Michael stood at the entrance of the B-rank dungeon, a yawning chasm of darkness that seemed to stretch endlessly into the earth. The air around it was thick, charged with a palpable sense of foreboding that sent a shiver down his spine. Despite the cold sweat on his brow, he knew this was the best place to hide from those hunting him. No one in their right mind would think to look for him here, and even if they did, few would dare to enter.
Uriel hovered beside him, her ethereal form glowing faintly in the dim light. Her expression was one of concern, her eyes scanning the darkness ahead with a wary intensity.
"Are you sure about this, Michael?" she asked, her voice carrying a note of unease. "This dungeon is a B-rank for a reason. The monsters inside are far more powerful than anything we've faced before. One mistake and…"
Michael nodded, his resolve unshaken. "I know. But we don't have a choice. The Corvinus family's search is closing in on us, and if we stay out in the open, we're as good as caught. This is the last place they'd expect us to hide."
Uriel sighed, though she didn't argue. Instead, she nodded, her determination matching his own. "Then let's not waste any time. Stay close to me, and be ready for anything."
With a final breath to steady himself, Michael stepped into the dungeon, Uriel following closely. The darkness swallowed them whole, the world outside quickly fading into memory.
As they ventured deeper, the air grew colder, more oppressive. The walls, jagged and uneven, seemed to close in on them, the weight of the dungeon pressing down with a suffocating intensity. Every step was a reminder of the danger they faced, every shadow a potential threat.
The first chamber they entered was vast, the ceiling disappearing into darkness above. The ground was littered with debris—broken weapons, shattered bones, and the remnants of those who had come before them. It was clear that many had tried to conquer this dungeon, but few had succeeded.
Suddenly, the sound of scuttling echoed through the chamber, drawing Michael's attention. From the shadows, a creature emerged—a twisted amalgamation of flesh and bone, its eyes glowing with an unnatural red light. Its body was covered in jagged spikes, and its movements were eerily silent, save for the scraping of its claws against the stone floor.
Michael's heart pounded in his chest as he activated his Divine Eyes, assessing the creature's strength. The information flashed before his eyes—a B-rank monster, powerful and deadly.
("We've got company,") he muttered to Uriel, his voice low and steady despite the adrenaline coursing through his veins.
Uriel nodded, her expression hardening. She summoned her mana guns, the weapons materializing in her hands with a soft hum. "I'll distract it. You move in for the kill."
Michael didn't need to be told twice. As Uriel opened fire, the chamber was filled with the sound of gunfire and the brilliant flash of light bullets streaking through the darkness. The creature screeched in pain, its body jerking as it tried to evade the attacks.
Seizing the opportunity, Michael activated his movement skill, his body blurring as he dashed forward with blinding speed. His knife, already coated in light mana, glinted in the darkness as he closed in on the creature.
The monster lashed out with a clawed limb, but Michael was faster, ducking under the attack and slashing at its exposed flank. The blade bit deep, cutting through the creature's tough hide with a sickening crunch. The monster roared in agony, its blood splattering across the ground as it staggered back.
But Michael didn't relent. He pressed the attack, his movements fluid and precise, each strike calculated to weaken the creature further. He could feel the strain on his body, the exertion of using his skills taking its toll, but he pushed through, determined to end the fight quickly.
Finally, with a decisive strike, he plunged his blade into the monster's heart. The creature let out one final, shuddering breath before collapsing to the ground, its body dissolving into a dark mist.
Panting heavily, Michael pulled his blade free, the tension slowly easing from his body. He looked down at the creature's remains, his eyes narrowing as he activated his Devour ability. The familiar sensation of power coursed through him as he absorbed the creature's essence, feeling his strength grow slightly.
"It's not much, but it's a start," he muttered, wiping the blood from his blade.
Uriel floated closer, her eyes scanning the chamber for any more threats. "We need to be careful. This was just the first monster, and it was already tough. The deeper we go, the stronger they'll get."
"I know," Michael replied, his voice calm but resolute. "But we have to keep moving. We can't afford to stay in one place for too long."
They continued deeper into the dungeon, the path becoming more treacherous with each step. The air grew colder, the darkness more oppressive. Michael's senses were on high alert, every shadow a potential threat.
As they ventured further, they encountered more B-rank monsters—each one more dangerous than the last. But with each victory, Michael grew stronger, his abilities sharpening like a finely honed blade. He could feel the dungeon testing him, pushing him to his limits.
It was during one of these battles that Michael realized just how out of their depth they were. They had stumbled upon a group of adventurers, all seasoned fighters who had ventured into the dungeon in search of glory and treasure. But the dungeon had other plans. The adventurers were surrounded by monsters, their weapons and skills barely keeping them alive.
Michael watched from the shadows, weighing his options. He could help them, but it would be risky. The adventurers were strong, but they were also desperate, and desperate people were unpredictable.
"Michael, we should help them," Uriel whispered, her voice filled with concern. "They might have information or resources that could be useful to us."
Michael hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Alright. But we do this carefully. We don't know if they'll turn on us."
With that, Michael and Uriel leaped into the fray, their presence turning the tide of the battle. The adventurers, surprised by the sudden assistance, rallied and fought back with renewed vigor. Together, they managed to fend off the monsters, the chamber falling silent once more.
As the dust settled, the adventurers turned to Michael, their expressions a mix of gratitude and suspicion. The leader, a tall man with dark hair and piercing blue eyes, stepped forward.
"Thanks for the help," he said, his voice gruff. "But what's a kid like you doing in a place like this?"
Michael met the man's gaze, his expression unreadable. "Surviving. Same as you."
The man studied Michael for a moment before nodding. "Name's Cassius. And these are my people." He gestured to the others, who were busy tending to their wounds and gathering supplies.
"Michael," he replied simply, not offering any more information than necessary.
Cassius raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. "Well, Michael, it seems like we're in the same boat. How about we stick together for a while? Safety in numbers and all that."
Michael considered the offer, weighing the risks. It was clear that Cassius was a skilled leader, and his group was well-equipped. But trust was a luxury Michael couldn't afford in this place.
Still, he nodded. "Alright. But we move fast, and we watch each other's backs."
Cassius grinned, a glint of respect in his eyes. "You've got yourself a deal, kid."
And so, with a new alliance formed, Michael and Uriel continued their journey deeper into the dungeon. The challenges ahead were daunting, but Michael knew that if they survived, they would emerge stronger than ever.
But in the back of his mind, the knowledge of the Corvinus family's search for him lingered, a shadow that would not be easily dispelled. He would need to keep his wits about him, for in this dungeon, as in the world outside, danger was never far away.