The Crimson Hollow, a C-rank dungeon, sprawled beneath Eldrin's northern cliffs—a cavern of blood-red stone and pulsing veins, its air thick with the metallic tang of mana and dread. Legends in the taverns spoke of it as a prison for something ancient, its walls scarred with runes hinting at the Abyssborn's restless stirrings. Beelzebub stepped in, Duskreaver Glaive in hand—its shadow hum a thrill—Wraithfang Scythe slung across his back, aura a twenty-meter storm of cold dominance, rippling with Devourer's might. Level 22, 4495 EXP, stats a titan—Strength at 1119, Speed at 958, Luck and Charisma at 135. The HUD flared: "Clear the C-Rank Dungeon: Crimson Hollow. Slay the Crimson Tyrant. Reward: 400 EXP, 160 Copper, Achievement."
Ryn flanked him, her dagger glinting in the crimson glow, trust steady at 40%. "C-rank's no jest," she said, voice a low thread. "You're pushing too fast."
He smirked, flirty yet sharp. "Fast breaks the world, Blade. Keep pace." Her eyes flickered—intrigue tangled with her shadowed past.
The hollow twisted, its veins throbbing like a heartbeat—runes whispered of the Abyssborn, a force clawing at divine chains, its name a curse the gods buried. Shadows surged: Crimson Reavers, Level 25, hulks of blood-soaked armor wielding jagged axes, fifteen strong. Beelzebub's aura roared—stone splintering—as he swung Duskreaver, Strength at 1149 (gear-boosted) cleaving the first Reaver's chest. Shadow flared, a crit sparking—15% chance igniting—blood spraying as Dusk Cleave (Mastery to 2/10) slashed through another, axes clashing.
They roared—axes swinging in a brutal dance. He weaved, Speed at 978 (gear-adjusted) dodging a flurry, then Phantom Step (10/10) flickered him mid-strike—Duskreaver arcing, Wraith Slash (Mastery to 3/10) carving two more, mana sizzling. An axe grazed his arm—HP dipping 12%, Paladin's Crest ticking it back. Storm Call (Mastery to 7/10) erupted—lightning chaining through five, armor cracking, screams echoing. Horned Frenzy flared, Speed spiking to 1467—Duskreaver whirled, Inferno Burst (Mastery to 4/10) igniting four in a fiery roar, Emberheart fueling the blaze. The last charged—Void Grasp (Mastery to 7/10) pinned it, Strength snapping its spine. Fifteen fell, the hollow trembling.
"Ding! 15 Crimson Reavers defeated. Absorbed: Strength +75, Speed +60, Defense +45, Mana +90, Luck +15, Charisma +15."
Strength: 1194 Speed: 1018 Defense: 856 Mana: 1284
The Crimson Tyrant rose from the hollow's depths—a Level 32 behemoth clad in blood-forged plate, its greatsword dripping with crimson mana, eyes burning with primal fury. "You dare unchain the abyss?" it bellowed, voice shaking the veins. Beelzebub grinned, aura surging—stone dust swirling—as he charged, Duskreaver Glaive gleaming.
The Tyrant swung—greatsword crashing in a wave of bloodlight. He ducked, Speed at 1018 weaving through, then countered with Radiant Strike (Mastery to 5/10)—holy light slashing its thigh, armor hissing. It roared—mana wave rippling, slamming him into a vein—HP dropping 25%. He laughed, aura pulsing, Mana Surge spiking Mana to 1926. Arcane Breath (Mastery to 10/10—maxed) roared—mana fire searing its helm, Titanborn shrugging off the heat.
The greatsword arced—Dark Aegis (Mastery to 7/10) rose, splintering under the blow—HP dipping 18%. Beelzebub darted, Shadow Bind (Mastery to 6/10) locking its arm—sword faltered. He lunged, Dusk Cleave slashing its side—shadow cutting deep, blood spraying. The Tyrant roared—crimson wave erupting, throwing him back—HP falling 20%. He rolled, Speed weaving through rubble, then Horned Frenzy flared—Speed at 1527—Duskreaver a blur, Inferno Burst exploding across its chest.
It swung—bloodlight piercing stone. Void Grasp countered (Mastery to 8/10), tendrils snapping its wrist—greatsword clattered. Beelzebub leaped, Wraith Slash carving its neck—mana flared, a crit igniting. The Tyrant roared—Storm Call crashed lightning down, stone shattering. He gripped Duskreaver, Strength at 1194 driving it through its heart—bloodlight exploded, HP dropping 22%. The Tyrant collapsed, crimson pooling.
"Ding! Crimson Tyrant defeated. Absorbed: Strength +120, Speed +100, Defense +90, Mana +150, Luck +5, Charisma +5, Bloodline: Bloodforged (Bleed Resistance +10%), Talent: Crimson Rage (Boost damage when HP <50%), Crimson Tide (Skill). Loot: Bloodfang Greatsword (C-tier, Greatsword, +40 Strength, +10% Bleed Chance), Copper x900."
Strength: 1314 Speed: 1118 Defense: 946 Mana: 1434 Luck: 140 Charisma: 140 Skills: Crimson Tide (Unleash blood-wave slash, Mastery: 1/10)
"Ding! Quest Complete. Reward: 400 EXP, 160 Copper, Achievement: C-Rank Trailblazer – First to clear a C-tier dungeon. Reward: 250 EXP, Title: Crimson Lord (+5% Strength)."
"Ding! Level Up! Reached Level 23. EXP: 5105/3750."
The voices screamed—Dusk… fire… blood… who?—Sovereign's shadow, Titan's flame, Tyrant's rage. His skull split—Bloodforged's pulse, Crimson Rage's heat threading into him. He staggered, aura flaring—stone dust swirling. "I'm Beelzebub," he growled, shoving it down, but Gluttony's strain pulsed—identity a tapestry fraying at the seams. His smirk returned, colder, cracking.
In the starwoven expanse, the Goddess of Fate's hands stilled—Beelzebub's thread twisted, a dark scar on her tapestry, defying her pull. "He unravels fate," she hissed, golden eyes blazing. The Abyssborn's whispers grew—the gods' chains groaned, a tremor through the Realms.
Eldrin's square pulsed—players crowding the leaderboard: "1. Beelzebub (Lv. 23), 2. Kael (Lv. 20), 3. Mira (Lv. 18), 4. Lia (Lv. 17), 5–10 TBD." Beelzebub emerged, Bloodfang Greatsword in hand—C-tier, its crimson hum a thrill. Elara waited, trust at 2%, eyes hollow. "You're… blood now," she whispered.
He leaned close, Charisma at 140 weaving menace into charm. "Blood drowns gods, priestess." She fled, trust at 0%.
Lia and Mira approached—Level 17 and 18. "Level 23? C-rank first?" Lia gasped, ambition alight. "B-rank—help us?"
Mira smirked. "We'll top you."
He winked, flirty yet sharp. "Earn it. I don't carry." Their resolve burned.
Kael stormed up, Level 20, fury etched. "Dungeon lord?" he spat. Beelzebub's aura splintered stone. "Trash chases. I'll bury you." Kael backed off, dread beneath rage.
The Mage Guild summoned—trust at 70%, tense. A tome glowed: "The Abyssborn's chains crack—gods falter as its name nears." Ryn stepped closer, trust at 40%. "B-rank?"
"B-rank," he agreed, flirty and cold. "Stay close, Blade."
Tracker
Level: 23 (EXP: 5105/3750)
Stats: Strength: 1314 | Speed: 1118 | Defense: 946 | Mana: 1434 | Luck: 140 | Charisma: 140
Actual Combat Strength: Equivalent to Level 50; can fight up to Level 55 solo
Talents: Gluttony (Error), Emberheart (Boost fire-based skills), Echo Pulse (Enhance sound-based skills), Twilight Veil (Boost stealth in low light), Crimson Rage (Boost damage when HP <50%)
Powers/Skills: Horned Dash (5/10), King's Roar (10/10), Horned Frenzy (1/10), Basic Slash (10/10), Razor Rush (1/10), Shadow Cloak (2/10), Bone Ward (7/10), Necrotic Pulse (7/10), Phantom Step (10/10), Mana Surge (1/10), Arcane Breath (10/10), Storm Call (7/10), Shadow Bind (6/10), Dark Aegis (7/10), Void Grasp (8/10), Radiant Strike (5/10), Inferno Burst (4/10), Wraith Slash (3/10), Dusk Cleave (2/10), Crimson Tide (1/10)
Profession: Devourer – Gluttony absorption +50%, Devourer's Mark (Aura potency x2)
Bloodlines: Human, Titanborn (Fire Resistance +10%), Wraithkin (Stealth +5%), Duskborn (Darkvision +10%), Bloodforged (Bleed Resistance +10%)
Blessings: Minor Life (+5% HP regen, 1/10), Minor Magic (+5% Mana Regen, 1/10)
Harem: No bonds yet (Twins Lia and Mira intrigued, Priestess Elara at 0% trust, Assassin Ryn at 40% trust, Magic Priestess at 0% trust)
Recent Gains: Strength +195, Speed +160, Defense +135, Mana +240, Luck +20, Charisma +20, 1 Bloodline, 1 Talent, 1 Skill
Loot Drops: Blood fang Great sword, Copper x980 (total: 9310), Health Potion x1
Titles: Ashen Conqueror (+5% Fire Resistance), Echo Breaker (+5% Mana), Twilight Warden (+5% Defense), Crimson Lord (+5% Strength)