The Death Stalkers were not just powerful but also exceptionally agile, making them formidable melee to mid-range enemies.
Their attack patterns and combos, combined with their overwhelming numbers, could easily confuse even the most veteran players attempting to clear this dungeon.
Each Death Stalker had the strength of a high-ranking B-rank monster, but their numbers turned the tide in their favor.
They were the embodiment of the “quantity over quality” strategy, a stark contrast to the one-man army approach.
The constant ‘Titkitik’ sound they made as their heads turned sideways, staring at us with animosity, was both creepy and disgusting.
Unsheathing my sword, I immediately wrapped it in my mana, the blade glowing with a fierce light. “Be careful of their stingers,” I warned. “They’re faster than you think.”
“H-huh?” Lily barely had time to react as the Death Stalkers surged forward.
GRRROAAAAGHHHH!!!!
Raijin’s thunderous roar echoed through the chamber, wind and lightning swirling around us like a protective barrier. The battle had commenced.
Clenching my sword, I felt the blood pumping intensely through my veins, my body heating up as the adrenaline surged.
My breathing calmed, my heart began to slow down, and my vision narrowed and sharpened, locking onto my intended targets.
My senses enhanced and amplified to an almost supernatural degree.
Even though I had experienced this sensation countless times, the energy and power that surged through me at the start of a battle always felt surreal and new.
FOOOSHH!!!
Without waiting for the bloody insects to make a move, my body shot forward like a rocket, my sword screeching through the air.
[Skill: Golden Lightning Proficiency (1%)]
Lightning wrapped around my sword, crackling with an electrifying shock.
[Skill: Piercing Strike (90%)]
BOOM!
One of the Death Stalker’s heads exploded as I passed right through it, leaving a trail of golden electricity behind me. My sword embedded itself in a gigantic stone pillar, the solid crust shattering upon impact.
As the monster’s body began to fall, the deafening screech of its comrades reverberated through the chamber like an earthquake.
They all charged towards me in a unified attack.
The Death Stalkers moved with terrifying speed, their claws and stingers flashing in the dim light. I pulled my sword from the pillar, the crackling lightning illuminating the chamber around me.
Each Death Stalker’s eyes glowed with a fierce, red hue, reflecting their relentless determination to bring me down.
With a swift motion, I unleashed another wave of golden lightning, cutting through the air and striking several of the approaching Death Stalkers.
Their exoskeletons cracked and splintered, but the sheer number of them was overwhelming.
‘Ha~… Looks like holding back at this stage really won’t get you anywhere.’
The realization hit me hard as I surveyed the relentless horde of Death Stalkers.
This dungeon demanded everything we had.
[Skill: Intermediate Swordsmanship (Proficiency 5%)]
[Skill: Piercing Strike!] [Proficiency (90%)]
[Skill: Mana Amplification] [Proficiency (80%)]
[Skill: Time Dilation] [Proficiency (95%)]
[Skill: Dash] [Proficiency (55%)]
[Skill: Heavy Strike] [Proficiency (1%)]
[Skill: Thought Acceleration] [Proficiency (3%)]
[Skill: Flash Step] [Proficiency (2%)]
[Skill: Blood Rampage (Rare)] [Proficiency (1%)]
[Skill: Raging Storms]
[Skill: Golden Lightning]
With all my skills at full activation, a smile I had been trying to hold back spread across my lips. This was way too fun!
“Raijin! Show me what you’ve got!”
Calling out to my familiar, who was busy destroying dozens of these bugs on his own, I saw a wolf-like grin tug at his lips as he acknowledged my command.
RUMBLE~! RUMBLE~!
Lightning clouds formed on the ceiling above us, the sound of thunder reverberating through the chamber, while winds converged into one swirling vortex.
[Hero’s Legacy]
[Forum post: Night of the Two Moons Dungeon Guide]
[-Never let the bugs gain the upper hand.]
Remembering the most important piece of advice from this dungeon, Raijin and I moved like lightning, a coordinated massacre of the monstrous horde. Our bodies became blurs of
motion, slashing and striking with lethal precision.
Raijin’s golden lightning intertwined with mine, creating a storm of electric death that fried
the Death Stalkers upon contact.
Each swing of my sword was accompanied by a burst of mana, amplifying the force of my
strikes.
The Death Stalkers didn’t stand a chance.
—–
“S-Should we help…?” Lillian’s innocent question hung in the air as she watched a blitzing golden ball of lightning dance across the battlefield.
Zigzagging from pillar to pillar, a man moved with fluid grace, each golden trail of lightning he left behind marking another death of the monstrous foes.
Lily and Lillian stood in awe, their initial fear morphing into a stunned realization. Wasn’t this supposed to be a dead end?
An impossible situation?
A trap of certain death?
The moment those spider-like monsters appeared, a fear unlike any they had ever felt before took hold of the twins. In all their years as assassins, they had never felt so trapped and
cornered.
There seemed to be no means of escape, no way out from the encroaching horde.
And yet… here was one man, cutting through the deadly swarm as if they were nothing but butter. How could this be happening?
The monsters possessed mana reminiscent of high-ranking mages, their physical builds far stronger than most adversaries they had faced.
Clad in full plated armor exoskeletal armor the complete and total counter to sword attacks, these things should have been nearly invincible even for someone of Riley’s level…. “Hidden master…” Lily mumbled under her breath, the shock in her gaze unwavering as she watched Riley’s display of power.
Sparkles of golden lightning danced across her eyes, reflecting the scene of sheer dominance
before them.
They had always known Riley was strong.
But to witness the truth of the rumors about him-rumors they had often dismissed-was a humbling experience.
It seemed they had severely underestimated him and would need to reassess everything they
knew about him.
Noticing her sister’s lack of awareness, Lillian called out, “Sis?”
Lily’s eyes remained fixed on the battlefield where Riley was a whirlwind of golden lightning
and steel. “Let’s just watch his back for now”
She knew better than to interfere; the moment they stepped into that fray, they risked the
same fate as the monsters before them.
They would only get in the way and, worse, could end up as collateral damage.
Watching the smile that crept onto Riley’s face as he massacred the monsters one by one, Lily
confirmed one thing about him: he was a battle maniac.
But not just any battle maniac-he was a calculated one, the worst type of opponent one
could ever face on a battlefield.
‘I’m glad our initial encounter never escalated into a fight…’ Lily muttered under her breath,
feeling a wave of relief wash over her.
However, her relief was quickly overshadowed by an intense curiosity.
The mysteries surrounding Riley seemed to multiply with every passing second, each one
more intriguing than the last.
‘Riley Hell… just who are you?’
—–
Splat!
The final Death Stalker met its end under the massive paws of Raijin, now in his gigantic form.
The crunching sound, reminiscent of grabbing a handful of crispy chips, echoed through the chamber as the monster’s body was crushed.
Raijin, his pure white fur stained with yellowish blood, licked himself clean, his eyes glinting
with satisfaction.
I stood amidst piles of corpses, catching my breath after the intense battle.
The adrenaline still coursed through my veins, but the immediate danger had passed.
[Note: Congratulations!]
[Note: You have leveled up!]
[Note: You have leveled up!]
[Note: You have leveled up!] [Level: 74] → [Level: 77] [Available status points: 23 + 6]
Despite the sheer number of monsters Raijin and I had slain, it only amounted to three level
gains. It was a bit disappointing, considering the enormous number of Death Stalkers, but understandable given the circumstances.
Compared to the countless monsters Lily and Lillian had defeated since the start, my gains were modest. This outcome was expected, especially without any level booster privileges.
Sheathing my sword, I began to cool down the mana surging through my body.
My mind gradually calmed as the intensity of the battle waned. Reflecting on the fight, I realized something felt different-an unfamiliar yet exhilarating
battle sensation had taken over me, one I had never experienced before.
[Note: Skill: Blood Rampage (Rare)] [Proficiency (1%)]
[Note: Skill effects induce the player into a fit of rage and excitement.]
It made sense now.
The rush, the heightened senses, the relentless aggression-it was all due to the effects of
[Blood Rampage].
The skill had pushed me into a state of euphoria, blending rage and excitement into a potent
mix that enhanced my combat abilities.
“That explains why it was so fun for no reason…’
I realized I should be more cautious when activating [Blood Rampage].
The skill’s euphoric effects could cloud my judgment, leading to reckless decisions.
In future battles, I needed to manage my skills more judiciously, ensuring I maintained
control without succumbing to the rush of power.
Moreover, the thrill of battle had momentarily made me forget one of the primary reasons for
entering this dungeon: to test Lily and Lillian.
“Wow~! You killed them all… we didn’t even get to help hehe~” Lillian said, scratching the
back of her head sheepishly.
“You’re very strong, Riley….” Lily commented, scanning me with even more curiosity than
when we first met.
Her eyes were filled with a mix of admiration and suspicion. Their curiosity was understandable, but it posed a potential problem.
The likelihood of them probing into my past had increased significantly.
They might even investigate the mystery behind the other part of our deal.
“Is the dungeon clear now?” Lily asked, looking at the pile of corpses surrounding us.
“Not yet…”
“Ehhh???” Lillian screamed in shock.
But there was really nothing to worry about, as what came next was the best part of this
dungeon.
VOOOMMM!!!!
A blue light shimmered in the chamber, and sparks reminiscent of fireworks encompassed our area. Like the shining two moons in the sky, blue flames ignited upon the fallen bodies,
turning them into dark ashes that converged into one before exploding in a brilliant blue
light.
“That’s…?” Lillian gasped, covering her mouth in surprise.
“An item drop?” Lily, with the same bewildered expression, commented.
That’s right.
This was what made this dungeon all the more valuable-it was one of the few dungeons that guaranteed an item drop based on our performance throughout our time here.
It was only natural for these two to get so surprised by such a surprising outcome…
As Item drops were one of the rarest occurrences in this world where only certain legendary
dungeons and monsters being able to do so.
From gold and riches to powerful and rare weapons and shields, everything in this reward
system was based on our overall performance.
As the light converged into one, four items finally appeared and approached us one by one.
The first item shimmered with a golden glow.
It was a beautifully crafted sword with intricate engravings, clearly a weapon of immense
power and craftsmanship. Its blade seemed to hum with energy, and I could feel its potential just by looking at it.
[Item: Sword of the Moonlight] [Rank: A]
As it floated in front of Lillian, she had a troubled look as if unsure what to do with it. The
hesitation was clear in her eyes, perhaps because this powerful weapon was beyond what she had ever handled before.
The second item glowed and this time it approached Lily.
[Item: Crystal Aegis] [Rank: B]
“A shield?” she mumbled aloud, clearly puzzled. She couldn’t understand why such an item
would come to her, as she was more accustomed to offensive combat rather than defense.
Finally, the last two items floated, one on each side of me, as the system quickly notified us of
their properties.
[Item: Gauntlet of the Moon Knight] [Rank: A] [Effects: Melee attacks +50% AP boost]
[Item: Moonlight Stone] [Rank: S]
[Description: Born from the fragment of the last will of the moon god, marvelous surprises
shall come to whoever first touches the stone.]
[Note: it is a broken item so effects and enchantments may not last long….] Marvelous surprises to whoever touches it first? As someone who’s now traumatized by surprises, I really didn’t want this mysterious stone.
Although it was S rank, I had a feeling I should avoid this stone… not to mention the fact that
it’s broken.
Drop!
‘Or not?’
The moment I had that thought, all the items stopped floating as the energy that coated them dissipated, and immediately, the two remaining items fell into my hands.
Looking at all the hauls we had, it wasn’t that bad. In fact, it was possibly the best outcome as
the items ranged from B to S rank.
But the item efficiency for each of us was nonetheless incompatible… A sword and shield for
twin assassins, and a gauntlet and a stone for a knight class like me?
‘I guess you can’t really expect much from a random drop.’
“What am I even going to do with—”
Lily began to grumble about her item when the ground shook once more, and blue light
enveloped us for a few seconds before a familiar sight entered our view.
“We’re back…” I murmured, taking in the clear, starry night sky and the two moons gracefully dancing above.
The return to the surface marked the end of our small mission within the dungeon.
The atmosphere shifted from the oppressive confines of the underground to the openness of
the night air.
It was a welcome relief after the intense battles and discoveries we had just faced.
Lily adjusted her grip on the Crystal Aegis, still not entirely convinced of its utility in her
hands.
Lillian, on the other hand, seemed more at ease with the Sword of the Moonlight, though she
was still adapting to its weight and balance.
‘It looks like our adventure for tonight has come to an end’
….
“Are you sure our master’s daggers are here?”
“Yes…” I affirmed, handing Lily a small piece of paper on which I had sketched a rough map
pinpointing the location of their master’s beloved blades.
Lily eyed the map skeptically at first, but then sighed, accepting it with a nod. “With this, the
contract is over, right?”
“Yes,” I replied, confirming our agreement with a nod of my own. I then handed them the
other half of the promised 100,000 gems. They eagerly took it, their eyes gleaming with
anticipation as they prepared to search for the weapons.
Waving goodbye to the twins, who wasted no time disappearing into the mist, I couldn’t help
but feel a slight pang of amusement at Lillian’s threat mixed with a giggle.
It seemed they trusted me just enough to take me at my word, for now at least.
As they vanished into the distance, Lily cast me one last glance over her shoulder before
following her sister. I chuckled softly to myself. Couldn’t they at least say a proper goodbye? ‘What are they even going to do with the items they were grumbling about?’
Haah…!
Yawn escaping me, I stretched my arms, feeling the weariness from today’s adventure
settling in. It was definitely time to head back to the dorms for a well-deserved rest. Boom! Boom! Boom!
“What the….?” I murmured, hearing the distant sounds of fireworks echoing through the
night sky.
Down below, the commercial district was alive with festivities, music filling the air and lights dancing in the streets.
Maybe I should indulge in a bit of enjoyment before calling it a night.
After all, celebrations like this didn’t come around every day, and I could use a little
relaxation after the trials of the dungeon.
‘I can rest and worry about the future later’
Smiling to myself, I made my way down from the watchtower.
….
Walking down the lively streets, I couldn’t help but be captivated by the freshly lit lanterns
casting warm glows and the enticing aroma of alcohol and freshly cooked food permeating
the air.
The atmosphere was bustling with students and even professors who had come out to enjoy
the festivities, adding to the vibrant scene.
I spotted a few familiar faces here and there, making it feel like a night straight out of the
grand festivals in my previous world.
Feeling a pang of hunger, I approached a stall where the aroma of mouthwatering barbecue
made my mouth water just from the smell and sight alone.
It suddenly dawned on me that I hadn’t eaten lunch yet.
“How much is this?” I asked tentatively, my mouth almost watering at the sight of the
sizzling meat.
But wait….
‘What was with that overly beautiful and feminine voice just now?’
“Ah, for such a beautiful young miss, a smile would be payment enough for a meal!” the middle-aged vendor replied cheerfully, flashing me a warm smile. “Huh?” I couldn’t hide my surprise.
‘…’
‘….’
‘…… Young miss?’
Was he talking to me?… No way right….?
But looking at his warm smile all facts lead to that.
As I processed his words, a chill ran down my spine, and a sense of foreboding crept over me.
Something didn’t feel right.
I glanced down, hoping I was imagining things, only to find long golden blonde hair
cascading over my face and blocking my view.
Two distinct mounds obscured a certain portion of my vision, and I couldn’t ignore the black
skirt that I now wore-similar to what the female students around me were dressed in.
“No… no… no….” I muttered to myself in disbelief.
Panic began to rise within me as I realized that a certain junior that was supposed to be with
me at all times was now gone….
‘WTF IS GOING ON!?’