Chapter 3 – First Dungeon Trial
The roar still resonated in Kael's chest as he gazed at the monster creeping out of the fissure.
It wasn't just big. It was evil.
Bone armor poked out of its back like broken spears, its mouth open too wide for its own good, and the teeth in its jaw moved back and forth of their own accord, squirming like worms. Its red eyes blinked out of sync with one another. The stench crossed the street—rotten flesh mixed with burned metal.
Kael gagged. "Great. Stinks like someone had nuked a body. Just what I needed tonight.".
The hooded stranger did not laugh. They didn't even flinch. Their sword glowed pale blue, and they assumed a stance that yelled experience.
Kael… mimicked them. Or at least attempted to. He crouched his knees, spread his fists, and muttered, "Okay, Kael. Just… just pretend you're experienced. All normal. You've totally fought nightmarish things before, Haha Haha (laughed while scared)
The ground shook as the creature came out the entire way from the crevice. Behind it, the darkness deepened, coalescing into a gate—a shadow arch with runes writhing along it like living things.
[Eclipse System: Dungeon Gate discovered. Status: Unstable.]
Kael growled, "Unstable? Mate, I'd call giant tooth-worm creature already pretty damn stable."
[Correction: Dungeon will collapse unless cleared. Estimated survival of village: 0%.]
His throat went dry. "So. fight or everyone dies. No pressure."
The monster charged.
Kael rolled to the side, hiding in dirt. The hooded stranger charged to meet it head-on, blade crunching through a curved arc. Sparks flared as metal met bone. The monster screamed, flailing with a claw the size of a cart. The stranger fell back but stayed upright.
Kael leapt to his feet, already smoldering with green sparks of light from his hands. His heart pounded too furiously. All his instincts hollered for him to run, but his legs wouldn't budge.
"Okay, glow-stick fists," he growled, "don't fail me now."
He pushed his palms outward. Green filaments exploded outward, snapping against the monster's leg. It stumbled, roaring in fury. Kael blinked. "Holy crap… that actually worked!"
The system seemed to materialize.
[Damage caused: 37. Host performance: below standard.]
Kael scowled. "Hey! Below standard ain't dead! Give a guy a break!"
The monster attacked again. Kael dodged just in time, dirt scraping his face. His ribs burned with agony, but he struggled to a stand. The stranger struck again, lopping off one of its arms. Black smoke billowed out from the wound.
"Keep on hitting it!" the stranger bellowed, their voice loud but calm.
"Oh, sure, like I wasn't already trying!" Kael retorted. He flung his hands up, making pulse magic dance once more. His shot shook, but this time he struggled to concentrate. The tendrils lashed out and struck the monster's chest.
It screamed, stumbling. The stranger took advantage of the momentary lapse, jumping up and striking its eye with blade. The monster shuddered, thrashing furiously before it fell with a crash that shook the ground.
The entire street shook. Dust rained off roofs. There was a moment of quiet.
Kael collapsed to his knees, gasping, sweat running down his face. His arms felt like lead. He wished he could laugh and weep and hurl at the same time.
".Did we win?" he breathed.
The system responded.
[Dungeon Trial completed. Host performance: slightly under par. Rewards received: 150 EXP. Relic obtained.]
A warm glow came out of the monster's body, coalescing into an object. It floated over to Kael and settled into his hands.
It was a rock—black with narrow stripes of silver that pulsed like light-colored veins. It was warm, vibrating with his heartbeat.
Kael stared. "Okay… either this is a magical trinket. or the world's most bizarre stress ball."
The stranger fell down next to him, sheathing their sword. "That relic is yours now. The system chose you."
Kael looked at them in confusion. "You say that like it matters. I didn't choose this system. It just. instantiated in my mind."
The stranger remained silent. They just looked at the relic, then Kael, as though they knew something he didn't.
Before Kael could attack, the back of the dungeon gate behind them creaked. Cracks spread across its face, light leaking through. Then, in a splintering crash, it collapsed, sucking the smoke in with it.
Silence.
The night air came back finally—cold and still and almost normal again. But the village was not the same. Half the buildings were reduced to rubble, the earth was torn open, and the air was heavy with the stench of smoke.
Kael sat back, looking up at the sky. "Well… step one: didn't die. Step two: also didn't die. Step three: do steps one and two again. Mission success."
The system reappeared.
[Correction: Host nearly died. Multiple times.]
Kael let out a sigh. "You're not very good at pep talks, you know that?"
The hooded figure turned to leave.
"Wait!" Kael leapt up, the relic tight in his grasp. "Who are you? You show up, save my life, be all mysterious… At least tell me your name."
The stranger faltered. Then, without turning his back, they grumbled, "You're not ready to know. Get through this first. Ask questions later."
And that was all. They vanished into the darkness.
Kael was left standing, stunned, holding the glowing relic.
He inhaled slowly, muttering under his breath, "Great. Saved by a ninja cosplayer with commitment issues. Guess it's just me, the glow-stick fists, and Mr. Grumpy System now."
The system resumed speech.
[New Quest unlocked: Survive the upcoming nights.]
Kael rubbed his face, laughing weakly. "Great. Can't wait. Absolutely ecstatic."
But in the depths of his heart, even amidst fear and exhaustion, burned a spark of something else—excitement.
Chaos had claimed him. And maybe, he'd claimed it back.