The wild dogs had completely surrounded Jun, their glowing red eyes gleaming in the dim, eerie light of the dungeon. Saliva dripped from their jaws, and their low growls echoed against the metallic walls. The air felt heavy, and the tension thickened with every breath Jun took.
He took a cautious step back, eyes darting from one beast to another.
"No... it can't be…" Jun muttered, his voice shaking slightly. "They're just level 1 monsters... and I'm level 10. So how… How is this even possible? What am I doing wrong…?!"
Suddenly, the pack lunged.
Jun's instincts kicked in as he dodged and weaved between them, barely avoiding their snapping jaws. He stumbled backward, skidding across the rusted metal floor of the hidden dungeon. He gritted his teeth, trying to steady his breathing.
"System… Spend 10 CP on Agility!" he commanded mentally.
[Ding…]
[10 CP has been added to Agility.]
A rush of lightness filled his legs, and the sensation of speed coursed through him.
"I need to stay calm," he reminded himself, his fists clenched. "I can't panic. Not now."
His mind raced back to the previous battles.
"The techniques weren't enough to kill them… I would've believed it if the first form failed… but the second form? With that I took down over 200 D-rank monsters in a single blow. How can I accept that it's completely useless here? No… Something's definitely wrong with this dungeon. I have to figure it out."
With renewed focus, Jun dashed behind one of the creatures—Dog #3—and swung.
"Normal Slash!" he yelled, channeling strength into the blade.
But the result was the same.
Clang.
The sound echoed like metal striking stone. There wasn't even a scratch. The creature didn't even flinch.
Jun's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Not even a dent... Dammit!" he cursed, quickly retreating. "I can't waste more strength until I figure this out. There's something here… something I'm not seeing."
He dashed again, weaving through the beasts like a blur.
"What am I missing? Think, Jun... think! Their skins are too hard. The second form of my technique can't cut them. Mental attacks don't work either… and there's nothing useful in the environment… Nothing I can use…"
He stopped suddenly in the center of the room, panting.
"Wait… yeah… That has to be it…"
---
Meanwhile, at the Lion Family's Mansion
Ruhiko's voice rang through the estate like a thunderclap.
"#@$%... #@$%...!"
Shan sat in the corner, a dead look in his eyes. "(God, please save me from my wife… I can't bear to hear this anymore…)"
Just then, Vermin entered, bowing slightly. "My lord, the Imperial Family has sent a messenger. They're on their way."
Shan blinked. Then a sly smile crept onto his face. "(Oh… How should I thank His Majesty? They came at the perfect time…!)"
Ruhiko narrowed her eyes. "Hmph. You're lucky today. But if Jun doesn't return within two days, you know what will happen, don't you?"
Shan swallowed. "Yeah… honey… don't worry. He'll come back in two days…" He muttered under his breath, "(If I know what's good for me, I won't come home until Jun does.)"
Ruhiko stormed out.
The messenger stepped forward. "Sir Shan Lion. I come bearing word from His Majesty of the Keyos Kingdom. A grand banquet will be held tomorrow evening. All noble families are required to attend."
"I see… You may leave now."
The messenger bowed and exited.
"Vermin, tell Roy to prepare for tomorrow. We'll attend the banquet together. You'll join us too."
"Yes, my lord."
Vermin left, and Shan rubbed his chin, thoughtful.
"A banquet…? All of a sudden? What is His Majesty planning?"
---
Back in the Hidden Dungeon
Jun stood still, heart pounding, eyes glinting.
"There's nothing wrong with the dungeon…" he whispered. "The problem… is with the wild dogs."
He looked up at them, and for the first time, truly saw them.
"No way a level 1 monster has skin this hard. These things… they're not normal."
A slow smile formed on Jun's lips. His eyes narrowed.
"Heh… heh… What a shame," he muttered. "I wasted so much energy struggling to kill you. If I'd just used my head from the start… I wouldn't have needed to go through all this. Really… what a shame."
He stepped back and planted his right leg firmly behind him. Energy surged through him.
"Now… It's time."
He vanished—faster than any of the wild dogs could perceive.
In a blink, he appeared in front of the first beast.
"It's time to die. Normal Slash!"
Swoosh—
His blade cleaved through the air, and the wild dog's head flew from its body in a clean arc.
Blood sprayed.
The other two tried to react—but Jun was faster.
Swoosh!
Swoosh!
In two swift movements, the remaining beasts collapsed. Lifeless.
Jun stood still, sword glinting under the flickering dungeon light.
"I knew it… I didn't need techniques. Your bodies weren't immune to damage… You were just under some kind of illusion. Normal Slash was more than enough."
[Ding…]
[Level up]
[Ding…]
[Level up]
---
To be continued…