Jin slowed as they reached the dungeon entrance.
The air around it felt unstable. His senses stretched instinctively, and a faint pressure pressed against his temples.
Something was wrong with the dungeon.
"I think this dungeon isn't stable," Jin said. "Entering now might be risky."
Lan Xue turned toward him. "What do you mean?"
Before Jin could explain, Zhou Kang laughed.
"Look at this," Zhou Kang said loudly. "Now he's scared."
Jin frowned. "I'm not scared. I can sense—"
"Oh?" Zhou Kang interrupted. "Then why can't we sense anything? Are you saying you're stronger than us?"
His tone sharpened. "Or are you looking down on us?"
Jin shook his head. "That's not what I meant."
Zhou Kang scoffed. "If you don't want to enter, just leave. Don't try to scare us."
He turned and stepped into the dungeon entrance.
Han Rui followed without speaking.
Mu Chen stretched lazily and walked in next. "Whatever,I just want to go home."
Lan Xue hesitated, then smiled at Jin. "Don't worry. We'll protect you.Also Feiyu and Old Qiao are here too."
Old Qiao glanced at Jin once, his eyes thoughtful, but said nothing and entered.
Yan Feiyu stepped forward next. She didn't look back.
Jin clenched his fist and followed them inside.
As they entered, a notification appeared before all seven of them.
[ Dungeon Entry Confirmed ]
Dungeon Name: Swamp Lizardmen Territory
Primary Monsters: Swamp Lizardmen (Rare)
Dungeon Boss: Lizard King Krothak (Unique)
Participants: 7
Clear Condition: Defeat Lizard King Krothak
The dungeon notification faded.
For a brief second, nothing happened.
Then the ground trembled.
The stone beneath their feet shook violently. Cracks spread across the dungeon floor, and the entrance portal behind them distorted before collapsing.
The exit vanished.
Lan Xue's eyes widened. "The portal—!"
Zhou Kang spun around. "What the hell? It closed?!"
Mu Chen straightened instantly, all laziness gone. "You've got to be kidding me."
Han Rui tensed, hand moving toward his weapon, eyes scanning the surroundings.
Another panel appeared before their eyes.
[ Dungeon Status Update ]
Warning: Abnormal Rift Reaction Detected
Dungeon Mutation Confirmed
Monster Rank Adjustment:
• Swamp Lizardmen — Rare → Rare+
• Elite Guards — Rare+ → Rare++
• Dungeon Boss — Unique → Unique++
[ Monsters: Swamp Watchman, Lizard Spear Guards (Elite), Lizard Shamans (Elite).
Boss: Lizard King Krothak ]
Exit Condition: Locked
Clear Condition: Defeat the Dungeon Boss
Lan Xue swallowed. "Locked…?"
Lan Xue cursed under his breath. "You said this was a normal unique dungeon!"
"I don't know what's happening too," Zhou Kang snapped back.
Old Qiao read the message calmly, then smiled. "Well, looks like we have a problem."
He turned his head slightly toward Jin. "It seems what Jinlin said earlier was correct."
All eyes shifted to Jin.
"I already said the dungeon wasn't stable," Jin said flatly. "You guys didn't listen."
Zhou Kang scoffed. "So what if it is mutated? It's not like we haven't killed unique monsters before."
The panic eased a little.
Yan Feiyu said nothing. She stood at the front, expression unchanged.
Old Qiao leaned slightly toward Jin, tilting his head. "No need to say more,The only way out now is forward."
Yan Feiyu raised her hand. "Let's Move."
They advanced deeper.
The dungeon opened into a wide swamp zone. Mud covered the ground unevenly, with shallow water pooled between broken stone paths and collapsed structures. Movement immediately became slower and heavier.
Old Qiao spoke while walking. "This terrain is unfavorable for us. High moisture, unstable footing. Fire-type output will be suppressed."
Yan Feiyu acknowledged with a short nod but didn't slow.
Jin scanned ahead, senses spread outward. His brows tightened slightly. "Something's moving on the left. About thirty meters."
Zhou Kang glanced at him. "Already?"
Before anyone could respond, Jin added, "Three targets. Maybe swamp watchmans ,Approaching fast."
Lan Xue looked at him in surprise. "You can sense that far?"
Jin answered calmly, " I'm a Sensory-type."
She smiled. "So that's why you reacted like that when we first met."
As they continued, Jin spoke again, keeping his tone neutral. "Before we go further—May i know what are your main genes?"
Lan Xue answered easily. "Mine's a regeneration-type Verdant Lifeshell Slugmonster gene. Support-focused."
Han Rui followed. "Ironhorn Dreadbeast charger type. Defense and impact."
Zhou Kang snorted. "Cragfist Mountain Ape lineage. Pure strength type."
Mu Chen shrugged. "Duskveil Slothcat. Don't expect much."
Old Qiao smiled faintly. "Cinderlord Salamandrex gene.Fire Caster."
Yan Feiyu didn't turn. "Crimson-winged Phoenixkin."
Then all eyes shifted briefly to Jin.
"Sensory-based low level gene," Jin said. "Battle isn't my strong suit. I only have a few rare skills. Nothing worth mentioning."
No one pressed.
Jin's expression sharpened. "They're coming out now."
Three Swamp Watchman burst from the mud ahead, gripping crude bone weapons. Their movement was faster than expected.
"Intercept," Yan Feiyu said.
Han Rui stepped forward immediately, planting himself in front. Zhou Kang charged from the side, fists swinging.
The first clash happened fast—and awkwardly.
Zhou Kang's punch landed, but the Swamp Watchman slid back instead of collapsing, scales dispersing the force. Han Rui blocked a spear strike, but his footing slipped slightly in the mud.
"These aren't normal rare mobs," Han Rui said.
Jin watched closely.
Their star levels are higher than mine… but their strength is low.
Another Swamp Watchman tried to flank. Jin reacted instantly. "Right side—low sweep!"
Han Rui adjusted half a second before impact, blocking the attack cleanly.
Zhou Kang frowned. "Hmph."
Jin's gaze narrowed.
They're struggling more than they should.
Maybe they're holding back because of me.
Old Qiao glanced at Jin and noticed his expression. He smiled lightly, saying nothing.
Yan Feiyu moved.
She stepped past the frontline, raised one hand, and released a concentrated burst of flame. The attack was short, precise, and overwhelming.
All three Swamp Watchman collapsed instantly.
"Move," she said. "More will come."
Jin didn't argue.
As they advanced again, his senses stretched forward once more.
Jin's expression tightened. "More incoming. Front and rear. Five this time."
Yan Feiyu reacted instantly. "Formation."
She pointed without turning. "Han Rui, front. Zhou Kang, left pressure. Mu Chen, flank when you see an opening."
Her gaze shifted briefly. "Jinlin, stay with Lan Xue. Protect her."
Jin nodded. "Understood."
Lan Xue glanced at him. "I'll keep healing ready."
The swamp stirred as five Swamp Watchman emerged, larger than the first group, their scales darker and thicker. Their movement was coordinated.
"They're more faster," Han Rui said.
"Engage," Yan Feiyu ordered.
Han Rui activated [Iron Bastion], his stance locking as the first Swamp Watchman slammed into him. The impact was heavy but contained.
Zhou Kang roared and surged forward, arms swelling as [Titan Fists] activated. He drove a punch into a Swamp Watchmans chest, cracking its scale armor and forcing it back.
Mu Chen vanished mid-step. [Silent Step] triggered.
A moment later, one Swamp Watchman stiffened as Mu Chen reappeared behind it, blade flashing with [Vital Strike]. The monster collapsed without a sound.
"Rear—two more," Jin said calmly. "One going wide."
Lan Xue raised her hand. [Rapid Heal] activated, a soft glow wrapping Han Rui as he absorbed another blow.
Yan Feiyu moved forward, heat flaring around her arm.
[Solar Fire Lance] formed and fired in a straight line, piercing through a Swamp Watchman's shoulder and detonating internally.
It dropped immediately.
The last two attempted to retreat into the swamp.
"Don't let them regroup," Yan Feiyu said.
Zhou Kang lunged, but one slipped past him.
"Lan Xue—duck," Jin said sharply.
She dropped without hesitation.
The Swamp Watchman's spear passed over her head.
Jin stepped in, slashing with a basic strike and following up with a short burst from [Focused strike]. The attack wasn't overwhelming, but it hit cleanly at a joint.
The Swamp Watchman collapsed.
The final one didn't get far.
Yan Feiyu finished it with a short-range blast from [Fire Lance].
Silence followed.
Jin immediately moved.
He knelt beside the fallen Swamp Watchman, placing a hand briefly on each.
Zhou Kang blinked. "Bro," he said with a laugh, "that's not how monster drops work."
Mu Chen glanced over. "Yeah. They don't drop more just because you stare at them."
Jin withdrew his hand and stood. "I'm just checking. Some monsters fake death and counterattack. A Habit of mine."
Han Rui nodded. "Fair."
Zhou Kang shrugged. "Weird habit."
"Never mind," Jin said evenly. "Let's move forward."
Yan Feiyu didn't question it. "Advance. Stay sharp."
Jin returned to Lan Xue's side, senses already spreading ahead.
More were coming.