Ryouma stood before the dungeon entrance, the wind still with dread.
Before him stretched a field of death—broken weapons half-buried in bloodied soil, shattered armor scattered like discarded shells. The metallic scent of blood lingered thick in the air. Cracked helmets, snapped spears, and a lingering aura of despair painted a grim picture of what awaited inside.
he calmly observed everything around him without showing fear, panic, or emotion. He stayed cocposed and collected, even in the face of something intimidating or dangerous.
"So this… is the dungeon that wiped out a hundred men," he muttered.
A smirk played at the edge of his lips.
"This place really lives up to its name."
The black gate of stone yawned before him, shadows stretching endlessly beyond it. A faint, unnatural pressure oozed from the darkness, thick and suffocating. But Ryouma didn't flinch.
DING—[ Mission: Defeat the Boss existence][ Reward: Random Skill ]
Ryouma's eyes lit up, a faint flare of cosmic energy pulsing within them.
He tightened his grip on the twin daggers at his hips. His silver coat fluttered as the wind picked up again, swirling dust and fallen petals around his feet.
"Then let's get this over with," he said calmly.
And with a single step, his figure blurred—Silent. Swift. Unseen.
Ryouma disappeared into the shadows of the dungeon without a trace.
Inside the dungeon, a princess huddled behind a boulder, her armor battered and torn. She was breathing heavily, trying to stifle the sobs that threatened to escape her lips. Her hand clutched her mouth, attecpting to silence the fear that raged inside her. Tears streamed down her dirt-smeared face, her body trembling uncontrollably. She dared not make a sound, for even the slightest noise would mean certain death.
The monsters roamed nearby—shadowy shapes, their guttural growls sending chills down her spine. She cursed herself in her mind. Why did I come here? Why am I so pathetic?
Her breath caught in her throat as a particularly menacing shadow passed by. The thought of her imminent demise overwhelmed her, and the tears flowed more freely. I don't want to die like this… please, someone, save me…
She was so weak, so helpless. There was no one to call for help. She couldn't even move without drawing attention. The realization was suffocating. The life she once admired, the adventurers she'd looked up to, now felt like a distant dream—a dangerous fantasy. She had thought being an adventurer was exciting, freeing. But now, in this dark, hostile dungeon, all of that had crumbled into raw, gut-wrenching terror.
It had been three days since she'd last eaten, hiding in this cursed place. No sleep, only fear, only the gnawing hunger that ate away at her will to live. Her eyes were dim, her body weak, and her mind spiraling into panic.
Please... someone...
She couldn't stop praying in silence, her eyes desperate, pleading to any higher power to deliver her. But no answer came. Time stretched, hours slipping by in an agonizing blur.
Then, with shaking hands, she grabbed the sword that lay beside her. If I end it myself... at least it'll be quick. It'll hurt less than being eaten alive by those monsters...
But as she raised the blade to her throat, a movement in the distance caught her eye. A giant bat, its wings flapping ominously, hovered above her. Its face, covered in multiple glowing purple eyes, stared directly at her. The fear that paralyzed her intensified.
Shit... it's seen me. It's better to end it now, before it gets worse...
Her hand, shaking with terror, hovered just above her neck. But then... the bat's eyes flickered, and something changed. Its gaze seemed to grip her entirely, pulling her into its control. Her hand stopped mid-air. She couldn't move. Couldn't speak. It was as though the bat had taken over her body, controlling her every action.
She watched in helpless horror as more creatures gathered around her. high Orges, Gigantic wolves, each over 10 meters tall, and various smaller monsters, their eyes glowing with a malevolent hunger. They didn't attack her. Instead, they circled her, as if following some unseen command. She wasn't their target—no, she was their prisoner.
The pack of monsters led the princess into a spacious hall. Her eyes widened as she saw even more creatures assembled—lizard-like warriors clad in mismatched armor, towering ogres gripping massive hammers, and other grotesque beasts. The air was heavy with the scent of blood and death.
Above them all, seated on a crude throne made of bones and steel, was a monstrous figure. Over 30 meters tall, its body was a fusion of beast and man. Embedded in its broad chest was a glowing red core, pulsing like a heartbeat. In its clawed hand, it held a long black wand crackling with dark energy.
Terror flooded the princess as the beast-man's crimson gaze settled on her."What is this monster going to do to me…? Father, please, save me…" she thought, tears brimming once again.
With a flick of his finger, the bat monster forced her to kneel before the throne. The beast-man smirked, clearly entertained by the helplessness before him.
He snapped his fingers.
One of the ogres stepped forward, sword in hand. It grabbed her by the throat and lifted her like a ragdoll. Her limbs twitched weakly—still bound by the bat's control. The ogre began to squeeze. Her breath caught. Her vision blurred. Her chest burned.
The beast-man watched with delight.
The ogre raised its sword to split her in half.
"This time… I'm really going to die. All because I was foolish enough to dream…" she thought, closing her eyes tight.
BOOM—
The hall's wall exploded inwards in a blast of force and light. A flash sliced through the air—Sshkkk!The ogre's body was diced into countless pieces, blood raining down like a storm.
A calm voice echoed through the debris.
"Are you alright?"
The princess opened her eyes slowly, stunned."I… I'm saved…?"
But she still couldn't speak—her body remained frozen by the bat's influence.
Ryouma's gaze flicked toward the bat in the air. In one smooth motion, he hurled his dagger.
Sshkk.The bat's body kept flying—its head, however, spiraled through the air.
The dagger returned to Ryouma's hand with a graceful spin.
Suddenly released, the princess collapsed to her knees. The first words to escape her trembling lips:
"P-Please… save me… I beg you…"
Behind the mask, Ryouma sighed. He didn't answer. Instead, he stepped in front of her, eyes scanning the monstrous horde that now stirred with fury.
He raised his dagger and pointed it toward the beast-man.
"You like watching your prey suffer, don't you?""Don't worry. I'll show you what true misery feels like—then I'll make you drown in it."
The beast-man roared in rage, slamming his wand against the armrest.Dozens of monsters howled and surged forward at once.
Ryouma glanced at the princess one last time."Find a place to hide. Stay low."
She tried to warn him, to say "Be careful," but before the words could form—
He vanished.
A moment later, blood exploded across the hall. Monsters fell, one after another—some didn't even realize they'd been killed until their heads hit the floor.
The princess watched, wide-eyed, heart pounding."W-When did our kingdom get someone like him…? No… he's not human…He's a monster—an absolute monster…"
Ryouma's dagger moved like a swift silk thread, slicing through monsters with effortless precision. But despite his speed, the sheer number of enemies overwhelmed him. They piled onto him, roaring and clawing, their bodies slamming into his like a wave of darkness.
"No!" the princess cried out from the corner, her voice trembling.
The beast-man smirked, amused by the apparent turn of the tide.
Ryouma's masked eyes narrowed at that grin.
"Tch... I really don't like your smile."
He clenched his fist, stepping back as blue jade energy gathered around it.
"Don't worry... that smile will soon vanish—consumed by despair."
Then—
BOOM!
A single punch. Monsters burst apart. Others were launched into the walls, splattering gore across stone pillars. Blood fell like crimson rain.
DING!
[ cp Remaining: 120 / 90 ]
Ryouma glanced at the system message.
"Tch... I'm using too much cp. I already spent some blowing up the wall earlier. I need to finish this quickly."
He drew his dagger again. It glowed with concentrated energy. With another leap, he resumed the slaughter—cutting down monsters as if they were made of paper.
From the shadows, the princess watched in stunned silence.
"Who... who is this man?"
"This isn't a battle—it's a massacre..."
But just then—
A lizardman in the distance hurled a spear straight at her. She froze, eyes wide, her body too shocked to react. She forgot to dodge.
Ryouma saw it mid-swing. Without hesitation, he threw his dagger.
CLANG!
The dagger and spear collided midair. The spear snapped clean in half, and the dagger returned to Ryouma's hand, spinning with perfect grace.
His eyes locked onto the lizardman.
The lizard froze in place, paralyzed by Ryouma's furious glare.
In a flash, Ryouma cut him in two.
The princess took a step back as Ryouma looked her way. His stare alone sent a chill through her spine—as if he was silently saying:
"Stop making things harder for me. Or next time... I'll get rid of you first."
Then he turned away and continued his racpage.
With each step, monsters fell. Blood painted the stone floor. Only the strongest stood now, guarding the beast-man who was no longer smiling.
Ryouma's voice cut through the hall:
"What's wrong? Not enjoying yourself anymore?"
"Don't worry. I'll finish your toys... then it's your turn."
The beast-man snarled. Enraged, he slammed his staff against the throne. A massive magic circle engulfed the hall—lightning tore through the air, thunder shaking the walls.
Ryouma dodged with a flash.
But the princess couldn't.
"Tch… this damn princess again..." Ryouma cursed under his breath.
As the lightning bolt shot toward her, she could only stare, paralyzed.
At the last moment, Ryouma appeared in front of her, wrapping her in his silver coat.
DING!
[ Item: Lunar Long Coat ]
[ Skill in Use: Defense – Withstands physical and magic attacks under 90-point force. Attack fully blocked. ]
The lightning dispersed harmlessly against the coat.
Ryouma glared at the beast-man.
"So, you're finally stepping in. About time."
The beast-man roared. His wand flared with power. The entire hall shook as elemental magic flooded the room—pillars of fire, blades of wind, spears of water, and spikes of earth rained down.
Behind him, his elite monsters took position to guard him, snarling and ready.
But Ryouma sicply smirked.
"You really think this corners me?"
"You're not the only one with an ace up your sleeve."
DING!
[ Points: 200 ]
Ryouma whispered in his mind:
"System, enhance all attributes by 50 points."
A stream of cosmic energy erupted from within him, flooding his body like a tidal wave of power. His muscles tightened. His senses sharpened. His aura exploded like a nova.
He turned and threw his coat to the princess without looking.
"Wear it. It'll block all attacks. Stay out of my way…"
"Things are about to get crazy."
DING!
[ User Stats Updated ]
[ HP: 160 | Stamina: 140 | CP: 170 | Agility: 130 ]
[ Level Up! – User: Level 9 ]
Ryouma's eyes glowed with cosmic light. He raised his dagger, now brimming with overwhelming energy.
DING!
[ CP Remaining: 170 / 80 ]
He locked eyes with the beast-man.
"Now... it's your turn to feel true despair."