Ray took a deep breath as he left the divine realm, feeling an immense surge of power coursing through him. His newly trained muscles felt firmer, and his mana reserves swelled with energy as he stepped back into the mortal world. The transition from his divine training grounds to his modest living quarters was a stark contrast, but his determination burned brightly. He wasn't just stronger—he was evolving, both in power and purpose.
Checking the time, Ray noted that only four hours had passed since he'd entered the realm, thanks to the time dilation. The day was still young, and there was much he could accomplish before dusk. Determined to test the extent of his new skills, Ray planned to raid an even higher-level dungeon, aiming to push his limits and unlock more of the God System's secrets.
At the guild, Ray found himself drawing the attention of other hunters. Word of his solo raids in E-tier dungeons had spread, and whispers followed him wherever he went.
"He's the one who took on the Ice Goblin Champion alone, isn't he?"
"Who does he think he is? No one just walks into an E-tier dungeon by themselves and comes back without a scratch!"
Ray ignored the murmurs, but inwardly, he felt a thrill. It reminded him of his days as the Demon Lord, when even the mention of his name sent fear rippling through realms. That feeling was coming back to him, and he relished every moment of it.
He approached the guild's receptionist, an attendant who looked up, visibly startled by his presence.
"How may I assist you, sir?" she asked, her voice slightly trembling.
"I'm looking for an upgraded challenge," Ray said calmly. "Are there any higher-tier dungeons nearby?"
The receptionist hesitated, scanning her terminal. "Well, we do have a D-tier dungeon available. It's known as the Shadowlands Crypt, populated by undead creatures and guarded by a wraith lord at the final level." She looked up at Ray skeptically. "The dungeon is dangerous and typically requires a team of four or more. Solo hunters are not advised to attempt it."
Ray's expression didn't waver. "Mark it," he said, confidence edging his tone.
The receptionist's eyes widened. "Are you certain? This dungeon isn't like the E-tier ones. The creatures there are far more ruthless and possess abilities that can counter typical hunters."
Ray smirked. "I'm not a typical hunter."
With that, he accepted the coordinates for the Shadowlands Crypt, his heart beating faster at the prospect of a real challenge. As he left the guild, Ray could sense the curious gazes following him. It was clear that his solo raid attempt on a D-tier dungeon was a bold move, one that would either elevate his reputation or end in his demise.
The entrance to the Shadowlands Crypt was imposing. Mist rolled off the ground, creating an eerie atmosphere that would have intimidated most, but Ray felt only excitement. He stepped forward, passing through the dark stone archway, and entered the crypt.
Immediately, the air grew colder, and a notification flashed in his vision.
[Entering Shadowlands Crypt - D Tier Dungeon]
[Enemies detected: Undead Soldiers, Phantoms, Shadow Creatures. Boss: Wraith Lord Karthus]
Ray's grip tightened on his new D-grade Ice Age Sword, a reward from his previous dungeon raid. The blade glinted faintly in the dim light, its edge coated in frost. This weapon would serve him well against the undead, as he could channel his chaos energy through it, amplifying its destructive potential.
Moving silently down the stone corridors, Ray's heightened senses picked up the faintest of sounds—the clinking of armor, the moaning of lost souls. He pressed forward, finally coming face-to-face with a group of undead soldiers. Their armor was rusted, and their eyes glowed with a sinister blue light.
Ray wasted no time. Channeling chaos energy into his blade, he lunged forward, slashing through the nearest undead. The sword sliced cleanly, and the creature crumbled to dust, unable to withstand the chaos-infused blow.
[+100 XP]
The system chimed in with each defeated enemy, notifying him of his rising experience points as he cut through the undead ranks. They were stronger than the creatures he had faced in the E-tier dungeons, but his recent training had prepared him well. Each swing of his sword felt fluid, each attack calculated.
But Ray's progress was abruptly halted when a shadowy figure materialized before him—a phantom, translucent and wailing. It lunged at him, phasing through his initial strike, and Ray felt a chill as it grazed his shoulder, sapping a portion of his mana.
[Warning: Mana Drain Detected]
Ray frowned, realizing the nature of his foe. Phantoms could phase through physical attacks, meaning he would need to outsmart them. He allowed chaos energy to spread throughout his body, creating an aura that would repel such ghostly entities. His body glowed with a dark, shimmering energy, and as the phantom approached him again, it recoiled, unable to withstand the chaos radiating from Ray's form.
In one swift motion, Ray summoned the skill Flames of Chaos, and a dark purple fire ignited along the edge of his sword. He slashed at the phantom, and as the blade connected, the creature let out a bone-chilling scream before dissolving into nothingness.
[+300 XP]
Smirking, Ray pressed on, his eyes gleaming with the thrill of the fight. He made his way deeper into the crypt, each enemy testing his growing arsenal of skills. He gained experience points and honed his abilities, feeling his power increase with every encounter.
Finally, after clearing multiple rooms and encountering increasingly powerful foes, Ray reached the final chamber. The air was thick with a deathly chill, and there, standing upon a stone platform, was the dungeon's boss: Wraith Lord Karthus.
The wraith lord's form was tall and imposing, a figure cloaked in shadows with hollow, glowing eyes. His voice echoed through the chamber, cold and full of malice. "Foolish mortal… You dare enter my domain?"
Ray merely grinned, unfazed by the creature's intimidating aura. This was the moment he had been waiting for—a true test of his power.
"Let's see if you can keep up," Ray challenged, summoning every ounce of chaos energy within him as he prepared to face his most formidable opponent yet.
The battle against Wraith Lord Karthus is about to begin, marking a pivotal test for Ray as he edges closer to becoming the strongest entity in this world.
Ray's chaos energy flared around him as he stepped into the circular chamber where Wraith Lord Karthus waited. The oppressive energy of the wraith lord filled the air, dense and suffocating, but Ray's smirk only grew. This opponent was unlike any he had faced before—a true predator in its domain.
Karthus hovered just above the stone platform, his form shifting like dark mist, skeletal hands grasping a long, crooked staff that pulsed with a sickly green light. His hollow eyes locked onto Ray, sizing him up.
"You carry the stench of chaos," Karthus rasped, his voice echoing unnaturally. "A force that seeks to corrupt all it touches. Your presence here is an affront."
Ray laughed, his voice carrying a sharp edge. "Consider it a warning, Karthus. I'm here to claim your dungeon—and perhaps, a bit more."
Without another word, Ray charged forward, channeling his chaos energy into the Ice Age Sword. The blade glowed with dark, icy flames as he swung it at the wraith lord. Karthus twisted to avoid the attack, but Ray anticipated the movement, altering his strike mid-swing to catch the edge of the wraith's mist-like form.
The chaos energy tore into Karthus, and the wraith lord shrieked, recoiling as tendrils of darkness unraveled from his body.
[Enemy HP: -15]
"Impressive," Karthus hissed, his form flickering before he regained solidity. "But it will take more than brute force to bring me down, mortal."
Karthus raised his staff, and a wave of dark energy shot forward. Ray barely had time to react, throwing up a barrier of chaos energy that absorbed most of the impact, though the force sent him skidding back across the stone floor.
The wraith lord grinned, a hollow and chilling expression. "You have power, yes, but you lack control. Chaos devours itself, child."
Ray steadied himself, taking in a deep breath. He could feel the raw power of his Overloaded Chaos Form bubbling within him, a destructive force that could consume him if he wasn't careful. But he relished the risk—it only fueled his determination.
Ray launched forward again, dodging Karthus's next attack with a quick side-step and closed the distance between them. Summoning his newly acquired skill, Flames of Chaos, he directed the dark fire into his sword. The blade erupted in a twisted black-and-purple flame as he struck at Karthus's center.
The wraith lord staggered, his form flickering as the flames seared through him. With each blow Ray delivered, the chamber grew colder, the wraith's power weakening as his life force diminished.
[+500 XP]
Karthus's ethereal voice wavered, tinged with frustration. "Impossible… How can one so young wield such destructive power?"
Ray's grin only widened as he pressed his advantage. "I've been through far worse than this, Karthus. Now it's your turn to feel the fear."
With a surge of strength, Ray drove his chaos-infused sword into Karthus, piercing through the wraith's core. Karthus let out a final, desperate scream as his form began to disintegrate, fragments of his energy scattering into the air.
[+1,000 XP]
[You have leveled up!]
[You have reached Level 31]
Ray felt the rush of energy as the system notifications flooded his mind, his stats increasing in real time. His body tingled with newfound power, his chaos energy reserves expanding as he ascended to a new level of strength.
But before he could savor his victory, a faint hum resonated through the chamber, and a new notification appeared.
[The essence of Wraith Lord Karthus detected. Do you wish to absorb the wraith essence? Warning: Absorbing the essence may alter your abilities.]
Ray hesitated. Absorbing the essence of a powerful wraith could grant him new abilities, perhaps even a way to control dark energies more effectively. But it was risky—there was no telling how this essence might affect his current powers, especially his chaos energy.
After a moment's thought, he grinned and selected [Yes].
A wave of cold energy flooded through him as he absorbed Karthus's essence, his body wracked with a powerful chill. Shadows coiled around him, binding to his very soul as a new darkness seeped into his being. The system chimed once more.
[New ability acquired: Shadow Manipulation - Allows user to control and shape shadows at will. Warning: High mana cost]
Ray let out a breath, his body tingling with the sensation of his new power. Shadow Manipulation—a skill that would allow him to move undetected, or even strike from the shadows if he mastered it. He could feel the potential within him, waiting to be unleashed.
But for now, he needed rest. The battles in this dungeon had taken a toll, and even with his enhanced stats, he could feel the exhaustion setting in. Ray exited the crypt, the thrill of victory and new power coursing through him.
He walked past the security guards, their eyes widening as he emerged unscathed from the D-tier dungeon. They could only watch, mouths agape, as he passed without a word, his aura radiating an intensity that left them speechless.
Back at his home, Ray settled down, letting his mind process the events of the day. He now had chaos, demonic, and sacred energies—all under his command, and now, he wielded the shadows as well.
As he drifted into sleep, one thought filled his mind: he was only just beginning. The world—and the enemies that awaited him—would soon come to know the full extent of his wrath.