The Animagus: From Hunter to Monster-Chapter 80: Dangerous dungeons

The whole environment was unstable, the atmosphere was not welcoming. The ground seemed to crackle beneath Buji’s booth.

All around him, some of the strongest hunters in their world had gathered. Among them were those who are capable of toppling mountains with a single strike. Yet, despite the strength, the overwhelming strength, there was unease among the crowd.

Seven dungeon gates had suddenly appeared without warning. Seven of them.

And the energy each possessed was unlike anything they felt before.

Buji remained silent as he scanned the field. Normally, dungeon gates followed a particular appearance pattern, materializing at the end of each week. In this way, the Hunter’s Association were able to monitor and assign raids accordingly.

But today, something was different. The gates had come into existence suddenly.

The silent atmosphere of hunters suddenly began to come to life with the murmurings of every person gathered there.

"This is not normal," a hunter near him whispered.

"Exactly, everything about this feels wrong."

"You’re not the only one thinking that, really," another replied.

"Right? These gates, their energy and the unstable composure. It’s strange."

Buji glanced at Kira who stood beside him with her arms crossed. Like the other hunters, she was tensed. Her sharp blue eyes flickered between the gathered hunters and the ominous adjacent gates in the distance.

"I don’t like this," she muttered.

"Neither do I," Buji admitted, keeping his voice low. ’But, I’m happy for it. Very very.

The dungeon appearance, to Buji was a blessing. A key to keep leveling up. He doesn’t want to look different that’s why he agreed with Kira’s disapproval of the gate appearance. But deep within, everything was fine by him.

He hummed a brief smile, before averting his attention to the crowd.

As expected, they murmured amongst themselves. The tension between them rising by every second of murmur. Then, a sudden static hum filled the air as a massive holographic screen materialized above the field. The symbol of the Hunter’s Association blazed brightly before a stern-looking man in a military-style uniform appeared on the screen.

’Technology,’ Buji thought with a smile.

"Attention, hunters!" the voice of the man in the screen boomed.

Silence fell over the place instantly.

"There will be an emergency operation, and for that reason, the Association had deemed it fit to summon you all, including the higher-ups," the man continued, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"The dungeon gates that appeared today, as you all should know, are abnormal. Their sudden emergence, their energy readings—everything about them suggests an external interference."

Murmurs spread through the crowd.

"External interference?!" a hunter muttered the courage to ask. "That’s impossible…"

Another gritted his teeth. "Unless someone caused this to happen."

Buji frowned at the contributions of the other hunters gathered with him, especially the last speaker.

If the Association had termed it External Interference, it simply meant that it was beyond the reach of normal humans like them to wield such power.

Except him. But it will be a matter of time.

"The situation is critical," the official continued, regardless of the noise that had erupted. "Due to the unknown threat level, only the strongest will be allowed to engage in this raid. A-Rank hunters will serve as support, while S-Rank hunters will take primary assault roles. The higher-ups will personally oversee the operation of each dungeon gates."

Buji exhaled slowly, knowing what was coming next.

"The Debut team is hereby relieved of duty for this operation, as they can still be referred as ’Starters Pack’. All members are dismissed—except for S-Rank Hunter, Buji and the Instructors in-charge."

Kira stiffened beside him. "What?!"

Even as she had spoken, all eyes were in their direction. Everyone was staring at Buji, and continued asking the reason why he, alone, had to be exempted from the order.

Only those who knew him, or maybe had a raid encounter with him could relate. Others, were definitely numb to the situation.

Buji on his own part felt the rush of adrenaline flush through his muscle tendrils. It only meant that the Association was aware of every thing that has been going on.

Looking at Kira who held unto him tightly, he said, "Their decision seem to be final. They have spoken. Please, do well to stay safe while we return."

Before Kira could argue with Buji, a smooth, arrogant voice rang out from the elevated platform where the higher-ups stood.

"Rules are rules," said Mr. Zin, his smirk barely concealed. "This is no place for weaklings."

"Not unlikely of him after all," Buji retorted.

Kira clenched her fists, her knuckles turning white, but she remained silent. The tension between her and Mr. Zin was palpable, but everyone knew challenging a ruling from the Association was futile.

Buji glanced at Kira, his expression unreadable. "We’ll talk later," he said softly.

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She looked away, clearly frustrated but unwilling to cause a scene.

"But, you were not interested in attending in the first place," Buji said, remembering how he had forced Kira to come with him upon receiving the second urgent message.

"But, I am here now," Kira replied.

Buji turned back to the dungeon gates. "It’s okay, just be safe. Even for my own sake."

"And you too," Kira replied.

"Hmm, no atom of emotion with that answer."

---

With the Debut team dismissed, the Association began assigning hunters into teams. The strongest S-Rank warriors were grouped together and assigned to the most dangerous dungeon gates.

The Association only had a limited number of 20 S-Rank hunters, with the majority being A-Ranked. For Buji to be one, there was an expectation for him already.

Two Squads were formed to contain 5 S-of S-Rank hunters, with A-Rank hunters as supporting frame. Other groups housed a maximum of 2 S-Rank hunters.

Among those groups, were the Elite Squad.

And that was going to be Buji’s group.

As if his plan was going to work, the group only consisted of two S-Rank hunters— himself and Mr. Zin.

Mr. Zin was going to be their overseer.

As the squads were announced, a tall, battle-hardened hunter named Raven approached Buji with a smirk. He was a well-known A-Rank veteran, infamous for his brutal combat style.

His fellow hunters always said that he should have awakened an S-Rank hunter if not for his village people.

The fact still remained that you live, and die, with the rank you awakened as an early-stage hunter. Even if you continued being stronger.

"So, you’re the rookie my colleague has been talking about," Raven mused. "Let’s see if you live up to the hype."

Buji met his gaze evenly. ’You’ll see soon enough.’ He thought, before looking in the direction to find Instructor Gib waving at Raven.

"Ladies and their mouth."

"Don’t you dare!" Raven was already fumed by Buji’s statement. "You’re still a chicken boy, note that."

"Oh. I see she’s your—"

Immediately, Mr. Zin stepped forward, addressing their squad with a condescending smile. It’s as if the action had been timed.

"Listen up. Our assigned dungeon gate has been classified as an S+ Rank anomaly. That means we’re dealing with something beyond standard dungeon bosses."

"S+?" A female voice sounded from the group. "I’ve never heard of that rank before."

The hunters method of classifying dungeons was funny to Buji. If it was to be the Monsters, this dungeon will be called "A dictator ranked dungeon". But, if they were assigned to a dungeon of this level which isn’t classified as most dangerous, how dangerous was the other dungeons then.

Somehow, he wished he was among the hunters assigned to the dungeons that were classified as Most Dangerous.

"Shouldn’t the Association employ reinforcement?" The same girl that had spoken before asked.

The hunters around him nodded grimly in affirmation.

Buji remained silent, no reaction.

"Reinforcement will come, if the table turns against us," Mr. Zin stated. "However, still expect the worst."

Buji turned to Mr. Zin. "That’s not encouragement for peopl who are about to trade their lives."

Mr. Zin looked at him and snapped. "Wonderful. But, I like being factual with my dealing."

"Anyway, we will still have a score to settle, but that will be after the raid."

’That will be if you succeed alive, anyway,’ Buji thought with a light smile.

---

Each of the teams divided, making their way to the gates they had been assigned. Each group consisted of two squad, Squads A and B.

Squad A were probably the main force of any group, while Squad B will be acting as support. Support, not in the sense that they will be passive though.

As they approached the dungeon gate, Buji felt his skin prickle. The energy radiating from it was suffocating, heavier than any dungeon, including the dungeon, in which he had performed encountered his first solo Quest as instructed by the system. The swirling energy within it pulsed wildly, as if barely contained.

Mr. Zin extended a hand toward the glowing portal. "Time to see what we’re dealing with. After me!"

"Follow your leader," Buji said in a mocking tone as each of the members stepped through.

The moment Buji crossed the threshold, his vision blurred, and an intense pressure crashed down upon him. The air was thick with mana. Too thick.

His blur vision took a little bit long time before his sight adjusted. At that instant, he realized they were standing in a massive cavern, with walls that were lined with eerie, glowing runes.

The atmosphere as well was suffocating, but that wasn’t what sent shivers down Buji’s spine.

It was the creature standing before them.

A towering beast with obsidian-black scales and burning crimson eyes. A being of pure destruction, as he read in one Monster book.

A Wyrm.

Above the head of the Wyrm, an orange screen appeared.

[Dictator-Ranked Wyrm.]

’I thought as much concerning this dungeon.’

For the second time, Buji felt something stir deep within him.

Excitement.