16 Vesper Guild

Hyra City boasts three prominent guilds: the Vesper Guild, Talon Guild, and Viso Guild.

These guilds house a significant number of Holders, with many of the city's renowned figures originating from their ranks, alongside promising newcomers. Their far-reaching influence extends throughout the entire city, often posing challenges for other guilds striving to establish their own power.

Within the central headquarters of the Vesper Guild, a palpable sense of gloom permeates the air, particularly within the office of the guild master.

The room accommodates four individuals, their attention fixated on the man seated behind his desk. His taut black suit accentuates his well-defined muscles, while his hair and mustache bear the mark of time in a striking white hue. His eyes emanate an icy intensity, and a cigar dangles from one hand. He draws a puff, exhaling a veil of smoke that momentarily obscures his visage.

However, oddly enough, the smoke didn't dissipate; instead, it lingered, enveloping the guild master's face. Simultaneously, the others in the room collectively swallowed hard, fully aware that this lingering smoke signaled the guild master's growing anger.

A deep, imposing voice resonated from within the shrouded smoke, demanding, "WHO DID THIS?"

Beads of sweat trickled down the foreheads of everyone in the room. One individual, wearing spectacles, nervously stepped forward and bowed, stammering,

"W-we are still in the process of investigation, and we will exert our utmost efforts to locate Young Master Lucius." His voice quivered, and he trembled from head to toe.

The smoke-shrouded Vesper guild master remained silent, intensifying the tension in the room. Everyone anxiously awaited his next move, but suddenly...

A resounding "Weinnggg!" filled the air, accompanied by an abrupt surge of pressure that forced them all to their knees. Among them was Sal, the guild master's secretary, distinguished by his glasses. As he raised his gaze, he beheld the figure before him now obscured by swirling smoke, revealing only the outline of a body and piercing red eyes.

This enigmatic figure was none other than Tarik Vesper, the father of Lucius Vesper and the reigning guild master of the Vesper Guild. He was also renowned as "The Smoker," a moniker derived from his unique ability to transmute his form into billowing smoke. The intricacies of this skill remained a closely guarded secret known only to him.

Tarik rose to his feet, his imposing presence undiminished. He strode toward the rear of the room, where a towering glass window stretched from floor to ceiling.

"YOU HAVE THREE DAYS TO FIND MY SON!" Tarik's command resonated powerfully, delivered with his back turned to his subordinates.

"Yes!"

"We understand!"

They chorused in response, swiftly departing, unable to withstand the force of Tarik's presence.

With a swift whoosh, the shrouding smoke dissipated.

His black suit remained impeccably clean as he gazed at the cars bustling below. He reached out, his hand meeting the cool surface of the window. Worry etched his features as he contemplated the fate of his only son.

***

Dante decided to begin his shopping with some new attire. Thankfully, a few stores within the Holders House were still open for business, including a clothing boutique.

There, he selected an elegant white suit reminiscent of noble fashion. Given his white mask, the choice felt fitting. Additionally, Dante was drawn to the intricate pattern on the suit, finding it both appealing and comfortable.

This particular suit boasted a straightforward defense mechanism, rendering it impervious to scratches and minor tears. It was also designed to be waterproof and stain-resistant.

While the price tag was steep, Dante possessed ample funds and didn't hesitate to make the purchase. As for weaponry, he saw no need to invest in additional armaments, considering the formidable weapons wielded by dungeon monsters were more than sufficient for his current needs.

Having secured all his essential supplies within the Holders House, Dante set off for the apartment he had in mind. Despite the ongoing quest, he felt no sense of urgency.

The new apartment exceeded the size of his previous one and was furnished more lavishly. Dante made the deposit and even prepaid his rent for the next six months. The landlord agreed to his terms and arranged for a cleaning service to spruce up the apartment in his absence. By the time Dante reached the car dealership, it was nearing 6 PM, but fortunately, they were still open. He opted for a modest, fuel-efficient vehicle.

"This is mine," Dante remarked, his hands gripping the steering wheel. He marveled at the fact that he could now afford a car, even if it was a simple one, without worrying about depleting his funds.

"I'll need to acquire more Skill Enhancement Marbles." he reflected, before turning the key and starting the engine.

In no time, the car sped down the highway.

***

Dante made the decision to tackle yet another repeatable F-class dungeon, but this time the dungeon's difficulty level was approaching that of a D-class. This particular dungeon was situated near a dense forest, requiring him to embark on a nearly three-hour journey to reach his destination.

With the clock nearing 10 o'clock, Dante was aware that securing a slot for the dungeon exploration would be a challenging task.

Most of the dungeons that remained available were these repeatable F-class dungeons, which needed to be cleared weekly. However, over time, as Holders continued to clear them, these dungeons would eventually vanish. On the other hand, one-time dungeons demanded immediate conquest and were typically of D-class or higher, as they carried a higher risk of Monster Invasion. Of course, repeatable D-class dungeons and above did exist, but they usually only needed to be cleared at least once a year.

Near the dungeon's portal, there was a modest settlement where Holders could rest and find the dungeon's registration counter. A handful of Holders were still waiting their turn to enter the dungeon.

Dante approached the counter and inquired about available slots, and to his relief, there were some.

"Some of them opted out due to the incident at the Holder's House." the person behind the counter mentioned casually, hinting at possible casualties among their relatives or for other undisclosed reasons.

"Would it be possible to take their slots?" Dante inquired. If he could secure those slots, he could revisit a dungeon later in the evening.

"All of them?" the person asked, taken aback.

"Yes."

Peering past Dante, the person behind the counter couldn't spot anyone else in line, which left him puzzled. Was this guy going to conquer a dungeon alone? Perhaps a skilled two star or three-star? The thought crossed his mind as he decided to inquire about Dante's name.

"What's your name again?"

"Eka." Dante replied.

The man behind the counter swiftly entered the name on his computer, but within seconds, a rumor he'd heard earlier in the day flashed through his mind. His eyes widened, and a cautious examination of Dante's mask confirmed his suspicion.

"Wait just a moment, let me check with my superior." the man said, pulling out a phone and making a call.

After a minute, they granted Dante the slots.

"Here are three slots. Although I should mention, the dungeon might collapse after two or three more resets." the man cautioned. This dungeon had only appeared three weeks ago, and due to the influx of new emerging Holders, it had quickly gained popularity.

Those who dare to face this dungeon, upon realizing its energy level is akin to a D-class, tend to be a blend of courageous and robust novice Holders.

The man at the counter identified Dante as the individual who had successfully soloed a Dungeon, having overheard snippets of conversation from Holders waiting in line. It seemed his superiors were already aware of this, which explained why they had granted Dante the slots. The man considered this normal, understanding that the organization that he is belong to was in need of talented Holders.

"White Mask, Eka." While instances of solo dungeon conquest did occur occasionally, they were usually accomplished by the exceptionally gifted and promising individuals who were destined for future fame. For someone like the man, tasked with tending to Holders day in and day out, it was crucial to make note of such remarkable individuals.

Dante nodded and patiently awaited his turn.

Before long, Dante stood at the entrance to the portal, attracting the other Holders.

As the sensation of weightlessness took hold, Dante's body tensed, poised for action.

Whoosh!

Upon opening his eyes, Dante was greeted by the fading light of the afternoon sun. Before him stretched a barren land, its landscape defined only by desiccated trees and withered grass.