Its colossal form moved with terrifying weight, molten veins glowing brighter than before, its sheer presence suffocating. The cavern floor beneath it cracked and melted as it stepped forward, its molten claws sinking into the stone like it was nothing more than wet clay.
It wasn''t just big.
It was destruction incarnate.
My throat went dry as its massive glowing eyes settled on me.
I couldn’t move.
I couldn’t even think.
This was on an entirely different level.
I had struggled against a single A-rank beast, but this?
This was SS+ ranked—an unstoppable force of nature.
I was completely outmatched.
The sheer pressure of its gaze alone made my knees nearly give out, my body instinctively reacting to the presence of something so far beyond me.
I was going to die.
I knew it.
And then—
A deep chuckle rumbled beside me.
Not a cruel laugh. Not a nervous one.
Just amused.
Ignis Aureum stepped forward.
The dragon''s massive obsidian wings unfurled slightly, his molten eyes gleaming with a mixture of irritation and excitement.
"Hmph. That took long enough."
Wait. WHAT?!
The Infernal Titan Behemoth let out a guttural growl, lowering its massive head, molten saliva dripping onto the cavern floor. The tension in the air was thick enough to cut.
And yet—Ignis only sighed, sounding almost… bored.
"I had hoped to avoid unnecessary trouble, but it seems you have the instincts of a starving beast."
He turned his head slightly, golden eyes flicking toward me.
"Outsider. Stay back. You are not yet ready for this level of battle."
Not yet ready?!
As if I needed him to tell me that!
I wanted to run. I wanted to disappear.
But my legs wouldn’t move.
I could only watch—
As two titanic beings stood face to face.
One, a dragon of fallen godhood. The other, an ancient behemoth of unrelenting destruction.
The cavern walls shook, stone cracking from the sheer force of their clashing auras.
And then—
The battle began.
———————————
The cavern shook violently, each tremor threatening to bring the entire dungeon crashing down.
I pressed myself against the rocky wall, barely keeping my balance as two colossal forces clashed before my eyes.
Ignis Aureum moved with terrifying grace, his obsidian wings unfurling as he launched forward. His body, massive yet controlled, collided with the Infernal Titan Behemoth in an earth-shattering impact, sending shockwaves across the cavern.
The Behemoth roared, molten veins flaring brighter as it swung a massive claw, aiming to cleave the dragon in half—
Ignis vanished.
A blur of black and gold, his speed betraying his sheer size.
He reappeared in an instant, above the Behemoth, jaws parting—
Then, he unleashed hell.
A torrent of golden flame erupted from his maw, hotter than liquid magma, twisting through the air like a living serpent before consuming the Behemoth’s form.
The cavern glowed white-hot.
The flames didn’t just burn—they erased, melting through stone, searing deep into the Behemoth’s molten armor, forcing the monster back with a deafening howl of agony.
But the Infernal Titan Behemoth wasn’t done.
With a furious bellow, its molten body pulsed, the glow in its chest condensing—
Then, with a single stomp, the ground beneath it collapsed.
A violent eruption of lava and flame exploded outward, engulfing the cavern floor, forcing Ignis to retreat midair as the dungeon itself tore apart beneath them.
I dove behind a rock, my body heating up from just the residual energy. This was beyond anything I could handle.
The two monsters collided again, tearing into each other with claws, fangs, and raw, unstoppable force.
Every movement, every attack, sent cracks spiderwebbing through the dungeon walls. Stalactites crashed down like spears, the ceiling itself groaning under the strain.
But…
I began to notice something.
Ignis… was slowing down.
Even as he dominated the fight, his movements became slightly more sluggish, his flames not as fierce as before.
I clenched my fists.
The centuries of imprisonment… his body is failing him.
Still, he refused to back down.
The Infernal Titan Behemoth, now weakened, staggered as Ignis launched forward once more. His claws raked deep across the Behemoth’s face, his tail slamming into its side with a force that shattered the cavern walls, sending debris cascading into the abyss below.
The Infernal Titan Behemoth let out one final, guttural roar—
Before collapsing, its molten body flickering, its once unstoppable form now reduced to a barely breathing, critically wounded heap.
The dungeon fell silent.
I barely managed to pull myself together, my heartbeat still thundering in my ears.
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Then, I turned—
And Ignis Aureum stood before me, breathing heavily.
His majestic form, though still imposing, was clearly weakened. His obsidian scales, once shining with power, looked duller, his once effortless movements now strained.
For the first time, he looked mortal.
He let out a slow exhale, his golden eyes locking onto mine.
"It is done."
—————————
I could still hear it breathing.
The Infernal Titan Behemoth, once an unstoppable force, now lay in a broken, molten heap, its once scorching veins flickering weakly like dying embers.
And yet—it wasn’t dead.
My chest tightened as I took a step back, my legs still trembling. Even in this state, it could kill me in an instant.
Then—
"Outsider. Finish it."
Ignis Aureum’s booming voice left no room for argument.
I spun to face him, my eyes widening. “W-WHAT?! Are you serious?! That thing is still alive!”
The dragon’s golden gaze burned with expectation.
“Indeed. And yet, this is your trial. Will you falter now? Or will you prove yourself?”
My heart pounded.
This wasn’t just about killing it. This was a test.
I clenched my fists, forcing my breathing to slow. I had to think. I needed every advantage I could get.
First, the Loot.
I pulled up my system screen, finally checking the spoils of my first battle.
[Loot Obtained]
[Abyssal Direfang’s Fangs] – Can be used for crafting.
[Direfang Meat] – High-quality monster meat.
[Shadow Weave Tactical Suit] (S-Rank) – A sleek, modern tactical jacket and fitted pants. The fabric is made from enchanted nanofibers, granting self-cleaning, temperature regulation, auto-repair, and adaptive fitting. Can integrate with armor and augment user mobility.
[Abyss Fangblade] (A-Rank Sword) – A curved blade forged from abyssal steel. Lightweight, highly durable, and amplifies physical attacks.
I sucked in a breath. Jackpot.
Without hesitation, I equipped the suit, feeling the smooth, reinforced nanofiber material wrap perfectly around my body, adjusting as if it had been tailored for me.
Gone were my torn and tattered clothes—this was sleek, functional, and combat-ready.
Then, I grabbed the Abyss Fangblade, feeling the perfectly balanced weight settle in my grip.
Next, My Status.
[STATUS]
[Name:] Lucian Rengoku
[Race:] Human (?)
[Level:] 1 → 32 (+31 Levels!)
[HP:] 9,000/9,000
[MP:] 3,000/3,000
[Strength:] 312
[Agility:] 310
[Endurance:] 350
[Intelligence:] 312
[Luck:] ??? (Hidden)
+26 Levels!
My entire body surged with power, my muscles tightening, my mind sharpening, and a rush of energy I had never felt before flooded my veins.
I exhaled. This was it. My chance.
I activated every skill I had.
[Limit Break] – Activated.
[Instinct] – Heightened battle awareness.
[Mana Control] – Enhancing weapon strength.
[Appraisal EX] – Scanning enemy’s weak point…
The Behemoth''s body flickered, its once mighty form struggling to hold together.
Then—I saw it.
A small crack near the base of its skull, where the molten core of its body was most exposed.
I tightened my grip on my blade, every fiber of my being screaming at me to move.
This was my shot.
“Lucian.”
Ignis’s voice was calm, yet carried undeniable authority.
"Strike true."
I launched forward.
With every ounce of strength, speed, and mana I had left, I dashed toward the fallen titan, my blade glowing as mana surged through it.
The Behemoth let out one final, ear-splitting roar, its molten eyes flickering with rage and defiance.
I didn’t stop.
I leaped.
My sword pierced straight through the weakened core, driving deep into the Behemoth’s heart.
For a brief second, time froze.
Then—
The Infernal Titan Behemoth let out a final, deafening roar, shaking the very foundation of the dungeon—
Before its body exploded into embers, disintegrating completely.
I hit the ground hard, my lungs burning, my limbs trembling from exhaustion.
And then—
A flurry of system messages flooded my vision.
[SYSTEM REWARDS]
[You have leveled up!] (Lv. 32 → Lv. 99!)
[New Skills Acquired!]
I blinked.
Levels 99?!
As the flames settled, something glowed softly in front of me—
Two floating cards, gold-trimmed, humming with raw energy.
My breath hitched. My Card of Conquest skill.
I had just sealed an SS+ Rank monster.
I stared at the cards, my chest still rising and falling heavily.
Holy shit.
A deep chuckle rumbled from behind me.
I turned, my gaze meeting Ignis Aureum’s amused, golden eyes.
“Hah. So… you may yet survive this world after all.”
I let out a breathless, half-crazed laugh.
“Y-Yeah,” I panted. “I think I might.”