As I walked out of the blood-soaked warehouse, the night air felt cool and refreshing against my skin. I rolled my shoulders, stretching after the countless fights I had just endured. That was fun, but I needed more.
I brought up the system screen with a simple thought. "System, activate Quest No. 1."
The familiar blue text appeared.
[Error: This mission can only be activated during the morning.]
I raised an eyebrow. "Huh. So, no corpses whispering to me in the middle of the night? That's a shame."
I let out a sigh and slid my hands into my pockets. "Then what should I do?"
The system chimed again, but this time, something unexpected appeared.
[New Special Reward Unlocked: Dungeon Key]
Difficulty Level: C Rank
Purpose: A Dungeon Key allows the player to enter an isolated dungeon realm designed to enhance skills and provide intense combat training.
Rules:
Time inside the Dungeon flows differently than the outside world.
You cannot leave until the Dungeon is cleared.
I narrowed my eyes. "A Dungeon Key?"
The system responded instantly.
[Explanation: A Dungeon Key helps the player enhance their skills and level up. However, the player cannot leave the Dungeon until all objectives are completed.]
Would you like to accept the Dungeon Key and enter now? [YES] / [NO]
I smirked. "So, you're telling me I get a free training ground where I can go all out?"
The system remained silent, waiting for my answer.
I let out a low chuckle, tilting my head. "Alright. I accept."
Dungeon Entrance – A New Battlefield
The moment I confirmed, the entire world around me twisted.
The air shimmered, and suddenly, I was no longer standing on the streets of the West District.
Instead, I found myself inside a dark, ancient cavern, its towering stone walls covered in glowing blue markings.
The air was thick with mystical energy, and faint growls echoed from the shadows ahead.
A notification flashed before me.
[C-Rank Dungeon: Trial of the Abyss]
Objective: Survive and eliminate all enemies.
Enemies Remaining: Unknown
Time Limit: None (You cannot leave until the dungeon is cleared.)
I grinned, my fighting instincts flaring to life.
"A closed battlefield with unknown enemies? Now we're talking."
I took a step forward into the abyss, ready to see what awaited me inside this hellish trial.
As I stepped deeper into the Dungeon, the air grew heavier, thick with a dark energy I hadn't felt in a long time.
The stone corridors stretched endlessly, illuminated by eerie blue markings that pulsed like living veins.
But it wasn't the ominous atmosphere that caught my attention.
It was them.
A low growl echoed through the cavern, followed by the sound of clawed feet scraping against stone. Emerging from the shadows, their twisted bodies illuminated by the faint glow of the dungeon—stood creatures I **never expected to see again.**
I stopped in my tracks, my eyes narrowing.
"...These creatures…"
They were beasts from my second life. Creatures I had fought against and conquered when I was the Heavenly Demon.
Their glowing red eyes, their distorted humanoid forms, their razor-sharp claws—I knew exactly what they were capable of.
"Hounds of the Abyss," I muttered, recognizing them immediately.
They were ruthless predators, bred for one purpose: to kill.
Why are they here?
The system had generated enemies from my past life —from a world that no longer existed to me. That only meant one thing…
"This dungeon isn't just a test. It's a challenge tailored specifically for me."
Instead of fear, I felt a familiar thrill creeping up my spine. My fingers curled into fists, my smirk widening.
"So, you bastards are still as ugly as ever, huh?"
One of the Hounds let out a deep, guttural snarl, crouching lower as if ready to pounce. The others followed suit, their muscles tensed, their hunger for blood unmistakable.
I exhaled slowly, rolling my shoulders.
"I know exactly how fast you are."
The moment those words left my lips, the first Hound lunged forward, its monstrous claws slicing through the air—
I was faster.
I sidestepped at the last second, my movements fluid, precise almost instinctual.
CLANG!
Its claws ripped through stones, but I was already moving.
"And I know exactly how to kill you."
Before it could recover, I spun, driving my heel straight into its skull.
CRACK!
The Hound's head snapped to the side, its body flipping midair before it crashed into the dungeon wall. It twitched once—then went still.
The other creatures froze for a second, their glowing eyes locked onto me.
Then, all at once— they attacked.
A wave of claws, teeth, and pure ferocity came at me from all directions.
I grinned.
"Come on, then. Let's see if you're still worthy of being my prey!"
And with that, I charged forward, embracing the battle.