Descendant of Whom?

The entrance to the boss room slid open, the seal cracking as Ethan and Reyna entered. At once, the temperature dropped.

A heavy fog filled the air, curling like smoke. Red mana orbs glowed along the walls, pulsating sharp crimson light across the enormous chamber.

A raised platform stood at the far end—and upon it, the boss.

A monstrous wolf-like beast towered above them, almost as tall as an oak. Its silver-gray coat glowed artificially, dark veins tracing across its face. Its golden eyes burned with feral cunning, and black rune-like patterns wrapped around its neck, as if burned into its flesh.

"That's a big damn wolf," Reyna grumbled. "Looks young. Runt, maybe. Don't make the mistake of underestimating it, though. That corruption's likely given it some nasty tricks."

Ethan gazed, lips drying suddenly.

What the fuck. That's not a normal wolf. That's a goddamn descendant of Fenrir.

He looked at his mana bar. Under fifty percent remaining. He'd already exhausted most of it in the previous battles.

The monster growled, muscle coiling—then charged.

Reyna acted first, reflexes honed like a razor. She swung her greatsword and cut the charge with a resounding CLANG, sparks flying on impact.

Ethan dodged to the right, grumbling, "I don't have a lot of moves, but this'll do. Dark Bind!"

Spasms of dark magic burst from the earth, ensnaring the monster's legs and bringing it to a stop.

"Good timing, Ethan!" Reyna growled.

She charged in and drove her blade into the monster's flank. Heavy blood poured from the wound.

The beast screamed, jerking against the restraints.

"Shadow Pulse!" Ethan cried.

A tide of dark mana pushed out, hitting the wolf and sending it stumbling back. Reyna took advantage of the moment, her greatsword slicing into the beast's side. The Shadowfang Pup screamed, blood flying across the stone floor.

"Now!" Reyna shouted.

Calling on the remainder of his mana, Ethan launched a focused blast directly into the chest of the beast. Reyna was as swift as lightning, moving so quickly she created afterimages. Her sword descended in one deadly stroke, going clean through the top of the creature's skull.

The boss gave one final, empty scream before crashing to the stone ground.

Quiet descended upon the chamber.

A pale blue light coalesced from the body of the wolf. The dungeon was clear.

[Boss Defeated: Shadowfang Pup – Mutated Fenris Bloodline]

[EXP Gained: 120]

[Mana Core Acquired: x2 Minor Dark Beast Cores]

[Bonus Loot: Rusted Knightblade (Uncommon), 3x Lesser Healing Potions]

Reyna knelt beside the body and pried a glowing fang out of its jaw.

"Nightglass Shard," she said softly, tucking it into a small pouch around her waist. "Rare material. Mostly acquired from corrupted bloodlines like these."

Ethan took a slow breath, still looking at the giant corpse.

"Not bad for my first boss battle."

He looked over at her.

"It worked out because of you, Reyna."

She grinned. "Ya didn't die. That's the first step to makin' it in this world."

Ethan laughed.

"Thanks for the confidence boost, Reyna."

He gathered the potions and sword, stuffing them into his inventory. His heart still pounded from the fight—but this time, it wasn't fear. It was exhilaration.

The rush of completing his first dungeon.

For the first time, he wasn't a loser hiding behind a screen. He was alive. He was touching grass. He had real power.

The thought made his chest feel light.

Then—

A sudden ding echoed in his mind. A golden screen blinked into existence.

[New Side Quest Unlocked!]

[Quest: Break the Ice]

[Objective: Kiss Reyna Nightveil]

[Reward: ???]

[Note: Consent Required. Timing is Key.]

Ethan stared at the floating text.

"You've got to be kidding me…"

He looked over at Reyna. She'd already put away her sword and was stretching her shoulders, appearing utterly nonplussed. She didn't appear to be the type to take kindly to romantic advances. She appeared to be the sort of woman who'd slug you in the gut for attempting to flirt.

Ethan coughed, trying to suppress a blush.

"Uh… ready to head back already?"

Reyna nodded curtly at him. "Yeah. Let's get yer loot appraised and my relic registered. Ya did good in there, rookie."

Ethan smiled faintly in surprise.

"I did good… I've never heard that from anyone in my entire life."

He glanced over once more at the hovering quest window.

"Why the hell do you want me to kiss her?" he grumbled.

He crossed his arms and let out a deep sigh, heart beginning to race all over again as he slowly turned toward Reyna.