenly stood up and said, "Dungeon appearance! We received a dungeon report!"

"Oh, where?"

"It's nearby. It's a B-rank Dungeon!"

I got up from my seat without much surprise. Dungeon appearances are not that rare. I've experienced it several times while on duty. Although the B-rank dungeon posed a bit more challenge, I don't have to deal with it alone anyway. As an on-duty officer, my role is to be prepared for emergencies and control civilians' access. Subjugating the dungeon will be handled by the other hunters. I immediately grabbed my equipment and headed in a patrol car to the scene. It's a shame I couldn't even bring snacks, but it's not the time to complain.

"Over there."

"It appeared right in the middle of the street."

The informant pointed at the swirling blue portal, and the police officers swiftly set up barricades and signs to manage the situation. I stood by, knowing there wasn't much for me to do now.

However, as I was standing by the roadside, a woman noticed me and rushed towards me in a desperate plea. Amidst the many curious onlookers, she asked, "Excuse me, are you a hunter?"

"Am I? Yes."

"My son... My son was sucked into the dungeon when it appeared!"

"What did you say?"

While a freshly generated dungeon is generally not dangerous, the situation changes if a civilian enters it.

"The location of the dungeon generation was peculiar... Could he have been sucked in due to bad luck?"

Considering the location, it's possible that he got pulled in as soon as the dungeon appeared. The mother, in panic, explained incoherently, "He's only 8 years old... Please, help me find him quickly! His father is also a hunter!"

"Calm down and tell me what exactly happened. How did he end up inside?"

As the police tried to investigate, the mother stammered, "We were... walking on the street, and suddenly it appeared... and sucked him in!"

"We will report this to the Association immediately; just wait a little."

"Why? There's a hunter right here!"

The police officers looked perplexed by the mother's words. I'm just a C-rank hunter. Entering a B-rank dungeon alone would be suicidal.

"Entering right now is too risky. Dungeon captures are usually conducted with six or more hunters."

"But my child is inside right now..."

The mother was in a half-crazed state and couldn't communicate clearly. Her concern was not an overreaction, as dangerous monsters roam within the dungeon, and most of them are hostile toward humans.

"Can we really wait like this?"

The report came in about 8 minutes ago. The chances of a civilian surviving inside a dungeon for more than 15 minutes are very slim. The Association's rapid response team won't arrive on time under any circumstances.

If I'm going to rescue him, I must go in before it's too late. I tightly gripped the handle of the dagger I received earlier. I couldn't just keep waiting while watching the mother go crazy in distress.

"Oh, this is driving me crazy."

In the end, I couldn't bear it any longer and stepped forward. I firmly grasped the mother's shoulders and spoke loudly, "A picture!"

"Yes, what?!"

"Show me a picture of the missing child!"

"H-here it is!"

She hurriedly took out her smartphone and showed me the background image. It was a mischievous-looking boy. Perhaps because I'm about to risk my life to save him, he doesn't look particularly appealing.

I memorized his face and prepared to enter the dungeon. Boston has the highest concentration of hunters in the world... Ironically, a dungeon would appear in a place like this.

"Wait! Are you really going alone? This is a B-rank dungeon!"

"I don't plan to capture it. I'm only attempting a rescue. Don't blame me if I fail."

Ignoring the police officer's objections, I leaped into the portal, leaving the people behind. The asphalt road transformed into a messy pile of dirt in the next moment. Wearing a gas mask, I scanned the surroundings with one eye.

"This place... it's a forest? Not bad."

Encountering monsters is much more likely in cave-like terrains. However, forests presented their own challenge. There was still a chance the missing person was lucky enough to be alive.

"No time to hesitate."

I moved quickly with my hood turned up. My vision wasn't excellent even with both eyes, so searching with one eye was quite uncomfortable. However, it didn't take too long before a shabby makeshift structure appeared ahead. It seemed like someone had roughly put it together and miserably failed.

"Could this be...?"

"Squeak..."

From behind the nearby bushes, unsettling breathing sounds reached my ear. I glanced at the green-skinned monsters and gritted my teeth.

Orcs.

Individually, they may not be very strong, but they move in packs, making them quite formidable. Even among B-rank monsters, they are considered top-tier.

"So this is the Orc Stronghold dungeon."

Orcs have a gruesome habit of using humans as food, but there might be some silver lining. They aren't foolish enough to consume their food immediately.

"Orcs have the concept of food storage."

"Wow, aaah!"

Following the sudden scream, I spotted crude tents and wooden huts. The missing person seemed to have already been caught by the orcs and was being held captive. I hid myself in the darkness and observed the situation. The dark weather worked in my favor.

"Huff..."

"Kuik, kuik!"

The Orc Stronghold was a scene of chaos. The two orcs guarding the prisoner were fighting among themselves, pushing and hitting each other. Very orc, indeed. The captive looked barely conscious and on the verge of collapsing.

"Good. No need to worry for now. I should check the escape portal's location and come back."

Just as I was thinking of that, one orc decided to open the wooden hut on his own. While orcs understood the concept of food storage, their patience was questionable at best. If they got hungry, they might just decide to eat the captive right then and there.

"This is crazy."

In the end, I drew the Black Dragon Dagger and cautiously approached them from behind. My heart was pounding like it might break at any moment.