It was a beautiful day, the kind where the sunlight danced across the landscape, casting a warm glow on everything it touched. I was in high spirits as I strolled through the estate grounds, a rare moment of peace before an exciting endeavor. My birthday was only a week away, and this year, I'd decided to give myself something extraordinary—a beast companion.
The decision hadn't been made lightly. My mother had suggested that instead of purchasing a mediocre beast or acquiring one through trade, I should venture into one of our family's unique dungeons. These dungeons often contained rare creatures with immense potential, making them the perfect place to find a lifelong partner. With that thought in mind, I set out toward Dungeon 05901, a unique dungeon owned by my family.
---
The journey to the dungeon wasn't particularly long, thanks to the convenience of modern transportation. I took one of our family cars, its sleek design gliding effortlessly over the well-paved roads. As I neared the dungeon site, I couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation.
When I arrived, a team of staff members was already waiting for me at the entrance. Dressed in professional attire, they formed a neat line, bowing slightly as I stepped out of the car.
"Welcome, Young Lord Arax, to Dungeon 05901," one of them said. The man wore a name tag that read Blackwall, and his demeanor was calm and professional.
"Thanks," I replied, nodding. "Though I have to ask—why the number 05901? Is there some special meaning behind it?"
Blackwall smiled faintly, clearly accustomed to such questions. "Those numbers represent the total unique dungeons owned by your family. This particular dungeon was assigned the serial number 05901 upon registration."
I blinked in surprise. "Wait, how many dungeons do we own in total?"
He answered without missing a beat. "Currently, the family owns 52,346 unique dungeons."
It took everything I had to keep a straight face. Fifty-two thousand? That was a number I couldn't even begin to wrap my head around.
"Huh, that's... impressive," I managed, my tone casual despite my internal amazement.
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We soon reached the dungeon platform, a circular structure with intricate carvings that pulsed with faint green and dark energy. The swirling portal at its center shimmered like liquid emerald, beckoning me toward the unknown.
The reason for this expedition was clear. For my eighth birthday, I wanted to form a contract with a beast companion—a lifelong partner that would grow alongside me. Beast companions weren't just allies; they were extensions of oneself, sharing power, abilities, and even lifespan.
In Xylaris, beast taming was considered one of the most prestigious professions, alongside Spiritmancers and Summoners. These individuals formed bonds with their companions through soul contracts, a mystical agreement that nourished the beast's growth while granting its master access to its unique traits and abilities.
Spiritmancers focused on contracting spirit entities, while Summoners were adept at calling forth creatures from other dimensions. Beast tamers, on the other hand, specialized in forging deep connections with earthly and magical beasts. Some rare individuals mastered all three paths, becoming hybrid practitioners capable of summoning armies, commanding beasts, and wielding immense magical power.
Then there were the Necromancers—a darker branch of summoners who dealt with the undead. Though controversial, their power was undeniable.
---
As I stood before the swirling portal, I reflected on the other great professions of our world: Mages, Sorcerers, Witches, Battle Saints, Aura Masters, and Warriors. Each had its own strengths, its own path to greatness. But I'd always been drawn to the idea of forming a bond with a companion—a partner who would fight beside me, grow with me, and share in my triumphs.
"Here's your anchor, young master," Blackwall said, handing me a small, glowing device. The anchor served as both a key and a safeguard, ensuring I could exit the dungeon at any time.
I took it with a nod, my excitement building. This dungeon, though not particularly dangerous, was still a unique one. Its beasts were said to possess rare traits, making them perfect candidates for a contract.
"I heard there is even a Dragon here my Lord not just any kind but a Dark Dragon" Blackwall said with a sly smile.
But if this place contains something like Dark dragon then this changes a lot of things. Dragons are the Apex or atleast where the Apex races. However i wasn't told about this though which makes me a bit angry just thinking about it i mean imagine going in the hopes of something easy and then you face this.
"Why wasn't I told about this sooner?" I asked, my voice sharper than I intended.
Blackwall shrugged lightly. "Perhaps your parents wanted you to discover it for yourself."
I couldn't argue with that logic. Taking the anchor—the glowing device that allowed safe entry and exit—I stepped toward the portal.
"Good luck, young master," Blackwall said as I vanished into the swirling vortex.
---
The moment I stepped through, I was hit with an oppressive wave of mana. The dungeon's atmosphere was thick and suffocating, the air crackling with latent energy. I found myself in a dense forest, the trees towering overhead and blocking out most of the light.
This wasn't going to be easy.
---
The first challenge came almost immediately. As I moved cautiously through the forest, a group of Shadow Wolves emerged from the underbrush. Their glowing red eyes locked onto me, their low growls filling the air.
There were five of them, each larger than any wolf I'd seen before. Shadow Wolves were known for their speed and cunning, capable of blending into the darkness to launch surprise attacks.
"Alright," I muttered, cracking my knuckles. "Let's see what you've got."
The pack didn't waste time. The lead wolf charged first, its claws glowing faintly with dark energy. I sidestepped its attack, channeling mana into my palm.
"Flame Burst!"
A surge of fire erupted from my hand, forcing the wolf to retreat with a yelp. But the others were already closing in, their movements synchronized.
"Wind Blade!" I shouted, releasing a crescent-shaped gust of wind that sliced through the nearest wolf. It collapsed with a pained howl, but the remaining three weren't deterred.
They circled me, their forms flickering in and out of the shadows. I summoned a Mana Barrier just in time to block a swipe from one of them, the force of the attack causing a ripple in the shield.
"Persistent, aren't you?" I said, summoning an orb of light to illuminate the area. The wolves recoiled slightly, their shadowy forms exposed.
Using the momentary distraction, I combined wind and lightning to form a small vortex.
"Lightning Tempest!"
The spell exploded outward, the crackling energy engulfing the wolves. When the light faded, all that remained were their scorched forms.
---
The forest wasn't done testing me. As I ventured deeper, I encountered more obstacles—a colony of venomous Spire Crawlers, their web-coated lair a maze of traps, and an earth-shaking Guardian Golem that took everything I had to bring down. Each encounter chipped away at my stamina, but I pressed on.
Hours passed, the oppressive mana growing heavier with every step. I knew I was nearing the heart of the dungeon—the place where the Dark Dragon cub likely resided.
---
The forest gave way to a massive clearing, the ground cracked and scorched as if a great battle had taken place here. At the center stood an ancient altar, its surface etched with runes that pulsed faintly.
And there it was.
The Dark Dragon cub.
It was smaller than I expected, about the size of a horse, but its presence was anything but diminutive. Its obsidian scales shimmered with an otherworldly light, and its piercing violet eyes seemed to see straight through me.
It growled softly, a sound that resonated deep in my chest. This wasn't going to be as simple as walking up and asking it to be my companion.
"Alright," I said, taking a deep breath. "Let's do this."
The dragon's wings flared, and with a deafening roar, it launched itself into the air. Dark energy swirled around it, forming jagged tendrils that lashed out toward me.
I dodged the first wave, countering with a barrage of Flame Lances. The dragon evaded them effortlessly, its movements graceful and precise.
"Not bad," I muttered, summoning a Lightning Sphere in my hand. "But let's see how you handle this!"
I hurled the sphere, the crackling energy arcing toward the dragon. It struck its wing, causing it to falter mid-flight. But the dragon recovered quickly, landing with a ground-shaking thud.
Its violet eyes narrowed, and I barely had time to react as it unleashed a torrent of black flames.
"Mana Barrier!"
The barrier absorbed most of the attack, but the sheer force sent me skidding backward.
This wasn't just a fight—it was a test. The dragon wasn't going to submit easily, and I wasn't going to back down.
---
The battle raged on, each exchange more intense than the last. The clearing was soon a battlefield, the ground scorched, shattered, and littered with debris.
I was beginning to get a bad feeling, my mana reserves still great as ever. The dragon, on the other hand seemed to be slowing, its movements less fluid.
But just as I thought I was gaining the upper hand, it let out another roar. The runes on the altar flared brightly, and the oppressive mana in the air grew even heavier.
The dragon wasn't alone.
From the shadows emerged a massive figure—a fully grown Dark Dragon. Its scales glinted like polished onyx, and its eyes burned with ancient wisdom and power.
My heart sank. This wasn't part of the plan.
The cub growled softly, its gaze shifting between me and the adult dragon. I clenched my fists, my mind racing for a solution.
"Alright," I muttered under my breath. "This just got a lot more complicated."
The adult dragon let out a low, rumbling growl, its massive form moving to shield the cub. I could feel its mana pressing down on me, a reminder of just how outmatched I was.
But I wasn't about to give up.
---
The clearing fell silent, the tension thick enough to cut with a blade. The adult dragon's violet eyes bore into me, as if weighing my worth. I took a deep breath, standing tall despite the overwhelming pressure.
This wasn't just about strength. It was about proving myself to be worthy. I will let them know that i am more than worthy.
And I wasn't done yet.
To Be Continued…