Bully Lord

Part-209

As he neared home, James started debating his next move. He considered returning to the gym for more physical training. However, after the intense session with Kashem, his body was crying for rest. His muscles still ached, and while he could push through, he knew it might be wiser to recover first. Plus, he reminded himself, the Lamp of Time’s dungeon didn’t require physical stamina. Inside that strange, otherworldly space, only his mental and emotional strength mattered.

“I’ve trained enough for today. Time to hit the dungeon,” James decided.

Once he arrived home, he was greeted by the familiar aroma of food wafting from the kitchen. His mother, Farzana Khan, was busy preparing lunch. He paused for a moment to chat with her.

“How was your training?” she asked, her voice warm and filled with genuine interest.

“It went well,” James replied. “I trained at Mili’s dad’s dojo today. He’s intense, but I learned a lot.”

Farzana smiled, pleased with his answer. “That’s good. It’s important to keep growing, both physically and mentally. I’m proud of you for balancing it all so well.”

James returned her smile, feeling a sense of warmth from her words. “Thanks, Mom. I’m doing my best.”

After their brief conversation, James headed to his room. As he closed the door behind him, his gaze immediately fell on the Lamp of Time, resting quietly on his desk. The lamp’s faint glow seemed to beckon him, as if it held secrets waiting to be unlocked. This unassuming artifact had more power than anything else he had encountered. The last time he had used it, the oil inside had mysteriously replenished itself, giving him access once more to the strange, otherworldly dungeon.

He crossed the room, his heart racing with anticipation. Sitting on the edge of his bed, he grabbed the lamp and ran his fingers over its surface. The lamp's warmth seeped into his skin, a reminder of the untold power it contained. He took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. This time, he knew what to expect, but the dungeon was unpredictable, always shifting, always testing his limits.

With a determined exhale, James torched the fire, watching as the lamp flickered to life. The world around him seemed to pause, the air growing still. In the blink of an eye, the familiar scene unfolded—a door appeared before him, standing ominously in the stillness. Without hesitation, he stepped forward, pushing the door open and entering the dungeon once more. The air was thick, almost tangible, and the distant sounds of movement echoed from the shadows. The dungeon was alive, ever-shifting, and James knew better than to let his guard down.

Before he could fully orient himself, he heard the scuttling of ratlings in the distance. His heart rate picked up, but unlike the first time he faced them, James now felt a bit more confident. He had learned from his past failures, and though he had been defeated several times before, each loss had taught him valuable lessons.