"That's two." A voice cut through the noise, frustration heavy in their tone. "Two Apex Bosses have been defeated. What the hell is happening out there?"
"Who the hell is doing this?" Another voice demanded. "The system doesn't even give us their names!"
"Who is Participant: XXXX?" someone else shouted. "This is the second time their name came up. Just who are they?!"
The room was a mess of raised voices, theories being thrown around, paranoia creeping into every word. Some speculated about hidden elites, others about secret groups, and a few even whispered about the possibility of outside intervention.
Then—
"QUIET!!!"
The command boomed through the hall, immediately silencing the chaos.
The speaker, a broad-shouldered man with piercing eyes, stood at the center. His presence alone demanded attention.
"We don’t even know what Apex Bosses are. But if the system is making global announcements about them, then they sure as hell aren't some regular monsters. That means whoever defeated them—twice—is someone far beyond the rest of us."
His gaze swept across the room.
"They’re the best among us. Whoever they are, they need to be recruited. We need them fighting on our side."
A heavy silence followed, tension thick in the air.
And then—
The planning began.
As time passed, the participants adapted, fought, and built their foothold in the Expanse. While still fragmented, their collective progress had significantly evolved.
Guilds & Groups have emerged, organizing systematic hunts for food and materials.
Low-level creatures such as Goblin Soldiers, Chitter Monkeys, and Boar Hounds have been nearly wiped out in safe zones.
Some mutated beasts (Force-Aligned creatures) still pose threats, and Apex Bosses remain undefeated in most regions.
Certain skilled fighters have begun taking down Level 5–10 creatures alone or in small groups.
Primitive weapons (clubs, spears, stone blades) gave way to early metalworking.
Iron has been discovered in certain regions, leading to the forging of iron weapons and tools.
Aether-forged weapons are rare but have started appearing, thanks to Blacksmiths learning to infuse energy into weapons.
Rare weapon drops from high-level creatures have become prized possessions.
Low-tier healing salves and anti-poison pastes have been developed from harvested plants.
The first rudimentary health and stamina potions have been crafted.
Experiments with Aether-infused herbs have led to enhancements such as Force Restoration Elixirs.
Venom extracted from creatures like Venomfang Wolves and Shadow Vipers is being used for poisoned blades.
Certain alchemists are experimenting with temporary buffs through elixirs.
The first centralized marketplace has been established, where:
Weapons, armor, and potions are traded.
Rare beast materials and Force-enhanced items are auctioned.
Blacksmiths and alchemists take commissions for custom gear.
The community has gone from makeshift camps to organized settlements with wooden walls and basic fortifications.
A watchtower system for early warnings against creatures or enemy groups is in place.
The settlement has organized groups, including guilds, independent parties, and small factions with unique goals.
Top 10 Guilds:
- Iron Fang – Elite warrior guild focusing on combat and monster hunting.
- Verdant Pact – Specializes in alchemy, herbalism, and natural Force Affinities.
- Stormbreakers – A fast-moving combat guild specializing in Wind and Agility-based fighters.
- The Forgebound – Focuses on weapon and armor crafting, known for their superior gear.
- The Shadow Veil – A rogue-like faction, known for scouting, assassinations, and stealth-based combat.
- Aether Wardens – A group dedicated to Force mastery and researching the Expanse’s deeper mysteries.
- The Bloodied Tusk – Mercenary-style guild, taking contracts for hunting, protection, and bounties.
- Dragon’s Maw – A powerful group of brawlers and close-combat specialists with brute strength.
- Zephyr Striders – A nomadic group, skilled in speed, tracking, and adapting to the Expanse.
- The Covenant of Embers – A faction of fire-aligned users, delving into elemental Force mastery.
powerful individuals or small groups that aren’t affiliated with guilds but hold significant influence emerged as well.
- The Lone Fang (Leader: Kaito Ren) – A former warrior who refuses to join any guild but is known for soloing high-level beasts.
- The Eclipse Sisters (Leaders: Mira & Lillian) – A duo of twin Force users with unknown abilities.
- Ghostwalkers (Leader: Tarek Vol) – A small but elite assassination party.
- The Silver Hunt (Leader: Valeria Eris) – A group of archers and trackers who refuse to take orders from guilds.
- The Risen Ashes (Leader: Darius Kain) – A ragtag group of survivalists focusing on scavenging and knowledge.
- The Dawnborn (Leader: Asha Quinn) – Known for her insight into Aether manipulation, some call her an oracle.
- The Black Talon (Leader: Orin Graves) – A ruthless group of ex-soldiers from Earth, willing to do anything for power.
With the Apex Bosses beginning to fall, the world of the Expanse was shifting. And the hunt had only just begun.
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
Progress surged forward as settlements solidified, forging an organized existence in this world of survival. Participants had adapted, their combat abilities refined, their understanding of Aether and Force growing. Many believed themselves to be making significant strides, particularly in their Force Progression, where the most talented had just begun to reach 5%.
Yet the Expanse still held many secrets.
Whispers began to spread about strange distortions in the air—shimmering, translucent gateways appearing across the land. Those who approached them were greeted with an unfamiliar system message.
[System Notice: You have discovered a grade F Dungeon Gate.]
[Dungeons are self-contained realms filled with structured challenges, enemy forces, and valuable rewards.]
[Recommended Entry Level: 5+]
[Recommended Party Size: 3-6 Participants]
[Danger Level: Easy]
The discovery sent waves of excitement and unease through the participants. What lay beyond those portals? Was it an opportunity for power or a death sentence for the unprepared?
Some hesitated. Others, driven by ambition, stepped forward.
The first dungeon expedition was formed—a team of five, all above Level 5, experienced enough to handle the dangers they assumed lay ahead.
Upon stepping through the shimmering gate, the group found themselves inside a vast cave system. Unlike the open wilderness they had grown accustomed to, this place was confined—tight tunnels and steep drops forcing them to stay on high alert. The environment was eerily still, yet remnants of battles from past wanderers painted the terrain.
Scorched rock suggested fire-based Force users had once clashed here. Deep gashes in the walls indicated fierce blade combat. Some areas had strange, lingering energy signatures—echoes of abilities once unleashed.
The deeper they traveled, the more apparent the dungeon’s trials became. The creatures within were not monstrous horrors but the very same beings they had faced outside—Boar Hounds, Chitter Monkeys, Goblin Soldiers—yet they were stronger, more aggressive, reacting as if they had adapted to this battlefield.
Unlike in the wild, the dungeon forced battle after battle. There was no running. There was no rest.
But the party pushed forward.
After an exhausting series of engagements, the group finally reached a massive open cavern. The air was thick with tension, the silence almost deafening. Unlike the tunnels before, the battlefield before them bore the scars of conflict. The walls shimmered with traces of elemental Forces—fire, wind, earth. Shattered stone, cracked ground, and long-dried blood marked the area as one where warriors had fought before.
Then they saw it.
At the far end of the chamber, perched upon a raised stone platform, sat the dungeon’s guardian.
A Grand Stonetusk Boar.
The beast was massive—twice the size of an ordinary Boar Hound, its thick, iron-like hide gleaming beneath the dim cavern light. Its tusks, lined with embedded minerals, glowed faintly with residual Aether energy, proof of past battles.
Its eyes locked onto them.
And then—it charged.
The cavern erupted into chaos.
The party scattered as the Grand Stonetusk Boar barreled forward, its sheer size making every movement a threat. Dust and debris shot into the air as its hooves cracked the ground beneath it.
The vanguard, a shield-bearer, took the brunt of the first impact, skidding backward as his shield barely held against the monstrous force. The others launched their attacks—one fighter wielding wind-enhanced strikes to counter the boar’s momentum, another unleashing a barrage of arrows infused with Aether to pierce its thick hide.
Each exchange tested their limits.
The boar retaliated with ruthless precision. Its tusks carried an earth-aligned Force, sending ripples through the ground that shattered their footing. When wounded, it stomped, causing localized tremors that knocked them off balance.
Yet, despite its overwhelming power, the group began to adapt.
They coordinated.
The wind-user manipulated currents to slow the boar’s movements mid-charge. The ranged attacker targeted its exposed joints, forcing it to stumble. The vanguard switched from pure defense to calculated counterattacks, using his shield to deflect rather than absorb.
The battle stretched on, their bodies bruised, Aether reserves drained, but their attacks grew sharper, more refined.
And then—
One final strike.
The shield-bearer baited the boar into a reckless charge, sidestepping at the last second. The beast stumbled—an opening.
The wind-user surged forward, their blade glowing with compressed currents.
Aether-enhanced steel met flesh.
The Grand Stonetusk Boar let out a final, thunderous roar before collapsing.
The dungeon was cleared.
The White Expanse
The moment the boar fell, a bright light enveloped them.
The cavern disappeared.
Each of them was pulled into a vast, white expanse—an endless void of stillness. No walls, no ceiling, no floor. Just nothingness.
Then—the system spoke.
[System Notice: Grade F Dungeon Completion Achieved.]
[Evaluating Performance…]
[Individual Performance Grading Initiated.]
[Assessing: Combat Contribution, Damage Dealt, Damage Received, Tactics, and Adaptability.]
[Participant 1]
[Combat Contribution: B]
[Damage Dealt: C]
[Damage Received: A]
[Tactics & Adaptability: B+]
[Overall Grade: B]
[Participant 2]
[Combat Contribution: A]
[Damage Dealt: B+]
[Damage Received: C]
[Tactics & Adaptability: A]
[Overall Grade: A-]
[Participant 3]
[Combat Contribution: C]
[Damage Dealt: D]
[Damage Received: B]
[Tactics & Adaptability: C]
[Overall Grade: C-]
[Grading Complete.]
[Reward Calculation Based on Individual Performance…]
[Base Rewards for Dungeon Completion:]
- [Aether Crystals (Low-Grade) x5]
- [Dungeon Completion Title: Novice Delver]
[Bonus Rewards Based on Grade:]
Grade C-: +1 Low-Grade Aether Potion
Grade B: +1 Iron-Grade Weapon (Random)
Grade A-: +1 Force-Infused Weapon OR Armor Piece (Choose One)
[Unique Skill Awakening Chance Based on Grade…]
[Calculating…]
…
…
[Skill Awakening Successful!]
[Participant 2 has unlocked the Skill: Force Echo – Allows brief afterimages of movements to linger in reality, confusing enemies and enhancing evasion.]
As the system’s voice faded, reality snapped back.
The group found themselves outside the dungeon’s entrance, battered, exhausted, yet victorious.
The rewards in their hands shimmered, a testament to their first true trial in the Expanse.
And as they stood there, still catching their breath, one thing became clear.
This was only the beginning.
What followed next was the system announcement of a newly revealed leaderboard—a ranked display of the top participants in the Expanse based on their achievements, combat prowess, and dungeon completions. Oddly enough, Kei and Silvie were nowhere to be found on the leaderboard.
At the very top, holding the number one rank, was a single name:
[Jin Saito]
At that exact moment, the man in question was methodically adjusting his newly acquired leather gauntlets and reinforced leg guards. His movements were precise, unfazed by the glowing leaderboard hovering before him.
He was alone.
Despite the system’s recommended party size of ten, he had cleared the dungeon by himself.
Behind him, the dungeon gate flickered, its entrance shifting as if acknowledging its completion. The system announcement echoed once more.
[System Notice: Grade E Dungeon Completion Achieved.]
[Evaluating Performance…]
[Individual Performance Grading Initiated.]
[Assessing: Perfect Completion.]
[Danger Level: Hard.]
Jin paid the message no mind, continuing to secure his gloves with practiced ease. His dark, unkempt hair barely shifted as he moved, and his narrowed eyes scanned the surroundings with an unreadable expression.
If one were to venture inside the dungeon he had just cleared, they would find something peculiar.
Unlike other dungeon runs, where the aftermath bore signs of fierce battles—charred walls from fire attacks, deep gashes from swords, shattered stone from explosive strikes— this dungeon showed none of that.
The enemies had been defeated without any trace of Force usage.
No scorch marks.
No residual Aether signatures.
No signs of weapons even being used.
It was as if everything had been felled purely with hand-to-hand combat.
The creatures had been beaten down with nothing but raw skill.
And yet—
Jin’s gear, though newly acquired, showed little damage. His breathing was steady. His stance, unshaken.
It wasn’t just strength that had carried him through.
It was technique.
And as he calmly rolled his shoulders, glancing at his first-place ranking, he merely sighed.
“…Still not enough.”
With that, he turned, walking away from the dungeon as if none of it had been worth his time.