The Abyss-Touched Dire Bear collapsed with a final, shuddering breath. Kael remained still, the dagger was still embedded in the beast's skull, waiting until its body stopped twitching.
Only then did he exhale, feeling the primal energy surge through him. The power of the kill was intoxicating, but he didn't let it distract him.
The system notifications flashed before him.
———
[System Alert]
[You have absorbed primal energy from Lvl 8 Abyss-Touched Dire Bear]
[Essence Absorbed: +150 EXP]
[Blood Points: +4]
[Experience Points: 265/1300 EXP]
[Level-up Progress: 20.4%]
[New Ability Unlocked: Abyssal Endurance – Temporary resistance to damage when HP is critical]
———
[Rare Treasure Acquired: ???]
———
Kael's eyes narrowed at the last notification.
Something shimmered beneath the bear's massive body, partially buried in the dirt.
He pulled his bone dagger free from the beast's skull, stepping back as its corpse began to dissolve into black mist, its energy absorbed by the dungeon.
What remained behind was a weapon.
Kael crouched, brushing dirt away to reveal a dagger unlike any he had seen before.
It was nearly a foot long with a blade as dark and jagged as if carved from the fang of a primordial beast. A faint, pulsating energy ran through the weapon, like something alive was sleeping inside.
He picked it up. It felt cold and heavy but was surprisingly balanced in both weight and size.
A system prompt appeared.
———
[DING!]
[Item Acquired: Abyssal Fang Dagger]
Rarity: Rare
Material: Unknown Abyssal Bone
Effects:
Passive Effect: Sharpness never dulls.
Hidden Effect: ??? (Sealed. Requires further awakening )
———
Kael turned the dagger over in his grip.
The sharpness was unlike any normal blade—even with the slightest pressure, he could tell it would cut deeper and faster through the toughest of skin.
But the hidden effect intrigued him. It wasn't fully unlocked.
"A weapon that grows stronger… just like me." A slow, satisfied smirk spread across his lips. "Finally, a real weapon."
Kael took a final glance around the now-empty cavern. The massive stone gateway leading to the next floor stood ahead, the runes flickering faintly as the level three entrance portal formed.
His grip on the Abyssal Fang Dagger tightened.
Kael exhaled slowly, rolling his shoulders as the power settled into him. His new ability surged within, reinforcing his body in ways he couldn't fully understand yet.
He wiped his dagger clean, stepping away from the lifeless corpse.
The dungeon was silent now. There were no more growls and heavy breathing of a dying beast. Just the steady sound of primal energy pulsing from the portal ahead.
Kael moved forward, his boots pressing softly against the cavern floor as he approached the massive stone gateway. The flickering runes along its edges pulsed like a heartbeat, reacting to his presence.
He didn't step through just yet. His instincts told him to be cautious.
Instead, he crouched, rolling his shoulders as he checked his equipment. His bone dagger was filled with cracks now and little nibbles on the edge, but now, with the Abyssal Fang Dagger strapped securely to his belt, he felt more relaxed. His tattered cloak was stained with dried blood—some his but most were from the monsters he'd cut down. He'd need a new one soon.
His gaze flicked back to the dissolving remains of the Dire Bear. The fight had been close. If he hadn't adapted fast enough, if his stamina had run just a little lower… he wouldn't be standing here.
Kael flexed his fingers. The primal energy from the kill still thrummed beneath his skin. He was growing stronger, but the dungeon was becoming more dangerous despite being the lowest F-rank dungeon.
Kael approached the portal. He pressed his palm against the cold stone, feeling the energy shift around him. The runes brightened.
A deep vibration rolled through the air as the gateway flared to life, and in the next breath, he was gone.
—Third Floor—
The first thing Kael noticed was the temperature. It was colder here. The damp, humid air of the second floor had been replaced by something crisper.
A low breeze swept through the surroundings, carrying the scent of damp stone and something else—it was faint but couldn't be mistaken... Smoke.
Kael's body tensed.
This was not the lingering stench of burning torches. This was something fresher, like the scent of a recent campfire.
Humans.
His hand instinctively moved toward his new dagger, muscles coiled.
Until now, he hadn't met one and had fought alone. The only life he'd encountered in this dungeon had been monsters, twisted by abyssal corruption. But the third floor was different.
There were others. And definitely not all of them would be friendly, especially since the previous owner of this body might have been done away by one of them.
The scent of smoke was getting stronger now, mingling with the faint iron tang of blood.
The terrain had changed too. Jagged rock formations jutted out from the cavern walls, and the floor was uneven, broken into layers like an ancient battlefield left to decay. Pools of stagnant water reflected the dim glow of luminescent crystals embedded in the ceiling.
Faint voices echoed through the tunnels. Not the growls or snarls of beasts—but human speech.
He moved silently, keeping low as he navigated through the scattered boulders. A flickering light became visible ahead—a firelight.
Kael slowed down, his grip firm on his dagger. Then, through the gaps in the rocks, he saw them.
A group of five. Three men, two women. Their armor and weapons marked them as adventurers—noble cadets, judging by the rich embroidery on their cloaks. Their weapons gleamed and looked well-maintained. Based on their alert posture even when sitting, they weren't rookies.
They were gathered around a campfire, speaking in low voices. Kael couldn't hear every word, but he caught enough.
"…Another squad wiped out?"
"Monsters are getting worse. We need to regroup before pushing deeper."
"Tch. Doesn't matter. The Dorian Valcroft's already claimed the best hunting grounds. The rest of us are just cleaning up after him."
Kael's expression remained unreadable, but his thoughts sharpened.
Dorian Valcroft.
The name was well known within the Valoria Kingdom. One of the heirs of House Valcroft, a dukedom. He was said to be entitled, arrogant, and dangerous. If he was here, things were going to get complicated.
Kael exhaled slowly, watching the group. They hadn't noticed him yet.
He could turn back and avoid them entirely.
Or…
He could step forward and see for himself what kind of people he was up against.
Kael made his decision.
Staying hidden might keep him safe for now, but it wouldn't change the reality of the dungeon—humans could be just as dangerous as monsters. If he wanted to survive here, he had to understand the kind of people he was up against.
His grip loosened on his dagger, but he kept his stance ready. Then, with quiet but deliberate steps, he moved from the shadows and into the dim glow of the campfire.