The dungeon air was heavy.
Thick.
Each breath burned like smoke, filled with the stench of blood and mana.
"Formation ready?"
The voice of the S-rank hunter echoed through the chamber. Around him, three A-ranks and seven C-ranks moved into position.
And then there was me — Jim Sung, the only E-rank in the party.
Not a fighter. Not even a real hunter.
Just a carrier.
The guy who held the bags, carried the potions, and prayed not to die.
I tightened the straps of the supply pack on my shoulders and tried not to look at the corpses scattered around the floor.
This is an S-rank dungeon… what the hell am I doing here?
The team advanced deeper into the cavern. Black mist swirled, and the sound of claws scraping stone echoed in the dark.
Then came the roar.
A monstrous, soul-ripping sound that froze everyone in place.
"B-Boss monster! Defensive positions!"
The S-rank charged first — his blade shining like sunlight — but the next second, his head rolled across the floor.
Screams followed.
Magic exploded.
Blood splattered across the walls.
I couldn't move. Couldn't breathe.
Within seconds, everyone else was dead.
Only I remained.
And from the shadows, it appeared — a towering figure of darkness, eyes burning crimson, a smile curved like a blade.
"Interesting…"
"A fragile human, yet you still breathe."
The Dungeon Boss spoke.
A being of pure malice — but there was something else in its voice. Amusement.
I dropped to my knees, trembling. "W-What do you want?"
"A deal."
Its words pierced through my fear like thunder.
"You've seen your world's weakness. I can offer you power — three wishes. Anything your mortal heart desires."
I clenched my fists. I'd lost everything already. I had nothing left to fear.
"First…" I said. "I want a weapon that can transform into any weapon I desire."
"Granted."
The air shimmered. A small black stone floated before me, pulsing like a heartbeat.
"Second, I want… infinite regeneration."
"Denied," it said with a grin. "But I shall grant you something better. Feed on what you kill — and their strength shall become yours. Devour to heal. Consume to grow."
I swallowed. My voice trembled as I whispered:
"Then for my third wish… send me back in time. Ten years."
The Boss's eyes widened slightly — then it laughed.
"So you wish to challenge fate itself? Very well… But in ten years, you must return here and defeat me. Fail…"
The cavern shook. Cracks of red light spread through the ground.
"And I will destroy your world."
"Why… why are you doing this?"
The creature's grin deepened, sharp as knives.
"Because only those who crawl through the Abyss deserve to rise from it."
Its hand reached out — a surge of darkness wrapped around me.
"Live, grow strong, and remember your Oath… to the Abyss."
My vision blurred. The world twisted.
And then—
Light.
I gasped awake. My body smaller, younger. The familiar ceiling of an old orphanage above me.
Ten years in the past.
I was sixteen again.
And this time…
the world will remember my name.