Chapter — The Hidden Boss That Shouldn't Exist
The dungeon went quiet.
Not the normal kind of quiet.
The wrong kind.
The artifact chamber's mana flow suddenly reversed, spiraling inward. The floor seals ignited one by one, ancient runes crawling across the stone like waking insects.
Lucien's smile vanished.
"…Everyone," he said calmly, "we just triggered something we were not supposed to win."
Kael tightened his grip on his sword.
"Boss?"
Elarion swallowed. "Hidden… boss."
Bron lifted his hammer. "Good."
Seraphine's grin widened. "Very good."
Lucien sighed. "You people are broken."
BOSS EMERGENCE
The ground split open.
A massive figure rose from below—
a stone-and-obsidian knight, hollow chest glowing with a fractured core.
Hidden Boss Identified Name: Sentinel of Forgotten Kings
Rank: BOSS — Beyond C-Rank Parameters
Status: Awakened by Artifact Resonance
Lucien's status screen flickered.
WARNING:
Victory conditions unclear
Retreat unavailable
Dungeon authority active
"…Of course," Lucien muttered.
ROUND ONE — IMMEDIATE REGRET
The Sentinel moved.
Too fast.
Its blade slammed down, shattering the floor.
Kael intercepted.
Tyrant's Advance
Steel met stone—
—and Kael was thrown backward, skidding across the ground.
Kael stood back up, teeth clenched.
"…It hits like a mountain."
Bron charged next.
The Forgeheart Core Fragment flared.
Bron's hammer strike cracked the Sentinel's leg—
—and did absolutely nothing.
Bron blinked. "…Hard."
Seraphine appeared behind the boss, claws slashing—
CLANG.
Sparks flew.
She flipped away, landing beside Lucien.
"…That thing doesn't bleed."
Lucien nodded slowly.
"Because it's not alive."
ELARION HOLDS THE LINE
Elarion raised both hands.
Green light surged.
Verdant Harmony
Vines wrapped around the Sentinel's limbs, slowing it just enough.
Lucien felt it immediately.
Mana flow stabilized. Pain eased.
He glanced at her.
"…You're carrying us."
She smiled nervously. "Please don't die."
KAEL — CROWN AWAKENING
The Sentinel roared.
Pressure crushed down on the room.
Kael staggered—
Then the Crown of Tempered Will flared inside his aura.
A calm settled over him.
The red crown shimmered faintly above his head.
Kael's breathing steadied.
"…It stopped the noise."
Lucien's eyes sharpened.
"Good. Now listen to me."
Kael nodded once.
LUCIEN TAKES COMMAND
"Bron," Lucien said, voice sharp. "Stop hitting it randomly."
Bron frowned. "But—"
"Hit where I tell you."
Bron paused.
Then nodded. "Okay."
Lucien turned. "Seraphine. Distraction only. No committing."
She pouted. "You're no fun."
"Elarion," Lucien said gently, "keep us connected."
She nodded, eyes glowing softly.
Lucien stepped forward.
A faint blue flame ignited around his hand.
Kael noticed.
"…Fire?"
Lucien didn't answer.
THE CORE
Lucien's eyes locked onto the boss's chest.
The fractured glow.
"There," he said. "That's its authority core. It regulates the dungeon."
The Sentinel raised its blade—
Lucien snapped his fingers.
The blue flame surged outward, condensed and silent, slamming into the boss's chest.
The core flickered.
The Sentinel staggered.
Everyone froze.
"…It reacted," Seraphine whispered.
Lucien exhaled.
"Good. That means it can break."
FINAL PUSH
"NOW!" Lucien shouted.
Kael lunged.
Crimson Declaration
Tyrant's Advance
Two forms chained perfectly.
Bron followed—
The Forgeheart Core Fragment resonated.
His hammer strike landed exactly where Lucien pointed.
CRACK.
The core shattered.
The Sentinel froze mid-swing.
Light poured out.
Then—
It collapsed.
Silence.
VICTORY — BARELY
Dungeon text appeared.
HIDDEN BOSS DEFEATED
EXP GAIN: MASSIVE
Artifact Resonance Increased
Lucien dropped to one knee.
"…We survived."
Seraphine laughed breathlessly. "That was amazing."
Elarion rushed to him. "You're hurt!"
Lucien waved it off. "Emotionally, maybe."
Kael stared at his sword.
"…You saw through it instantly."
Lucien smiled tiredly.
"I read too many guides."
Bron nodded solemnly. "Good leader."
Lucien blinked.
"…Wait, really?"
Bron nodded again. "Yes."
Lucien smiled wider than he had in a long time.
SOMEWHERE ELSE
High above.
A silver-haired goddess watched through a veil of sight.
She laughed softly.
"Ah… little Lucien,"
"Still walking paths you were never meant to see."
Her gaze softened.
"Just like my sister."