The torchlight flickered against the stone as five figures marched steadily toward the dungeon entrance. Their boots crunched gravel, their armor rattled, and their hushed voices carried the nervous energy of people who knew exactly where they were going—into danger.
"Are the rumors true? That this dungeon appeared out of nowhere?" a young man asked, clutching his short sword a little too tightly.
An older man, clearly the leader, adjusted his breastplate and gave a grim nod. "Dungeons don't just appear. They're born. Something powerful is sleeping inside. Our guild master wants answers—and treasure, of course."
A female mage trailing behind sighed. "Treasure, monsters, or curses. Why do adventurers always walk into death traps with a smile?"
The archer in the group grinned. "Because if we don't, someone else will. Better us than them, right?"
They laughed uneasily, but when the yawning black mouth of the dungeon came into view, the humor died in their throats. The entrance pulsed faintly with dark energy, as if the dungeon itself was breathing.
"Stay sharp," the leader muttered. "Once we're in, there's no turning back."
And with that, the unknown party of adventurers stepped into the dungeon.
Meanwhile, deep within the first floor, I stalked the corridors like a predator in his den.
My steps clanged against the stone, but I no longer cared. If monsters were listening, good. Let them come. I wanted to test myself.
And then—I felt it.
A new presence. Heavy. Rotten. Hungry.
It staggered into view from the end of the corridor. Taller than me, its muscles bulged under tattered flesh, veins black and pulsing with foul energy. Its eyes glowed a sickly green, jaw hanging slack to reveal cracked teeth. A Strength-Type Zombie.
Rank 4 monster.
Finally. Something worth fighting.
The zombie roared and charged, each step shaking the ground.
My gauntleted hands tightened around the hilt of my spectral sword as a manic grin twisted my unseen face.
"Perfect."
The impact was immediate.
BOOM!
Our clash echoed through the dungeon, sparks flying as its massive claws slammed against my blade. The force shoved me back a few steps, my boots carving trenches in the stone.
"Not bad!" I barked, excitement bubbling in my voice. "Let's see how much you've got, freak!"
The zombie swung again, faster this time. I ducked under the swipe and countered with [Dark Slash]. A crescent of shadow energy ripped across its torso, cleaving flesh and bone. Black ichor sprayed against the walls.
But the zombie didn't stop. It roared and swung a haymaker into my side.
CRASH!
I was hurled into the wall, stone cracking behind me. Dust filled the air.
My armor groaned, but my body didn't falter. In fact… I laughed.
"That's it! Yes! More!"
The zombie lunged again, claws tearing chunks of stone as it missed my head by inches. I ducked low, drove my shoulder into its gut, and shoved it back with brute force. My strength wasn't human anymore—it was monstrous. And it felt amazing.
I slashed upward, blade of shadow carving into its jaw, snapping it back.
It retaliated, slamming both fists down like hammers. I caught the blow on my sword, knees buckling as the dungeon floor cracked beneath us.
The strain only made my blood—or whatever fueled me now—boil hotter. My body shook with the thrill of battle.
"Is this all you've got?!" I roared, shoving upward with monstrous force.
The zombie stumbled back. I surged forward, shadows gathering along my blade.
[Dark Slash: Critical Hit!]
My weapon carved through its chest, splitting it from collarbone to hip. The zombie gurgled, staggered, and then collapsed into a twitching heap before going still.
I stood over the corpse, chest heaving though I didn't need to breathe. My gauntlets dripped with black ichor.
A laugh tore from me, echoing through the halls like thunder.
"HAHAHAHA! Now that… was a fight!"
The system chimed:
[Strength-Type Zombie defeated.]
[+45 Evolution Points.]
[Skill Proficiency Increased: Dark Slash Lv.1 → Lv.2]
I raised my sword high, basking in the glow of the notification like it was the sweetest victory screen I'd ever seen.
This wasn't a game anymore. This was better.
I was born to fight.
But my celebration didn't last.
Voices.
"…What was that sound?"
"It came from deeper inside. Stay alert."
I froze, my glowing red eyes narrowing. The noise of boots, the creak of armor, the nervous chatter of humans.
Adventurers.
They were here.
And from the sound of it, they were heading straight for me.