Chapter 7: The Hunt Begins
The light faded.
Lee Hwan opened his eyes to a world completely different from Floor 1.
The second floor resembled a vast canyon, with jagged cliffs rising high on both sides. A crimson sky hung above, casting shadows that danced like spirits over the rocky terrain. The air was dry and hot, carrying the faint scent of ash and blood.
But Lee Hwan's eyes were calm. Focused.
He had stepped into a new battlefield.
And now… the real hunt would begin.
[Welcome to Floor 2: Bloodfang Ravine]
[Objective: Defeat 100 Ravine Beasts to advance]
A system notification floated before him. It wasn't as simple as defeating a single boss now. This floor demanded survival. Endurance. And blood.
Lee Hwan cracked his neck.
"Perfect," he said, a faint grin appearing on his face. "Let's see what this place has to offer."
He activated his skill.
[Skill Activated: Eye of the Dragon]
The world shifted.
His vision sharpened tenfold. He could see heat signatures, faint vibrations in the air, and hidden movements through the rocks.
Dozens of red dots appeared across the ravine.
Predators.
Hunters.
But now they were the hunted.
He moved quickly, dashing over the edge of a cliff. The second floor wasn't just dangerous because of its monsters—but because it tested a Player's stamina and reaction time. The terrain was brutal, filled with hidden pits, sudden rockfalls, and unstable ground.
But Lee Hwan didn't hesitate.
Within seconds, he found his first target.
A Ravine Beast—a lizard-like creature, ten feet long with jagged bone armor along its back and venom dripping from its fangs.
It let out a hiss as it saw him, then charged.
Lee Hwan didn't move.
Until the last moment.
Then—
He vanished.
The beast's fangs snapped at empty air.
Lee Hwan appeared behind it in a blink.
Dragon Aura: Ignite.
A crimson flame burst from his fist as he slammed it into the creature's skull.
The beast screamed as the dragon fire exploded inside its body, melting armor and flesh alike.
[Ravine Beast defeated – +2 EXP]
He exhaled, the scent of burning blood rising into the air.
One down.
Ninety-nine to go.
And he was just getting started.
Over the next two hours, the canyon became a war zone.
Wherever Lee Hwan passed, trails of scorched earth and shattered bones remained. He used everything—raw speed, sharp instincts, and the overwhelming power granted by the Dragon Monarch.
His movement was fluid, lethal, and precise.
He summoned the Dragon Phantom, a shadowy winged form that roared across the sky and struck enemies with fear and confusion.
He used Dragon Claw, a short-range strike that tore through the toughest scales like paper.
Every battle was quick. Clean. Efficient.
But even then, he was careful not to overuse his energy. The floor was long. The beasts were many. And the deeper he went, the stronger they became.
As he climbed a rocky ridge, he paused, breathing slowly.
Sweat rolled down his cheek. His hands were covered in blood. His clothes torn.
But his eyes were sharp.
His body was adjusting. His skills were evolving. He could feel it—his connection to the Dragon Monarch was growing stronger.
A notification appeared.
[You have defeated 63 Ravine Beasts]
[Stamina: 73% | Mana: 81%]
A low growl echoed from below.
Lee Hwan looked down the ridge to see a larger beast emerge.
It wasn't like the others.
It stood on two legs, had black obsidian horns, and held a crude bone spear. Its eyes glowed faint red.
[Elite Monster Discovered: Ravine Hunter Chief]
"So they're finally sending elites," Lee Hwan muttered.
He wiped the blood from his knuckles and smiled.
"Good. I was getting bored."
With a burst of speed, he leapt from the cliff—straight toward the elite beast.
The fight was about to begin.
But to Lee Hwan… this was just warm-up.
End of Chapter 7