《THE ABSOLUTE RETURN》 Chapter 1: The Potter in the Dungeon The air was thick with the stench of blood and decay. Broken weapons, shattered shields, and the remains of fallen adventurers littered the dark, sprawling dungeon. Hyun Joon staggered forward, gripping his chipped sword tightly. His trembling hands and sweat-soaked face betrayed his fear. He was no warrior, no hero destined for glory. He was a potter¡ªa mere craftsman thrust into this nightmare. ¡°Why am I here?¡± he muttered to himself, his voice barely audible over the distant growls of monsters. He¡¯d asked that question countless times since his conscription. The answer was always the same: survival. In this world, ordinary jobs couldn¡¯t keep you safe. When the dungeons began to appear ten years ago, the strong became hunters, and the weak were either protected¡ªor sacrificed. Hyun Joon¡¯s role had been clear from the start: he was cannon fodder. Sent into this dungeon alongside other expendables, he was tasked with distracting monsters while the real hunters did their work. But as the team fell apart, one by one, Hyun Joon realized no one was coming to save him. The group he had been sent with was barely holding together when they entered this dungeon. Of the twelve conscripts, only four had basic combat training. The rest were tradespeople, laborers, and unlucky commoners like himself. Their faces had mirrored his fear as they were herded into the darkened cavern under the watchful eyes of their handler, a callous hunter who saw them as nothing more than bait. ¡°Stick together, and you might live long enough to be useful,¡± the hunter had sneered before abandoning them at the first sign of danger. Hyun Joon couldn¡¯t forget the screams. The first wave of monsters had descended upon them like wolves among sheep, tearing through their uncoordinated ranks. He had seen a woman, barely older than him, trying to use a hoe to fend off a goblin. She¡¯d died screaming, her blood soaking the ground. The memory made him nauseous. He passed a broken spear lying next to the lifeless body of a fellow conscript. The man¡¯s empty eyes stared at the ceiling, his armor dented and bloodied beyond repair. Hyun Joon clenched his teeth, forcing himself to look away. ¡°Keep moving,¡± he whispered, though his legs felt like lead. Each step forward was a battle against despair. The walls of the dungeon pulsed faintly, as if alive. Shadows twisted and flickered in the dim torchlight, and the low growls of unseen monsters seemed to echo from every direction. The oppressive atmosphere was a constant reminder of his mortality. Every sound made him jump, his eyes darting to every corner, expecting death to leap out at him. Hyun Joon¡¯s breath quickened as he reached a wide chamber where the remnants of his group had made their stand. The scent of burned flesh and iron was overwhelming. He paused, taking in the scene. The bodies were strewn haphazardly, their weapons broken and shields shattered. Whatever had killed them had done so with brutal efficiency. ¡°Help!¡± a voice cried out, weak and filled with desperation. Hyun Joon¡¯s head snapped toward the sound. A young man, barely older than himself, was pinned beneath a pile of rubble, his face pale with fear. For a moment, Hyun Joon hesitated. Every instinct screamed at him to run, to leave the man behind and save himself. But something inside him stirred. He couldn¡¯t abandon someone else to this hell¡ªnot when he knew what it felt like to be left behind. With a grunt, Hyun Joon dropped his sword and began pulling at the debris. ¡°Hold on,¡± he said, his voice trembling. The rocks were heavy, and his arms ached, but he managed to free the man¡¯s leg. ¡°Can you stand?¡± The man nodded weakly, leaning on Hyun Joon for support. ¡°Thank you...¡± he murmured, his voice barely audible. But before they could move, a monstrous roar echoed through the cavern. Hyun Joon turned, his heart sinking as a towering ogre emerged from the shadows. Its eyes glowed with primal rage, and its massive club dripped with the blood of those who¡¯d come before him. The man beside him froze, paralyzed by fear. ¡°Run,¡± Hyun Joon said, shoving the man toward the exit. ¡°Go now!¡± ¡°But¡ª¡± ¡°Just go!¡± Hyun Joon yelled, picking up his sword. He knew he couldn¡¯t defeat the ogre, but if he could buy even a few seconds, it might be enough to save someone else. He gripped the hilt tightly, his knuckles white. The ogre¡¯s gaze locked onto him, and it roared, charging forward. Hyun Joon braced himself, every fiber of his being screaming in terror. ¡°Not like this,¡± he whispered, tears streaming down his face. He raised his sword, knowing it was futile. The ogre swung its club with devastating force, and everything went black. When Hyun Joon opened his eyes, he was lying in a strange, ethereal void. A voice echoed around him, cold and devoid of emotion. ¡°You have failed. Return to the beginning.¡± Before he could comprehend the words, his consciousness was pulled away, spiraling through an endless tunnel of light and shadow.Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Hyun Joon felt weightless as the light enveloped him, his memories replaying in rapid succession. The voices of his fellow conscripts, their cries for help, and the sound of the ogre¡¯s crushing blows echoed in his mind. Then, suddenly, he was no longer floating. He landed with a jolt. His eyes opened, and he gasped for air. He was standing in the dungeon¡ªbut it wasn¡¯t the same as before. The corpses were gone. The air was still thick with tension, but there was a strange calmness to it now. He instinctively looked down at his hands and was shocked to see them glowing faintly. A soft hum surrounded him, and a strange interface appeared in front of his eyes. System Notice: Hyun Joon blinked at the message, unable to process what he was seeing. ¡°System?¡± he whispered aloud. The word felt foreign, yet somehow familiar. It was as if something ancient had awakened inside him. His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps behind him. He spun around to find the young man he¡¯d tried to save earlier, alive and unharmed, standing in the same spot where he¡¯d been pinned under rubble. His expression was one of confusion, but he seemed whole. ¡°You...¡± Hyun Joon started, but the words died on his lips. What was happening? Could this truly be a second chance? The dungeon shifted around him, its walls pulsing with life as though it were aware of his presence. This time, Hyun Joon wasn¡¯t just cannon fodder. The faint glow around his hands flared brighter, and he could feel a surge of energy coursing through his veins. He wasn¡¯t the same powerless potter anymore. ¡°This time,¡± he whispered to himself, gripping his sword tightly. ¡°I¡¯ll survive. No, I¡¯ll win.¡± The system chimed again as his vision cleared, signaling the beginning of a new battle. The dungeon''s oppressive silence suddenly broke as faint footsteps echoed from the distance. Hyun Joon sharpened his senses, the glow around his hands dissipating into a steady hum. He moved toward the sound cautiously, every step deliberate, his newly gained skill already working to heighten his awareness. He approached a narrow corridor, his sword raised. The light was dim, but he could make out figures moving¡ªno, shuffling. Three humanoid forms came into view. Their rotting flesh and hollow eyes confirmed what Hyun Joon feared: undead soldiers. ¡°Low-level minions,¡± he muttered, his heart pounding. In his previous life, such creatures would have terrified him. But now, with the system¡¯s presence and his newly acquired skill, Hyun Joon felt something he hadn¡¯t in years: resolve. The first soldier lunged, its rusted blade cutting through the air with surprising speed. Hyun Joon sidestepped, the movement fluid and instinctive. He countered with a clean slash, severing the creature¡¯s arm. To his astonishment, a faint notification appeared in his vision. [Combat Proficiency Increased: +2%] ¡°So that¡¯s how it works,¡± he murmured. Every action, every skill executed perfectly would feed into his growth. He didn¡¯t have to rely on grinding for years like the hunters he¡¯d envied in his past life. With a flick of his wrist, he dispatched the remaining undead soldiers, their bodies collapsing into dust. His breathing was steady as the last soldier fell. The glow around his hands pulsed faintly again, and Hyun Joon felt a rush of energy course through him. The system chimed once more. [Skill Copy Available: [Undead¡¯s Tenacity]] ¡°What?¡± Hyun Joon¡¯s eyes widened. He focused on the notification, and suddenly, a stream of knowledge entered his mind. The skill¡¯s details unfolded before him: increased stamina and resistance to damage. ¡°Absolute really lets me take any skill...¡± He clenched his fists, a grin forming on his face. This wasn¡¯t just a second chance; it was an opportunity to surpass anyone and anything. Hyun Joon turned back toward the corridor, the faint echoes of more creatures ahead calling to him. ¡°Let¡¯s see what else this dungeon has to offer.¡± As Hyun Joon delved deeper into the dungeon, he noticed changes he hadn¡¯t before. The walls, once damp and unyielding, seemed to shimmer faintly as if responding to his presence. The system chimed softly, delivering snippets of information: descriptions of the dungeon¡¯s layers, potential threats, and unexplored paths. He paused at a branching corridor, both paths veiled in darkness. The air to his left carried a faint metallic tang, while the right seemed unnaturally still. The system presented a notification. [Dungeon Path Detection: Left¡ªPotential Loot. Right¡ªBoss Encounter. Caution Advised.] Hyun Joon¡¯s grip on his sword tightened. In his previous life, he would have avoided the right path without a second thought. Now, he hesitated. The knowledge that he could level up and acquire skills faster fueled his ambition. ¡°If I can face the boss now, I¡¯ll gain an advantage,¡± he reasoned. But the thought of failure lingered. The memory of the ogre¡¯s crushing blow still haunted him. He took a steadying breath and turned right. If he was going to rewrite his destiny, he couldn¡¯t afford to avoid challenges. The passage narrowed as he pressed forward. His footsteps echoed unnaturally, and the oppressive stillness made it hard to breathe. The faint glow of his hands illuminated the path ahead, revealing intricate carvings on the walls. They depicted scenes of battles, victories, and sacrifices¡ªa grim reminder of what awaited him. At the end of the corridor, a massive iron door loomed before him. Its surface was etched with runes that pulsed faintly, as if alive. Hyun Joon stepped closer, and the system delivered another notification. [Boss Chamber Detected: Entry Will Lock Upon Passage.] Hyun Joon¡¯s heart raced. This was it. The point of no return. He placed his hand on the door, and the runes flared to life. The door groaned open, revealing a cavernous chamber bathed in a sickly green light. In the center of the room stood a creature unlike any he¡¯d faced before. It was humanoid, but its body was twisted and grotesque, its limbs unnaturally long and its eyes glowing with malice. In its hands, it wielded a pair of serrated blades that gleamed with an eerie light. The system chimed once more. [Boss Identified: Warden of the Forsaken. Level 12. Skillset: Blade Dance, Regeneration, Shadow Step.] Hyun Joon¡¯s grip on his sword tightened as the creature turned to face him. The Warden let out a guttural growl, its blades cutting through the air with a chilling precision. This wasn¡¯t going to be easy. But Hyun Joon wasn¡¯t the same man who had died helplessly before. He stepped forward, determination burning in his eyes. ¡°Let¡¯s see how far I can go.¡± Chapter 2: The Awakening Hyun Joon¡¯s heart raced as he stared at the familiar wooden beams of his workshop. The scent of clay and kiln filled the air, comforting yet disorienting. His hands shook as he brought them to his face, feeling the smoothness of skin unscarred by the horrors of the dungeon. The reflection in a polished vase confirmed it: he was back. Back to being an eighteen-year-old, before dungeons had robbed him of everything. ¡°How?¡± he whispered, his voice cracking. Memories of the dungeon, his death at the hands of the ogre, and the cold, emotionless voice replayed in his mind. The phrase ¡°return to the beginning¡± echoed like a bell, striking him with its truth. A sharp knock broke his reverie. The door creaked open, revealing his younger sister, Ji Eun, her bright eyes filled with excitement. ¡°Oppa! Don¡¯t tell me you forgot! Today¡¯s the Awakening Ceremony!¡± Hyun Joon¡¯s breath caught. The ceremony. It was the day every eighteen-year-old attended to discover their hunter potential. In his previous life, he¡¯d been given the lowest rank: E. A pathetic excuse for power that doomed him to a life of mediocrity and servitude. But now, as he looked at Ji Eun, the spark of determination ignited within him. ¡°I didn¡¯t forget,¡± he said, forcing a smile. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± --- The town square buzzed with anticipation as hundreds of young adults gathered around the Awakening Crystal, a massive, glowing orb that radiated faint pulses of light. Parents and onlookers stood in the periphery, whispering prayers or gossiping about potential ranks. For most, this was a day of hope. For Hyun Joon, it had once been a day of crushing disappointment. The queue moved slowly, each participant stepping forward to place their hand on the crystal. The orb¡¯s glow would intensify, revealing their rank and any special skills. Hyun Joon watched as one by one, his peers discovered their destinies. Most were D or C rank, with a few B¡¯s sprinkled in. The rare A rank drew gasps of awe. ¡°Next! Hyun Joon!¡± the examiner called, his voice sharp. Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Hyun Joon¡¯s family was known for their pottery, not heroics. No one expected much from him, and in his previous life, he had lived up to those expectations. But this time would be different. He stepped forward, his heart pounding. The weight of his previous life, his failures, and the knowledge of what lay ahead pressed on his shoulders. Taking a deep breath, he placed his hand on the crystal. Warmth spread through his palm, and a surge of energy rushed through his body. The orb exploded with light, blinding the crowd. Gasps and shouts of astonishment filled the square. Hyun Joon staggered back, his vision swimming with colors. When the light finally subsided, the examiner¡¯s face was pale, his hands trembling as he read the results. ¡°S-S rank,¡± he stammered, barely audible over the murmurs. ¡°And¡­ and a legendary skill: Absolute!¡± The crowd erupted into chaos. S rank was unheard of in their small town, and a legendary skill was the stuff of myths. Hyun Joon stood frozen, his mind racing. The system¡¯s notification appeared before his eyes, visible only to him. --- **[Skill: Absolute]** - Allows the user to copy any skill they observe. - Increases skill proficiency and leveling speed by 300%. --- His fists clenched as the implications sank in. This wasn¡¯t just a second chance. This was power. Real, tangible power that could elevate him beyond the struggles of his past life. The murmurs around him grew louder, some envious, others reverent. ¡°Hyun Joon¡­ S rank?¡± someone whispered. ¡°But he¡¯s just a potter¡¯s son!¡±Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. The examiner cleared his throat, attempting to regain control. ¡°Congratulations, Hyun Joon. You¡­ you have great potential. Use it wisely.¡± Hyun Joon nodded, his expression unreadable. As he stepped away from the crystal, Ji Eun rushed to his side, her face glowing with pride. ¡°Oppa! You¡¯re amazing! S rank! I knew you could do it!¡± He forced a smile, but his mind was elsewhere. He remembered the dungeons, the monsters, and the hunters who rose to prominence. Power alone wasn¡¯t enough. He needed to act, to prepare, to survive. And for that, he needed to begin immediately. --- The rest of the ceremony passed in a blur. Hyun Joon¡¯s mind was consumed with plans and possibilities. When it finally ended, he slipped away from the crowd, heading toward the outskirts of town where the forest began. He needed to test his new skill, to understand the limits of Absolute. Standing in a clearing, he focused on the system interface that only he could see. A faint hum resonated in his mind as he summoned the skill. --- **[Skill: Absolute Activated.]** - Current Skill Slots: 0/5 - Observation Mode Enabled. --- ¡°Observation Mode¡­¡± he muttered. A rustling sound drew his attention, and he turned to see a wild boar emerging from the underbrush. The creature snorted, its tusks glinting in the sunlight. In his past life, such a beast would have been a challenge. Now, it was an opportunity. The boar charged, its movements predictable. Hyun Joon sidestepped with ease, his reflexes sharper than before. He swung his fist, and to his surprise, his hand glowed faintly as it connected with the boar¡¯s side. The creature collapsed, stunned. --- **[Combat Proficiency Increased: +1%]** **[Skill Available: Wild Charge.]** --- Hyun Joon¡¯s eyes widened. The system had already copied the boar¡¯s skill. He focused on the notification, and the details of Wild Charge appeared in his mind. ¡°So, this is how it works,¡± he said, a grin spreading across his face. The potential was limitless. With Absolute, he could become stronger than any hunter, faster than any monster. This was just the beginning. As the boar regained consciousness and stumbled to its feet, Hyun Joon let it go. He had no interest in killing needlessly. Instead, he turned his attention back to the forest, his eyes scanning for stronger prey. He needed to grow, and quickly. --- The forest grew darker as Hyun Joon ventured deeper. He encountered more creatures¡ªwild wolves and even a rogue kobold¡ªeach battle adding to his growing proficiency and expanding his arsenal of skills. With every encounter, he felt his body responding faster, his movements sharper. The system¡¯s continuous notifications spurred him on. --- **[Skill Copied: Lupine Reflexes.]** **[Skill Copied: Kobold¡¯s Resilience.]** --- ¡°I¡¯m starting to see how hunters rise to power,¡± Hyun Joon muttered. The thrill of combat, the constant growth¡ªit was addictive. Yet he remained cautious. He knew that the forest, while dangerous, was nothing compared to the horrors of the dungeons. As night fell, Hyun Joon returned to town, his body aching but his resolve stronger than ever. He slipped into the workshop, careful not to wake Ji Eun. Sitting by the faint glow of the kiln, he pulled up the system interface again. --- **[Current Skill Slots: 3/5]** **[Available Skills: Wild Charge, Lupine Reflexes, Kobold¡¯s Resilience.]** --- He stared at the list, his mind racing with possibilities. Each skill represented an edge, a step closer to rewriting his destiny. But it wasn¡¯t enough. Not yet. ¡°I need more,¡± he whispered. ¡°More power, more skills. I need to be ready for the first dungeon break.¡± The memory of the dungeon¡¯s collapse in his previous life haunted him. He could still see the faces of those who had died, the chaos, the despair. This time, he would be ready. He would face the dungeons on his terms. As the first light of dawn crept through the window, Hyun Joon stood, his fatigue forgotten. The path ahead was clear, and he wouldn¡¯t waste this second chance. ¡°This time,¡± he said, his voice firm, ¡°I¡¯ll change everything.¡± --- The days that followed were a blur of preparation. Hyun Joon balanced his training with his duties at the workshop, carefully avoiding suspicion. He couldn¡¯t risk drawing too much attention, not yet. But with every battle in the forest, every skill he acquired, he felt the gap between his past and present self growing wider. One evening, as he faced a particularly ferocious direwolf, Hyun Joon felt something shift. The wolf¡¯s attacks were faster, its instincts sharper, and for the first time, he struggled to keep up. The system chimed as he dodged a swipe of its claws. --- **[Skill Mastery Threshold Reached: Lupine Reflexes Enhanced.]** **[Skill Enhancement Unlocked: Feral Instincts.]** --- The information flooded his mind, and Hyun Joon¡¯s movements became almost primal. He ducked under the wolf¡¯s next attack, delivering a crushing blow to its side. The creature fell, and Hyun Joon stood over it, his chest heaving. He wasn¡¯t the same man who had died helplessly before. Returning to town that night, he felt a growing sense of confidence. The first dungeon break was approaching, and for the first time in his life, Hyun Joon felt ready. ¡°This is only the beginning,¡± he thought, a fierce determination burning in his chest. The Absolute skill was his key to survival, and he would wield it to its fullest potential. Chapter 3: Into the Dungeon The dawn of the dungeon break was both eerily quiet and tense. The townspeople had no idea what was about to happen, but Hyun Joon felt it in his bones. The vibrations in the air, the faint flicker of the sky at dusk¡ªit was all too familiar. The first dungeon break in this timeline was a small one, but it would still leave scars if left unchecked. Hyun Joon had lived through it once, and he wasn¡¯t about to let history repeat itself. He stood on the outskirts of town, his sword strapped to his back and a makeshift pack slung over his shoulder. His newly acquired skills danced at the edge of his mind, ready to be called upon. He felt the surge of Wild Charge humming in his legs, the precision of Lupine Reflexes heightening his awareness, and the fortitude of Kobold¡¯s Resilience steadying his nerves. But he would need more. This time, he wasn¡¯t going in blind. He was going to conquer this dungeon and come out stronger. --- The dungeon entrance materialized as a swirling black vortex at the base of a hill. It pulsed with ominous energy, and faint whispers seemed to emanate from its depths. Hyun Joon tightened his grip on his sword hilt. This was his first dungeon in this timeline, and he had no intention of becoming its victim. ¡°Alright,¡± he muttered, his voice steadying. ¡°Let¡¯s see what you¡¯ve got.¡± As he stepped through the portal, the world around him shifted. The cold air of the forest gave way to a suffocating heat. The dungeon¡¯s interior was a sprawling labyrinth of molten rock and jagged obsidian, illuminated by rivers of glowing lava. The oppressive atmosphere was stifling, but Hyun Joon¡¯s determination burned brighter. The system interface flickered to life before him. --- **[Dungeon Information]** - Name: Emberfang Cavern - Difficulty: Low-Intermediate - Boss: Flame Warden Rakhor --- Hyun Joon¡¯s lips tightened into a thin line. ¡°Rakhor...¡± he whispered. In his past life, this dungeon had taken the lives of dozens of inexperienced hunters before it was finally cleared. The Flame Warden was no pushover, even for those well-equipped. ¡°But I¡¯m not the same person anymore,¡± he said, his voice resolute. --- The first wave of monsters came quickly. Emberfang Hounds emerged from the shadows, their molten bodies radiating intense heat. Hyun Joon activated Wild Charge, closing the gap between himself and the nearest hound in an instant. His sword flashed as he struck, the blade slicing through its fiery hide. The creature let out a guttural snarl before collapsing into ash. --- **[Combat Proficiency Increased: +2%]** **[Skill Available: Emberfang Bite.]** --- Hyun Joon¡¯s heart raced as he dodged another hound¡¯s attack, its molten fangs snapping inches from his shoulder. He countered with a calculated strike, his movements bolstered by Lupine Reflexes. The system chimed again, offering him the opportunity to copy the hound¡¯s skill. ¡°Emberfang Bite...¡± he murmured. Accepting the skill, he felt a surge of heat course through his body. The knowledge of how to channel that heat into a devastating bite became instinctual, almost second nature. The last hound fell, and Hyun Joon took a moment to catch his breath. The system interface updated.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. --- **[Current Skill Slots: 4/5]** **[Available Skills: Wild Charge, Lupine Reflexes, Kobold¡¯s Resilience, Emberfang Bite.]** --- ¡°I¡¯ll need to be careful,¡± he thought. ¡°I¡¯ve only got one slot left.¡± He pressed deeper into the dungeon, the air growing hotter and the ground more treacherous. Lava pools bubbled and hissed, and the sound of distant growls echoed through the cavern. Hyun Joon¡¯s senses were on high alert, every muscle in his body coiled like a spring. As he rounded a corner, he came face-to-face with a pack of Lava Sprites. The tiny creatures hovered above the ground, their fiery forms flickering like embers. They were weak individually but dangerous in numbers. Hyun Joon didn¡¯t hesitate. Activating Wild Charge, he lunged at the nearest sprite, his sword cleaving through its form. The creature burst into a shower of sparks, but the others swarmed him, their high-pitched screeches ringing in his ears. He gritted his teeth, using Kobold¡¯s Resilience to weather the heat as their fiery attacks rained down on him. --- **[Skill Mastery Threshold Reached: Kobold¡¯s Resilience Enhanced.]** **[Skill Enhancement Unlocked: Stonehide Fortitude.]** --- A grin spread across Hyun Joon¡¯s face as his skin took on a faint, stony texture. The sprites¡¯ attacks grew less effective, their flames barely leaving marks. He dispatched them one by one, their numbers dwindling until the cavern was silent once more. ¡°I¡¯m starting to get the hang of this,¡± he said, rolling his shoulders. The system¡¯s continuous feedback was invaluable. Every encounter, every skill, every victory made him stronger. --- Hours passed as Hyun Joon fought his way through the dungeon. Each battle honed his skills and pushed him closer to his limits. The Emberfang Cavern was a crucible, and he was forging himself anew within its fiery depths. But as he approached the final chamber, a sense of unease settled over him. The entrance to the boss¡¯s lair was a massive, rune-inscribed door. Heat radiated from it in waves, and the faint sound of something massive breathing could be heard from the other side. Hyun Joon tightened his grip on his sword. This was it. --- **[Boss Chamber Detected: Entry Will Lock Upon Passage.]** --- Taking a deep breath, Hyun Joon stepped through the door. The chamber beyond was vast, its walls lined with rivers of molten lava. At its center stood Rakhor, the Flame Warden. The boss was a towering figure, its body wreathed in fire and its eyes glowing like molten coals. In its hands, it held a massive, flame-etched halberd. Rakhor let out a deafening roar, the ground shaking beneath Hyun Joon¡¯s feet. The system chimed. --- **[Boss Identified: Flame Warden Rakhor.]** - Level: 15 - Skills: Flame Arc, Infernal Surge, Magma Shield --- Hyun Joon didn¡¯t wait for the boss to make the first move. Activating Wild Charge, he closed the distance between them in an instant, his sword slashing at Rakhor¡¯s side. The blade met resistance, the magma-like armor deflecting some of the force. Rakhor swung its halberd in retaliation, and Hyun Joon barely managed to dodge, the heat singing his hair. The battle was intense, each clash testing Hyun Joon¡¯s limits. Rakhor¡¯s Flame Arc sent waves of fire cascading across the chamber, forcing Hyun Joon to rely on Lupine Reflexes to evade. When the boss activated its Magma Shield, Hyun Joon¡¯s attacks barely left a scratch. But he didn¡¯t falter. He studied Rakhor¡¯s movements, waiting for an opening. Finally, the opportunity came. As Rakhor prepared to unleash another Flame Arc, Hyun Joon activated Emberfang Bite. His body surged with heat as he lunged, his fangs sinking into the boss¡¯s exposed shoulder. Rakhor let out a furious roar, staggering back as flames erupted from the wound. The system chimed again. --- **[Skill Copied: Infernal Surge.]** --- Hyun Joon felt the power of Rakhor¡¯s skill flooding his veins. Infernal Surge amplified his speed and strength, turning him into a blur of motion. He pressed the attack, his sword carving into the boss with relentless precision. Rakhor¡¯s movements grew sluggish as its health dwindled, and with one final strike, Hyun Joon drove his blade into its chest. The boss let out a final, earth-shaking roar before collapsing, its body disintegrating into ash. The chamber fell silent, save for the sound of Hyun Joon¡¯s heavy breathing. The system¡¯s notification appeared before him. --- **[Boss Defeated: Flame Warden Rakhor.]** **[Rewards Granted: Infernal Core, Skill Slot Expansion, Level Up.]** --- Hyun Joon sank to his knees, exhaustion washing over him. But he couldn¡¯t help the grin that spread across his face. He had done it. He had conquered the dungeon and emerged stronger than ever. As the dungeon began to crumble, signaling its collapse, Hyun Joon stood and made his way to the exit. The Absolute skill pulsed within him, a reminder of his potential. ¡°This is only the beginning,¡± he said, his voice filled with determination. ¡°I¡¯ll keep getting stronger. No matter what it takes.¡± With that, he stepped back into the forest, ready for whatever challenges lay ahead.