Shyri slid Trinity across her lower back, its weight perfectly balanced, resting lightly against her new Shadowweave Assassin's armor. She felt an electric thrill of power surge through her fingertips as she stepped into the dungeon, the darkened corridor ahead wrapping her in its shadowy embrace. The air was thick with the scent of earth and stone, the faint glimmer of gemstones embedded in the walls illuminating her path.

  With a single breath, she sprinted forward, her body moving like a flickering shadow, zipping through the darker areas of the dungeon. Her steps were silent, her form barely visible as she weaved in and out of the dimness, her speed enhanced by the agility of her new outfit. She was a whisper, a fleeting blur in the void.

  As Shyri ventured deeper, her eyes caught sight of a few gemstone golems. Their rocky forms were sluggish and bulky, their crystalline bodies glowing with faint energy. They looked unimpressive, nothing compared to what she had prepared for. Without hesitation, she summoned the dark magic within her. Her fingertips ignited, glowing with flickers of deep blue fire—shadow flames that twisted and danced at her command.

  In one swift, fluid motion, she flicked her hand forward, her fingers slashing through the air as beams of shadowy fire shot from her fingertips. The flames tore through the golems effortlessly, slicing through their rocky bodies. The golems crumbled in an instant, their gemstones shattering like fragile glass as they disintegrated in a burst of blue fire. One-shotted.

  Shyri grinned as the faint sound of shattered stone echoed around her. Her power was overwhelming, and these weak golems were no match for the strength she now wielded. She moved deeper down into the dungeon, her eyes scanning for greater foes.

  Shyri descended deeper into the dungeon, moving with blinding speed, her body a blur of shadowy energy. Anything weaker than her fell before she even paused to think, her Trinity slicing effortlessly through the frail golems that stood in her way. Each slash was precise, blue flames dancing on her fingertips as she blitzed through her enemies like a storm, leaving only shattered stone and smoldering embers in her wake.

  Her breath remained steady as she pushed forward. Shyri entered a vast chamber that stretched high above her. The room was dimly lit, the walls lined with massive crystals, casting a faint, eerie glow across the stone floor. It was quiet—too quiet.

  She stepped forward cautiously, her hand resting on the hilt of Trinity at her back. The moment her foot touched the center of the room, the ground beneath her trembled. A low rumble echoed throughout the chamber, causing her to pause. The walls began to shudder, and the crystals embedded in the floor and ceiling started to shift.

  Suddenly, massive gemstones rolled out from the edges of the room, clattering together like pieces of a puzzle. They collided with one another, clicking and locking into place, growing larger with each passing second. Her eyes narrowed as she watched the formation unfold before her.

  In moments, a towering gemstone golem stood before her, its body a shimmering mass of faceted crystals, glowing with an ominous energy. Its eyes were twin pools of burning light, and it stood twice the height of anything she had faced before. The golem’s presence was oppressive, its sheer size and power radiating through the chamber like a pulse.

  Above its head, a boss health bar appeared, glowing with intensity. Shyri excitement this was what she had been waiting for.

  The golem let out a thunderous roar, the sound reverberating off the walls, shaking the ground beneath her feet. It slammed its massive fists into the floor, sending shards of crystal flying toward her. But Shyri, ever quick, leapt back and to the side.

  She smirked, drawing Trinity as shadowy flames once again danced along the blade's edge. Her fingers flexed around the hilt, and dark energy radiated from her.

  "Let’s see what you’ve got," she whispered, her voice lost in the rumbling of the earth beneath her. With a smirk playing on her lips, Shyri vanished in an instant—her form dissolving into a shadowy blur. She reappeared above the room, feet lightly touching down on the roof of the vast chamber. The giant gemstone golem beneath her roared, its crystalline form glistening as it searched for her. Shyri wasted no time. She sprinted across the ceiling, her steps silent and sure, moving like a shadow itself.

  In one fluid motion, she leapt from the roof, Trinity shifting in her hands. The weapon elongated, transforming into its scythe form, the blade gleaming with a dark, ethereal energy. As she dropped down toward the golem’s massive back, the blade caught the dim light of the chamber and shimmered with shadowy flames.

  Shyri struck with precision and fury. The sharp edge of Trinity cut deep into the golem’s crystalline body, sending cracks spider-webbing through the gemstone surface. A deep, resonant sound echoed from the golem as it shuddered from the force of her attack.

  As she landed, Shyri extended her free hand, summoning the dark magic that resonated within her. Thin, almost invisible strands of shadowy puppet wire materialized, snaking out from her fingertips and wrapping themselves around the massive golem. The wires tightened with a swift command of her will, each one glowing faintly with dark energy.

  With a sharp tug, Shyri lifted the enormous creature off the ground. The puppet strings of shadow yanked the towering golem into the air, suspending it helplessly above the ground like a marionette under her control. The weight of the golem strained against the wires, but Shyri’s mastery of dark magic made the impossible seem effortless.

  The gemstone giant struggled, roaring in fury, but its limbs were bound by the strings. Its massive form was completely at Shyri's mercy, hanging like a toy in the air. She twirled Trinity, the blade still glowing with dark fire, her eyes reflecting the thrill of the battle.

  “Struggle all you want,” Shyri muttered under her breath, her voice dripping with confidence. “You’re not going anywhere.”

  With the golem held aloft by the strings, she prepared for her next strike, ready to dismantle the beast piece by piece. The dark, flickering light of her magic filled the chamber as she stood beneath the suspended colossus, her power undeniable and her control absolute.

  Shyri tightened her grip on Trinity, eyes narrowing as the massive gemstone golem dangled in the air. With a flick of her wrist, the shadowy puppet strings constricted further, sending crackling sounds through the giant’s body as the pressure mounted. The golem let out a deep, resonating groan, its crystalline form fracturing under the immense force.

  With a decisive slash, Shyri spun Trinity in a full arc, the blade glowing with an eerie dark fire. The scythe sliced clean through the golem’s core, severing its body in two. The gemstone beast shattered, its pieces falling to the ground like broken glass, scattering in brilliant shards across the floor. As the last remnants of the golem disintegrated, a faint shimmer hovered in the air—a release of magical energy—before everything settled into silence.

  The air was still for a moment, the tension of the battle dissipating. Shyri stood over the remains, breathing evenly, her eyes sharp and focused. She flicked her fingers, dismissing the puppet strings, and Trinity shifted back to its sword form, resting on her back.

  But just as she was about to turn away, a loud rumble echoed through the chamber. A section of the wall to her right began to crumble, stones falling away to reveal a hidden passage. Dust settled, and before her was a narrow, spiral staircase descending deep into the earth.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  Intrigued, Shyri approached the opening. She could feel the pull of dark energy below, thick and almost suffocating. Without hesitation, she descended the staircase, her footfalls soft and deliberate. The stone steps spiraled downwards, and the deeper she went, the colder the air became, carrying with it the promise of something far more dangerous.

  At the bottom of the staircase, a massive iron door greeted her. With a slight push, Shyri opened it, and what lay beyond took her breath away.

  She stepped into a vast hall, dimly lit by faint glowing crystals embedded in the walls. The ceiling stretched high above her, and the air hummed with power. Her eyes widened as she took in the sight before her—rows upon rows of towering golems, each larger and more menacing than the last. Unlike the ones she had fought above, these golems radiated an intense energy, their gemstone bodies shimmering with boss-level strength. Their health bars glowed above their heads, each marked with the unmistakable indication of a powerful foe.

  Shyri could feel the weight of their presence. There were at least a dozen of them, their bodies gleaming like statues, motionless for now but undoubtedly aware of her presence.

  A wicked smile spread across her lips as she drew Trinity once more. "Well," she whispered to herself, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "Looks like we’re just getting started."

  Shyri’s eyes blazed as she lifted her arms, the air around her crackling with dark energy. Black flames erupted from her fingertips, snaking up her forearms, consuming her in a swirling aura of shadow and fire.

  Without hesitation, she surged forward, her body a blur of speed as she closed the distance between herself and the nearest gemstone golem. With a savage cry, she smashed her fist into its crystalline form. The impact sent a shockwave through the room, splintering the golem’s outer shell. The massive creature recoiled, cracks spreading like spider webs across its body.

  Without giving it a chance to recover, Shyri followed up by channeling her elemental magic. She thrust her hand forward, and a torrent of water burst from her palm, pouring into the fractures of the golem like a rushing river. The water forced its way deeper, cutting through the crystalline structure with the precision of a blade. The pressure built inside the golem’s weakened form, and with a groaning creak, it began to crumble from within.

  The golem struggled to maintain its balance, but Shyri was relentless. The water’s force, combined with the dark fire still blazing on her arms, tore the golem apart from the inside. Pieces of gemstone fell to the ground, clattering like shattered glass.

  As the golem collapsed, Shyri’s eyes flicked to the glowing gemstones that remained intact. She remembered the king’s request—to collect these stones. Quickly, she conjured a few shadowy tendrils, which snaked out and gathered the glittering gemstones, pulling them toward her. She stored them safely in her inventory.

  The hall echoed with the presence of the remaining golems, each one stirring as they sensed the defeat of the other golem. Shyri’s hands still blazed with black fire, her power undiminished.

  With a final glance at the gemstones she had collected, Shyri smirked. "Time to collect more," she muttered, her voice low. She darted toward the next golem.

  Shyri moved like a storm unleashed—chaotic, powerful, and utterly relentless. Her form blurred as she dove headfirst into the mass of boss-level golems, her body weaving through the thick, gem-encrusted limbs that tried to crush her. Her eyes gleamed with a wild, ferocious light, and her grin was razor-sharp as she unleashed an onslaught of elemental attacks.

  Her arms swept out in wide arcs, black fire erupting from her fingertips, transforming the darkened hall into a battlefield of shadows and flame. The black flames twisted and lashed out, expanding into a massive wall of fire that washed over the advancing golems, scorching their gem-encrusted bodies and melting the weaker stones to slag. The entire dungeon seemed to resonate with her power, the air shimmering from the intensity of her magic.

  But Shyri didn’t stop there. She clenched her fists, and the flames suddenly swirled inward, collapsing into dense orbs of pure shadow. Then, with a violent gesture, she released them in every direction. The orbs exploded outward, becoming large bursts of destructive energy that spread through the room like a ripple of darkness, causing entire lines of golems to shatter under the impact.

  As the massive creatures staggered from her relentless barrage, Shyri’s hand shot to her back, fingers closing around the hilt of Trinity. With a sharp pull, she unsheathed the weapon, the blade morphing fluidly from its dormant form into a long, wickedly curved scythe. Shadows seemed to ripple and gather along the edge of the blade, shimmering like dark mist. It felt alive in her hands, resonating with her dark magic.

  The first slash was quick, almost too fast to follow, carving through the gem golem nearest her. As Trinity bit into its crystalline body, a surge of shadowy energy erupted from the cut, forming spectral strings that wrapped around the golem. The creature’s movement halted, its massive limbs bound by the shadowy tendrils. With a flick of her wrist, Shyri yanked the strings upward, and the golem was lifted into the air, its body straining against the shadowy bonds.

  And then, like a deranged puppeteer, Shyri began to dance.

  She whirled and spun, Trinity twirling in her hands as she lashed out at every golem within reach. Each slash sent out strings of shadow that latched onto the creatures, jerking them upward, their gem-encrusted bodies dangling helplessly like marionettes. She tugged and pulled, making them flail and crash into one another. The hall filled with the sound of grinding stones and cracking gems as she wielded the massive golems as her unwilling puppets, their glowing eyes dimming under her ruthless control.

  With a fierce battle cry, Shyri swung Trinity in a broad, horizontal arc. The scythe’s edge gleamed with a dark, violet hue as it cut through the air. A wave of shadow energy exploded from the blade, carving through the suspended golems like a reaper’s scythe through wheat. The force of the attack severed the strings holding them, and the golems fell in shattered heaps, broken and defeated.

  The few remaining golems charged her, their hulking forms bearing down on her like enraged titans. But Shyri didn’t flinch. She released Trinity, the scythe shifting and compressing into its sword form as she held out her hands. From her fingertips, dark tendrils of energy extended outward, wrapping around the nearest golem. With a growl, she pulled.

  The golem lurched forward, dragged by the force of her power, and Shyri leaped into the air, spinning. She slashed downward with Trinity, the blade flashing with a mix of water and fire magic. The golem split apart in a fiery spray of molten rock and steam, its core gemstone glowing fiercely for a moment before it shattered completely.

  Landing gracefully, Shyri straightened, her chest heaving with exertion. She swept her gaze over the room, taking in the aftermath of her rampage. The hall was littered with the remains of her enemies—shattered crystal limbs, and smoldering fragments of what once had been towering titans.

  Shyri took a deep breath, letting the rush of battle subside, and she turned to look at Trinity. The sword hummed softly in her hand, its blade thrumming with a satisfied energy.

  A berserker’s grin spread across her face. She had become a force of chaos—an unrestrained puppeteer commanding the battlefield with strings of shadow and elemental devastation. With that thought in mind, Shyri began to gather the gemstones once more.

  Her fingers traced the smooth surface of the gemstones she had collected, feeling the magical energy pulsing within each one. Satisfied with the number of gemstones she had gathered, she straightened her cloak and began her ascent out of the dungeon.

  As Shyri stepped out of the darkened depths, the cool night air greeted her, a welcome contrast to the heat of combat. She sheathed Trinity across her back, feeling the weight of her weapon settle comfortably. The streets of Westhound bustled around her, even at this late hour. Glistening mech suits hummed softly as they passed by, their wearers moving quickly, still hard at work. She weaved through the crowd, the glow of streetlights reflecting off her armor, making her blend in and yet stand out.

  As Shyri passed by the seamstress shop, something caught her eye. Standing outside the elegant building were Glorm and the seamstress herself. They were holding hands, standing close to each other, sharing a quiet moment amidst the constant motion of Westhound’s streets. Shyri paused briefly, a small smile playing on her lips as she observed the two master crafters. It was surprising to see them together—Glorm, the burly and intense blacksmith, and his graceful, meticulous wife, the royal seamstress. They seemed so different, yet perfectly in sync, their hands intertwined as if they were two halves of a whole.

  For a brief second, the seamstress glanced in Shyri's direction, her eyes softening with a knowing smile. Shyri felt a warmth in her chest, realizing just how much the seamstress had helped her feel comfortable in her new armor, and how Glorm had guided her through the forging of Trinity. They were truly remarkable craftsmen, and she was fortunate to have crossed paths with them.

  Not wanting to intrude on their moment, Shyri turned and continued walking toward the royal inn. The streets grew quieter as she neared the castle, the massive structure looming ahead, its portcullis lit by the soft glow of the city’s lights. She felt a sense of accomplishment after her battles and her newfound gear. The royal inn’s grand entrance greeted her as she slipped inside, the familiar warmth and luxury washing over her.

  Reaching her room, she allowed herself a brief moment to unwind, sinking into the plush chair by the window. Westhound’s bustling streets were visible from her vantage point, but her mind was already drifting to the next phase of her journey.

  But for now, it was time to rest.

  Shyri brought up her HUD and prepared to log out. As the game’s world faded from view, she smiled to herself.