In this world, the definition of 'normal' had changed beyond imagination. Once a 'normal' world meant a world which was free from monsters. The only ways to find these monsters was through movies or games, but then, one fateful day, the 'normal' world changed.

'Dungeons' started popping up on the surface of earth out of nowhere. Few people wanted to explore these dungeons, while the rest were xenophobic¹, they had all the right in the world to think so, not many people had the guts to step into the unknown, completely aware of the fact that they could die inside those dungeons, but for some, the thrill was too much and they couldn't resist going inside the dungeon.

​​

Ignoring the orders and guidelines from the government, a group of soldiers who were stationed to prevent others from entering, themselves defied the rules and violated a direct command from their superiors and stepped inside the portal.

It was this foolishness that activated the countdown of the time left to clear the dungeon. A countdown that would inevitably lead to the first-ever dungeon break on Earth. Not to mention that those soldiers couldn't clear the dungeon without weapons, but they died a horrible death by the hands of the monsters inside...

Even after the incident, the was no way for the government to know about the countdown, as far as they could tell, the dungeon was still the same. Nothing had changed, at least that's what the greatest minds of Earth had concluded based on a 'rigorous' analysis of the dungeon.

The conclusion of this 'rigorous' analysis was strictly based on the outside appearance of the dungeon. The only thing the scientist could say with proof was the fact that the dungeon was surrounded by a new type of radiation or energy that no one had ever witnessed before, sadly there wasn't a way for them to measure this 'energy'. If they could, they'd have known that it was dissipating exponentially, and the moment it disappeared, the monsters it had been holding back would be released upon the unprepared world and the definition of 'normal' was changed forever.

Out of the dungeon, came low ranked monsters like goblins, but since humanity didn't know how to defeat them, it took a lot of time to do so. During this time countless humans lost their lives but everything was forgotten after the world witnessed the true horrors of the places that were called 'dungeons'.

Monsters, beasts, magic... anything and everything that could've only been found in movies, games and fictional stories, were now a part of the reality. They were real. The mysterious energy/radiation around the dungeons was given a name, Xenoic radiation. The radiation which kept the monsters trapped inside the dungeon was the same as the radiation which granted humans the superpowers to face monsters inside the dungeon. It was like the Earth was trying to find an equilibrium within the chaos. People rapidly adapted to these new changes, and soon the dungeons became a new source of business. A business with millions of dollars.

Slowly but surely, everything began to settle in, but then the world changed once again. And this time the change was neither smooth nor easy to adapt to.

Along with the change, came mutation, which was thanks to the curiosity of humans. This mutation evolved the already deadly monsters into even deadlier species. One of such monsters laid lifeless near the feet of the man who had burned him to death.

___

You've killed a cosmic being.

EXP: +10000

First rank D Cosmic being killed :

EXP: +8000

First Demon Orc killed.

EXP: +6000

___

A minute ago, the cave had resonated with desperate screams of the Orc but now it was shrouded in silence, as the smell of burning flesh defiled the cave. The, once proud Demon Orc had been burnt to a crisp, his flesh on his back had melted away, only the bony spikes of the orc were left behind.

Talos silently stood behind his master, his left arm back in its place.

"So you can't revive him?" Arnold asked Talos, without turning back to face him.

"No master... unfortunately, almost half of the monster's body has been burnt away. My abilities won't be able to resurrect him." Talos informed him.

Arnold took a deep breath and in an attempt to calm himself down, 'I got carried away...'

"Alright. Then let's do the next best thing..." Arnold said and grabbed a fist full of gooey flesh of the dead orc and smeared it on Talos' chest.

Within a moment, the blood rune present in the centre of his chest started giving off a neon blue light, confirming that Arnold's plan was successful.

"Transform." Arnold mumbled.

Talos' metallic body started changing as Arnold uttered the word. His body grew bigger, a tough black skin materialised out of thin air and covered him up. Spikes popped out of his back, as time passed he started looking more and more like the Demon Orc.

___

NAME: Talos

ROLE: Battle Automaton

FORM: Demon Orc

LEVEL: 92

RANK: S

FORM ROLE: Brawler/Berserker

AFFINITY/ABILITIES :

• Silent Kill (Active skill)

• Eternal Rage (Passive skill)

• Hardening (Passive skill)

• Demon's Will (Controlling skill)

HP: 12000/12000

STRENGTH (STR) : 118

DEFENSE (DEF) : 88

STAMINA (STA) : 60

INTELLIGENCE (INT) : 90

AGILITY (AGI) : 86

ACCURACY (ACC) : 58

EVADE (EVD) : 85

CHARISMA (CHA) : --

Damage Resistances: None

Condition Immunities: Exhaustion, Frightened, Frozen, Poisoned, Blunt attacks.

Weak Against: Fire-based attacks.

___

Arnold was pleased with the results of the transformation. He had finally obtained an S ranked summon, but more than that he was happy about the next two notifications that he received.

___

You've achieved a new title!

Name: [Master Tamer]

Effect: Increases the effect of synchronization effects of your summons and allies by 4%

___

___

• HEADHUNTER :

[ INTRODUCTION ]: You've proven your worth to the 'Immortal One' and now your true training begins.

[ TASK ]: Hunt down 300 monsters as an offering to the Immortal one.

[ PROGRESS ] :

30/300 monsters hunted.

___

'Looks like I was right... the Headhunter quest only counts the monsters that I slay without the help of my summons. Not only that, slaying cosmic beings seem to give more points as the counter went up by not one but ten points. At least now I know what I have to do to complete the headhunter quest, also... what's that controlling spell Talos has gained? If it is what I'm thinking, then, ho ho ho, I'm in for a treat!'

"It is an ability that will allow me to control any orc or any 'green-skinned monster²' within a range of 2 kilometres from my location." Talos answered as if he read his Master's mind.

"Talos, inform Allen about the situation and ask him to send a small force to rescue these women. After they are done, you and I are going on a hunt." Arnold said with a smile on his face. His good day had just turned into a great day!

*****

Author's note:

1. Xenophobia is the psychological term for fear of the unknown, and people who suffer from it are called xenophobic.

2. I grouped up the goblins, ogres and Orcs together and referred them as green-skinned monsters. These are the only monsters that the ability [Demon's Will] can control and not all the monsters who have green skin.