The air in the dungeon thickened as Ethan, Seraphina, and Serene stood in tense silence. The chuckle that had echoed through the chamber sent a shiver down Ethan's spine. He didn't need mana to feel the overwhelming bloodlust radiating from the cloaked figure before them.
Seraphina's hand tightened around her blade, her crimson eyes narrowing in cold calculation. Serene, standing beside her, let out an irritated sigh, flipping her silver hair over her shoulder. "An assassin? How utterly predictable."
The figure's grin widened beneath the shadow of his hood. "Predictable? No, no, Lady Aldridge. Your deaths will be anything but predictable."
Passive Ability Reminder:
Never Give Up (Progress: ???)
Iron Stride → Titan's Ascent (Progress: 2%)
Bloodforged Tenacity (Progress: 74%)
Enduring Will (Progress: 53%)
Unyielding Flesh (Progress: 56%)
Ethan exhaled slowly, calming his racing thoughts. He wasn't reckless enough to charge headfirst into a battle he didn't understand. The assassin was stronger than him, that much was obvious—but Ethan wasn't alone.
Seraphina stepped forward, twirling her blade. "Who sent you?"
The assassin tilted his head, as if considering whether or not to answer. "Someone with deep pockets and a very specific grudge." His fingers curled, and in an instant, throwing knives shot toward Ethan.
Seraphina was faster. Her sword flashed, deflecting three knives mid-air, while Serene conjured a wall of ice to block the rest.
Ethan barely had time to react before the assassin closed the distance, his dagger slicing through the air. Instinct took over. He twisted his body, dodging just enough that the blade only grazed his side. His Bloodforged Tenacity kicked in, dulling the pain and instantly sealing the wound.
The assassin chuckled. "Ah… an F-rank who doesn't bleed easily? How fascinating."
Ethan's eyes darkened. He wasn't in the mood to be toyed with. "You talk too much."
He launched forward, his Titan's Ascent activating, enhancing his speed for just a moment. The ground cracked beneath him as he drove his fist forward, aiming straight for the assassin's stomach.
The man dodged—barely. But Ethan's fist still clipped his side, sending him staggering backward.
Serene took advantage of the moment, her hands glowing as she unleashed a barrage of icicles. "Let's see how much you enjoy talking with frozen lips!"
The assassin flicked his wrist, creating a swirling barrier of shadows that absorbed most of the attack, but one icicle pierced through, nicking his shoulder.
Seraphina didn't waste time. She dashed forward, her blade shimmering with dark energy, aiming straight for his throat.
The assassin barely managed to evade, flipping backward and landing on the far end of the chamber. He was breathing heavier now, his confidence dimming. "Tch. Seems I underestimated you."
Ethan wiped the sweat from his brow. "That was your first mistake."
The assassin's body tensed. "Then I won't make another."
Without warning, the chamber's walls shifted, runes glowing faintly as the assassin activated a trap. The ground beneath them rumbled, and suddenly, black chains shot from the walls, wrapping around Ethan's limbs.
"Ethan!" Seraphina slashed at the chains, but more erupted from the ground, aiming for her and Serene.
The assassin smirked. "Checkmate."
Ethan gritted his teeth, struggling against the chains. His muscles screamed in protest, but he refused to yield. His Enduring Will surged, reinforcing his resistance against the binding force.
Crack!
The first chain snapped.
The assassin's smirk faded. "What…?"
Ethan growled, his veins bulging as he pulled against the remaining chains. One by one, they shattered under his sheer force. His Titan's Ascent activated again, sending a shockwave through the ground as he broke free entirely.
The assassin took a step back, his hands trembling. "Impossible… you don't even have mana—"
Ethan didn't let him finish. He lunged forward, his fist colliding with the assassin's face. The impact sent the man flying into the dungeon wall, cracking the stone.
Serene and Seraphina freed themselves just in time to see the assassin collapse, coughing blood. Seraphina pointed her blade at his throat. "Who sent you?"
The assassin laughed weakly. "You think… I'll talk?"
Ethan stood over him, his gaze cold. "No. I think you'll die."
With a single stomp to the chest, Ethan crushed the assassin's ribcage. The man gasped one last time before going limp.
Silence filled the chamber.
Seraphina sheathed her sword. "That was unnecessary, but I won't pretend I didn't enjoy it."
Serene raised an eyebrow at Ethan. "Ruthless, aren't you?"
Ethan exhaled, rolling his shoulders. "He would've done the same to me."
The dungeon trembled again. The fight had triggered something deeper within its core.
Seraphina glanced at Ethan. "We need to move. Now."
Serene nodded. "Agreed. I have a feeling the worst is yet to come."
As they hurried deeper into the dungeon, Ethan couldn't shake the feeling that they were walking straight into another trap. But at least now, he knew one thing for certain.
Whoever wanted him dead… was just getting started.
To be continued…