Chapter 7: Boss Lair

The system's map led me to the farthest stall. I pushed the door open—nothing. Just a clean, empty stall.

Then, the floor shifted.

Before I could react, I dropped through, plunging into darkness.

I landed hard on cold stone, coughing at the thick, damp air. Beside me, a sharp groan echoed through the cavern.

JianJian.

Her long black hair swept over her shoulders as she stood, dusting herself off. Unlike last time, she wasn't holding back her irritation.

"You again?" she snapped. "What are you doing here?"

"Fell through the floor," I muttered.

Her expression softened. "Well… welcome to the Night Emperor's Lair. If you're here, you're stuck with me. Try to keep up."

The dungeon stretched before them—an endless maze of jagged tunnels and eerie blue light.

As they moved deeper, the temperature dropped. Faint whispers danced on the air, like the voices of the dead.

Jian moved with fluid grace, her spear shimmering faintly with power. Jackson trailed beside her, keeping one hand on the Demon Devourer of Swords.

"Any idea what we're up against?" he asked.

Jian nodded. "The Night Emperor. An ancient undead king. If we kill him, the reward will be massive—but he's no joke."

A low growl echoed through the tunnel. Shadows stirred at the edges of their vision.

Skeletons—more than a dozen—dragging rusted swords and broken shields.

Jackson raised his blade. "Let's do this."

The first wave hit hard. Jackson's sword sliced through the brittle bones, but with every swing, the weapon grew heavier. A reminder of the curse.

Jian leapt into the fray, her spear glowing crimson as she skewered three skeletons at once.

A flash of movement caught Jackson's eye—an archer hidden in the shadows. He lunged, slicing through its ribs.

The system's voice rang in his head:

"+50 Credits. +20 EXP."

But the deeper they fought, the stronger the skeletons became. Jackson's muscles burned. The sword hungered for more.

"Don't push yourself too hard!" Jian called out. "That weapon… it's dangerous."

"I know," Jackson panted. "But it's the only thing keeping me alive."

You feel the weight of the sword like a living thing in your palm.

With every enemy you cut down, it drinks your strength—your life. If you push too far, it will consume you.

But you don't stop.

Because if you stop, you die.

A new notification flashes.

"Skill unlocked: Blood Rage."

You tighten your grip and charge forward.

Hours seemed to pass in that endless dungeon. But at last, they stood before a towering set of double doors.

The boss room.

Jian exhaled sharply, wiping blood from her cheek. "This is it."

Jackson's heart pounded. If they won, the rewards could bring him closer to reviving Alicia… but if the sword consumed him, he might not live long enough to see it.

The doors creaked open, revealing a throne of bones. Atop it sat a skeletal figure, draped in tattered robes and a gleaming black crown.

The Night Emperor.

His empty eyes burned with violet fire as he rose, raising a massive blade of dark steel.

"Ready?" Jian asked, her spear trembling with energy.

Jackson nodded. "Let's finish this."

Together, they stepped into the darkness.