The forest trembled as Dominic and the old elf met in a violent clash of light and shadow.Every strike released shockwaves that split the air — steel meeting corrupted mana, divine power colliding with centuries of elven mastery.
Clang!Boom!
Dominic's blade shimmered with divine light, cutting through vines of black corruption that lashed toward him like serpents. The old elf—his body wrapped in dark tendrils, eyes glowing faintly red—moved with an elegance only a millennium of training could produce. Each motion was precise, controlled, carrying the weight of wisdom even as darkness gnawed at his soul.
Dominic parried a sweeping strike and spun back, his cloak flickering.His All-Seeing Eye traced every twitch of the elder's muscles.
Despite the intensity, Dominic sensed no killing intent.Only sorrow.Only restraint.
"You're holding back," Dominic muttered."So are you," the old elf replied, his cracked lips curving slightly.
Then, for the first time in years, both smiled.
And the spar became war.
Dominic unleashed his skills in rapid succession — Stasis Chain freezing time around a dozen corrupted roots, Elemental Mastery bursting into arcs of fire, water, wind, and lightning that clashed in perfect harmony. The old elf weaved between them like a shadow dancer, his wooden staff glowing emerald, summoning ancient runes that shattered the ground beneath their feet.
But experience and skill couldn't outlast power.
Dominic vanished in a flicker — Chain Combat Mastery: Phantom Strike.
A flash of divine gold cut through the corrupted air.
When time caught up, Dominic's blade had pierced the old elf's chest.
Silence fell.Only the forest wind remained.
Dominic slowly lowered his sword, pointing the edge to the man who once stood proud.His eyes softened.
"Why…" Dominic asked quietly, "what made you crave more power?"
The elf coughed faintly, black mist leaking from his wounds.He looked up at the young god before him — seeing not a killer, but someone who understood the weight of choices.
"I was tricked," he began. "Deceived… A hundred years ago, an angel appeared before me. She said my tribe would be wiped out. That I needed strength—divine strength—to protect them. I… I wanted to save my people."
His voice trembled. The corruption began to fade.
"My wife begged me not to. She said our Mother never needed angels to protect us. But I… I ignored her.""And the angel?" Dominic interrupted, his tone sharp, divine aura faintly flaring."She wasn't an angel." The old elf's cracked smile turned bitter."She was a Fallen One."
Dominic's eyes turned cold.He spoke with the weight of divine judgment.
"You don't have to carry that sin anymore. My purpose is to erase every last one of them."
The elf chuckled weakly, closing his eyes as light began to overtake his corrupted form.
"I'm glad… to hear that. You didn't tell me your name, young god.""Dominic," he answered quietly."Dominic…" The old elf smiled faintly. "I am Elder Elcizal, of the Western Elven Tribe… It was… an honor."
His body turned to light.Dominic lowered his head.
"Rest in peace, Elcizal."
[ ALERT!! ]DUNGEON CLEARED!
REWARDS:
System Synchronization +5%
Nexis Power +5%
Qi +10 Years
Mana +2000 | Health +5000
Divine Power +3000
All Elements & Aura Unlocked
New Trait Acquired
Gold: +100,000
Item: Guardian Bow (Mythic Tier)
A radiant surge enveloped Dominic, shaking the forest. Divine circuits glowed beneath his skin, his eyes burning brighter than before.
He smiled faintly, whispering:
"Not bad… I'm now officially stronger than Sung Jin-Woo."
He opened his Status Window.
➤ [ STATUS WINDOW: DOMINIC MENDEZ ]
Name: Dominic MendezLevel: 192Age: 18Race: Human (Modified)Title: Outcast GodSynchronization: 20.0%
HP: 20,000 MP: 8,000 Qi: 40 Years Cultivation Divine Power: 12,000
Attributes:
Strength: 1,020
Agility: 1,200
Defense: 1,005
Intellect: 1,100
Willpower: 1,000
Charisma: 1,098
Luck: 200
Skills:
All Resistance (MAX)
Chain Combat Mastery (Passive)
Elemental Mastery – Fire, Water, Earth, Wind, Lightning
Intimidation (Passive)
All-Seeing Eye
Domain Control
Heavenly Rend
Stasis Chain
Sixth Sense (Passive)
Health Regeneration (+200/sec Passive)
Traits:
Divine Spark
Lone Origin
Adaptation Engine
Domain Lord
??? (Locked)
??? (Locked)
Inventory:
Guardian's Blade (Mythic – Sealed)
Sharp Twinfang Daggers (Rare)
Cloak of Blue Veil (Mystic)
Abyssal Core Fragment (Mythic Material)
Guardian Bow (Mythic)
System Tablet
Gold: 354,245
Health Potion Flask ×15
Dominic clenched his fists, feeling divine pressure radiate from within.
"Alright…" he smirked, "let's try Heavenly Rend for real this time."
He punched the air.The world went silent for a heartbeat.
Then reality shattered.
The dungeon's walls exploded into pure light as his divine strike tore through the corrupted space.The core of the dungeon flickered before his eyes — Dominic reached out, took it, and slipped it into his inventory.
Back at the Elven Palace.
News of the purification spread like wildfire.The Elven Queen stood before Dominic, her silver hair gleaming under the divine light filtering through the broken dome. She knelt before him — along with every elf in the hall.
"Thank you… for freeing our elder's soul. He can finally rest."
Dominic's expression softened.He turned slightly, looking toward the sky above the palace — the clouds swirling with faint gold light.
"He fought for love. For his people. That's something even gods respect."
The wind stilled.A faint golden feather drifted down, landing on his palm.
Dominic stared at it, murmuring:
"If angels lie… then I'll be the god who judges them."
[ SYSTEM ALERT ]⚠️ DIVINE PRESENCE DETECTED!⚠️ SERAPH LV. 1 DESCENDING FROM HEAVEN!
The heavens cracked open.A figure of blinding light descended slowly — six radiant wings, halo fractured, eyes burning with divine fire.
Dominic lifted his gaze.His expression hardened.
"So it begins…"
TO BE CONTINUED...