The sun was just cresting over Ardent when Kael and Bell arrived at the S-rank dungeon entrance.
Bell was already pacing, her armor glinting faintly in the morning light. "Ready to see how far you've come, E-rank?" she teased, though her tone carried more curiosity than mockery.
Kael didn't answer. He had learned that words were meaningless in dungeons. Actions spoke louder than ranks.
[Dragon System – Status Check]
Dragon Core Mastery Lv.1
Adaptive Influence Lv.3
Observation Lv.2 | Minor Manipulation Lv.2 | Calm Influence Lv.2
He flexed his fingers, golden sparks flickering subtly. Today, he would test his limits… with someone by his side.
---
The first chamber was deceptively calm. Crystal stalactites dripped from the ceiling, reflecting faint glimmers of light. Kael moved carefully, scanning the ground and walls with Observation.
Suddenly, a soft click echoed. Bell froze.
"What's that?" she whispered.
Kael narrowed his eyes. The system highlighted faint energy traces—not monsters, but traps.
He moved silently, shifting rocks and debris with Minor Manipulation, disarming two hidden pressure plates. Bell's eyes widened. "Not bad… for an E-rank."
Kael said nothing. They pushed deeper.
---
The dungeon's next chamber was huge, filled with flickering shadows. Multiple S-rank monsters stirred in the darkness, their eyes glinting like liquid fire.
Kael whispered, "Adaptive Influence, full focus."
Golden energy pulsed across the floor. Rocks, debris, and even faint gusts of air shifted to subtly redirect monster movements. The creatures moved with intelligence, but Kael anticipated their strikes, dodging with precision and forcing them to collide with one another.
Bell grinned, flames sparking at her fingertips. "Finally… a real fight!"
---
Then it happened.
A loud crack reverberated through the chamber. The floor beneath them trembled. The S-rank monsters froze mid-motion. Kael's system pulsed violently.
[Unknown Core Detected: Extreme Threat]
From the shadows, a massive creature emerged. Its body was larger than the chamber itself, covered in jagged black scales that seemed to absorb light. Two glowing eyes fixed on Kael… and then, strangely, on Bell.
Kael's heart skipped. It's… not attacking me?
The system buzzed, warning him: The entity is… assessing you both. Probability of fatal damage: 98%.
Bell stepped forward, flames licking her hands. "I'll handle this one—stay behind me."
Kael studied it with Observation. Every muscle, every tiny movement, revealed intention. But there was something… strange. The creature didn't strike immediately. It lowered its massive claw, almost curiously.
Then it spoke.
Not in words, but a sound inside Kael's mind—a deep, resonating hum that carried meaning.
You… are not alone. You… are different.
Kael staggered back. The Dragon Core pulsed violently. This was the first time an entity communicated directly with him.
Bell's eyes widened in awe and fear. "Did… did it just talk to you?"
Kael swallowed. "It… I think it did."
The creature suddenly vanished, leaving a faint echo of golden energy where it stood. Kael could sense its presence lingering, watching, waiting.
---
The rest of the dungeon seemed… different. Monsters moved less aggressively, almost cautiously, as if aware something stronger was in play. Kael realized something important: he wasn't just growing stronger—he was attracting attention from forces beyond rank.
Bell clapped him on the shoulder, a mixture of admiration and fear in her eyes. "You're… on another level. I knew there was more to you, E-rank. But this…"
Kael nodded silently. His Dragon Core hummed. He didn't yet understand what had just happened, but one thing was clear: the world was bigger, darker, and more dangerous than he imagined.
And the interesting part? This S-rank entity hadn't attacked because it recognized potential, not weakness. That meant the next challenges wouldn't just be about survival—they'd be about proof, strategy, and the hidden strength that only Kael possessed.
The path ahead just got a lot more dangerous… and a lot more interesting.