As JC stepped out of the boss room, his friends were waiting, their faces a mix of concern and relief.
"You're alive!" Lissy exclaimed, rushing toward him. "We thought—"
JC raised a hand, his calm expression silencing her. "I'm fine," he said. "The boss is defeated."
Mark let out a long sigh. "You really did it alone, huh?"
JC nodded, holding up the radiant orb of light he had retrieved from the boss. "This is the dungeon's core. It's what powers the dungeon and what makes it so dangerous. With this gone, the dungeon will collapse in time."
The group looked at the glowing orb in awe. But before anyone could say anything further, a chime echoed through the chamber.
---
A translucent screen appeared in front of them, its glowing text floating in the air.
[SYSTEM MESSAGE]
Congratulations! You have cleared the dungeon.
You will now gain your reward.
The words lingered for a moment before the screen shifted, and new text appeared.
Reward: Elite Weapons
Beneath the words, five smaller windows materialized, each displaying a unique weapon.
1. Stormbreaker Blade: A sleek longsword crackling with electricity, its blade shimmering with a faint blue glow.
2. Umbra Dagger: A pair of twin daggers that seemed to absorb the light around them, their edges sharp and deadly.
3. Inferno Gauntlets: Heavy gauntlets wreathed in eternal flames, radiating intense heat.
4. Gale Bow: A lightweight bow made of silver and wood, its string glowing faintly with wind magic.
5. Aether Staff: A tall staff of pure crystal, pulsing with light magic and emitting a gentle hum.
The group stared in stunned silence as the weapons hovered before them, glowing softly.
---
"These are… elite weapons," Angel said, her voice filled with awe. "Weapons used by the elites themselves."
JC nodded, his expression unreadable. "They're rare and powerful. Each one is attuned to its wielder's abilities."
"Wait," Jackson said, holding up a hand. "Does this mean… these are for us?"
As if in answer, the weapons floated closer to their intended owners.
The Stormbreaker Blade hovered in front of Mark, its crackling energy sparking against his fingers.
The Umbra Daggers circled Angel, the shadows around her darkening as she reached out to grasp them.
The Inferno Gauntlets stopped in front of Lissy, their fiery glow matching her intense energy.
The Gale Bow floated to Jackson, its lightness making him instinctively hold it with ease.
Finally, the Aether Staff remained in JC's hands, its light magic harmonizing with his aura.
---
"These are amazing," Lissy said, slipping the gauntlets onto her hands. She flexed her fingers, flames bursting from her palms. "I feel so powerful!"
Mark swung the Stormbreaker Blade experimentally, the lightning crackling louder with each movement. "This… this is insane. It's like the weapon is alive."
Angel twirled the Umbra Daggers, the shadows around her seeming to move in sync with her motions. "I can already tell these are going to make me unstoppable."
Jackson examined the Gale Bow, pulling back the glowing string. A soft breeze swirled around him, and an arrow made of wind appeared. "This feels… right."
JC stood silently, holding the Aether Staff. The crystal at its top pulsed faintly, resonating with his magic.
---
A new system message appeared.
[SYSTEM MESSAGE]
Elite weapons bond with their chosen users. These weapons will grow with you, becoming stronger as you do.
JC glanced at the others, who were already testing their new weapons. "These will help us survive," he said. "But remember—they're tools, not crutches. Relying on them too much could be dangerous."
Mark grinned, still admiring the blade. "Yeah, yeah. Don't worry, JC. We'll use them wisely."
Angel smirked. "Speak for yourself. I'm planning to wreak some serious havoc."
Lissy punched the air, flames erupting around her fists. "Let's see anything try to mess with us now!"
Jackson smiled shyly, holding the bow close. "This… this is more than I ever imagined."
---
JC allowed himself a faint smile, though his mind was already racing. The dungeon had been challenging, but it was only a small part of the world's dangers. The elite weapons were a blessing—but also a reminder of the responsibility they now carried.
"We've taken a big step," he said, his voice steady. "But this is just the beginning. There's a lot more out there—stronger monsters, tougher dungeons, and bigger challenges. We'll need to grow stronger if we're going to survive."
The group nodded, determination shining in their eyes.
JC tightened his grip on the Aether Staff, his expression returning to its usual calm. "Let's get moving. There's a whole world waiting for us."
And with that, they left the dungeon, their new weapons in hand, ready to face whatever lay ahead.