Their footsteps echoed through the deeper halls of the dungeon. The once-narrow stone corridors widened into towering archways carved with cryptic runes. The air felt heavy, laced with thick, cloying mana.
Kazuki led the way, his hand constantly on the hilt of his dagger, eyes sharp and calculating.
"That spider beast… it wasn’t even the boss, was it?" Garron asked, wincing as he walked. His tunic was slashed across the chest, a bloodstain dried into the fabric.
“No,” Kazuki replied. “There’s something stronger waiting. I can feel it.”
Elara stayed close to them, quietly healing the cuts and bruises on their bodies as they pressed forward. Sweat clung to her forehead, and her breathing was shallow. “I-I’m almost out of mana,” she whispered.
“We’ll rest soon,” Kazuki said. But his voice was tight.
They weren’t ready for what came next.
---
The trio stepped into a massive chamber. Columns stretched high into the darkness, and at the center stood a single figure—motionless, like a statue.
It was humanoid.
Clad in shredded armor and a black tattered cape, its form was muscular, its eyes hidden beneath a war helm. Its skin was pale gray, but veins of pulsing red mana ran through its arms. In its hand: a jagged black greatsword humming with energy.
The moment they stepped closer, its eyes glowed crimson.
The Dread Warden — Elite B-Rank Dungeon Boss.
Kazuki’s body froze.
The pressure was suffocating.
“This… this thing is B-Rank?” Garron whispered. “We’re going to die…”
Elara gripped her staff with trembling fingers. “I-I can’t… we have to run!”
The Dread Warden charged, faster than they expected. Its sword cleaved the air and slammed into the ground, shaking the chamber. The shockwave knocked all three of them backward.
Kazuki rolled, a line of blood running down his arm. “Tch—!”
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
Garron grunted, shielding Elara with his body as rubble fell from above.
Kazuki stood shakily, dagger raised. “We can’t run. We’ll die if we turn our backs.”
The Warden dashed again.
Its blade tore across Kazuki’s side — he gasped, blood flying.
“Kazuki!!” Elara screamed, rushing to him.
But Kazuki’s eyes were blank, staring upward. He lay still for a moment.
Then—a flash of memory.
---
Flashback – Tortured in Chains
Kazuki saw it. The cold dungeon walls of the royal palace. His hands bound, beaten by the nobles who feared the prophecy tied to his name. Lashes across his back. The laughter of the kingdom’s filth.
He had escaped from the abyss by crawling through corpses, with only one thought:
"I’ll bring justice to this world. I’ll burn this rotten kingdom to the ground."
His eyes snapped open.
Then came more images—Garron’s laughter, Elara’s smile… the warmth of dinner at the inn. Their hope. Their trust in him.
“I finally… found something worth protecting.”
And then—something snapped.
---
Kazuki let out a furious roar. Flames exploded around his body. His muscles surged with mana. The air around him cracked with pressure.
His dagger ignited with fiery aura, the entire blade glowing red-hot.
[New Skill Unlocked: Fire Elemental Infusion]
[New Trait Unlocked: Battle Awakening — Speed, Strength, and Magic amplified in life-threatening conditions.]
Kazuki blurred forward.
He clashed with the Warden, blade against blade, flame against mana.
Garron watched in awe.
---
Flashback – Garron’s Resolve
He remembered the alleys. The hunger. Training alone with sticks. Watching people pass by, unnoticed.
Then… Kazuki. Giving them shelter, food, kindness.
“He gave us hope. I can’t stand here like a coward.”
With a war cry, Garron leapt into the fray, his sword glowing faintly blue.
[New Skill Unlocked: Aura Blade — Weapon empowered with personal mana.]
He slashed at the Warden’s side, drawing blood.
---
Flashback – Elara’s Courage
Tears streamed down Elara’s face as she stood alone in a shattered church. No parents. No friends. Just silence and fear.
Then… Garron. Then Kazuki.
They were her first real family.
“I can’t lose them.”
Mana flared around her. The gem on her staff glowed crimson.
[New Skill Unlocked: Flame Orb — Minor Fire Magic Acquired.]
[New Buff: Courage’s Blessing — Party Attack and Defense increased by 20%.]
She raised her staff and yelled, “Kazuki! Garron! I’ve got your backs!”
A fire orb struck the Warden’s side, staggering it.
---
The final battle raged.
Kazuki darted in, dagger blazing, landing cuts and strikes. Garron blocked heavy blows, retaliating when the boss staggered. Elara kept them standing, empowering their every move.
The Warden roared, swinging wildly.
Garron was thrown against a pillar. Blood dripped from his head.
Elara dropped to her knees, exhausted.
Kazuki stood alone.
The Warden charged—
Kazuki twisted, slid past its blade, leapt into the air—his dagger glowing with elemental fire and aura—and severed the Warden’s head clean off.
The boss collapsed with a thunderous crash.
Silence.
---
They gasped for air, bodies aching, clothes torn, covered in blood and sweat.
Then—laughter.
Garron laughed.
Elara cried.
Kazuki stood tall, eyes cold, yet… a small smile tugged at his lips.
“We’re alive.”
“We’re strong,” Garron said, slumping next to a broken statue.
Elara giggled, tears in her eyes. “We… make a great team.”
Then, a bright glow emanated from a side chamber. The treasury.
Inside, three pedestals awaited them.
---
[Status Update – Dungeon Rewards]
Kazuki
Item: Blades of the Demon King
Black and blue dagger.
+45% Attack Power
Passive: Life Drain (heals a portion of damage dealt)
Special: Elemental Infusion Compatible
Garron
Item: Rune Excalibur
Unbreakable sword
Can cut through stone
+30% Strength
Aura Efficiency boosted
Elara
Item: Ring of Serenity
+50% Mana
+35% Spell Strength
Passive: Buffing spells enhanced
---
Kazuki held the dagger, its dark metal pulsing with life. “A cursed blade… fitting,” he murmured.
Elara slipped the ring on. “It’s warm,” she said softly.
Garron grinned, raising the Rune Excalibur. “Now that’s a sword!”
Together, they stepped out of the dungeon. Stron
ger. Changed.
The sky had never looked clearer.
