The two crimson eyes remained fixed on him.
Unmoving.
Watching.
Arjun stopped in the center of the tunnel, his grip tightening around the dagger in his hand. The cold air in the dungeon suddenly felt heavier, as if the darkness itself had become alive.
Beside him, his shadow soldier lowered its stance.
Ready.
Waiting.
Then the creature stepped forward.
Stone cracked beneath its weight.
Arjun's breathing slowed.
It was enormous.
Twice the size of the monsters he had already fought, covered in jagged black armor-like skin. Long claws scraped against the dungeon floor, leaving deep marks in the stone.
Its mouth opened.
Rows of sharp teeth gleamed in the darkness.
[Dungeon Boss Detected]Name: Black Fang BeastThreat Level: High
Arjun stared at the message.
"A boss…"
The creature let out a roar that shook the walls.
Dust fell from the ceiling.
The sound slammed into Arjun's chest like a wave.
For a second—
His body froze.
Fear.
Pure instinct.
Run.
But then his eyes narrowed.
"No."
He had spent his entire life running.
Not anymore.
The beast lunged.
Fast.
Far faster than its size should allow.
Arjun barely rolled to the side as massive claws tore through the ground where he had stood.
Stone exploded.
The impact sent him sliding across the floor.
"Too fast…"
The beast turned instantly.
No hesitation.
No pause.
It attacked again.
"Now!" Arjun shouted.
His shadow soldier leapt forward and slammed into the creature's side.
The boss staggered.
Only for a moment.
But that moment was enough.
Arjun rushed in.
His dagger flashed toward its neck—
Clang.
The blade bounced off its armored skin.
His eyes widened.
"It didn't pierce?"
The beast's tail whipped around.
Arjun crossed his arms just before impact.
The force threw him across the chamber.
He crashed hard against the wall.
Pain shot through his ribs.
[HP Reduced: 43/100]
Arjun coughed.
Blood touched his lips.
"That thing…"
It was stronger than anything he had imagined.
The boss slowly turned toward him again.
Like it already knew he could not win.
Arjun wiped the blood from his mouth.
Then smiled.
"Good."
The beast paused.
Arjun rose slowly to his feet.
Darkness began gathering around his arm.
[Skill Activated: Shadow Reinforcement]
Black energy wrapped around his dagger.
Its blade became longer.
Sharper.
Darker.
Arjun looked at the weapon in his hand.
Then at the monster.
"Let's try this again."
The boss roared and charged.
Arjun ran toward it.
Straight at it.
The distance vanished in an instant.
At the last second—
He stepped into its shadow.
And disappeared.
The beast slammed into empty air.
Its eyes widened.
Arjun appeared behind it.
[Skill Learned: Shadow Step]
Arjun's voice was cold.
"You're too slow."
He drove the black blade downward—
And the boss screamed.
🔥 END HOOK
Dark blood splashed across the floor as the creature turned violently—
And Arjun realized his attack had only made it angrier.
The boss was not dying.
It was evolving.
[Warning: Mutation Detected]
Arjun stared.
"…What?"