Author: I feel like I owe some explanations regarding certain things from the previous chapter. I thought the part about EMIYA's memories surfacing was clear, but it wasn't enough for some people to understand. To put it simply, EMIYA's memories are in Altair's mind. They always surface during moments of nostalgia or in conversations with those with whom Altair has a deep connection.
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In the darkness of the Dungeon, the atmosphere was suffocating and oppressive, the sound of footsteps echoing against the stone walls as Altair walked toward the next challenge. He held Kanshou and Bakuya firmly, the twin blades perfectly balanced in his hands. The black sheen of Kanshou and the white glow of Bakuya created a striking, almost hypnotic contrast as he advanced without hesitation.
On the 4th floor, he was greeted by a group of monsters—the Dungeon's offspring. Shadow wolves with red eyes and sharp fangs howled, accompanied by giant bats frantically flapping their wings, spreading an irritating noise throughout the area. Small goblins, with rotten teeth and hungry eyes, rushed toward him, armed with improvised spears and jagged stones.
Altair wasted no time. With a fluid motion, he dashed forward like a blur, the blades slicing through the air with lethal precision. Kanshou carved a black arc, while Bakuya, in a synchronized move, left behind a blinding white trail. Each swing was flawless, the metallic sound of swords cutting through flesh and bone echoing throughout the cavern.
The wolves lunged first, leaping in unison. Altair dodged with minimal movement, tilting his body to the side as Kanshou descended in a sweeping slash, cutting two of them in half. The black trail of the sword seemed to linger in the air for a brief moment before dissipating. Bakuya, on the other hand, arced upward in an ascending slash, decapitating a goblin that had approached from behind.
The bats dove, attempting to surround him, but Altair spun quickly, creating a deadly vortex of blades. The creatures' wings fell like dead leaves, while their bodies disintegrated into ashes, leaving behind only the sound of something being consumed by the void. He didn't stop; his movements were calculated, almost like a dance. Each step was steady, every strike precise, and within minutes, the ground was littered with monster remnants that soon disintegrated.
The magic stones — the monsters' pulsating cores — began to faintly glow among the remains, but Altair didn't need to collect them manually. Using an automatic system ability he had recently discovered and activated before entering the Dungeon, the magic stones were collected and sent directly to his inventory. He noticed the notification appear at the edge of his vision, informing him that the loot had been successfully stored.
Adjusting the positions of Kanshou and Bakuya in his hands, he glanced around. Silence had returned, broken only by the sound of his footsteps and the faint breaths escaping his lips.
Altair gave a slight smile, though there was something cold and hollow in his expression. To him, this was just another day — another task completed effortlessly.
"These early floors are far too easy..." he murmured, turning toward the passage leading to the next floor.
Altair descended slowly through the passage connecting the 4th and 5th floors, feeling the air grow denser and heavier as he approached the next challenge. The natural lighting, which was already scarce, became even dimmer, leaving the environment at the mercy of faint lights emanating from magical crystals embedded in the walls. When he finally stepped onto the 5th floor, a notification abruptly appeared in his peripheral vision, with glowing letters floating in the air before him.
[Entering 5th Floor, Mission Initiated]
[Mission Received!]
[Mission: Clear the 5th Floor. Reward: Random Skill Book, Status Increase]
Altair narrowed his eyes, carefully analyzing the words. "A random skill book and a status increase?" he muttered to himself, crossing his arms briefly. "Interesting. Looks like the system wants to give me some real work."
Wasting no time, he began to explore the floor. The surrounding walls bore marks of previous battles, scars left behind by other adventurers who had passed through. However, the silence of the place was unsettling, almost as if the Dungeon was preparing for something. Altair walked in a straight line, his expression one of absolute focus, with Kanshou and Bakuya already materialized in his hands, ready for anything.
Then, the ground trembled. At first, it was a faint vibration, barely noticeable, but it quickly escalated into a violent quake. Stones fell from the walls and ceilings, while the sound of heavy footsteps and scratching echoed all around. The Dungeon seemed alive, as if it were conspiring against him.
[Warning! The Dungeon is cooperating with the system! There is a chance for a special enemy to appear.]
Altair quickly read the message and let out a sigh. "Great. It wasn't enough to be challenging; it had to be unpredictable too." He gripped the hilts of his swords, feeling adrenaline rush through his veins.
The noise around him grew louder, and within moments, the first monsters appeared. They were more aggressive than the ones he had faced before. Kobolds with sharp claws and fierce eyes charged forward, accompanied by muscular orcs wielding large improvised clubs. Along with them came smaller but equally dangerous creatures, like giant ants and venomous bats, beginning to surround him.
Altair reacted instantly. With a backward leap, he dodged the initial attack from a kobold and countered with Kanshou, slicing through the monster in a single strike. Bakuya followed with a spinning motion, tearing through two bats that attempted to dive at him. The contrast of the black and white blades created a visual spectacle as he moved, fluid like water but as relentless as a storm.
The orcs advanced, their clubs coming down in brutal swings, but Altair was far too fast. He ducked under one attack and drove both swords into the chest of one of the monsters, pulling them out in a motion that caused the creature's black blood to gush like a fountain. There was no time to breathe, as the monsters kept coming in ever-increasing numbers, as though the Dungeon itself was unleashing everything it had against him.
"This is getting interesting," Altair muttered, dodging another attack. He noticed that the magic stones from the defeated monsters were being automatically collected into his inventory, but he barely had time to check how many he'd already gathered.
Altair observed the horizon from the 5th floor, where more monsters were appearing in droves. The ground trembled under the weight of their charge, and the sound of claws and hooves echoed throughout the cavern. His eyes glowed with a mix of adrenaline and determination as Kanshou and Bakuya reflected the dim light of the surroundings, emanating a menacing gleam. He felt the flow of combat like a melody, and a cold, calculated smile appeared on his face.
Without hesitation, he dashed toward the swarm, his movements agile and precise, as if dancing amidst the looming destruction. Suddenly, one of the monsters, a goblin archer hidden in the shadows, fired an arrow at him. Altair moved Kanshou with instinctive speed, deflecting the projectile with a clear metallic sound.
But the attacks didn't stop. More arrows and projectiles came from different directions. Altair spun, using both short swords to block each attack with almost superhuman reflexes. The sound of steel clashing against steel echoed through the space as he glided across the battlefield, an unstoppable storm of blades and speed.
When he finally closed the distance, Altair didn't slow down. He dove into the group of monsters with controlled ferocity, every movement lethal and efficient. He struck swiftly with Kanshou and Bakuya, using the bodies of some creatures as improvised shields against incoming projectiles.
The monsters tried to surround him, but Altair was a whirlwind of attacks. He leaped over a giant ant attempting to bite him, driving Kanshou into its head and using the creature's body as a springboard to hurl Bakuya at a kobold archer hidden in the distance. The blade pierced the monster's chest, killing it instantly.
He landed in the midst of a group of smaller orcs, spinning rapidly to deliver circular slashes that dismantled the opponents within seconds. Even while engaged in close combat, his mind remained focused on the distant projectiles. He calculated the shots and used the corpses of fallen monsters as temporary barricades, keeping the flow of battle under control.
"You think numbers will stop me?" he muttered to himself, the cold smile lingering on his face as he twirled Bakuya in his hands.
Time blurred on the 5th floor. Altair had spent hours facing the dungeon's relentless monsters, each battle a dance between skill, exhaustion, and sheer determination. His body was covered in dust, minor scratches, and sweat, but the smile on his face never faded. He sighed in relief as he defeated the last monster of the swarm, his swords finally resting at his sides.
"It's over..." he murmured, but the sound of the dungeon trembling once more made him swallow hard. "...No. There's still one more, isn't there?" he added, gripping his swords tightly.
The ground began to vibrate intensely, and cracks formed on the ceiling. Altair stepped back, keeping his eyes fixed on what was about to emerge. From the dungeon's ceiling, a creature started to take shape, descending in a fluid motion, as if the dungeon itself was giving life to that abomination. When the figure finally revealed itself, Altair felt his heart race.
It was a humanoid creature, with white plates resembling armor that reflected the dim light of the environment. A pair of white horns protruded from its head, and glowing red eyes pulsed with an almost hypnotic intensity. It was as if the creature were an avatar of destruction—perfect and terrifying. Altair froze for a moment, staring at the figure that seemed straight out of a nightmare or some ancient myth.
(Author: I couldn't find an image that matched what I envisioned, so there's none here. If you have one that looks similar, please share it.)
Before he could fully process what he was seeing, a system message flashed in his vision, floating just above the creature's head.
[Prototype of Velber 02 - Altera Sefar]
Altair's jaw dropped. His eyes widened in disbelief. "What?! A proto...?" He tried to form a coherent thought, but his mind was interrupted as the creature moved in an instant.
The monster vanished from his sight momentarily, only to reappear right in front of him as a white blur. A colossal punch was launched toward him, carrying an overwhelming force that made him instinctively retreat. Altair raised Kanshou and Bakuya to defend himself, and the impact resounded like thunder within the dungeon. Although he managed to block the blow, the sheer power behind it forced him backward, leaving deep marks on the ground in his wake.
Wasting no time, Altair counterattacked. His blades sliced through the air with precision, aiming for the creature's still-extended arm. Kanshou struck first, followed by Bakuya in a combined assault. However, instead of severing the creature's arm, the cut barely left a superficial scratch. He stepped back with a perplexed expression, observing the point of impact.
'Resistance to the [Anti-Monster] nature?!' The thought flashed through his mind like lightning. He felt cold sweat trickle down his temple.
The confident smile he had maintained throughout the previous battle vanished, replaced by a serious expression. The challenge before him was not only greater than anything he had faced before—it was something that could truly defeat him.
Even so, a strange gleam appeared in his eyes, as if part of him was eager. "This... this is what I call a worthy fight." He murmured to himself, adjusting his posture and tightening his grip on the swords.
Altair knew he would have to give his all—and perhaps something beyond that—to face this enemy. And as frightening as it was, he couldn't deny the thrill that only an epic battle could bring.
Altair gritted his teeth as he advanced in a burst of speed, becoming a blur amidst the dungeon's darkness. Kanshou and Bakuya gleamed in his hands like twin moons as he charged directly at the enemy. With a fluid motion, he swung the swords in a perfect arc, striking against the white plates that covered Altera Sefar's body.
Ding!
The metallic sound reverberated through the air like a bell, almost irritating, as the blades cut through the void, repeatedly hitting the same target without any sign of progress. Altair did not retreat. Instead, he intensified his attack, moving with impressive speed around the enemy, striking from different angles in a chaotic yet strategically lethal pattern.
Ding! Ding! Ding!
The repetitive sound of steel clashing against the white plates echoed like a prelude to war. Each strike felt like little more than a tap against the pristine armor of Altera Sefar, leaving behind only thin scratches that glimmered faintly under the dungeon's light.
"These plates..." Altair muttered between attacks, his tone laden with irritation and fascination. He leapt back after a flurry of quick slashes, landing gracefully. His eyes quickly scanned the damage—or rather, the lack thereof. Despite the visible scratches, the creature remained motionless, unfazed.
On the other side, Altera Sefar stared back at him. Its red eyes glowed like smoldering embers, and the menacing gleam seemed to mock Altair's efforts. The creature made no unnecessary movements, reacting only in the precise moments when Altair attacked. Its rigid and calm posture radiated an air of absolute superiority.
Altair gripped his swords tighter, sweat trickling down his forehead. He knew that simple physical attacks wouldn't be enough to overcome this creature.
"So that's it? You won't react until I'm worthy, huh?" Altair taunted, a cold smile curling his lips. His tone carried a mix of exhaustion and exhilaration. Adrenaline surged through his veins, and he felt the familiar heat of true combat rising within him.
He spun Kanshou and Bakuya in his hands, the metallic sound echoing around him. "Let's see how long you can keep that composure of yours."
Altair burst into motion again, zigzagging to confuse his opponent. He used every ounce of his speed and dexterity, his feet barely touching the ground as he made sharp turns around the creature. The paired swords gleamed in a trail of black and white, tracing patterns in the air that were almost artistic.
Ding! Ding! Ding!
The strikes piled up, relentless like a storm. Each impact seemed to intensify his determination, even though progress was nearly nonexistent. The blades slashed, spun, and struck the white plates, but nothing seemed to crack the absolute defense of the Velber prototype.
Altera Sefar, however, did not remain entirely passive. In an almost imperceptible moment, the creature moved. Its massive hand glowed for an instant before delivering a direct blow aimed at Altair, attempting to throw him off balance. Altair, with his sharpened reflexes, managed to spin to the side, dodging by a hair's breadth.
"What?!" he exclaimed, feeling the wave of pressure from the strike that sliced through the air beside him.
Even without hitting its target, the force of the punch made the ground tremble. Altair nearly lost his footing but quickly stabilized himself, stepping back a few paces. His eyes were locked onto Altera Sefar, who now seemed more active, more aggressive.
"Ah, so you just needed a reason to react…" Altair smiled again, though this time with a mix of tension and excitement.
[The skill ⟨Mind's Eye (True)⟩ has been activated!]
The world around Altair seemed to slow as the ⟨Mind's Eye (True)⟩ skill came into play. His breathing steadied, and absolute clarity took hold of his mind. Every movement of Altera Sefar, every detail of the white plates, and even the way the monster reacted to its surroundings became crystal-clear information, like an open book.
'More power… more speed…' Altair thought, feeling the flames of determination ignite within him.
Mana began to flow like a raging river through his body. He channeled the energy with surgical precision, infusing it into Kanshou and Bakuya, making the blades shine intensely. The black and white trails of the swords were now accompanied by a bluish-violet glow, highlighting the mana reinforcement. He didn't stop there, directing the remaining flow into his muscles, bones, and reflexes, elevating all his physical attributes to a new level.
With an almost imperceptible movement, Altair vanished from Altera Sefar's sight, his speed now surpassing what the system itself deemed "standard level." The silence was broken by a sharp, short sound — a displacement of air caused by his burst of speed.
Altera Sefar reacted instinctively, spinning her body in search of Altair, but before she could locate her target, she felt the impact of something sharp and relentless.
CRACK!
Altair reappeared behind the creature, Kanshou and Bakuya already piercing through her white plates with absolute precision. The sound of plates shattering echoed in the air as white fragments fell to the ground like pieces of broken porcelain. Blood gushed from the cut, staining the dungeon floor with a crimson hue.
"So, you bleed..." Altair murmured, observing the effect of his strike while assuming a firm stance. He twirled Kanshou and Bakuya in his hands, preparing for the next move.
Altera Sefar let out a deafening roar, a mix of fury and pain. The monster spun rapidly, its massive hand sweeping through the air in a destructive arc. Altair leapt backward, narrowly dodging the attack as shattered fragments of the plates scattered across the ground.
'This is my chance. The plates aren't invulnerable. But I need to keep up the pressure...'
Altair charged again, moving in unpredictable patterns as he struck at the exposed points on the shattered plates. Each blow was now precise and lethal, aiming to create larger openings in the creature's armor.
"Let's see how much you can take!" Altair exclaimed, his cold smile widening as he continued his offensive, determined to bring down the Velber prototype.