Chapter 6: The First Floor Guardian
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◆◆ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ◆◆
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◆ Level Up!
◆ New Level: 4
◆ Base Stat Increase: +2 to Strength, Agility, Endurance, Intelligence
◆ HP Increase: +200
◆ Free Stat Points Awarded: 10
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◆◆ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ◆◆
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◆ Name: Riven
◆ Race: Human
◆ Class: Shadow Monarch
◆ Level: 4
◆ HP: 800 / 800
◆ MP: 225 / 225 (MP = Intelligence × 15, with Intelligence now at 15)
◆ Strength: 24
◆ Agility: 29
◆ Endurance: 22
◆ Intelligence: 15
◆ Luck: 10
◆ Free Stat Points: 10
◆ Shadow Soldier Count: 22
◆ Goblin Minion (15), Dire Rat (1), Hobgoblin Warrior (1), dire rat(4)
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The rush of power coursed through Riven as the system notifications faded from his vision. His body felt lighter, stronger, faster. Every battle refined him, pushing him beyond what he once thought possible. The dungeon was a crucible, and he was emerging as something new—something greater.
He flexed his fingers, rolling his shoulders as he assessed his surroundings. His twenty-two shadows knelt before him, waiting silently for his next command. The newly added Hobgoblin Warrior stood out among them, towering figures that exuded strength. The goblin minions had grown in number—fifteen now, scavenged from every encounter. Even the dungeon's beasts had begun to join his ranks, four shadow creatures formed from mutated wolves and dire rats.
He had cleared much of the 12th floor, but there was still one final challenge left.
The Floor Guardian.
Ahead, a massive stone door loomed, adorned with ancient carvings depicting goblins in battle. A silent warning. Beyond it lay the true test of his strength.
Riven stepped forward, placing his palm against the cold stone. With a deep, grating sound, the door slowly slid open, revealing a vast chamber bathed in eerie green light.
And there, waiting in the center, was his opponent.
A Goblin Knight.
Clad in dented but sturdy armor, gripping a longsword and a battered shield, it stood nearly as tall as a human. Unlike the savage goblins he had fought before, this one radiated discipline. Its glowing red eyes locked onto him, and for the first time in the dungeon, Riven felt something close to respect for a foe.
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◆◆ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ◆◆
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◆ Floor Guardian Identified: Goblin Knight (C-Rank)
◆ Threat Level: High
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The Goblin Knight raised its sword in a warrior's salute.
Then it charged.
Riven barely had time to react before the knight closed the distance, its sword slashing down with brutal force. He dodged, rolling to the side as the impact shattered the stone where he had stood. The strength behind that strike was leagues beyond a normal goblin.
His shadows moved as one, rushing the knight from all sides. The Goblin Knight didn't flinch. With precise movements, it parried a goblin minion's attack, slashed another across the chest, and bashed a dire rat away with its shield.
Riven clicked his tongue. This wasn't going to be easy.
"Swarm it! Keep it off balance!" he commanded.
His goblins obeyed instantly, darting in and out to harass the knight while the Hobgoblin Warrior engaged directly. The beast shadows—mutated wolves and dire rats—circled the enemy, waiting for the right moment to strike. The Goblin Knight fought back fiercely, cutting down several minions with powerful, precise swings.
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◆◆ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ◆◆
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◆ Shadow Soldiers Injured!
◆ MP Cost: 40 (Auto-Heal Activated)
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Riven gritted his teeth. This was taking too long. He needed to shift the battle's momentum.
Drawing his dagger, he dashed in, aiming for the knight's exposed flank. At the last moment, the knight twisted, its shield coming up to block him. The impact sent a jarring shock through his arm, but he gritted his teeth and kept moving.
The Goblin Knight retaliated with a sweeping slash. Riven barely managed to avoid it, feeling the air shift as the blade whistled past his face. His heartbeat pounded in his ears.
Then he saw it—the opening he needed.
The Dire Rat had latched onto the knight's leg, causing it to shift its stance slightly. In that split second, Riven made his move.
He lunged forward, dagger aimed for the gap between the knight's helmet and chest plate.
A perfect strike.
The blade sank deep, and the knight let out a guttural growl. It staggered, trying to raise its sword again—but his shadows didn't let it recover. The Hobgoblin Warrior capitalized on the moment, bringing its own blade down in a brutal arc that severed the knight's arm.
The Goblin Knight collapsed to its knees. Its red eyes flickered, then dimmed as it fell forward, lifeless.
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◆◆ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ◆◆
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◆ Floor Guardian Defeated: Goblin Knight (C-Rank)
◆ EXP Gained: 80
◆ Shadow Extraction Available
◆ Dungeon Reward Unlocked!
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Riven exhaled, steadying his breath. He had won.
Stepping forward, he placed a hand on the fallen knight's armor. "Rise."
Shadows swirled, consuming the corpse. Moments later, the Goblin Knight stood once more—its eyes now glowing violet. A new elite warrior for his growing army.
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◆◆ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ◆◆
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◆ Shadow Extraction Successful!
◆ 50 MP Consumed
◆ New Shadow Soldier Added: Goblin Knight (C-Rank)
◆ Shadow Soldier Count: 23
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As the last of the dark mist faded, another notification appeared.
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◆◆ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ◆◆
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◆ Dungeon Reward Obtained!
◆ Item Acquired: D-Rank Knife – Nightpiercer
◆ Effect: Increased Attack Power, Slightly Enhanced Critical Hits
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Riven held up the new weapon. The blade was sleek, sharp, and radiated a faint dark aura. A definite improvement over his old dagger.
He smirked, gripping the handle tightly. The dungeon had tested him, but he had conquered it. And now, he was stronger than ever.
Adjusting his stance, he turned his gaze toward the exit of the chamber.
The 13th floor awaited.