Chapter 10: The Final Fight Ends, A New Power Awakens

The Big Bad Wolf collapsed with a heavy thud, its massive body slowly turning to dust.

A deep silence followed.

Then—

A faint hum filled the dungeon as a strange, glowing orb materialized above the remains of the fallen boss. It pulsed with an eerie light, floating just above the ground.

Hundred crossed his arms. "There it is."

Audi wiped the sweat from his brow. "What is that?"

Hundred stepped forward. "For a boss fight to appear in a dungeon, the Tower itself grants a special reward to the adventurers who took it down." He gestured to the orb. "We call this an Orb of Fate. When you touch it, you'll receive a random item or skill based on your performance against the boss."

Dodge raised an eyebrow. "So we each get one?"

Hundred shook his head. "No. The Tower's rules are clear—only the last person to land a hit on the boss can activate the Orb."

Dodge frowned. "Then that means…"

Hundred extended his hand toward the orb.

Nothing happened. The orb remained still, its glow unchanged.

Dodge tried next. She tapped it with her shotgun. No reaction.

A heavy silence hung between them.

Hundred let out a small chuckle. "We all saw who landed the last hit."

They both turned to Audi.

Audi blinked. "Wait—me?"

Dodge smirked. "Go on, Ice Boy. It's yours."

Audi hesitated, then stepped forward. As soon as his hand touched the orb, it flashed brightly, sending a small pulse of energy through his body. His vision blurred for a moment, information flooding into his mind.

[Skill Acquired: ??? (Summon)]

The voice echoed inside his head.

Audi staggered back. "H-Hold on… What did I just get?"

Audi narrowed his eyes. "It says it's a Summon skill?"

Audi scratched his head. "I guess? I don't even know how to use it…"

Dodge shrugged. "Well, no better time to test it."

Audi exhaled. He thought back to the Big Bad Wolf—how it constantly roared before summoning its minions.

Maybe… that's the key?

He clenched his fists, took a deep breath, and shouted—

"Summon!"

For a moment, nothing happened.

Then—

A pulse of dark energy erupted from his body, rippling across the dungeon floor. The air grew heavy. The lingering smell of blood thickened.

Crunch. Snap. Crack.

From the corpses of the fallen recruits, something stirred.

Dodge's breath caught in her throat. "No way…"

Hundred took a step back, gripping his blade. "Audi, what the hell did you just do?"

The three recruits who had fallen in battle—their lifeless bodies scattered across the dungeon floor—began to move.

Their movements were slow, unnatural—heads twitching, limbs jerking as they pulled themselves upright. Their wounds remained, but their eyes burned with a sickly green glow. The dungeon torches flickered violently, their flames dimming.

The three undead recruits turned toward Audi—awaiting orders.

A sharp, ice-cold sensation shot through his skull.

Memories—buried deep—rushed to the surface.

He had done this before.

Not as Audi.

But as a Lich.

Not just any Lich—a General of Magic.

He remembered the cruel battles, the centuries of dark sorcery, the moment he was ascended to General rank—the price he paid to become one.

To reach that level, one had to kill a Legendary Hero.

And yet…

He remembered his own defeat.

Not at the hands of a Hero.

Not against a mighty warrior.

But against a party of inexperienced adventurers.

Dodge snapped him out of his thoughts. "Audi! Are you hearing me?!"

His gaze lifted.

The three undead recruits stood still.

Waiting.

Watching.

Dodge and Hundred looked at him with cautious expressions.

Dodge snapped him out of his thoughts. "Audi! Are you hearing me?!"

His gaze lifted.

The three undead recruits stood still.

Waiting.

Watching.

Hundred and Dodge exchanged uneasy glances.

Hundred narrowed his eyes. "You're… no ordinary, are you?

"Audi didn't answer immediately. Because he wasn't sure who he even was anymore.

But one thing was certain—They had entered this dungeon as a party of five.

And there were only two who survived.

They had lost three recruits… but Audi had gained three new allies.

A deep unease settled over him. If he could summon the dead… what else was buried inside him?

He exhaled and clenched his fist. "Unsummon."

At once, the three recruits dissolved into black smoke, vanishing as if they had never existed.

Hundred and Dodge stared in stunned silence.

Audi forced a grin. "Well… I guess that works."

As they made their way back to camp, the weight of the battle lingered. They had lost three recruits… but Audi had gained something far more dangerous.

Audi smirked, rolling his shoulders. "Well, I guess I'm ready for Floor 5."

Next Chapter 11: Burning Will: The Fire Wizard's Path