Silence filled the dungeon.
Heavy.
Unnatural.
The corrupted creatures were gone.
The parasite—erased.
Only ash remained.
Drifting slowly through the air.
Adrian stood at the center.
Still.
Breathing steady.
Behind him—
The other Hunters hadn't moved.
"…Is it over?" one finally whispered.
"…Yeah," another said, voice shaking. "…It's over."
But their eyes weren't on the battlefield.
They were on him.
"…He controlled everything…"
"…Those soldiers…"
"…That power…"
Adrian turned slowly.
The faint ash around him dissipating.
"…We're leaving," he said.
No hesitation.
No explanation.
And strangely—
No one argued.
Dungeon Exit
The moment they stepped out—
The pressure vanished.
Fresh air.
Sunlight.
Reality.
But the tension remained.
Seo was already waiting.
The second Adrian appeared—
Her eyes locked onto him.
"…You're back."
A pause.
"…All of you."
Her gaze swept across the team.
Counting.
Confirming.
"…Report."
One of the Hunters stepped forward.
Still shaken.
"…It wasn't a beginner dungeon."
Seo's expression didn't change.
"…Explain."
"There was a… thing," he said. "A parasite. It used a human as bait."
Murmurs spread among nearby staff.
"…And the monsters—"
"They were corrupted," another added. "Stronger than expected."
Seo's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Casualties?"
"…None."
That made her pause.
"…None?"
A long silence.
Then—
"…Because of him."
All eyes shifted to Adrian.
He said nothing.
Seo studied him again.
More carefully this time.
"…I see."
A pause.
"…You'll all submit full reports."
Then—
She turned to Adrian.
"…You. Stay."
The others left.
Reluctantly.
Glancing back more than once.
Soon—
Only the two of them remained.
"…Talk," Seo said.
Adrian met her gaze.
"…About what?"
Her eyes sharpened.
"…Your power."
Silence.
Adrian considered.
Then—
"…It's mine."
Seo frowned slightly.
"…That's not an answer."
"…It's the only one you're getting."
The air grew tense.
Seo exhaled slowly.
"…You're hiding something dangerous."
Adrian didn't deny it.
"…Maybe."
Her gaze hardened.
"…If you become a threat—"
"I won't," Adrian interrupted.
A pause.
"…And if I do…"
His eyes darkened slightly.
"…You won't be able to stop me anyway."
Silence.
Heavy.
Then—
Seo smiled faintly.
"…You're honest."
"…I prefer it that way."
She turned slightly.
"…You're dismissed."
Adrian nodded.
Then walked past her.
But before he left—
"…Adrian."
He stopped.
"…Be careful."
A pause.
"…People are already watching."
Adrian didn't turn around.
"…Let them."
Then he left.
Unknown Location
Far from the Association.
Far from the city.
A dark room.
Silent.
Hidden.
A screen flickered.
Displaying a recording.
Adrian.
Fighting.
Controlling ash.
Dominating the battlefield.
"…So it's real."
A man's voice echoed in the darkness.
Calm.
Cold.
Interested.
"…A Sovereign-type ability…"
Another figure stood nearby.
"…Should we eliminate him?"
A pause.
Then—
A quiet chuckle.
"…No."
The man leaned forward.
Eyes glinting in the dark.
"…Watch him."
A slow smile formed.
"…If he grows as expected…"
Silence.
"…He might become useful."
The screen flickered again.
Adrian's eyes appeared on it.
Burning.
Unyielding.
"…Or dangerous."
The room fell silent once more.
Elsewhere
Adrian walked alone under the night sky.
The city lights flickered around him.
But his focus—
Was inward.
[Status Updated]
Level: 9
Class: Sovereign of Ashes
Skills:
Ash Authority (Lv. 2)
Predator Instinct (Lv. 1)
Summon: Ash Soldier (Lv. 1)
Adrian looked at his hand.
A faint trace of ash formed—
Then vanished.
"…I'm still not strong enough."
The enemies were getting stronger.
Smarter.
And now—
People were watching.
His eyes hardened.
"…Good."
A slow breath.
"…Let them come."
The night air shifted.
And for a moment—
It felt like something ancient stirred.
Inside him.
Waiting.