《This Young Master Just Wants To Go Home》 Chapter 1 The old door slammed open, hitting the wall with a dull bang. Elise stood in the doorway, eyes blazing with anger but I saw the fear underneath clearly enough. ¡°Ethan, don¡¯t do this!¡± she snapped, her small fists clenched tightly at her sides. Her voice trembled slightly, betraying her real feelings. I swallowed, keeping my gaze locked firmly on my boots as I tightened the laces. I hated seeing her like this, frightened, desperate but what choice did I have? One thing I¡¯d learned the hard way was that you never turned down work. Especially not now. Even as a D-rank hunter, scraping by on whatever scraps the Guilds threw my way, the pay was still leagues better than working some mundane job. I pulled harder, laces biting into my fingers as I forced the knot tight. ¡°Believe me, El, if I had any choice, I wouldn¡¯t take this job.¡± My voice came out quieter than I¡¯d intended. I didn¡¯t dare look up, afraid she¡¯d see just how scared I really was. ¡°Money doesn¡¯t matter!¡± Elise stepped forward, voice cracking. ¡°We can get by! Please, Ethan.¡± Before I could answer, she rushed forward, burying her face against my shoulder. Her hair brushed against my neck, her quiet sobs shaking against me. The ache in my chest grew unbearable, sharper than any wound I¡¯d ever taken in the rifts. Slowly, gently, I pushed her away, brushing the tangled strands of hair from her tear-streaked face. Her wide eyes searched mine, desperate for something, anything, to convince me to stay. But I couldn¡¯t. ¡°One day you¡¯ll understand,¡± I murmured softly. ¡°I¡¯m doing this for us. This job is the best chance we¡¯ve had in months. We need this.¡± ¡°We don¡¯t need anything! I don¡¯t need to go to school!¡± Elise half-shouted, voice raw. ¡°I can get a job too, I can help!¡± I sighed, frustration burning in my chest as I stood up, gesturing around our cramped apartment. Peeling wallpaper, flickering bulbs and the constant stench of mildew. ¡°This is exactly why you¡¯re going to school,¡± I snapped, harsher than I meant. The exhaustion was finally catching up to me, fraying my patience. ¡°I promised Mom I¡¯d take care of you, and I¡¯m not breaking that promise. This job, it¡¯s our chance to get out of this hole. You deserve better than this, Elise.¡± She stared back, jaw tight, eyes fierce but watering. I stepped forward, forcing a smile as I ruffled her hair. She swiped at my hand with a frustrated huff, but even a D-ranker like me had reflexes faster than an ordinary twelve-year-old. She missed, and I pulled back, the corners of my lips quirking upward despite myself. She pouted, the defiance melting away into a shaky, reluctant smile. For a moment, the tension between us eased. ¡°It¡¯s okay, El,¡± I said gently. ¡°You know I love you. I¡¯m doing this for both of us. I want your first day of high school to be somewhere decent, somewhere you¡¯ll have real opportunities, not stuck here.¡± She wiped at a stray tear, cheeks flushed as she finally nodded. ¡°I love you too, you big dummy.¡± I reached for my battered coat hanging by the door, pulling it over my shoulders and made my way to the exit. Hand resting on the doorknob, I glanced back once more. Elise stood there quietly, eyes too old for her age, face round and scrunched up like she was desperately trying not to cry. This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. I gave her a faint smile and winked. ¡°It¡¯s just another Wednesday.¡± Then I stepped out into the cold morning, pulling the door shut behind me. The morning air bit sharply into my skin as I stepped onto the busy street. Cars and pedestrians flooded the city, a chaotic mess I barely registered anymore. Neon billboards flashed overhead, promoting guild raids and hunts like they were everyday tourist attractions. Maybe they were, now. I shoved my hands deep into my jacket pockets, pulling out my battered headphones. The moment the music filled my ears, the noise and chaos vanished. I walked on autopilot, barely conscious of the short trip to the train station. One bitter and lukewarm instant coffee later and I was there. The rift loomed on the horizon. A deep crimson scar splitting reality itself. Soldiers surrounded the perimeter, their guns reflecting the morning sunlight. Even from this distance, the air around the rift shimmered, distorted, as though reality itself was fraying at the edges. An B-rank rift. I paused, staring silently at the tear. People like me didn¡¯t walk away from B-rank rifts. But I didn¡¯t have the luxury of turning back. A soldier stepped forward, hand raised firmly. ¡°Halt.¡± Without a word, I pulled my Hunter¡¯s License from my jacket and flashed it at him. His eyes flicked over it quickly, and his expression softened with something that might¡¯ve been pity. He stepped aside. ¡°Good luck,¡± he muttered quietly. I nodded once, forcing my feet forward. Luck wouldn¡¯t be enough. Twenty hunters stood gathered near the rift, armored from head to toe. Their enchanted vests and exosuits gleamed in the pale dawn, weapons hanging confidently at their sides. I felt hopelessly out of place in my worn jeans, battered jacket, and secondhand boots. At the front stood John. A massive greatsword hung from his back and a towering shield strapped securely to his left arm. His eyes caught mine, and he motioned me over with a casual wave. I quickly pulled my headphones down, shoving them into my pocket, and approached. ¡°Alright, everyone¡¯s here,¡± John¡¯s voice boomed clearly across the group. Hunters immediately moved closer, forming a tight semicircle. ¡°For those who don¡¯t know me, I¡¯m John, A-rank tank. I¡¯ll be leading this raid.¡± Nobody spoke. They knew exactly who he was. John continued, his voice steady and calm. ¡°As you know, this rift started at D-rank, but it¡¯s grown unstable. Alpha Team is already inside, clearing the rift. We¡¯re going in after to gather ores and eliminate stragglers.¡± He gave a few quick instructions, breaking us into teams. Then he turned, looking down at me with a hint of concern in his eyes. ¡°Ethan,¡± he said quietly, nodding a greeting. ¡°Morning, John,¡± I replied, forcing my voice to stay steady. John hesitated, then leaned in, lowering his voice. ¡°Look, kid, I¡¯m gonna be straight with you. I pulled strings to get you here. You needed the money, and I owed your old man that much.¡± He exhaled slowly, eyes flicking toward the rift. ¡°But this job? It¡¯s beyond your pay grade. You¡¯re carrying gear and ores. Nothing else. Stay out of trouble, stay alive. Got it?¡± I nodded once, firmly. ¡°Understood. I won¡¯t let you down.¡± John studied me, a small smile playing on his lips. Then he clapped me firmly on the shoulder, lightly for him, painfully heavy for me. ¡°Mia, bring the contract,¡± he called out. A short, sharp-eyed woman approached swiftly, shoving a stack of papers into my hands. I glanced quickly through them, already familiar with most the terms: ? Follow all Feathers Guild orders without question. ? Flat fee of $75,000. ? Death compensation: $250,000 to next of kin. I signed without hesitation. The money didn¡¯t matter as much as the last clause. Elise would be safe, at least financially, if anything happened. ¡°All set?¡± Mia asked brusquely. I handed the papers back, nodding grimly. ¡°All set.¡± John moved toward the rift, gazing deeply into its shifting, unnatural depths, as if listening to something we couldn¡¯t hear. ¡°Alright,¡± he called, turning back to the group. ¡°Stay sharp, stick together, and above all¡ªdo not panic.¡± ¡°Yes, sir,¡± we replied in unison. John nodded once, turned, and stepped calmly through the tear. The shimmering red swallowed him whole. My heart hammered against my ribs. I drew in a slow, steady breath, trying to keep calm. ¡°Just another Wednesday,¡± I whispered. A soft vibration pulled me from my thoughts. My phone buzzed gently, a final message blinking across the screen: Elise: Come home safe dummy. My throat tightened painfully, a small smile tugging at my lips as I typed my reply: Me: Always do. See you soon. Pocketing my phone, I stared one last time into the shifting red void ahead. No turning back now. Then I stepped forward into darkness, and the rift swallowed me whole. Chapter 2 A split second of darkness and then my boots landed firmly on solid ground. I opened my eyes, scanning the cavern around us. Cold, damp stone walls glistened beneath the faint torchlight left behind by Alpha Team. The air hung thick, stale with rot and moisture. Ahead, a wide tunnel twisted deeper into darkness, illuminated only by dying embers. Shadows flickered ominously, dancing like living things along the jagged walls. Something wet landed on my cheek, jolting me from my thoughts. I glanced upward. Jagged stones loomed overhead, poised like stone teeth ready to close around us. ¡°Alright, you know the drill,¡± John¡¯s voice rumbled, echoing sharply through the cavern. ¡°Darren, Till¡ªtake point. Don¡¯t let a single one of these undead bastards through.¡± Two large men stepped forward, heavily armored and carrying shields nearly as tall as themselves. Clearly, they were the muscle. Clearly, they belonged here. I clenched my jaw, shaking off the familiar surge of inadequacy. Then, my eyes caught a familiar figure standing by the supply packs stacked against the cavern wall. Alex. A knot of tension loosened in my chest. I approached him with a relieved grin. ¡°Didn¡¯t realize you were on this one,¡± I said, extending my hand. Alex turned, blinking once before a broad smile split his face. ¡°G¡¯day, Ethan! Been a long while, hasn¡¯t it? How you holding up?¡± We shook hands firmly, his grip still painfully strong. I hid a wince, forcing a casual shrug. ¡°Been alright,¡± I lied. ¡°You just up and vanished, ya bastard.¡± He chuckled, releasing my hand. ¡°Life happens, man. Got a kid now. Not exactly eager to spend every day dodging claws and skills anymore, if you get me.¡± A kid. I froze, a cold dread stabbing into my chest. His wife, the mother of that kid, was my ex. I forced a neutral expression, swallowing back the sudden dryness in my throat. ¡°Congrats,¡± I managed, my voice carefully even. He studied my face, seeing right through the act. ¡°Come on, Ethan. It¡¯s been years.¡± He punched my shoulder lightly, smiling faintly. I rolled my eyes, exhaling sharply. ¡°Yeah, yeah. What dragged you back to the hunter grind, then?¡± His smile faded slightly, eyes darkening. ¡°Money. What else?¡± I nodded slowly, my gaze dropping to the packs at our feet. ¡°This what we¡¯re hauling?¡± Alex hefted one onto his shoulder with a grunt, straps creaking under the weight. ¡°Yup. Another porter¡¯s here, too. Shouldn¡¯t be too rough.¡± Footsteps sounded behind us as someone approached right on queue. ¡°Hey guys,¡± a gruff voice broke in. ¡°Here to help carry shit.¡± Alex and I exchanged a quick glance, amusement tugging at the corners of our lips. ¡°Good stuff,¡± I replied, tightening my own pack. ¡°I¡¯m Ethan.¡± I jerked my chin toward Alex. ¡°And this funny-looking guy¡¯s Alex.¡± The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. The newcomer snorted a laugh, securing a heavy pack on his back. He rolled his shoulders once, stretching out muscles that looked far stronger than mine. ¡°Bert.¡± Before any of us could continue, John¡¯s commanding voice cut across the cavern once more. ¡°Enough chatter. We¡¯re moving out. Stay alert.¡± I adjusted the heavy pack on my back, nerves settling coldly in my gut as we stepped forward. The darkness ahead felt hungry, oppressive. And I had the sinking feeling it wasn¡¯t just ores we¡¯d be finding down there. Hours passed, blending together into a monotonous blur. The tunnel twisted endlessly ahead, winding deeper into the earth like the guts of some massive beast. The further we descended, the worse things got, shattered weapons lay discarded, bones scattered across the cold stone floor, and remnants of armor and flesh left rotting. The heavy stench of blood and decay was overwhelming, sticking to my throat and clinging to my clothes. The undead here¡­ they were different. Normal rift undead still resembled monsters¡ªgoblins, shadow wolves, steel-jaw monkeys¡ªbut not these. These looked human, disturbingly so. Empty eyes stared from rotting, gaunt faces. Torn flesh clung loosely to bones, limbs twisted at unnatural angles. It felt wrong, like looking at something you weren¡¯t meant to see. I swallowed the bile rising in my throat, forcing myself forward. Alex, Bert, and I stayed at the rear of the group, silently keeping pace. Finally, we stepped into a wider cavern, and John raised one armored hand sharply. ¡°Stop,¡± he called, voice echoing softly through the chamber. ¡°This looks like the sub-boss room.¡± Relief surged through me instantly. I dropped the heavy pack onto the cold stone floor, nearly collapsing beside it as the weight left my shoulders. Sweat streamed down my face, stinging my eyes. My legs shook uncontrollably, muscles burning with exhaustion. Alex flopped down next to me, grinning despite his own fatigue. ¡°You really need to put some muscle on that lanky frame, Ethan.¡± I glared at him weakly. ¡°Yeah, yeah. Whatever, meathead.¡± Bert watched us, a quiet grin spreading across his face. ¡°You two known each other long?¡± ¡°A few years now,¡± I managed, breathing heavily. ¡°We did the Hunter¡¯s Course together.¡± Bert chuckled softly, eyes distant. ¡°Ah, I remember mine. Good times.¡± I snorted bitterly. ¡°It wasn¡¯t good times.¡± The Hunter¡¯s Course sucked¡ªespecially when your Awakening gave you a skill that only worked when you were halfway to dead already. Alex smirked at Bert, curiosity in his gaze. ¡°Say, Bert. How old are you? Can¡¯t quite place it¡ªthirty?¡± Bert laughed, shaking his head slightly. ¡°Sure. Let¡¯s just say I¡¯m thirty.¡± I scoffed, studying his grizzled features. ¡°Don¡¯t be stupid, Alex. He¡¯s at least fifty.¡± Silence. Bert¡¯s laughter stopped abruptly, and he turned slowly, his sharp gaze locking onto me with sudden intensity. ¡°You realize I¡¯m B-rank, right?¡± His tone was far too casual. A nervous laugh slipped from my throat. I glanced at Alex for support, but the bastard was smirking, enjoying every second. ¡°I¡ªuh¡­¡± Bert burst into laughter again, eyes gleaming with amusement. ¡°Relax, kid. You should¡¯ve seen your face.¡± Alex stood up, slapping my shoulder as he went. ¡°Don¡¯t get too spooked, Ethan. You do realize we¡¯re in an A-rank rift, right?¡± I muttered under my breath, ¡°Yeah, yeah. Whatever.¡± Bert offered me a calloused hand, easily hauling me upright. ¡°You¡¯re a tall one, though, aren¡¯t ya.¡± ¡°Mom always said I had to eat my veggies,¡± I replied dryly. He snorted. ¡°Looks like you skipped the meat, though. Nothing but skin and bones.¡± ¡°Ouch,¡± I winced, searching for a comeback. My mind blanked. Bert might¡¯ve been shorter, but he looked like he could snap me in half without even trying. So I fell back on my favorite defense. ¡°Whatever. You¡¯re ugly.¡± He chuckled again, shaking his head. Alex snorted. ¡°Sorry, Ethan. You¡¯re clearly the only ugly one here.¡± I shot him a betrayed glare. ¡°Whose side are you on?¡± ¡°Come on,¡± Alex grinned, unfazed. ¡°Let¡¯s get these packs sorted.¡± I sighed, reaching reluctantly toward my bag. Then¡ª Click. I froze. The sound was sharp, unnatural, echoing clearly down the tunnel. ¡°What was that?¡± I whispered sharply. Bert frowned, glancing toward the dark passage. ¡°What?¡± I closed my eyes, focusing intently. The noise came again, louder now. Click. Click. Click. ¡°That,¡± I said urgently. ¡°Tell me you hear it.¡± Before either of them could answer, a scream cut through the cavern. My head snapped around in time to see one of the lookouts collapse to the ground, blood spilling beneath him. The clicking intensified, almost deafening, as something emerged from the shadows. A twisted, human-like figure crawled into the torchlight, moving too fast, limbs bent grotesquely. Empty eye sockets locked onto me, mouth stretched wide in a silent, hungry scream. And then it lunged straight toward me. Chapter 3 The undead barreled straight at me. Me, the weakest hunter here. Why? I had no clue, and definitely no time to figure it out. Its clicking filled the cavern, sharp and relentless, echoing painfully in my ears. My body locked up, heart slamming painfully against my ribs. Shouts erupted around me, weapons drawn, hunters scrambling into action but none of it mattered. It lunged. I froze. Too fast. Too wrong. I couldn¡¯t track it, let alone defend myself. A single stupid thought flickered through my mind: At least El will get a big payout. The thing¡¯s jaws unhinged grotesquely, aiming straight for my throat. Then something wrapped around me. A strange, twisting sensation pulled me from reality. For an instant, I was nowhere at all. Then, just as abruptly, I was standing on the other side of the cavern, gasping for air, heart hammering wildly. A blur of metal replaced me. John. His massive shield slammed into the undead¡¯s torso with a bone-crunching impact, throwing the creature violently across the chamber. It hit the stone floor hard, skidding backward, limbs flailing wildly before it twisted itself upright, snapping back to all fours. Now, twenty fully armed hunters stood between it and me. My breath came in ragged gulps, body trembling as I finally got a good look at it. It looked human. Horribly, impossibly human. Its limbs were bent at unnatural angles, movements jerky and wrong. Its face was stretched into something nightmarish, jaws too wide, eyes hollow pits of darkness. My pulse surged, blood roaring in my ears as I struggled not to lose it entirely. The undead let out a guttural shriek, then launched itself at John, blurring across the cavern floor. John didn¡¯t even flinch. His stance tightened, eyes narrowing as a small, grim smile flickered across his lips. The creature smashed into his shield, pushing him back several inches. My heart dropped into my stomach. John, an S-ranker, a literal mountain, shouldn¡¯t move an inch¡ªyet he¡¯d been forced back. But John didn¡¯t look worried. In a single, perfect motion, he drew his blade and cleaved downward. The undead jerked away instinctively, too late. Steel bit deep into rotten flesh, slicing cleanly through bone. An arm hit the cavern floor with a sickening squelch. The undead stumbled back, clicking frantically, its severed limb twitching uselessly. John didn¡¯t give it a chance. He slammed his sword hard against his shield, metal ringing sharply through the cavern, then charged. His body blurred, moving impossibly fast. Steel Charge. I¡¯d seen him use it before, but never this close. He struck the undead like a missile, driving his sword straight through its chest. The creature shuddered violently, jaws clicking helplessly. Its twitching limbs fell still, and John raised his shield, slamming its heavy edge down onto the undead¡¯s skull, crushing it instantly. The clicking finally stopped. You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. But then it started again, louder, echoing from deeper in the darkness ahead. John turned sharply to us, face grim. ¡°Dammit. Everyone, get ready!¡± I sucked in a breath, palms slick with sweat, fear coiling tight in my gut. If one undead had almost killed me, what about the rest? I was completely out of my depth, drowning in fear. I reached inside my jacket, fingers gripping the worn handle of my dagger. The blade was chipped, the leather worn, but it felt solid in my hand, molded perfectly to my grip. It was the only thing I had left to rely on now. A gift from my father on my eighth birthday. Five years ago now. With the weapon firm in my grasp, my nerves steadied, at least a little. Then the first undead charged into the cavern, followed quickly by more. Dozens of clicking, writhing nightmares poured in, crawling and lunging toward us. John, Darren, and Till moved instantly, forming a solid wall at the mouth of the tunnel. Shields raised, weapons drawn. They were unflinching mountains facing the rising tide of horrors. The other hunters surged forward in a tight formation, deploying skills, screaming orders, fighting desperately against the sudden chaos. I was lost. What could I possibly do here? Every single person around me, hunter or undead, vastly outclassed me. I stumbled back, gripping my dagger until my knuckles turned white. My back slammed into cold, slick stone. A scream pierced through the battle, high and sharp. My head snapped toward the sound, dagger raised on instinct. A young woman collapsed to the cavern floor. Her short sword clattered uselessly away, blood pooling from deep wounds along her arm. Her wide eyes met mine for an instant, terrified and pleading, before glazing over in agony. An undead stood above her, its twisted jaw buried deep in her neck. My stomach lurched violently, bile rising to choke my throat. The creature slowly raised its head, flesh torn and dripping, human-like eyes turning slowly locking directly onto me. My hand trembled violently. I gritted my teeth, gripping my dagger tighter, trying desperately not to vomit. The undead pulled back from the woman¡¯s ruined body, stretching its twisted limbs, then dropping slowly onto all fours. It cocked its head, watching me curiously, mockingly. Then it lunged, faster than my eyes could follow. My muscles seized. No John this time, no shield to hide behind. Nothing but me, my dagger, and the certainty that I was about to die. The creature crashed into me, slamming me brutally against the cavern wall. Pain exploded through my skull my vision blurring sharply. Its jaws clamped down, catching only steel as my dagger lodged between its teeth in a last ditch attempt. Blood and saliva dripped hotly onto my skin. Its rancid breath filled my nose, choking me. Before I could react, its grotesque arm lashed out, smashing into my shoulder and sending me sprawling across the stone floor. Agony surged through me, blinding, overwhelming, until my skill ignited. Adrenaline. Energy. A desperate, useless surge of resistance too little, too late. I rolled upright, dagger clenched desperately in my shaking hand. The undead lunged again, jaws unhinging impossibly wide. I raised my free arm, shielding my throat, and slashed upward blindly. Somehow my blade sank deep into its shoulder. It didn¡¯t even slow down. Its teeth sank into my forearm instead, tearing flesh and scraping bone. Hot, searing pain engulfed me. My skill burned through my veins, trying to stem the damage, pushing me beyond limits I¡¯d never tested. But it wasn¡¯t enough. Desperation flooded me. I ripped my dagger free, stabbing wildly into its side, its chest, anything I could reach. The creature released my arm and grabbed my body with both twisted hands, smashing me into the ground. Again. And again. My vision swam, darkness creeping into the edges. The dagger slipped from numb fingers, clattering uselessly across stone. I heard the wet thud as my skull hit stone again. Blood ran freely from my head, my skin slick and sticky. My skill burned hotter, desperately clawing at consciousness, forcing me to hold on but I was slipping. The undead finally stopped, standing over my broken body. Its distorted jaw opened wide, teeth poised above my throat. Thoughts of El flashed through my mind, painfully clear. If I died now, she¡¯d be alone. Truly alone. I couldn¡¯t let that happen. No matter what. I dug deeper into myself, forcing my pathetic skill past every boundary, every limitation. Something tore through me, primal and raw, no speed, no strength, just desperate, furious determination. I gasped for air. Rotten breath washed over my face, thick and choking. Blood dripped from its open mouth onto my skin. Teeth grazed my throat. My hand searched wildly along the stone, clawing, reaching. Where¡ªwhere the hell was it? The undead clicked once, jaw tightening. I flailed desperately, legs kicking, fingers digging frantically through blood and gravel. Its teeth pressed harder, puncturing skin. Then my fingers brushed cold steel. My dagger. I snatched it up, grip tightening fiercely. In a surge of wild desperation, I jerked my arm upward, blade flashing in the dim cavern light. Steel met flesh, sinking deep into the creature¡¯s neck. It shuddered, convulsing violently. Warm blood spattered my face, my hands. I stabbed again and again, screaming hoarsely with each strike. The undead let out a choked, gurgling cry. It clawed weakly at my chest, limbs spasming, movements slowing. Then it collapsed, going completely still. I lay there, gasping, trembling, covered in blood and barely alive. But alive, nonetheless. For now. Chapter 4 ¡°Eth¡ªEthan, can you hear me?¡± Someone was calling my name. The voice felt far away, distorted, like hearing it underwater. ¡°How bad is he?¡± Asked another voice, deep, rough, filled with tension. ¡°Bad,¡± a woman¡¯s voice responded coolly. ¡°His skill is fighting, but it won¡¯t last. His skull¡¯s cracked. Brain¡¯s bleeding.¡± ¡°Can you fix him?¡± the deeper voice pressed, urgent. ¡°I can¡­¡± she hesitated, her tone reluctant. ¡°But should we? He¡¯s another liability. We¡¯ve already lost over half our number.¡± ¡°Do it,¡± the deeper voice said firmly. ¡°He just took out an A-rank undead alone. Luck or not, the kid survived what many others didn¡¯t.¡± A pause hung in the air. Then a sigh. ¡°Understood.¡± Warmth surged into the back of my skull, spreading gently, washing away the pain like a wave of sunlight banishing ice. Then, the darkness returned, and I slipped away again. When I opened my eyes again, the flickering glow of torches lit the stone ceiling above. For a moment, I didn¡¯t move, my body feeling heavy, sluggish. Expecting pain, I carefully shifted an arm, then my legs, but felt nothing. No pain, no wounds, no broken bones. Nothing but the dull ache of exhaustion. Slowly, I sat up. We were still inside the cavern, though now it felt eerily quiet. The fight was long over, but signs of its violence were everywhere. My stomach churned. In a corner, bodies had been piled. Hunters I¡¯d seen alive just hours ago, now lifeless heaps covered in blood and dirt. Far stronger hunters than I was, reduced to nothing more than corpses. I tore my gaze away, swallowing down the nausea. Down the cavern, our exit tunnel was blocked by a pile of collapsed stone and rubble. Had it caved in naturally during the battle or had it been sealed deliberately to prevent more undead from pouring through? Either way, it didn¡¯t matter. We were trapped. Nearby, a group of surviving hunters argued. ¡°How the hell did they get behind us?¡± one snapped, pacing angrily. ¡°Alpha Team was supposed to clear the path!¡± ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter how!¡± Darren shouted back, voice shaking with frustration. ¡°They¡¯re here, we¡¯re stuck, what the hell do we do now?¡± John stood silently at the center of the argument, massive arms crossed, his eyes hard and unreadable. Till flanked him, battered but alert, still gripping his heavy shield. The healer, the woman who¡¯d clearly saved my life, stood a little apart, eyes flat and distant, her expression unreadable. I forced myself slowly to my feet, waiting for dizziness to hit but none came. ¡°You good?¡± I glanced over to find Alex watching me, his face unusually serious. ¡°Better than I should be,¡± I muttered quietly, still testing my limbs in disbelief. Alex nodded once, sharply. ¡°Good. Because we¡¯re moving forward. Do me a favor, try not to die again.¡± I chuckled dryly, tightening my grip on the chipped dagger. John finally stepped forward, silencing the arguments around him instantly. ¡°The path back is blocked. We have only one choice. Move forward and reconnect with Alpha Team.¡± A heavy silence filled the cavern, broken only by the crackling of torches and the distant drip of water. ¡°What if Alpha Team¡¯s already dead?¡± someone muttered bitterly. John¡¯s jaw tightened, his voice cold, resolute. ¡°Then we finish their job.¡± Silence again. No objections. Because really, there were none to give. Alex shifted uneasily beside me, adjusting the heavy pack on his shoulder. ¡°So, we¡¯re just gonna march straight into whatever tore Alpha Team apart and hope it doesn¡¯t do the same to us?¡± John fixed him with an icy stare. ¡°We stay alert, move as one unit, and strike without hesitation. It¡¯s our only chance. Judging from those undead, I¡¯d say this rift is rapidly rising to S-Rank. We need to close it no matter what. If it ruptures, millions of lives could be lost.¡± This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. Then, without another word, he turned and began walking into the tunnel ahead, his shield raised. One by one, we followed, stepping forward into darkness, uncertainty, and a grim determination not to become another body piled in the corner. The deeper we went, the worse it got. The air grew heavy, pressing against my skin like something alive, something hostile. Every breath felt thicker, harder, as if the darkness itself resisted our presence. And the smell¡­ Rot. Blood. Death. It clung to us, seeped into our clothing, settled at the back of my throat like poison. I forced myself to breathe through my mouth, fighting back waves of nausea. The silence was oppressive, broken only by the scuff of boots on stone and our shallow breathing. It had been quiet too long, the darkness too deep. My instincts screamed warnings louder with each step. We were being watched. I glanced back sharply. Nothing but shadows. Eight weary figures trudging forward in silence. But I knew the others felt it too. Alex kept rolling his shoulders, muscles tense, eyes darting into the darkness like he expected something to lunge out. Till¡¯s grip tightened on his shield, knuckles turning white from the strain. Even John¡ªsteady, unshakable John¡ªcouldn¡¯t hide the wary glances toward the corners of the tunnel. Then came the noises. Quiet at first. A soft scrape. A faint shuffle. The sound of something dragging itself across the stone. Bert cursed softly, voice tight with tension. ¡°Tell me I¡¯m not the only one hearing that.¡± ¡°You¡¯re not,¡± Till muttered grimly. John kept his pace steady, eyes fixed straight ahead. ¡°Stay close. Keep moving.¡± But the sounds didn¡¯t fade, they grew louder. A low, rhythmic clicking echoed down the tunnel, drifting toward us from somewhere deep behind. Click-click-click¡­ My pulse quickened, adrenaline surging painfully through my veins. I pressed my hand to my mouth, trying desperately to ignore the overpowering stench. It wasn¡¯t just the stale scent of old death anymore. This was fresh. Something was following us. Something close. We kept moving until John finally called for rest in a small clearing, barely wide enough for us to sit down. Not that any of us intended to sleep. Darren volunteered for first watch, shield at his side. The healer sat beside him, quietly sharpening a small blade. I settled against my pack, dagger clutched tightly in one hand. My body was utterly exhausted, but my mind refused to slow down. The feeling of unseen eyes watching us never faded. If anything, it intensified. The silence grew deeper, thicker, filled with a tension that set my teeth on edge. I forced my eyes closed, whispering silent reassurances I didn¡¯t believe. I woke to silence. Not the peaceful quiet of sleeping bodies, the kind of unnatural stillness that felt utterly wrong. My eyes snapped open, heart already racing. Something was different. Something was missing. I sat up slowly, blinking through the lingering haze of sleep. The air was still. Too still. Then I saw Till¡¯s face. Pale. Eyes wide with silent horror. Fixed on something just behind me. Slowly, my head turned. My heart stopped. Darren was dead. He sat slumped forward, eyes vacant, mouth slightly open. Blood trickled from between his lips, pooling silently onto his armor. His sword still lay across his lap, as though death had taken him before he could even lift it. Beside him lay the healer. Her throat wasn¡¯t slit. It wasn¡¯t cut. It was just¡­ gone. A dark, ragged hole, where flesh and veins should have been. No scream. No struggle. Nothing. Just silence and death. An icy weight crushed my chest. My breath caught, choking me. My fingers tightened reflexively around my dagger, desperate for something solid to hold onto. Something had killed them both, right next to us and none of us had heard a damn thing. John stood slowly, face an unreadable mask. His gaze moved methodically between the bodies, taking in every horrific detail. He knelt carefully beside Darren¡¯s lifeless form, inspecting the brutal wounds. ¡°This wasn¡¯t a clean kill,¡± John said quietly. His voice was cold, almost clinical, but his jaw was locked tight, muscles twitching beneath his skin. ¡°Too messy. They were ripped apart.¡± ¡°Undead?¡± Till asked, voice tight and strained. John shook his head slowly, eyes narrowing further. ¡°Not regular undead. Likely a lurker.. they¡¯re fast, silent, built for ambushes. Killed them before they even realized it was there.¡± Alex glanced uneasily back the way we¡¯d come. ¡°Maybe we should turn around. Dig our way back through the rubble¡ª¡± ¡°No,¡± Bert interrupted sharply, cutting through the growing tension. ¡°We collapsed the tunnel for a reason. If we reopen it, those things behind us will flood right in.¡± John stood slowly, eyes fixed on the shadows ahead. ¡°Bert¡¯s right. Going back isn¡¯t an option. Forward is the only way.¡± Nobody argued. Because he was right. No one wanted to face more of those undead. ¡°Let¡¯s keep going.¡± John gestured. We followed silently, stepping carefully around Darren and the healer, their bodies still warm, blood still dripping slowly onto the stone floor. As we moved deeper, the silence deepened, I couldn¡¯t stop glancing back, half-expecting something to emerge from the shadows behind us. Nothing moved. But the feeling of being watched only grew stronger. The tunnel twisted downward endlessly, narrowing into tight, suffocating passages. We squeezed through, hearts pounding, waiting for an attack that never came. With every step, I expected claws to tear into my back, jaws to clamp around my throat. But nothing happened. Then, abruptly, the passage opened up, and we stepped into a large cavern. My body froze. Corpses littered the cavern floor, broken weapons scattered around them like shattered toys. I recognized their gear, their insignias¡­ Alpha Team. All of them dead. Bile burned at the back of my throat. Alpha Team were elite, experienced hunters, all of them A-Rank. Now they lay butchered, bodies sprawled in broken heaps. John moved forward cautiously, examining the nearest body. ¡°They fought,¡± he said quietly, running his hand over the ruined armor. ¡°Formed a circle, tried to hold their ground.¡± He straightened slowly, eyes cold and distant. ¡°They were overwhelmed. Likely numbers. From some of the marks maybe a lurker.¡± Till¡¯s voice was barely a whisper. ¡°If Alpha Team couldn¡¯t handle this, what hope do we have? We are just the mining crew.¡± John didn¡¯t answer at first. His gaze moved slowly around the cavern, taking in every corpse, every broken weapon, every sign of the brutal slaughter. When he finally spoke, his voice held a razor edge. ¡°We keep moving. Staying here is certain death. We have to push to the end. No matter what.¡± He stepped through the carnage without another word. We followed silently behind, carefully avoiding the bodies of the dead, each step dragging us deeper into the darkness¡ªtoward whatever nightmare had likely killed Alpha Team and waited patiently to kill us next. Chapter 5 Everything was silent. We moved carefully, footsteps echoing faintly off damp stone walls. Every sound felt too loud, like a beacon that would draw whatever lurked unseen toward us. John sent one of the remaining hunters ahead to scout, a wiry man whose name I didn¡¯t catch. He moved with practiced caution, eyes sweeping methodically across every shadowed crevice. Then, without warning, something burst from the darkness. A blur of motion, too fast to track clearly. The scout barely managed a strangled gasp before claws ripped through his throat. Blood sprayed across the cavern floor as he fell, dead before he hit the stone. Just as swiftly, the dark shape vanished again. No one dared move. John raised a clenched fist, signaling a halt. My heart hammered painfully in my chest, blood roaring in my ears. The ragged breathing of my companions filled the silence like an alarm bell. ¡°Close formation, now,¡± John growled quietly. His voice was controlled, but beneath it simmered a lethal tension. ¡°Don¡¯t let anything separate us.¡± We tightened ranks instantly. Alex shifted closer, weapon in hand, muscles coiled. Bert fell in beside him, eyes darting anxiously toward every dancing shadow. ¡°What the hell was that?¡± Till whispered, voice barely audible. ¡°Same thing that killed Darren and the healer,¡± John replied, grimly quiet. ¡°An undead lurker. It¡¯s hunting us.¡± Cold sweat dripped down my spine. We weren¡¯t just in danger, we were prey. Trapped underground, stalked by something faster, stronger, and far more ruthless than I could handle. John didn¡¯t give us time to panic. ¡°Keep moving,¡± he ordered, voice razor-sharp. ¡°Don¡¯t hesitate. We need to get out.¡± We pressed forward, nerves frayed. My knuckles whitened painfully around my dagger as we edged deeper into the darkness. Then the tunnel narrowed abruptly. Walls pressed in from both sides, slick with moisture. I stepped carefully, trailing just behind Alex. His shoulders were tense, his breathing measured. My foot landed on something loose beneath the dirt. Click. Before I could react, the ground beneath Alex and me fell away. We dropped sharply, violently. Stone scraped against my skin as air slammed from my lungs, agony jolting through my ribs and I crashed to the cavern floor below. I lay stunned for a moment, breathless, before forcing myself upright. ¡°You alright?¡± Alex asked, voice strained as he pulled himself up beside me. I coughed sharply, pushing myself onto shaky legs. ¡°What the hell was that.¡± Alex nodded grimly, gaze shifting upward. ¡°We¡¯re cut off.¡± Above us, the hole we fell through had sealed shut seamlessly, leaving only smooth, featureless stone. My pulse quickened. We were separated from the group, trapped in an unknown passageway, surrounded by darkness. This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Alex rose swiftly, helping me up while scanning the shadows. ¡°Stay close,¡± he murmured quietly. ¡°We need to find another way back.¡± The cave around us was cold, damp and oppressive. Dripping water echoed distantly, punctuating the silence with rhythmic taps. Shadows seemed to ripple and twist, whispering threats I couldn¡¯t quite hear. The sensation of unseen eyes watching me returned, crawling along my skin, refusing to fade. Alex moved deliberately, his B-ranker confidence visible in each cautious step. Yet even he couldn¡¯t hide the subtle tension stiffening his muscles. I gripped my dagger tighter and followed, desperately trying to ignore the whispering fear at the edges of my mind. Clicking echoed through the cavern behind us, sharp, relentless, rapidly closing in. ¡°Run!¡± Alex shouted, already surging forward, his heavy footsteps splashing through the shallow puddles littering the cavern floor. I didn¡¯t need to be told twice. My heart hammered painfully as I ran. Glancing back, I caught sight of two distorted shapes racing after us. They moved with jerky, unsettling speed, crawling low along the stone floor, limbs twisting unnaturally. Something disturbingly human clung to their movements. Then, with a sickening clarity, I recognized them. ¡°Oh, god¡­¡± My breath hitched, fear and nausea rising simultaneously. ¡°Those are¡­ Alpha Team.¡± Alex¡¯s expression darkened as he looked back. He cursed under his breath, eyes flashing with dread. ¡°Keep moving! We can¡¯t fight them here!¡± We bolted forward, scrambling over slick stones, our ragged breaths loud in the oppressive silence. The clicking intensified behind us, echoing harshly off cavern walls. Ahead, the tunnel forked sharply. Without hesitating, Alex grabbed my arm and yanked me down the left path. ¡°This way!¡± We sprinted blindly, driven by adrenaline and terror. But the clicking remained relentless, always at our heels, closing the gap. We rounded another corner and suddenly skidded to a stop. A dead end. Sheer rock faced us on three sides, looming tall and unyielding. My stomach dropped. ¡°Shit,¡± Alex hissed, eyes frantically scanning our surroundings. ¡°There has to be¡ª¡± He spotted it first, pointing toward a narrow crevice partially concealed by shadows to the left. ¡°There! Quick!¡± I didn¡¯t hesitate, squeezing myself into the gap sideways. The stone scraped sharply against my skin, tight and suffocating but it was our only chance. Alex followed closely, grunting as he forced his larger body into the narrow space. For one moment, it seemed he might just make it. Then he halted, breathing sharply. ¡°Dammit I can¡¯t fit. Ethan, pull me!¡± ¡°Shit!¡± Panic surged. I twisted awkwardly, desperately grabbing his arm. ¡°You¡¯re almost through¡ªjust pull!¡± Behind Alex, the undead closed in. Their warped forms now clearly visible, torn faces twisted grotesquely, eyes vacant yet somehow filled with malevolent hunger. ¡°Ethan, help!¡± Alex yelled desperately, struggling to free himself. ¡°I got you, pull with me!¡± I shouted back, pulling with all my strength. It wasn¡¯t enough. An undead lunged forward, jagged claws sinking deep into Alex¡¯s shoulder. He screamed, face contorted in pain as they tore him from my grip, dragging him violently out of the crevice. ¡°Alex!¡± I shoved myself backward through the gap, ignoring stone scraping against my ribs. Alex fought wildly, blade flashing, blood splattering the cavern walls. But the undead were relentless, overwhelming him, tearing and biting with sickening ferocity. I forced myself fully out of the crevice just as Alex¡¯s eyes locked onto mine, blood dripping from his lips, his expression filled with pain and regret. ¡°Ethan¡ª¡± he choked out. Before I could reach him, before I could lift my dagger, one undead sank its teeth viciously into Alex¡¯s throat. The other ripped violently into his arm, tearing flesh from bone. Alex collapsed heavily to the cavern floor, pinned beneath the undead. His eyes met mine again, barely holding consciousness, whispering a single broken word. ¡°Sorry.¡± My gaze caught a soft blue glow in his bloodied hand, a mana grenade. My heart froze. The cavern erupted in blinding white-blue light. The explosion hurled me backward, my body slamming violently into the stone wall. A sharp burst of pain shot through my skull and darkness flooded my vision instantly. I woke slowly. Pain radiated through my entire body. My ears rang harshly, vision blurred as I pushed myself upright, breath coming in ragged gasps. Slowly, painfully, I moved toward the carnage ahead. Alex lay motionless, surrounded by the shredded remains of the two undead. Blood pooled thickly around his ruined form, half his face frozen in determination, the other half¡­ gone. My throat tightened painfully, eyes burning as I stumbled to his side. ¡°Alex¡­¡± My voice cracked. ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡ªI should¡¯ve¡­¡± I whispered hoarsely, my chest tight. My voice broke. Tears blurred my vision, but I swallowed them back, forcing down the grief enough to say what mattered. ¡°I won¡¯t waste this. I promise. I¡¯ll make it home.¡± For a long moment, I knelt quietly, grieving in silence. Finally, I forced myself back onto shaky legs. Every step felt agonizing as I limped away down the darkened tunnel, gripping my dagger with knuckles white and trembling. Chapter 6 I limped through the darkness, every step sending waves of pain through my battered body. My mind was a haze, numb from exhaustion and grief. Alex¡¯s death replayed endlessly in my head, each haunting detail etched deep into memory. But I kept moving. The tunnels seemed endless, an oppressive maze of stone and shadow. My dagger felt heavier with every passing step, the blade slick with sweat and dried blood. Eventually, the narrow path opened into a wider space. Ahead stood a massive door carved from dark, unfamiliar stone. Strange markings spiraled across its surface, faintly glowing under some unknown enchantment. Hesitantly, I stepped closer, heart hammering. The moment I crossed the threshold, there was a sudden, grinding noise behind me. I spun around, dread seizing my chest. The stone door had sealed shut. ¡°No,¡± I whispered, lunging toward it. My palms slammed against the smooth stone, frantically searching for cracks, handles, anything. ¡°Dammit, no!¡± Nothing budged. I slumped against the cold surface, breathing heavily. After a moment, I turned slowly, taking in the rest of the room. Walls surrounded me. Strange scriptures covered every surface, carved deeply into the stone. Lines of alien symbols I¡¯d never seen before, glowing softly with an unsettling pale-blue hue. ¡°What is this?¡± I murmured, stepping forward cautiously. I ran a finger across one of the carvings, half-expecting something to happen, but the symbols remained unchanged. They felt wrong beneath my fingertips¡ªcold, almost vibrating with subtle energy. My throat tightened. In the center of the room stood a statue. It was human-like, carved from smooth, blackened stone, but wrong in ways subtle and overt. Its features were sharp, too defined, each angle and curve unnaturally precise. Twin horns protruded from its forehead, curving gracefully back over its skull. Its eyes were open, set with polished gems that caught and reflected the faint light, giving an unsettling impression of life. Its pupils were vertical slits, like those of a cat¡ªpredatory, indifferent, and cold. In its outstretched hand rested an empty stone bowl, as though awaiting some grim offering. The bowl¡¯s interior was stained dark, the stone worn and cracked with age. I stepped closer, unease prickling down my spine. As soon as I moved, the runes etched around the room flared to life. Soft glows pulsed outward, rippling along the walls. With each step, I felt the air grow heavy, as though unseen chains settled onto my shoulders. My breaths came shorter, my heart beating faster, louder, echoing in my ears. I gritted my teeth, forcing another step closer, muscles straining beneath the growing pressure. My skill stirred quietly in my chest, pulsing faintly on the edge of activating but not yet triggered. My eyes landed on the statue¡¯s chest. Words were carved there, cut deeply and roughly into its skin-like surface. Each letter harsh, purposeful, and ancient. Through death comes life. Through life comes death. As soon as I finished reading the scripture, a rune flared on my left, pulsing in slow, deliberate rhythm. The grinding of stone filled the chamber as a hidden passage yawned open, and from its darkness stumbled an undead. I stiffened, dagger gripped tightly, adrenaline pushing through bone-deep exhaustion. But this undead¡­ was familiar. A small, rotten goblin. Its sagging, mottled skin hung loosely from brittle bones, clinging in patches like decayed cloth. Milky eyes stared vacantly at me, its crude wooden club dragging lazily along the stone floor. I stepped back, heart thundering. I¡¯d faced undead goblins before. But here, in my weakened state, even the weakest enemy could kill me. The runes along the walls brightened, casting shadows across the goblin¡¯s twisted face. A new sensation washed over me: an invisible force, tugging at something vital within. It felt as though my very essence was being drained, pulled away slowly, painfully. My knees threatened to buckle under the invisible weight, but my skill surged, Last Stand desperately counteracting the unnatural pull. The goblin lunged forward with a speed that seemed impossible for its decaying limbs. I dodged backward, narrowly avoiding the club¡¯s heavy swing, feeling its rough edge slice the air just inches from my chest. Every movement felt heavier, slower than it should¡¯ve been. The runes¡¯ invisible drain intensified with every passing second, forcing my skill to burn hotter. I slashed wildly with my dagger, slicing deep into its side, but the goblin barely flinched. It swung again, catching my shoulder, sending shockwaves of pain through my body. We fought desperately, back and forth, each moment draining more strength from my already battered frame. The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. But I refused to fall. With a final surge of strength born from desperation, I lunged forward, sinking my blade deep into its throat. Black blood sprayed my face, and the goblin collapsed, twitching briefly before falling still. The runes dimmed slightly, their oppressive pull weakening and the feeling of rejuvenation entered my body. But it wasn¡¯t enough. My legs trembled beneath me, and darkness edged my vision. I staggered backward, praying the trial was over. But it wasn¡¯t. On another wall, the rune blazed to life, brighter and fiercer than the last. Stone scraped, and a much larger chamber opened. From the shadows stepped a monstrous undead, it was humanoid but distinctly reptilian, towering over me with rippling, decayed muscles beneath cracked, rotted scales. Its eyes were pale and lifeless, jaws lined with jagged teeth. Razor-sharp claws flexed in anticipation. The runes blazed brighter, their pull redoubling with merciless intensity. My body screamed in agony as that invisible force tore at me once more. If not for Last Stand fighting tirelessly to sustain me, I would¡¯ve collapsed immediately. The reptilian charged forward without hesitation, a massive claw swiping toward my chest. I threw myself sideways, barely evading its blow, my shoulder slamming into the cold stone floor. Pain exploded through my side, my breath escaping in ragged gasps. Scrambling upright, I narrowly dodged a crushing blow from its heavy tail, feeling the rush of air as it sailed past my head. My dagger flashed desperately, slicing at the creature¡¯s leg but my blade glanced off its thick scales, doing nothing but annoy it. I retreated, heart hammering wildly. Each second was agony, every heartbeat a fight against unconsciousness. The draining runes sucked strength from my being, countered only by Last Stand¡¯s burning resilience. The reptilian lunged again, relentless, striking faster, harder. Its claw caught my side, shredding skin and sending fresh blood splattering onto the stone. My vision blurred, the world was fading in and out, but desperation forced me to keep moving. Summoning strength I shouldn¡¯t have, I charged forward, sliding under another blow, driving my dagger upward into the soft underside of its jaw. The blade sank deep, slicing through bone, flesh, and sinew. The undead convulsed violently, gurgling sickly, then fell, lifeless, at my feet. The runes finally dimmed, their oppressive pull retreating, leaving me broken and shuddering. My skill¡¯s strength ebbed as I collapsed beside the reptilian corpse, blood pooling beneath me. More energy suffused me, mending wounds and keeping me awake. As I stared down at the lifeless reptilian undead, my vision wavered, exhaustion creeping through every fiber of my being. But before I could fully catch my breath, movement caught my eye. The blackened blood of the undead slowly trickled along unseen grooves in the stone floor, winding its way toward the statue. As if guided by invisible hands, the blood climbed upward, defying gravity, filling the empty stone bowl clenched in the figure¡¯s outstretched hands. A sense of dread pooled within my stomach. My respite didn¡¯t last. On the final wall, yet another rune flared to life, its cruel glow brighter and more intense than the others. Once more the draining force surged through me, wrenching painfully at my core, my life force ebbing dangerously. Last Stand flared desperately, pushing back the exhaustion, forcing my battered body upright when all I wanted was to collapse. From the newly opened chamber staggered another undead. This time, another goblin, small and twisted, a crude blade gripped in skeletal fingers. It hissed silently, jaw unhinging grotesquely. Every instinct screamed at me to collapse, to surrender. But thoughts of Elise flashed through my mind, her desperate face pleading with me not to leave. With trembling fingers, I tightened my grip on my blood-slick dagger, muscles screaming in protest. ¡°Come on then!¡± I shouted. One more fight, I promised silently, stumbling forward. I can do this one more time. The goblin lunged, blade flashing. I dodged clumsily, barely avoiding the strike. Pain and fatigue made every movement sluggish, but desperation drove me. Last Stand burned in my veins, an inferno fueled by sheer willpower alone. I drove my dagger into its chest, wrenching the blade free as the goblin collapsed, its blackened blood again trickling toward the statue¡¯s bowl. One more, I promised myself again, gasping for breath as another rune ignited. And again. And again. Each undead pushed me closer to the brink, each fight blurred into the next, every moment pure agony. But still, I fought, driven by desperation and the image of Elise¡¯s tear-stained face, determined not to let her down. Time lost all meaning as I fought, trapped in an endless cycle of violence. One undead fell only for another to take its place¡ªgoblins, reptilians, wolves; the monsters blurred together, each fight robbing me of another fragment of myself and each kill healing me slowly. My skill burned continuously, raging like a desperate flame, barely staving off the oppressive force of the runes. The chamber floor was slick with blood, both mine and theirs, painting the stones a grotesque crimson. My breaths came in ragged gasps, every muscle screamed in agony, every heartbeat felt like a hammer striking against my ribs. I was fighting not just undead but an endless despair, a grim understanding that this trial was designed to be unwinnable. I¡¯d realized the bitter truth a while ago. The bowl could never be filled. The blood drained slowly through an almost invisible crack, eternally unsatisfied. This place was a cruel joke meant to break me down, to see just how far I¡¯d go before snapping. But I refused. Not because I believed in victory, but because surrender wasn¡¯t an option. Elise waited for me somewhere out there, her tearful face etched in my mind. I¡¯d promised her, I¡¯d promised myself, I would always come home. Another undead fell, a shadow wolf this time, its body dissolving into lifeless ruin at my feet. I staggered, dagger slipping from numb fingers, crashing onto the blood-slicked stone. My knees buckled, and I collapsed, utterly drained. My skill sputtered weakly within me, finally extinguished after hours of relentless battle. My body was a ruin, broken and shredded. Bite marks, gashes, bruises¡ªI was a tapestry of violence. Yet, somehow, I felt nothing. No pain. No relief. Just emptiness. ¡°Get up,¡± I whispered hoarsely, my own voice sounding distant, alien. ¡°Get¡­up¡­¡± But my body no longer listened. Through half-lidded eyes, I saw the runes begin to fade, their cruel glow diminishing until the room plunged into near-darkness. Somewhere in the haze, I heard the grinding of stone. Was it the entrance finally reopening, or just another undead sent to finish the job? I couldn¡¯t tell. I couldn¡¯t even turn my head to look. It didn¡¯t matter. With the last fragments of my consciousness slipping away, I finally gave in to exhaustion. The darkness claimed me, and I embraced it.