"Confronting the Unforgiving Beast: A Battle Against Fear and Regret"

It's been a solid 7 years since Hera started his journey as a mercenary, and he's still on the hunt for answers about his past, but it seems like those answers have remained elusive. Being a mercenary has become his way of making a living. Three months ago, out of the blue, Hera received an offer from a big country. It was pretty unusual for a powerful nation to seek help from a low-rated mercenary like him. But the offer was just too good to turn down. He wouldn't be involved in any country-to-country conflict or peace negotiations. Instead, he was enlisted by a country called Panhell to clear out a dungeon and retrieve a super valuable artifact called the Kasanagi-no-Tsurugi. Plus, any other artifacts he found along the way were his to keep. Researching the dungeon wasn't really his main concern. He was just stoked about taking on his first big job.

The next day, Hera was all set to tackle the dungeon. He gathered his equipment, which consisted of a worn-out armor, a rusty blade, and even his trusty monocle. Being a bit tight on funds, he couldn't afford brand-new gear. With everything prepared, Hera ventured into the dungeon, which was incredibly dark and disorienting. He lit his torch and bravely delved deeper into the depths. Inside, he encountered other mercenaries, but the scene was grim. The sight of countless fallen comrades and the heavy stench of blood filled the air.

One injured mercenary warned Hera, "Go back if you know what's good for you."

Confused, Hera asked, "What do you mean?"

The injured mercenary replied, "This dungeon is way above our level. We've been deceived."

"What really happened here?"

The mercenary explained, "There's a Tier 13 monster lurking deep within this dungeon."

"That's impossible!", said Hera, "They told me only Tier 1-3 monsters were here."

The injured mercenary sighed. "Didn't you hear me? We've been tricked. We're nothing but sacrifices for that beast."

The situation seemed dire for Hera. He would need to come up with a plan if he wanted to survive and overcome this unexpected challenge.

"Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! That's the monster! Get out of here while you still can!" warned the injured mercenary.

But Hera, determined to save the mercenary, replied, "I won't leave you behind. We'll face this together!"

The ground trembled as the monster approached, its terrifying presence sending shivers down Hera's spine. Fear and pressure consumed his mind, making him question his abilities. He knew the monster's voice alone could kill a low-level mercenary, and it was getting closer.

Carrying the injured mercenary on his back, Hera sprinted towards the exit, desperately trying to outrun the approaching beast. However, no matter how fast he ran, the monster closed in with relentless speed. It was then that Hera had to face the truth—he was outmatched.

Realizing the severity of the situation, Hera gently placed the mercenary on the ground. As the monster emerged into the light, its presence alone left him numb with fear. Hera's monocle, which had the ability to view the stats of other beings, revealed the overwhelming power of the monster. It was clear that it was way beyond his league.

Regret filled his thoughts as he muttered to himself, "If only I had done more research on this dungeon. If only I had taken my life more seriously."

Feeling like he was being swallowed by the beast, Hera accepted his impending fate. But deep down, he yearned for a second chance, knowing that this might be the end for him.

Hera died.

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