Chapter 9: The S-Rank Gauntlet
The entrance to the Celestial Ruins, an S-Rank dungeon long considered unconquerable by solo hunters, loomed before Hayden. The air shimmered with raw energy, and the ground beneath his feet seemed to pulse with anticipation.
[Dungeon Detected: Celestial Ruins | Difficulty: S-Rank]
[Recommended Level: 25+]
Hayden checked his system. Level 20. Skills upgraded. Shadow Dagger of Eternal Night evolved. Abyssal Armor absorbing residual magic.
[Probability of Solo Success: 67% | System Confidence: High]
A grin spread across his face. The dungeon didn't intimidate him it thrilled him. Every S-Rank dungeon was a challenge, a puzzle, a test the world said he couldn't survive. The system said otherwise.
Inside, spectral guardians and ancient golems blocked his path. Hayden moved like a phantom, merging with shadows to evade attacks, using Shadow Clone to overwhelm multiple foes at once, and manipulating darkness to confuse even the sharpest magical sensors.
EXP poured in faster than ever. Rare loot glimmered in the corners of the dungeon: enchanted weapons, armor infused with elemental powers, and fragments of forgotten relics. Each acquisition made him stronger, faster, and more unpredictable.
[Skill Unlocked: Shadow Strike | Active | Level 1]
[Description: Teleport to enemy's blind spot and deliver critical strike, ignoring defenses.]
In the main chamber awaited the S-Rank dungeon boss: Astral Phoenix, a creature of fire and light that could incinerate any hunter instantly. Its wings spanned the entire hall, radiating heat and celestial energy.
Hayden activated Shadow Merge, disappearing into the darkness. Shadow Clones attacked from multiple directions, forcing the Phoenix to split its attention. With precise timing, he struck from behind, exploiting weaknesses the system highlighted in real-time.
The battle raged, fire and shadows colliding in brilliant arcs of energy. Each strike pushed Hayden further, each dodge tested his reflexes to their limit.
Finally, with a calculated combination of Shadow Strike and Shadow Manipulation, the Phoenix fell, its essence dissolving into the system, granting Hayden a flood of EXP and rare loot.
[Boss Defeated! Level Up: 25 → Stats Significantly Increased]
[Reward: Phoenix Feather (Legendary), Abyssal Armor Upgraded → Shadowed Abyssal Armor]
Outside the dungeon, Selene had been observing discreetly, hidden behind trees. She had tracked the energy surges for hours, but seeing Hayden conquer an S-Rank dungeon alone left her speechless.
"He… he's not just strong," she murmured, her eyes lingering on him as he emerged. "He's something else entirely."
A faint blush crept onto her cheeks as she watched him effortlessly wield shadows as weapons, control clones, and dominate a dungeon no hunter of her rank could attempt alone. Curiosity had grown into admiration, though she would never admit it aloud.
Selene followed at a distance as Hayden disappeared into the forest, noting his path and energy signatures. A subtle, almost imperceptible protective instinct began stirring within her.