As Dominic stepped into the forest, his final words to the elves echoed faintly behind him: "Say hi to your queen from me." And just like that, he vanished, leaving a trail of disbelief and awe. The elves, struggling to steady their composure, could barely maintain their strength. Their limbs quivered from the overwhelming pressure of his presence, the very essence of his aura pressing down like a storm. Without delay, they hurried back toward the Elfen Palace, desperate to report the unprecedented events to their queen.
Thirty minutes later, the grand gates of the Elfen Palace opened. The guards moved quickly, ushering the exhausted elves into the throne room. The vast chamber was adorned with crystalline chandeliers and banners of emerald and silver, yet even such splendor seemed muted against the gravity of their news. The queen, seated atop her elevated throne, gazed down at them with an expression of regal curiosity. Her piercing eyes, both cold and calculating, fixed on the first speaker.
"So… you're saying a human did this?" Her voice was steady but carried the faint tremor of disbelief.
"Yes, Your Highness," replied the lead elf, his voice taut with urgency. "We tried to hold our ground… but it was as if we were standing against a god. What he showed us… it could make the greatest mage on the continent kneel."
A silence fell across the room. One of the elders, draped in flowing robes etched with ancient runes, raised his voice in indignation. "How dare you praise a mortal in the presence of the queen!"
Before the words could gain momentum, the queen cut in sharply, her tone unwavering. "No, elder. I felt it too. Every spirit in the forest trembled at his presence. He is… a threat. But that does not mean he can carelessly walk into a dungeon that even my mother and father failed to clear in their days." Her eyes narrowed, a mixture of fear and arrogance flickering across her features. "Well… that is what happens to those who are arrogant."
A sudden, bone-rattling boom shook the palace. The chandeliers swayed violently, and the ground trembled beneath the feet of everyone present.
"What was that?!" a captain shouted, his voice cracking. "Protect the queen!"
Before anyone could react further, Dominic appeared. He was seated casually on an empty chair in the throne room, as if the chaos surrounding him was nothing but a minor inconvenience.
"W-W-Who are you?" stammered one of the younger elves, eyes wide with shock.
"Oh, me?" Dominic said, tilting his head and flashing a polite smile. "I'm Dominic… nice to meet you, mah lady." He lowered himself into a deep, respectful bow, his posture impeccable.
"How dare you?!" barked one of the elders, enraged at Dominic's audacity. But before he could finish, Dominic blinked, and in an instant, he was standing right in front of him.
"How dare me?" Dominic said smoothly, the calmness in his tone only heightening the elder's shock. The old man stumbled backward, unsteady, unable to comprehend the speed and presence of this mortal.
"C'mon, old man," Dominic said with a grin, extending one hand. "I'm just here to say my greetings before going back to my crib."
"Crib?" the elder whispered, bewildered.
"My home," Dominic corrected with a chuckle, straightening his posture.
He closed his eyes for a moment, then muttered to himself. "Hey, system!"
"Hello, Dominic," the system replied, its familiar voice echoing in his mind.
"What do you think the elf queen loves the most?" he asked aloud, almost to himself. "I want to gift her something."
"Anything you can gift a woman is… well, cool," the system answered bluntly. "After all, the elf queen is a woman too."
Dominic chuckled. "Such a wingman you are, system."
"Um… my queen," Dominic said, turning to face her, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I got something for you as a gift. I don't know how you'll love it… give me a second."
"Shop," he commanded. Immediately, a translucent window appeared mid-air, a holographic display filled with the rarest and most precious items. He scrolled swiftly, eyes locking on a necklace so exquisite that legends spoke of its power: it could grant someone a second life, restoring youth and vitality even after death. Without hesitation, he purchased it for 5,000 Gcoin.
A radiant flash materialized in the air, the necklace floating gracefully. Dominic caught it with ease and stepped forward, bowing slightly before presenting it to the queen.
Unbeknownst to anyone present, this necklace was one of the most coveted items across all lands. Its appearance alone caused a ripple of awe and fear. The queen's eyes widened as she took it, her composure momentarily faltering. A soft glow surrounded her as she held it close, and the atmosphere in the throne room shifted instantaneously. All hostility evaporated; tension melted away.
The elves who had accompanied Dominic, once anxious and defensive, now exchanged astonished glances, relief washing over them. Even the elders, who had bristled moments before, relaxed, bowing respectfully. The queen's voice rang clear, filled with newfound warmth and authority: "To celebrate the clearing of the dungeon… let us host a banquet for our hero."
Stepping down from her throne, she approached Dominic directly. "Thank you for your hard work," she said, her voice softening but carrying the weight of sincerity.
Thirty minutes prior, at the dungeon gate, the system had announced the bounty:
NOTICE!!DUNGEON TYPE – DEITY DUNGEONRANK – SS+DEFEAT CORRUPTED DEITYREWARD: 5% System Sync | 5% Nexis Power | 10 Years Qi | 2000 MP | 5000 HP | Divine Power +3000 | All Elements & Aura Unlocked | Unique Trait | Gold: 100,000
"Damn… rewards are the same as usual," Dominic muttered under his breath, though his eyes gleamed with anticipation. "I hope I can grab some good skills."
He stepped forward and entered the dungeon. The very moment he crossed the threshold, the atmosphere shifted. Hostility dissolved into an eerie serenity, as if the dungeon itself recognized him and welcomed his presence.
Then a voice echoed, deep and worn:"Chosen one… are you the one to send me off?"
From the shadows emerged an old elf, his veins dark and gnarled, his form warped by centuries of corruption and power.
"Who are you?" Dominic asked calmly.
"Oh… I'm just an old gramps who was drowned in power and lost his way," the elf replied, his voice tinged with fatigue and regret. "But today… I might finally rest."
The old elf's expression hardened. "But I am not going to leave without a fight. Make it interesting for me."
"Hey, wait, wait," Dominic interjected. "How come you still have your mental self?"
The elf chuckled faintly. "Oh that? I've lived hundreds of years. My mental strength is… formidable."
Dominic raised an eyebrow. "So… will you keep chatting, or send me your best?"
"Go in easy on me," the elf said, his tone laced with amusement. "Just in case I forget."
Dominic had already seen the end of this fight in his mind. There was no true hostility here, but he wanted to humor the old man. "Promise me one thing," he said.
"You'll tell me what happened before you pass on," Dominic requested.
The old elf's eyes twinkled, amused. "Oh ho! So you already know you'll beat this old gramps? All right… a promise it is."
"LET'S DO IT." Dominic's voice rang out like thunder, a surge of energy emanating from him.
In a single, fluid motion, he crossed his arms in an X and drew his twin daggers from mid-air, plucked directly from his inventory.
With a blur of motion, Dominic dashed forward, the air crackling with electricity, and the old elf met him head-on. Sparks flew, dust swirled, and the clash of centuries of wisdom and raw power echoed through the dungeon.
The battle had begun, cinematic and intense, the air thick with energy, each movement precise, deadly, and awe-inspiring. This was a confrontation that would be remembered for ages — a dance of mortality and divinity, with Dominic at the center, unstoppable and inexorable.