August couldn't shake the image of the dark fruit in the projection. 'Could it be the rumored Fruit of Sin?' he wondered. If it truly existed, its power was likely beyond anything they could imagine.
Aria glanced at him as they walked. "You're awfully quiet. Sothing on your mind?"
August shrugged while adjusting the straps on his gear. "Just thinking about that fruit from the projection."
Aria hesitated. "It might be the fruit of sin. But if it is, we'll have to be ready for whatever's guarding it. Sothing like that... it won't co easy."
Torin, overhearing, snorted. "If it's the Fruit of Sin, we'll have to deal with every other party in this dungeon trying to take it from us too. Maybe we should focus on the Swordking's legacy instead."
"Let them co," Drask said confidently. "We'll take them out just like we did the last group."
Viora gave a nervous laugh. "Let's just hope it doesn't co to that."
...
...
The air was thick with mana as three players made their way down the corridors of the 47th floor in the Ancient Swordking's Dungeon.
Their strides were purposeful, their movents efficient, and their expressions exuded an air of unshakable confidence. Each of them carried an aura that made the weaker monsters lurking in the shadows cower before they could even strike.
Leading the group was Ragnar Bloodspire, a towering warrior with a crimson cape fluttering behind him. His imposing fra was clad in enchanted steel armor that glead even in the low light, and his enormous sword, Bloodfang, rested on his back.
Above his head floated his level: 47.
Walking beside him was Selene Darkfla, a slender mage dressed in a black robe trimd with shimring violet runes.
Her long, silver hair cascaded down her back, and her piercing athyst eyes glowed faintly, matching the magic staff she held in her right hand. Her level was 41, and despite Ragnar being the technical leader of their party, she often seed to be the one in control.
The last of the trio was Darius Voidstrider, a Level 39 assassin who kept mostly to the shadows. His dark leather armor blended seamlessly with the dungeon's murky surroundings, and his twin daggers seed to absorb light rather than reflect it.
A sly grin often played on his face, betraying a dangerous mixture of cunning and confidence.
Two other guild mbers followed behind them: Kael Ironclaw (Level 37, Berserker) and Luna Nightsong (Level 36, Ranger), but they were clearly here to support rather than lead.
"Keep up," Ragnar barked with his deep voice reverberating off the dungeon walls as he turned to look at Kael and Luna lagging behind. "We're not here to babysit."
"We're not slowing you down, boss," Kael shot back while tightening his grip on his axe. "Just don't want to rush into one of those traps you keep triggering."
Ragnar growled but said nothing, which earned a quiet smirk from Selene. She turned her glowing eyes on Kael. "If you spent half as much ti watching the path as you do running your mouth, we'd already be on the 50th floor."
Kael grumbled sothing under his breath but quickened his pace, while Luna silently scanned the walls with her bow drawn. Her keen eyes searched for any signs of traps.
Darius, who had been scouting ahead, suddenly appeared in front of them, erging from the shadows as though he had materialized out of thin air. "Clear path up ahead. Couple of beast-types, nothing worth breaking a sweat over."
[ System Notification: Darius Voidstrider has activated Shadow Step. Cooldown: 5 seconds. ]
"Good," Selene stated. "We need to make up for the ti wasted on the last floor. Ragnar, try not to attract too much attention this ti."
Ragnar let out a short laugh, unsheathing Bloodfang with a tallic hiss. "Attract attention? That's the point, Selene. If sothing's stupid enough to get in my way, it deserves to die."
Selene sighed but didn't argue. Instead, she gestured with her staff as her athyst eyes scanned the corridor ahead. "Just don't get us killed."
As they turned a corner, the ground trembled slightly, and two massive beasts erged from a side chamber. The creatures were hulking monstrosities resembling armored rhinos, with glowing red eyes and pointy horns that crackled with electricity.
[ System Notification: Thunderhorn Behemoth (Level 27) ×2
HP: 15,000 each ]
Ragnar cracked his knuckles and grinned. "Finally, sothing worth hitting."
Before anyone could respond, he charged forward with a roar, bringing Bloodfang down in a devastating arc.
[ System Notification: Ragnar Bloodspire has activated Crimson Cleave. 4,500 Damage dealt to Thunderhorn Behemoth. ]
One of the beasts bellowed in pain but retaliated with a headlong charge as its horn crackled with lightning. Ragnar sidestepped at the last second causing the creature to narrowly miss him and slam into the dungeon wall.
"Reckless as always," Selene muttered while raising her staff. She chanted softly, and a swirling vortex of violet energy ford above the second Thunderhorn Behemoth.
[ System Notification: Selene Darkfla has cast Gravity Well. Movent speed of Thunderhorn Behemoth reduced by 50%. ]
The beast roared in frustration, struggling against the gravitational pull, but Selene's expression remained calm and unyielding.
Darius darted forward with his daggers gleaming. "Let carve this one up for you, Selene."
[ System Notification: Darius Voidstrider has activated Twin Fang Strike. 3,200 Damage dealt to Thunderhorn Behemoth. ]
Kael and Luna joined the fray with Kael landing a heavy blow on the beast Ragnar had already damaged while Luna's arrows found their mark on the other.
[ System Notification: Kael Ironclaw has activated Bonecrusher Smash. 4,000 Damage dealt to Thunderhorn Behemoth. ]
[ System Notification: Luna Nightsong has activated Piercing Arrow. 2,500 Damage dealt to Thunderhorn Behemoth. ]
"Focus your attacks!" Selene voice cut through the chaos as she ordered. "Don't waste ti splitting damage."
Ragnar smirked but followed her lead, directing his next series of strikes at the weakened beast. The combined assault quickly whittled down its HP until it collapsed with a deafening thud.
[ System Notification: Thunderhorn Behemoth (Level 27) has been defeated. ]
The second Thunderhorn Behemoth, still struggling against Selene's Gravity Well, roared in defiance and unleashed a wave of crackling electricity that filled the chamber.
[ System Notification: Thunderhorn Behemoth has activated Thunder Surge. 3,000 AoE Damage dealt to all players within range. ]
Everyone's HP dropped to an extent, but Selene was quick to cast a protective barrier.
[ System Notification: Selene Darkfla has cast Protective Shield. Incoming damage reduced by 40% for 10 seconds. ]
"Darius, now!" Selene commanded as her eyes glowed brighter.
Darius nodded, disappearing into the shadows before reappearing behind the creature. His daggers plunged into its neck with precision, striking a critical point.
[ System Notification: Darius Voidstrider has activated Shadow Laceration. 5,200 Critical Damage dealt to Thunderhorn Behemoth. ]
The beast let out one final roar before collapsing with a massive thud.
[ System Notification: Thunderhorn Behemoth (Level 42) has been defeated. ]
[ System Notification: Loot dropped: Thunderhorn Plate ×2, Lightning Core ×1, Gold ×200. ]
Selene inspected the items with a sharp gaze. "The plate will go to Ragnar for crafting, and I'll take the Lightning Core for spell enhancent."
"Agreed," Ragnar said before sheathing his sword. "But we need to move. We've already wasted enough ti."
Darius smirked while twirling one of his daggers. "Don't worry, boss. At this rate, we'll be at the final floor before anyone else."
Selene shot him a look. "Don't get cocky. We don't know what's waiting for us down there."
As the group resud their descent, the tension in the air grew heavier, but their determination remained unshaken. For the Devil's Chamber Guild, this was more than just a quest—it was their chance to make a na for themselves in the world of Enders Light.
...
...
In the dim corridors of the 67th floor, another party from Phoenix Celestial Guild was moving at breakneck speed. The group consisted of five players, each an experienced adventurer with a clear goal in mind: get to the last floor of the dungeon first.
At the front was Serena Blackthorn, their leader and a Level 37 Sorceress. She was tall, elegant, and radiated authority, with fiery red hair tied into a tight braid and piercing green eyes that seed to burn with ambition. Her staff, glowing with runic etchings, pulsed faintly as she led her group forward.
Behind her was Thane Ironsoul, a Level 36 Guardian who carried an enormous tower shield and a hamr that looked like it could level mountains. His hulking fra made him an excellent tank, but his constant grumbling showed that he wasn't thrilled about Serena's breakneck pace.
"Can we slow down for half a second?" Thane asked while swatting away a small swarm of flying beasts with a single swing of his hamr. "Not all of us are trying to kill ourselves to beat Aria, you know."
Serena shot him a glare over her shoulder. "If you can't keep up, maybe you shouldn't have joined this party, Thane. I need people who are committed."
"Committed to what? A petty rivalry?" he muttered but kept walking.
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