In the heart of the dungeon, Adam stood face-to-face with a towering figure shrouded in darkness—the Dreadful Knight. This hulking, shadowy warrior radiated an aura of dread and malice, clad in battered, obsidian-black armor. Its crimson eyes burned through the darkened chamber, locking onto Adam with an intensity that sent chills down his spine.
The dungeon had thrown countless threats his way, but this was different. This Knight was a test of survival, forcing Adam to rely solely on his raw strength and instinct. The only weapon he had was his own body, empowered by the ancient martial techniques passed down through his family: the Noctelion Draconic Martial Arts.
Adam took a deep breath, readying himself. He was proficient in only three of the art's eight forms, but these three would have to be enough.
"First Form: Necrotic Death Palm!"
Adam's hand surged with dark energy as he channeled his focus into a strike that carried both physical and spiritual force. He dashed forward, aiming directly at the Knight's armored chest. His hand connected with a blast of necrotic energy, sending a ripple across the creature's armor. Yet, the Dreadful Knight merely staggered back, seemingly unfazed, and immediately countered with a massive swipe of its jagged blade.
Adam twisted his body, narrowly dodging the lethal swing, and immediately leaped backward to put distance between them. The Knight advanced, each of its steps echoing through the chamber as if the ground itself shuddered under its weight.
"Second Form: Chaotic Screech of the Dragon!"
Adam unleashed a powerful, resonant shout that echoed like the roar of a furious dragon, reverberating off the stone walls and causing the Knight to halt. The screech infused with Adam's energy disrupted the creature's stance, making it falter for a brief moment. Taking advantage of the opening, Adam charged forward once again.
"Third Form: Dragon Falling Star!"
He leaped into the air, gathering energy around his fists as he descended like a meteor crashing to earth. His fist collided with the Knight's shoulder, and for the first time, the creature visibly reeled back, cracks forming along its armor where Adam had struck. But before Adam could press his advantage, the Knight swung its fist in retaliation, sending Adam hurtling across the chamber, his body slamming into the wall.
Adam gasped for breath, blood trickling down his face. The Dreadful Knight was relentless, advancing toward him with deadly intent. It raised its massive blade, prepared to deliver a final blow. Adam, weakened and cornered, felt a rush of panic—but alongside it, a deep, inner resolve.
In that moment of desperation, his mind cleared, and an ancient clarity washed over him. He sensed a new path unfolding, an unseen form emerging from within.
"Ninth Form: Soaring Dragon Dreadful Fist!"
With a newfound surge of energy, Adam's aura ignited like a blazing inferno. His fist crackled with an energy that seemed to meld both his own strength and the essence of the dungeon itself. He lunged forward, channeling all his willpower into this single, decisive strike. His fist, imbued with the raw force of the Soaring Dragon Dreadful Fist, collided with the Knight's chest, shattering its armor and breaking the creature into shadowed fragments.
The Dreadful Knight dissolved, leaving behind a glowing core, dark as the void yet pulsing with hidden power. As Adam reached out and grasped the Dreadful Core, he felt its energy seep into him, bonding with his very essence. Alongside it was a leather-bound skill book, its cover faintly glowing with a dark, mysterious light.
Skill Books and Their Ranks
Skill books were coveted treasures in the Upper Realms, and this one was no exception. Each skill book granted abilities that could dramatically shift a warrior's strength, offering a new layer of technique or even powers unique to ancient legends. These books were ranked from Common to Immortal—a mythical rank that hadn't been seen since ancient times. Each rank was further divided into classes from F to S.
The skill book Adam held was an Epic Rank, B-class—a powerful item indeed. The title read Army of the Dead, a skill capable of summoning an undead legion. More impressively, this skill could grow in power, expanding the size and strength of Adam's summoned forces as he himself advanced. With this skill, Adam was no longer just a lone warrior; he could command a horde.
Absorbing the core's essence, Adam felt his strength grow as shadows cloaked his form. His body seemed to shift and harden, transforming as a dark, heavy armor materialized around him—the Dreadful Armor once worn by the fallen Knight. With it came a new power: the ability to summon the Dreadful Knight itself, a fearsome ally bound to him through the core.
Adam clenched his fists, feeling the weight of the armor, the new energy coursing through him, and the potential of his newfound skill. This was only the beginning, but he was ready.