The dungeon didn't vanish after my strike.
---
It… fell silent.
---
As if the very space itself were biding its time.
---
I stood in the centre of the ruined floor.
It was still warm to the touch.
The dragon's breath slowly dissipated into the air.
---
And then I sensed it.
---
A foreign presence.
---
Not a monster.
---
Not a human.
---
But a system.
---
'Interesting…' — I said quietly.
---
SHRAM tensed immediately.
---
— It's not from around here.
---
---
The air in front of me rippled.
---
And there it was.
---
A figure.
Formless.
Genderless.
As if the dungeon itself had decided to become a voice.
---
— You're developing quickly, bearer of the dragon's bloodline.
---
I wasn't surprised.
---
— Are you the 'dungeon'?
---
---
The figure leaned forward slightly.
---
— I am called by many names.
---
— But you may call me the Archon of the Devoured Floors.
---
---
I exhaled.
---
— Sounds like someone who likes long titles.
---
---
SCAR chuckled quietly.
---
— I like it.
---
---
The Archon continued:
---
— I've been watching you since you first entered.
---
— You're not just passing through the floors.
---
— You're rewriting them.
---
---
I looked at him.
---
— So what next? Stop me?
---
---
He shook his 'head' — if you could call it that.
---
— On the contrary.
---
— I'm offering you a contract.
---
---
Silence.
---
---
I narrowed my eyes.
---
— I'm listening.
---
---
The Archon drew closer.
---
And the space around me grew heavier.
---
"I can strengthen the dungeons for you."
---
"Provide you with foes that match your strength."
---
"Monsters that don't exist in the standard system."
---
---
I nodded slowly.
---
"Sounds like a fast track to death or a fast track to development."
---
---
"Both," he replied calmly.
---
---
SHRAM said quietly:
---
"He's not lying."
---
---
I folded my arms.
---
'And why do you need this?'
---
---
The Archon fell silent.
---
For a second.
---
---
'Because you're not the only reason.'
---
---
I frowned.
---
— What?
---
---
And then he said:
---
— There's another factor.
---
— Alikantios.
---
---
I froze.
---
---
SHRAM suddenly laughed louder.
---
— Ooh… that madman.
---
---
The Archon continued:
---
— The chief god of this world.
---
— The Observer.
---
— The Trickster.
---
— And the one who has taken an interest in you.
---
---
I exhaled slowly.
---
— He's already interfering far too much…
---
---
The Archon nodded.
---
— That is precisely why I am here.
---
— His attention means instability in the world.
---
— And you… are the centre of that instability.
---
---
I smiled wryly.
---
— Great. I'm a problem again.
---
---
The Archon continued:
---
— If you agree, I'll give you access to the levels where even the systems don't work properly.
---
— You'll be able to grow faster there.
---
---
I looked at Kuroyami.
---
— And the price?
---
---
— Survival, — he replied calmly.
---
---
A pause.
---
---
SHRAM said quietly:
---
— It's a fair deal.
---
---
I nodded.
---
"I'll think about it."
---
---
And then the Archon added:
---
"Alikantios will probably approve of this."
---
---
I raised an eyebrow.
---
— Does he ever NOT approve of chaos?
---
---
SHRAM laughed.
---
— No.
---
---
I sighed.
---
— I see.
---
---
I stared into space.
---
'He's probably off somewhere… having a bit of fun.'
---
'Or with his wife.'
---
---
SCAR gave a quiet chuckle.
---
'A very accurate guess.'
---
---
The Archon leaned forward slightly.
---
— So then?
---
---
I gripped the hilt of Kuroyami.
---
And replied:
---
— Bring on the monsters.
---
---
Silence.
---
---
And the dungeon, for the first time in a long while…
---
responded joyfully.
---
---
Somewhere deeper within the levels, something stirred.
---
Stronger.
---
Darker.
---
Real.
---
---
And I smiled.
---
— Perfect.
---
— Now the proper training can begin.