---
Chapter 11 – Devourer Unleashed
The earth shook as the massive centipede lunged forward, its segmented body coiling like a nightmare come to life. Each of its dozens of legs scraped the stone floor with sickening speed, claws clicking like blades. Behind it, the war orcs bellowed battle cries, their heavy armor clanking as they charged with brutal intent.
Rin's vision blurred with pain, a sharp sting radiating from his side where the centipede's last attack had torn into him. Blood trickled down his ribs, but something deeper inside him stirred — the power of Devourer, raw and hungry.
The black-green tendrils crawling over his skin pulsed, crawling like living shadows, spreading outwards as if sensing the fallen enemies around him.
With a guttural roar, Rin forced himself to his feet, the forkspear shaking in his grip.
Suddenly, the tendrils shot out, snaking through the air like grasping serpents. They wrapped around shattered weapons, broken bones, and fading mana orbs, pulling everything within a three-hundred-meter radius toward him.
The centipede screeched in fury, slamming its massive pincers down, but the invisible force from Rin's Devourer power shoved the beast backward with the force of a tidal wave.
The orcs crashed into one another as they stumbled, losing ground under the sudden push.
Rin's body shifted violently — his skin hardened into scaled armor that gleamed black with streaks of green. His muscles bulged, strength roaring to the surface. He felt the energy of the fallen coursing through him, like a fire igniting within.
Then, in a flash of searing heat, a new weapon appeared at his side — the Dragon Pan. Flames flickered along its surface, the dragons coiling around the pan's long handle seeming almost alive. It thrummed with raw power, a weapon born of ancient fire and fury.
"Let's end this," Rin muttered, determination burning in his eyes.
The centipede lunged again, jaws snapping with venomous intent. Rin sidestepped, swinging the Dragon Pan in a wide arc. The blade hissed as it sliced through the air, unleashing a torrent of flames that licked at the centipede's segmented armor. The creature shrieked, one of its legs shattered by the fiery strike.
From the side, an orc charged, its axe raised high. Rin pivoted, bringing the pan down like a hammer, the fiery dragons roaring as they scorched the orc's flesh. The beast staggered, howling in pain.
But there were too many. Another orc came from behind, its spear aimed for Rin's exposed back. Instinct took over; Rin spun, parrying with the forkspear, sparks flying as weapon met weapon.
His body ached, blood dripping from wounds he barely felt anymore. Yet the Devourer's power pulsed in him, urging him forward.
Each fallen enemy was consumed instantly — their essence feeding his strength, healing his cuts, sharpening his senses. With every gulp of power, Rin felt himself becoming something more than human.
The centipede tried to crush him beneath its massive weight, but Rin leapt, flames trailing from the Dragon Pan as he drove it deep into the creature's head. The centipede screeched, thrashing wildly before collapsing into a smoking heap.
The orcs, seeing their leader fall, roared in rage and charged one final time.
Rin gritted his teeth and met them head-on, the battlefield a storm of fire and steel. The Dragon Pan whirled like a dragon's tail, scorching orc after orc until none remained standing.
Panting, Rin looked down at his scorched weapon, the heat still radiating through his hands.
A system notification chimed:
"Dungeon Cleared: Level Up. New Weapon Acquired: Dragon Pan. New Quest: Obtain Mythic Skill 'Roasting' by clearing dungeon."
Rin wiped sweat from his brow, staring at the scorched battlefield littered with defeated enemies.
"Can I really clear this dungeon… alone?" he whispered, doubt creeping in.
But then his jaw tightened. He planted his feet firmly and grinned.
"Here goes nothing."
---