"The Silent Ascension"

The streets of Fort Varen were quiet, the flickering torchlight barely stretching beyond the town's wooden barricades. Most of the town had settled into sleep, but I wasn't among them.

Hood drawn low, I moved through the alleys, keeping to the darkness. The confrontation with Byran earlier in the day still burned in my mind. His words, his smirk—he thought he was untouchable. That I was weak.

I clenched my fists, forcing myself to focus. Strength didn't come from anger alone—it came from action. And I knew exactly where I needed to be.

The Dungeon was waiting.

I slipped through a gap in the outer wall, moving with practiced ease. The night air was cool against my skin as I made my way toward the hills, where the Dungeon entrance lay hidden beneath the craggy landscape. The golden crystal at my waist pulsed faintly, its hum steady, like it knew I had a purpose.

I didn't look back.

Behind me, unseen in the shadows, Byran followed.

---

The mouth of the Dungeon loomed ahead, its jagged rock walls swallowing all traces of moonlight. It was strange, stepping inside again. Last time, I had barely made it out alive. Now, I was returning, stronger but still far from powerful.

The air changed the moment I crossed the threshold, thickening like an unseen weight pressing against my skin. The Dungeon Nexus flared to life as I stepped onto the platform.

[Dungeon Nexus: Level 1 Active]

Fast Travel Available: Nexus Chamber, Level 1.

Would you like to teleport deeper?

Yes

No

I selected No. There was no point in skipping ahead when I still needed to test the Analysis ability properly. Rushing in blindly would only get me killed.

Moving forward, I let the eerie blue glow of the Dungeon's crystals light my way. The cavern was silent, save for the occasional drip of water echoing through the tunnels.

Then I heard it.

A faint scuffle of boots against stone. Too quiet for most to notice, but my newly improved Perception caught the sound instantly.

I wasn't alone.

I kept my pace steady, resisting the urge to look over my shoulder. If whoever was following me thought I was unaware, I could use that against them.

Opening the Analysis tab, I activated the skill, focusing on the shadows behind me.

[Analysis Activated]

Target Identified: Human (Byran)

Threat Level: Moderate

Abilities:

Earth Manipulation (Rank C) – Can control and harden surrounding stone at will.

Intent: Hostile

I clenched my jaw. Byran.

So he had followed me.

And he wasn't here for a friendly chat.

I forced myself to remain calm. If I let him dictate how this would go, I was as good as dead. Instead, I led him deeper, toward a chamber where I had fought before. A space where I could turn the terrain to my advantage.

The golden crystal at my waist pulsed, like it understood the battle about to unfold.

Byran moved with caution, thinking he was unseen, but his arrogance was his weakness. He truly believed he was hunting me.

I would make him realize he was the prey.

---

The moment I stepped into the open chamber, I veered right, pressing myself into the shadows of the uneven cavern wall. Knife in hand, I steadied my breathing and waited.

Seconds later, Byran entered the chamber.

He walked confidently, scanning the space ahead. When he didn't immediately see me, his smirk faltered slightly, but he quickly masked it.

I stayed still, watching.

Another step.

Wait.

Then, as he moved directly into the center of the chamber, I struck.

I lunged from the shadows, my knife flashing in the dim blue light. Byran barely had time to react before my blade sliced across his arm, drawing blood. He grunted in surprise, stumbling back, his expression shifting from smug amusement to rage.

"You little—" he hissed, clutching his wounded arm.

Then he slammed his hands together.

The ground rumbled beneath my feet.

Jagged spikes of stone erupted from the cavern floor, forcing me to leap aside. More spikes followed, rising like spears as Byran used his Earth Manipulation, his fury making the cavern tremble.

I barely avoided a stone pillar that shot up beside me, rolling across the uneven ground. Byran had already recovered, his injured arm forgotten as he smirked.

"You think you can fight me, runt?" he sneered. "I've been waiting for this."

I exhaled sharply, my grip on the knife tightening. I wasn't the same weakling he was used to pushing around.

A notification flickered into my vision.

[Skill Ready: Tactical Insight]

Weak points detected.

Combat efficiency temporarily increased.

I pushed forward, dodging another rock spike, moving with precision I hadn't had before. The golden crystal pulsed at my side, its hum sharp and clear.

Byran swung his arm, and another slab of rock shot toward me.

I sidestepped at the last second, using the momentum of my dodge to drive my knife toward his side. It found its mark.

Byran let out a guttural snarl, his body twisting as he slammed his palm against the ground. A tremor rippled through the chamber, the rock beneath my feet shifting dangerously.

I stumbled, barely keeping my balance as the terrain itself turned against me. Byran was bleeding heavily now, but he wasn't slowing down.

I needed to end this.

Activating Tactical Insight, I honed in on his stance, his breathing—his weakness.

His right leg.

It was supporting most of his weight, compensating for the injury on his left side. If I could take it out, I could drop him.

Byran lunged forward, raising his arm for another attack.

I ducked low, sliding beneath his strike, and with all the force I could muster, I drove my knife into the back of his knee.

Byran let out a roar of pain, collapsing. His control over the stone wavered, the spikes retreating as his focus shattered. He gasped, his body slumping against the cavern floor.

Blood pooled beneath him, his breaths ragged.

I stood over him, chest heaving, my knife still in hand. The golden crystal dimmed slightly, as if waiting for my next move.

Byran groaned, trying to push himself up. His eyes met mine, filled with disbelief.

"You..." he spat, voice strained. "You think you're stronger now?"

I didn't answer.

I stepped back, knife still tight in my grip, watching.

Byran wasn't dead. But he wasn't walking out of here easily, either.

The Dungeon wasn't forgiving. If he thought I would be, he was wrong.

The system flickered with a final notification.

[Threat Neutralized]

Health Restored: +5

Experience Gained: +30

I exhaled, the tension in my chest finally easing.

This fight was over.

But the next?

It was just beginning.