Kairiki

Level 11: Either a Gigantosaurus or Magic Beast

[The cold wind howled through the trees as Hydro caught up with Katie and Aaron, the snow crunching beneath his boots. The three of them trudged forward in silence, their breath visible in the frigid air. Despite the chilling surroundings, Hydro's senses were on high alert, scanning for any sign of danger. Yet, there was nothing—no signal, no indication of a gate appearing. The dungeon wasn't finished, that much was clear. As they pushed deeper into the forest, the snow thickened, clinging to the branches of the tall pines and covering the ground like a thick blanket.]

HYDRO: [breaking the silence, his tone calm but serious] There's something off about this place. I can't sense the end of the dungeon yet, which means it's still open. We need to be on guard.

[Katie and Aaron exchanged glances, both of them nodding in agreement. They trusted Hydro's instincts; after all, he had saved them more than once already. As they walked further into the forest, they came upon a small clearing. There, nestled among the trees, was a makeshift camp. Thirty people huddled together around a roaring campfire, the flickering flames casting long shadows on the snowy ground.]

[The group consisted of a mix of normal people, anthropomorphic animals, friendly aliens, and two children. Most of them were civilians from the Harmony System, trapped in the dungeon just like Hydro and his companions. The tension in the air was palpable, but there was also a sense of relief as they spotted Hydro approaching. The fear of monsters was momentarily replaced with the hope that they might have found an ally.]

CIVILIAN: [relieved, stepping forward] Thank goodness you're not a monster! We've been hiding here for hours, trying to stay warm and avoid any more attacks.

[Hydro nodded, his eyes scanning the group. The fire crackled as the people continued to cook fish and meat, their meager rations keeping them sustained in the freezing cold.]

HYDRO: [with a reassuring smile] You're safe for now. But this place... it's not the end. There's more out there, and I have a feeling it's only going to get worse.

[He turned to Katie and Aaron, his expression softening slightly.]

HYDRO: Stay here with them. I have some things I need to take care of.

[Katie and Aaron nodded, though they couldn't hide the worry in their eyes as Hydro walked away from the group. Once he was a good distance away, Hydro opened his Interface, revealing the details of his Daily Quests. The usual set of exercises awaited him, though they had been modified for the harsh environment.]

[The snow crunched beneath him as he began his regimen: 50 pull-ups, 5 minutes of planking, 50 burpees, and a grueling 20-kilometer run through the snow-covered forest. Despite the biting cold, Hydro pushed through the pain, his body moving with precision and strength honed from countless battles and training sessions. When he finally completed the last set, a wave of exhaustion washed over him, but it was quickly replaced by a surge of energy as the Interface rewarded him.]

[Hydro's eyes lit up as he received Skill Points and a Blessed Loot Box. He quickly opened the Loot Box, revealing a new set of items that he stored in his Inventory for later use. Just as he was about to check on the others, a low growl echoed through the forest. Hydro turned, his eyes narrowing as he spotted a pack of Ice Bears approaching, their breath visible in the cold air.]

HYDRO: [coldly, his hand gripping the hilt of his dagger] Looks like I've got some company.

[Back at the camp, Katie and Aaron were sitting with two of the lesbian couples, sharing stories and trying to keep their spirits up. The conversation was light, focused on their interests rather than anything too personal.]