The cavern walls pressed in around them as they stood before the final chamber. The massive stone doors were covered in jagged claw marks, deep grooves torn into the rock. Something powerful was inside. Something waiting. Ethan could feel it—the weight in the air, the tension crawling up his spine. This wasn’t just another monster. This was the final test. And they weren’t ready for it. Not really. But they had no choice. Checking His Status Ethan exhaled slowly, then pulled up his status screen. He needed to see how much he had gained since entering this dungeon.

  [STATUS SCREEN]

  Name: Ethan Voss

  Class: ??? (Unawakened – In Progress)

  Level: 6

  Health: 220/240

  Mana: 50/50

  Strength: 16 → 20 (+4 Absorbed)

  Agility: 22 → 26 (+4 Absorbed)

  Endurance: 16 → 19 (+3 Absorbed)

  Perception: 17 → 21 (+4 Absorbed)

  Mana Control: 6 → 7 (+1 Absorbed)

  Available Stat Points: 5

  Skill Effect – Predator’s Absorption Absorbs a random number of stat points from slain enemies. (Variable Rate Absorption) 1/10,000 chance to absorb a skill from a defeated opponent. (No skills absorbed yet.) His eyes widened slightly. Even though he hadn’t gained a skill yet, the stats he had absorbed were stacking. His Agility was higher, his Strength better. And while he was still nowhere near Gareth, Kara, or Leah’s level… It was progress.

  “Once we go in, there’s no turning back,” Gareth said, tightening his grip on his spear. Leah adjusted her staff, her face tense. “I’ve only got so much mana left. We need to make this count.” Kara rolled her shoulders, cracking her neck. “Then let’s make it count.” Ethan tightened his grip on his dagger. His first real weapon. The one Gareth had given him. His heart pounded. This was the moment that would decide everything. Gareth pushed the doors open. And inside— Hell awaited them. The Boss – Mutated Alpha Nightfang The chamber was massive. A hollowed-out cavern, its walls lined with bioluminescent fungi, casting an eerie green light. And at the far end of the room, curled atop a mound of bones— Was a monster. The final boss. The Mutated Alpha Nightfang. [BOSS MONSTER IDENTIFIED]

  [MUTATED ALPHA NIGHTFANG – LEVEL 20]

  [ENHANCED STRENGTH, SPEED, AND REGENERATION DETECTED]

  Ethan’s blood turned to ice. It was twice the size of the Alpha they had fought earlier. Its fur was slick with blackened veins, twisted and pulsing with something unnatural. Its claws weren’t just longer. They were dripping with venom. And when it lifted its head— Its yellow eyes locked onto them. And it smiled.Ethan barely had time to react before it moved.

  The boss launched forward, faster than anything they had seen before.

  It was on Kara in an instant.

  She barely had time to dodge, rolling out of the way as its claws ripped through stone.

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  “SHIT—!”

  Gareth was already moving.

  His spear thrust forward, aiming for its ribs.

  But the beast pivoted, swiping the weapon aside like a toy.

  It wasn’t just strong.

  It was smart.

  It had learned.

  And that made it twice as dangerous.

  The Party Fights Back

  Kara’s sword flashed, cutting deep into its flank.

  It snarled, but instead of retreating, its wounds pulsed—

  And started closing.

  Ethan’s stomach dropped.

  “It’s regenerating.”

  Gareth gritted his teeth.

  “Then we need to hit it harder.”

  Leah raised her staff.

  Her mana flared, golden light wrapping around Gareth and Kara.

  “Blessing of Endurance—Defense Up!”

  Gareth and Kara charged.

  Their weapons clashed against the beast, forcing it back step by step.

  It was working.

  They were wearing it down.

  Then—

  Everything went wrong.

  The Nightfang suddenly twisted, its eyes locking onto Leah. It moved faster than anyone could react. One second, it was fighting Gareth and Kara— The next, it was on top of Leah. Its jaws snapped down, aiming for her throat. Leah screamed. And Ethan moved. His body reacted before his mind could. He threw himself forward, slamming into Leah just as the monster’s fangs snapped shut. Pain ripped through Ethan’s side. His vision blurred. Blood splattered across the ground. For a second— Everything was silent. Then he hit the floor. A Desperate Gamble Leah’s shocked face hovered over him. He could barely breathe. His chest felt wrong. Then— Another ding.

  [CRITICAL INJURY DETECTED]

  [EMERGENCY STAT ALLOCATION AVAILABLE]

  [RECOMMENDED DISTRIBUTION – ENDURANCE +5]

  ACCEPT? Y/N His fingers trembled. He forced them to move.

  YES. Warmth flooded through him. Not much. Just enough. He pushed himself up. The Mutated Alpha was still rampaging, throwing Gareth and Kara aside. Leah was exhausted, her mana almost gone. They were losing. But Ethan was still standing. And he had one last chance.

  Kara and Gareth made a final push.

  Their weapons clashed against the beast, forcing it down.

  It was weakened.

  Wounded.

  But still alive.

  Ethan stumbled forward.

  His dagger felt heavy.

  But he gripped it tight.

  And with one final surge—

  He drove the blade into the creature’s skull.

  The monster spasmed.

  Its body twitched.

  Then—

  It went still.

  The fight was over.

  Victory Comes with a Price

  The dungeon shook.

  The System’s voice rang in Ethan’s mind.

  [BOSS DEFEATED.]

  [DUNGEON CLEARED.]

  +8,400 EXP Earned.

  LEVEL UP!

  LEVEL UP!

  LEVEL UP!

  LEVEL UP!

  +20 Stat Points Awarded!

  Ethan collapsed.

  His body refused to move.

  The last thing he heard before passing out—

  Was Gareth’s voice.

  “Good work, kid.”

  Boss Drops – Mutated Alpha Nightfang (Level 20)

  After the battle, the System processed the dungeon clear and rewarded the party with loot based on their contribution and final blow.

  [DUNGEON CLEARED – LOOT DISTRIBUTION INITIATED]

  Mutated Alpha Nightfang’s Core (Rare) – 1

  Nightfang’s Shadowhide (Rare) – 3 pieces

  Venomfang Claws (Uncommon) – 2 pairs

  Darkfang Fang Necklace (Uncommon) – 1

  Nightshade Essence (Rare) – 1 vial

  300 Gold (Split among the party)

  Reward Breakdown & Party Split

  Mutated Alpha Nightfang’s Core (Rare) → Given to the Guild for Research

  Since this dungeon was unusual, Gareth suggested turning in the boss core to the Guild.

  It was too dangerous to sell on the open market.

  Nightfang’s Shadowhide (Rare) → One piece each to Gareth, Kara, and Ethan

  This material was valuable for crafting light armor.

  Ethan received one piece (likely for future armor upgrades).

  Venomfang Claws (Uncommon) → Given to Kara

  The claws were light, sharp, and could be reforged into daggers.

  Since Kara fought up close the most, she took these.

  Darkfang Fang Necklace (Uncommon) → Given to Leah

  The necklace had a small magic enhancement for mana recovery.

  Since Leah was the team’s healer, she kept it.

  Nightshade Essence (Rare) → Given to Ethan

  This was a rare magical extract from the boss.

  It had shadow-related properties, perfect for his new Class.

  He had no idea how to use it yet, but Gareth told him to hold onto it.

  300 Gold (Split 4 Ways → 75 Gold Each)

  [PREDATOR’S ABSORPTION TRIGGERED]

  Random Stat Absorption: +3 Strength, +4 Agility, +2 Mana Control

  Skill Absorption Roll: SUCCESS (1/10,000 CHANCE ACTIVATED)

  New Skill Gained: Shadow Cloak (Rare - Passive) New Skill Acquired – Shadow Cloak (Rare - Passive) Shadow Cloak (Passive – Rare) Ethan’s presence is harder to detect in low-light environments. Increases stealth effectiveness by 30%. Reduces enemy perception range toward Ethan by 20%. Gains a 5% chance to avoid detection from skills that reveal hidden enemies.