Lucian trudged through the endless tunnels of the Blackthorn Abyss, his torch flickering in the damp darkness.
The knights had given him a single option: prove his worth by surviving this dungeon, or disappear. It was a cruel test—this was a Level 10+ zone, far beyond what a normal person could handle at Level 1.
His stomach twisted with hunger. His arms ached. He had no healing potions, no proper weapons, just the clothes on his back and a dull iron sword.
Every few steps, he heard distant growls—monsters lurking just out of sight.
"I have to survive. I have to prove them wrong."
But doubt gnawed at his mind.
Would he ever grow stronger?
Would he ever be more than a disappointment?
A feral goblin suddenly lunged from the shadows, rusted dagger flashing. Lucian barely raised his sword in time—
Clang!
The impact rattled his arms. The goblin hissed, slashing again. He dodged clumsily, swinging wildly in return—only to miss completely.
His foot caught on loose stone, and he tumbled backward. The goblin sneered, leaping to finish him off.
"Is this how I die?"
Then—
A dagger flashed through the darkness.
Shunk!
The goblin froze, gurgled, and collapsed—dead.
Lucian gasped, turning to see his savior.
A hooded girl with raven-black hair emerged from the shadows, wiping blood from her blade.
"Pathetic," she muttered. "You're really the hero?"
Lucian blinked. "Who are you?"
She smirked. "The only reason you're still breathing."
The girl lowered her hood, revealing sharp, violet eyes.
"My name's Sera Nightshade. And if you want to survive down here, you'd better start listening to me."
Lucian exhaled. For the first time since his exile, hope flickered in his chest.
Maybe… just maybe, this wasn't the end.
Maybe it was just the beginning.