Smoke curled through the air as the final blow landed. The dungeon boss let out a monstrous screech before its colossal body crumbled, leaving behind only silence and scorched stone. Rin stood over it, breath ragged, Forkspear slick with blood and embers dancing around him.
His clothes were torn. His body bruised. But he had won.
From the shadows, the mysterious man stepped forward, slow claps echoing eerily in the hollowed-out chamber.
"Well done," the man said, a strange calmness in his voice. "So… are you a system user?"
Rin tensed, eyes narrowing. "How do you know about the system?"
The man tilted his head slightly, smiling in a way that made Rin's skin crawl. "Everything happens for a reason."
"What does that mean? Who are you?" Rin asked, stepping forward.
But the man said nothing more. His figure blurred, dissolving into mist. Gone.
Rin was left standing there, heart pounding with confusion. What did he mean? Did he have a system too? Was he watching me this whole time?
He didn't have answers—only questions.
Still panting, Rin opened his status panel. The screen flickered as his quest notification glowed:
[Quest Complete: Defeat the Dungeon Boss – Rewards Claimed]
+ 3 Levels
+ New Skill Unlocked: Roasting (Level 1)
Roasting, huh?
Rin tapped on the skill to inspect it.
[Roasting – LVL 1]
Allows the user to manipulate and project basic fire. Damage and control scale with user's culinary creativity and combat intent.
"Fire magic… tied to food?" Rin chuckled. "Of course it is."
Curious, he raised his palm. A flicker of red sparked to life. His eyes widened in awe as a small flame spun around his fingertips. "Oh yeah… this'll cook some trouble."
His attention turned to the boss's corpse. The Devourer skill hadn't activated yet. Closing his eyes, he triggered it.
A rush of power exploded from his body. Black-green spectral beasts burst from his back and devoured the remains of the massive monster. Flesh, bone, even the mana-rich core—it all dissolved into Rin's body like smoke into fire.
[Devour Complete – EXP Absorbed – Level Up: 24 → 27]
He staggered back, gripping his chest as raw strength flooded him. "Damn… I'm getting used to this."
Then—
CRACK.
A sound echoed from the shattered entrance.
Rin turned sharply as heavy boots crunched into the room.
A tall man in official Sealer armor stepped through the rubble, his gaze sharp and suspicious.
"What happened here?" the Sealer demanded, eyes scanning the obliterated battlefield.
Rin froze.
What do I even say?
He stood there, caught between fear, pride… and the burning feeling that things were just getting started.