Novels by Apex J.

~~~~~~~~~〈Notice: Consciousness detected. Initializing synchronization…〉~~~~~~~~~~〈Notice: Synchronization between host consciousness and Oracle complete.〉〈Cognitive link established. Vocal communication optional.〉~~~~~~~~~~~〈Designation Confirmed.〉Name: Eric Alan ValeAge: 25Gender: Male~~~~~~~~~~~Then Eric gasped awake.Air tore violently into his lungs as his body jerked upright, his chest heaving like he had been dragged out of deep water. His heart slammed against his ribs, wild and frantic, his gaze darting around in pure panic.Everywhere was bright and rhythmic beeping echoed from every corner.“What… where am I?” he whispered hoarsely, his throat dry and raw. “Is this… is this death?”“Death?”The single word froze him and his breath hitched.It was a familiar voice.Eric turned his head slowly, fear and disbelief crawling up his spine. His eye widened as he stared at the girl beside the bed.She was pretty, young with long hazel hair falling over her shoulders and

Eric stared blankly at Regan. His eyes followed the movement of Regan’s hand as the bloodied sword slowly lifted and pointed straight at him. The blade was still slick with monster blood, droplets sliding down and staining the stone between them. Eric swallowed hard. His breathing was uneven, shallow, his heart hammering so violently it felt like it might tear out of his chest. “Why?” he asked hoarsely, forcing himself to meet Regan’s gaze. “I’ve done nothing to you, Regan. Why would you want to kill me?” Regan let out a low, mocking chuckle. His teeth clenched as pain rippled through him and he reached up with one hand to clutch his ribs, blood seeping between his fingers. “You really can be a dummy, Eric,” he said, shaking his head. “You handed me a rare opportunity on a silver platter. You walked your dumb E-rank ass straight into my domain and even signed the contract without thinking.” His eyes narrowed, sharp and cold. “I guess that just proves how desperate you really a

The Alpha was huge, far bigger than anything Eric’s mind could accept. It had to be 6’4’’ if not more, and its eyes were red.Lightning wrapped around its body like a living cloak, snapping and crawling through its thick black fur. A single black horn jutted from its forehead, jagged and crackling with power.Then it howled.The sound wasn’t just loud, it was violent.The dungeon walls shattered outward. Crystals burst. Stone ripped free. The shockwave picked Eric up like he weighed nothing and threw him.He flew like a rag doll.Instinct was the only thing that saved him. He curled around the vial and arrow, crushing them against his chest as he slammed into the ground and rolled hard. Pain detonated through his body and something tore. Something cracked.He didn’t know what but everything hurt.He lay there gasping, the world ringing. He could feel wet warmth slid down his face and he wiped it with shaking fingers.Blood.His ears were bleeding. His chest burned as he coughed, and

Several Hunters turned to look at Eric, their expressions immediately darkening.Some frowned openly, others clicked their tongues in clear displeasure.“Are you sure about that?” one of them asked Regan. “I don’t think this is the right call, Regan.”Another Hunter crossed his arms. “He’s just an E-rank. Bringing him inside makes no sense.”Regan did not look bothered in the slightest.“Don’t worry,” he said calmly. “Killing the Alpha will be easy. There’s no way an E-rank will be in danger… under my watch.”Then his gaze shifted to Eric.“Come here, Eric.”Something about the way Regan said his name made Eric frown. The tone was casual, almost dismissive, as if he were calling over a tool rather than a person.Eric hesitated.‘Why me?’ he wondered as he stepped forward. ‘Why not one of them?’They were experienced Hunters. Fighters. People who actually belonged in places like this. And him? He was just a carrier. Someone who should stay in the back, far away from danger.Wasn’t tha

The beta wolf moved first.Its massive body shot forward, claws ripping through the ground as it closed the distance in an instant and the pressure from its aura surged again, crushing down on the cavern.But Regan stood firm, and stepped into the attack.The flaming sword swept upward, meeting the beta head-on. Fire exploded on impact, forcing the wolf back as it skidded across the stone floor, claws screeching.The B-rank Hunter beside Regan moved in immediately, striking from the side. His blade pierced the wolf’s flank, but the beta barely reacted. It twisted violently, slamming him away with a single swipe.Regan clicked his tongue.“So tough,” he muttered.The beta lunged again, jaws snapping wide and Regan ducked under the bite and brought his sword down in a blazing arc. Flames wrapped around the blade, searing deep into the wolf’s shoulder.The beta howled in pain, stumbling back.Regan did not give it time to recover.He surged forward, sword blazing brighter as he poured mo

Eric found himself in a cavern so vast it seemed endless. Stalactites hung like jagged teeth from the ceiling, dripping water that echoed through the cavern and the ground beneath his feet was uneven, littered with rocks and debris. Strange glowing moss clung to the walls, faintly illuminating narrow passages that split off in multiple directions. “Jeff, light the place up,” Regan ordered. “Everyone else, stay alert.”Eric watched in awe as a young man named Jeff extended his hand and conjured a bright, circular light that floated above them.The rest of the hunters looked so calm, he could tell this wasn't their first rodeo. They were already adjusting their armor, weapons drawn, eyes scanning the cavern.And Eric? Every step he took was making the backpack feel heavier. He had never been in this situation before and had no idea what to expect or what he would do once he saw a monster.He had read about monsters, seen their images in books, watched videos of Hunters fighting, but