The dungeon was silent now.
The blood mist had receded. The air—still foul—no longer pressed against Hari's lungs. He stood over the cracked remains of the porcelain mask, its shattered fragments still leaking black steam.
But the trial's echoes lingered.
Something had changed inside him.
He didn't just feel stronger—he felt sharper, faster, less human.
His senses were alive. The world pulsed like a living beast, and he could hear its heartbeat.
> Predator's Vision: Active.
Pulse signatures detected — 0 threats.
Hari exhaled. His breath fogged the cold air, even though the chamber was warm.
That shouldn't happen.
Not unless his body temperature was falling.
---
> What am I becoming…?
His reflection in a pool of blood showed pale skin, glowing eyes rimmed with crimson, and new veins along his neck that pulsed like ink beneath the skin.
A symbol burned faintly over his chest — a curved fang made of flame.
Not carved.
Grown.
---
> [Passive Mutation: "Fang Mark" Acquired.]
Description: Grants intimidation against lower-tier creatures. Increases dominance over blood-based beings.
---
Hari tightened his cloak.
He wasn't afraid.
But he could feel it now—his evolution was unstoppable. Every kill, every trial, every victory… twisted him further away from the boy he once was.
> I can't go back.
> Then I'll go forward. Until the end.
---
A new stone gate opened ahead, revealing spiral steps carved with glowing crimson runes. They pulsed like a heartbeat.
One path. One direction. One destiny.
Hari descended, every step taking him deeper not into the dungeon—
But into himself.
---
Somewhere above the dungeon…
A trio of robed hunters stood at the edge of the ruined forest. Their eyes glowed faintly with magic. One of them held a crystal to the ground, which pulsed violently.
> "Something's wrong," one whispered.
"The dungeon signature shifted. It's… waking."
"Did someone clear it?"
"Impossible. It was a death-tier dungeon—"
The crystal cracked.
A shockwave pulsed from the earth.
Every beast within a mile went silent.
---
Below.
Hari emerged into a cavern unlike the others. This one wasn't a battlefield. It was a throne room.
A giant fossilized corpse lay across the stone — wings torn, fangs shattered, but its presence still oppressive. An ancient vampire dragon.
Hari stepped closer. As he approached, a prompt appeared:
> [Bloodline Resonance Detected.]
[Devourable Trait: "Noctfang Dominion" — Would you like to attempt partial absorption?]
Warning: Failure may result in madness, corruption, or death.
Hari's lip curled.
> "I'm not here to ask permission."
He drove his hand into the bone.
The world screamed.
---
To be continued in Chapter 11: Devouring the Noctfang
---