[Ding…]
[You have obtained two items:]
[Key (?): Unlocks a hidden dungeon gate.]
[Gate Stone: Allows you to exit the dungeon at any time.]
[You must enter the dungeon within 24 hours.]
[This quest is mandatory. Rejection is not permitted.]
[Dungeon Location: Handong City]
[Countdown Begins Now.]
[23:59:59]
Jun Lion blinked as the holographic message faded slowly before him. He furrowed his brows, staring at the timer ticking down by the second.
"What?! I can't reject it?" he muttered. "What kind of system forces you into a quest? And what's with this weird countdown—23, 59, 59… Is that just 24 hours?"
He sighed and flopped onto his bed. "Well… I do have plenty of EXP. There's no immediate danger. I'll go tomorrow."
Within minutes, the tension in his body faded as sleep took over. For now, he would rest.
---
The Next Morning
The morning sun cast golden rays across the Lion Estate. Jun had a quiet breakfast, then made his way to his father's office.
Shan Lion glanced up from his papers as Jun entered. "Jun?"
"Father… I want to go on a trip," Jun said calmly.
Shan raised an eyebrow. "A trip? Where to?"
"I… can't tell you."
A flicker of irritation passed over Shan's face. "You can't tell me?"
Jun stood still, unwavering.
"Then when will you be back?" Shan asked, voice tightening.
"I don't know."
Internally, Shan was raging. (This brat… You won't tell me where, and you don't know when you'll return?! How the hell am I supposed to explain this to Ruhiko? Do you think I'm some kind of puppet?)
"I see. But remember—you're expected at the Royal Academy in five days. Don't forget that."
Jun nodded. "I'll return before then. Don't worry."
(At least that gives me something to hold onto…) Shan thought.
"Do you need anyone to go with you?" he asked with forced patience.
"No, Father. I'll be going alone."
(Just do whatever you want, you ungrateful bastard…) Shan sighed. "Fine. When are you leaving?"
"Now."
"Now? You're already prepared?"
Jun grinned slightly. "You told me I could do whatever I wanted. So I assumed I had your permission. I packed in advance."
(Then why the hell did you come here to ask, you little—) Shan ground his teeth. "Very well. Do whatever you want."
Jun bowed politely and turned to leave. As he exited the estate, he slipped into a simple traveler's outfit—hooded, nondescript. He looked nothing like the heir of a noble house.
[Ding…]
[You will now be teleported to the area near the dungeon.]
[Teleportation will begin shortly.]
[5… 4… 3… 2… 1…]
[Teleportation initiated.]
Jun's body shimmered and vanished.
"Hah… At least I don't have to make the trip on foot. Thanks, System. That saves me some time."
---
Handong City – Near the Hidden Dungeon
[You have arrived in Handong City, near the dungeon location.]
Jun appeared in the middle of a bustling street. People walked past him, chatting, carrying shopping bags, and going about their daily business. In the center of the road, faint flickers of dark energy shimmered—an eerie gate floating in midair.
But nobody noticed.
Jun narrowed his eyes. "A dungeon… in the middle of the road? And nobody sees it?"
[Only the Key Holder can perceive the Hidden Dungeon.]
"Figures," Jun muttered. "So this is what makes it hidden…"
He looked around. The crowd was too thick to enter unnoticed. If he vanished into thin air here, even with the gate invisible to others, it would still cause a stir.
"I'll wait until nightfall," he decided. "For now… might as well explore the city."
---
In a Shadowy Room Somewhere in Handong
Four cloaked figures sat around a table lit by a single flickering lantern. Tension laced the air.
The First Speaker leaned forward. "Have you heard the rumors about the Lion's disgraceful son?"
The Third scoffed. "You mean the one whose mother we eliminated years ago?"
"Yeah… They say he's no longer useless. That the sleeping lion has finally awakened."
The Second Speaker laughed coldly. "Tch. Don't make me laugh. After we killed that woman, he went into hiding for years. You expect me to believe he suddenly turned into some genius? What is this, a fairy tale?"
"The Lion family probably started those rumors to save face," added the Fourth. "If it were Roy Lion, sure—but her son? No way."
The First Speaker tapped the table thoughtfully. "True or not, we should keep an eye on him."
"You're always so paranoid," the second groaned. "Fine. We'll watch him. But I doubt he's worth the effort."
But the First only smiled darkly. (Jun Lion… Son of Shyomi Frontera. You're her blood. I won't take you lightly.)
---
Evening – Near the Hidden Gate
The sun dipped below the horizon, and darkness swept over Handong. The crowds thinned, and streetlamps flickered to life.
Jun returned to the invisible gate, standing before it in silence.
The street was quiet.
No one saw the determined gleam in his eyes.
No one knew what was about to begin.
He took a step forward.
To be continued…