[14th Everdusk 2103], CGA Branch, Dyna Crest Country, Test Dungeon
"What will be decided by fate, Mr. Field Agent?"
The voice came out of nowhere, sharp yet composed. Both officers turned around instantly—only to freeze in shock. Standing before them was not just anyone.
It was the branch manager herself.
"Miss Lilia?! What are you doing here?" the field agent asked, blinking rapidly. "Weren't you supposed to head to the main branch for today's high-level meeting?"
Lilia simply nodded and began walking toward the dungeon gate.
"I am," she said. "But I came to witness something first. A certain young hunter who thought it wise to challenge the boss alone. Even if he's only a
Her eyes flickered with interest. "I want to see if he can truly pull it off... or if arrogance has already claimed him."
She approached the junior officer monitoring the mana radiation levels.
"Hmm... seems like the same anomaly is happening again. Just like last time," she muttered. "Well, good. If he survives, he may still become a proper hunter with that class. Though... if he ends up losing limbs like the last one, his potential will be capped."
"But if he clears it…"
Her lips curled into a faint smile.
"Then a new rising star might just be born. And unless someone's a genius or, worse, a monster… I doubt they'll be able to match him."
The field agent followed her gaze toward the gate—suddenly more eager than ever to see the outcome.
Inside the dungeon...
A mountain cave. Still, silent, and steeped in dread.
The boss stood within its rocky interior—his skeletal frame trembling, brittle from prolonged corruption.
"Hah... Hahhh… Looks like he perished," the boss muttered, bones creaking. "One less evil in this world. But I can't stay here long... or I'll become a puppet to those monsters."
The flickering flames in his eye sockets dimmed, but just as he turned to leave—
"Oi, where the hell do you think you're going, you brainless bas*ard?!"
The voice echoed from behind him like thunder. His skull twisted violently toward the sound, the flickers in his sockets igniting in disbelief.
"You thought I died from that? Hell no," I growled, stepping into view. My armor was cracked, a thin slash marring my chestplate, but I was alive. "I don't die from something that weak. And especially not from you."
"You—how is this possible?! Why won't you just DIE?!"
The boss screamed as he charged me again, the desperation in his voice nearly rabid.
I didn't back down.
Instead, I shifted into a lower stance, locking onto his movements. The moment he swung—bam!—my punch landed squarely on his chest.
He flew back, crashing into the stone wall.
Without hesitation, I dashed forward again. His sword had slipped from his hand while he was still reeling. Before he could recover, I tackled him to the ground and mounted him, pinning his arms with my legs.
Then, I punched.
Again.And again.And again.
Cracks spread across his skull as his HP dropped like a waterfall.
"N-NO! I CAN'T DIE HERE! NOT TO SOMEONE LIKE YO—"
"Shut up." I interrupted him mid-rant. "I don't know who you think I am, but I'm no evil being. I'm not some cult's pawn, and I sure as hell don't worship some creepy god. I believe in myself. That's it. And I don't know what you've been through, but if I want to clear this dungeon... I have to defeat you."
I let my foot off his mouth.
The flames in his eye sockets dimmed slightly, then flickered with uncertainty.
"You... you're telling the truth?" he asked quietly. "You're not one of them?"
"I am not. Even the skeletons I use are mine—my own summons. They're not victims or cursed souls."
A long silence.
Then, in a voice barely audible, he muttered:
"Then… end me. Please. Before I lose what's left of my mind. I don't want to become like them. Don't let my corpse become a puppet. I don't want to serve anyone ever again."
I didn't fully understand his pain. But I understood enough.
I nodded solemnly and pulled out my blade.
With a precise slash, I ended it.The flame in his skull dimmed to nothing.
And I? I dropped down on the rocky floor, breathing heavily.
"Haaa... I really thought I was dead this time."
I looked at the boss's remains and murmured to myself.
"The way this fight started like a proper duel, turned into a thug-style beatdown, and then ended with an emotional snap? Man... that was a rollercoaster. Short distance, intense ride."
But then—
"Kid. Aren't you thinking a little too hard right now?"
The voice behind me wasn't one I expected to hear.
I flinched hard. No, really hard. My heart jumped, and I instinctively reached for my weapon.
That voice...
That voice was burned into my memory.
When I turned around and saw who it was—my eyes nearly popped out of my head.
I couldn't stop myself.
"What the heeeelll~~~~~~~?!" I shouted.
To be continued...
Who was the mysterious person who spoke to Evan in the seemingly empty dungeon?Friend or foe?And what kind of presence could make someone like him react that way?
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