Once the Death Knight was dead, As threw the red Monster Core into his storage before taking off his helmet to wipe away the sweat, ''That was tough, but it was exciting,'' he thought with a smile.


    He pulled out his canteen before taking a mouth, putting his helmet back on, and checking his status.


    [Level Up: 72→75]


    [Experience: 830/2000]


    [Experience Gained: 6250]


    [Health: 504→514]


    [Mana: 2832→2860]


    [Strength: 500→516]


    [Stamina: 610→644]


    [Core Points: 3850→8050]


    [Core Points Gained: 4200]


    ''Not long until I rank up again,'' As mused before continuing down the tunnel.


    Explosions rang out nearby, but he didn''t rush toward them while he prepared for another fight. It took him another ten minutes to see the lights of the spells being cast as roars shook the ground.


    As grew curious and sped up, only to see gori-like monsters fighting with four people; he noticed two men were distracting the creatures while two women behind were casting several spells at them.


    He watched this with fascination and looked around, only to notice they were in a mining chamber, and As was just above them, waiting for the right time to intervene. The battle went on as one of the men was battered away.


    The man, a defender by the looks of it, carried arge shield. Seeing this, As quickly assessed the surrounding monsters. Without thinking, he leaped into the air, unsheathed his des, and descended to the ground, immediatelyunching his attack.


    [Death Gori]


    [Rank: D - 300 Exp]


    As surged forward, shing at the ankles of two goris and sending them crashing to the ground. He then spun around, using Void Step to vanish just as a pair of massive fists mmed into the spot where he had been.


    Laughing, he reappeared above one of the Death Goris, descending swiftly. His des pierced through its throat, instantly killing the beast. With the creature dispatched, As moved on to continue his relentless assault.


    ***


    [The Red Band Party]


    When the adventurers saw this, they were shocked when someone appeared and decimated the Death Goris, who ambushed them from above. Roderic, a knight and leader of the Red Band Party, turned to the women, ''''Keep the shields up; the monsters are busy with the neer. Sable! Keep up the attack spells; there aren''t many left.''''


    Sable, their attack mage, continued casting spells along with Alina, who was shielding the two men. Roderic turned to the second man, ''''Marcus, hold the line while I take out the remaining monsters to help the boy,''''


    Marcus nodded, but a blue explosion erupted in the chamber before they could act, causing them to shield their eyes as the ground rumbled. The st sent the Death Goris rocketing in all directions, their lifeless bodies mming into the walls before falling to the ground.


    As the dust settled, the adventurers spotted a small figure approaching—barely five feet tall but the four had the same thought, ''A Silver Demon!''


    Despite the figure''s small size, its aura sent chills down their spines. Instinctively, Roderic and Marcus stepped in front of their wives, their protective instincts kicking in. The figure halted as they moved, sheathing their des—a knife and a short sword.


    Now able to get a closer look, Roderic noticed that their savior wore silver armor, covering all vital points. Beneath the armor was a ck gambeson. However, the striking green eyes fixed intently on them captured everyone''s attention.


    Aline smiled before speaking nonconfrontationally, ''''I''m Alina Anderson, and this is my party. I must thank you for your help.''''


    The four watched the small being as it suddenly removed its helmet to reveal a young boy no more than fourteen with ck hair and an olive skinplexion. When Sable and Roderic saw this, their eyes widened in shock.


    ''''That''s not Davis''s husband,'''' Sable whispered behind Roderic. ''''He died many moons ago.''''


    Roderic nodded as spoke, ''''Thanks for the help boy. What are you doing down here, though?''''


    The neer looked at each one before replying, ''''Took a quest to clear this ce out, but never would have guessed it was an active dungeon.''''


    As the boy spoke, Sable quickly shouted a warning, ''''Behind you!''''


    That''s when they witnessed the neer quickly dodge the swipe of a set of ws before sting it with unknown blue magic that burned a hole right through the Death Gori before the boy decapitated the monster.


    Following that, they aided the boy in fighting the four creatures that appeared in the nearby tunnel. Marcus and Roderic blocked the way as the two women rained spells down while carefully considering their new ally.


    But all the boy did was move quicker than they''d ever seen. Roderic was shocked as the neer cut down dozens of monsters and dashed around the battlefield like a rabbit. Once the monsters were dealt with, Sable approached the boy and smiled, ''''Would you like to join us in the safe zone?''''


    ***


    [Back to As]


    As nodded at the blonde woman in herte twenties, who regarded him with inquisitive grey eyes. He noticed the entire group was staring at him at one point or another, which annoyed him. The woman who had spoken seemed like a warrior mage, giving him a "big sister" vibe.


    The other woman was shorter, with green-cropped hair and glowing yellow eyes. She was dressed in mage robes and wielded a staff. After taking in their appearances, As turned his attention to the two men.


    There was the leader, named Roderic, who was unmistakably a knight. His armor and longsword marked his status, and his short brown hair and blue eyes made him stand out, especially with his height of six feet.


    As then nced at thest man, who was built like a giant, but his demeanor softened when he nced at the green-haired mage. With blue hair and green eyes that sparkled with warmth, he reminded him of a friendly teddy bear.


    He shook his head as the group descended the path and ended up in a small chamber with another way down on the opposite side. As felt the shield that blocked the monsters from attacking while they rested.


    Once inside, As noticed two more people waiting in the safe area; these two looked like scouts and thieves. The man had silver hair with pointed ears, while the woman had green eyes and blonde hair.


    The leader then turned to him and held out his hand while introducing himself and the group, ''''I''m Roderic Silvershield, and the blonde is my wife, Sable; she is a powerful fire mage.''''


    As nodded at the woman, who gave him a motherly smile before Roderic turned toward the second couple, ''''This is Marcus and Aline Lightfoot; they are our defender and healer.''''


    They smiled at him, but it was more friendly than Sable''s. That''s when thest two introduced themselves before Roderic could do it, ''''I''m Modric, and this is my sister Fiona.''''


    "I''m As, a current solo adventurer who is heading to meet my party," he introduced himself while standing up and brushing the dirt off his armor.


    Sable looked confused and spoke concernedly, ''''Where are you going As?''''


    "This dungeon will be my first, and I''m excited toplete it," he answered before approaching the exit.


    As As began to move, Sable stepped in front of him, her expression filled with concern. "We need at least a day to rest," she urged. "It''s too dangerous out there."


    As''s eyes gleamed with unshakable confidence as he replied, "Doesn''t matter to me, the closer to death I am the more alive I feel, I need to do this to grow stronger and protect the ones I care about."


    Before the older woman could speak, As vanished down the tunnel, leaving the adventurer party behind. As he got deeper, howls and screeches could be heard. He slowed down before reaching a bridge that spanned across a deep chasm.


    ''Oh god. This is bad. One wrong move and I could be sent falling to my death,'' As thought while looking into the darkness.


    As he did that, a swooping noise could be heard, forcing him to use Void Step to dodge as arge monster''s ws crashed into the ground. As spun around and scanned the neer.


    [Blood Bat]


    [Rank: D - 300 Exp]


    As aimed Nightde at the Blood Bat, unleashing a barrage of Void Bullets. The chamber erupted into chaos with each explosion, sending debris and dust flying as the impact of the sts tore through the cavernous space.


    The racket drew more giant bats into the fray, their ck fur rippling in the dim light and their red eyes glowing ominously against the azure explosions. Surveying the swarm, As saw the sheer number of these monstrous bats—too many to handle.


    As activated Void Step, weaving through the relentless onught of attacks. Despite his evasive maneuvers, one of the creatures managed to grab him and lift him high above the chasm.


    As the monster prepared to bite down on him, As drove his de into its head. The creature convulsed and fell, dragging him with it into the abyss. Plummeting into the darkness, As spotted a swarm of Blood Bats descending toward him.


    Seizing one of the bats, he grasped it tightly, desperately trying to control his descent into the horrors below. The fall sped up, and the other monsters stopped following, but the one he was on was screeching in pain.


    As prepared to cast Void Guard, but something mmed into him just as he was about to. It snatched the Blood Bats from beneath him in a blur, leaving him to plunge into the icy water below.


    He freefell into the dark depths, his thoughts lingering on the four girls waiting for him. Just as darkness closed in and he lost consciousness, his Aqua Lung skill activated, allowing him to breathe underwater.