The shadows in the Hollow Throne were alive. They twisted across the walls, creeping toward Azer as if testing his intentions. He crouched low, feeling the air pulse with tension. Every muscle coiled; every nerve screamed awareness.
The first real enemy emerged.
It was massive, a grotesque guardian of black stone and bone, humanoid in shape but malformed. Its arms were too long, its legs bent at impossible angles, and its head was a smooth mask etched with violet runes. The sheer presence pressed against his chest, forcing him to take shallow breaths.
A growl rumbled through the room, low and resonant, shaking the dust from the vaulted ceiling.
Azer's heart thudded, but he didn't flinch. Shadow swirled along his limbs instinctively, curling around him like living armor.
[System Notification – Threat Level: LETHAL]
He grinned. That's what he wanted.
The guardian lunged, moving faster than its bulk should allow. Azer rolled, shadows folding around him as he vanished from sight. Shadow Step carried him to its flank. His blade struck, sparks erupting where steel met rune-carved stone.
The creature screamed—not in sound, but in pressure, the room vibrating with its pain. It swung back, a massive arm striking him against the wall. Pain flared across his side, ribs cracking audibly.
[System Notification – HP: 241 → 173, Status: Cracked Rib]
Azer gritted his teeth. Lightning surged through his arm, contained and refined by his focus. He struck again, this time at a rune cluster on its chest. The stone cracked. Shadow tendrils coiled, binding its limbs.
Finally, the guardian collapsed. Silence settled over the chamber, broken only by Azer's ragged breathing.
[System Notification – Enemy Defeated: Relic Guardian (Fragmented), XP Gained, Skill Proficiency Increased]
The shard in his pocket pulsed faintly, a reminder that the dungeon was aware of him. He ignored the slight tremor in his pulse and moved forward, deeper into darkness.