"Arise."
Dark energy swirled around the fallen knight as Artorias began to take new form.
The corruption of the Abyss that had driven him to madness was replaced by something purer—the loyalty of a shadow soldier bound to serve its Monarch.
When the transformation was completed, the Abysswalker knelt before Lucien with his massive greatsword planted in the ground before him.
[Knight Grade Shadow Extracted] X1
Even in death, the knight retained his imposing presence, his tattered blue cape now turned purple, flowing behind him as purple fire burned in the depths of his helmet.
'Perfect. Another Knight Grade shadow.'
Lucien gestured, and Artorias dissolved into darkness, flowing into his shadow alongside the rest of his army. The addition of a powerful fighter significantly increased his overall combat capability.
[Dungeon Cleared- Calculating Rewards...]
[Reward 1: Runestone - Gluttony Skill]
[Effect: Gives 300% more EXP on activation]
[Duration: 1 hour] [Cooldown: 24 hours]
[Reward 2: Greatsword of Artorias (True)]
[All rewards stored in inventory]
Lucien summoned the runestone into his hand. Without hesitation, he crushed it between his fingers, watching as the energy flowed into his body.
[Skill Gained: Gluttogny]
'This will help me level up faster. Three times the experience for an hour... that's going to be useful for future dungeon runs.'
The exit door materialized in front of him, but before leaving, Lucien took a moment to assess his condition.
The fight with Artorias had been brutal, and his body showed the effects. Blood still seeped from various cuts, his ribs ached with each breath, and his wrist was swollen from the knight's crushing grip.
He activated the Status Recovery effect that came with his daily quest completion. Immediately, a warm sensation spread through his body as wounds began to close and bruises faded. Within seconds, he was back to perfect physical condition.
'Now about the clothes,' he muttered, looking down at his torn and blood-stained shirt.
Lucien opened his inventory and pulled out a fresh set of black sports clothes. The damaged clothing was discarded in the dungeon as he changed into the new outfit.
After ensuring everything was in place, Lucien moved toward the dungeon exit and stepped through the portal.
....
Outside the Dungeon
Scott, Natasha, and a man in a distinctive red and gold metallic suit. Iron Man. Tony Stark.
They were talking animatedly, with Tony pointing directly at the wall where Lucien had entered the dungeon.
"It's definitely here," Tony was saying to Natasha, his voice carrying that familiar tone of absolute certainty. "The energy readings are off the charts compared to the previous signatures SHIELD detected."
Natasha nodded grimly. "We've gotten many of these signatures before, but due to circumstances, we couldn't investigate them thoroughly. We sent a team when we got the first ones, but you know what happened." She was referring to the Spider-Man incident where Peter had been taken over by Otto.
"Yeah, yeah, the kid told me about that whole mess," Tony replied dismissively. "My scanners can pick up the energy signature, but they can't read the frequency. It's like it's here but not here at all. The readings are completely off any known dimensional physics."
Scott sighed and looked between them. "I don't have any idea what you two are talking about. Send me the files related to this later, and I'll have Hank look into it."
Natasha nodded. "I'll get you everything we have."
"It won't be necessary," Stark interjected with his trademark smirk. "The smartest person on the planet will be working on it."
Natasha rolled her eyes. "I'll send the files to Scott."
"Hey, come on—" Tony started to protest.
"Sir," Jarvis interrupted through Tony's suit speakers, "the energy signature is fluctuating. It appears to be dissipating."
"Right, Jarvis. None of us can see anything with our actual eyes," Tony muttered. "These readings are purely from our energy sensors."
That's when Lucien walked out of the wall with his hands casually tucked in his pockets, looking like he'd just taken a stroll rather than clearing a dungeon.
The moment he emerged from the wall, he could see three figures standing nearby. His mood immediately darkened when he recognized them.
'This is going to be a drag,' he thought, noting the surprised expressions on their faces.
Natasha was the first to speak, her voice carrying surprise and concern. "Lucien?"
Lucien did not reply as his eyes immediately found Tony, and his expression hardened.
The man might claim to be a hero now, but Stark Industries had created the Sentinels used in the facility where he'd been tortured.
Even if Bucky had mentioned that Tony probably didn't know about their specific use and had stopped Sentinel production long ago, it didn't change the facts.
Sentinels were designed for one purpose: hunting and capturing mutants. Tony Stark had built machines designed to hunt people like him.
Lucien decided to ignore Tony's existence entirely.
"Yo," he said to the group, beginning to walk past them without breaking stride.
Tony stepped forward and placed a hand on Lucien's shoulder from behind. "Wait a minute, kid. You're not going anywhere."
Lucien slowly turned his head, his eyes meeting Tony's with a look that could freeze blood. "Remove your hand."
The intensity of that gaze sent visible shivers through Tony. He quickly withdrew his hand and took a half-step back. "Jeez, kid, what's with the scary look?"
Natasha smirked knowingly. "Careful, Tony. The kid can put you down within seconds."
Tony raised an eyebrow, his ego clearly bruised by the suggestion. "Come on, Natasha. You're seriously telling me you think some teenager could take me down? I've got one of the most advanced suits of armor ever created."
Tony was utterly confident in his new suit, the Mark-87.
Natasha just shrugged. "It's the truth."
Scott stepped forward before the tension could escalate further. "Lucien, can you help us out? We're trying to understand what is happening with..." Scott paused for a second, as he looked at the wall, and said, "...well, the wall?"
Lucien sighed, "I know you want to know about the energy signatures."
He paused, choosing his words carefully. "The only thing you need to know is that they're related to my powers."
Natasha's eyes widened slightly as she realized something.
Tony cut in before anyone else could respond. "Then how come you just walked out of that wall? Is it like some kind of pocket dimension?"
Lucien's eyes narrowed at the interruption, his dislike for Stark becoming more apparent. "It's like a small dimension, and only I can access it."
"Only you can enter, huh?" Tony pressed, his curiosity overriding social cues. "What's inside them? What kind of technology are we talking about here?"
"Nothing pretty," Lucien replied curtly.
Natasha connected the dots, her voice carrying dawning understanding.
"Wait... so that's why we found energy signatures at the facility you were held at and in the forest near where you were staying."
"Yeah," Lucien confirmed. "Well, now you have your answer. I'll be taking my leave then."
He turned to go, but Tony's voice stopped him.
"Leave? Hold on there, kid." Tony's tone shifted, becoming more authoritative and controlling.
"You're a mutant, and according to current government protocols, mutants are required to stay in this mansion under official supervision. You'll have to comply with those regulations."
Tony's natural tendency to control situations was becoming apparent.
One must know that this Tony was vastly different from the one in the Cinematic universe.
This one was sharper, rational and more controlling.
Natasha had already sensed that Lucien didn't like Tony, and she had seen the dangerous shift in the young man's posture. If this continued, Lucien really would beat Tony down, suit or no suit.
"He has a deal with SHIELD," she intervened quickly. "He's free to go."
Tony frowned, his need to understand and control everything driving him to push further. "A deal? What kind of deal are we talking about? I wasn't informed of any special arrangements."
"That's not something you need to know," Natasha replied firmly.
Tony's expression soured at being shut out of information. He was used to being included in all major decisions, and having details withheld from him was clearly frustrating.
"Sir," Jarvis interrupted through the suit's speakers, "the individual you invited has arrived at the designated room number."
Tony's demeanor immediately shifted, a smile replacing his frown. "Well, I have some important business to attend to."
Natasha rolled her eyes, knowing exactly what kind of "business" Tony was referring to. Scott gave a tired sigh, clearly disapproving but not surprised by Stark's priorities.
Lucien remained completely indifferent to Tony's personal life.
"We'll continue this conversation later, kid," Tony said, pointing at Lucien. "I don't like loose ends."
Without waiting for a response, Tony activated his repulsors and flew away.
'Finally,' Lucien thought, watching the red and gold figure disappear into the distance.
Scott looked apologetic. "Sorry about that. Tony can be... intense when he's curious about something."
"It's fine," Lucien replied, as if he did not care about it at all. "I'll be going now."
Natasha stepped forward. "Lucien, if you need anything or if there are any problems related to your abilities, let me know. SHIELD appreciates what you've done for us."
Lucien nodded once as he walked from the mansion grounds.
.....
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