A month had crawled by since Arlen Vale vanished into the Abyss.
The guilds carved his name into the memorial walls, another supporter devoured by darkness.
But far beyond the northern ridge, where storms lashed the broken towers of the old world, the man they mourned still drew breath.
He trained until dawn bled red over the cracked stone. His muscles screamed, his lungs burned, but he didn't stop. Each swing of the blade cut away a little more weakness—each day peeled away the skin of the man who once begged for strength.
Kael stood at the edge of the clearing, his obsidian armor swallowing the morning light. He didn't speak. He didn't need to. His shadow stretched long and silent, a monument to discipline and death.
> ⚙ [SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Daily Quest — Strength Training
▪ Push-ups: 0 / 1,000
▪ Squats: 0 / 1,000
▪ 10 km Run: 0 / 1
▪ Sword Drills: 0 / 500
Penalty for Failure: −1 Level | Temporary Paralysis (24 hrs)
Arlen exhaled. "Let's get this over with."
He dropped, palms meeting dirt, and began.
Each repetition echoed through the clearing. His breath grew ragged, the rhythm of survival pounding in his chest.
> ⚙ [SYSTEM UPDATE]
Quest Progress — 72 %
Heart Rate: Elevated.
Vital Signs: Stable.
Hours passed. When he reached one thousand, his arms trembled violently. He collapsed, sweat dripping, steam curling from his skin.
> ⚙ [SYSTEM REWARD]
▪ Experience +3,200
▪ Strength +4
▪ Vitality +3
▪ New Skill Unlocked — Afterimage Technique (Lv 1)
Blue light flared around his limbs, coiling into his veins like liquid fire. His heartbeat slowed; the pain faded. His body no longer felt heavy—it felt synchronized.
He punched forward, and the air rippled. For a split second, his image split into two before snapping back together.
> Afterimage Technique (Lv 1): Movement speed now exceeds visual tracking limits for 0.4 seconds.
Arlen smirked. "That'll do."
Kael's voice rumbled through his helm, low and even.
"Efficiency breeds survival."
Arlen rose, chest heaving. "And survival breeds revenge."
Kael inclined his head slightly—approval, quiet but absolute.
---
Days melted into weeks.
Pain became rhythm, and rhythm became meditation.
Each dawn, the same message burned before his eyes:
> ⚙ [SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Daily Quest — Enhanced Endurance
▪ Weighted Runs (15 km): 0 / 1
▪ Blade Flow Drills: 0 / 700
▪ Meditation Under Mana Pressure: 0 / 1 hr
▪ Mana Absorption Practice: 0 / 500 units
Failure meant agony; success meant evolution. Arlen succeeded every time.
He learned to breathe mana like air. Inhale—power compressed into his lungs. Exhale—it pulsed through his blood. Faint veins of bluish light webbed beneath his skin. His bones thickened, muscles condensed.
His reflexes sharpened until falling leaves looked slow.
> ⚙ [BODY ANALYSIS]
▪ Muscle Density: +43 %
▪ Reaction Time: 0.21 → 0.08 sec
▪ Mana Flow Stability: +35 %
▪ Body Adaptation: Enhanced Human Tier
His body was no longer merely human. It was a weapon that remembered pain and refused to repeat weakness.
At night, Kael moved like a ghost under the moonlight—demonstrating without words. A single slash parted wind itself, leaving a vacuum trail. Arlen mirrored him until blisters split his hands, until sweat and blood stained the dirt.
> ⚙ [SYSTEM PROGRESS]
Combat Technique Mastery: 47 % → 78 %
Kael finally spoke when Arlen's form perfectly mirrored his own.
"Your body remembers now," he said quietly. "It remembers pain and refuses to repeat mistakes."
Arlen nodded, gasping. "I'll need that memory soon."
---
By the twentieth day, everything about Arlen had changed.
His aura—once weak and flickering—now rippled in visible waves, distorting the air around him. Mana bent to his will without conscious effort.
When he ran, his feet barely brushed the ground; when he turned, the world seemed to slow around him. The supporter was gone. Only the hunter remained.
> ⚙ [DAILY QUEST COMPLETE]
▪ Experience +4,100
▪ Agility +5
▪ Sense +3
▪ New Trait Unlocked — Abyss Instinct (Adaptive)
You anticipate hostile intent before it manifests.
He closed his eyes and felt it—the hum of danger before motion, the faint static of killing intent before the strike.
Kael's voice cut through the silence.
"You're starting to move like a predator. Good."
Arlen smirked faintly. "Wasn't that the goal?"
"No," Kael replied, voice cold as steel. "The goal is to move like death—unseen, inevitable."
A chill slid down Arlen's spine. He lifted his sword again and continued.
---
The last morning came with thunder.
Lightning ripped across the horizon as rain lashed the earth. Arlen stood ready, drenched and silent.
> ⚙ [FINAL QUEST — Forging the Body]
▪ Sustain Mana Flow During Combat (1 hr)
▪ Deflect Kael's Strike (1 time)
▪ Maintain Focus at 0 HP Threshold (30 sec)
▪ Survive
He blinked. "Wait… survive?"
Kael drew his sword—an obsidian greatsword that had once cleaved dragons in two.
"Begin."
What followed was chaos incarnate.
Steel met shadow, thunder meeting thunder. Arlen's movements blurred into a storm of afterimages, each dodge and counterstrike threading through death's reach by inches.
Every clash sent tremors through his arms.
Every near miss carved another lesson into his bones.
> ⚙ [SYSTEM ALERT]
Vital Signs: Critical.
HP: 3 %
Focus Maintained: 23 sec → 29 sec → 30 sec.
Objective Complete.
Kael's blade stopped a hair's breadth from his neck.
"Well done," the knight said.
Arlen fell to his knees, grinning through pain. "So… that means I pass?"
Kael lowered his weapon. "It means you live. For now."
> ⚙ [FINAL QUEST COMPLETE]
▪ Experience +6,000
▪ Strength +5
▪ Agility +6
▪ Vitality +4
▪ Title Gained — Forged in Shadow
▪ Passive Unlocked — Battle Recovery: Regenerate 2 % HP per minute during combat.
The storm began to fade. Rain turned gentle, washing away the dirt and blood.
Arlen lifted his trembling hand and called up his window.
> ⚙ [STATUS WINDOW — ARLEN VALE]
Level: 30
Class: Hero Summoner (Candidate)
Titles: Forged in Shadow | Abyss Survivor
Strength: 68 (+23)
Agility: 74 (+27)
Speed: 72 (+25)
Vitality: 70 (+22)
Intelligence: 80 (+15)
Sense: 77 (+19)
Luck: 15
Active Skills: Summon Hero (S) | Afterimage Technique Lv 1 | Shadow Step Lv 1 | Devour Skill (Limited)
Passive Skills: Command Authority | Battle Recovery | Abyss Instinct | Mana Detection | Dark Essence Absorption
Body Status: Enhanced Human → Pseudo-Heroic Adaptation Achieved.
His hands shook—not from exhaustion, but from the sheer potential roaring inside him. The world felt slower now, smaller, like it could finally be bent by his will.
Kael's voice broke the silence, deep and unshaken.
"You have shed your past flesh. Do not forget what it cost."
Arlen nodded slowly. "I won't. I'll make them remember it too."
For the first time, Kael's tone shifted—not softer, but with the faintest hint of pride hidden behind command.
"Then your blade is ready. Rest, Arlen Vale. Tomorrow, you return to the world."
Rain whispered against the knight's armor. The System chimed one last time:
> ⚙ [NEW DAILY QUEST UNLOCKED]
Objective: Enter Civilization Without Detection.
Reward: Access to Guild Missions | Unlock Summon Slot II.
Arlen looked toward the horizon, where the ruins of civilization waited beyond the mist.
He exhaled, a crooked smile tugging at his lips.
"Perfect. Time to test how much I've changed."
And somewhere deep within the System, unseen runes pulsed faintly—watching, waiting, calculating the birth of something far greater than a hero.
See
Arlen collapsed onto the cold, cracked earth, rain washing away the sweat and grime of his month-long crucible. The storm had softened into drizzle, and his body, though exhausted, throbbed with a vitality he had never known before.
Kael stood nearby, silent as always, though tonight there was a faint tilt of his head, almost as if he were amused by Arlen's pitiful collapse.
> ⚙ [SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
New Feature Unlocked — System Store
A shimmering interface appeared before Arlen's eyes, faintly holographic, colored in deep violet and black, with runes tracing themselves along the edges.
> ⚙ [SYSTEM POINTS]
Total Points: 22,500
Arlen blinked, confused. "Points… what are these for?"
Kael, stepping closer, his armor clinking softly, spoke in that low, calm voice that always seemed to hum with authority and power:
"You've earned them, my liege. The system offers these for tools and weapons that will augment your strength. Use them wisely, or waste them foolishly."
Arlen raised an eyebrow. "I… guess I'll try buying something. Can't hurt."
> ⚙ [SYSTEM STORE – WEAPONS]
Epic Tier – Dark
Umbral Fang (Dagger)
• Cost: 12,500 Points
• Special Effect: Increases critical strike by 3% for each consecutive attack while unseen.
• Synergy: Afterimage Technique / Shadow Step
"Forged from condensed darkness; perfect for precision strikes in shadow or low light."
Arlen scowled, unsure if he needed a fancy dagger, but something in the description — "precision strikes in shadow" — made his pulse quicken.
> ⚙ [SYSTEM STORE – ARMOR]
Rare Tier – Veil of the Forgotten (Cloak)
• Cost: 8,000 Points
• Special Effect: Mana signature suppressed; identity hidden from all observers unless +50 Sense above wearer.
"Perfect for remaining unseen in crowded cities or hostile territories."
> ⚙ [SYSTEM POINTS]
Remaining: 0
Kael chuckled softly, a low, warm rumble that echoed off the rocks. "You spent everything on two items… prudent. The blade for battle, the cloak for strategy. Balance, even in acquisition."
Arlen grunted. "I still don't know what these points are for… but I trust the System."
He accessed his System Storage Box, placing the Umbral Fang safely inside. It shimmered into the void of storage, only to be summoned when he truly needed it — in combat, not on casual missions.
> ⚙ [SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Item Stored: Umbral Fang
Storage Slot 01 / 10 Active Slots
Kael inclined his helm slightly, voice carrying that rare edge of teasing. "I see restraint is already learned. Do not mistake containment for weakness, Arlen Vale."
Arlen rolled his eyes and muttered under his breath. "Don't get sentimental on me."
---
Hunger gnawed at him next. In the barren plains, food was scarce, but Arlen had anticipated it. He pulled out a small, freshly hunted Shadow Boar from his pack. The meat was dark, slightly iridescent in the fading light, still twitching faintly with residual mana.
With careful hands, he cooked it over a small fire, inhaling the smoky aroma. Each bite was nourishment, but also meditation — he considered each muscle, each nerve he had honed during his month of training. The meal restored both body and spirit.
> ⚙ [SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Daily Nutrition Intake Complete — HP +10% | Stamina +15%
After eating, he walked to a nearby stream and allowed himself the rare indulgence of a hot bath. Steam rose in pale wisps, masking him as he submerged into the warm water. Kael sat silently on a rock, observing, his armor gleaming faintly even in the mist.
"You enjoy this too much," Kael said softly, voice echoing with amusement. "Even the hunter needs warmth… but do not forget the cold that awaits."
Arlen smirked, closing his eyes. "I won't forget."
---
After drying off and donning the Veil of the Forgotten, Arlen's reflection blurred in the water — a stranger stared back. Disguised, his enhanced physique subtly hidden beneath the cloak's illusion, he could enter civilization unnoticed.
Kael's shadow followed him like a living extension, silent and ever-watchful. Yet for the first time, he spoke words laced with curiosity.
"My liege… do you not feel… lonely in this secrecy?"
Arlen shook his head. "No. I feel focused. Let them think me dead. Let them fear the day I return."
Kael inclined his head in approval, and with a rare lightness in his tone, added:
"Good. Fear is a powerful ally, but only when tempered with patience."
---
The city gates loomed ahead — a sprawling mass of stone, wood, and mana-infused wards. The streets buzzed with life: adventurers, merchants, and guild members. Rumors ran rampant, and Arlen, cloaked and careful, moved through them like a shadow himself.
At the Adventurer's Guild, the notice board displayed names, ranks, and the newest dungeon missions. His gaze drifted upward, past the board, and he saw them: the strongest S-Rank party in the guild, gathered for a strategy meeting.
> Guild's Top S-Rank Party:
• Leader: Darius Vayne – Warrior Class (S-Rank)
• Second: Serina Kyel – Assassin / Quickstrike Class (S-Rank) [Cha Haein-style girl]
• Mage: Liora Tann – Arcane Mage (S-Rank)
• Healer: Ephraim Solace – Cleric (S-Rank)
• Beast Master: Garruk Fang – Beast Transformation (S-Rank)
The air around them shimmered with power — each member exuding raw skill and mana, the quiet confidence of warriors who could topple mountains. Serina, the second strongest, radiated a dangerous playfulness; her gaze was sharp, her movements light and predatory, reminding Arlen faintly of someone he once knew.
> ⚙ [SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
New Quest Available: Enter Guild Mission
• Difficulty: Tier 2 Dungeon (Recommended Level 28+)
• Objective: Clear dungeon and report back.
• Reward: High EXP + Potential Skill Acquisition
Arlen's heart beat steadily. He surveyed the mission, considering the risk, the rewards, and the perfect opportunity to test his new strength and summon his second hero if necessary.
> ⚙ [SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Current Summon Slots: 1 / 2
Available Heroes: Kael (Active), Slot 02 (Empty)
He felt the familiar pulse of mana from Kael beside him. The knight's voice, low but carrying its usual elegance and subtle humor, murmured:
"Your potential grows, my liege. Test it… but remember: restraint in civilization is as crucial as aggression in battle."
Arlen nodded. "I understand. We test… but we do not reveal."
With that, he moved forward to sign up for the dungeon mission, careful to register under a false name, his identity completely hidden by the cloak's magic.
As he filled out the forms, Arlen's mind raced with calculations: speed, stamina, the synergy of his Afterimage Technique with Kael's observing eye, and the possibilities once he summoned his second S-Rank hero.
> ⚙ [SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Mission Accepted — Dungeon Expedition
Recommended: Use caution, evaluate enemy strength before engagement.
Kael's shadow stretched across the hall, almost human in its fluidity, and he added softly, almost amused:
"You are no longer the weak supporter. Let them see shadows move where no one expects. Let them wonder… what has returned?"
Arlen smirked under his hood. The veil hid his expression, but his intent was clear.
> ⚙ [STATUS WINDOW – ARLEN VALE]
Level: 30
Class: Hero Summoner (Candidate)
Titles: Forged in Shadow | Abyss Survivor
Strength: 68 (+23)
Agility: 74 (+27)
Speed: 72 (+25)
Vitality: 70 (+22)
Intelligence: 80 (+15)
Sense: 77 (+19)
Luck: 15
Active Skills: Summon Hero (S) | Afterimage Technique Lv 1 | Shadow Step Lv 1 | Devour Skill (Limited)
Passive Skills: Command Authority | Battle Recovery | Abyss Instinct | Mana Detection | Dark Essence Absorption
Equipped Items: Veil of the Forgotten (Cloak)
Storage Items: Umbral Fang (Dagger, Epic Dark-tier)
Arlen glanced at Kael. The knight's helm turned slightly, observing the bustling guild, and his voice, deep and calm, carried that rare lilt of life:
"Let them underestimate you. Shadows are always heavier than they appear."
With that, Arlen stepped toward the guild's portal room, ready to enter the first dungeon since his rebirth, cloaked, disguised, and deadly.
The city faded behind him. Ahead lay darkness, monsters, and the first test of the man he had become — a hunter reborn, with a shadow at his command and a dagger waiting to strike unseen.
> ⚙ [SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Dungeon Entry Initiated
Estimated Difficulty: High
Objective: Evaluate personal combat growth.
Reward: Experience + Skill Unlock Potential
And as the portal shimmered before him, Kael's shadow flared like a living flame.
"You have grown, my liege… now, show the world the shadow of your vengeance."
Arlen clenched his fists beneath the cloak. "I will. Starting now."
Arlen adjusted the Veil of the Forgotten over his shoulders, the cool fabric concealing his form, suppressing his aura, and blending him into the shadows around the portal. The city behind him shrank into irrelevance, leaving only the faint hum of mana from the dungeon gate ahead.
> ⚙ [SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Dungeon Gate Detected — Tier: A-Rank
Estimated Difficulty: High
Recommended Level: 45
Objective: Clear dungeon and retrieve rare artifact.
Current Party: Arlen Vale (Level 30, Hero Summoner), Kael (S-Rank Hero)
The gate shimmered, a swirling vortex of dark light suspended in the air, mana crackling along its circumference. Arlen took a deep breath. He had survived the Abyss, mastered his body, trained relentlessly, and now it was time to put that growth to the test.
Kael stepped forward, blade in hand, his black armor gleaming even in the dim portal light. The knight's movements were calm, almost lazy, yet every breath seemed to carry a weight of imminent death. His gaze met Arlen's beneath the helm.
"Shall we?" Kael asked, voice low, yet almost playful.
Arlen nodded. "Let's see how far I've come."
They stepped through the portal together, mana and darkness coiling around them. The dungeon's interior unfolded like a nightmare: jagged stone walls, narrow corridors, and a low mist that seemed alive. Shadows twisted unnaturally, and the faint cries of creatures echoed in the distance.
> ⚙ [SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Dungeon Entry Confirmed
Area: "Cavern of the Fallen" — Tier: A-Rank
Monster Density: High
Environmental Hazard: Mana Saturation +20%
The first corridor was eerily silent, only the faint hiss of mana rich air brushing over the walls.
The first wave appeared suddenly — shadow-infused beasts with teeth like obsidian, claws tearing the air.
Arlen's heart pounded in rhythm with Kael's calm steps. He didn't hesitate.
> ⚙ [SYSTEM ALERT]
Enemy Detected: Shadow Boar (A-Rank)
Recommended Action: Immediate elimination
Kael moved first, black blade flashing like liquid night. He swept in an arc, cutting two beasts in a single motion. The air quivered from the force, and the beasts' screeches cut off abruptly.
Arlen mirrored the motion instinctively, relying on the Afterimage Technique. His figure split into ghostly blurs, appearing in multiple locations at once. He slashed through a third beast with precision, feeling the rhythm of Kael's strikes imprint in his muscle memory.
> ⚙ [SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Skill Acquired: Shadow Boar's Ferocity
Effect: +2 Strength | Bite Attack Learned Lv 1
Kael's voice cut through the fray, calm and precise:
"Good. Your movements echo mine, yet retain your instinct. Perfect balance."
Arlen gritted his teeth. Instinct and imitation… let's see if that's enough.
He darted through the corridor, leaving afterimages behind, each strike seamless. The beasts' shadows writhing around him, he felt the thrill — the power surging from his muscles and mana.
> ⚙ [SYSTEM ALERT]
Enemy Defeated: Shadow Boar Pack (3 units)
Skill Acquired: Shadow Charge Lv 1
Kael did not speak again, but his presence alone guided Arlen. Every swipe of the knight's sword created openings, and Arlen's own blades — stored safely in his System Box but mentally rehearsed — became extensions of Kael's precision.
---
The dungeon's corridors widened, opening into a massive chamber the sound of massive claws scraping against stone.. A giant serpentine basilisk emerged from shadows, scales glinting dark green, golden eyes glowing with predatory intelligence. Its hiss reverberated through the stone, sending vibrations down Arlen's spine.
Arlen's heart skipped.
He froze for a moment. Memories from the Abyss flashed — the creature who almost killed him when he first entered into a dungeon.its fangs sinking into the earth, the deathly pressure of its gaze. He had nearly died there, relying entirely on Kael to save him.
That was the old me.
His hand gripped the dagger he had purchased from the System's store, the shadow-infused blade warm to the touch. He raised it, letting the cool hum of mana flow from the weapon into his veins.
> ⚙ [SYSTEM ALERT]
Enemy Detected: Basilisk (A-Rank)
Threat Level: Extreme
Arlen told kael to step back that he will handle it ,Kael stepped back, silent, letting Arlen face it. His shadow stretched across the floor like a protective wall, but his blade stayed in the sheath — observation only.
Arlen's eyes narrowed. "This… this is the old me," he muttered, teeth clenched. "Not anymore."
The Basilisk lunged. Its fangs snapped shut mere inches from him. Arlen's body reacted before his mind did. He dashed forward, leaving flickering afterimages, and struck with his dagger. The shadow-based blade hissed as it cut through scales.
> ⚙ [SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Skill Activated: Basilisk's Predator Instinct Lv 2
Effect: Reflexes +3 | Combat Awareness +2
The beast struck again, faster this time, swinging its massive tail in a deadly arc. Arlen ducked, feeling the air ripple with force, and retaliated with a rapid series of strikes — Shadow Step propelling him behind the Basilisk, Afterimage Technique blurring his movements.
> ⚙ [SYSTEM ALERT]
Enemy Damage Taken: 42 %
Enemy Skill Triggered: Poison Gaze — Lv 1
Arlen Status: Poison Resistance Active
He remembered how near death had felt when he was betrayed by his first party. Every muscle screamed, but instinct took over. Basilisk skills absorbed from last fight flowed through him — reflexes, venom adaptation, predator instinct. His body moved as if it already knew what the Basilisk would do next.
> ⚙ [SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Enemy Defeated: None
Skill Progress: Basilisk's Predator Instinct Lv 2 → Lv 3
Effect: Reflexes +1 | Combat Awareness +1
The Basilisk hissed, venom dripping, eyes following him with terrifying intelligence. It lunged again. Arlen rolled, weaving through the attack, and leapt onto its back. He plunged the dagger deep into the scales between its shoulders, feeling the resistance, adjusting, striking again.
> ⚙ [SYSTEM ALERT]
Skill Acquired: Basilisk Venom Manipulation Lv 2
Effect: Can coat weapon with poisonous residue, +10% attack damage
Kael watched silently from the side, arms crossed. His presence alone forced Arlen to remain precise; there was no room for error.
Arlen leapt backward just as the Basilisk struck its tail into the stone floor, sending tremors across the chamber. With a deep breath, he focused all his energy, eyes glowing faintly with mana, dagger moving in a perfect blur.
> ⚙ [SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Active Skill — Afterimage Technique Lv 2: Duration 0.8 sec
Shadow Step Lv 2: Cooldown 1 sec
He dashed behind the Basilisk again, rolling, and slashed the exposed underbelly. Each strike reinforced his Predator Instinct — every movement precise, calculated, deadly.
> ⚙ [SYSTEM ALERT]
Enemy Defeated: Basilisk
Skill Level Up — Basilisk's Predator Instinct Lv 3 → Lv 4
New Skill Effect: Reflexes +2 | Combat Awareness +2 | Movement Prediction Lv 1
The creature fell with a ground-shaking roar, twitching once before lying still. Arlen dropped to one knee, sweat running down his face, lungs burning, heart racing,he felt it — the thrill of gaining the abilities of defeated monsters. His body and mind were no longer static; they absorbed, adapted, and evolved.
Kael finally stepped forward, black blade reflecting the dim light. "You have surpassed your prior limitations," he said, calm yet almost approving. "You have earned this without my intervention. Remember it."
Arlen nodded, still gripping the dagger. "I… I did it."
> ⚙ [SYSTEM REWARD]
Experience + 8,500
Agility + 4
Strength + 3
Skill Progress: Shadow Step Lv 2 → Lv 3
Passive Updated: Basilisk Instinct — Enhanced
He rose, still panting, staring at the corpse of the Basilisk. This dungeon was harder than he had expected, but for the first time, he had faced a creature that had almost killed him before and survived purely by his own strength and skills.
The dungeon's depth revealed more: shadow wolves, ghouls, and skeletal aberrations, each more dangerous than the last. Arlen and Kael fought them together.Arlen copied some of kael movements instinctively, leaving trails of afterimages, striking with precision, and dodging attacks that would have felled him a month prior.
> ⚙ [SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Enemy Defeated: Shadow Wolves (7 units)
Skill Acquired: Wolf Reflexes Lv 7
Effect: Agility +2 | Evasion Improved
Deeper into the dungeon, the monsters became more twisted, infused with residual mana. A shadow chimera, larger than any Arlen had faced, emerged, its multiple heads snapping unpredictably.
> ⚙ [SYSTEM ALERT]
Enemy Detected: Shadow Chimera (A-Rank)
Threat Level: Extreme
Arlen's heart raced. He left afterimages behind, dodged two snapping jaws, and retaliated with a precise strike, following Kael's momentum. The chimera roared, thrashing, but every strike against it taught him — taught his body — to move faster, strike harder, anticipate danger.
> ⚙ [SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Skill Acquired: Chimera's Resilience Lv 1
Effect: Vitality +3 | Damage Resistance +5%
The battle ended with Kael delivering a single, elegant downward slash. The chimera fell silently, the chamber quiet except for Arlen's ragged breathing and the faint hum of the System interface.
> ⚙ [SYSTEM ALERT]
Dungeon Section Complete — 35% Cleared
EXP Gained: +7,500
Passive Skills Progress — Combat Drill: 80%
Arlen sheathed his dagger mentally, storing it in the System. I only draw you in battle now, he thought. No mistakes.
Arlen wiped blood from his lips, checking his status window.
> ⚙ [STATUS WINDOW – ARLEN VALE]
Level: 31
Strength: 96
Agility: 107
Speed: 103
Vitality: 110
Intelligence: 95
Sense: 110
Luck:65
Active Skills: Summon Hero (S) | Afterimage Technique Lv 7 | Shadow Step Lv 5 | Devour Skill Lv 22 | Basilisk Venom Manipulation Lv 2
Passive Skills: Command Authority | Battle Recovery | Abyss Instinct | Mana Detection | Dark Essence Absorption | Basilisk predator Instinct Lv 4 | Basilisk gaze resistance |Black flame bond | poison resistance | combat drill 80%
New skill acquired:shadow boar ferocity , shadow charge Lv 1, movement prediction,wolf reflec Lv 7,chimera resistance
He felt alive — more alive than he had ever been.
Kael's helmet turned slightly, voice calm, almost amused:
"Your body moves like water. Your instincts flow into your strikes. Yet… restraint will be required. The true tests await deeper."
Arlen nodded, feeling the hunger of battle awaken fully inside him. Each monster defeated, each skill acquired, brought him closer to the vengeance he had promised himself.
> ⚙ [SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Dungeon Depth: Section 2 — Entering now
Estimated Difficulty: Extreme (Boss Tier Ahead)
Reward: High EXP + Rare Skill Potential
Kael's shadow flared at his side like living darkness. "Stay sharp, my liege. The dungeon grows restless… and so must you."
Arlen gripped the Veil of the Forgotten, felt the empty summon slot for Umbral Fang, and smiled beneath the hood.
"Then let's see… how far I've truly come."
The air inside the dungeon had grown heavier — thick with the scent of damp earth and old mana. Crystals embedded in the cavern walls pulsed faintly, illuminating veins of violet and blue light that ran like lifeblood through the stone. Shadows shifted in strange patterns, moving as though alive, even when no wind stirred.
Arlen knelt near a broken pillar, using his dagger's edge to strike sparks against a small pile of crystal dust and dry moss. A faint blue flame flickered to life — cold, unnatural, but steady.
Kael stood guard nearby, his armor reflecting the light in shifting shades of indigo.
For a moment, there was silence. No monsters. No distant growls. Only the low hum of the dungeon breathing.
> ⚙ [SYSTEM SCAN ACTIVE]
Dungeon Depth: Section 2 – "Heart of the Fallen"
Mana Density: 320%
Unstable Rift Detected Ahead
Warning: Dungeon Core shows signs of corruption.
Arlen exhaled, staring into the flickering blue flame. "The mana here… it feels different. Like it's watching us."
Kael didn't turn. "This place predates the Empire's records. Some A-rank gates form from battles between ancient beasts. Their hatred lingers, shaping the mana into a living thing."
From deeper in the tunnel came a sound — slow, rhythmic. Like breathing. The ground trembled faintly with each pulse. The crystals on the walls dimmed in response, flickering as though afraid.
Arlen rose to his feet, gripping the Veil tighter. The hum grew louder, resonating in his chest. His System interface flickered for the first time, as if the dungeon itself interfered with it.
> ⚙ [SYSTEM WARNING]
Interference Detected: "Abyssal Core Resonance"
Potential Entity: ???
Estimated Rank: S
Kael's hand rested on his sword hilt. "The dungeon's core is alive. And something ancient guards it."
He turned his helmet slightly toward Arlen. "Rest no longer, Arlen Vale. The next step will not forgive hesitation."
Arlen extinguished the cold flame with a single motion, its light swallowed by the dark.
"I'm ready," he said, eyes glowing faintly violet. "Let's meet whatever's breathing down here."
The corridor ahead trembled again — a sound like chains dragging through stone. The whispers began, faint but distinct, echoing through the dungeon's belly:
> "Return what was taken…
or be devoured by the Heart of the Fallen."
The cavern stretched beyond sight, its jagged walls embedded with pulsating veins of mana. The air was thick with ozone and the faint tang of blood, making every inhale taste of electricity. Dust danced in the ambient light, swirling in chaotic eddies. Two figures stood at the threshold of the dungeon's final chamber — A+ Rank Golem and High Orc, the dungeon bosses.
The Golem towered, its obsidian stone body jagged, veins of molten core pulsing with energy, each movement resonating with the chamber's foundations. Beside it, the High Orc snarled, muscles tensed, dripping venom, his great axe humming with lethal aura. Both radiated a dangerous intensity — even the shadows seemed to recoil from their presence.
> ⚙ [SYSTEM ALERT]
Dungeon Boss Detected — Tier: A+
Entities: 2
Threat Level: Extreme
Recommended Level: 45
Objective: Eliminate Dungeon Bosses
Arlen's pulse quickened, but there was no fear. He had trained, survived the Abyss, gained powers beyond ordinary comprehension, and now faced a true test. He glanced at Kael. The S-Rank hero's black flames shimmered along the edges of his obsidian blade. Kael's movements were calm, deliberate, yet radiated an almost playful menace, like a predator toying with prey.
Arlen drew the shadow dagger from the System. Tendrils of black flame rippled along its length, absorbing ambient mana as if the weapon itself breathed. He activated Afterimage Technique and Shadow Step simultaneously, feeling his body's speed exceed the speed of sound — a soft crack echoed as the air itself split under his movement.
> ⚙ [SYSTEM ALERT]
Speed Threshold Exceeded: Mach 1+
Current Mode: Ultra-Agility Activated
The High Orc roared, charging at Kael with terrifying momentum. Kael's black flame blade arced through the air, meeting the Orc's strike with a shockwave that shattered the floor. Kael pivoted, spinning in a perfect dance of lethal precision, sending the Orc skidding across the stone floor, leaving a trail of black embers.
Arlen pivoted simultaneously, facing the Golem. Its massive fists slammed into the ground, sending jagged shockwaves that shattered pillars and sprayed debris. He dashed forward, afterimages flickering like ghosts, dagger striking molten fissures along the golem's torso.
> ⚙ [SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Enemy: Golem (A+)
HP: 100 % → 95 %
Skill Triggered: Earthquake Slam Lv 2 — AoE Damage +18 %, Knockback +15 %
The Golem's fist smashed down again. Arlen vanished in a blur, appearing behind the creature. He slashed diagonally, black flames igniting across the stone, sending chunks of rock scattering into the air. The afterimages created multiple phantom strikes, confusing the Golem's senses.
Kael approached the High Orc from above, vaulting onto its shoulders mid-leap, black flames erupting around him. The Orc howled as each strike carved precise openings, cutting through armor and muscle. Kael's movements were like a flowing river — deadly yet mesmerizing — forcing the Orc to react defensively rather than offensively.
> ⚙ [SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Enemy: High Orc (A+)
HP: 100 % → 88 %
Enemy Skill Triggered: Berserker Rage — Attack +15 %, Damage Reduction -10 %
Arlen's heart pounded, muscles and reflexes honed from the Abyss and countless training sessions. He remembered nearly dying to a basilisk before, and the old fear surged for a brief moment — only to be extinguished by sheer will. He grinned, dagger in hand, Shadow Step flaring, black flames dancing like serpents along his blade.
> ⚙ [SYSTEM ALERT]
Enemy Detected: Basilisk Echo — Memory Recall Triggered
Effect: Reflex Enhancement +2 | Combat Awareness +2
The Golem charged, fists swinging like twin mountains. Arlen dodged, rolling under a crushing blow, teleporting behind the creature faster than the human eye could follow. He stabbed into a molten fissure near its chest, black flames igniting the cracks violently. Each strike resonated with the Golem's stone form, sending tremors through the chamber.
> ⚙ [SYSTEM ALERT]
Skill Acquired: Golem Core Resonance Lv 3 — Attack +5 %, Damage Reflection +3 %
Kael's strikes against the High Orc became more aggressive. He spun, leapt, and slashed, his black flames flaring into a roaring blaze, creating afterimages of fire along each arc. The Orc staggered, regaining balance, only to be met with another flurry, each strike precise, calculated, unstoppable.
Meanwhile, Arlen's dagger moved with terrifying fluidity. His afterimages danced around the Golem, striking repeatedly, each cut infused with black flame. Stone fragments flew, the floor cracked, and heat radiated from molten veins.
> ⚙ [SYSTEM ALERT]
Enemy Damage Taken: Golem 95 % → 70 %
Skill Progress: Shadow Step Lv 4 → Lv 5
Afterimage Technique Lv 4 → Lv 5
The Golem slammed its fists together, creating a massive shockwave. Arlen vanished, teleporting above, dagger ready. He plunged downward, piercing the molten fissure along the golem's chest. Sparks and black flames erupted, illuminating the entire chamber.
> ⚙ [SYSTEM ALERT]
Enemy Skill Triggered: Stone Shrapnel — AoE Damage +20 %, Piercing +5 %
The High Orc roared, gathering a black energy aura around its axe. Kael ducked a swinging strike, countering with a spinning black flame slash. The force sent the Orc skidding backward, but it recovered, eyes burning with rage.
Arlen twisted in midair, slashing repeatedly with Afterimage Technique, each strike slicing through rock and reinforced stone. The black flames coiled around him like a living entity, wrapping each attack in sheer destructive force.
> ⚙ [SYSTEM ALERT]
Enemy Defeated: None
Skill Acquired: Golem's Crushing Fist Lv 2 — Strength +4, Damage +5%
The Golem gathered energy into a massive, molten core in its chest. "Now," Arlen muttered under his breath, "let's finish this." He accelerated beyond sound again, each step leaving afterimages like ghostly blades tearing across the stone floor. He dashed up the wall, leapt, and drove the dagger deep into the molten core. Black flames exploded outward, engulfing the chamber in heat and light. The Golem's body cracked along the core, molten rock spilling from fissures.
> ⚙ [SYSTEM ALERT]
Enemy Defeated: Golem (A+)
Skill Level Up: Golem Core Resonance Lv 3 → Lv 4
Passive Updated: Reflex +3 | Combat Awareness +3 | Movement Prediction Lv 2
Kael, seeing the Golem collapse, turned to the High Orc. He circled, black flames flaring, and in a sudden blur of motion, struck horizontally. The Orc barely raised its axe, but the impact cleaved through armor and bone. Kael followed with a spinning vertical slash, severing the Orc's stance completely. The creature crashed against the dungeon wall, unmoving.
> ⚙ [SYSTEM ALERT]
Enemy Defeated: High Orc (A+)
Skill Acquired: Berserker Rage Mastery Lv 1 — Attack +4%, Evasion +2%
Arlen landed next to Kael, dagger sheathed mentally. Sweat ran down his face, muscles trembling, yet he was alive. The air smelled of ozone, molten stone, and scorched earth. He looked at the remains of the two dungeon bosses, their power now flowing into him, black flame energy resonating with his shadow-infused dagger.
> ⚙ [SYSTEM REWARD]
Experience +12,500
Strength +5 | Agility +5 | Vitality +4
Skill Progress: Shadow Step Lv 5 → Lv 6
Afterimage Technique Lv 5 → Lv 6
Passive Skills Updated: Golem Core Resonance Lv 4 | Berserker Rage Mastery Lv 1 | Basilisk Predator Instinct Lv 4 → Lv 5
Kael's shadow stretched beside him, flickering like liquid night. "You've done well," the knight said, voice calm yet carrying a rare warmth. "Your speed, your instincts, your control over black flames… you have surpassed mere training. Remember this feeling, Arlen Vale. These victories are yours, but they are only the beginning."
Arlen nodded, muscles still coiled with adrenaline. "I can feel it… the difference between then and now."
> ⚙ [SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Dungeon Depth: Section Complete — 100 %
EXP Gained: +25,000
Dungeon Boss Defeated: Reward Granted — Rare Skill Potential Increased
The chamber was silent save for the echo of molten stone settling and the faint hiss of mana lingering in the air. Dust swirled lazily through fractured shafts of light from the broken ceiling. The A+ dungeon bosses lay defeated, their energies now absorbed into Arlen's body, augmenting his strength, speed, and instincts.
Arlen collapsed to one knee, dagger sheathed in his mental System storage. The black flames along his arms flared faintly, reacting to the residual mana of the chamber. Kael, still standing, tilted his head, surveying the battlefield like a sentinel of judgment.
Arlen exhaled slowly and activated his status window.
> ⚙ [STATUS WINDOW – ARLEN VALE]
Level: 32 → 33
Strength: 101 → 105
Agility: 112 → 117
Speed: 110 → 118 (Mach 1+)
Vitality: 114 → 118
Intelligence: 97 → 98
Sense: 115 → 120
Luck: 65 → 67
Active Skills:
▪ Summon Hero (S)
▪ Afterimage Technique Lv 6
▪ Shadow Step Lv 6
▪ Devour Skill Lv 35
▪ Basilisk Venom Manipulation Lv 3
Passive Skills:
▪ Command Authority
▪ Battle Recovery
▪ Abyss Instinct
▪ Mana Detection
▪ Dark Essence Absorption
▪ Basilisk Predator Instinct Lv 5
▪ Golem Core Resonance Lv 4
▪ Berserker Rage Mastery Lv 1
▪ Shadow Boar Ferocity Lv 1
▪ Chimera Resilience Lv 1
▪ Movement Prediction Lv 2
▪ Wolf Reflexes Lv 7
> ⚙ [SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
New Skills Acquired:
▪ Golem Core Resonance Lv 4 — Attack +5%, Damage Reflection +3%
▪ Berserker Rage Mastery Lv 1 — Attack +4%, Evasion +2%
▪ Movement Prediction Lv 2 — Predict enemy attacks more accurately
▪ Wolf Reflexes Lv 7 — Agility +2%, Evasion +3%
Arlen exhaled, feeling the weight of power coursing through him. His muscles burned from exertion, lungs heaving, but there was a thrill in that exhaustion — proof that he had survived and thrived where death had once loomed.
Kael's shadow stretched over him. "You have surpassed the expectations of any ordinary fighter," he said quietly. "Yet the world does not wait, Arlen Vale. Strength is meaningless if unused."
Arlen nodded, mentally sheathing the memories of nearly dying in past battles. "I know," he murmured. "And I'm just getting started."
They moved toward the dungeon gate, intent on returning to the guild, when the shadows around them shifted unnaturally. A faint ripple passed through the air — a collective pulse of malicious intent,From the dark corners of the chamber, dozens of glowing eyes appeared. A hundred lesser monsters — all drawn by the mana surge of the fallen bosses — emerged, snarling. Goblins fused with shadows, skeletal wolves, horned ravagers, mana leeches, and armored fiends.
Kael's voice was calm, confident. "We can slaughter them.
Arlen smirked, eyes narrowing. "Yeah. We could... but
> ⚙ [SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Summon Slot Available — Summon Hero (S)
Reward for Successful Summon: High
i want to try something ..."his voice low but sharp with command.
"…I want to see what she can do."
Kael tilted his head slightly. "Her?"
Arlen's system flared to life.
> ⚙ [SYSTEM COMMAND: SUMMON HERO II – MIRA, THE ARCHMAGE OF RUIN]
Rank: S
Elemental Affinity: All
Alignment: Loyal / Chaotic Neutral
Summoning in progress...
The dungeon trembled. The air bent and folded inward as a vortex of mana formed before them. Lightning crackled around a black magic circle, burning itself into the stone. From within the swirling void, a soft laugh echoed — light and melodic, but laced with danger.
When the smoke cleared, a woman stood at its center.
Long silver hair drifted around her like liquid starlight. Her eyes shimmered between crimson and violet, and her robes — layered with glowing runes — pulsed with every element's color. Fire, water, wind, earth, lightning, and shadow danced around her body like loyal spirits.
She smiled faintly when her gaze found Arlen. "My, my… to be called upon by you. What kind of world-ending fun shall we have, Master?"
Her tone was teasing, her eyes sharp with amusement.
Arlen's lips curved into a grin. "One hundred monsters. Kill them all. Show me your power, Mira."
Her smile widened, voice soft as silk. "As you wish, Master. With pleasure."
> ⚙ [SYSTEM ALERT]
Hero Summon: MIRA (S-RANK)
Combat Mode: Autonomous | Full Elemental Synchronization Active
Mira raised one hand.
She extended her hands, and the air around the monsters thickened. Dark mana swirled like a living storm, the ground cracking as her power warped reality. Shadows extended from her fingers, lashing out like whips, slicing through monster after monster.
The ground shook violently as earth magic erupted — spiked pillars impaling the front lines of charging beasts. Without pausing, she twirled her fingers, calling down a wave of flames that swallowed the next wave whole.
Arlen and Kael stepped back, letting her work. Mira's playfulness was clear: each monster that fell was met with a flourish of arcane energy, explosions of black fire, shards of mana piercing armor and stone alike.
It wasn't just combat — it was art. Each movement was fluid, elegant, deliberate. Fire laced through her steps, frost trailed behind her, and bursts of wind accelerated her spells.
One monster leapt from behind — she turned lazily, flicked her wrist, and froze it solid mid-air before shattering it with a compressed sphere of wind.
Kael's voice was low, almost reverent. "She is… magnificent."
Arlen watched, awe-struck despite his fatigue. Mira's movements were both elegant and lethal, precise yet playful. Each gesture carried an air of personal amusement — the way she toyed with them before finishing the kill, as if the horde were toys instead of threats
She twisted slightly, catching a lunging shadow wolf in her gaze. "Kneel."
The creature froze midair, body imploding under invisible gravity.
Arlen's smirk returned. "I wanted to know if she was worth an S-Rank."his heart pounded He'd seen Kael destroy legions with precision — but Mira's destruction was art.
Mira spun once more, her silver hair flashing in the reflected light of her own destruction. Around her, dozens of monsters disintegrated under pure elemental ruin.
> ⚙ [SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Enemy Count Remaining: 64 → 32 → 10
Then, with a mischievous grin, Mira whispered: "Let's make this… dramatic."
She snapped her fingers.
The entire dungeon erupted in black lightning. The air split apart, ground crumbled, and a colossal wave of destructive energy — The elemental aura condensed around her, merging into a blinding sphere of condensed ruin. Fire fused with lightning, frost blended with shadow — every element obeyed her.
Her voice echoed through the cavern.
"— Ruin Convergence."a fusion of all elements — rippled outward.
The hundred monsters were vaporized in a single pulse.The cavern floor cracked, ceiling fragments fell, and the light swallowed everything.
Silence followed. Only the faint hum of her mana and Arlen's heartbeat filled the cavern.
> ⚙ [SYSTEM ALERT]
100 Lesser Monsters Defeated
EXP: +25,000
Level: 33 → 35
New Skill Acquired: Elemental Convergence (Ruin Tier) Lv.1 — Merge multiple elemental attacks into one catastrophic strike.
Passive Skill Acquired: Ruin Magic Efficiency +10%
Mira brushed imaginary dust from her robes, her eyes now glowing faintly blue as the elemental energies settled. "That was… enjoyable. Thank you for the opportunity, Master."
Arlen gave a half-smile, the exhaustion in his eyes replaced by awe. "You enjoyed that a little too much."
Her lips curved into a knowing smirk. "Would you rather I held back?"
Kael let out a quiet chuckle, deep and metallic. "A terrifying woman indeed. You've chosen your generals well, my lord."
Mira turned to him with a slight bow. "And you, Sir Kael, are as composed as the rumors in the ether suggest."
Kael inclined his head slightly, his crimson eyes glowing behind his visor. "A pleasure, Archmage of Ruin."
Arlen stood between them, glancing at the aftermath — the cavern now a smoking crater, littered with ashes and molten stone.
> ⚙ [STATUS WINDOW – ARLEN VALE]
Level: 33
Strength: 105
Agility: 117
Speed: 118 (Mach 1+)
Vitality: 118
Intelligence: 98
Sense: 120
Luck: 67
Active Skills:
▪ Summon Hero (S) — Slot I: Kael (S-Rank) | Slot II: Mira (S-Rank)
▪ Afterimage Technique Lv 6
▪ Shadow Step Lv 6
▪ Devour Skill Lv 35
▪ Basilisk Venom Manipulation Lv 3
Passive Skills:
▪ Command Authority
▪ Battle Recovery
▪ Abyss Instinct
▪ Mana Detection
▪ Dark Essence Absorption
▪ Basilisk Predator Instinct Lv 5
▪ Golem Core Resonance Lv 4
▪ Berserker Rage Mastery Lv 1
▪ Shadow Boar Ferocity Lv 1
▪ Chimera Resilience Lv 1
▪ Movement Prediction Lv 2
▪ Wolf Reflexes Lv 7
▪ Ruin Magic Affinity + Mana Efficiency
Elemental Convergence (Ruin Tier) Lv.1 — Merge multiple elemental attacks into one catastrophic strike.
Passive Skill Unlocked: Ruin Magic Efficiency +10%
Arlen leaned against the ruined stone wall, Mira's dark aura slowly fading into calm vigilance. Kael watched silently beside him. For the first time in weeks, Arlen allowed himself to feel… unstoppable.
> ⚙ [SYSTEM ALERT]
Dungeon Cleared: 100%
Completion Bonus: +10,000 EXP
Special Achievement: "Ruin's Judgment" — Cleared an A+ Rank Dungeon with Summoned Heroes Only.
Reward: Additional Summon Slot Unlocked.
Arlen exhaled slowly, looking up at the dungeon gate forming ahead.
"Kael. Mira. Let's go."
Mira's expression softened, power fading as her magic dissolved into motes of light. "As you command, Master."
Kael followed silently, the sound of his armor echoing in rhythm with Arlen's steps.
The dungeon gate's hum pulled at them, signaling the way back. But Arlen's mind lingered on Mira, on Kael, and the storm of power that now followed him. The world had no idea what had awakened in the shadows — and soon, it would find out.
Arlen exhaled through a smirk beneath his Veil of the Forgotten.
As the gate's light engulfed them, Arlen couldn't help but grin faintly. He had once been a weak human with no magic. Now, he was walking out of an A+ dungeon — with two S-Rank beings at his side.
The world outside had no idea what was coming.