Floor 5 – Dungeon Depths
Shadren's body pulsed with shadow as he stalked through the cavernous halls of Floor 5. The dungeon had changed. Gone were the tidy stone corridors of earlier floors. Here, tunnels bled into lava-lit chasms, with spiked roots hanging like skeletal hands from above.
Every step echoed. Every breath, though he didn't need one, felt tense.
> "Still Level 10… and it already feels like Floor 9."
The Partial Possession trait had allowed him to repair the Lizarok body to a degree, but it was fraying fast. Bone peeked from shoulder muscle. One leg dragged slightly, despite being healed the night before.
He leaned against a jagged pillar and stared down at the status mist floating before him:
Former Identity: Zai (Human)
Race: Lesser Shadowform;Name:Shadren
Level: 10
EXP to next level: 1900
Skill Slots: Locked (Next Unlock at Level 20)
Active Traits:
- Shadow Morph
- Partial Possession
- Shadow Bind
> "Still no new skills... and it's getting expensive to level."
He didn't even notice the growl until it was right behind him.
A Frostscale Lizarok. Larger than the others. Covered in icy armor that hissed when touched by his mist.
"Seriously? Fire lizard, now an ice lizard? What's next, electric slimes with machine guns?"
It charged.
---
[Fight Begins]
Shadren launched sideways, tendrils whipping out to trip the beast. But its claws scraped the floor, creating ice patches that slicked the terrain beneath his body.
He slipped.
"Damn it—!"
A frozen tail slammed into his chest, sending him hurtling into a wall. Cracks spread through the possessed form's ribs. The limb he landed on went numb.
Shadren's core flickered — the possessed body couldn't take many more hits. The Frostscale roared and charged again.
This time, Shadren baited it — letting it rush him — only to leap up and sink his tendrils deep into the ceiling.
> "I'm not dying to a cold-blooded Elsa with claws!"
The monster skidded. Too late.
He dropped directly on top of it, slamming his essence into its spine.
The Lizarok bucked and rolled.
But Shadren clung, shadow wrapped around its limbs like chains. He flooded its mouth with tendrils, choking its frost breath mid-growl.
One minute passed.
Then another.
Finally—
CRACK!
It dropped.
+1020 EXP
Total EXP: 1120 / 2000
No Level Up.
He slumped to the ground, body sparking and twitching.
> "So close... but not enough."
The body—again—was on the verge of collapse.
> "Ten days, huh?" he muttered. "I'm barely making five with these disposable meatbags…"
He limped down a passage, looking for a place to rest. The dungeon wasn't going to wait.
---
[Meanwhile — Floor 1, Raider Camp]
Banter echoed through the makeshift camp as girls sharpened blades, tended to wounds, and dried out socks near enchanted flames. Among them sat four notable figures — each dressed in raid-gear that somehow combined function and fashion.
A kind healer Lira leaned over a steaming pot, her oversized robe sliding slightly, revealing the curve of her chest as she adjusted her neckline. She looked away quickly.
> "He always hated soup like this," she whispered. "Said it reminded him of soggy ramen."
A curvy, mature swordswoman kaela chuckled as she swung her blade lazily.
> "Zai had zero taste. He once put ketchup in curry. He deserves to be scolded when he comes back."
A flat-chested archer Rina lounged in her under-armor, legs up on a crate, chewing dried meat like gum.
> "Zai was a little punk, but he made things fun. I kinda miss kicking his ass."
Serin a robe-wearing mage, eyes glowing faintly, sat cross-legged, meditating.
> "His aura still lingers. If he's alive, he's stronger. If he's dead... something else survived."
The campfire flickered in silence.
None of them knew the truth.
---
[Back in the Dungeon – Monster's POV]
From deep beneath the dungeon, something stirred.
A massive, shelled beast opened its yellow eyes. It sniffed the air, feeling the ripple of energy. The death of one of its kin. A Frostscale. Slain.
It growled.
> "Too many monsters dying… and not to humans."
It began to move.
The Floor 5 Boss was awakening.
---
[Shadren – Resting Zone]
Shadren curled up in a ruined chamber filled with broken bones and flickering fungus. He'd ripped a tattered cloak from a dead raider's skeleton and draped it over himself.
> "Okay. Note to self: Possessing smarter monsters would help… but they fight back harder."
Suddenly, the sound of voices echoed in the distance. Faint. Human.
Female laughter.
Shadren blinked. "More raiders?"
He debated moving. He could help them and farm EXP.
Or just watch.
> "Fan service AND power gain? Jackpot."
He shifted silently toward the sound.
---
To Be Continued.
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