Kairo flopped onto his bed, the familiar creak of the mattress a small comfort after the chaos of the Awakening Trials. His room was a quiet haven—posters of anime curling at the edges, a cluttered desk stacked with C.E.L.E.N. manuals, and moonlight spilling through the window, glinting off his new badge: Kairo Virel, Assassin-Type, D-Rank. His midnight-black combat suit, with its violet etchings and asymmetrical coat, hung neatly on a chair, the arcane patterns faintly glowing. Swiftbane rested on his nightstand, its silver-red hum a soft lullaby. His cuts—shoulder, thigh, ribs, cheek—ached dully, but the exhaustion was heavier, pulling him toward sleep.
[HOST: FRACTUREBORN]
[INITIAL LEVEL-UP MODULE AVAILABLE]
[ACCEPT: Y/N?]
Kairo's eyes snapped open, sleep forgotten, his heart kicking up a notch. "Codex, you serious?" he muttered, sitting up, the grid's glow reflecting in his eyes. Curiosity burned through his fatigue. He felt a deep pull, like his power was waiting to be cracked open. "Show me," he whispered, focusing on the grid. He mentally selected Y, and the Codex responded instantly:
[QUEST: OBSIDIAN SPIRE]
[LOCATION: D-RANK VEILZONE DUNGEON]
[OBJECTIVE: CLEAR THE DUNGEON]
Kairo's grin was half-nervous, half-excited. A dungeon, now? No team, no instructors—just him, Swiftbane, and whatever Veilspawn lurked in this Obsidian Spire. "Screw it," he said, swinging his legs off the bed. "Let's see what I'm made of." He focused again, confirming PROCEED, and the Codex hummed, a new message flashing:
[QUEST ACCEPTED. DEPLOYMENT CARD GENERATING.]
A spark of blue light coalesced in front of him, solidifying into a physical object that dropped into his hands. It was a card, black as void with gold veins snaking across it, its surface warm and buzzing with Etheron. Etched in silver was a single word: SPIRE. Kairo turned it over, the Codex's voice guiding him:
[FOCUS ETHERON INTO CARD TO ACTIVATE PORTAL]
Kairo stood, grabbing Swiftbane and slipping it into his coat's holster, the violet etchings flaring as he pulled the suit on. The badge stayed on his nightstand. He held the card, focusing etheron into the card that started glowing brighter, gold veins pulsing like a heartbeat. The air in his room warped, a low whum vibrating the floor as a portal tore open—a swirling vortex of black and violet, its edges crackling with static. His heart raced, but he didn't hesitate. "Here we go," he muttered, stepping through the portal. It snapped shut behind him, and his room disappeared in an instant.
He landed hard on uneven ground, the chill of the air seeping into his bones. The space around him was vast, like an ancient, forgotten temple buried deep beneath the earth. Jagged stone walls loomed around him, slick with a strange black substance, reflecting the faint, eerie light that seemed to come from nowhere. The air was thick with Etheron, heavy and suffocating, bending the light at the edges of his vision. Carved into the walls were faintly glowing symbols, their red pulses casting a grim, blood-like hue across the cavern. The floor beneath him was uneven, littered with sharp, crystalline formations that jutted out like the bones of some long-dead creature. A low, guttural screech echoed from the depths of the dungeon, reverberating off the walls. The place felt alive—unnaturally so—as if the very stones themselves were watching him. Kairo gripped Swiftbane, its silver-red glow cutting through the oppressive darkness. He was alone in the Obsidian Depths, and the weight of it settled in as the echo of his own footsteps seemed to sink into the void. His breath hitched, his fingers tightening around Swiftbane's hilt as the dungeon's silence weighed down on him. He glanced at the glowing grid that floated in his vision, still showing his name, level, and stats. It was the same interface he'd seen during his trials, but now it felt… real. The lines of code were no longer just a theory; they were a part of him. The thought of leveling up in some kind of game-like system was overwhelming, but it also felt like a challenge he couldn't back down from. How do I even get stronger in here? How do I level up or clear this dungeons? How does this all work? The Codex hadn't given him any specifics about what he was supposed to do. No instructions. No guide. Just this one objective: Clear the dungeon. Kairo exhaled sharply, his breath mixing with the thick, Etheron-laden air. Okay, focus. First, I need to survive. He glanced around, his senses heightened and he couldn't shake the feeling that something was watching him. His fingers brushed over the hilt of Swiftbane again, its hum steady, reassuring. Just stay calm. A low rumble echoed from the depths of the dungeon, the air vibrating slightly beneath his feet. He froze.
Then, in the distance, a shape began to emerge from the shadows—its form hulking and unnaturally twisted. Kairo's heart skipped a beat as the creature emerged fully from the dark depths, its silhouette monstrous in the dim light. It was a hulking figure, standing upright on two legs, with the face of a wolf distorted by the features of a goblin. The body was lean, with muscular limbs, claws extended at the tips of its fingers. Its fur was patchy and white, the creature's eyes glowed a sickly green, and it snarled, showing sharp, jagged teeth. A bright flash appeared above the creature's head like and Kairo instinctively took a step back, eyes scanning the name that materialized in white, glowing text: "Kru'garth, The Vile Howler" The creature's posture was aggressive, its breath coming in hot, ragged bursts, but Kairo wasn't sure if it was about to charge or just testing him. The Codex didn't tell me how to clear this dungeon. Do I just… fight? He looked at the glowing grid in his vision again. The only thing that had changed was a small icon flashing next to the dungeon's title—Progress: 0%. His thoughts were interrupted by the Howler's guttural snarl, its lips curling back as it lunged toward him, the ground trembling beneath its weight. There was no time left for pondering. Kairo took a deep breath. Swiftbane felt lighter in his grip. One step at a time. Figure it out as you go. He charged forward, ducking just as the Howler's claws raked through the air where his head had been moments before. The first strike came from Kairo's left side as he swung Swiftbane, but the Howler was quick, spinning around with surprising agility. The two locked eyes, "Assassin Dash." The world around him slowed as he activated the skill, his body blurring into a streak of shadow and violet. He moved faster than the Howler could track with a swift fluid motion, Kairo was behind it, his blade already raised. In one clean strike, Swiftbane sliced through the veilspawn's neck. The head fell to the ground, its sickly green eyes still wide with shock before it hit the floor with a sickening thud.
Kairo stood there for a moment, chest heaving. The air around him was thick with the metallic scent of blood, but he couldn't shake the feeling of disbelief. The Howler's body twitched once, then fell still, the glowing name above it flickering out. That… was it? Kairo glanced down at the creature's decapitated body, then back at the Codex grid hovering in his vision. The faint message appeared "+50 EXP" Was it luck? Or am I just… stronger than I thought?
Before he could dwell too much on the question, the ground trembled again. A series of guttural growls echoed from the shadows, six more of them emerged from the dark corners of the Obsidian Depths, their glowing eyes narrowing as they set their sights on him. Each one snarled and flexed its claws, a chorus of threats aimed at the lone intruder. Shit. Here we go again. He gripped Swiftbane tighter, the silver-red hum of the blade cutting through the tension. He was faster now, but six at once? The odds were still against him. These weren't any different from the first Howler. They had the same strength, the same savage hunger. But now, with the added numbers, Kairo couldn't rely solely on speed and skill. He'd have to think strategically. They charged. Kairo didn't hesitate. Using his "Assassin Dash" again, he weaved through their attacks like a shadow, moving so fast they could barely track him. He struck quickly, severing one creature's arm as it lunged toward him. Another followed suit, only to be met with the edge of his blade through its throat. Kairo didn't pause, his movements fluid and precise. But the sheer number of them forced him to take a step back, forcing his body to move in ways it hadn't had to before. His legs burned from the constant dashing, his arms aching as he struck again and again, the sound of claws scraping against the stone and the heavy thud of bodies hitting the ground becoming a warped, violent rhythm. He felt it then—the pressure—as one of the Howlers got close enough to swipe at him, grazing his side. He barely dodged in time, the sharp claw brushing his jacket. "Not today," Kairo muttered under his breath. He spun, slicing through the Howler's chest in one clean motion. Another one tried to get the drop on him, its claws descending like an avalanche. Kairo sidestepped, but this time, his strike was slower—he felt the difference. His body was starting to wear down from the constant movement. But before the Howler could react, Kairo dashed again, leaving only a flash of silver and violet. The creature dropped to the ground in a spray of black blood. With his blade slick with gore, Kairo finally managed to finish off the last Howler, their bodies scattered across the rocky floor like broken dolls.
He panted, leaning on Swiftbane for a moment as the sounds of battle faded into silence. That was closer than I'd like. He surveyed the bodies of the six Howlers, his mind still processing what had just happened. Every time he killed one, the same message appeared in his vision:
+50 EXP
+50 EXP
+50 EXP
+50 EXP
+50 EXP
+50 EXP
Kairo let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding and then looked at messages and stats. He didn't expect much to have changed, but it was enough for him to know: this was how it worked. The more he killed, the more his strength grew. The dungeon wasn't just a test—it was a means to evolve. "So i can really level up," Kairo muttered to himself, his voice a mix of realization and shock. "This is insane.." He wiped the blood from Swiftbane's blade and stood taller, taking in the aftermath of the battle. His body was sore, but the adrenaline kept him sharp. He had already learned that waiting around for the dungeon to throw enemies at him wasn't an option. No matter how strong he became, he couldn't afford to stay in one place. With a grunt, Kairo stepped forward, his boots crunching against the uneven floor And the oppressive Etheron in the air seemed to hum louder as he walked deeper into the cavern.
Then, without warning, a soft screech pierced the stillness. Kairo's eyes snapped to the ceiling just in time to see the creatures descending toward him—three of them. They were massive, their wings spanning wide enough to block out the dim light. Their bodies resembled a twisted bat, their leathery wings jagged and torn, with long, sharp talons that gleamed in the dark. What the hell are these things? The name above them appeared in white first, but then flickered to yellow "Cavern Warden" Before he could react further, the first Warden dove at him, its wings flapping like a violent storm, the air thick with the force of its movement. Kairo instinctively jumped back, his heart hammering. The creature's claws swiped at the air where he had been just seconds before, and the sheer speed of its attack almost caught him off-guard. Intuition. Kairo dodged again as a second Warden swooped down, its jaws snapping inches from his face. He rolled backward, narrowly avoiding the strike, his heart racing. There was no room for hesitation. These things were fast—and dangerous. His breath came in shallow gasps as he got back to his feet, but the Wardens were relentless. A third one was already circling above him, its eyes glowing with an almost predatory gleam. The first Warden didn't stop either. It immediately reoriented itself for another attack, its talons extended. Kairo gritted his teeth. He wasn't fast enough. The second Warden dove again, but this time, Kairo was too slow. The creature's claws scraped his side, leaving a deep gash that burned with the sting of raw, searing pain. Damn it! The pain shot through him like a jolt of electricity, but it fueled his adrenaline, sharpening his reflexes. He staggered, but the Wardens closed in. The first one attacked again, and he ducked low, narrowly avoiding the slash. Then, he activated Phantom Stride. In an instant, his body blurred. The world around him seemed to slow, as if he were moving through molasses. The afterimages of his movement blurred across the cavern, confusing the Wardens. They swung their talons at him, but each time, they met only the empty air. Kairo used the momentum to slip past the first Warden, narrowly dodging another vicious slash from the second. His speed had more than doubled. With a fluid motion, he spun around to face the Warden directly behind him, just in time to avoid another attack and deliver a swift strike to its wing joint. The Warden let out a shriek of pain as it faltered mid-air, and Kairo pressed the advantage. His dagger flashed as it cut through the Warden's underbelly, the sharp edge slicing through its leathery hide. The creature screeched and crumpled to the ground in a heap. One down. But before he could catch his breath, the second Warden was already on him, its fangs snapping. It's speed made it a difficult target, but Kairo was faster now. His blade slashed through the air, hitting the creature's wings with a sharp crack. The Warden faltered, and Kairo took his chance. He lunged, his dagger sinking deep into the creature's throat. It shrieked one final time before crumpling to the floor.
[+50 EXP]
Kairo barely registered the grid notification before the third Warden lunged. He rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the creature's final attempt at revenge. It was a desperate move. The creature wasn't prepared for the speed he now wielded. In a blur, Kairo closed the distance, his dagger flashing in the dim light. He drove the blade into the Warden's chest with a force that cracked its ribs.
[+50 EXP]
The creature's wings flailed, but Kairo held his ground. With one final twist of his wrist, he sent the Warden crashing to the ground. Its body hit the stone floor with a heavy thud.
[+50 EXP]
[+LEVEL UP!]
He stood there, chest heaving, adrenaline still coursing through his veins. His body felt sore, but a wave of relief washed over him as the familiar healing surge coursed through him. The wounds, the dirt, and the fatigue all vanished in an instant. The Codex's voice chimed softly in his mind.
[REWARD: 30 Stat Points | Full Recovery]
Kairo stared at the grid as the healing flood washed over him, his body rejuvenating in an instant. He flexed his fingers, feeling the weight of the dagger in his grip, his muscles restored and his exhaustion erased. His gaze shifted to the 30 Stat Points that awaited his decision. "Alright," he muttered under his breath, "let's make these count." He tapped the screen, selecting Full Recovery to make sure every lingering injury was gone. His mind shifted into focus. Agility, he thought, I need to be faster, dodge better, move like a shadow. He allocated most of the points into that category, feeling the rush of speed coursing through his veins even before it fully took effect. The remaining points, he decided, would go to Strength. He could already tell that power would make his strikes more decisive, and he'd need that in the coming battles. "Let's see how much better this makes me," he said, glancing down the dark tunnel ahead.
As he continued forward, each fight felt like a new test, a new puzzle to solve. At first, everything had been a blur—his rapid dash to evade strikes, his frantic movements just trying to keep up with the creatures and their relentless attacks. But as time passed, something clicked. The more creatures he encountered, the more he began to understand the rhythm of battle, how to time his attacks and when to retreat, how to use the dungeon's oppressive atmosphere to his advantage. With each victory, the grid would flash, showing his EXP gains and the increasing level of power coursing through his body. Creatures that had once seemed impossible to defeat now fell quickly under his blade. From the Cavern Wardens to Shattered Skins—nightmarish creatures that looked like a hybrid of rats and jagged stone—Kairo's skills sharpened with every encounter. As he reached level 3, the fights grew more intense, the enemies smarter. His both skills Assassin Dash and Phantom Stride had become his saving grace, allowing him to dodge incoming attacks with blinding speed, leaving afterimages that confused his enemies. Each battle felt like a step closer to mastering the dungeon.
By the time Kairo reached Level 4, the adrenaline from the battles began to wear off. His body was battered, his hands sore from gripping Swiftbane so tightly, and his mind needed a break. He found a quiet corner of the dungeon, It was a rare moment of peace. He sat against the cold, jagged stone, staring at the grid once more. The +30 Stat Points had appeared once again. But before he could focus on those, he needed a moment to reflect. The battles had been relentless, but they had also taught him more about how this system worked, how the dungeon worked. First off, there was the obvious—name color system. It had started to make sense now. The creatures he fought were all categorized based on their strength. White was Omega-class, the lowest rank, the ones he could handle without much trouble. But then there were the yellow-named creatures, like the Cavern Wardens, which had pushed him to his limits. He realized that their power level was higher—closer to Delta-class—and that meant the difficulty of the fights was increasing. He could feel it in his bones, that his muscles were straining more with each battle. But then there had been others, like the Shattered Skins, with their quick, biting movements. He'd barely made it through them, Their color was green, Gamma-class. He exhaled slowly, processing everything. There was a ranking system at play here, one that was governed by these creatures names, their class colors. The stronger the creature, the more EXP he earned, and the better the rewards. But the real catch was in the leveling system itself. Every time he leveled up, the grid displayed +30 Stat Points—and those points could be used however he saw fit. Strength, Agility, Endurance, intelligence—he could feel the potential building inside him as he allocated those points. Kairo rubbed his face with a tired hand. Is this what zairen and dad meant by special? he thought. I'm literally the only person who can get stronger this fast, others need years even decades to make any progress. He added, This was no longer about simply surviving. He wasn't just trying to get out of the dungeon anymore. He was understanding it. I don't know if this is my power or something else, but I'm meant to get stronger. I need to get stronger. Kairo stood up, the weight of his thoughts settling in. The dungeon wasn't done with him yet. It was only going to get harder from here, but he was no longer afraid. "Let's keep moving," Kairo muttered, clenching his fists and staring into the dark tunnel ahead. His footsteps echoed in the silence, the eerie calm setting his nerves on edge. Then he saw it—a towering set of ornate double doors, etched with glowing symbols and veins of crystal that pulsed faintly in the dark. Kairo slowed, staring up at the door, a sense of weight settling over his chest. No monsters or resistance on the way here… and now this door? he thought. If this really is like a video game, then this has to be it. The boss room. He placed a hand on the cool surface and pushed. The doors creaked open, revealing a vast chamber that echoed the same jagged, cavernous aesthetic of the dungeon—but something about it felt heavier, as if the room itself were holding its breath. Kairo stepped cautiously into the chamber, each footfall swallowed by the vast emptiness around him. The air felt thicker here, heavier—like something invisible was pressing down on his shoulders. As he approached the center of the room, a flicker of light shimmered in the air above him. A name slowly formed, glowing with a deep, pulsing crimson: The Unseen Watcher. Unlike the pale names that floated above the previous monsters, this one radiated a dark red hue that immediately set him on edge. That color… it has to mean something stronger. Maybe Beta-class? he guessed, pulse quickening. But the room remained empty. No claws scraping stone, no shrieks in the dark. Just silence. That's what unnerved him most—there was no monster in sight.
Suddenly, a ripple passed through the air—a subtle, near-invisible distortion like heat warping light. Kairo froze. His fingers tightened around the hilt of his dagger, boots braced against the jagged coral-strewn floor. His eyes swept across the slick obsidian walls. The chamber was colder now. But something felt wrong. There was nothing. No movement. No sound. No monster. Just silence. He shifted his weight and turned slowly, the violet sigils on his coat flaring faintly with each motion—
A sharp gust of air screamed past his ear. He spun around—too late. Only a flicker in the corner of his eye—and then it was gone.
Dodge. His instincts screamed.
He dove backward, twisting midair just as tendrils shaped like claws ripped through the space where his head had been, hissing as they cut the air. He landed hard, stumbled, eyes wide, breath ragged. Still nothing visible. But it was there. He could feel it—cold against the back of his neck, pressure in the air like static on skin. The Unseen Watcher. Gliding through the dark like a ghost. No clear form, just quick, flickering movements. Kairo stayed low, weaving between coral spikes, grip tightening. Then—movement. He pivoted on reflex, catching a flash of something behind him. He ducked. A tendril swept over his head, slicing a few strands of hair. A near miss. He rolled sideways, came up low, and sprang into motion. "Come on, show yourself," he muttered, eyes darting across the shifting shadows. The ground rumbled. Coral cracked as stone surged upward, twisting into jagged spires. The walls bent inward, runes blazing brighter as the chamber warped like something alive. Kairo leapt from a crumbling ledge, flipping to land on a rising platform. His boots slipped but he caught balance. A tendril slammed into the edge of the platform, sending cracks through the stone. He dove off, hit the ground in a roll, and sprinted toward a warped wall angled like a ramp. He ran up it, boots gripping the slope, then pushed off, twisting in midair to dodge another claw swipe that sparked against stone. Landing in a skid, he activated Phantom Stride—his body blurred, five afterimages trailing behind him. The Watcher hesitated. A flickering silhouette emerged, barely humanoid, wrapped in swirling ribbons of darkness. Kairo lunged forward, weaving through coral spikes, slashing Swiftbane straight through it. Mist. His blade cut only air. But he didn't stop. Vaulted over a ridge. Slid down a slope. Spun to face the next attack. Tendrils lashed in from all sides—a storm of claws. Kairo ducked, rolled, kicked off a bent wall, and flipped back. Mid-leap, he triggered Phantom Stride again. Afterimages flared as he landed atop a raised coral cluster.
No time to think. Just move.
That's when it hit him. It's not trying to kill me… it's testing me.
The realization struck as he ducked behind a jagged stone pillar, heart pounding against his ribs. This is still part of the Codex. It's training me. Forcing something out. I doubt it wants me dead. He drew a deeper breath. The ground quivered again. Stone cracked and surged upward, reshaping like liquid turned to rock. Spires twisted, walls bent, even gravity began to tilt as the battlefield distorted. It's controlling the arena. Another shape lunged from above. Kairo barely dodged, skidding across uneven stone as a tendril slammed down beside him, cratering the floor. He leapt onto a rising platform just before it carried him upward. Mid-lift, he jumped again, flipped through the air, and bounced off a sideways wall. A swipe of shadow passed beneath him. His body moved on instinct—faster than thought. That's it. That's what it wants. To move without hesitation. It's teaching me to trust my reflexes. I've been thinking like a student. It wants me to fight like a warrior. Kairo landed low as the terrain shifted again. He didn't wait—just moved. The Watcher flashed into view, that same flickering silhouette. He struck— It vanished into mist. But he didn't falter. He kept moving. Flowing with the battlefield, dodges tighter, strikes cleaner. Even missed blows became transitions. He was learning its rhythm. Then the shadows surged again. A flurry of tendrils from every side. Kairo spun, ducked, rebounded off the wall, leapt through the air, Phantom Stride activating mid-motion
He blurred forward— And saw it. A faint outline, slower than before. A cluster of glowing eyes deep inside the dark. He struck.
Swiftbane connected. A sharp spark burst at the impact. The Watcher shrieked—a warped, echoing cry. Its form shimmered like oil scattering light. Shadows peeled away in long, slow strands. Kairo landed hard. Breathing fast. Sweat clung to his brow. But something had changed. The air felt lighter. The dungeon began to shift again—this time in reverse. Spires sank. Walls uncurled. Gravity returned to normal. The warped room slowly pieced itself back into its original, circular shape. No more flickers. No more air silhouettes. The Watcher was gone.
Kairo stood in the center of the chamber, trembling, muscles sore and burning. But he was still upright.
[+250 EXP]
[+Level Up]
[+30 Stat Points]
[Full Recovery Available]
He let out a long, tired breath, lowering his weapon. He stood in the soft glow of the screen, chest rising and falling with each heavy inhale. His fingers trembled slightly from the exertion. That had taken everything out of him. Still, he couldn't help but stare at the reward list with a mix of awe and disbelief.
[Quest: Obsidian Spire — Complete]
[Dungeon Cleared]
[Rewards Unlocked:
– +2x Agility Boost
– +2x Intelligence Boost
– New Skill Unlocked: Stealth Mode
(Grants invisibility for 60 seconds — 20-minute cooldown)
– New Skill Unlocked: Veilbreaker
(Nullifies reality manipulation and illusions from equal or lower-ranked enemies)
– Codex Card: Tier C Dungeon – Unsealed]
"Stealth and anti-reality?" he muttered to himself. "Not bad…" The screen shifted again—this time displaying his updated stats, along with the available 30 bonus points. He blinked, thinking for a moment, then tapped quickly through the menu. Most of the points went straight into Strength. His body responded immediately. The subtle pull in his muscles eased. The ache dulled. His frame felt tighter, more stable—more ready. He tapped the [Full Recovery] button, and a wash of warmth flooded his limbs. Every bruise, cut, and burn faded in a pulse of silvery light. With a soft sigh, Kairo dropped to the stone floor, sitting back against a curved wall of obsidian. The glow of the Codex flickered above him. He took a moment, head tilted back, letting silence settle around him. But just as he started to relax, a low hum filled the room. The walls began to shimmer, the entire chamber dissolving like ink in water. The dark stone faded first. Then the air itself seemed to peel back, layer by layer. Kairo pushed himself upright as the ground beneath him vanished—and in a blink, he was no longer in the dungeon. He was back in his room. The Codex still hovered nearby, faintly glowing, the words [Dungeon Exit Successful] floating across it before vanishing. Kairo stared for a moment, then slowly sat on the edge of his bed, running a hand through his damp hair. His heart was finally slowing down. "This is just the beginning." he said quietly, more to himself than anything. He glanced down at the new card glowing in his inventory.