Chapter 40

  Leo felt it the moment the dungeon noticed him.

  The air didn’t change. The light didn’t flicker. But everything—the walls, the ground, even the illusions around him—stilled. Like the entire realm was taking a breath. Watching him.

  And then the breath ended.

  The fog peeled away as if sucked into an unseen vortex. The Mirage Golems standing silent nearby jerked, reorienting toward him, eyes flaring. Stone groaned in the distance as walls moved. Not collapsed—rearranged. Pathways folded in on themselves, corridors sealed, terrain reformed. Like the dungeon was rewriting reality, reshaping its body just to trap him inside.

  Leo smirked, golden eyes flashing. “Ah… finally awake, are you?”

  He took a step forward—and slammed into something invisible.

  His head snapped up.

  It wasn't a trap. It was pressure. The system itself pressing down, thickening the air like tar. His Observer sense—his awareness of pathways, probabilities, narrative threads—blurred. The threads snapped like fraying silk. What had been clarity became noise.

  He's suppressing me.

  The dungeon—that dungeon—was directly suppressing his Observer gifts.

  That wasn’t possible.

  But it was happening.

  He growled low in his throat, a deep, bestial sound. “So we’re doing this the hard way.”

  The illusion of the meek traveler, the downplayed Tier 6 Mortal, the quiet manipulator—gone. He released the anchor on his class for the first time in this world, letting it flood his body.

  “[Primordial Bloodline: Solar Fang King],” he whispered.

  Power detonated outward like a supernova.

  Golden veins flared across his skin, the illusion of humanity tearing away like shed bark. His eyes ignited with amber flame, slitted pupils gleaming like molten coin. Muscles expanded, limbs reshaping, his form stretching with a sickening pop of joints and sinew.

  His cloak burned to cinders.

  From his back unfurled a majestic mane, flowing and wild—each strand of hair tipped with flickering embers, as though woven from pure solar flame. His skin hardened to an almost bronze sheen, claws sliding from his fingers, tail lashing behind him.

  He dropped to all fours, then surged up again as a bipedal, leonine warrior—eight feet tall, a walking storm of heat and fury.

  His voice came out deeper now, like an echo from a furnace. “You’ve forgotten who you’re caging, dungeon.”

  He opened his hands and called his weapon.

  A spear of fire and light formed in his grip, swirling into shape like it had been waiting, forged from the solar inheritance etched into his blood. The head curved like a flame-tongued fang, burning white-hot at the tip. It pulsed with heartbeat heat—alive, hungry.

  “Let me remind you.”

  The Mirage Golems lunged forward.

  Leo moved.

  Not around them—through them. The spear spun once, severing an arm, then a leg, and then he burst forward in a spiraling kick that shattered a golem into glittering dust. Flame erupted in his wake, clinging to the air like molten ash, refusing to fade.

  The dungeon shifted again—walls closing, heat spiking, kinetic pressure firing kinetic darts from hidden crevices.

  Leo roared.

  A wave of fire exploded from his mane, cascading in every direction, incinerating the darts mid-flight. He charged straight into the tightening hall, melting the stone underfoot, his every step leaving a scorched crater behind.

  And still the suppression clawed at his mind, trying to mute the higher senses. Trying to reduce him to a beast.

  But Leo grinned, teeth gleaming like polished obsidian.

  “You can’t suppress me,” he growled. “You think fire bows to pressure?”

  He leapt into the next chamber—an open arena of mirrored surfaces, a hundred reflections of himself staring back. Mirage constructs flickered in and out of existence, some solid, some not.

  He stabbed his spear into the ground.

  “Burn.”

  The arena ignited.

  Flames surged outward in a perfect sphere, sweeping over the illusions and shattering them. The real constructs burst into molten slag, the mirrors cracked and exploded. Leo stood alone in the aftermath, flames licking up his shoulders, mane flickering like a banner.

  “This place is clever,” he said, speaking to the air, to the core. “Smarter than I expected.”

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  He walked forward, step by heavy step.

  “But you’re not the only one evolving.”

  —-

  The morning sun filtered through the trees, casting long shadows across the makeshift camp. Corwin stood by the fire, the heat from the flames mixing with the weight of anticipation in the air. They’d been traveling together for months, each encounter with the dungeon leaving them more and more aware of the incredible things they were learning about the world. And now, today—today they had to face the reality of their situation.

  “Today’s the day,” Renna said, her voice cutting through the silence. She was holding one of the strange tokens Ethan had given them, its soft glow lighting up her face. “We’re heading to Redroot to report, and it’s not going to be an easy task.”

  Corwin could hear the nervous energy in her voice. It wasn’t that they didn’t have the information—it was more that they had so much to report that it felt overwhelming. They had learned things, observed things about the world, the dungeon, and Ethan himself that were impossible to ignore. It was going to be a game-changer, but how could they make sense of all of it in one report?

  Lena adjusted her sword, her usual confidence replaced by a rare moment of uncertainty. “The token... the one Ethan gave us in exchange for our cooperation. It’s not like anything I’ve ever seen before. These evolutions feel... unnatural.”

  “Unnatural?” Derric laughed, adjusting his daggers with a flick of his wrist. “We’ve seen enough of the bizarre in this dungeon, haven’t we? What’s a little more strangeness?”

  But his humor was forced. Even the ever-sarcastic rogue couldn’t ignore the tension hanging in the air. They’d agreed to this—Ethan’s offer was too valuable to turn down. Information in exchange for power, and these strange tokens were the first fruits of that deal.

  Corwin stepped forward, placing his hands on his hips. “The tokens were a trade for knowledge. It’s not just about the evolution itself—it’s about how we can use the information we have to improve ourselves. But I agree with Lena. There’s something... off about them. We don’t know everything Ethan’s capable of. But if he believes these tokens will help us evolve further, then we’ll take them. We’ll need every advantage we can get.”

  Renna frowned but didn’t argue. She glanced over at the others. “I still don’t like that we’re taking part in this. We’ve barely scratched the surface of what’s going on with Ethan’s dungeon, and now we’ve got to give him a report on it?”

  “We’re not just giving him a report,” Corwin replied, his voice firm. “We’re learning too. We need to know what he knows. That’s why we’re here. And... we need these evolutions. We’ve fought through too much to ignore them. We’re close to breaking into Saint-tier. This might be our last chance to push forward.”

  “Right,” Osric said quietly, glancing at the others before he spoke again. “And these tokens... I feel like they’re not just about our individual strength. They’re something deeper. Whatever Ethan’s planning, these tokens are a part of it. We need to be ready for what’s coming next.”

  The group fell silent as they each considered Osric’s words. Corwin’s mind was racing, piecing together everything they had learned since arriving in Redroot. Ethan was no ordinary dungeon core. There was something different about him. His influence, the tokens, the way the dungeon itself seemed to bend reality—it all pointed to a deeper, more intricate plan. And now, they had to report on all of it.

  They had spent months collecting data, recording observations, noting patterns in the dungeon’s behavior. They had even begun to piece together the significance of the strange energy surges that emanated from the dungeon’s core. But there was so much more.

  “Alright,” Corwin said, breaking the silence. “We’ve got to get to Redroot. We’ve got to report everything we know. But before we do, let’s take a look at these tokens.” He gestured toward the pile in the center of their circle. They were the same tokens Ethan had promised, each one glowing faintly, as though alive.

  Lena was the first to pick up her token. She had always been the confident one, but there was a hint of hesitation in her eyes as she held it. "Here goes nothing," she said, activating the token.

  Class Evolution Complete: Moonshadow Duelist

  The world around her seemed to bend slightly as her body adapted to the new energy. Her already impressive agility and precision sharpened further, and the usual sharp gleam in her eyes was now tempered with a deeper understanding of the shadows. She was now even more attuned to stealth and deadly strikes, blending with the environment, a master of quick, deadly combat. Her sword became an extension of her will, able to slice through the air as though it were a shadow itself.

  “That’s… unexpected,” she murmured. “I wasn’t expecting something like this. I guess it makes sense— I’ve always relied on precision, but now it feels like my moves are more fluid, as though I’m always one step ahead. This is going to be deadly in close combat.”

  Next was Renna, the mage. She held her token with a mixture of skepticism and excitement.

  Class Evolution Complete: Arcane Strategist

  Renna’s eyes widened as the magic surged within her. Her understanding of magical arts was now enhanced, and the intricate patterns of the world seemed more accessible. She felt like a puppeteer pulling strings, manipulating the flow of magic in ways she had never thought possible. It wasn’t just raw power; it was foresight and control. She could already feel the subtle tug of a dozen different spells waiting to be woven together into something devastating.

  “An Arcane Strategist,” Renna muttered, awestruck. “I’ve always thought of magic as a weapon... But this... it’s more like a chess game. Everything is interconnected. I can control the battlefield, not just the magic itself.”

  Derric was next, his fingers brushing over the smooth surface of his token. He wasn’t one to rush into things, and it seemed like the token was taking a moment longer to affect him.

  Class Evolution Complete: Silent Revenant

  Derric’s eyes narrowed, and his movements became eerily smooth. He was no longer just a rogue—he had become a ghost in the night. His footsteps were silent, his presence barely a whisper in the wind. Even his daggers seemed lighter, the edges sharper than before. He could already feel the deeper connection to the darkness, as though it was an old friend guiding his every step. His ability to vanish into the shadows was now more refined, and his strikes would leave no trace.

  “It’s like I’m one with the dark,” Derric said softly, testing the feel of his new skills. “I’m faster, quieter... deadlier.”

  Osric’s turn came next. As the archer, his ability to read his opponents and strike from long range had always been his strength. But now, with the token’s power, it was clear he had evolved into something much more.

  Class Evolution Complete: Visionary Marksman

  The change was subtle at first. Osric’s eyes glowed faintly, and for a moment, the world around him seemed to slow. He could see the smallest movements, the tiniest shifts in the environment, as though he could predict everything. His arrows felt lighter in his hands, and his aim became nearly supernatural. His connection to the bow and arrow was deeper than ever before, and his senses were heightened to a near precognitive level.

  “Precision is everything now,” Osric said quietly. “I can see things before they happen—every movement, every potential threat. I’ll be able to take down even the most elusive targets.”

  Corwin, who had been quietly observing the changes in his companions, stepped forward. He was the last to activate his token. He had already seen what it had done to the others, and there was a moment of trepidation before he took the plunge.

  Class Evolution Complete: Ironclad Protector

  Corwin felt a rush of power, but not the raw intensity that the others had experienced. Instead, there was an overwhelming sense of stability and durability. His shield grew heavier, yet somehow more responsive to his movements, as though it was an extension of his own body. He could feel a deep connection to the earth beneath him, as though he could stand firm against any storm. His senses sharpened, not for agility or speed, but for defense—he could read the flow of battle, anticipate attacks, and hold the line with unwavering resolve.

  “Ironclad,” Corwin murmured. “I can feel the weight of it. Not just in my shield but in my entire being. I’ll protect them—no matter what.”

  As each of them completed their evolution, there was a moment of silence. The tokens had given them new power, new insight, and new purpose. They were no longer the same adventurers who had walked into Redroot months ago. They had stepped into a new era, one that would take them beyond anything they had faced before.

  “We’ve evolved,” Corwin said, breaking the silence. “But this is just the beginning. We need to head to Redroot, give Ethan our report, and then... we move forward. Together.”

  The group nodded in agreement, knowing that whatever lay ahead, they were stronger for it. And with their new powers, they would face whatever challenges came their way with unyielding resolve.