Chapter 9: The Fruit and the First Power-up

Lorian's Magical Awakening

The 18th floor was unlike anything Lorian had seen before. The deeper he ventured, the stronger the air itself seemed to press against him, thick with something unexplainable. It wasn't just magic—it was something older, something that hummed beneath his skin. The walls were adorned with carvings, glowing faintly as if whispering secrets of the past.

Then he felt it.

A pull.

It wasn't a physical force, yet it dragged him forward. His instincts screamed at him to follow.

He rounded a corner and entered a vast, open chamber. At its center stood a golden chest, its surface covered in glowing runes pulsing like a heartbeat. But before Lorian could take another step forward, the air split apart.

A beast emerged from the darkness.

It wasn't like the other dungeon creatures he had fought. This one thought.

It was at least three meters tall, its body wrapped in jagged black armor that seemed to move like living shadows. Its head resembled a dragon's skull, hollow eyes burning with blue flames. Four arms, each ending in wicked claws, twitched in anticipation.

The Warden of the Chest had arrived.

Lorian barely had time to react before the creature lunged. He rolled to the side, but the force of its swing shattered the ground where he had just stood. Dust and stone exploded into the air, reducing visibility. But Lorian wasn't about to wait for the beast to make the next move.

He dashed forward, his blade glowing with blue energy as he swung at the creature's side. The impact sent a shockwave through the chamber, but when the dust settled, Lorian's eyes widened.

Not even a scratch.

The beast turned its head toward him slowly, those hollow blue eyes locking onto him.

Then it moved.

It was fast.

Lorian barely had time to throw up his arms before a clawed hand smashed into him, sending him flying backward. He slammed against the chamber wall, pain exploding across his ribs. His breath caught in his throat.

The Warden wasted no time. It dashed forward again, claws glowing with an eerie blue energy. Lorian twisted, barely avoiding the attack, but even dodging was costing him energy.

He needed a plan.

He needed something new.

Then it hit him—this was a dungeon. And dungeons had rules.

Breaking the Warden's Code

Lorian's eyes flicked to the golden chest. This creature wasn't just guarding it—it was bound to it.

A smirk tugged at his lips. If the Warden had rules, then all he had to do was break them.

He kicked off the ground, dashing toward the chest. As expected, the Warden moved to intercept, its massive body blocking the path. But this time, Lorian was ready.

He feinted left—then used the Warden's own speed against it. At the last second, he dropped low, sliding between its legs. The second he passed beneath it, he struck.

With all his strength, he buried his blade into the back of its knee joint.

A howl erupted from the Warden as it staggered, its movements faltering. But Lorian didn't stop. He twisted the blade, sending a shockwave of energy coursing through the wound. The Warden collapsed to one knee.

He had it.

Without hesitation, Lorian dashed toward the chest, gripping its lid. The runes flared violently, a deep hum vibrating through the air as if the dungeon itself disapproved of his actions. But he didn't stop.

With a final pull, the chest snapped open.

A burst of golden light flooded the chamber.

The Warden let out one last roar before its body froze. Then, like shattered glass, it cracked—before crumbling into dust.

Lorian stood there, panting, sweat dripping down his forehead.

He had won.

The Forbidden Fruit

Inside the chest, resting on a bed of golden silk, was a single fruit. It was unlike anything Lorian had ever seen—black with swirling purple veins, pulsing softly as if alive.

He hesitated for only a moment before picking it up. The second his fingers touched the surface, a shock ran up his arm. It wasn't pain—it was power.

His instincts screamed at him to eat it.

So he did.

The moment the fruit touched his tongue, everything exploded.

A surge of energy slammed into his body like a tidal wave, his vision blurring, his muscles locking. He staggered, gripping his head as a thousand voices whispered at once. Images—memories that weren't his—flashed through his mind.

Then the world tilted.

He collapsed to his knees, his breathing ragged.

And then he saw him.

Markus, the Spectral Guide

A figure stood before him—a man dressed in dark robes, eyes glowing with ancient wisdom.

Markus.

"You're not ready," the man said, his voice like distant thunder.

Lorian gasped, his body still burning from the fruit's power. "W-Who are you?"

Markus didn't answer immediately. Instead, he raised a hand, and suddenly, the walls of the dungeon shifted. Symbols that had been hidden in the stone now glowed, forming intricate patterns that connected across the entire chamber.

"This place," Markus murmured, "was never meant to be found by the unworthy."

Lorian forced himself to stand. "What… what is this dungeon really?"

Markus's gaze darkened. "A doorway."

Before Lorian could ask more, Markus reached forward. A jolt of energy coursed through Lorian's chest—and then he understood.

The dungeons weren't just tests.

They were preparations.

For something much bigger.

Selene's Meeting with the Elder

Far from the dungeon, Selene sat across from the Elder, her hands clenched into fists.

"You know more than you're saying," she accused.

The Elder's eyes gleamed. "And you ask the right questions."

Selene's patience was thin. "What are the dungeons really?"

The Elder took a deep breath. "Long ago, this world was not ours alone. There were others—beings who walked among us, wielding power beyond anything you can imagine."

Selene stiffened. "You mean… the ones who created the dungeons?"

A long silence. Then, the Elder nodded.

"Yes. And they are not gone."

Selene's heart pounded.

Somewhere deep inside her, she had always felt it.

The truth was far bigger than what the world believed.

And Lorian…

Lorian was walking straight into the center of it.