Dyren and Cerberus were surrounded by dozens of powerful monsters. They were all level 80–90. None were lower than that.
Of course! This was an S-rank dungeon. To conquer it, it would take at least three S-rank adventurers and 30 A and B ranks.
"Are they never going to end?" Dyren clicked his tongue in annoyance.
He and Cerberus kept tearing through the dungeon with insane speed and brutality. Corpses were left behind in the dark corridors, and every step brought them closer to the entrance of the tenth floor.
[Active Skill: Dark Fang]
Cerberus plunged his claw into the chest of a steel golem, then forcefully pulled out its crystal heart. Dyren spun in the air, dodging three arrows flying toward him, and swung the new sword he obtained from leveling up.
The sword... pitch black, with red veins pulsing along the blade. Every time he slashed, something screamed inside his mind—a foreign voice, yet it felt familiar.
"Is this... the power of Dyren Valenhardt?" Lucas didn't know. He could only guess. "Or is this the result of those madmen's experiment?"
He didn't have time to think. The tenth floor was already in sight. More and more monsters were moving toward them.
A massive stone gate stood tall. Inscribed in ancient letters:
'He who steps inside, be prepared to lose your head.'
Dyren, reading it, only smiled. "From the beginning, I've stood in the middle of a death pit. What harm is there in jumping right in?"
The memories Lucas had gotten from Dyren. They had changed his demeanor and personality. His mind was already a jumbled mess. Giving birth to a new figure—this new Dyran.
A necromancer filled with cruelty and hatred.
***
"Come at me again, bastards!" Dyren shouted.
He gripped the greatsword proudly. He truly was a skilled fighter. Dyren was one of the child prodigies in his village, before he was sold by his own father.
With his genius, incredible adaptability, and a body already so strong—he had become terrifying.
Dyren's green eyes glowed in the darkness. He looked full of resolve.
He grinned widely at the monsters charging toward him.
"You ready, Sniffy?"
"Ghwwoof," the Cerberus answered.
The two stood side by side. Ready to fight again. Dyren's body was covered in wounds, but he didn't care. As long as he didn't lose both arms, legs, and his eyes—he'd take anything.
The two rampaged with brutal ferocity. The monsters that had seemed so fierce and terrifying... began to show fear. Especially toward Cerberus, who could tear them apart with a single bite.
***
The monsters had been defeated. The two of them stood before the entrance to the tenth floor of the dungeon. This gate had once been guarded by Cerberus. But now, he was on Dyren's side.
"Let's go in!" Dyren said.
"Ghwwoof!"
***
"Isn't this getting a little too quiet?" muttered a silver-haired young man walking in front.
He was Ereon Valdric, the hero chosen by the Church of Light. Behind him, three party members followed.
Saria the mage, Kael the spear fighter, and Mireille the priestess.
"Strange. There are usually monsters roaming near the dungeon entrance," said Saria. She scanned the surroundings with a tracking spell but found only silence.
"Don't get too relaxed. Our mission stays the same—conquer this dungeon," said Kael, spinning his spear. "This is an S-rank dungeon. Whatever happens, we have to stay alert. If anything goes wrong—retreat!"
Ereon looked around. It was dark, only faint light from crystals on the dungeon walls. They were still on the first floor. The easiest and safest level.
"I heard this dungeon hasn't been cleared for two years. No one's reached the tenth floor because of a Cerberus guarding it," said Saria.
"That's why we've been sent here." Aeron looked confident.
He was a summoned hero. He had powerful and special skills. That made him one of the best S-rank adventurers on the entire continent.
Saria added, "According to records, the final boss on the tenth floor is... 'The Headless King.' No one knows what it looks like. It's just a rumor since no one has ever reached the tenth floor."
"Sounds exciting," Mireille smiled faintly, holding her holy staff.
The four of them stepped into the dungeon, unaware of one thing. They didn't know someone had already gone ahead… and was now fighting on the tenth floor.
***
The room was silent. Like a graveyard. But in the center, there was a throne. Dyren could feel the horror emanating from it. He swallowed hard.
"This isn't something we can fight easily," he said to Cerberus.
And on that throne sat... a towering figure clad in pitch-black armor, but without a head. A crown floated above the empty neck.
[Dungeon Boss – The Headless King – Level 200]
[Status: Awaiting Challenge]
Dyren took a deep breath. His sword trembled. Or rather—his hand trembled, as fear began to shake his confidence.
"Will you help me?" Dyren asked.
"Ghwwoof."
Dyren stepped forward, just to get a closer look. Suddenly, the entire room shook. He nearly fell. He took a few steps back. His eyes sharp with focus.
[Boss Activated]
[Debuff: Aura of Dread – All Attributes -25%]
Dyren immediately felt his body become heavier. His legs trembled. But not from fear. It was the pressure from the tenth-floor boss in front of him.
He smiled. "So this is the true power of this 'unconquered' dungeon?" Dyren smiled with trembling hands. "I only read about this in the novel—when the heroes were defeated. That felt tense, but... it's far more intense facing the dungeon boss directly."
Cerberus roared, death energy cloaking his body. He too was affected by the boss's debuff skill. The two of them trembled, but neither planned to retreat.
"Die here or live as the strongest necromancer," said Dyren with determination.
Dyran didn't think twice. He leapt into battle.
Sword and shield clashed in a deadly crash. The boss may have no head... but the King's power was enough to shatter the world.
And that made Dyren laugh. He felt thrilled.
***
Areon and his party instantly formed a battle formation. They braced for combat, the ground and dungeon walls shaking violently. Their hearts pounded with fear.
"What's happening?"
"It seems..." Ereon swallowed hard. "Someone's challenging the dungeon boss."
The answer left the other three party members stunned. They quickly turned toward the entrance to the second floor. They couldn't imagine someone would actually attempt it.
"Who would do such a thing?" asked Saria.
Areon shook his head. "But one thing's for sure. They're a fool for trying something impossible."