In a cold underground lab, the air buzzed with dark magic.
Scientists in white coats moved around a massive tank filled with blue liquid. Inside floated a strange creature—half-human, half-core.
Its eyes opened, glowing red.
> [Subject X – Codename: Devourer]
[Status: Awakening]
[Mission: Eliminate Dungeon Cores]
A tall man stepped forward, his black uniform marked with gold.
"Begin testing. The war starts here."
---
Back in Riku's dungeon…
Riku trained in silence, energy swirling around him.
Elinor entered the chamber, holding a message scroll.
"A new dungeon has fallen," she said. "Four cores dead. No signs of monsters or raiders."
"Just… vanished," she added.
Riku narrowed his eyes.
"This isn't normal. Someone's hunting us."
---
Fio appeared with blood on her claws.
"I sent scouts. Only one returned. Said he saw a blue-skinned monster devouring a core's heart."
Riku stood up.
"A human weapon. Strong enough to kill cores."
Goru grunted. "We fight?"
Riku nodded.
"No. We prepare."
---
> [Core Evolution – Conditions Met]
[Title Unlocked: Dungeon Commander]
[New Feature: Territory Link – Merge with Allied Cores]
His eyes glowed.
"If they want war… they'll get one."
The sky over the Eastern Forest darkened.
A peaceful dungeon lay hidden below—a healing-type core named Lumi lived there, surrounded by gentle spirits and plant creatures.
Then the ground shook.
The walls split open.
And it stepped inside.
---
> [Subject X – Devourer]
[Combat Mode: Active]
[Target Acquired – Core ID: Lumi-027]
Lumi gasped, her spirit wolves charging forward.
But Devourer didn't flinch.
One by one, the spirits were torn apart—eaten.
Lumi tried to escape, but—
> [Core Heart Crushed]
The dungeon collapsed.
> [Core Lumi – Status: Erased]
---
Back in Riku's dungeon
Riku felt it.
Another death.
He clenched his fists. "That's five cores this week."
Elinor's voice trembled. "They're sending a message."
Riku nodded. "And I'll answer it."
---
> [Territory Link Established – Allied Core: Rava, Earth Guardian]
[Shared Defense Protocol Activated]
A deep voice echoed through a crystal.
"Riku, I heard your call. My dungeon is yours to command in times of war."
Fio grinned. "Nice. When do we strike?"
"Soon," Riku said. "But first… we build an army."
Deep within the mountain region, Core Rava stood firm.
A giant stone golem with glowing green eyes. His dungeon was full of traps and rocky beasts.
Suddenly, the air turned cold.
The walls cracked.
> [Alert: Hostile Entity Detected – Devourer Incoming]
Rava's voice boomed through the dungeon:
"Prepare for battle. No mercy."
---
Meanwhile, in Riku's dungeon…
A magic mirror shimmered.
Riku watched Devourer enter Rava's territory.
"Now," he said.
> [Link Activated – Riku Teleports to Allied Dungeon]
He appeared beside Rava, blade in hand.
Fio, Yuki, and Elinor followed.
"Let's welcome our guest."
---
Devourer tore through the first defense line—then stopped.
Its red eyes scanned Riku.
"You… smell like a core… and a human."
Riku narrowed his gaze.
"I'm both. And I'm your end."
---
> [Skill: Shadow Bind – Activated]
[Skill: Frozen Seal – Activated]
[Skill: Flame Nova – Activated]
Devourer roared as Riku and his allies attacked from all sides.
Even Rava slammed his giant fists down.
For the first time, Devourer staggered.
And bled.
---
But then… it smiled.
> [Absorption Protocol Triggered]
[Skills Analyzed – New Form Unlocking…]
Its body shifted—evolving.
Riku stepped back.
"This thing… it learns."
Devourer's body twisted—growing new limbs, armored plates, and glowing runes.
Riku slashed at its chest, but it healed instantly.
"Too late," it said. "I've seen your power. I'll return… stronger."
Then—
> [Emergency Teleport Activated]
[Entity: Devourer – Retreating]
In a flash of blue light, it vanished.
---
The battlefield was in ruins.
Core Rava slumped, damaged but alive.
"You drove it back," Rava said. "But it will return."
Riku nodded, panting. "Next time, it won't escape."
Elinor searched the rubble.
"Found something," she said, holding up a broken metal chip.
> [Data Fragment – Origin: Human Military Lab, Capital City]
Riku's eyes burned with fury.
"Now we know where it came from."
---
Back in his dungeon, Riku stood before a large map.
He marked the human capital with red.
"We'll find the lab. We'll find its makers."
Fio stepped beside him. "And then?"
He looked up.
"We burn it all."