[Ding…]
[The 3rd form of the Black Sword Technique has been unlocked]
Jun Lion stood amidst the flickering dungeon shadows, his dagger trembling with energy in his grip. All around him, a suffocating darkness stirred, responding to the call of his awakening power.
He narrowed his eyes at the oncoming threat—the Spider Queen. Her grotesque figure skittered across the broken stone, each step shaking dust from the ruined ceiling above. Her countless red eyes blazed with predatory intent.
Jun's voice was low, steady, but brimming with wrath.
"Black Sword Technique… Third Form… A Thousand Blades of the Dark."
A whirlwind of black sword aura erupted around him, surging like a tidal wave of shadow. The very air trembled with the oppressive pressure. Dark wisps swirled into a vortex, coalescing around Jun, wrapping him in a cocoon of pure killing intent.
The Spider Queen screeched—but then stopped. Her movements froze. Something ancient and primal within her seemed to shudder. For the first time, she hesitated. Fear.
And then—
The darkness flickered. The aura vanished. Everything stopped.
"…Huh? What just happened?" Jun's expression twisted in disbelief.
[Ding…]
[The host does not have enough MANA to perform the 3rd technique completely]
[You need 2500 MANA to perform the 3rd form for one time]
Jun's mouth dropped open. "What?! Then why did you let me unlock it?"
[I never said you should use it right now. I merely stated you could unlock it using EXP.]
His eyes twitched. A vein popped on his forehead. "You… you thug of a system…"
He balled his fists. "Give me back my EXP, then!"
[Sorry.]
[Sold goods are not refundable.]
"…I hate you."
Jun dropped to his knees for a moment, face full of defeat. But the moment passed. He forced himself up, wiped his brow, and exhaled sharply.
[Ding… The Spider Queen has broken free from fear. She's charging.]
[The host should—]
"—run? Again? No."
His voice was steel. "There's no point running anymore."
He opened the system shop, hurriedly purchased several mana recovery potions, and downed them in rapid succession. The bitter liquid burned down his throat, but he didn't flinch.
He stood tall, eyes glowing faintly with determination.
"It's do or die. If I run now, what kind of man am I? If I can't overcome this… then I'll never reach the peak. I'll fight—no matter what it takes."
The Spider Queen let out a horrific shriek, her legs stabbing the ground as she accelerated toward him.
Jun didn't flinch.
"System—spend 20 CP on Agility, 10 CP on Strength."
[Ding…]
[20 CP added to Agility]
[10 CP added to Strength]
The world slowed.
To Jun, time almost froze as his body responded instantly to the increase. His muscles felt lighter, faster. In a blur, he disappeared from where he stood.
SWOOSH!
In the next heartbeat, he was behind the Spider Queen.
"Normal Slash."
SHNK!
The blade struck clean into her chitin, slicing through the sensitive area at the base of her thorax. She screamed in rage and pain.
Before she could react—he vanished again.
He reappeared at her side, then again at her back, then again at her blind spot. Over and over, his blade sang through the air. Each time he struck, it was swift and brutal, like a ghost weaving death.
SWOOSH… SHNK! SWOOSH… SHNK!
The Spider Queen roared.
"Craaa… Graahhh! KHHHRRAAAA!"
"I can't take even one hit from her," Jun muttered through gritted teeth, sweat flying from his brow. "One hit, and I'm done. I have to keep moving… keep slashing."
The Queen thrashed wildly, venom flying from her fangs, but Jun was always a step ahead.
"Black Sword Technique… Second Form… Darkness Life!"
He raised his blade, the air darkening around him once more. With a burst of speed and power, he vanished again—and then exploded forward in a spiraling arc.
BOOM!
The entire chamber shook. Dust and debris erupted from the ground. The Queen let out one final scream before collapsing, her body twitching as it turned to dark mist.
Silence.
Jun stood amidst the ruins, breathing heavily. His legs gave way and he collapsed against the nearest wall, his chest heaving.
"…I… won…"
[Ding…]
[Level up]
[Level up]
[Level up]
[Ding…]
[You've killed the Spider Queen]
[You've cleared the 10th Floor of the Hidden Dungeon]
[Calculating Reward…]
[You've gained 50,000 EXP]
[Reward: Spider Sword (A-Rank)]
[A sword crafted from the bones of the Spider Queen.
Equip Effect: Increases all damage by 40%.
Additional effect: Each strike inflicts poison damage.]
[Reward: CP +50]
[Reward: Coins +2000]
"Hah… Status Window."
[Ding…]
[Status Window
Name: Jun Lion
Level: 22
Title: None
Job: None
HP: 12,000 / 20,000
MANA: 1,000 / 2,000
STR: 88
INT: 81
AGL: 110
Skills:
– Poison Resistance (?)
There is no poison that can affect you.
– Fear Resistance (?)
Without The God, you won't fear anyone in the 12 Universes.
EXP: 249,200
CP: 140
Coins: 7,000]
[Ding…]
[Do you want to continue exploring the dungeon?]
[Yes / No]
Jun looked down at his trembling hands. "I… can't even move right now. How could I possibly continue?"
[You can teleport out of the dungeon]
[However, you are now bound to the hidden dungeon]
[You must clear at least 10 rooms of it each month]
[Failure to comply… will result in death.]
Jun stared at the message, face twisting with disbelief.
"…So now I'm chained to this place too?" He groaned. "What a pain…"
He tapped No, letting the teleportation sequence begin.
—
The Next Morning, Imperial Palace Banquet
The golden halls of the Imperial Palace shimmered with elegance and power. Ornate chandeliers bathed the room in warm light as nobles gathered in celebration. The banquet had begun.
Among the first to arrive were Shan Lion, Vermin, and Roy Lion—dressed in their finest robes, each bearing the presence of true nobility.
They walked through the ornate doors as the crowd turned to greet them.
But all the while, one thought lingered in Shan's mind:
"Where are you now, Jun…?"
To be continued…