The dungeon was silent, save for the faint drip of water echoing through its dark, winding corridors. Reikazu sat in a secluded alcove, his back pressed against the cold stone wall. His body ached, his wounds still fresh from the battle with the horde. Blood seeped through the makeshift bandages he had wrapped around his chest and arms, but he paid it no mind. Pain was nothing new to him. It was a constant companion, a reminder of his failures and his survival.
He had dragged himself deep into the dungeon after the battle, far from the ruins of the settlement. The dungeon's labyrinthine passages offered both danger and sanctuary, and for now, it was the closest thing he had to safety. But safety was an illusion. He knew that better than anyone.
Reikazu's hand tightened around the Dungeon Shard, its faint glow casting eerie shadows on the walls. The shard hummed with energy, its power a constant reminder of what he had gained and what he had lost. Kaela's betrayal burned in his chest, a searing wound that refused to heal. She had left him to die. She had abandoned him. And he would make her pay.
But not yet. First, he needed to heal. To plan. To become stronger.
Reikazu's wounds were severe. The horde had left him battered and broken, his body pushed to its limits. But he had survived worse. The dungeon had taught him how to endure, how to push through the pain. And now, it would teach him how to heal.
He rummaged through his pouch, pulling out a small vial of healing potion he had scavenged from the settlement's ruins. The liquid was thick and dark, its scent bitter and medicinal. He uncorked the vial and drank it in one gulp, the potion's warmth spreading through his body. The pain in his chest and arms dulled, the bleeding slowing to a stop.
Ding!
[ Healing Potion Consumed. ]
[ Wounds partially healed. Stamina restored. ]
Reikazu exhaled sharply, his body relaxing slightly as the potion took effect. It wasn't enough to fully heal him, but it was a start. He would need more, more potions, more supplies, more strength. But for now, it was enough.
He leaned back against the wall, his eyes closing as he focused on his breathing. The dungeon was quiet, the only sound the faint drip of water and the occasional scuttle of a rat. But Reikazu knew better than to let his guard down. The dungeon was alive, and it was watching.
Reikazu's mind raced as he sat in the alcove, his thoughts a whirlwind of anger and determination. Kaela had betrayed him. She had left him to die. And he would not rest until she paid for that betrayal. But he couldn't act recklessly. He needed a plan. A strategy.
He pulled out a small, tattered map he had found in the settlement, a crude drawing of the dungeon's upper levels. The map was incomplete, its edges frayed and its markings faded, but it was better than nothing. He studied it carefully, his eyes tracing the winding corridors and hidden passages.
Kaela had fled into the dungeon, taking the surviving settlers with her. She had mentioned tunnels hidden escape routes that led deeper into the dungeon. Reikazu didn't know where they were, but he would find them. And when he did, he would make her regret ever crossing him.
But first, he needed to prepare. The dungeon was dangerous, and he was in no condition to face its horrors alone. He needed supplies. Weapons. Armor. And he needed to get stronger.
Ding!
[ New Mission Available. ]
[ Mission: Prepare for the Hunt. ]
[ Reward: 1,000 XP, +5 to All Stats, Unique Skill Unlock. ]
Reikazu's lips curled into a grim smile. The system was pushing him again, but this time, it aligned with his goals. He would prepare. He would hunt. And he would make Kaela pay.
Reikazu moved through the dungeon's corridors, his movements slow and deliberate. His wounds still ached, but the healing potion had given him enough strength to move. He kept to the shadows, his senses on high alert. The dungeon was quiet, but he knew better than to trust the silence.
He found what he was looking for in a small, hidden chamber, a cache of supplies left behind by previous adventurers. The chamber was littered with broken weapons and rusted armor, but among the debris, he found a few usable items: a sturdy dagger, a set of leather armor, and a small pouch of coins.
Reikazu strapped the dagger to his belt and donned the leather armor, the material stiff but serviceable. The coins he tucked into his pouch, a small but valuable resource. He would need them later.
As he searched the chamber, he found something else, a small, glowing crystal embedded in the wall. The crystal pulsed faintly, its energy familiar. A Dungeon Shard fragment.
Reikazu pried the crystal from the wall, its warmth spreading through his hand. The shard hummed with energy, its power a constant reminder of what he had gained, and what he had lost.
Ding!
[ New Item Acquired: Dungeon Shard Fragment. ]
[ Description: A fragment of a dungeon core. Can be used to enhance skills or craft powerful items. ]
Reikazu tucked the shard into his pouch, his mind racing. The shard was a tool. A weapon. And he would use it to become stronger.
Reikazu's first target was a lone goblin, its yellow eyes gleaming in the dim light of the dungeon. The creature was scavenging through the remains of a fallen adventurer, its movements quick and furtive. Reikazu watched from the shadows, his grip tightening on his dagger.
He didn't need to kill the goblin. It posed no immediate threat. But he needed to test himself. To see if he still had what it took.
He moved silently, his footsteps barely making a sound. The goblin didn't notice him until it was too late. Reikazu's dagger flashed, the blade cutting through the creature's throat. The goblin let out a gurgling cry before collapsing, its body hitting the ground with a dull thud.
Reikazu stood over the creature, his chest heaving. The kill had been quick. Efficient. But it wasn't enough. He needed more.
Ding!
[ Enemy Defeated: Goblin (E-Rank Monster). ]
[ Reward: 50 XP. ]
Reikazu exhaled sharply, a grim smile tugging at the corners of his lips. This was just the beginning. The hunt had begun.
Reikazu moved deeper into the dungeon, his mind focused on one goal: Kaela. She had betrayed him. She had left him to die. And he would make her pay.
But he wouldn't act recklessly. He would plan. He would prepare. And when the time came, he would strike with precision and ruthlessness.
The dungeon was vast, its corridors winding and treacherous. But Reikazu was no longer the naive, trusting fool he had been. He was stronger now. Smarter. And he would not stop until he had his revenge.
The hunt had begun. And he would not rest until it was over.