The S-Rank dungeon, now bathed in crimson, felt suffocating. Black smoke seeped from the walls. Rex took a deep breath, his heart racing. His body was strong, but his instincts screamed:
"This… is the scent of death."
Suddenly, the ground cracked.
From below, a massive aura rose, as if the dungeon itself had come alive. In the dim darkness, two red eyes appeared. Then, a long, thin silhouette emerged — a Reaper. Its black cloak flowed in the void, and sparks flew wherever its scythe scraped the stone floor.
Rex gritted his teeth.
"So… this is an S-Rank."
In the next instant, the Reaper vanished.
And then, Rex felt it behind him.
He reacted, raising his sword — CLANG!
The scythe's strike slammed into his arm. He was thrown back, hitting the wall with a painful thud.
Too fast.
Even with his muscular body, his breath came in short gasps.
"This speed… incomparable to A-Rank."
The Reaper raised its scythe again. Every swing tore through the air like it split gravity itself. Rex barely dodged each blow, but every strike left deep cuts across his body. Blood dripped from his shoulder.
But he didn't give up.
He gathered his energy, intensifying his aura. His sword glowed — the Predatory Flame technique, unleashed in a rapid barrage. Sword clashed with scythe, echoing through the dungeon.
Yet the Reaper did not flinch. It was silent, merciless, and unfeeling — taunting Rex with every calculated move.
One swing slammed into his stomach. His knees buckled. He gasped, realizing for the first time… he could really die here.
But then he thought of his friends.
Those lost in the S-Rank dungeon…
"I cannot fall without taking their revenge."
His eyes darkened. Focus returned.
He increased his attack speed. His aura blazed even brighter. For the first time, the Reaper took a step back.
But this was only the beginning.
The ground began to collapse. The dungeon expanded. New enemies appeared — shadowy black knights emerging from the darkness. Rex was surrounded, alone, facing countless foes.
He was wounded. Losing blood.
But there was no retreat.
He lifted his sword again.
"Come."
The battle was only just beginning.
And this battle…