Shadow stood at the edge of the dungeon, eyes wide with disbelief.
What a monster…
Monsters were being blitzed apart before they could even react.
A pack of razor-clawed shadow wolves lunged from the darkness — only to be sliced into pieces mid-air as Indura flashed between them, crimson claws leaving glowing red trails. One moment the wolves were charging; the next, their bodies exploded into chunks of flesh and bone, raining down across the cavern floor.
Indura moved like liquid lightning — side to side, forward and back, each step precise, each swing effortless. A massive armored beetle the size of a carriage charged at him with thunderous steps. Indura simply stepped inside its guard, claws thrusting forward. The beetle's thick shell shattered like glass on impact, its body blowing apart in a wet explosion of gore and chitin.
Shadow watched every movement, heart pounding.
Truly formidable… His speed is unreal. His movements are so clean. No wasted motion. No hesitation. This is what a true Calamity moves like.
Indura thrust his claws into the final monster — a hulking, multi-limbed horror with bone spikes and acid-dripping jaws. The impact was light. The creature's torso exploded outward in a spray of dark blood and shattered bone, the force of the blow sweeping through the cavern.
Indura stood motionless for a moment, then casually shook the blood off his claws with a flick of his wrist.
"That was the last of them," he said simply, voice calm and unbothered.
Shadow walked forward, clapping slowly, awe clear in his tone. "Incredible work, Great Dragon. You cleared five dungeons in one night, including their bosses. Over a thousand monsters… and you make it look like light exercise."
Indura smiled faintly, wiping a speck of blood from his cheek. "These monsters weren't anything at all. They were soft. Weak. Nothing like what I faced before. This was light work."
Shadow clapped again, laughing lightly, though inside his mind was racing. Over ten thousand monsters in total tonight. Ten high-grade monster cores. Materials from elder beasts that normally require full raid parties — Voidfang hides, Storm Serpent lightning glands, Abyssal Titan cores… All collected by one person. He doesn't even need help.
Shadow pulled out several large reinforced sacks, already bulging with loot. "With everything we've gathered tonight, you've taken down roughly ten thousand monsters and secured ten high-quality cores plus rare materials. These sacks are full — there's no room left for more."
Indura walked over and glanced at the overflowing bags. "Then maybe we should finish up here and head back to the city."
Shadow nodded. "Agreed. But the boss of this final dungeon will be different from the others. It's an intelligent variant — smarter, stronger, with unique abilities. Still… it won't be hard for you, Great Dragon."
Indura's golden eyes gleamed with mild interest. "Good. Maybe this one will actually be interesting."
They began walking deeper into the dungeon, side by side.
Indura thought to himself, I feel different now. Much more controlled. Steady. My claws are like blades — each swing releases a slash that can cut from long range. This body has grown.
They reached the boss chamber entrance — a massive stone door covered in glowing runes.
Indura kicked it without hesitation.
The door hurtled inward with a deafening crash, slamming against the far wall.
Indura stepped inside. "This one might actually be different. The others didn't have doors."
Shadow followed. "It may have some intelligence. Be careful."
Inside the silent room, torches suddenly lit up one by one along the walls, ending with a massive central brazier that bathed the chamber in flickering red light.
In the center sat a wooden throne. On it, a humanoid figure twitched and turned unnaturally.
It stood slowly, voice hoarse and rasping. "Congratulations on reaching this far. From here… you will die. Your sacrifice will not be honored."
Shadow smirked. "It may be intelligent, but it's still stupid. This won't take long."
Indura smiled, his right hand's claws growing longer and sharper. "It's fine."
The creature's body suddenly bulged. Muscles flexed and expanded violently as it forced a grotesque transformation, laughing maniacally. "Victory is mine!"
Indura remained calm. "Come at me."
The monster roared and launched itself forward with terrifying speed.
But before it could reach Indura, it skidded to a violent halt, claws gouging deep trenches into the stone floor. It leaped back into a corner, eyes wild with panic.
"What… what was that?!" it screamed. "What are you?!"
Shadow smiled softly, whispering, "It's the one and only Calamity. Of course any monster would feel his presence."
The creature grabbed the heavy wooden throne and hurled it at Indura.
Indura didn't move. A casual slash of his claws — without even touching the chair — sliced it into perfect halves mid-air.
The monster began to sweat profusely, roaring in fear.
Indura sighed in mild dissatisfaction. He lifted his right arm.
"Is this your heart?"
In his open palm rested a live, beating heart — massive, the size of a boulder, pulsing rapidly with dark energy. He had snatched it out of the monster's chest before it leaped back.
The monster looked down at its own chest and saw a clean, gaping hole where its heart had been.
Its eyes widened in pure horror. "How…?"
It fell to its knees, crawling desperately toward Indura, begging. "Give it back… please…"
Indura watched it slowly lose its life, then casually tossed the still-beating heart aside.
He turned away from the dying creature, feeling a strange mix of discomfort and detachment.
Shadow followed, still stunned. I didn't even see him move… That speed is nearly impossible.
–sigh– "Let's leave this place. We're already done here."
As they left the chamber, Shadow asked, "Great Dragon, aren't you going to take the monster core?"
Indura shook his head. "I don't need it. It didn't matter."
Shadow smiled, genuine admiration in his voice. "Today's work was truly magnificent."
Indura simply continued walking, the weight of his presence still lingering in the air behind them.
They finally stepped out of the dungeon into the open valley.
The night skies of Chaos stretched endlessly above them, casting a dark red glow over the bone-littered landscape. The air felt lighter out here, though still thick with mana. They set down the overflowing sacks of loot with heavy thuds — teeth, eyes, cores, hides, and claws spilling slightly from the tops.
Indura walked over to a large, flat rock and sat down casually, leaning back on his hands. He let out a long, satisfied breath, golden eyes half-lidded as he gazed at the distant horizon.
Shadow knelt beside the sacks and began separating the items with careful, practiced hands. He pulled out the guild contract and started reading aloud, voice steady and professional.
"Contract requires proof of subjugation for the following: twenty Shadow Wolf fangs, three Storm Serpent lightning glands, five Abyssal Titan bone shards, two Voidfang eye crystals, and at least one intact core from each dungeon boss. We have more than enough here — actually, we have far more than required."
Indura watched him work in silence, a faint smile on his lips. He's been sticking to me since the moment I woke up. I wonder what he really wants… but the company isn't so bad. It's… comfortable.
Shadow continued sorting, occasionally glancing at Indura with quiet admiration. "The guild will only accept the exact proof listed. Anything extra will be considered personal loot. What we have here is too much — we can't carry all of it back anyway. The guild has strict limits on what they'll process in one submission."
Indura tilted his head slightly. "Then what do we do with the rest?"
Shadow paused, looking up at him. "If I may suggest something, Great Dragon?"
Indura gave a small nod of permission.
Shadow's expression brightened with excitement. "We can trade the excess on the black market. It's unofficial, but very profitable. The underground dealers in Crimson Reach pay top coin for rare materials that the guild won't touch — things like full Voidfang hides, multiple Titan cores, or high-grade beast organs. They resell them to private collectors, weapon smiths, or even rival guilds. We could turn the surplus into a small fortune in gold and artifacts. No questions asked, no paperwork, and we keep everything off the official records."
Indura listened carefully, golden eyes gleaming with mild interest. "Black market… Sounds convenient. No rules, no limits. I like that."
Shadow smiled, relieved. "It's risky if you're caught, but for someone of your caliber… it's perfect. We can move freely, earn what we need, and avoid drawing too much official attention."
Indura stood up slowly, stretching his arms. "Then that's what we'll do. Let's settle things here and head back."
Shadow quickly repacked the required guild items into one sack and set the rest aside for the black market. He looked up at Indura with clear respect and a hint of awe in his eyes.
The two of them stood together for a moment under the red skies, the valley quiet except for the distant howl of wind through the bones.
Indura glanced at the sacks, then at Shadow. "You've been useful. I appreciate it."
Shadow bowed his head slightly. "It is an honor, Great Dragon."
They gathered what they could carry and began walking back toward Crimson Reach, the weight of the night's work heavy on their shoulders but the path ahead feeling strangely light.
Night had fully claimed Crimson Reach.
The red skies had deepened into a dark, blood-wine hue, and the floating lanterns along the streets cast long, flickering shadows across the cobblestones. The city never truly slept — hunters moved in small groups between guild halls and taverns, merchants closed their stalls with heavy locks, and the distant roar of dungeon gates echoed faintly from the outskirts. The air was cooler now, carrying the sharp scent of mana residue and grilled night-market meat.
Jin walked toward the Hunters Guild entrance with steady, unhurried steps.
His new gear was sleek and functional — matte-black tactical armor that hugged his taller frame, reinforced at the joints for silent movement. Silver shoulder plates gleamed faintly under the lantern light, etched with subtle mana runes that helped disperse excess energy. A full-face mask covered his features: angular, dark metal with narrow, glowing silver eye slits that gave him an almost predatory look. His black hair was tied back neatly beneath the hood. Twin swords rested at his hips, sheathed and ready.
Tonight I need dungeons with heavy mana concentration, he thought, silver eyes calm behind the mask. At least two. Something dense enough to absorb properly. The deeper the better.
He pushed open the heavy doors and stepped into the guild lobby.
The moment he entered, the lively chatter faltered.
Heads turned. Eyes widened. A few hunters paused mid-drink, mugs hovering near their lips. The atmosphere shifted — a mix of recognition, unease, and quiet respect.
"There he is…" someone whispered near the back.
"The Void Reaper…"
"Solo as always. Doesn't even acknowledge anyone."
A beastman with scarred arms leaned toward his friend. "You think he's already hit the Midnight Slayer? Rumors say those two crossed paths once…"
Jin ignored the whispers entirely. He walked straight to the counter, presence calm but unmistakably heavy.
The young woman behind the desk straightened immediately, her hands trembling slightly as she recognized the mask and the silver gleam of his eyes.
"V-Void Reaper," she managed, voice tight. "Two high-tier contracts, as requested. Both with dense mana signatures."
She slid two thick parchment contracts across the counter.
Jin picked them up without a word, his silver eyes scanning the details.
The first was for the Abyssal Fracture Depths — a mid-to-high difficulty dungeon known for its unstable mana veins and swarms of Void Leeches and Fracture Wraiths. The second was for the Crimson Storm Spire — a vertical tower dungeon filled with Storm Serpents and elder lightning elementals. Both promised rich mana concentration, perfect for absorption.
These will do, he thought. Enough density to push my core further. The Fracture Depths might even have lingering portal residue…
He folded the contracts neatly and slipped them into an inner pocket of his armor.
The lobby whispers continued as he turned to leave.
"Does he ever speak?"
"Guy's a ghost. Shows up, takes the hardest jobs, vanishes."
"Think he ran into the Midnight Slayer yet? That guy just reappeared after ten years…"
Jin didn't react. I can hear every word clearly. Doesn't matter.
He stepped back into the night air, the red skies above glowing like distant embers. Outside the guild, he adjusted his twin swords, checked the contracts once more, and exhaled slowly.
Then he vanished.
One moment he stood beneath the lantern light; the next, he was simply gone — a silent shadow melting into the crimson darkness of Crimson Reach, heading toward the dungeon gates on the city's edge.
The night swallowed him whole.
The guild lobby was loud and alive again, with the usual chatter of the night shift.
Hunters laughed over mugs of strong ale, swapping exaggerated stories of their latest runs. A burly beastman slammed his fist on the table. "I'm telling you, that Storm Serpent nearly took my arm off! If I hadn't rolled at the last second—"
His friend cut in with a laugh. "You? Roll? You probably tripped and got lucky!"
In the corner, a group of dark elves argued over bounty splits while a lone lizardman quietly sharpened his blades, muttering about how the prices for cores were dropping again.
The door suddenly swung open. Everyone turned, as the room growing quiet once more.
Two figures stepped inside — Shadow and Indura, each carrying large, heavily stuffed sacks that bulged with dungeon loot.
The lobby didn't go completely silent, but the energy shifted instantly. Heads turned. Conversations faltered.
"Is that… Midnight Slayer?" someone whispered loudly.
"No way… he really did come back."
"Look at the size of those sacks. What the hell did they bring?"
Shadow walked with quiet confidence, while Indura moved with his usual calm, as they approached the counter.
The young woman behind the desk froze when she saw them. Her eyes widened at Shadow first. "M-Midnight Slayer… you're really here again."
Shadow gave a small nod. "We have submissions."
Indura set his massive sack down on the floor with a heavy thud. The sound echoed. Several hunters leaned forward instinctively, eyes widening at the sheer size.
The woman stepped around the counter, curiosity overcoming her nervousness. She opened the top of Indura's sack and peered inside.
Her face went pale.
"Voidfang hides… intact Storm Serpent glands… Abyssal Titan bone shards… multiple boss cores…" She looked up at Indura, voice shaking. "This… this is from multiple high-tier dungeons. In one night?"
Whispers erupted around the lobby as more people drifted closer to get a look.
"No way...Those materials are worth a fortune…"
"Who is this guy with the Midnight Slayer?"
"He looks too calm. Like he just went for a walk."
Shadow leaned toward Indura and spoke quietly. "They'll process the required proof tonight, but full payment usually comes the next day. Nothing to worry about — it's standard procedure."
The woman nodded quickly, still staring at the loot. "Yes… I'll need to verify everything, but you'll have to return tomorrow for the gold and any bonus rewards."
Shadow turned back to Indura. "It's fine. We can come back in the morning. The guild is reliable with high-grade submissions like this."
Indura simply nodded, expression unchanged.
The woman's mind was racing. I have to tell the supervisor about this immediately. A new prodigy… someone who can bring in this much in one night? The guild needs to keep an eye on him. I mean now that I look at him...he's...
As Shadow and Indura turned to leave, the whispers followed them.
"That guy with Midnight Slayer… he might be the next top Slayer."
"Did you see the quality? That's not normal for a rookie."
"Something about him feels… off. In a good and bad way...i can't really put it together."
Indura walked with his hands behind his back, hearing every word clearly but showing no reaction. They talk a lot.
From a far, dimly lit corner of the lobby, a cloaked man watched them leave in silence. His face was mostly hidden in shadow, only the sharp line of his jaw and a single glowing eye visible beneath the hood. He murmured to himself, voice low and thoughtful.
"Maybe things are about to change around here…"
A while later, Shadow led Indura into a quiet villa on the quieter outskirts of Crimson Reach.
The place was elegant but not ostentatious — a spacious courtyard villa with stone walls warmed by soft lantern light, thick wooden beams, and heavy curtains that kept the red skies at bay. The main room they entered was comfortable and expensive: a large, smooth bed piled with soft furs and silk cushions, a low table already set with steaming dishes, and wide windows that offered a view of the distant floating islands under the crimson night.
Shadow gestured around with quiet pride. "This villa belongs to me. It's away from the noise of the main districts, but close enough if you need anything. The bed is one of the best in the south — enchanted to help with mana recovery and rest. You should feel quite relaxed here."
Indura looked around, then sat on the edge of the bed, running his hand over the smooth furs. He leaned back slightly, a small, genuine smile forming.
"This is nice," he said. "Much better than sleeping on rocks or in caves. The air feels cleaner here too. In Varta, even the best beds felt… small. This one actually fits."
Shadow smiled, relieved. "I'm glad it pleases you, Great Dragon. I'll have your meals ready in a moment — fresh meat from today's market, spiced the way hunters like it, and some fruits that grow only under the red skies."
Indura nodded, stretching out on the bed with a contented sigh. "Good. I'm looking forward to it."
Shadow bowed slightly and moved toward the adjacent room to prepare the food, leaving Indura alone for a moment.
Indura lay there, staring at the wooden ceiling beams, feeling the weight of the day slowly ease from his shoulders. This world is loud, chaotic, and full of strange rules… but it's not boring. Not yet.
The scent of cooking meat soon filled the air, and Shadow returned with a large tray, setting it on the low table.
"Eat as much as you like," Shadow said warmly. "You've earned it."
Indura sat up, golden eyes bright with quiet satisfaction as he reached for the food.
For the first time since waking, the crimson dragon allowed himself a moment of simple peace in the heart of Crimson Reach.