《Dungeon Realm: [LitRPG Progression Fantasy]》 Chapter 1: First Blood The cave walls were damp, and the air was thick with the smell of wet fur and blood. Erin tightened his grip on his sword, heart pounding in nervousness. Somewhere ahead, low growls echoed through the tunnels. ¡°Stay sharp,¡± Garrick said, stepping ahead. His older brother moved with ease, eyes scanning the passage for movement. ¡°Wolves don¡¯t fight alone. If you see one, expect more.¡± His sister, Lira, walked beside Erin. ¡°Don¡¯t let him scare you. They¡¯re just overgrown dogs.¡± A snarl cut through the cave. From the shadows, a pair of glowing yellow eyes locked onto them. Then another. And another. Three wolves crept forward, their bodies tense, claws scraping against the stone floor. One of them, a larger scarred beast, snapped its jaws, warning them to back off. ¡°Go for the weakest one first,¡± Lira whispered. ¡°Fast and clean.¡± The wolves didn¡¯t wait. One of them lunged straight for Erin. His body moved on instinct. He ducked, barely avoiding the snapping jaws, and swung his sword. The wolf twisted mid-air, his strike only grazing its side. The beast landed and spun around; fangs bared. ¡°Too slow!¡± Lira called out. Before Erin could react, the second wolf rushed in from the side. Garrick easily intercepted it, his axe flashing in the dim light. The blade sank into the wolf¡¯s skull, killing it instantly. Erin gritted his teeth. No time to think. He charged forward, feinting to the left before slicing to the right. The wolf flinched, just enough for his blade to land into its neck. A light yelp, then silence. The last wolf bolted, escaping into the tunnels. Erin stood there, panting, his hands trembling slightly. His first real fight. His first kill. ¡°Not bad,¡± Garrick said, pulling his axe free from the corpse. ¡°Could¡¯ve been cleaner, but you didn¡¯t die. That¡¯s what matters.¡± Lira nudged Erin with her elbow. ¡°You scared?¡± He shook his head. ¡°No. Just¡­ it felt different than I thought it would.¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Garrick said, stepping over the bodies. ¡°It always does.¡± The three of them moved deeper into the cave. The Wolf Den wasn¡¯t a straight path, tunnels branched in different directions, some leading to dead ends, others looping back around. It was like a maze. Lira pointed to two paths ahead. ¡°Left or right?¡± Erin glanced at both paths. The left path was narrow, swinging his sword would be difficult. The right one was much more accessible, enough for all three of them to fight side by side. His pulse was still racing, but the thrill of battle was already settling in. There were more wolves ahead. And somewhere, deep inside this dungeon, the Wolf King was waiting. He took a breath and made his choice. ¡°Let¡¯s go right.¡± The right tunnel opened into a wider chamber, the air colder than before. Two wolves stood in the center, eyes locked onto the intruders. Their ears twitched, low growls vibrating through their throats. ¡°They knew we were coming,¡± Garrick muttered. ¡°Pick your target.¡± Lira cracked her knuckles. ¡°I got the ugly one.¡± ¡°They¡¯re both ugly,¡± Erin said. ¡°Fine, I got the uglier one.¡± Before the wolves could react, Lira raised her hand, her fingers curling as frost gathered in her palm. ¡°Crystallum Nivis.¡± A sharp ice shard formed in the air and shot forward, piercing the wolf¡¯s side. It yelped but didn¡¯t go down. Snarling, it charged at her, fangs bared. Lira sighed, shaking her head. ¡°Tough guy, huh?¡± She raised her hand again. This time, ice crackled around her fingertips, forming into something much deadlier. ¡°Frostum Lancea!¡± If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it. A spear of ice shot forward at blinding speed. The wolf barely had time to yelp before the spear impaled its chest, lifting it off the ground and pinning it to the cave wall. It twitched once, and then went still. Lira flipped her hair back, grinning. ¡°And that, gentlemen, is how you kill with style. Your sister, saving the day once again.¡± Garrick rolled his eyes. ¡°Showoff.¡± Erin barely heard them. The second wolf was already lunging at him. But this time, he didn¡¯t panic. The beast leaped forward, and Erin stepped to the side. Its claws scraped the stone where he had been standing. Before it could recover, Erin slashed his sword across its back, cutting deep. The wolf spun, snapping at him, but he was faster. He ducked under its bite, shifting his grip on the sword, and drove the blade into its throat. The wolf let out a weak whimper, then collapsed. Erin exhaled. That¡­ felt easier. Lira clapped her hands slowly. ¡°Well, well, little brother. Look at you. Didn¡¯t even trip this time.¡± ¡°I never tripped,¡± Erin muttered. ¡°Mm-hmm.¡± Lira smirked. ¡°Next thing you know, you¡¯ll be stealing my spotlight.¡± ¡°Doubt it.¡± ¡°Good. I need someone to carry my bags when I become famous.¡± Garrick snorted. ¡°We¡¯re in a prison, Lira. No one¡¯s becoming famous.¡± She shrugged. ¡°Then I¡¯ll settle for being feared.¡± Erin shook his head, but a small smile tugged at his lips. His sister was ridiculous, but he couldn¡¯t deny it, she was strong. Same for his older brother Garrick. And if he kept going, soon he would be too. Garrick glanced down the tunnel ahead. ¡°No time to rest. We¡¯ve still got more wolves to hunt.¡± Lira stretched. ¡°Then what are we waiting for?¡± *** The wolves fell one after another. With every fight, Erin felt like he attacked cleaner and wasted less energy. His footwork sharpened, his grip on the sword more natural. They carved through the dungeon, room by room. Blood stained the stone floors, the scent of it thick in the air. Then, finally, the tunnel widened into an empty chamber. Garrick exhaled, rolling his shoulders. ¡°We¡¯re here.¡± A rest point. Erin had read about these, natural safe zones inside dungeons where monsters couldn¡¯t step foot. No one really knew why, but every dungeon had them. A place to breathe before facing whatever is ahead. Lira flopped onto a rock, stretching. ¡°Ahhh, finally. My legs were starting to hurt.¡± ¡°You barely did anything,¡± Garrick muttered, sitting down. She gasped, clutching her chest. ¡°How dare you? Did you not witness my masterful magic?¡± ¡°I saw you impale a wolf and then spend the rest of the time watching Erin fight.¡± Lira shrugged. ¡°I call that letting him grow.¡± Erin shook his head, smirking as he sat down. His body ached, but it wasn¡¯t exhaustion, more like a dull soreness. And he liked that. Garrick leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. ¡°Alright, now that you¡¯ve got some experience, let¡¯s talk.¡± Erin looked at him in confusion. ¡°About what?¡± ¡°Dungeons. Levels. How everything works.¡± ¡°I already know some of it.¡± ¡°Not enough.¡± Garrick¡¯s expression was serious. ¡°You just turned sixteen. That means you need to start thinking like a real fighter.¡± Erin stayed quiet. Garrick continued, ¡°This is a Level 1 Dungeon. That means all the monsters are Level 1, and the strongest thing in here, the boss, is at most Level 2. Simple, right?¡± Erin nodded. ¡°Every dungeon has a level cap. The higher the floor, the stronger the dungeons. We¡¯re on Floor 1. The lowest. That means the strongest people here are Tier 1. Levels 1 through 10. No one on this floor can go past that.¡± Erin frowned. ¡°So if someone wanted to get stronger, they¡¯d have to move up?¡± ¡°Exactly.¡± Garrick leaned back. ¡°Every floor gets harder. Stronger monsters. Stronger people. If you¡¯re weak, you don¡¯t survive.¡± Lira twirled a finger in the air. ¡°And lucky us, we¡¯re at the very bottom of the food chain.¡± Erin wasn¡¯t surprised. He had grown up knowing that the Dungeon Realm was a prison. A world built for those who lost the war eons ago. But hearing it again, from Garrick, made it feel more depressing. Garrick looked at him. ¡°You want to level up?¡± Erin sat up. ¡°Yeah.¡± ¡°Then listen.¡± Garrick held up a finger. ¡°You kill monsters, you gain experience. The stronger the monster, the better the experience.¡± He held up a second finger. ¡°But to actually level up, you need something else.¡± ¡°Energy shards,¡± Erin said. Garrick nodded. ¡°Right. Dungeon bosses drop them. When you absorb an energy shard, it pushes you closer to your next level.¡± ¡°Just bosses?¡± Erin asked. ¡°Yeah. Normal monsters don¡¯t drop them unless you¡¯re on the higher floors.¡± Erin frowned, thinking. ¡°So¡­ technically, someone could just farm weak dungeons over and over to get strong?¡± Garrick shook his head. ¡°Doesn¡¯t work like that. The more you level up, the more energy shards you need. You have to fight stronger things to progress. Staying in weak dungeons will only take you so far.¡± Erin thought about that. It made sense. If leveling was easy, everyone would be strong. Lira yawned, stretching again. ¡°Basically, baby brother, kill things, take their loot, and don¡¯t die.¡± She patted his shoulder. ¡°Simple, right?¡± Erin smirked. ¡°Simple.¡± Garrick stood. ¡°Good. Because the boss is ahead.¡± The air in the room felt heavier. Erin looked toward the tunnel leading deeper in. The Wolf King was waiting. He clenched his fist. He was ready. Lira cracked her knuckles, grinning. ¡°Let¡¯s see if you can keep up.¡± Chapter 2: First Shard The moment they stepped into the chamber, Erin felt it. A presence stronger than the other wolves they had fought. At the far end of the room, standing on a raised platform of stone, was the boss, a massive creature with its fur a shade darker than the rest. Its yellow eyes gleamed with intelligence. Four other wolves stood beside it, slightly larger than the ones they had fought before. Their low growls echoed through the chamber. Garrick exhaled, adjusting his grip on his sword. ¡°This is a Level 2 Boss. Lira and I are both Level 4. We can handle it.¡± He glanced at Erin. ¡°You¡¯re not ready for that fight yet.¡± Erin didn¡¯t argue. He wasn¡¯t reckless. The boss was a step above what he could handle. But that didn¡¯t mean he wouldn¡¯t fight at all. His eyes locked onto the elite wolves. Garrick nodded, understanding. ¡°Alright. You take one of the elites.¡± Lira grinned. ¡°And I¡¯ll deal with the rest.¡± The wolves didn¡¯t wait. They charged. Erin stepped forward, meeting the wolf¡¯s attack head on. Its claws lashed out, but he was faster this time, ducking under the strike and countering with a slash of his own. His blade cut into its side, drawing blood, but the beast barely flinched. It twisted, snapping its jaws at him. Erin barely pulled back in time. Meanwhile, Lira extended both hands. Energy crackled around her fingertips. ¡°Bruma Strigis!¡± A wave of frost erupted from her, coating the floor in ice and slowing the movement of all 5 wolves. Their fur was quickly covered in frost, their growls turning into pained whimpers as the cold seeped into their bodies. Lira smirked. ¡°And now¡­¡± She flicked her hands forward. ¡°Frostum Lancea. Frostum Lancea. Frostum Lancea!¡± Three ice spears materialized in the air and shot toward the frozen wolves, each one striking with precision. The shards pierced through their skulls, killing them instantly. Lira sighed, stretching. ¡°Too easy.¡± Erin wasn¡¯t paying attention. His fight was still going. The wolf lunged again, its movements slightly sluggish from the previous ice spell but still dangerous. Erin sidestepped, bringing his sword up, and this time his blade sliced through the wolf¡¯s neck. It collapsed. He barely even felt tired. Lira clapped. ¡°Look at you, moving like a real warrior.¡± Garrick, on the other hand, was still fighting the Wolf King. But he wasn¡¯t aiming to kill. Instead, Garrick was dragging it out. His movements were calm, precise. Each time the Wolf King lunged, he dodged by a hair¡¯s width, countering with small but effective strikes. Erin frowned, watching. ¡°Why is he taking so long?¡± Lira leaned closer. ¡°He¡¯s showing you how to conserve strength. Watch carefully. Every move he makes is just enough. No wasted swings. No unnecessary dodges. That¡¯s how you fight when stamina actually matters.¡± Erin¡¯s eyes narrowed as he focused on the battle. Garrick wasn¡¯t overpowering the boss. He was outlasting it. The Wolf King grew slower. Its movements became sluggish. Each attack weaker than the last. Garrick took his time. Letting it wear itself down. Then, finally, when the beast hesitated for just a second too long, Garrick ended its life. A clean strike to the throat. The Wolf King collapsed with a final, gurgling howl. Silence filled the chamber. A faint blue glow appeared over the corpse. An energy shard. Garrick exhaled, stepping back. ¡°That¡¯s how you fight smart.¡± Erin nodded slowly. He understood that strength mattered but efficiency was just as important. Lira nudged him. ¡°You ready to get stronger?¡± Erin stared at the shard pulsing with energy. This was it. His first step forward. Erin reached out and grabbed it. Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings. He held the energy shard between his fingers. It looked like any other stone, rough and solid, but something about it felt different. It pulsed faintly, like a heartbeat. He turned to Garrick. ¡°So¡­ what do I do with this?¡± Garrick wiped his blade clean before answering. ¡°It¡¯s simple. Just crush it. The energy inside will flow into you, strengthening your body.¡± Erin glanced down at the shard again. It didn¡¯t look fragile, but he clenched his fist around it and squeezed. The shard cracked and then shattered. A sudden warmth spread through his body, like a small flame igniting inside him. His muscles tightened slightly, his breathing steadied, and for a brief moment, he felt sharper. Faster. It wasn¡¯t overwhelming. It wasn¡¯t some massive transformation. But it was there. Lira tilted her head, watching. ¡°Well? Feel any different?¡± Erin opened and closed his hand. ¡°Yeah. Stronger, but not by much.¡± Garrick nodded. ¡°That¡¯s expected. These are just low-tier energy shards. Bosses from Level 1 to Level 3 drop them. The higher the level, the stronger the shard.¡± Lira crossed her arms, smirking. ¡°And before you get excited, you¡¯ll need about ten of those to hit Level 2. So don¡¯t start thinking you¡¯re unstoppable yet.¡± Erin exhaled, rolling his shoulders. He had figured it wouldn¡¯t be instant. Still, this was his first real step toward getting stronger. ¡°Then we¡¯ll just keep going,¡± he said. Lira grinned. ¡°Now that¡¯s the spirit.¡± Garrick gestured toward a small alcove in the chamber. ¡°Come on, let¡¯s grab the loot.¡± Erin followed, his heartbeat picking up. Every dungeon had a treasure chest waiting at the end, the reward for clearing it. Tucked against the stone wall was a large wooden chest. A simple metal lock kept it shut, but as Garrick pushed the lid open, the lock snapped off effortlessly. Inside, the loot gleamed under the light. Erin reached inside and pulled out a sword. It was slightly longer than his current one, the blade polished silver with deep engravings of wolves running along its fuller. The hilt was wrapped in dark leather. The name was carved near the base of the blade: Fangpiercer. Lira whistled. ¡°Now that¡¯s a nice upgrade. Way better than that rusty twig you¡¯ve been using.¡± Erin grinned, swapping out his beginner¡¯s sword for Fangpiercer. He gave it a few test swings, the balance was smoother and the weight was just right. Then, at the bottom of the chest, he spotted two familiar glowing stones. Energy shards. Erin looked at his brother and sister. ¡°Come on,¡± Lira said. ¡°Take it, it''s useless for us right now.¡± Garrick nodded in agreement. He quickly grabbed one and crushed it in his hand. The energy seeped into his body, giving him the same strengthening sensation as before. He crushed the second one, and again, he felt stronger. Not by much, but noticeable. ¡°Not bad,¡± Garrick said. ¡°Three shards in one run. Keep this up, and you¡¯ll hit Level 2 before long.¡± Erin nodded, tightening his grip on Fangpiercer. With better gear and more energy absorbed, he was already looking forward to the next dungeon. Lira stretched. ¡°We¡¯re done here. Let¡¯s head back.¡± *** The journey back through the dungeon was uneventful. The wolves were gone, the eerie silence stretching across the dimly lit corridors. Before long, they reached the entrance, a circular platform engraved with strange symbols. The teleportation platform. Garrick stepped onto it first. In an instant, his body shimmered and vanished. Erin followed, and the world blurred for a moment before he found himself standing at the entrance of Wolf Den. The cave¡¯s gaping mouth loomed before them. It was in complete darkness. No matter how hard Erin squinted, he couldn¡¯t see a thing inside. But he knew what would happen. Step into the darkness, and you¡¯d be teleported back into the dungeon. Erin turned to his brother. ¡°So¡­ when can we go again?¡± Garrick shook his head. ¡°Not yet. Dungeons have a cooldown period.¡± Erin frowned. ¡°How long?¡± ¡°Twelve hours for Level 1 dungeons,¡± Garrick explained. ¡°Stronger dungeons take even longer. But there¡¯s no need to worry, there are plenty of Level 1 dungeons to clear.¡± Lira groaned dramatically. ¡°Ugh, let¡¯s not talk about dungeons right now. I need a bath, a meal, and a bed. In that order.¡± She turned toward the nearby trees, where their horses were waiting, lazily chewing on the grass. Erin followed, mounting his own horse. Echelon City wasn¡¯t far, but after hours of dungeon crawling, the ride home felt like a well-earned break. With the sun dipping below the horizon, they rode off. *** They were at the edge of the wilderness, also called the High Forest. This vast area stretches for hundreds of miles and contains dungeons of nearly every level, even level 10 dungeons deep in the center. However, the outer parts of the forest have been mostly tamed. Outposts are scattered every few miles, and some guilds have even built their own bases nearby. The road continued for a while ahead, the sky slowly dimming from the setting sun. But as Erin rode forward, the massive silhouette of Echelon City came into view. It was a massive city, its towering stone walls reaching to the sky. The city was one of the many beacons of human civilization, built in the middle of nowhere, a place where countless people came for refuge, power, and opportunity. As they approached the entrance, Erin saw the long lines of travelers, merchants, and adventurers waiting to get inside. The city gates were always packed. But the Storm family didn¡¯t need to wait. They followed a separate path, one reserved for known citizens, bypassing the crowds. The guards at the gate recognized them immediately and let them through without trouble. The moment they entered, Echelon City''s streets unfolded before them. Narrow alleys twisted between stone buildings, filled with the endless chatter of vendors calling out their wares. Market stalls lined the roads, selling everything from weapons and armor to food and trinkets. Adventurers moved in groups, some that just came from dungeons, others already preparing for their next run. ¡°Home sweet home,¡± Lira said with a satisfied sigh. They navigated the busy streets with ease, eventually reaching into the inner section of the city, where more notable people live. They soon reached a large courtyard estate tucked within the city. Two guards stood at the entrance, each gripping their weapons with practiced ease. Both guards were Level 5 warriors who had served the Storm family for decades, long enough to see Erin, Garrick, and Lira take their first steps. The moment the trio came into view, the two men broke into wide, familiar smiles. "Look what the forest spit back out," the first guard chuckled, his voice rough but warm. "Was starting to think you three got lost for good." Erin grinned. "You¡¯d miss us too much, Uncle Daveth." The second guard, Harlen, reached out and ruffled Garrick¡¯s hair, a habit from when the boy was barely waist-high. "Quiet as a graveyard here. Boring, without you lot causing trouble." Garrick swatted his hand away, but there was no real annoyance in it. "Give it a day. We¡¯ll find some." Harlen snorted. "That¡¯s what I¡¯m afraid of." Daveth shook his head, but his eyes were fond. "Just don¡¯t drag us into it this time." With that, the siblings dismounted their horses and stepped through the gates, finally back home. Chapter 3: Before the War Begins The Storm residence was peaceful, a big contrast to the chaotic streets of Echelon City. The siblings stepped into the main hall, greeted by the comforting scent of home. The smell of woodsmoke, polished steel, and a faint aroma of their mother¡¯s herbal tea drifted around the room. At the center of the room, Edric Storm, their father, sat in a chair, his broad frame relaxed but commanding. His dark hair was starting to silver at the edges, and his sharp eyes softened the moment he saw his children. Beside him stood Selene Storm, their mother, a graceful woman with a sharp gaze that could catch any detail. The second they walked in, her worried eyes scanned them for injuries. ¡°You¡¯re back,¡± Edric said, standing up. A smile tugged at the corner of his lips. ¡°How was the hunt?¡± Before Erin could answer, Selene was already in front of him, gripping his arms and turning him slightly to check for wounds. ¡°Did anything happen? Were you hurt?¡± she asked, her voice full of concern. Erin sighed. ¡°I¡¯m fine, Mother.¡± Lira chuckled from the side. ¡°You act like we fought a war. It was just wolves.¡± Selene gave her a sharp look. ¡°And wolves have teeth, Lira. You should never be careless.¡± Edric let out a small laugh. ¡°She¡¯s right, you know. Many warriors fall because they underestimate simple threats.¡± He turned his gaze to Erin. ¡°But I assume you handled yourself well?¡± Erin nodded. ¡°I did. It was... different at first, but I got the hang of it.¡± Edric¡¯s smile widened. ¡°Good. Your first real fight is something you¡¯ll always remember.¡± The family continued talking for a while, the warmth of home making it easy to settle in. Garrick spoke about Erin¡¯s first kills, while Lira exaggerated her own achievements, earning an eye roll from their mother. But as the conversation went on, Edric¡¯s expression gradually grew serious. ¡°There¡¯s something we need to discuss,¡± he said, his voice quieter now. Selene sighed, glancing at her husband before looking back at the children. ¡°The DeCostas are making their move.¡± The lighthearted atmosphere faded instantly. Edric folded his arms. ¡°They¡¯ve been sending their goons to harass our business. Our smiths, our shopkeepers... they¡¯re being threatened, some have even had their homes attacked.¡± Garrick¡¯s jaw tightened. ¡°They¡¯re trying to push us out.¡± Lira scoffed. ¡°Cowards. They don¡¯t have the guts to fight us directly.¡± Selene looked at her children with concern. ¡°We don¡¯t have the numbers for a direct conflict. The Storm family¡¯s main fighting force is just us five, and also Daveth and Harlen outside.¡± ¡°What do we do?¡± Erin asked. Edric exhaled slowly. ¡°That¡¯s what we need to figure out.¡± Erin sat across from his father, as Edric laid everything out. ¡°The DeCostas don¡¯t want a direct fight,¡± Edric said. ¡°If they did, they would have already come for us. Instead, they¡¯ve sent the Tide Gang, a group that works under them.¡± Selene sighed, rubbing her temples. ¡°They want to force us out through pressure. The gang harasses our workers, damages our shops, and makes it difficult to do business. They¡¯re trying to push us into submission.¡± Erin frowned. ¡°Why not just deal with the DeCostas directly?¡± ¡°Because we can¡¯t,¡± Garrick said bluntly. Lira leaned back, resting her legs on the chair. ¡°At least, not yet.¡± Edric nodded. ¡°Cassius DeCosta, head of the DeCostas, is a Level 7 warrior. You know your mother and I are only Level 6.¡± Erin stiffened. A gap of just one level didn¡¯t sound like much, but he had already learned from training that a single level in this world could mean everything. ¡°Let''s say you fought him with all your strength alongside dad, would you lose?¡± Erin asked. Selene gave a slow nod. ¡°It¡¯s not just about strength. We¡¯ve only reached about halfway to Level 7. That last step could take years. Plus, it''s not just Cassius. The DeCostas has several level 6 warriors, including their subforces.¡± ¡°Meanwhile,¡± Edric continued, ¡°Cassius has likely been at Level 7 for a while now. We can¡¯t take that risk.¡± His father must have noticed Erin¡¯s emotions because he sighed. ¡°Power isn¡¯t something you gain overnight, Erin. You¡¯ll learn that soon enough.¡± Garrick leaned forward, his arms crossed tightly. ¡°So what¡¯s the plan? We¡¯re not strong enough to take on the DeCostas alone.¡± Edric sat back, nodding. ¡°You¡¯re right. That¡¯s why we won¡¯t be fighting them alone.¡± Lira tilted her head. ¡°Oh? We¡¯re getting backup?¡± Selene spoke next, her voice calm but firm. ¡°There are two other families in this city who share our problems with the DeCostas, the Krauss and Salvante families. They¡¯ve suffered the same way we have. Except for the fact the DeCostas have spent years trying to wipe them out, while they only just now started to target us.¡± Erin¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°So we join forces?¡± Edric nodded. ¡°Exactly. Each of those families has at least two level 6 warriors. Together, we¡¯ll match the DeCostas in strength, making it impossible for them to continue harassing us. As for Cassius, he alone cannot stop us.¡± Garrick exhaled slowly. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ actually a solid plan.¡± If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. Lira grinned. ¡°Yeah, for once, we won¡¯t be the ones getting bullied.¡± Selene gave her daughter a sharp look but didn¡¯t comment. Instead, she continued, ¡°If we continue fighting alone, we¡¯ll be picked off one by one. But if we stand together, the DeCostas won¡¯t dare move against us openly.¡± Erin sat in silence for a moment, thinking. ¡°So what do we do first?¡± Edric smiled. ¡°We reach out to the Krauss and Salvante families. If they agree, then together, we¡¯ll put the Tide Gang in its place. If we succeed, the DeCostas will have to think twice before trying to suppress us again. Don¡¯t forget, the DeCostas aren''t the only family with a level 7 warrior. They have enemies as well.¡± Garrick glanced at Erin and Lira. ¡°Still, we need to be careful. Even if we have allies, we¡¯re still weaker than the top three forces in the city.¡± Edric sat at the head of the table, his gaze calm but serious. ¡°You¡¯re all grown now. It¡¯s time you start thinking about the future.¡± Lira leaned back in her chair, arms crossed. ¡°Let me guess. Train, fight, level up?¡± Edric chuckled. ¡°That¡¯s part of it.¡± He glanced at Erin. ¡°Strength decides everything in this world. If we want to secure our place in Echelon City, we must keep growing stronger. That means more dungeons, more battles, and more experience.¡± Garrick nodded, thoughtful. ¡°We need to level up fast. If we stay stagnant, we¡¯ll always be at the mercy of stronger forces.¡± Selene, who had been quiet, suddenly smirked. ¡°Oh, and you three should also consider finding yourselves a partner soon.¡± Lira nearly choked. ¡°Excuse me?¡± Garrick''s eyes widened. ¡°We¡¯re in the middle of dealing with life and death, and you¡¯re worried about marriage?¡± Selene shrugged. ¡°The Storm bloodline won¡¯t continue itself.¡± Garrick sighed, rubbing his forehead. ¡°Mother, please.¡± Edric chuckled. ¡°Let¡¯s focus on survival first.¡± The conversation eventually ended, and Erin returned to his room. He sat on his bed, his mind replaying everything that had happened today. But his thoughts drifted toward something else. No one in his family knew his true goal. It wasn¡¯t just about making the Storm family stronger. He wanted his own power. His own army. Right now, definitely no one would follow him. He was only Level 1. But that would change. He clenched his fist. ¡°I need to level up first.¡± Ten energy shards were required to reach Level 2. He had only absorbed three. He needed seven more. Grinding dungeons. Gaining shards. Leveling up. That was his first step. *** The next few days passed in a blur. Edric didn¡¯t allow Erin to go out for dungeons alone since it wasn¡¯t safe at the moment. Erin spent most of his time training by sparring with Garrick and Lira whenever he could. But today was different. Today was the day his father had called for an important meeting, the discussion of their alliance with the Krauss and Salvante families. The Storm family gathered in their main hall, waiting for their guests. Erin had only heard stories about these two families, but today, he¡¯d finally meet them in person. The first to arrive was Valka Krauss. The man was a walking wall. Tall, broad, and built like a war machine. His presence alone felt oppressive, his movements rough, like a beast that could smash through anyone in his way. The Krauss family was small like the Storms, only six members strong, but each one looked like a trained fighter. Valka stomped into the hall, his heavy boots thudding against the floor. His piercing eyes swept over the Storms like he was sizing them up. ¡°So, this is the Storm family,¡± he said, his voice rough like grinding stone. ¡°Heard you got a problem with the DeCostas. About time someone had the guts to stand against those bastards.¡± Erin stiffened under the intensity of the man¡¯s presence, but Edric remained calm. ¡°It¡¯s a problem we all share, Valka. That¡¯s why we¡¯re here.¡± Valka let out a deep laugh. ¡°Damn right. I¡¯ve been waiting for an excuse to start cutting them down.¡± The second arrival was the Salvante family, and they couldn¡¯t have been more different from the Krauss. Lucian Salvante walked in with the air of royalty. His sharp, angular features, deep blue cloak, and composed posture screamed nobility. If Valka was a wild beast, Lucian was a refined predator, elegant yet no less dangerous. He was one of the well known mages in Echelon. Behind him, the members of the Salvante family followed, each one dressed similarly. Lucian gave a small nod to Edric before speaking. ¡°It is good that we are finally having this discussion. The DeCostas have overstepped their bounds for too long.¡± His voice was smooth and controlled. ¡°This alliance is long overdue.¡± Edric stood up, his gaze passing over both families. ¡°We¡¯re all here for the same reason. The DeCostas have been suppressing our families, using their connections and their lackeys to choke us out. The Tide Gang is their current weapon against us. That¡¯s where I want to start if everyone agrees.¡± Valka grinned, cracking his knuckles. ¡°Just say the word. We wipe the gang out, leave their corpses as a message.¡± Lucian exhaled lightly, shaking his head. ¡°Violence alone won¡¯t always yield the best results.¡± He leaned forward, his fingers tapping against the table. ¡°Why not control the Tide Gang instead? If we control their leader, we could turn them into an information network. A spy force under our control.¡± Erin saw the irritation flash in Valka¡¯s eyes. ¡°That¡¯s weak. Controlling the gang won¡¯t send the message we need. The DeCostas will just replace them.¡± Selene frowned. ¡°Not to mention, the Tide Gang¡¯s leader is a level 6 warrior. Do you really think we can fully control him?¡± Edric crossed his arms. ¡°If we fail to keep him in check, he could betray us. That¡¯s a risk unless we kill him. But at that point the Tide Gang won¡¯t be of any use.¡± Lucian thought for a moment before nodding. ¡°A fair point. Continue.¡± Valka smirked. ¡°Finally, some sense.¡± The tension in the room didn¡¯t fade after agreeing to eliminate the Tide Gang. If anything, the air grew heavier as the three families began to discuss the when and how. Lucian Salvante leaned back, tapping his fingers on the wooden table. ¡°We need to strike at the right moment. If we wait too long, we risk losing the opportunity.¡± Valka Krauss scoffed. ¡°There¡¯s no need to overthink it. Pick a night, bring the blades, and burn their whole damn base to the ground.¡± Lucian sighed, ignoring the outburst. ¡°The Black Reaper, the leader of the Tide Gang, is rarely in his base. But I happen to know where he does go.¡± He smiled slightly. ¡°A brothel called Rose.¡± Selene raised an eyebrow. ¡°You seem oddly well-informed about this place.¡± Lucian didn¡¯t even flinch. ¡°Knowing the habits of important people is what keeps a family like mine alive. The Black Reaper visits Rose almost every night, drinks himself stupid, and leaves barely able to stand. If we strike there, he¡¯ll be vulnerable.¡± Valka grinned. ¡°A drunk rat¡¯s easier to kill.¡± Garrick, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke. ¡°What about protection? Even if he¡¯s drunk, he won¡¯t be alone.¡± Lucian nodded. ¡°Of course. He always has two Level 5 warriors guarding him. But¡­ they drink too.¡± ¡°That¡¯s sloppy,¡± Edric muttered. ¡°The DeCostas put their trust in him, and this is how he runs his gang?¡± ¡°The Tide Gang isn¡¯t an elite force,¡± Lucian replied. ¡°It¡¯s a bunch of criminals who know how to throw their weight around. Their strength comes from numbers, not discipline.¡± Valka cracked his knuckles. ¡°Then we cut down the numbers.¡± Edric leaned forward. ¡°If we¡¯re striking the Black Reaper at Rose, we also need to hit the gang¡¯s base at the same time. If we take too long dealing with him, the rest of the gang might rally.¡± Lucian gave a slight nod. ¡°A two-pronged attack. I agree.¡± Valka grinned. ¡°So do I. But I call dibs on taking the Black Reaper¡¯s head.¡± Edric exhaled. ¡°We¡¯ll assign the strongest fighters to Rose, while the main force crushes their base. The biggest risk is if the gang has anyone stronger than we expect.¡± Lucian shook his head. ¡°The Black Reaper is their only level 6 warrior. Their second-in-command is a level 5, and most of their elite fighters are level 4s. Those two level 5s that guard the Black Reaper? That''s all they got.¡± Edric looked at everyone. ¡°I want to move in two days. That¡¯ll give us some time to get ready and hit them hard before the DeCostas get word of our alliance. Everyone agreed. The Storms, the Krauss, and the Salvante had two days before war. Chapter 4: The Reaper Falls For the next two days, Erin trained relentlessly. With the battle against the Tide Gang approaching, he knew he couldn¡¯t remain weak. Every spare moment was spent refining his sword swings, improving his footwork, and sparring with Garrick. His brother was ruthless, pushing him to his limits, making sure he learned the hard way. Even Lira joined in occasionally, freezing his feet to force him to adapt to different situations. But no matter how much he trained, he was still just level 1. That was about to change. Late in the evening, his father, Edric Storm, called him into his private study. The room was simple, bookshelves lined the walls, filled with old tomes and battle records. A single candle flickered on the wooden desk. Edric sat behind it, holding out seven glowing energy shards in his palm. ¡°These should be enough to get you to level 2,¡± he said, placing them on the desk in front of Erin. Erin¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°You¡¯re giving these to me?¡± ¡°They¡¯ve been lying around,¡± Edric said casually. ¡°I wanted you to get your own energy shards, since depending on yourself is a good way of training. However, since the battle with the Tide Gang is tonight, you need to become stronger.¡± Erin reached out, feeling the familiar pulsing energy within the shards. Without hesitation, he crushed them one by one in his hands. The energy surged through his body, stronger than before, flooding his muscles, making his mind sharper. It wasn¡¯t anything overwhelming, but he could feel it. Level 2. Erin quickly did some movements, and he found out his strength has increased by almost two times alongside with his increased speed. He clenched his fists, adjusting to the power. ¡°So¡­ how many do I need for level 3?¡± Edric exhaled. ¡°Over 100 low-tier energy shards.¡± Erin¡¯s jaw tightened. That was an insane jump. ¡°Levels are easy in the beginning,¡± Edric continued. ¡°But the higher you go, the more you need. That¡¯s why after we¡¯re done with the Tide Gang, you¡¯ll have to start grinding dungeons. It¡¯s the only way to grow strong fast.¡± Erin nodded, but another thought nagged at him. ¡°After we take out the Tide Gang¡­ won¡¯t the DeCostas target me while I¡¯m grinding dungeons? I¡¯ll be their enemy then.¡± Edric smiled slightly. ¡°That¡¯s why you won¡¯t be fighting as Erin Storm.¡± Erin looked up, confused. ¡°You¡¯ll have another identity,¡± Edric said. ¡°When the time comes, everything will be taken care of. You just need to focus on getting stronger.¡± Erin slowly nodded. *** At night, a few blocks away, just outside Rose, the high-end brothel deep in DeCosta territory, a group of figures lay in hiding. The Storms, Krauss, and Salvante warriors had positioned themselves in the alleyways, their weapons drawn. And then, he stepped out. The Black Reaper emerged from the brothel doors, a cocky grin on his rugged face. His dark cloak barely hid the two women clinging to his arms, giggling as they whispered in his ears. Behind him, another two people staggered, chuckling drunkenly. Their armor was loosened, weapons barely hanging on their belts. He was arrogant. Sloppy. A perfect target. Or so they thought. "Now!" With a roar, Valka Krauss was the first to strike. The berserker warrior lunged, his massive greatsword carving through the air with brutal force. The Black Reaper twisted aside as the blade slammed into the cobblestones, shattering them in a spray of stone and dust. Drunk or not, his instincts were razor sharp. With a twist, he threw one of the women into the path of the attack, her scream cut short as Valka was forced to redirect his blade at the last second, barely missing her. The woman collapsed, unconscious from fear. "Tsk, tsk." The Black Reaper smirked, adjusting his coat. His voice was slow, casual. ¡°I was having such a good night.¡± Lucian¡¯s eyes turned cold. "Virtus Explosio!" A blinding lightning explosion burst forth from Lucian Salvante¡¯s hands, aimed directly at the Black Reaper¡¯s chest. The blast erupted like a thunderclap, shaking the air with raw energy. BOOM! Dust and debris shot everywhere. The brothel¡¯s walls splintered, the wooden beams groaning under the impact. And yet, he was still standing. Smoke curled from his coat as he stepped out of the dust cloud, rolling his shoulders. "Not bad," he muttered. "Now it¡¯s my turn." He moved. In a blur of motion, the Black Reaper dashed forward, his body twisting unnaturally fast. His dagger slashed at Lucian''s throat. CLANG! Edric Storm intercepted him mid-strike, his blade meeting dagger, sparks flying. A flicker of surprise crossed the Black Reaper¡¯s face. "Huh. You''re pretty good." Edric''s grip tightened. "And you''re not getting out of this alive." The two clashed, their weapons a blur. Each strike was met with equal strength, Edric¡¯s swordplay against the Black Reaper¡¯s unpredictable movements. Meanwhile, Lucian wasn¡¯t done. He raised a hand, eyes flashing. "Fulminis Iactus!" A bolt of lightning shot down from the sky, a spear of raw power aimed at the Black Reaper''s back. He twisted again at the last second. The bolt grazed his shoulder, sending electricity crackling across his body, but he didn¡¯t stop. Before it could penetrate into his body, he directed the lightning towards the bodyguard closest to him. "AGHHH!" The guard screamed as the lightning struck him full force, his body convulsing before he collapsed. The other level 5 warrior, now sober with fear, unsheathed his sword, but an arrow whistled through the air. THUNK. The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. The Salvante archer, one of the other level 6 fighters, positioned on a nearby rooftop and fired a precise shot, hitting the guard straight between the eyes. Two down. But the Black Reaper remained unfazed. Valka roared, his berserker strength finally unleashed. He charged again, this time recklessly, swinging his sword. The Black Reaper smiled. Even while drunk, somehow he was still faster. He ducked under Valka¡¯s wild swings, his movements flowing like water. His dagger flicked out, slashes opened up on Valka¡¯s arms and legs, blood spilling onto the stone streets. "Too slow," he taunted. Valka snarled, ignoring the wounds, his rage fueling him further. He grabbed the Black Reaper''s coat, pinning him in place. "Got you now, bastard!" A glow formed behind him. Lucian¡¯s final spell. "Nova Detonat!" A star-like orb appeared in Lucian¡¯s palm, then shot forward. The Black Reaper¡¯s eyes widened. With inhuman flexibility, he moved aside, planting both feet on Valka¡¯s chest and kicking off him. The impact sent Valka stumbling back, just in time for the Nova Detonat to explode. BOOM. A wave of pure energy engulfed the area, erasing the brothel¡¯s entrance in a violent burst of flames. When the smoke cleared, the Black Reaper was still standing. Burned. Bleeding. But grinning. "I haven¡¯t had a fight this good in years." He wiped the blood from his mouth. ¡°Too bad I¡¯m still stronger.¡± Selene, who had been healing Valka¡¯s wounds, suddenly stepped forward. She lifted her staff, casting a shimmering aura over her allies. "You¡¯re strong, but you''re outnumbered." The Black Reaper glanced around. He exhaled slowly. ¡°Tch. This is getting annoying.¡± The Black Reaper exhaled, shaking out his arms. Blood dripped from the cuts Valka had managed to land, and burn marks scorched his coat from Lucian¡¯s spells. He rolled his shoulders, his usual cocky grin replaced by something colder. Edric narrowed his eyes. Something wasn¡¯t right. The man before them had taken everything. Lightning, explosions, berserker strength, and he was still standing. A terrible thought crept into Edric¡¯s mind. "Wait¡­" His grip tightened on his sword. "You¡¯re not level 6, are you?" The Black Reaper smirked. "Took you long enough. Just leveled up not long ago, lucky me." A burst of energy exploded outward from his body. The air turned heavy. The weight of his strength pressed down on everyone present. Valka cursed. "Shit. He¡¯s been holding back." Lucian¡¯s eyes darkened. The realization sent a chill through the group. The Storms, Krauss, and Salvantes had gathered all their level 6 warriors, thinking they outmatched him. But now¡­ They were facing a level 7 combatant. The Black Reaper cracked his neck. ¡°Now that the warm-up¡¯s over, let¡¯s get serious.¡± He moved faster than before. One second he stood still, the next, he was in front of Valka, dagger flashing. A deep slash tore across Valka¡¯s chest. Blood sprayed into the air. The berserker warrior roared, trying to counter, but the Reaper was already gone, twisting away, striking again. CLANG! Edric barely intercepted him, sword meeting dagger once more. But this time, the force behind it sent shockwaves through Edric¡¯s arms. This was the power of a level 7 warrior. Edric gritted his teeth. No choice but to fight. He pushed forward, sword clashing against dagger, each strike sending sparks into the night. His technique was fluid, honed by years of battle, but the Reaper fought like a shadow, slipping through openings that shouldn¡¯t exist. Edric barely dodged, feeling the tip of the dagger graze his cheek, drawing a thin line of blood. "Virtus Explosio!" Lucian unleashed another lightning explosion, but the Reaper spun, using Edric as cover. The spell blasted against the stone behind them, missing entirely. Selene¡¯s voice rang out. "Fortis Clypeus!" A golden barrier formed around Edric, shielding him from the next attack. Valka lunged again, using his sheer strength to force the Reaper back. But it wasn¡¯t enough. The Black Reaper fought like a ghost. Strike. Dodge. Counter. Twist. Slash. It became clear they couldn¡¯t beat him in a straight fight. Valka¡¯s breathing was ragged, fresh wounds littering his body. Lucian¡¯s mana reserves were draining fast, each spell barely grazing the Reaper. Edric¡¯s arms burned from the constant strain, but he pushed forward. A lucky strike cut deep into the Reaper¡¯s side. For the first time, the Black Reaper stumbled back, blood dripping from his ribs. Selene immediately took advantage, chanting another spell. "Vinclum Terra!" Golden chains shot up from the ground, latching onto the Reaper¡¯s limbs. Edric saw his chance. He raised his sword, aiming for the killing blow. "Tch." A sudden pulse of energy erupted from the Reaper¡¯s body. The chains shattered. Before anyone could react, he vanished, appearing several feet away. His breathing was heavy. His coat was torn, his body bleeding. But he was still standing. He glanced at the wounds on his arms and torso. His smirk returned. "Not bad," he admitted. "Tsk tsk, if I wasn¡¯t drunk you all would be dead by now." Valka spat. "Bastard." The Black Reaper wiped the blood from his mouth. "But I¡¯m not dumb enough to die here." He turned and ran. *** The Black Reaper ran, his movements still unnaturally fast despite his wounds. Blood dripped from his side, his breathing sharp and ragged, but his instincts screamed at him. Run. Regroup. He had underestimated them. He twisted through the dark alleys, vaulting over crates and slipping between buildings. The Storms, the Krauss, the Salvantes, they were still on his tail. Suddenly, an arrow pierced his back. The Black Reaper grunted, stumbling for a moment before pushing forward. THWIP! A second arrow sank deep into his shoulder. He gasped. His body lurched forward, legs faltering. His speed slowed. "Got you," the Salvante archer murmured, already nocking another arrow. Valka charged ahead, closing the distance. "He¡¯s done for!" Edric pushed harder, sword ready. Lucian¡¯s hands sparked with magic. "He¡¯s heading for the market!" Chaos erupted. The Black Reaper burst into the open streets, where merchants and townsfolk still roamed under the glow of lanterns. People screamed. Vendors scattered. Carts toppled, and frightened civilians ran in all directions. The warriors didn¡¯t stop. The Reaper twisted and weaved through the panic, desperately seeking an escape route. But his body was betraying him. The arrows in his back burned. His legs felt heavy. His breath came out in painful gasps. And his pursuers were right behind him. He reached the center of the market square, chest heaving. Blood dripped onto the cobblestones. He turned, eyes burning with rage as his enemies surrounded him. "You think this is over?" he growled, voice dark and venomous. "You think the DeCostas will just sit back and let you get away with this?" No one responded. Lucian merely lifted a hand, arcane energy swirling at his fingertips. Valka cracked his knuckles. "You¡¯re out of tricks, Reaper." The Black Reaper spat blood and grinned despite it all. "You¡¯ve just signed your own death warrant." He exhaled, shaking his head. "The DeCostas will burn your families to the ground. Your mothers, your fathers, your children. They¡¯ll gut them in the streets and¡ª" "Enough." Edric moved first. His blade cut deep, slashing across the Black Reaper¡¯s chest. The man staggered, choking on his own blood. Valka was next. A crushing punch to the gut made the Reaper double over, coughing violently. Lucian raised his hand. "Nova Detonat." A small, bright orb of energy formed at his fingertips, then shot forward. The explosion engulfed the Black Reaper, sending him crashing to the ground. He groaned, barely alive, his once defiant gaze flickering. Selene¡¯s voice was cold. "This is what you deserve." Valka raised his fist one last time and brought it down. CRACK. The Black Reaper''s body went limp. Silence followed. His blood pooled onto the stone streets. His life, his terror, his reputation, gone. *** Edric exhaled. "It¡¯s done." Lucian glanced around at the chaos surrounding them, civilians still running, guards surely on their way. "We need to leave." Valka wiped blood from his hands. "Let the DeCostas find his corpse. Let them know their strongest hound is dead."