The morning came quietly, golden light seeping through the blinds of Lior's small inn room. His body ached, still recovering from the dragon battle. He rolled his shoulders, exhaled, and looked at the faint glow of mana flickering over his hands — the power of the Dragon Resonance.
"I've gotten stronger," he murmured. "But strength means nothing if I don't survive long enough to use it."
He cooked a simple meal, though his pantry was almost empty. The realization hit as he cleaned his plate — he was nearly broke. "Time to get some quests done," he muttered.
By dawn, he was already walking through the lively streets of Windcrest City. The air buzzed with noise — merchants bargaining, adventurers boasting about monster hunts, and the smell of fresh bread wafting from stalls.When he reached the Azureblade Guild, the same auburn-haired receptionist greeted him with a cheerful wave.
"Morning, Lior! Looking for new work?"
"Yeah," he replied, "something D-rank or above."
She flipped through the quest ledger, frowning. "Most D-rank tasks are already taken. Only some herb collections left."
Lior sighed. "Nothing else?"
Before she could answer, a man's deep voice cut in from behind him.
"Looking for a quest, kid?"
Lior turned to see a tall warrior in polished silver armor, his dark hair slicked back and his confident smirk revealing rows of white teeth. Behind him stood three others — a female swordswoman, a healer, and a mage — all wearing matching Silver Fang emblems.
"We're heading into the Serpent Abyss Dungeon," the man said, tapping his chest. "Name's Darius, leader of the Silver Fangs. You've probably heard of us."
"I have," Lior said calmly. "You're B-rank, right?"
"That's right," Darius grinned. "We need a temporary porter. Our last one's out sick. It's just supply work — carrying gear, setting camp, basic survival duties. Pay's triple what a D-rank quest gives."
Lior considered it. "Seventeenth floor, you said?"
Darius raised a brow. "Not afraid, are you?"
"Not at all," Lior replied with a faint smile. "I'll take it."
⚔️ The Descent
The Serpent Abyss was a hellish labyrinth of molten tunnels and crimson crystals glowing faintly along the walls.Sulfuric heat pressed against their armor as they descended. Darius led the way, slashing through small salamanders with his greatsword while Corin, the mage, burned nests with controlled bursts of fire.
Lior followed silently, carrying the packs with ease.He barely spoke, his eyes sharp, observing everything — the monsters, the terrain, and the way the Silver Fangs worked together.They were efficient, confident, but a bit reckless — exactly what he expected from a B-rank party.
Hours passed. Sweat trickled down Darius's neck as he swung his blade through another wave of beasts."You're quieter than most porters," Darius noted, panting slightly.
"Habit," Lior said. "Farmers don't talk much when they work."
The man laughed. "Fair enough."
🔥 Floor Seventeen — The Flame Chamber
When they reached the seventeenth floor, the air grew thick with mana. Heat shimmered like liquid glass, and faint rumbles echoed through the stone."This floor shouldn't be this active…" Corin muttered, scanning the walls. "Something's wrong."
Before anyone could respond, a violent tremor ripped through the chamber. The ground split, spewing flames skyward as molten rock splattered around them.
Then came the hiss — long, drawn-out, and hungry.
A Flame Serpent, larger than any they had fought before, burst from the lava pool. Its body was covered in molten scales, its eyes twin suns of fire.
"Move!" Darius roared.
The Silver Fangs scattered.The serpent struck like lightning, its tail smashing the ground, sending shockwaves through the cave. Darius blocked one strike, his sword glowing white-hot from the impact.
"Corin, wind barrier! Elen, heal Mira!" Darius barked.Lior stayed at the rear, pretending to take cover — but his mind was already racing.
They won't hold out much longer. That thing's at least A-rank material.
The serpent's maw glowed red. It inhaled, preparing a massive fire breath.
Lior's eyes narrowed. "Not on my watch."
He touched his pendant — the Summoner's Core hidden beneath his shirt — and whispered a single command under his breath."Terra… shield them."
The ground trembled slightly.Just as the serpent unleashed its inferno, the earth erupted in front of the Silver Fangs, forming a massive barrier of rock and crystal. The fire hit, exploded, and dissipated harmlessly against it.
The party stumbled back, coughing from the smoke.
"What the hell was that?!" Corin shouted. "Did you cast something?!"
Lior quickly grabbed a broken crystal from the ground, pretending to examine it. "A defensive rune must've activated from the wall," he said calmly. "Lucky break."
Darius didn't question it — too focused on survival. "Move! Attack while it's recovering!"
They charged again, and as they fought, Lior slipped deeper into the smoke, eyes glowing faintly.He clenched his fist. "Ignis… burn its tail."
From behind the smoke, an unseen blaze erupted — a burst of crimson flame that scorched the serpent's rear.The creature howled in agony, twisting its massive body away from the others.
Sylph's whisper echoed faintly in his mind, her tone playful. "Subtle as always, Master."
"Keep it that way," he whispered. "No one sees you."
Aqua's unseen water streams cooled the overheated floor, allowing Darius to advance.Each elemental struck unseen, masked by the chaos — wind, flame, and stone attacks disguised as environmental bursts.
After a final combined strike from Darius and Mira, the serpent gave one last shriek and collapsed into the lava below.
Silence followed — broken only by the drip of molten rock.
[System Notice: Dungeon Boss Defeated][Rewards Obtained: Flame Core | Serpent Fang | Essence Crystal]
⚙️ Aftermath
Darius collapsed onto a rock, laughing breathlessly. "Hah! That was insane… but we did it."
Corin grinned, shaking his head. "That defensive rune — without it, we'd be roasted."
Lior smiled faintly. "Guess we were lucky."
They gathered materials, stored the Flame Core, and began their retreat toward the dungeon gate.As they walked, Darius clapped Lior on the shoulder. "You've got good instincts, kid. Ever thought about joining a real party?"
Lior smiled. "Maybe one day."
He turned his gaze toward the flickering lava — where faint traces of elemental energy still danced unseen.His secret was safe.For now.