Lucian wiped sweat from his brow as he and Sera pressed deeper into the Blackthorn Abyss. The cavern walls grew tighter, jagged rock formations casting eerie shadows in the dim torchlight.
His hands ached from gripping his sword for so long, and his legs felt heavier with each step. Despite fighting alongside Sera, the brutal reality was sinking in—he wasn't getting any stronger.
Every time he landed a blow, every time he dodged an attack by a hair's breadth, every time they barely survived another monster ambush… the experience went to Sera.
And he remained exactly the same.
Still Level 1.
Still weak.
Sera, however, was thriving. She had already reached Level 10, her movements sharper, her attacks deadlier. Every battle only made her stronger, while Lucian was struggling just to keep up.
And she knew it.
Sera flicked her daggers clean and sighed. "You're slowing down."
Lucian forced a weak laugh. "Gee, thanks for the pep talk."
She leaned against the cave wall, crossing her arms. "I'm serious. You've been fighting all night, but you're still moving like a rookie. No increase in speed, no better reaction time. It's like your body isn't improving at all."
Lucian swallowed hard. Should he tell her?
No.
Not yet.
He forced himself to his feet. "Let's just keep going."
Sera narrowed her eyes. "Fine. But if you collapse, I'm not carrying you."
As they ventured further, the air grew colder. The walls of the cave turned from rough stone to dark, polished obsidian.
Sera frowned. "Something's wrong."
Lucian tightened his grip on his sword. "What is it?"
Before she could answer—
A low, guttural growl echoed from the darkness.
Lucian felt his blood run cold.
Two glowing red eyes emerged from the abyss, followed by the hulking form of a Shadowfang Wolf.
It was massive—easily twice their size, with obsidian-black fur that seemed to blend into the darkness. Its claws left deep grooves in the stone as it stepped forward, fangs bared.
Lucian's heart pounded. "That thing's way stronger than anything we've fought."
Sera drew her daggers, her voice sharp. "It's a Level 15 Elite. We can't afford mistakes."
The wolf lunged.
Lucian barely had time to react before the beast was on him.
He raised his sword—
CRASH!
The force of the impact sent him flying backward, slamming into the cavern wall. Stars exploded in his vision as pain surged through his ribs.
The wolf didn't even slow down. It spun toward Sera, lunging again.
Sera twisted, barely avoiding the claws, and slashed at its side. The daggers connected, but the wolf barely flinched.
Lucian groaned, pushing himself to his feet. His body screamed in protest.
If he had leveled up even once, if he had even a little more strength, maybe he could—
No. No time for doubt.
Sera was in danger.
Lucian gritted his teeth and charged.
"Hey, overgrown mutt! Over here!"
The Shadowfang Wolf turned, its glowing red eyes locking onto him.
Lucian's stomach twisted. That was a bad idea.
The beast leaped—too fast.
Lucian barely raised his sword before—
A blur of motion. A sharp whistle in the air.
Then—
An explosion of fire.
The wolf yelped as a fireball slammed into its side, sending it skidding across the cavern.
Lucian's breath hitched. What?!
A voice rang out from above.
"Looks like you two could use a hand."
Lucian turned, eyes widening.
A tall figure stood on an outcropping of stone, a staff crackling with flame in their grasp.
A girl with flowing crimson hair and golden eyes that burned like embers.
Sera smirked. "Well, well. Looks like our luck's finally turning."
The newcomer grinned.
"Name's Aria. And you owe me one."