The man's gaze didn't waver.
Even with the glowing magma casting eerie shadows on the jagged stone, Shadren felt it—pressure. Like a giant hand pressing down on him. He wasn't even in a physical form right now—just hovering essence beside the corpse of the Flamehide Ravager. But still, that gaze felt like it pierced every molecule of him.
Who the hell is this guy?
> [Danger Assessment: Unknown Entity - Level:54] [Threat Level: "You will die."]
"…Good instincts," the hooded man murmured, as if reading Shadren's thoughts. His voice was low but unnervingly calm. "You're not a normal dungeon monster."
Shadren didn't move.
The man knelt by the Ravager's body, brushing a hand over the blackened scales.
"Recently possessed," he whispered. "Shadow essence still lingering. So… a Shadren."
Shadren flinched.
He knows my species? How? The game never mentioned anyone in the lore recognizing Shadrens. Most players barely encountered one in the early floors.
"Come out, or I burn the whole sector," the man said, his tone still unnervingly casual.
Nope, nope, NOPE.
Shadren slithered into the cracks between the rocks, abandoning the host body, now far too damaged to be useful. He had only four days left before he'd decay entirely without a replacement.
---
A Shadow Without a Body
For hours, Shadren moved silently through the dungeon's darker cracks—careful to stay away from light crystals and glowing moss. He passed by groups of monsters—some too strong, others in tight formations.
No way I can 1v3 those fire imps. Where's a lonely idiot when you need one?
Finally, near a collapsed tunnel, he spotted one.
A single young Flamehide, limping and hissing at its own tail. Low HP. Separated. Dumb.
> [Level 3 - Injured Flamehide]
Perfect.
He emerged from the shadows like a mist curling over stone and lunged.
> [Shadow Possession - Active] [Possession Success: 94% Sync]
Shadren's consciousness slammed into the monster's brain. It writhed once… then stilled.
Memories flashed:
—Trapped under rubble. Crushed siblings. Screams. Flames. Human laughter.
So this one was part of a pack wiped out by that guy… Shadren's grip tightened.
> [Level Up! You are now Level 7] [Bonus: Shadow Core Resilience increased slightly]
He flexed his claws. The body was smaller than his last one, but fast. Nimble. The wounds were already healing thanks to the fresh possession.
---
Meanwhile… Raid Team 12F
"Alright, girls. Stretch and tighten up. Boss room coming up," said Kaela, tossing her braid over her shoulder.
Their party stood at the entrance to a massive obsidian door, lava channels running along the sides. Heat shimmered in the air, and the sound of growling monsters echoed beyond.
"I hope this boss isn't as slimy as the last one. I'm not built for that much goo," Nira groaned, tugging her shorts tighter over her hips.
Serin giggled. "Still thinking about Zai?"
"Whaaaaat? No. I mean, maybe."
Lira sighed. "We've been over this. Zai's probably safe. He's smart enough to avoid dungeons."
"…But brave enough to try anyway," Kaela added quietly.
They all paused.
Then, almost in unison, they turned toward the massive door—determined.
---
Back to the Dungeon: Stalked
Shadren's new body leapt from ledge to ledge, climbing toward a hidden alcove. The deeper he went, the more the air changed—less sulfur, more… metal.
He was halfway through another tunnel when something clicked.
I'm being followed.
He pressed his scaled body against the stone, cloaking himself in shadow.
Moments later, a blade struck the wall—right where his heart would've been.
He leapt back, snarling.
The hooded man emerged from the mist again, this time without his cloak. Underneath was sleek obsidian armor with runes glowing faintly along the edges. His weapon? A short spear wreathed in silent flame.
"You're fast," the man said. "I like fast monsters."
Shadren didn't answer. He dashed.
The hunter followed.
What followed was a deadly game of chase—Shadren darting through cracks, leaping over magma streams, slipping into shadows. But the man always found him. Always just behind.
He's testing me…
Shadren led him to a narrow ledge above a lava pit, planning a surprise ambush.
But the man never took the bait.
Instead, he smiled, raised a hand, and murmured a word.
> [Skill Activated: Flame Veil Trap]
The entire ceiling burst into flame.
Shadren barely escaped—charred, coughing, and back in shadow form.
I'm screwed. He knows too much.
But then… the man hesitated.
"…Curious," he said aloud. "You're not attacking."
He turned, as if deciding something.
"You're not ready yet. But you will be."
Then, he vanished in a flash of teleportation magic.
Shadren remained still in the darkness—alone again. Damaged, tired, and confused.
"…What the hell was that?"
---
System Update
> [New Trait Unlocked: Predator's Glimpse]
Can glimpse stats and species info of any creature you remain in proximity to for more than 10 seconds.
> [New Memory Acquired (Fragment)]
—A memory of a flaming spear piercing a giant monster's skull—held by a man in obsidian armor.
---
Back at Camp
The girls finished their raid, exhausted but victorious.
As they bathed in a hot spring near the surface, Nira poked her head up from the water.
"You think we'll ever see Zai again?"
Kaela stared up at the stars.
"…He's probably too busy playing games and didn't check our messy."
They all grew quiet.
And beneath them—deep, deep down—Shadren sat crouched in darkness, watching, thinking, evolving.
---
To Be Continued…