Chapter Fourteen - Wake Up

3:20 AM

*ring* *ring*

Madaren: huh? *tired, I answer the phone*

Sophie: Hey kid, Job for you to do.

Madaren: It's 3:20 am.

Sophie: Well it's 4:20 pm and I'm coming.

*Sophie comes through a portal*

Madaren: I'll never get used to that.

Sophie: Come on. We got a S-Rank Dungeon to go through

Madaren: Fine.

Jeez, I haven't sleep in 12 years, let a man catch his Z's.

20 Minutes Later

Sophie: Hey kid.

Madaren: yeah.

Sophie: Where is your armour?

Madaren: don't need it.

Sophie: That's ridiculous.

Madaren: Watch me beat the shit out of S-Rank Monsters and not have a scratch.

Sophie: Every SS-Rank hunter shares one thing in common. Their huge ego.

Madaren: I'm just telling the truth.

Sophie: Let's go.

*We go through the portal*

Madaren: Wow, it's bright!

Sophie: Welcome to New York kid.

*I look around and see police setting up barriers and reporters chatter*

Reporter: Is that the new SS-Rank Hunter!

*Dozens of reporters start talking over each other and I look at the dungeon's portal*

Madaren: Wow, it's really bright and purple. I thought they were blue. Well, at least the one I found was purple.

Sophie: S-rank Dungeons and any Dungeons above possess a purple colour due the amount of mana power. The stronger the mana the different the colour.

It's purple because of how strong the mana is. Maybe that's related to mana cores. I would only be nervous because I just recently hit black core, but it's probably purple because that's the combined Mana of all of the monsters inside. So long as it's not individual, this would be a piece of cake.

*Sophie looks back to a group of about twenty A-Rank Hunters*

Sophie: Hey Hunters, are you ready to prove your worth to the Association!

Hunters: Yes! Archhunter Sophie!

Archhunter? I guess S-Ranks are higher in political power too.

*We enter through the portal and arrive through what looks like a desolated, frozen land*

Sophie: It's pretty damn cold here huh.

Madaren: It is?

I wouldn't know because of the Warming technique I learned from Hentri.

Sophie: Show-off.

*We've been walking for about five minutes*

Hunter: When do you think a monster is going to com-

[LEVEL 200 ARCTIC GHOUL]

Is that a ghoul? It's been a while since I saw one. Man, I'm getting sentimental looking back.

*The hunters immediately form a battle formation together in unison.*

It's pretty big, about fifteen metres. Swordsman aren't needed in situation so they probably need to use-

Sophie: Sorcerers!

*A group of Sorcerers all perform different fire spells in sync directly to the Ghoul's head. Half of the ghoul's face is burnt off and the ghoul yells in pain.*

Wow they all fight together so perfectly, it's like they know each and every movement that everyone of them is gonna take.

*The ghoul retaliates by a releasing a skill*

Ghoul: [GHOULISH ROAR]

*A blast of sound waves and Ghoulish energy blasts from the ghouls mouth*

Sophie: Shields!

*A group of Hunters with shields form a rectangular shape and they barely manage to block the roar. Sophie shoots a skill*

Sophie: [VOID'S SACRIFICE]

*Sophies points her palm towards the ghoul and a blast that resembles a black hole shoots out and hits the ghouls head, disintegrating a good portion. The ghoul falls on its knees*

Hunters: Yeah! *Cheering*

Sophie: Don't start celebrating yet, that's just the beginning.

Man Sophie is so cool, seeing that spell blew my mind.

Sophie: And why weren't you helping in any way?

Madaren: Seemed like everybody got the hang of it and my assistance wasn't needed, and they deserved the experience points.

Sophie: True.

*2 hours have passed and we have killed about 12 Arctic Ghouls. Now we are taking a break in a shelter made by earth magic*

Sophie: You haven't helped at all.

Madaren: I wanna step in but what's the point if my help isn't needed?

Sophie: You need to gain some battle experience.

Madaren: I have plenty.

Sophie: *Sophie says slightly agitated* Didn't you just Awaken six days ago!?

Madaren: Those robots gave me plenty of battle experience.

*Sophie puts me in headlock and ruffles my hair with her fist*

Sophie: You bastard!

*I laugh. All of a sudden we hear a large amount of footsteps approach the shelter*

Sophie: Prepare Hunters!

*The Hunters prepare a formation*

[LEVEL 150 ARCTIC SKELETONS]

30, no, 50! Arctic Skeletons are penetrating the shelter with ease!

*The swords come out from behind and are fighting off the Skeletons but there are too many. The Sorcerers are struggling to fire spells without also causing daSorcerer to the swordsmans*

Sophie: *Sophie grunts and says to me in a tired voice* Now it's time, Show us what you're capable of!

*I nod to her and release a movement from the 4th Star's Swordsmanship*

The 4th star only had 4 movements compared to the 3 stars below. But they are immensely more powerful than even all of the movements of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Star's.

All 4 movements are focused on speed and destruction.

Madaren: 4th Star! 1st Movement! [THUNDER AFTER THE LIGHTNING!]

*I speeded towards about 40 ghouls and beheaded every one of them leaving a trail of black lightning. After I finished my movement, a sound of thunder could be heard.*

Hunter 1: W-what! You're really a SS-Rank!

Hunter: Thank you for helping us, that could have gotten ugly very fast.

Madaren: You guys did a very good job on holding them back. And I couldn't just watch you guys all day without helping.

*I look to my side and see a bunch of hunters looking at me like there mesmerised with a glow in their eyes*

T-this is embarrassing.

*I can feel a very strong hand on my shoulder*

For some reason I feel terrified, like I know if I look behind me i'll die.

Sophie: lightning magic?

Oh it's just Sophie.

Sophie: YOU ALSO HAD LIGHTNING MAGIC AND I DIDN'T KNOW.

Madaren: Uhh..

Sophie: No one has ever heard of a hunter who gained another magic affinity after Awakening.

Madaren: It wasn't magic, it was just my sword movement.

I say without realising I revealed my secrets.

Madaren: Uhh… shit

Sophie: What?! SWORD MOVEMENTS?

Madaren: That was a joke, it was a skill.

Sophie: … I'm on to you *Sophie says with penetrating eyes*

Madaren: *gulps*

30 Minutes Later

We arrived at the boss's gate. I learned that at every dungeon you can tell if you've found the boss if you see a large gate, about 50 metres tall. This gate looks to be about 100 metres though, and there are weird designs and carvings of what seem to be skeletons on the gate.

Sophie: This door will open automatically when we approach it.

Madaren: I got it.

Sophie: Reinforcement Sorcerers! Buff the Swordsmans.

*The Sorcerers perform a Buffing skill that will double a Swordsman's strength and stamina*

They must be really powerful to have a buffing skill that can double two different attributes. Most Buffing Sorcerers can only Buff a single attribute by 1.2x to 1.6x.

That's an A-Rank Sorcerer for you.

Sophie: Enter Formation!

*The Hunters enter a arrow formation*

Sophie: Go!

*The gate opens and we enter the Boss's room*

[LEVEL 350: UNDYING GHOUL]

*A 30 metre ghoul with a purplish Aura gets up from what looks to be it's throne, The ghoul looks to be like it's covered in scars and burn marks on its greyish skin with a zombie-like appearance.*

From what I heard, an Aura is when large amounts of mana spill out from the user and re enters again to the mana core. This is used as an intimidation trick and also a show for how powerful they are.

That fact that his mana is purple means that his mana core is also purple which means that this might be a difficult battle.

He is a lower level than the reapers I fought in hell but most of them had a mana core lower than green and mostly fought physically or sent minions after me.

They fought inexperienced because they had no need to fight in hell because they always sent minions.

But by the scars, burn marks and his mana core, this ghoul had been in countless difficult fights.

[NEW CHALLENGE]

KILL THE UNDYING GHOUL

REWARD: ???

FIFTY STAT POINTS TO EACH ATTRIBUTE

It's been years since I've got a challenge. And why is one of the rewards blocked? Oh well, It's time to fight now.

Undying Ghoul: YOU KEPT ME WAITING, MADAREN.

*The creatures dark and raspy voice sends shock and fear into the Hunters*

What! How does he know my name?

Sophie: You know this monster?

Madaren: I don't think so?

Dungeon Monsters usually disappear along with the dungeon when it's cleared, even in situations like dungeon breaks they are usually killed off quickly and then the portal disappears along with them.

Does he have a skill or something? No, why does he talk like he's seen me long ago.

Undying Ghoul: DO YOU NOT REMEMBER THE COLISEUM?

Madaren: !!!

It's the same ghoul? Didn't the system say I killed him?

How is he in this world in a dungeon?

Sophie: What is a SS-Rank Monster doing here?

Undying Ghoul: I WILL SLAY YOU LIKE YOU SLAYED BOTH OF MY BROTHERS [DOMINATING FORCE!]

*The ghoul throws out a punch with a force of Ghoulish energy that the shields attempt to block only to be quickly destroyed and sent flying back to the walls of the boss room. Some of them have crushed organs and broken ribs*

Shit!? They need to stop and let me fight before more of them get hurt.

Madaren: Guys Stop!

*The swords start rushing in and attempt to slice the ghoul's foot tendons only to be kicked away.*

Sophie: Sorcerers! Now!

The Sorcerers hesitated at first but quickly got into position and shot elemental bindings that restrained the ghoul's arms and legs.

Sophie: [SPACE-TIME'S BEND]

*The spell slows down the time of the ghoul*

Sophie: Madaren! Now!.

Madaren: Right!

What move would be best on him? I should cut off his hands so he doesn't use one of his dominating punches.

Madaren: [OMNIDASH] [CRESCENT SLAYTON]

*I dash in at a instant and shoot out a slice of crescent from my blade and successfully cut one of his hands off*

Yes I got him!

.

.

.

Sophie: NOT yet! I still have a grab on him and he's regenerating!

Madaren: Shit, his hand's back to normal.

It's only been two seconds and his hands are back. His regenerative abilities are insane!

Undying Ghoul: [S-SELF-DESTRUCT]

Sophie: *Sophie gasps and looks at me.* GET DOWN!

*The ghoul suddenly self-destructs and everything in a 20 metre radius is immediately vaporised.

The Ghoul's state is but a mere skeleton with muscles and organs spilling out, but in twenty seconds he is regenerated back to full. *Dust is blocking the ghoul's sight*

Undying Ghoul: *EVIL LAUGHING* NOW HOW DOES IT FEEL KNOWING THAT YOU COULDN'T PROTECT YOUR COMRADES.

Madaren: I wouldn't know.

*The dust settles and the ghoul lays his eyes on me*

Undying Ghoul: W-WHAT!?

Sophie: I can't wait to kill this monster!

In a mere 0.01 seconds, I grabbed everybody and moved out of his destruction radius, and Sophie also had enough time to cast a defensive force field spell.

Undying Ghoul: HOW!? YOU TINY BRAT!

Madaren: The fact that you just tried to kill my comrades to toy with me,

*I look at him with a gaze full of murderous intent*

Madaren: MAKES ME FUCKING PISSED.

[OMNIDASH!] [CRESCENT SLAYTON!]

*I dash in towards his head and slice his arm off with Crescent Slayton to make his other attack more predictable*

Undying Ghoul: [DOMINATING FORCE!]

*The ghoul tries to punch me while I'm in the air but I dodge his attack just barely and i slice his other arm off while I'm at it*

Sophie: [SPACE-TIME BEND] H-Hey Madaren! T-This will only hold for 10 seconds! *She says while strained*

Madaren: THAT'S MORE THAN ENOUGH!

Sophie: *Sophie thinks* What's this? He's fighting this SS-Rank Ghoul like it's two ranks below him! I was surprised when he saved all of us from that explosion in a flash. He may be able to take him down by himself, No he definitely will!

Madaren: [ANGEL WINGS] YOU'LL MEET YOUR BROTHERS SOON GHOUL.

*I fly towards the back of his neck upside down*

Undying Ghoul: YOU THINK I WOULDN'T GAIN A SKILL FROM WHEN YOU CUT THE BACK OF MY BROTHER'S NECK OFF!

Madaren: I REMEMBER THAT! IT WAS PRETTY SATISFYING!

Undying Ghoul: *YELLS IN ANGER* AGHHH! I'LL ANNIHILATE YOU!! [SPINAL EJECT]

*A bunch of bones come pointing out from the back of his neck to his waist, I quickly slice through everyone of them*

Madaren: enough, I'm getting bored now. just die.

[DUOFINISHER]

*I sliced his head off clean with two precise and swift cuts, but I know that I'm done yet because I can see his neck already regenerating*

Shit! I need to think of something… What can't he regenerate?

.

.

.

His Mana Core! Once a mana core is created, it cannot be lost or else you'll die. I'll need to utilise an advanced technique of Tripalm Art, The sixth and final move.

*I quickly fly to his stomach area*

I can see his Mana Core with my Mana Sense! I never tried this move on anyone but I know the technique.

Put your palm directly where the Mana Core is located,

Since mana is relatively Yin and Yang focus on sucking in the two energies through my fingertips that connect to my Mana Veins all the way to my Mana Core until he is drained.

Undying Ghoul: w-what are you doing *slow and sluggish*

Madaren: GETTING RID OF YOU

Undying Ghoul: s-Stop!

*His regeneration has stopped*

Madaren: Aw well, guess I'll kill you first before you die of mana loss. [INFERNO BLAST]

Undying Ghoul: AGH!!!! Y-YOU'LL S-SEE ME AGAIN HUMAN!

Madaren: This time… I don't think so.

[MISSION COMPLETED]

KILL THE UNDYING GHOUL

REWARD: GHOULISH ENERGY USER

50 STAT POINTS TO EACH ATTRIBUTE

Ghoulish energy? Let me check what it does.

[BATTLE EXPERIENCE]

5TH STAR SWORDSMANSHIP

WHITE MANA CORE

ADVANCED TRIPALM ART

BASIC GHOULISH ENERGY:

ENHANCE YOUR PHYSICALITY AND REGENERATION.

NOW:

LEVEL 680

STATS:

DURABILITY: 670

STRENGTH: 800

MAGIC: 800 - MANA CAPACITY - 10000

STAMINA: 690

SPEED: 690

INTELLIGENCE: 750

I guess it gives me the traits of a ghoul which are known to have a higher strength and regeneration than most Monsters. And my mana core is now White! The highest colour possible, I think I know why.

It's probably because of the mana and yin and yang I took from that ghoul who already had a purple mana core. Anyways, I need to heal the Hunters.

Sophie: You were amazing! Madaren. I don't think we could've survived if you weren't here.

Madaren: Oh please it's fine I'm just glad no one's hurt.

I probably shouldn't tell her that I'm probably the reason why that Monster was here.

Sophie: What was that about though, how did he know your name? And he also said you killed his brothers?

Madaren: Probably the Arctic Ghouls we fought.

Sophie: *Sensing not to push further* Right.

*I walk to the comrades and reverse there bodies back to normal shape*

Madaren: [SPACE REVERSAL!]

Phew I'm done, man I'm drained of mana-

*All of a sudden I feel immense pressure*

What's this? Another boss?

*I pull my sword out and look behind*

Sophie: DID YOU JUST SAY SPACE!?!?

Madaren: ….. oh shit.

20 Minutes Later

Hunters: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SAVING US ARCHHUNTER MADAREN!!!

Madaren: say what now?

Sorcerer Hunter: I was so scared I would never see my family ever again, but you took care of that monster, even when I was on the ground coughing blood.

Swordsman Hunter: THANK YOU FOR SAVING ME TOO ARCH HUNTER MADAREN! AND FOR HEALING ME! I was scared I couldn't pay the medical bills, I was more terrified of that than the Ghoul!!

Isn't he an A-Rank Hunter?

Sophie: *whispering* I could tell what you were thinking, He gambles a lot so he doesn't have a lot of money.

*Is he crying?*

Swordsman Hunter: OH THE HOSPITAL BILLS!

30 Minutes Later

*We finally left the dungeon*

Reporters: They are already coming out! Archhunter SOPHIE!

*Sophie sighs, already stressed*

Sophie: This is the hardest part of being a hunter. I'll be right back kid.

*Sophie leaves and goes to the ecstatic reporters*

Reporters: Has the dungeon been cleared?

*Sophie points the portal that has disappeared*

Sophie: I don't know, you tell me.

*The reporter blushes in embarrassment*

Reporters: How does it feel to obtain a new record?

Sophie: What are you talking about?

Reporter: Fastest S-Rank Dungeon ever completed, 3 Hours and 8 Minutes

Sophie: Oh that wasn't a S-Rank Dungeon.

Reporters: What do you mean?

Sophie: That was SS-Rank

Reporters: What?!

Sophie: The boss was a SS-Rank Ghoul that we couldn't have beat with no casualties without Archhunter Madaren

Reporters: THE SS-RANK!?

Sophie: Yup, He's right here.

*All of a sudden a portal forms beneath my feet and I fall through, I fall right next to Sophie right in front of the reporters*

Madaren: What was that for!?

Sophie: *whispering* This is what you get for using space magic.

*I roll my eyes at her sly grin and I look back to get bombarded by questions and flashing lights*

Reporters: *Loud, endless questioning*

Madaren: *Whispering* Please send me home Sophie.

Sophie: Huh!?! Can't hear you.

Madaren: I'm begging you man come on.

Sophie: Sure.

*Another portal forms beneath my feet and I fall down and land on my bed*

Madaren:

.

.

.

Craziest fucking day in human history.

*Buzz*

*I pick up my phone*

(35,300,200$ Sent to account)

Sophie: Your payment.

.

.

.

WHAT!?!?!