One hour had passed since they entered the dungeon. The air was thick with the metallic scent of blood, and the lifeless bodies of countless wolves littered the ground. The group had fought tirelessly, their movements growing more fluid and precise with each encounter. Akira had leveled up once more during the skirmish, his strength and reflexes sharpening further. The dungeon was nearly cleared, and the team was ready to face the boss. But fate had other plans.
Before them, the dungeon's walls seemed to shift and warp, revealing a jagged, glowing portal. Its edges pulsed faintly with an ominous purple light, and an overwhelming energy radiated from it, sending shivers down their spines. The air grew heavy, almost suffocating, as if the dungeon itself was warning them to turn back.
Cha-Jong was the first to break the silence, his voice tense and uneasy.
"This... this isn't supposed to be here. Dungeons don't just appear inside other dungeons. What the hell is going on?"
Garret tightened his grip on his axe, his knuckles whitening. "Looks like we've got ourselves a second dungeon. A double dungeon."
The term "double dungeon" hung in the air like a storm cloud. It was a rare and dangerous phenomenon—a hidden dungeon concealed within another. The risks were immense, but so were the rewards. Rare artifacts, powerful materials, and untold treasures awaited those brave—or foolish—enough to venture inside.
Mira stepped forward, her fiery orange staff casting a faint glow on the portal's jagged edges. Her voice was steady but laced with caution. "This isn't just rare it's dangerous. Double dungeons are unstable. The monsters inside are unpredictable, and we don't even know if there's a way out."
Lyra leaned casually on her staff, a sly smile curling her lips. "Dangerous, sure. But let's not forget the rewards. Double dungeons are a goldmine. Artifacts, rare materials, direct power boosts—we'd be stupid not to consider it."
Cha-Jong shot her a sharp look. "And we'd be even more stupid if we got ourselves killed for greed. We're here for the original C-rank dungeon's boss, not to risk our lives chasing unknown treasure."
Akira's gaze remained locked on the dark, ominous entrance. His mind raced, weighing the risks against the potential rewards. A double dungeon… he thought. Death traps, no clear information, no guaranteed exit, and no idea what's lurking inside. Even high-ranking adventurers have died in these things. His fingers twitched slightly, a flicker of tension running through his body. But that's exactly why it's an opportunity. If I can survive this, I'll grow even more stronger.
Finally, he spoke, his voice cool and measured. "We're already here. Backing out now means letting go of a chance to get stronger. I didn't come here to play it safe."
Cha-Jong turned to him, his face a mix of annoyance and curiosity. "It's not about rewards, E.B. It's about keeping everyone alive."
Garret grinned, his confidence unshaken. "I'm with the kid. We've handled everything so far. If the monsters are tougher, all the better. Makes the fight more exciting."
Mira snapped, her voice rising. "Exciting? You think this is a game? We could be walking into a death trap, Garret!"
"Relax, fireball," Garret shot back, his tone teasing. "You're always whining about wanting better loot. Here's your chance."
Mira glared at him but held her tongue. She turned to Cha-Jong, her expression softening. "Look, I'm not saying we have to go in, but Lyra's right about one thing—double dungeons come with rewards you don't find anywhere else. If we play this smart, it could be worth it."
Garret nodded, his grin widening. "Then let's do this. We're hardly novices. We took down more than thirty wolves in under an hour.
Cha-Jong sighed deeply, his shoulders slumping. "This isn't about the wolves. Double dungeons are unpredictable. I've read reports of whole teams—strong teams—disappearing in these things." He glanced around at his team, noting the eager looks on Garret's and Lyra's faces, the cautious but considering expression on Mira's, and the unwavering confidence in Akira's eyes. "I suppose you're not going to let this go, are you?"
Garret's grin was answer enough. "Nope."
Lyra smirked. "Not a chance."
Mira hesitated, her grip tightening on her staff. "The rewards are tempting, but one wrong move and we're done for. Still... if we're careful, this could be worth it."
Cha-Jong turned to Akira one last time. "And you, E.B? You're sure about this?"
Akira met his gaze steadily. "I already told you. I didn't come here to play it safe. If this dungeon can make me stronger, I'm going in."
Cha-Jong rubbed the bridge of his nose, clearly frustrated but unwilling to abandon the majority vote. "Alright. But we do this with care. No one wanders off on their own. Understand?"
Garret gave a mock salute. "Got it, chief."
Lyra nodded. "Sure thing."
Mira tightened her grip on her staff. "Understood."
Akira said nothing, his focus already on the path ahead.
No sooner had they stepped inside the double dungeon than the atmosphere shifted dramatically. The faint hum from outside was now a deep, rhythmic pulse, like the heartbeat of some colossal beast. The walls glowed with an eerie purple light, casting long, twisting shadows that seemed to move on their own. The portal behind them closed , sealing them inside.
Mira spoke. "The exit—it's gone. There's no way back now."
Cha-Jong's face was grim. "Let's hope we made the right choice. If there's a problem now, there's no way out."
Garret tightened his grip on his axe, his usual bravado tinged with nervousness. "Relax. We'll handle it. We've faced tough fights before."
Akira's voice cut through the tension like a blade. "Why are you lot acting like this? There's only one way—forward. So look ahead and forget what's behind."
His words were simple but carried a weight that steadied the group. Garret's grin returned, Mira's breathing evened out, and Cha-Jong regarded Akira with silent respect. This kid… Cha-Jong thought. He's so young, yet he's already leading us. What a promising future he has ahead of him.
"Alright," Cha-Jong said, nodding. "Forward. Everyone, keep your guard up."
They proceeded cautiously, their footsteps crunching on the uneven ground. The purple glow grew brighter as they entered a larger chamber. The air was thick with tension, and the faint sound of heavy breathing echoed through the cavern.
Then, with a loud snort, the ground shook. A figure emerged from the shadows—a towering Minotaur, its dark, matted fur glistening under the eerie light. Its crimson eyes glowed with malice, and in its massive hands, it wielded a two-headed axe that pulsed with magical energy.
"Of course, it had to be a Minotaur," Mira muttered, her voice tinged with dread. "Its magic power... this thing's stronger than anything we've faced before."
Garret chuckled nervously, his grin faltering for the first time. "I do love a good challenge, but this might be pushing it."
Mira readied her staff, her expression resolute. "We've got no choice."
Cha-Jong barked orders, his voice sharp and commanding. "Formation! Garret, forward! Mira, target its legs! Lyra, buffs for Garret!"
They moved as one, their training kicking in. Garret charged forward, his axe swinging in a wide arc aimed at the Minotaur's torso. Mira unleashed a barrage of fire arrows at its knees, while Lyra chanted, her voice rising as she cast buffs on Garret.
The Minotaur roared, its axe swinging in a devastating arc. Garret barely managed to block the blow, the force sending him skidding backward. Mira's fire arrows struck its legs, but the flames fizzled out against its thick hide.
Garret gritted his teeth, his arms trembling from the impact. "This thing's a true monster! We're not even scratching it!"
Before the Minotaur could strike again, a blur of movement caught everyone's attention. Akira darted forward, his speed breathtaking. He leaped into the air, delivering a powerful kick to the Minotaur's chest. The impact sent a shockwave through the chamber, and the beast staggered back, roaring in pain.
"What the hell?!" Garret exclaimed, his eyes wide. "Did he just stagger it with one hit?!"
Mira's thoughts raced as she watched Akira move. "I knew it since before that kid the fire in him... the way he throws himself at the monster... it's extraordinary. Not because his technique is flawless, but because his only desire is to slay it. He's not fighting for glory or loot—he's fighting to grow, to conquer."
Akira's PanthoBlade materialized in his hand, its blade gleaming with a faint white light. The Minotaur, now enraged, swung its axe in a wide arc, but Akira ducked beneath the strike with ease. He rolled to the side, his movements fluid and precise.
The Minotaur charged, its massive form shaking the ground. Akira smirked, luring the beast into a trap. At the last moment, he sidestepped and slashed his sword across the Minotaur's exposed side. The blade crackled with energy, leaving a deep, searing wound.
Mira's eyes widened. "Damn, that hurt it! Everyone, move! Support him!"
They redoubled their efforts, Garret charging in again with his axe, Mira raining fire arrows on the Minotaur's wounds, and Lyra chanting furiously to bolster their strength. The creature bellowed in pain, its movements slowing as the onslaught continued.
"Now" Seeing his chance, Akira surged forward. His sword sliced through the air with blinding speed, cleaving the Minotaur's head from its shoulders in one clean strike. The beast collapsed with a thunderous crash, its axe clattering to the ground.
Akira stood over the fallen monster, his breathing steady. "I already told you," he said, his voice calm but firm. "The only way is forward."
As the group caught their breath, a status window flickered before Akira:
[Status Window]
[Congratulations! You have leveled up.]
[+5 Stat Points awarded.]
[Perfected Symmetry in effect. Allocating stat points equally across all attributes: Strength, Agility, Stamina Endurance, and Intelligence increased by +1 each.]
[The user's level has increased, the body will be restored to peak condition.]
A warm, energizing flow coursed through Akira's body, his muscles strengthening and his fatigue dissipating.
Akira's lips curved into a faint smile. "This is just the beginning," he thought. "Whatever lies ahead, I'll face it head-on."