"Give me 500k Ace Coin and I'll see you safe in this dungeon. I'll even give you a tip," Ethan said flatly.
500k?! The crowd froze. Even VIP escorts only charged 100k at most. This guy was savage, they thought.
Gloria hesitated, then finally said, "Fine, I'll pay. But first—tell me the tip."
"Payment before service," Ethan replied calmly.
Snickers rose in the group. What tip could he give? Hide between your legs and run? they thought mockingly.
Gloria kept her composure. "Alright. I'll honor my word. I have a reputation to protect."
"Good. Then if you fail your word, our friendship is over—and I will seek revenge," Ethan said, his piercing blue eyes locking onto hers.
She didn't flinch. "Fine. Now, the tip?"
"There are mutant beasts lurking deeper in this dungeon," Ethan said evenly.
"Nonsense. If there were, we'd have sensed them," a warrior scoffed.
But Ethan wasn't listening to him—he was staring into the shadows.
"WATCH OUT!" a mage screamed, firing a beam into the darkness.
BOOOM! Shrieeeeek!
A shadowy figure burst forth, slamming a girl to the ground. She swung her sword in panic, but her blade sliced only mist. The creature twisted like a black tornado, snapping her neck 360 degrees and tearing it free. Blood sprayed across the cavern.
"RUN! SCATTER OR DIE!" Corrie shouted—before fleeing down the right path without hesitation.
"Oh no… our leader fled? What a coward!" one of the tankers cursed, slamming his shield into the creature.
The group splintered. Some ran, others stood their ground.
Ethan's system chimed:
[New Quest Received: Kill the Shadowed Wraiths. Reward: 1–5 EXP]
Four more shadows slipped from the darkness.
"Freddy! Gloria! Left path—NOW!" Ethan barked, cutting down a charging wraith.
The two hesitated until Ethan roared again, "GO!"
The mages blasted streaks of light, slowing the wraiths—but their victory was short-lived.
Slice! Three heads rolled as a shadow beast tore through them, claws dripping in gore.
Ethan's eyes blazed. He rushed forward, earthly beast sword drawn, his Star Sword Technique cutting through the misty body before it could claim another victim.
[Earthly Beast: Shadowed Wraith Killed. EXP +5]
He spun, carving another in half—his sword pressing down like constellations bending space.
[Earthly Beast: Shadowed Wraith Killed. EXP +5]
[New Skill Unlocked: Shadow Smoke (B)]
A grin cut across Ethan's face. Perfect.
[Level Up! You have reached Level 3. EXP: 10/40]
[+10 Stat Points Gained]
He didn't hesitate. +5 Strength, +3 Speed, +2 Agility.
[Attributes Updated: Strength 20 | Agility 12 | Stamina 12 | Speed 16]
But no time to celebrate—six more shadows swarmed his back.
"Crap!" He barely dodged a deadly strike, teleporting with his new skill.
[Skill Activated: Space Jump. Range: 5m. Cost: 5 Mana / 10 sec. Uses Left: 1]
Ethan reappeared, sword flashing. He clashed hard, dodging vicious claws, then unleashed his technique—cutting another wraith down in one strike.
[Earthly Beast: Shadowed Wraith Killed. EXP +5]
But two pinned him down. Ethan gritted his teeth. I'm still too weak…
Lightning surged.
[Lightning Armor Activated]
The claws hit, but his armor didn't scratch. In the next instant—BOOOOM!—their heads hit the floor.
[Shadowed Wraiths Killed. EXP +20]
[Level Up! You have reached Level 4]
[Attributes: Strength 20 | Agility 12 | Stamina 22 | Speed 26]
Boosted, Ethan blurred forward at sonic speed. Freddy and Gloria were cornered, struggling against two wraiths. Gloria's blade hit nothing but vapor. Freddy's spear only kept his foe at bay.
Ethan dismissed his armor before they could see, then unleashed his Star Sword Technique. His blade pressed space like a collapsing star—Bang!—and the wraith exploded into mist.
The last one recoiled in terror, then vanished into the shadows.
"No need to pursue. Let's regroup," Ethan said coolly, turning away.