Point of View: Drakar
The first floor wasn't that different from the previous one… at least at first glance.
We were still inside a network of tunnels—curved and winding.
However, there were changes.
Subtle.
But important.
The passages were wider, allowing larger creatures to move freely. The walls, though still covered in crystals, seemed denser now, more compact… and yet, the lighting was worse.
The light was dim.
Uneven.
In some places, the crystals glowed intensely, casting bluish reflections over the damp rock. In others… darkness gathered thickly, as if it absorbed any trace of light.
The air had changed too.
Colder.
Heavier.
And filled with moisture.
It wasn't uncomfortable.
But it was unsettling.
"Listen!" my voice echoed through the tunnel.
Everyone stopped.
"We'll split into the same teams as before."
Some nodded immediately.
"Cover as much ground as possible. We're no longer exploring… we're hunting."
My eyes swept over each of them.
My tone hardened.
"I want reports every hour. No exceptions."
A pause.
"If anything goes wrong… if you encounter resistance you can't handle… report to me immediately."
I wouldn't tolerate mistakes here.
Not in this place.
"Any questions?"
One of the representatives stepped forward.
"Captain… how long will we be separated?"
I remained silent for a few seconds, calculating.
Distance.
Risk.
Return time.
"Ten hours."
Some tensed.
"After that, everyone returns to the entrance of the first floor. No delays."
The warrior hesitated for a moment before speaking again.
"And if we encounter Rangar's subordinates?"
My gaze turned colder.
"In that case… you withdraw."
Silence.
"You report to me. We regroup here."
A pause.
"Do not fight them."
Not yet.
Not without preparation.
Everyone nodded.
"Yes, Captain!"
A faint smile appeared on my face.
"Good."
Then I added, in a lighter tone:
"Remember… thirty percent of what you hunt is yours."
The change was immediate.
Postures relaxed.
Some even showed excitement.
"The rest belongs to the alliance," I concluded.
And then, without missing a beat, I added:
"Now get out of my sight. You stink… and you make tracking harder."
A few laughs followed.
The tension eased just enough.
That was enough.
I turned toward one of the groups.
"I'm going with you."
One of them smiled.
"It's an honor, Captain."
I nodded.
"Move out."
We split up.
Each group took a different direction, quickly disappearing into the tunnels of the first floor.
Silence returned.
Only the distant echo of footsteps remained… along with the irregular sound of droplets falling from the ceiling.
We advanced for several minutes.
Carefully.
Without rushing.
My senses were on high alert.
And then…
I detected it.
A scent.
Faint.
But clear.
"Stop."
My group froze instantly.
Ahead of us… a figure.
Humanoid.
Motionless.
Its body seemed made of compact rock, but it wasn't like the ones from the lower level. There were differences in its structure… more refined, denser.
And in its chest…
The orb.
But this one… glowed brighter.
"Level-one ascended…" I muttered.
The difference was clear.
Not just in appearance.
In presence.
I looked at my group.
"I'll handle it."
They understood immediately.
"Block its escape."
"Yes, Captain."
I crouched low.
My muscles tightened.
Searching for the angle.
The blind spot.
The creature didn't seem to have detected us.
In fact…
"It's patrolling…"
Interesting.
I didn't hesitate.
I lunged.
I used all my weight, all my acceleration.
The impact was solid.
Decisive.
The creature slammed into the ground with ease.
Too much ease.
I frowned.
"…Is that it?"
I leaned in, ready to extract the core.
And then—
My instincts roared.
Danger.
I moved back on pure reflex.
A slash cut through the space where my head had been.
I retreated.
My gaze hardened.
The creature's arm had changed.
No longer a fist.
It was a blade.
Sharp.
Precise.
"…Interesting."
The creature stood up.
No signs of damage.
No reaction.
Its body vibrated slightly.
And then…
Armor formed.
Crystal.
Emerging from its core.
Covering its torso.
Spreading through its limbs.
Its arms transformed completely.
Blades.
Pure.
Lethal.
The orb was still visible…
But now, protected.
Not physically.
But… strategically.
The creature roared.
And charged.
Its movement was slow.
Heavy.
But I wouldn't be fooled.
I had already seen its real speed.
I dodged the first attack.
Then another.
And another.
Its strikes were fast.
Faster than its body suggested.
I counterattacked.
My claws clashed against its armor.
Sparks.
Nothing more.
"…Annoying."
The exchange continued.
It attacked.
I dodged.
I attacked.
It didn't defend.
But it didn't take damage either.
"That won't work…"
I clicked my tongue.
I didn't want to use energy.
I'd need it later.
Against real enemies.
Against Rangar's subordinates.
But…
"I don't have a choice."
I activated a thin layer of origin energy.
Just enough.
I moved again.
Same speed.
Same rhythm.
I didn't want to alert it.
I waited.
Observed.
And when I saw the opening—
I struck the core.
Direct.
Precise.
The reaction was immediate.
The creature staggered.
For an instant.
Just one.
It was enough.
I struck again.
And again.
My claws dug into the space around the orb.
I tore it out.
The body stopped.
No resistance.
No sound.
Silence.
It was over.
I exhaled slowly.
I looked at the core on the ground.
"…I can do this a few more times."
But not many.
The origin energy here…
Recovered slowly.
Too slowly.
Inside the dungeon… it couldn't be cultivated.
And there was no help from the system either.
Only consumption.
"If I spend too much now…"
I closed my eyes for a moment.
"What will I do when the real enemy appears?"
I shook my head slightly.
My group was watching me.
Silent.
Serious.
They understood too.
This wouldn't be easy.
"Collect the core."
One of them stepped forward immediately.
"From now on…"
I looked at all of them.
"You assist me in combat."
They nodded.
"Yes, Captain."
"Don't aim for individual efficiency," I continued. "Aim for survival."
A pause.
"I prefer fewer cores… than fewer capable soldiers."
The silence that followed was heavy.
But firm.
"We move."
And this time…
We knew exactly what we were facing.