The moment Lucien was teleported away, the barrier surrounding the room shattered like glass.
Liora, Kael, and Nyra rushed toward the fading teleportation circle. Their hearts froze when they examined the rune pattern.
Kael's voice trembled.
This is not a random teleportation. This circle leads to the Third Floor Boss Room.
Silence filled the chamber.
They knew the truth. If they followed, they would die instantly.
None of them were strong enough to survive a boss-class monster.
What they did not know was that Lucien was far stronger than he had ever shown them.
After a long moment, Liora clenched her fists.
We go back. We get stronger. Then we return for him.
And so they retreated.
Unaware that Lucien was already moving forward.
---
Lucien walked calmly through the Fourth Floor.
Only then did he remember something.
Ah. I was supposed to bring back four monster heads.
He scratched his cheek lightly.
Well. I guess I will collect them on my way.
The air on the Fourth Floor was darker. Thicker. Almost alive.
Suddenly, his instincts sharpened.
Night Stalker Panther. B Class.
A shadow predator.
It could turn invisible in darkness. Move silently. Strike with overwhelming speed. But just before it attacked, its chest glowed purple for a split second. Heavy impact could break its shadow form.
Lucien closed his eyes briefly.
He activated his Ki.
Ki was not mana. It was not aura. It was life force.
The energy flowing through every living being. A force drawn from breath, blood, and willpower. It enhanced the body directly rather than manipulating the outside world. Unlike mana, which shaped spells, Ki strengthened muscles, sharpened sienses, and allowed the user to feel disturbances in the air itself.
Within ten to fifty meters, Lucien could sense movement.
Breathing.
Hostile intent.
The panther vanished into the darkness.
Lucien continued walking.
Then he felt it.
A violent rush of killing intent from his left.
He twisted instantly.
The panther tore through the space where his head had been. Its chest glowed purple.
Too obvious.
The beast lunged again, claws aiming for his legs. Then his throat.
Lucien smiled faintly.
You are smart for a monster.
The panther shifted directions midair.
But Lucien moved faster.
He stepped inside its attack range instead of retreating.
His hand shot forward.
He grabbed its skull mid-lunge.
I am not dying here.
He slammed the panther into the ground with crushing force.
The impact shattered its shadow form. Bones cracked. The floor fractured.
The dungeon trembled.
Other monsters on the floor fled in fear.
Lucien looked at his hands.
Every time I defeat them, I feel stronger.
Was it experience. Or was his Ki evolving through battle.
He exhaled slowly.
Thanks to Father teaching me Ki, I do not need mana to fight.
He picked up the panther's head and stored it.
Three more to go.
---
Further ahead, another presence appeared.
Phantom Gladiator. B Class.
A ghostly warrior clad in ancient armor. It wielded a long spectral blade. It could phase through attacks briefly. But when it attacked, it became solid for one second.
Lucien stepped forward confidently.
You use a sword. Let us see if my fists are stronger.
The Phantom Gladiator moved first.
A flash of steel.
Lucien vanished.
He burst forward with explosive speed. His movement distorted the air itself.
The Gladiator slashed.
Lucien appeared behind it.
His fist drove into its spine before it could fully solidify.
The impact released a shockwave that shattered its armor.
The spirit tried to phase.
Too late.
Lucien struck again.
The Phantom Gladiator dispersed into fragments of fading light.
Lucien rolled his shoulder.
I have definitely grown stronger.
He focused his Ki again, scanning the floor.
That was when he sensed something unusual.
A teleportation circle.
But this one felt different.
Dark Aura seeped from its center like smoke.
The air around it felt heavy. Oppressive.
Lucien stepped closer.
In my past life, I took risks. And they were worth it.
He grinned.
After all, a man must do what he wants to do.
Then he paused.
Wait. I am six years old.
He burst into laughter.
Fine. A six year old man.
Without hesitation, he stepped into the circle.
---
The world shifted.
When his vision cleared, he stood in a massive chamber.
Seventh Floor.
Final Boss Chamber.
The pressure hit him instantly.
His knees almost buckled.
The Aura in the room was overwhelming. It felt as if the air itself demanded submission.
Lucien immediately pulled out the Holy Sword from his magic bag. The blade shone faintly with sacred light.
At the far end of the chamber stood a towering figure.
Void Reaper.
An SSS Class Boss.
Its body was made of living darkness. Purple abyssal eyes burned within its hollow face. In its hands rested a massive scythe forged from condensed shadow.
It was not merely a monster.
It was the guardian of the dungeon itself.
The Void Reaper spoke.
How dare you enter my chamber.
Lucien's heart pounded.
So this is an SSS Class monster.
For the first time, fear crawled up his spine.
He swallowed.
You set a trap that brought me here.
The Void Reaper laughed.
A mere human dares accuse me. You will become nourishment.
The shadows around the chamber twisted violently.
The Void Reaper vanished.
Lucien activated Ki.
He sensed movement behind him.
He turned to dodge.
Too slow.
The scythe grazed his shoulder.
Blood splattered across the floor.
You are faster than you look.
The Void Reaper's eyes glowed brighter.
Lucien steadied his breathing.
No more dodging.
He rushed forward.
The Holy Sword sliced through darkness.
For the first time, the Void Reaper staggered.
Impossible.
Sacred light burned through its shadow body.
You wield the Holy Sword.
The monster's killing intent exploded.
It stopped holding back.
Shadows erupted from the ground like spears.
Chains lashed toward Lucien.
Clones formed from pure darkness.
Lucien moved through them with raw precision.
He cut down two clones.
Three more attacked from different angles.
Abyss Roar shook the chamber.
Fear tried to invade his mind.
His legs trembled.
No.
Lucien roared and forced his Ki outward.
His life force surged violently, pushing back the mental pressure.
He dashed forward.
The Void Reaper phased through shadow and reappeared above him.
The scythe descended.
Lucien crossed his blade with it.
The impact shattered the stone beneath his feet.
Shockwaves spread across the entire dungeon.
Even the lower floors trembled.
The Void Reaper went berserk.
Its body expanded. Darkness thickened.
Shadow Dominion filled the chamber completely.
Lucien could barely see.
Fine.
Then I will trust my Ki.
He closed his eyes.
He felt it.
The core.
Deep within the monster's chest.
A dense abyssal presence.
He poured every ounce of Ki into the Holy Sword.
The blade shone brighter than ever before.
Both of them charged at full speed.
The scythe and the sacred blade collided.
An explosion of light and darkness swallowed the chamber.
The dungeon shook violently.
Floors cracked.
Monsters across the tower roared in confusion.
At the center of the explosion stood Lucien.
Breathing heavily.
Sword extended forward.
And in front of him—
The outcome hung in the balance.