The Unthinkable

Smoke still hung in the air like fog drifting through a forgotten ruin. Burn marks stretched along the dungeon floor where the boss had fallen—its enormous body nothing more than scorched, charred remains crackling faintly in the silence.

Tyler's eyes snapped open.

His chest rose and fell quickly. The smell of blood, ash, and magic lingered heavy in the air. Kaela lay nearby, unconscious but breathing. The twins were slumped against a stone wall—wounded, pale, but alive.

He sat up slowly.

His body didn't ache, yet there was a raw intensity pulsing beneath his skin—as if something was still stirring, still trying to get out.

"…What… happened?"

He blinked.

The last thing he remembered clearly was the boss slamming Kaela into the ground. After that—nothing. Just a blinding light… energy bursting from his body… and then—

Silence.

As if the world had stopped moving.

A deep fear coiled in his stomach. Did I… do something?

"Tyler?" a weak voice broke his thoughts.

Kaela stirred. Her silver eyes blinked open slowly, then shot wide. "You're awake—thank the stars."

Tyler stood and helped her sit up. "Are you okay?"

"I—I think so. Just sore," she muttered. "What was that? What did you do? You… weren't you glowing? Your tattoos were gold—no, not gold—divine. Like the heavens themselves."

Tyler stared at her blankly. "I… I don't remember."

"You're joking," Nysa groaned from the side, clutching her ribs. "You mean you don't remember the part where you obliterated a level 100 nightmare beast by yourself?"

Eryk stood shakily, using his bow like a cane. "That wasn't magic… That wasn't human."

The room was quiet again—tense, thoughtful, afraid.

Just then, the dungeon itself pulsed, and a blinding light formed above the corpse of the fallen beast.

DUNGEON CLEARED. ALL PLAYERS WILL BE AWARDED. PREPARE FOR WORLD BROADCAST.

A glowing sigil formed in the air. And then—

WORLD ANNOUNCEMENT:

⟡ ALERT TO ALL CITIES, FACTIONS, AND GUILDS ⟡

The First Level 100 Dungeon Boss has been defeated in just 5 hours.

Challenge Completion: Team of Four. Average Party Level: Below 60.

This feat has never before been achieved. The game is forever changed.

Reward Tier Upgraded: Platinum Chests Now Unlocked.

—May the strong rise, and the reckless fall.

A stunned silence swept the dungeon once again.

Even Kaela, normally fast with a sarcastic comment, stared open-mouthed.

"They're going to come after us now," Nysa muttered.

Eryk nodded grimly. "Every guild, every noble house. We just painted a giant bullseye on our backs."

Tyler stood in the center of the group, heart pounding in his chest.

He clenched his fist and stared at it—his glowing blue tattoos now faded, cold.

What am I becoming?

Elsewhere… in the capital city of Ashvale

The Halden family's manor was in chaos.

Guards rushed through the halls with scrolls in hand. Magic screens hovered in mid-air showing replays of the world announcement, highlighting flickering images of four shadowy players—one of whom briefly shone with gold tattoos and an inhuman aura.

"He's alive," muttered Lady Halden, clutching a glass of wine. "He's not only alive… he's powerful."

Lord Halden's lips curled. "We should've brought him back years ago. Now look what he's become…"

"We need him."

"No." The eldest son, Marcus Halden, stood up sharply. "We don't need him… we have to control him."

"And if he won't be controlled?" asked another.

"Then we wait in Ashvale, and offer him a deal," Lady Halden said with cold certainty. "Bring him into the family again. Let him see our sincerity."

"And if he refuses?"

Her wine glass trembled slightly in her fingers.

"Then we remind him where he came from."