The dungeon air thickened with dread. The moss-lined cavern of Floor 2 vibrated with a low, guttural growl. From the shadows of jagged stone ridges padded a massive beast—the Wolf Alpha Lord, its sleek black fur streaked with pale silver, its eyes like burning coals locked on Kane's team. The oppressive aura pressed down on them, the system's notification only confirming the danger:
[Boss Encounter: Wolf Alpha Lord – Level 18]
Kane adjusted his grip on his axe. "Formation Gamma. Don't give it open ground."
The twins flared their staffs in unison, faint wisps of mana fire dancing on their fingertips. The mage took a steadying breath, already building a barrier of light to cut off escape routes.
But the Alpha was no mindless monster. It padded slowly, deliberately, testing their resolve with every step, until its head tilted back—
A thunderous howl split the cavern.
The sound was both a rallying cry and a spell of terror. From side tunnels, lesser wolves poured out, answering their lord's call. They didn't charge blindly; they circled, herding Kane's team toward uneven terrain littered with stalagmites and broken stone.
Kane spat. "It's commanding them like soldiers…"
He surged forward, intercepting the first lunge. The axe bit into fur and flesh, but the Alpha's strength met his own. His arms shuddered from the impact.
"Focus fire on the underlings!" he barked, absorbing a claw strike with his Warlord's [Iron Stance].
The twins unleashed a synchronized overcast—fiery lances scorching through a pair of wolves. Their mana drained fast, but the precision broke the flanking attempt.
The mage slammed down her staff, conjuring walls of earthen spikes that funneled the wolves into chokepoints. Every movement became a tactical clash—Kane's team against the Alpha's coordinated pack.
Meanwhile, on Floor 3.
Reina sat within a circle of glowing toy soldiers, the rabbit and robot standing tall at her side. Her tiny hands clutched the shimmering spellbook, her lips trembling.
"M-Mama…" she whispered.
The words etched themselves into the dungeon air, resonating with her budding Familiar Summoning spell. Mana threads spilled outward, weaving into light.
From her memory and longing, a figure coalesced—first soft and maternal, then radiant and terrifying. A towering woman cloaked in silver feathers, her eyes gentle yet unyielding, carrying a staff that pulsed with protective sigils. Wings stretched wide, shimmering like dawnlight.
[Familiar Summoned: Elysia, Guardian of the Dawn]
Classification: Mythic
Reina's eyes filled with tears. "Mama…?"
Elysia knelt, her voice melodic yet edged with divine resonance. "No, little one. But I will protect you as your mother would. None shall harm you while I am here."
And just as the warmth settled into Reina's trembling heart, the cavern shook.
From the depths, crawling with malevolence, a new presence erupted onto Floor 3. The ground cracked, stones splintering as a hulking form emerged—scaled hide, burning eyes, and claws meant for rending stone itself.
[Boss of Floor 3: Ravager Troll – Level 20]
The system's cruel twist: the bosses overlapped. Kane fought the Alpha Lord above, while Reina now stood before an abomination.
The toy soldiers raised shields, trembling but steadfast. The rabbit bounded forward, aura crackling with its new leap ability. The robot's shield flickered to life.
Elysia rose, staff in hand, wings spreading in luminous arcs. "Stay behind me, my little one. This monster shall not pass."
For the first time, Reina clutched her chest not out of fear, but hope. She had someone who reminded her of her mother—strong, kind, unbreakable.
And Elysia's eyes narrowed on the troll. "You dare approach her? Then know the wrath of a mother's instinct."
The floor trembled as two boss battles raged in parallel—Kane testing the limits of his tactical might against the Alpha Lord, while Reina's mythical guardian prepared to clash with the Ravager Troll.
The cavern of Floor 2 had become a war zone. The Wolf Alpha Lord darted between stalagmites, directing its pack with frightening precision. Each growl was a command, every snap of its jaws a signal. Wolves pressed from every angle.
Kane's eyes burned with battle-fury. "You want a commander's duel?" His voice carried over the chaos. "Then you've got one."
His aura surged as he bellowed—
[War Cry]!
The shout rattled stone, shaking even the Alpha's underlings. His allies' strikes grew sharper, bolder, their spirits ignited.
The twins, faces pale with exertion, unleashed another combined spell, fire lances ripping through the ranks. The mage reinforced the ground with spikes of stone, penning the Alpha in tighter.
The beast lunged at Kane, claws flashing. He caught the strike, axe haft braced. Muscles screamed as the Alpha's weight bore down. His eyes narrowed.
[Iron Will].
Pain dulled, his body steadied. The Alpha snarled as Kane shoved it back with sheer grit. "Your tricks won't break me."
He swung in retaliation, axe arcing wide. The Alpha dodged—but not fast enough. Blood sprayed.
The creature roared and leapt again, aiming for his throat. Kane answered with a skill he had been holding in reserve—
[Warlord's Command]!
"Strike together!"
His team surged forward, responding as though tied to his will. Fire, ice, and steel converged. The Alpha howled, its momentum staggered.
Kane's vision narrowed. Now. This was the moment.
[Warlord's Execution]!
The axe blazed with condensed fury. Kane's body moved in perfect harmony with his warlord's instincts. He cleaved through the Alpha mid-leap, the strike biting deep into neck and chest.
The Wolf Alpha Lord let out one last defiant howl—then collapsed, twitching before going still.
The Ravager Troll swung its massive club-like arm, smashing stone apart like sand. The toy soldiers locked shields, barely holding as cracks spread underfoot. The rabbit darted across the field, leaping high to gouge the troll's eye, while the robot's shield flared bright, intercepting a killing blow aimed at Reina.
Elysia moved like a vision of divinity, wings outstretched. She raised her staff, and silver light rippled outward.
[Lunar Aegis]!
A radiant barrier formed around Reina and her toy guardians, soaking the troll's relentless strikes. Each impact shattered stone but could not breach the aegis.
Reina, wide-eyed, clutched the hem of her dress. "Elysia… don't let it take me."
Elysia's voice was calm, maternal. "I promised you. I will not let the darkness reach you."
She lifted her hand, warmth and safety flowing into the circle.
[Embrace of Sanctuary]!
The soldiers' shields gleamed with renewed resilience, the rabbit's leaps grew sharper, the robot's shield expanded. Together, they pressed the troll back step by step.
But Elysia was not just a guardian. She was wrath incarnate when her ward was threatened. With a sweep of her staff, light condensed into a spear shimmering with dawnfire.
[Spear of Dawnbreak]!
The weapon flew with unstoppable force, piercing the troll's chest. The beast bellowed, staggering, but did not fall. It lurched forward, wild and desperate.
The rabbit struck again, blinding one eye. The robot rammed its shield into the troll's knee. The toy soldiers advanced as one.
Elysia soared upward, wings blazing. "For her safety… your existence ends here."
She descended like a comet, spear reforming in her hands. With divine precision, she thrust downward, driving the weapon through the troll's skull.
The cavern shook with the force. The Ravager Troll screamed, then collapsed into silence.
On both floors, silence followed the storm. Kane stood over the Alpha's corpse, chest heaving, axe dripping blood. His team gathered around, exhausted yet victorious.
On Floor 3, Elysia landed softly, kneeling beside Reina. The child threw her arms around the guardian's neck, crying into her silver feathers.
"You did it, Mama…"
Elysia smiled faintly, stroking her hair. "I did it for you, little one."
And as the dungeon floor recognized their twin victories, the system chimed in unison:
[Boss Defeated – Rewards Calculating…]Rewards will be revealed upon team regroup.
The glow of treasure chests began to form, one before Kane's team and one before Reina's circle of toys.
The true rewards of this trial were yet to be seen.