The cold wind from the 4th Mine's entrance swept over Dominic's face as he stepped forward.
The tunnel beyond was a gaping maw of darkness, swallowing all traces of light. From within came the faint scrape of steel on stone, like an echo from a battlefield long dead.
[QUEST ACTIVE: S-Rank Dungeon – "The Hunger Below"]
Objective: Clear Dungeon & Purify Core
Danger Level: Catastrophic
His boots crunched on gravel as he entered. The air thickened — metallic, damp, and tinged with something rotten. Black veins ran across the rock walls, pulsing faintly with crimson light.
"System," he murmured, eyes scanning the dark, "what am I dealing with?"
[WARNING: Corruption Level Too High – Full Scan Impossible]
Detected: Abyssal presence exceeding standard S-Rank parameters.
"…Great."
He rolled his shoulders, summoning a faint azure glow to his hands. "Guess I'll find out the hard way."
Capital Outskirts – On the Move
Far above the mine, along a winding cliff path, five armored riders approached in formation. Their armor gleamed black under muted sunlight, crests of the royal guard etched deep into their pauldrons.
"This is him?" one knight asked.
"Yes," their captain replied, a scarred veteran. "The king's orders are simple: observe, assist if needed… and secure the dungeon core."
The second-in-command chuckled. "Or make sure the 'abandoned hero' doesn't get to keep it?"
The captain said nothing, but his expression said everything.
Inside the Dungeon
Dominic's steps echoed deeper into the abyss. Flickers of movement darted in the edges of his vision — the first wave.
Twisted miners, their flesh pale and tight over bone, charged with rusted pickaxes.
Dominic's hands flashed — in one smooth motion, his dual daggers spun into his grip, blades wreathed in thin arcs of lightning. He vanished in a blur, appearing behind the first creature.
Two clean slashes — throat, spine — ash fell where it stood.
The second swung — he ducked low, dagger punching through its chest, lightning bursting outward in a sharp crack. The monster dissolved into black smoke.
"Trash," he muttered, pressing on.
The tunnel opened into a cavern lit only by the corrupted mine core's red glow. From the far side, something massive stepped forward — a humanoid giant clad in jagged black armor. Its helmet had no visor, only a serrated maw-shaped opening leaking red mist. A warped greatsword rested in its hand, runes bleeding black energy.
[ENEMY DETECTED: Abyssal Knight – Dungeon Warden]
Rank: S++
Note: Vessel of the Abyssal Broodmother. Defeating it will awaken her true form.
Dominic smirked. "Alright, knight. Let's see if you can bleed."
The Abyssal Knight moved first — unnaturally fast. The greatsword came down in a lethal arc. Dominic sidestepped, twin daggers flashing. Sparks erupted as his blade scraped its armor, leaving a shallow groove.
He kicked off the ground, flipping over the knight's head. Mid-air, the daggers vanished — in his hands now formed the long golden sword curled with golden lightning. It hummed like a living storm.
The knight swung backhand, but Dominic brought the golden blade down with crushing force — the impact sending shockwaves through the cavern. The knight staggered but did not fall.
"Not bad," Dominic muttered, twisting his wrist. Golden lightning arced along the blade, then shot outward, forcing the knight to block. The energy sizzled across its armor, leaving glowing cracks.
The knight retaliated with brutal sweeps, forcing Dominic into constant motion. He danced along the cavern walls, using his daggers in sudden, precise bursts — a slash to the thigh joint, a stab to the neck gap — before retreating into sword range again.
Every hit counted, but the Abyssal Knight was relentless. One feint caught him — the flat of the greatsword slammed into his ribs, launching him into a stone pillar.
He coughed blood, smirking despite the sting. "Alright… let's make this fun."
He surged forward, sword in one hand, dagger in the other — blending wide, lightning-powered swings with dagger feints. Sparks, dust, and red mist filled the air, each clash ringing like war drums.
The knight's armor now bore cracks glowing with faint light — but it kept pressing forward, its blade's edge now dripping with black, viscous corruption.
Elite Squad POV – Closing In
The royal squad reached the mine's camp. The ground trembled, a muffled boom echoing from deep inside.
"He's still alive in there?" one knight muttered.
The captain's gaze stayed fixed on the mine entrance. "Alive… and making the mountain shake."
They moved forward, but not too quickly. No one wanted to be the first to test the abandoned hero's patience.
Back in the Cavern
The Abyssal Knight slammed its blade into the ground. Black tendrils erupted from the floor, snaking toward Dominic's legs. He leapt away, daggers flashing, slicing them apart mid-air.
The knight lunged. Dominic barely raised his golden sword in time — the impact blasted him backward, his boots digging trenches in the stone. His breathing grew heavier. The knight's movements grew sharper.
The mine core's glow pulsed faster.
[DANGER: Vessel nearing Overdrive State]
Advisory: Immediate counterattack required.
Dominic planted his feet. His mind sharpened. The synchronization pulse with Nexis thrummed violently.
[SYNCHRONIZATION TEMPORARILY SURGED BY COMBAT STRESS]
NEW ABILITY UNLOCKED: Aegis Breaker
Concentrated force capable of shattering armor and defensive constructs at the fundamental level.
His eyes burned gold. Lightning coiled tighter around his sword, condensing until the blade seemed to distort the air itself.
The Abyssal Knight roared and charged.
Dominic stepped forward to meet it.