The dungeon was silent again — too silent.
Rengoku Hayate and Lyria walked carefully through the tunnel, the air thick with the stench of old blood and sulfur. Their steps echoed against damp stone walls, accompanied only by the faint flicker of the glowing orb in Lyria's palm.
"You said you've been here for three days?" Hayate asked, voice low.
Lyria nodded. Her silver hair shimmered faintly in the dim light.
"Yes… my party was ambushed by the dungeon beasts. I lost everyone."
Her words trembled at the edges. Hayate didn't reply. He could see the pain in her eyes — the same hollow ache that once lived in his.
"Then you know what it's like," he said quietly. "To be abandoned."
Lyria glanced at him, surprised by the rawness in his tone.
"You too?"
Hayate smirked bitterly.
"Thrown away like garbage. By the people I trusted most."
For a moment, they walked in silence. Then, the ground shook. Dust rained from the ceiling as a deep growl reverberated through the tunnel.
Lyria's light flickered.
"That sound… it's coming from ahead."
The System's cold voice cut through the air.
[Warning: Dungeon Boss detected – 'Tyrant of the Depths'.][Estimated Level: 20+][Recommendation: Evacuate immediately.]
Hayate chuckled darkly.
"Evacuate? Sorry, System. I don't run anymore."
He turned to Lyria.
"Stay behind me. Whatever happens, don't lose focus."
She hesitated, then nodded.
They entered a vast chamber. Crystals of dark red light jutted from the ground, illuminating a monstrous figure — a gigantic serpent with black scales and molten eyes, its breath reeking of poison and smoke.
[Tyrant of the Depths – Level 22]
The beast roared, shaking the entire dungeon.
"Lyria, now!"
She raised her staff, chanting rapidly. Magic circles appeared in the air, glowing blue. Bolts of ice shot forward, striking the serpent's flank. Steam burst where the ice met its scorching scales.
Hayate charged, eyes blazing crimson.
[Skill: Revenant Instinct – Active]
He dodged the creature's strike, sliding beneath its coils and leaping upward. His glowing arm slashed through its hide, leaving a blackened scar that oozed molten blood.
The serpent shrieked, its tail whipping violently — slamming Hayate against the wall. Pain exploded through his chest.
"Damn it… too strong…"
[HP Critical.][Activating: Blood of Ruin.]
Red energy flared from his wounds, knitting flesh and bone in seconds. Hayate's aura darkened, his body trembling with power.
"Round two."
He darted forward — faster, sharper. The serpent lunged, fangs snapping — but Hayate was already above it, his arm glowing like fire.
"Die!"
He plunged his hand into the serpent's skull. The creature convulsed violently, light bursting from every scale before it crumbled into ash.
The chamber fell silent.
[Boss Defeated.][Level Up: 3 → 6.][Skill Unlocked: Shadow Step (D).]
Lyria lowered her staff, breathing heavily.
"You… you actually did it."
Hayate turned to her, a faint smile on his lips.
"I told you. I don't die that easily."
She stared at him for a moment, then smiled softly — the first real smile he had seen from her.
"Then maybe… we can survive this place together."
Hayate nodded, though his eyes darkened.
"Yeah. But survival is just the beginning."
The dungeon trembled again, deeper this time — as if something far below had noticed their victory.
And in the darkness, unseen eyes watched them with interest.