The morning sky over the Clover Kingdom shimmered with early sunlight as a royal envoy arrived at the Black Bulls' hideout with urgency. Captain Yami leaned lazily on a post, uninterested in formality until he read the scroll the envoy handed over.
"Dungeon, huh?" Yami muttered, turning to his squad. "Kael. Asta. Noelle. You three are going."
Asta's eyes lit up. "Our first official mission?! Let's gooo!"
Noelle tried to act composed but blushed slightly as she glanced at Kael. "Don't slow us down."
Kael nodded calmly, internally more alert than ever.
> [System Alert: Major Storyline Checkpoint Approaching – Dungeon Arc Initiated]
[Reward Available – Chance to Unlock Hidden Power: Anti-Magic Glitch]
His crimson eyes sharpened. It's time.
---
Arrival at the Dungeon
The dungeon was vast—ancient and pulsing with forgotten magic. Its walls whispered with arcane energy, and traps hummed invisibly.
Kael, walking beside Asta and Noelle, kept his senses active. Lyra's presence fluttered around him, soft light dancing across his shoulders.
Inside, the team from Golden Dawn had already arrived—Yuno, Klaus, and Mimosa.
Yuno and Asta immediately sized each other up.
Mimosa approached Kael, her cheeks pink. "It's good to see you again, Kael. I—um, I heard about your duel with Luck and Captain Yami."
Kael nodded, giving her a soft smile. "It was… instructive."
Yuno narrowed his eyes slightly at the exchange.
---
Dungeon Echoes
The dungeon grew darker with each step, shifting its walls like a living puzzle. Kael's hand hovered over his blade constructs as his system pulsed.
> [Dungeon System Interface Unlocked]
[Environmental Control Detected – Ancient Rune Magic Active]
[Warning: Mana Disruption Zone Ahead]
He paused. "There's a mana distortion about thirty meters in. It's meant to confuse casting."
Klaus scoffed. "And how would you know that?"
Kael didn't respond. Instead, he stepped forward, channeling anti-magic into his palm. The corridor ahead flickered—then shattered like glass, revealing a safe path.
Everyone froze.
Even Yuno blinked. "You just… erased the trap."
> [Anti-Magic Glitch Unlocked: You can override magic-based constructs or seals temporarily. Cooldown: 60 seconds.]
Kael's body pulsed with shadowy energy, his light and wind bending momentarily into raw negation.
Asta's jaw dropped. "That felt just like my sword…"
Kael glanced at him. "Guess we have something in common."
---
Split Paths
Further into the dungeon, two corridors appeared—each glowing faintly with runes.
"We'll split up," Klaus said. "Golden Dawn will handle the left. Black Bulls, take the right."
As they parted, Mimosa hesitated, looking at Kael.
"I'll see you soon," she said.
Kael offered a rare, genuine smile. "Count on it."
Asta leaned over. "You know she totally likes you, right?"
Kael stayed quiet, but his cheeks colored faintly.
---
The Anti-Magic Glitch Unleashed
The right corridor was lined with magical beasts—guardians of the dungeon. As one beast lunged, Kael moved first, summoning a sword of void—a black, pulsing weapon lined with red cracks.
The moment it touched the beast's barrier, the shield shattered into smoke.
Noelle gasped. "That wasn't elemental…"
Kael nodded. "It's anti-magic. But… not Asta's kind. Mine's like a virus. It 'glitches' magic, corrupting it for a short time."
> [Anti-Magic Glitch: Applied to Beast Barrier – Result: Nullified]
[Skill Evolution in Progress – Track Checkpoint Triggers]
Asta watched in awe. "So cool…"
Kael struck again, and the magic core inside the beast ruptured. He took a step back, breathing lightly.
"Noelle," he said, "can you handle the next wave? I'll provide backup."
She flushed, nodding quickly. "Of course!"
Asta gave Kael a thumbs-up. "Dude, you're awesome."
Kael chuckled. "You're not too bad yourself."
---
Bonds in Battle
The dungeon shifted again—this time separating Kael and Noelle from Asta behind a wall of earth.
A magical beast appeared—a golem of crystalline vines, radiating heat and flame. Noelle raised her wand but trembled slightly.
"I… I can't—"
Kael stepped beside her and gently touched her shoulder.
"You can. I'll hold it. You strike."
Her eyes widened, then hardened with resolve.
Kael summoned his elemental blades, leaping forward. The golem roared as Kael danced around it, slashing its legs and cracking its joints.
"Noelle!" he shouted.
With a scream, Noelle unleashed her Sea Dragon's Cradle. Water twisted and crushed the golem in a crushing vortex.
As it shattered, Kael gave her a proud nod.
"See?"
Noelle flushed again but smiled. "Thanks… for believing in me."
---
Unseen Threat
In the shadows, a cloaked figure watched.
"So… the glitch has begun," the figure whispered. "The system bearer… has awakened."
His eyes glowed green.
"The Eye of the Midnight Sun will find you soon, boy."
---
Checkpoint Reached
As the team regrouped near the dungeon core, a relic pulsed on a pedestal. Kael's system activated.
> [Checkpoint Synced – Dungeon Arc Complete]
[New Ability Tree: Anti-Magic Expansion Unlocked]
[System Notice: You are being watched.]
Kael narrowed his eyes.
The future was catching up faster than expected.