The world twisted into focus with a flash of red light and one very dramatic.
Abhay stumbled into the Maze Ruins dungeon, adjusting his mask. Behind him, the Crack sealed like a zipper closing on reality. Fourteen masked figures spread out, weapons ready, eyes gleaming behind black visors.
No Will this time. Just Abhay, the System, and a bunch of career criminals cosplaying as Power Rangers.
System: No pet, no plan, and now you're in a monster-infested labyrinth. A+ life choices.
"Remind me again why I trust masked strangers who recruited me off a rooftop?"
System: Because you're broke and emotionally allergic to government registration. Also, you do like dramatic entrances.
"Fair."
The maze was classic dungeon-core: stone corridors, flickering torches (why do they always flicker?), and the faint stench of Minotaur.
They split into loose pairs and groups. Abhay tagged along behind two axe-wielding Ghosts who barely acknowledged him.
Two Hours In...
[Minotaur Cleared – +Credits Pending]
[Remaining: 8% of Dungeon Map]
Abhay wiped sweat from his brow, stepping over the twitching corpse of a now-headless Minotaur.
"That's the fifth one."
System: Congrats. You are now officially a monster exterminator with zero health benefits.
He glanced at the others. They were efficient—almost too efficient. Slash, stab, dismember. No hesitation. No celebration.
Just work.
"Hey," he said to the guy beside him—tall, scar down his arm, wielding twin daggers. "Why'd you become a False Ranker?"
The man hesitated, then shrugged. "Wanted man. Needed money. No one asks questions here."
Another woman chimed in from behind a pillar, cracking a Minotaur skull like it owed her rent. "Same. Too many bounties on my head. This gig pays and no one cares if I have a criminal record longer than this dungeon."
One by one, the others echoed the sentiment.
Murderers. Smugglers. Outcasts. Even a former guild healer who "accidentally" poisoned a raid team.
Abhay looked around, eyebrows lifting behind his mask.
System: Good news: You've finally found people who make you look normal.
"Great. I'm the most morally upright person in the room. What a downgrade."
90% Clear...
By now, the maze had gone quiet. No Minotaur grunts, no trap doors, not even an ominous echo.
And then, they found it.
The Boss Room.
Large, ornate double doors stood at the end of a crimson hall, etched with horned symbols and warning runes that screamed, "Bad Idea—Do Not Enter."
Naturally, everyone stared.
Just then, three shadows flickered into view. The recruiter stepped forward, mask gleaming. Two others followed—also masked, but their coats bore a stitched sigil: 15.
"Good work, Ghosts," the recruiter said, voice even. "The Crack has been cleared."
Someone stepped forward. "But the boss—?"
"Is not your concern," the recruiter said sharply. "You've done your part. Now exit the dungeon. You'll be paid at the gate."
No one argued.
Especially not when one of the newcomers casually twirled a glowing, spiked baton like they were itching to commit several felonies with it.
Abhay glanced at the Boss Room one last time.
System: Just once, I'd like to meet a boss. Y'know, for closure.
"That's how you die with style. We're skipping that part."
They walked back, silent. One by one, they stepped through the gate and out into the night air of the under-construction 15th floor.
True to their word, payment was distributed—credits appearing on cracked devices via secure transfer.
Abhay's screen flashed:
[Credits Received: 213,600 (Government Rate +10%)]
[Monsters Killed: 7]
"Not bad for a night with zero looting and minimal emotional trauma," Abhay muttered.
The recruiter stood near the exit, arms crossed.
"Your work is done," he announced. "You've been paid. Now disappear."
He paused.
"For one week, this building is off-limits. You step in here again before that… you'll face consequences."
Abhay didn't ask what kind. The tone made it clear: they were the you-don't-respawn kind.
System: So… spa day for seven days?
"Or quietly panic in my apartment. One of those."
Without another word, Abhay turned and left, vanishing into the night like every other ghost.
But even as he walked away, he couldn't shake the feeling.
That boss room wasn't just off-limits.
It was protected.