Chapter 3 – The First Blood of the Elite

The dungeon trembled with anticipation. Reo stood near the Dungeon Core, his eyes locked on the intruders who had just stepped into his domain.

A knight, a rogue, and a priest.

These weren't mere Bronze-rank scouts like before. Their movements were calculated, their eyes sharp with experience.

"They're testing the terrain," Reo muttered, watching as the rogue crouched low, examining the stone floor for hidden traps.

They were smart. But not smart enough.

"You are still weak."

The deep, chained voice from the abyss whispered again, its presence lingering like a curse. Reo ignored it for now. He had more pressing matters.

The rogue signaled the group forward. The hunt had begun.

The knight led the charge, shield raised, as they advanced through the twisting corridors.

Then—click.

The ground beneath the rogue collapsed.

"Sh—"

Before he could react, he plummeted into the Pitfall Trap, vanishing into the void below. His scream was cut short.

The priest gasped, gripping her staff tightly.

"Damn it! That was a Death Pit!" the knight cursed. "No bottom, no escape."

Reo chuckled under his breath. One down.

The priest murmured a prayer, her staff glowing. A golden aura spread over the knight—a defensive buff.

Reo's eyes narrowed. They were prepared for a dungeon battle.

But so was he.

With a flick of his wrist, he activated Trap Sequence Two.

Suddenly, the corridor shifted. Walls twisted unnaturally, closing behind the intruders, forcing them forward. There was no turning back.

As Reo watched, the chained specter's voice rumbled again.

"Your dungeon is young. You lack power. I can change that."

Reo turned, his gaze cold. "And what's your price?"

The mist coiled. "A fragment of my chains. Nothing more."

Reo's mind raced. This entity was dangerous—but power was power.

The Dungeon Core pulsed as if responding to his hesitation.

"Choose, Dungeon Master. Face them alone… or evolve."

His grip tightened.

Outside, the knight and priest had made it past the traps. They were nearly here.

Reo exhaled sharply.

"Fine. You get one fragment."

The chains rattled. Darkness surged.

A notification blinked in Reo's vision.

> DUNGEON UPGRADE: MID-TIER MONSTER SPAWNING UNLOCKED.

A grin spread across his face.

"Let's see how they handle this."

The knight and priest finally reached the final chamber—the core room.

They expected to find a helpless Dungeon Master.

Instead, they found something else.

A massive shadow coiled behind Reo, its form twisting between beast and nightmare. Its crimson eyes snapped open.

The priest paled. "That… that's a—"

Reo smirked.

"Kill them."

The beast lunged.