Descending

King Gulben steadied his breath, his body burning with the raw power he had absorbed from countless slain monsters. His muscles no longer ached as they once had — his body had adapted, strengthened beyond its previous limits.

The air in this dimension was thick with energy, yet it never felt enough. He needed more.

He pressed forward, cutting down another twisted beast with a single powerful strike. The creature's essence rushed into him like a tide, filling him with renewed vigor and power. His vision sharpened, his reflexes honed further. He was growing stronger by the moment.

Then, a new presence made itself known.

A loud and guttural growl echoed through the red-tinged sky, sending a vibration through the very ground beneath his feet.

King Gulben turned, his sharp gaze locking onto the hulking figure emerging from the dark mist ahead.