Chapter 12: Last Chain Served

The moment the monstrous core guardian roared, the entire chamber trembled. Black ice spread like a living organism across the stone walls, and mana-charged chains spun violently through the air. This wasn't just a creature—it was the sentient heart of the dungeon itself.

"Let's go all out," Yujin muttered, eyes glowing faintly red. Demon Howl pulsed in his grip.

Taro shot forward like a cannonball, fists crackling. "No need to hold back now!"

His gauntlets slammed into the creature's leg with a deafening boom, forcing the massive ice beast to stagger. But it retaliated in an instant. Chains whipped forward, wrapping around Taro midair, and then slammed him to the ground like a hammer striking an anvil.

"Taro!" Kain shouted, darting around to flank. He skated on an icy trail, sword glowing with dense blue mana. With a flash of light, Kain used Frozen Lotus – Second Bloom to teleport behind the boss and land a precise slash to the back of its knee.

The beast let out a distorted screech and spun wildly, smashing Kain away with its massive frozen arm. He crashed against a pillar, coughing up blood.

Yujin didn't hesitate. He slid across the battlefield, gun barrels glowing crimson. Bullets rained from his hands—each one aimed at a different chain, disabling the beast's reach.

"I found the core," he called, watching with Infernal Sight. A glowing orb deep in the creature's chest flickered.

Just then, ice spikes burst from the floor, forcing Yujin to jump. The air around him shimmered with heat as he began charging his signature shot.

"Kain!" he shouted. "Freeze its legs again! Pin it down!"

Kain, injured but not out, gritted his teeth and thrust Phantom Blade into the floor. A wave of cold surged through the ground, covering the beast's legs with thick frost.

Now!

Yujin leapt high and spun midair.

"Mana Burst Shot!"

The twin guns let out a thunderous explosion, launching a massive spiral of flame directly into the monster's chest. The shot hit dead center, detonating against the core.

The beast howled in pain. Its chest cracked—but it wasn't enough.

That's when Taro emerged from the rubble, fury in his eyes.

"My turn!"

He jumped higher than ever before, gauntlets glowing red-hot, and brought both fists down with brutal precision.

CRAAAACK!

The shattered core exploded with heat and frost at once, a storm of blue and red. The beast howled once more and crumbled, its icy form disintegrating into shards.

A moment later, silence.

The black ice withdrew, and the temperature slowly stabilized.

Above them, glowing letters appeared midair:

[Dungeon Cleared – Core Stabilized]

They stood there, breathing hard, looking around the destroyed chamber.

"I can't believe we pulled that off," Kain muttered, brushing snow from his cloak.

Yujin holstered his guns, a slight smirk on his lips. "Not bad. That fire-ice combo works."

Taro stretched and winced. "That thing hits like a truck. But damn… it felt good to break it."

The dungeon's warp gate began humming, signifying their exit had opened.

As they walked toward it, another message popped up on their watches:

[1st Semester Dungeon Grade: S]

[Bonus Rewards Available at Guild Office]

They didn't speak for a while, just walking side-by-side under the quiet, snowy light. Finally, Kain broke the silence.

"Next time, maybe we try something easier."

"Nope," Yujin said without turning. "Next time, we go higher."

Taro groaned. "We're gonna die."

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