Raven's POV
I woke just as the sun began to rise.
Pale gold light crept through the narrow window of my room, brushing against the worn stone walls and the edge of my bed. For a moment, I lay still, listening to the quiet breathing of the orphanage—soft, peaceful, unaware of what awaited beyond its walls.
As always, I rose early.
Habit, more than discipline.
Whenever I woke before dawn, I kept myself busy—training, cooking, helping around the orphanage—anything to keep time moving forward. If I stayed idle for too long, my thoughts had a way of turning sharp.
I dressed lightly and slipped into the kitchen, preparing a simple breakfast after a short round of training. The familiar motions grounded me: the sound of a blade cutting vegetables, the warmth of the stove, the quiet satisfaction of finishing small, necessary tasks. By the time the work was done, my muscles were loose, my mind steady.
Then I took a cold bath.
The water bit into my skin, shocking me fully awake. I welcomed the sting—it cleared the last traces of sleep and doubt from my body. When I stepped out, droplets clung to my skin as I dried off slowly, deliberately.
This wasn't an ordinary day.
I dressed with care.
Black trousers, flexible and fitted for movement. A sleeveless black top with a short collar, leaving my arms free. Sturdy black military boots, laced tight. Not ceremonial armor—just practical, familiar, and honest.
Combat attire.
I fastened my sword securely at my hip, checking the straps twice. Then I inhaled, focusing inward, and called upon my power.
A small circle of black void shimmered into existence before me—silent, endless, swallowing light itself. From within it, I drew my blade.
The sword emerged smoothly into my hand, its presence immediately familiar. I lowered my voice to a whisper.
"I hope you're ready for what's coming," I murmured. "I'll allow you to absorb as much mana as you need."
The sword pulsed once—subtle, deliberate.
A response.
I returned it to the black void, letting the circle collapse into nothingness.
When I stepped out of my room, I nearly walked straight into mother Mary. She paused, studying me with gentle concern.
"What is it, my dear?" she asked softly. "Are you heading somewhere?"
I didn't want to worry her.
"I'm meeting some old friends," I replied calmly.
She smiled and placed a warm hand against my back. "Be careful out there, my child. And don't stay out too late."
I returned her smile. "I won't."
Outside, the air was cool and fresh, the city still stretching awake. I stepped beyond the orphanage gates and waited quietly, my gaze drifting toward the distant outline of the city walls.
Ayla would be here soon.
And from there, we would head toward the gate , to meet the rest of team .
I spotted Ayla long before she reached me.
She emerged from the quiet morning streets, her figure unmistakable even at a distance. She was wearing her guild's official attire—black leather trousers fitted for movement, a tight leather shirt that bore the faint marks of past battles, and her sword strapped securely across her back. Everything about her spoke of experience, confidence, and readiness.
As she drew closer, her steps slowed, her sharp eyes sweeping over me with open approval. A smile tugged at her lips.
"I see you've prepared yourself well for a fight," she said.
"I'm always ready," I replied evenly.
Ayla laughed, the sound light and familiar. "You really haven't changed at all."
She reached out and patted my shoulder twice, a gesture so natural it stirred memories I hadn't realized I was carrying. Then she straightened and motioned forward.
"Come on," she said. "They must be waiting for us by now."
I nodded. "Let's go."
Side by side, we headed toward the city gate.
The streets were slowly coming to life—merchants opening their stalls, guards shifting positions atop the walls, the low hum of a city preparing for another day. Yet beneath that normalcy, I could feel it—a subtle tension in the air, like the calm before a storm.
Ahead, near the towering gates of the city, the rest of the team waited.
As Ayla and I reached the city gate, the rest of the team was already there.
Sam stood near the horses, tightening a strap on her armor with practiced efficiency, while Alice, Daniel, and Chris double-checked their weapons and packs. The morning light glinted faintly off polished steel and worn leather, casting long shadows across the stone road beyond the gate.
When Sam noticed us, she straightened and smiled.
"Morning," she said. "You arrived at the perfect time. Everything's ready. We'll feed the horses, then we'll head out."
Daniel was the first to approach me. He clapped a firm hand on my shoulder, his grin wide and genuine.
"Welcome back, Raven."
Before I could reply, Chris let out a low whistle as he looked me up and down.
"Wow, Raven… what happened to you? You've changed a lot. You look stronger than before."
Alice stepped closer, her expression soft. She wrapped her arms around me in a gentle hug, careful not to jostle my sword.
"I'm really glad you're back," she said warmly. "It's been a long time."
A faint smile curved my lips.
"Thank you," I said quietly , I'm happy to be back too.
For a brief moment, standing there among familiar faces, it almost felt like the past had caught up with us—like nothing had changed at all.
Sam clapped her hands once, sharp and decisive, pulling us back to the present.
"Alright," she said, her voice firm but upbeat. "If everything's ready, let's move."
We rode hard toward the eastern border of the city, the hooves of our horses pounding steadily against the dirt road. The wind rushed past us, carrying the scent of grass and dust, and within half an hour the landscape began to change—wide, open fields stretching endlessly beneath the blazing summer sun.
Then I saw it.
The dungeon gate stood at the center of a vast green field, impossible to miss. A massive crimson portal, its surface rippling like liquid fire, glowed ominously as it reflected the sunlight. Even from a distance, it felt wrong—too vivid, too alive, as if it were watching us approach.
As we drew closer, the signs of failure became impossible to ignore.
Abandoned horses stood tethered to nothing, reins trailing lifelessly across the ground. Broken carts lay scattered nearby, their wheels splintered, supplies long looted or left to rot. These were not the remnants of a single group, but many—hunters who had entered the dungeon and never returned.
I dismounted slowly, my eyes fixed on the gate.
The air around it felt dense, heavy, as though invisible hands were pressing down on my chest. A sinister energy seeped from the portal in slow, relentless waves—dark, suffocating, and unmistakably hostile. It wasn't just mana. It was pressure. Malice. A promise of powerful monsters lurking inside.
Daniel hesitated, his steps faltering. Alice stiffened beside him, both of them instinctively taking a step back as the weight of the gate's presence settled over us. I could hear Daniel swallow hard, his hand tightening around the grip of his weapon.
Sam noticed immediately.
She moved toward them and placed a firm, reassuring hand on each of their shoulders. Her expression was serious, unwavering.
"Don't worry," she said. "We won't risk our lives unnecessarily. If the monsters are too strong, we withdraw immediately."
Her words steadied the air between us, but the gate remained unchanged—silent, crimson, and waiting.
I stared into its depths, feeling the dark pressure press against my senses.
This wasn't an ordinary dungeon.
Sam raised her voice slightly, her tone firm and authoritative as she addressed the group.
"Alright. I'll explain our strategy now."
She gestured between herself and Ayla.
"Ayla and I will take the front line as the first line of defense. We're the strongest among us. Chris and Daniel will stay behind us. Raven and Alice—since you're the youngest—you'll take the back . I believe this is the safest formation. Any objections?"
I hesitated for only a moment before stepping forward.
"It's a good plan," I said calmly, "but may I suggest a different formation?"
Sam turned toward me, her expression unreadable.
"Let's hear it first," she said. "We'll decide afterward. Go ahead."
I took a breath and continued, keeping my voice steady.
"Alice is our healer," I said. "That makes her our highest priority. As long as she can cast, we can keep fighting. So she should be positioned in the center."
I gestured as I spoke, mentally mapping the formation in front of us.
"Ayla should guard her from behind. Captain Sam, you take the right flank. Chris takes the left. Daniel—with his ability to activate a defensive barrier—should stay in front of them. If things turn dangerous, he activates his shield and protects everyone."
Then I lifted my gaze to Sam.
"I'll take the front."
For a moment, silence settled over the group.
Sam frowned, crossing her arms.
"It's a solid strategy," she admitted. "But I can't place you on the front line and put your life at risk. As the leader—and the oldest here—that responsibility falls on me."
She met my eyes, resolute.
"I'll switch positions with you. I'll take the front."
I smiled faintly.
"I'll be fine," I said. "You don't need to worry about me. I can handle myself. "
Sam shook her head, clearly dissatisfied. She tried again—once, twice—arguing from duty, from experience, from rank. But I didn't yield.
No matter how much she insisted, I refused to change the formation.
This wasn't recklessness.
It was certainty.
With the formation finally agreed upon, we moved toward the gate in silence.
I stepped through first.
The moment I crossed the threshold, the world shifted. The dungeon swallowed me whole, its air thick and oppressive, as if the darkness itself had weight. It resembled an abandoned mine—narrow stone tunnels, jagged walls, and a ceiling lost in shadow. Pitch-black darkness surrounded me, so complete it felt almost tangible.
The stench hit next.
Blood.
Old, dried blood mixed with something far worse—decay, rot, and the lingering scent of death. It clung to my lungs with every breath. I paused, allowing my eyes a few seconds to adjust, forcing myself to stay calm as my vision slowly adapted to the gloom.
Behind me, I heard footsteps.
Daniel entered next, followed closely by the others. The instant Alice and Ayla crossed into the dungeon, both of them covered their noses instinctively.
"By the gods…" Alice muttered under her breath.
"The smell is awful," Ayla added, her voice tight.
Daniel grimaced as he glanced around.
"This place is too dark," he said. "We need some light."
Without hesitation, Sam extended her hand. Mana surged through the air, and a crimson flame bloomed in her palm, casting flickering red light across the stone walls. Shadows leapt and twisted, revealing streaks of dried blood, claw marks carved deep into the rock, and broken weapons scattered along the ground.
The dungeon was no mere cave.
It was a grave.
Steel rang softly as we all drew our weapons, the sound echoing ominously through the tunnels. I took the lead, every step careful, every sense sharpened as we advanced deeper into the dungeon—slowly, deliberately—into the waiting darkness.
We moved through the tunnel for what felt like an eternity, our footsteps echoing softly against the stone. The passage stretched long and narrow, its walls uneven and scarred, until at last it opened into a vast chamber.
I slowed instinctively.
The space before us was wide and open, the ceiling soaring high above. Three separate passages branched off from the chamber, each disappearing into shadow. Embedded within the walls and scattered across the ground were clusters of glowing stones, their pale, eerie light bathing the cavern in an unnatural glow. It was just enough illumination to see… and just enough to hide danger.
Morivain's voice rose in my mind, low and grave.
Be careful. This place is cursed. I can feel it.
Her tone sharpened.
There are many trapped souls here. Do you see the bodies scattered in the darkness?
My gaze swept the chamber slowly, every muscle tense as I searched for movement.
"Yes," I replied silently, my voice steady despite the unease creeping up my spine.
"But they're no longer bodies. Only bones remain."
White fragments lay half-buried in shadow—skulls cracked open, ribcages collapsed, weapons rusted beside them. Time had stripped them of flesh, leaving only the memory of death behind.
I narrowed my focus, sensing beyond what my eyes could see.
"I feel a large number of auras coming from the passage on the right," I continued.
"But there's something else… a much larger presence coming from the left."
I was still speaking to Morivain when a sudden surge of energy flared—too close.
My heart slammed against my ribs.
"Ayla—watch above you!" I shouted.
From the darkness overhead, a massive black creature dropped without warning. Its body was enormous, its form barely distinguishable except for the long, jagged claws gleaming as it lunged downward toward Ayla.
She reacted a fraction too late.
Steel rang sharply as Sam moved in an instant, drawing her sword and intercepting the strike from above. Sparks flew as claw met blade. The impact shook the chamber, the force of it rippling through the air.
The beast recoiled, leaping backward with terrifying agility before melting back into the shadows as if it had never been there at all.
Silence followed—heavy and suffocating.
Sam tightened her grip on her sword, eyes narrowed.
"Its hide is incredibly tough," she said grimly. "My blade couldn't pierce it."
Ayla drew her sword fully now, exhaling slowly.
"Thank you," she said to Sam, her voice tight.
Every one of us shifted into a combat stance, weapons raised, senses sharpened. The chamber felt alive now—watching us, waiting.
Whatever was lurking in the darkness… this dungeon had only just begun to show its teeth.
I remained still, my senses stretched thin as I quietly observed the chamber, listening not just with my ears, but with everything I was. The silence felt wrong—too deliberate, too calculated.
Chris broke it first, his voice tense as he turned to Sam.
"So… what do we do now?"
Elise's eyes darted anxiously from shadow to shadow, her grip tightening around her staff.
"Where did that monster go?" she asked, barely above a whisper.
Chris swallowed. "And where are the rest of them?"
Daniel frowned, scanning the darkness.
"It feels like they're hiding," he said slowly. "But why?"
Sam didn't hesitate for long.
"We keep moving," she said firmly. "We'll advance and see what happens."
Ayla shifted beside her.
"But which passage?" she asked. "There are three."
Sam glanced at the branching tunnels before us.
"We'll take the middle one first. If we don't find the dungeon boss, we'll return and try another route."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
But something in me refused to settle.
I spoke before I could second-guess myself.
"If you're looking for the dungeon boss… it's in the left passage."
All eyes turned to me at once.
"How do you know?" Chris asked.
I didn't look away from the left tunnel. The air there felt heavier, thicker—as if the dungeon itself was breathing through it.
"I can feel an extremely powerful aura coming from the end of the left passage," I said calmly.
"But it isn't alone. There are many monsters gathered there as well."
Daniel stiffened.
"Captain," he said to Sam, "what do we do? Do we continue… or withdraw?"
Sam's expression hardened with resolve.
"We continue," she said without hesitation. "We came here with one purpose—to defeat the boss and close this dungeon."
She paused, then added,
"If anyone wants to retreat, I won't stop you."
Her gaze shifted to me.
"Raven… this is our duty as a guild. And since you came here because I asked you—because I dragged you into this—you don't have to stay. If you want to leave, I won't stand in your way."
I scoffed softly and stepped closer, striking her shoulder firmly—harder than necessary.
"I knew the risks from the beginning," I said with a small smile. "I came here by my own choice, not because you forced me. I'll fight beside you until the end."
Sam blinked, then smiled.
"Thank you."
She rubbed her shoulder, grimacing slightly.
"But… that really hurt."
The tension finally broke, laughter echoing softly through the chamber.
Sam straightened, her voice returning to command.
"Alright then. Let's move."
And together, we turned toward the left passage—straight into the heart of the dungeon.
We stepped into the left passage together, our formation tightening instinctively the moment we crossed its threshold—as if the dungeon itself demanded discipline from those who dared enter it.
The air changed almost immediately.
It grew colder with every step, heavier, pressing against my skin like an unseen hand trying to push us back. The faint glow of the crystals behind us dimmed rapidly, swallowed by shadows that clung to the walls and ceiling like something alive. This tunnel wasn't merely dark—it was aware.
Watching.
They were close.
Far too close.
I slowed my steps, my senses stretching outward, and lifted my free hand slightly. It was a subtle signal, but Sam noticed at once. She raised her fist, halting the group without a word. Boots stilled. Breathing quieted.
For a moment, there was only silence.
Then—
"Whispers," Elise murmured, her voice barely audible. "Do you hear that?"
I did.
But they weren't whispers.
They were breaths.
Dozens of them—uneven, distorted, wet—sliding through the darkness ahead of us. Their auras flickered faintly now, no longer concealed. Whatever lurked here had decided it was done waiting.
"They're surrounding us," I said quietly, my gaze lifting to the ceiling, then drifting along the walls. "Above us. Around us. And straight ahead."
Ayla cursed under her breath and shifted her footing, blade ready. Daniel activated his defensive ability, a faint, shimmering barrier spreading around the group like fragile glass. Chris swallowed hard; sweat glistened at his temple despite the cold.
I turned my head slightly toward Sam.
"I'll move forward first," I said calmly. "When I call you, come after me. But keep this formation no matter what."
Sam studied me in silence for a heartbeat that felt longer than it was. Then she nodded once.
"Be careful," she said.
I nodded back.
Stepping ahead of the group, I loosened my control just enough to let a thin thread of mana slip free—an intentional provocation.
The dungeon answered instantly.
The shadows exploded into motion.
Creatures tore themselves from the walls, their bodies black and warped, limbs too long, joints bending the wrong way. Hollow eyes flared crimson as they screeched, the sound like stone grinding against bone. The air filled with movement and malice.
I activated Black Void.
The familiar pull answered me at once, space tearing open as my sword slid into my grasp from the darkness. Its weight grounded me.
Five of them leapt from the ceiling directly in front of me, claws outstretched.
I smirked.
I need to finish this quickly—before the rest of the team is forced to engage.
My body moved before the thought finished forming.
Steel flashed.
And somewhere deeper in the tunnel—beneath the chaos, beneath the screams—I felt it.
A presence vast and oppressive.
The dungeon boss.
Watching.
Waiting.
I raised my sword, the corner of my lips curling upward.
"Good," I whispered into the darkness.
They came at me all at once.
Five shadows detached themselves from the darkness above, bodies folding and unfolding midair as they descended with shrill, broken shrieks. Their claws gleamed dully, slick with something old and black. Any ordinary hunter would have been torn apart before their feet touched the ground.
I didn't move.
Not yet.
The first one landed directly in front of me, knees bending unnaturally low, maw opening far wider than it should have been. The moment its claws slashed forward, I stepped inside its reach.
My sword met its arm.
The instant steel touched flesh, I felt it.
Mana—violent, corrupted, panicked—ripped free from the creature and surged through my blade, flowing into me like a sudden pulse of heat beneath my skin. The monster let out a strangled scream as its body shriveled slightly, movements faltering.
So it works on them too.
Good.
I twisted my wrist and cleaved upward, splitting it cleanly from shoulder to chest. Before its body even hit the ground, I was already moving.
The second and third attacked together—one from my right, one from behind. I pivoted, letting instinct guide me, and dragged my blade across the air in a wide arc. The sword kissed the second creature's ribs for barely a second.
That was enough.
Its mana tore free violently, far more than the first—raw, desperate. I absorbed it not only through the sword, but directly through my body, opening myself to it without resistance. The energy flooded my veins, reinforcing muscle, sharpening senses.
The creature collapsed mid-lunge, its form imploding as if hollowed out from within.
The third managed to reach me.
Its claws scraped against my shoulder—
—and stopped an inch away.
I caught its wrist with my free hand.
Its skin was cold. Wrong.
I didn't bother hiding my strength.
Mana surged from my palm as I absorbed it directly, bypassing the sword entirely. The monster convulsed, shrieking as its aura was ripped apart piece by piece. I drove my blade straight through its skull, pinning it to the stone floor.
Three down.
The remaining two hesitated.
They were learning.
One retreated backward, clinging to the wall like an insect, while the other circled me warily, low to the ground. Their auras flickered erratically—fear bleeding through the malice.
"You should've attacked together," I murmured.
The one on the wall lunged.
I vanished.
In the next heartbeat, I was behind it.
My sword pierced its spine, and I didn't stop there. I held the blade inside its body, letting it drink deeply. Mana poured out in a violent stream, far more than I needed. I siphoned it all, leaving nothing behind.
The creature disintegrated into ash before it could even scream.
The last one broke.
It turned to flee—toward the tunnel behind me.
I sighed.
With a single step, I closed the distance and hurled my sword.
The blade struck true, embedding itself between its shoulders. The mana drain activated instantly, ripping the creature apart from the inside. It collapsed forward, lifeless before it hit the ground.
Silence returned.
I stood alone amid the remains—no blood on my skin, no tears in my clothes, not even a scratch. My breathing was steady. My body felt light. Energized.
I recalled my sword, letting it slip back into the Black Void as the excess mana settled comfortably within me.
Behind me, I could feel my team's presence—still holding formation, just as instructed.
I lifted my gaze toward the deeper darkness of the tunnel.
The pressure there was heavier now , Colder , The boss had felt that.
I smiled faintly. "Wait Your turn," I whispered .
"Captain," I called out, raising my voice just enough to carry through the tunnel. "You can advance."
For a moment, there was only silence.
Then—footsteps.
Soft at first, cautious, echoing faintly against the stone. Slowly, the sound grew louder, steadier, until the rest of the team emerged from the shadows behind me. They hadn't broken formation. Elise remained at the center, shoulders tense but posture controlled, while the others formed a protective ring around her—exactly as planned.
Good discipline.
Their gazes swept across the open space… and then stopped.
The remains of the monsters lay scattered across the stone floor—twisted bodies, ash, clawed limbs severed and broken. The air still carried the faint residue of corrupted mana.
And in the middle of it all, I stood quietly, sword already gone, expression calm.
Ayla was the first to speak.
Her brows knit together as she slowly turned in place, taking in the scene. "What… happened here?" she asked, disbelief creeping into her voice. "Why are there so many monsters?"
Daniel swallowed hard, eyes darting from the bodies to me. "Raven…" he said carefully. "Don't tell me you did all of this. Alone."
I offered a small, almost casual smile. "No. Of course not."
Their attention sharpened immediately.
"When I arrived," I continued evenly, "they were already dead."
Chris blinked. "What? But we heard fighting. Steel. Impact. It came from here."
"Oh," I replied lightly. "That? Yes, something did attack me."
I pointed down at a single corpse near my feet—its body more intact than the others. "That one. I killed that monster."
The others exchanged looks, uncertainty flickering between them.
Sam, however, said nothing.
She knelt beside one of the corpses, fingers hovering just above the remains without touching. Her eyes moved carefully, analytically, reading the battlefield in a way only an experienced captain could. She rose a moment later, face composed, but her gaze lingered on me a second longer than necessary.
"Let's keep moving," she said at last, voice firm. "We're wasting time."
No questions. No accusations.
I turned and began walking toward the deeper tunnel, my boots crunching softly against stone.
But I could feel it.
Her eyes on my back.
Silent. Assessing.
Inside my mind, Morivain laughed softly.
"Looks like your captain didn't believe that story for even a second, little shadow."
I kept my expression neutral, my pace unhurried.
"Then why hide it?" Morivain continued, amused. "If they knew how strong you truly are, they'd fear you. Respect you."
I answered her calmly, without breaking stride.
"I know. That's exactly the problem."
Images surfaced unbidden—noble halls, calculating eyes, whispered rumors. Lord Cassian's smile. The chains that followed.
"I made that mistake once," I continued inwardly. "And you saw how that ended. Strength draws attention. Attention brings enemies."
Morivain hummed thoughtfully.
"You're not wrong. The stronger one becomes, the more problems follow."
"Exactly," I replied. "So it's better to remain unseen."
Ahead of us, the tunnel narrowed again, shadows thickening as the pressure from deeper within the dungeon grew heavier.
I stepped forward, calm and quiet.
Let them underestimate me.
It was safer that way.
We hadn't gone far before the dungeon revealed its true nature.
The tunnel twisted sharply, narrowing until the stone walls pressed close on both sides. The ceiling dipped low, jagged and uneven, as if the dungeon itself was bending inward to trap us. Sam's crimson flame flickered, struggling to hold its shape, shadows stretching and recoiling like living things.
My skin prickled.
The mana here wasn't just hostile—it was hungry.
I slowed my steps, every instinct screaming.
Too quiet.
Too clean.
The moment stretched—
Then it shattered.
A shrill, piercing screech ripped through the tunnel, vibrating through bone and steel alike.
"Above!" I shouted.
The ceiling burst open.
Not rock—flesh.
A massive creature dropped down in a spray of black ichor, its body a tangled mass of limbs and chitin, claws slamming down with crushing force. Daniel reacted instantly, stepping forward as his shield flared to life—
BOOM.
The impact was brutal.
The shield cracked on contact, mana splintering apart as Daniel was hurled backward like a rag doll. He slammed into the stone wall and collapsed to the ground with a sharp cry.
"Daniel!" Elise screamed.
Before anyone could move, the dungeon erupted.
From the walls.
From the ceiling.
From the shadows beneath our feet.
They poured out—sleek black forms with elongated limbs, red eyes burning with feral intelligence. Their movements were erratic, spider-like, claws scraping stone as they closed in.
Too many.
Too fast.
One broke away, leaping straight toward Elise.
I was already moving.
The world slowed as I drew my sword.
Steel flashed.
The blade sliced through the creature midair, severing it cleanly—and the instant metal met flesh, its mana was ripped free violently, flooding into me in a burning surge. The body dissolved before it even hit the ground.
I didn't stop.
Another lunged from the left.
I pivoted, ducked beneath its claws, and drove my sword upward through its torso. Mana screamed as it was torn away, fueling my muscles, sharpening my senses.
"Defensive formation!" Sam shouted.
Ayla moved instantly, stepping back toward Elise, blade spinning into position. Chris dragged Daniel farther back, panic clear on his face.
"Elise—his side!" Chris said desperately.
Blood soaked through Daniel's armor, dark and spreading. His breathing was ragged, his aura flickering weakly.
Elise dropped to her knees beside him, hands glowing as she tried to stabilize the wound. "The mana here—it's disrupting my healing!"
I felt it too.
The dungeon was resisting.
More creatures crawled out of the darkness, circling, testing our defenses. Their movements grew bolder the moment they sensed weakness.
Morivain's voice slid into my mind, smooth and amused.
You're holding back too much. He'll die if you hesitate.
I clenched my jaw.
Another creature charged, fangs snapping.
I stepped forward—alone.
"I'll take the front," I said calmly.
Sam turned sharply. "Raven, wait—"
"There's no time."
I will be in front and you protect them from behind, until Alice is able to heal Daniel.
I positioned myself deliberately between the team and the tunnel ahead. The moment I did, the dungeon reacted violently, as if offended.
They came all at once.
Three from the front.
Two from the ceiling.
One from behind.
I exhaled.
And let go—just enough.
Mana surged through me, controlled but potent. My sword hummed eagerly, vibrating with anticipation.
The first creature struck.
I sidestepped, letting its claws pass inches from my face, then slashed diagonally across its torso. Mana exploded outward as I drained it dry, the creature collapsing into ash before it could even scream.
The second came low.
I jumped.
Spun midair.
Brought my blade down in a brutal arc that split its skull—and drank its mana in the same instant.
The third tried to flank me.
I didn't turn.
I felt it.
I twisted my wrist and drove the sword backward, impaling it cleanly. Its power flowed into me like a tide, reinforcing my limbs, steadying my breath.
Above—
I kicked off the wall, launching myself upward as two creatures dropped from the ceiling. My blade flashed twice.
Two bodies disintegrated mid-fall.
The tunnel went silent again.
No claws.
No breathing.
Only the faint crackle of Sam's flame and the distant drip of ichor hitting stone.
I landed lightly, blade lowering as the last traces of mana settled inside me.
Untouched.
Unscathed.
I turned back.
Elise was slumped beside Daniel, exhaustion etched into her face—but the bleeding had stopped. Daniel was pale, but alive, his breathing steadier now.
Sam exhaled slowly. "He'll make it."
Good.
I sheathed my sword and walked back as if nothing extraordinary had happened.
"You alive?" I asked Daniel.
He managed a weak grin. "Barely… remind me not to stand in front of things again."
Chris laughed shakily. Ayla wiped blood from her blade, eyes still sharp.
Sam looked at me.
Longer than before.
"You didn't get hit," she said quietly.
I shrugged. "They weren't that strong."
Her gaze lingered, suspicion clear—but she nodded.
For now.
Morivain chuckled in my mind.
You're dancing on the edge, little raven.
I ignored her.
Because deep within the dungeon, something shifted.
A presence stirred.
The boss was no longer just watching.
It was interested.
And smiling.
"Daniel… can you keep going?"
Sam's voice was tight with concern as she knelt in front of him, one hand hovering near his torn armor as if afraid to touch it. The flickering red light from her flame painted Daniel's face in harsh shadows.
He looked terrible.
His skin was pale, almost gray, and even though Elise had stopped the bleeding, the scent of blood still lingered in the air. His breathing was shallow, controlled with effort rather than ease.
Daniel forced a grin. "Yeah. I'm fine. I can keep moving."
I stepped closer before Sam could protest.
I extended my hand toward him and tilted my head slightly, studying him the way a hunter studies wounded prey.
"You don't look fine to me," I said softly, a faint smile tugging at my lips. "How's the injury, really?"
He let out a weak chuckle. "Don't worry about me. Elise healed most of it. Just a small wound left. It won't stop me."
He reached out and took my hand, gripping it firmly as he pulled himself up onto his feet.
The moment our skin touched, I felt the imbalance in his mana immediately—fractured, thin, struggling to circulate properly.
So I fixed it.
Carefully.
Quietly.
I let a thin stream of my own mana slip into him, slow and controlled, threading itself through his core like warm embers spreading through cold ash. Just enough to reinforce him. Just enough to restore what he'd lost.
No one noticed.
Daniel straightened fully, shoulders squaring as if an invisible weight had been lifted from him.
"Thanks," he said instinctively, before he even understood why.
I released his hand and turned away, my expression calm.
Morivain laughed inside my mind, her voice dripping with mockery.
Oh my… how kind-hearted of you.
I replied without turning back, " I absorbed more mana than I need. And Daniel needs to be at full strength if he's going to protect them as our shield.
Behind me, Daniel blinked, confusion crossing his face.
"…That's strange," he muttered. "I suddenly feel… strong. Really strong."
Sam's head snapped up. "Strong? What do you mean?"
"I don't know," Daniel said, flexing his fingers. "I feel like I'm at full power. No fatigue. No weakness."
He turned to Elise, eyes wide. "What did you do to me?"
Elise froze, startled. "I—I didn't do anything except heal your wound. That shouldn't have restored your stamina like this."
Daniel frowned, clearly unsettled. "Then why do I feel like this?"
I cut in sharply before suspicion could settle.
"Doesn't matter," I said, my tone firm. "If you're fine, that's good. Because we're not alone."
The air shifted.
A low, guttural sound echoed through the tunnel—scraping claws against stone, followed by the wet sound of something dragging itself forward.
My senses flared.
"Multiple auras," I continued calmly. "Closing in fast. Get ready."
Everyone moved at once.
Steel rang as blades were drawn.
Elise stepped into the center of the formation, her staff glowing faintly as she prepared her healing magic. Ayla positioned herself just behind her, stance low and ready. Daniel moved to the front instinctively, shield ability flickering faintly around him.
Sam and Chris took the flanks, weapons raised, eyes sharp despite the tension.
I stepped forward.
Placing myself between them and the darkness.
The tunnel ahead pulsed, shadows writhing as figures began to emerge—elongated silhouettes crawling along the walls, red eyes blinking open one by one.
The dungeon's hunger pressed against my skin.
I raised my sword, feeling it hum softly in my grasp, eager.
"Stay in formation," I said without looking back.
The first howl tore through the tunnel.
I smiled faintly. " here they come."
The first monster burst from the darkness with a shrill screech, its elongated body scraping along the stone floor as if gravity barely applied to it.
Then another.
And another.
They poured out of the tunnel like a black tide.
"Formation!" Sam shouted.
Daniel stepped forward instantly, slamming his foot into the ground. A translucent shield flared into existence in front of him, just as the first wave crashed against it. Claws screeched against the barrier, sparks of mana flying as the impact echoed through the tunnel.
Chris roared and charged.
His massive hammer swung in a brutal arc, enhanced muscles bulging as his ability activated. The blow landed with a thunderous crack, crushing one creature's skull completely and sending its body flying into the wall like a broken doll.
"Fifteen minutes!" Chris shouted. "I'll clear as many as I can!"
Ayla moved like the wind itself.
She spun forward, her sword slicing cleanly as currents of compressed air wrapped around her blade. Each swing carried invisible force, tearing monsters apart even when the steel barely touched them. Bodies were thrown back, slammed into stone, or sliced clean through.
Sam raised her sword, flames igniting along its edge.
"Burn."
She slashed downward.
A wave of fire surged forward, engulfing three monsters at once. Their shrieks echoed horribly as the flames devoured them, the stench of scorched flesh filling the air.
Behind us, Elise began chanting.
Soft golden light flowed from her hands, wrapping around Daniel's wounded side, then spreading toward Ayla as a claw grazed her arm. Her focus was absolute—too absolute.
And that was when I felt it.
The monsters hesitated.
Just for a heartbeat.
Then they changed.
"They're shifting," I muttered.
Several creatures abruptly disengaged from the front line, crawling along the walls and ceiling instead. Their red eyes locked onto one point.
Elise.
"They've identified the healer!" I shouted.
Too late.
Three monsters lunged at once, dropping from above, bypassing Daniel's shield entirely.
"ELISE!" Sam yelled.
I moved.
I didn't think—I reacted.
I sprinted back, sword flashing as I intercepted the first monster mid-air. Steel met flesh, and I twisted my blade hard, throwing its body aside before it could reach her.
The second creature came from the right.
I ducked low, let its claws pass inches above my head, then drove my sword upward through its jaw. It collapsed at my feet in a heap of twitching limbs.
The third was faster.
It slipped past me.
Ayla turned, but she was too far.
Daniel tried to reposition, shield flaring—but the angle was wrong.
I threw myself forward, stepping directly between Elise and the monster.
Its claws raked toward my chest.
I parried.
Metal screamed as my sword caught its strike. The impact numbed my arm, but I held firm, then countered with a sharp thrust to its core. The creature shrieked and dissolved into ash.
Elise stared at me, eyes wide. "R-Raven—"
"Don't stop casting," I said calmly, not looking back. "I've got you."
More monsters followed.
They were smarter now—feinting, coordinating, trying again and again to break through to her.
And every time, I was there.
I didn't unleash my power.
No void.
No mana absorption.
Just steel, timing, and precision.
I blocked, deflected, and killed with ruthless efficiency—never flashy, never excessive. Enough to protect. Never enough to reveal.
Chris smashed through another cluster, laughing breathlessly. "They just keep coming!"
"Hold the line!" Sam barked, fire roaring higher around her blade. "They're desperate!"
Daniel reinforced his shield, gritting his teeth as another wave struck it. "They're trying to overwhelm us!"
Ayla slid in beside me, wind whipping violently around her. "You're really good at this," she said between breaths, half-smiling.
I didn't answer.
My eyes never left the shadows.
Because beneath the chaos, beneath the screams and steel—
I felt it again.
That presence.
Watching.
Learning.
The boss wasn't attacking.
It was studying us.
And more importantly—
It was studying me.
I tightened my grip on my sword.
Not yet, I thought coldly. You don't get to see everything yet.
The battle raged on.
And I stood unmoved at the center of it—
a silent wall between death and the healer behind me.