Enzo's mind raced with possibilities as he absorbed the gravity of Madame Vex's words. He knew he couldn't take on Prince Matros directly - not yet. The prince was rumored to be a Tier-4 powerhouse, far beyond Enzo's current capabilities.
"I need to get stronger," Enzo muttered, more to himself than to Madame Vex.
She nodded, a glimmer of approval in her eyes. "A wise decision. Rushing in unprepared would be suicide."
Enzo stood up, pacing the room as he formulated a plan. "The prince's men... they own dungeons, right?"
Madame Vex raised an eyebrow. "Indeed. Several lucrative ones across the kingdom."
A slow grin spread across Enzo's face. "Perfect. I'll hit those dungeons. Disrupt his operations, weaken his forces, and gain experience in the process."
"Clever boy," Madame Vex chuckled. "But be cautious. Those dungeons are well-guarded."
Enzo nodded, his determination evident in his stance. "I'll start with the smaller ones and work my way up. Do you have any information on their locations?"
Madame Vex pulled out a map from her desk drawer. "I can mark a few for you. Start with this one." She circled a spot near the outskirts of the city. "It's one of their newer acquisitions, likely less fortified than the others."
Enzo memorized the location, his excitement building. "Thank you, Madame Vex. I'll make good use of this information."
As dawn broke, Enzo found himself standing before the entrance of a nondescript building on the city's edge. To the untrained eye, it looked like an abandoned warehouse. But Enzo knew better.
He transformed into his dragon form, relishing the surge of power that coursed through him. With a deep breath, he charged at the entrance, smashing through the wooden doors.
Alarms blared as Enzo barreled into the dungeon's first chamber. Guards scrambled to intercept him, but they were caught off by the sudden assault.
Enzo unleashed [Space-Void Burst], sending the first wave of guards flying. He didn't stop to gloat, pushing deeper into the entrance.
After thirty seconds, the dozen guards that had been stationed there were dealt with; the top one wasn't even in the 40s, so any resistance by them was futile.
[F-Ranked Dungeon Found!]
[Recomended Strength: Tier-1, Level 50]
The dungeon-recommended strength was for a team of five, so Enzo trying it solo would normally be a bad idea, but with his added stats from all his elemental masteries, he was far stronger than his level would indicate.
[Enter the dungeon?]
[Yes/No]
As Enzo materialized inside the dungeon, he found himself in a dimly lit cavern. Before he could take in his surroundings, a translucent screen he had never encountered appeared before him.[Welcome, Void Dragon, to the Earthmire Dungeon]
[As an apex being, you have a unique opportunity]
[Would you like to challenge the dungeon for its core?]
[Yes/No]
Enzo's eyes widened. This was unexpected but potentially game-changing. He knew dungeon cores were incredibly rare and valuable. Possessing one would allow him to create his own dungeons, a powerful tool in his quest for strength and influence.
He hesitated for a moment, weighing the risks. Challenging the dungeon would undoubtedly be more dangerous than a standard run. The dungeon would throw everything it had at him.
But the potential rewards...
Enzo's draconic features twisted into a grin. He was never one to back down from a challenge.
"Yes," he growled, selecting the option.
The cavern trembled, and a booming voice echoed through the chamber.
[Challenge accepted, Void Dragon]
[Prepare yourself. The dungeon will unleash its full might against you]
[Your objective: Reach the core chamber and defeat the dungeon boss]
[Failure will result in death. Success will grant you control of the dungeon core]
[May the strongest survive]
The ground beneath Enzo's feet began to crack and shift. He spread his wings, lifting off just as the floor gave way to reveal a pit of churning shadows.
From the darkness emerged twisted creatures: wolves with glowing green eyes, treants made of twisting roots, and hulking golems formed from the very rock of the dungeon.
'Looks like it's an Earth Elemental Dungeon. I should stick to the air for this one.'
Enzo's eyes narrowed. This would be no easy feat, but he was prepared.
He dove into the fray, claws extended and void energy swirling around him. His [Space-Void Burst] tore through the first wave of enemies, scattering them like leaves in a storm.
But the dungeon was relentless. As soon as one group fell, another took its place. Enzo found himself constantly on the move, weaving through narrow passages and soaring over chasms as he fought his way deeper into the dungeon's depths.
Hours seemed to pass, though Enzo knew time flowed differently in dungeons. His scales were scratched, and his breath came in ragged gasps, but he pressed on. The constant barrage of enemies was wearing him down, but he could feel it - he was getting closer to the core.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity of battle, Enzo burst through a wall of solid rock into a massive chamber. At its center, floating above a pedestal, was a pulsing orb of darkness.
The dungeon core.
But between Enzo and his prize stood a colossal figure. An Earth dragon, easily three times Enzo's size, with eyes that burned like dying stars.
The dungeon boss.
[Final challenge: Defeat the Earth Wyrm to claim the dungeon core]
Enzo squared his shoulders, ignoring the fatigue that threatened to overwhelm him. This was it. Everything he'd fought for came down to this moment.
The Earth Wyrm roared, shaking the very foundations of the dungeon. Enzo answered with a roar of his own, void energy crackling around his form.
As the two dragons clashed in a battle that would determine the fate of the dungeon, Enzo grinned and, without a second thought, unleashed the ability he had first gained in Beast Evolution.
Enzo's back straightened, and he stared at the Dragon that was three times his height.
He didn't glance down, didn't advert his gaze.
His gaze carried the sovereignty only possessed by those at the top of the food chain.
The very apex beings of their perspective races.
[Void Emperor's Aura] spread throughout the chamber, making the dungeon boss freeze as the tension came to a climactic peak.