The red staircase shimmered with soft crimson light, descending into an endless abyss.Arin stood at the edge, still breathing heavily from his battle with the guardian.
The desert around him had vanished—only silence and glowing steps remained.
He looked at his trembling hand.
"That was my hardest fight yet… And still, I barely survived."
His katana faded into shadows as he began walking downward.
Each step echoed like chimes inside a massive chamber.
Tap.Tap.Tap.
The staircase spiraled deeper…
Warmer…
Heavier…
Like he was sinking into the core of Lumora itself.
A Chamber Older Than Time
After several minutes, Arin reached the final step.
The stairs ended at a gigantic underground hall—one carved entirely out of glowing red crystal.
Veins of golden energy pulsed through the walls like the arteries of a living creature.
In the center hovered a massive structure:
A floating red crystal, the size of a bus, spinning slowly.
It radiated warmth… and something else—
A heartbeat.
THUMP… THUMP… THUMP…
Arin whispered,
"The Dungeon Heart…"
The system immediately appeared.
[ Dungeon Heart — Level: Unknown ]
A core created before recorded history.Capable of granting evolution to compatible beings.
Arin stepped closer.
His footsteps echoed across the crystal chamber.
The energy from the heart seemed to pull him in, like it recognized him.
He placed his hand gently on the warm surface.
At that moment—
Everything exploded.
A Cosmic Vision
Arin's surroundings disappeared.
He was floating in a void of stars and molten red light.
And then…
Images flashed.
Armies made of shadows marching across ancient lands.A gigantic monarch with a crown of black flame.A woman singing to the sky—her voice opening portals to other worlds.Cities floating above oceans of light.A war between shining-winged beings and colossal beasts.
The voice from before whispered again…
The same voice he heard when he "died" the first time.
"Arin Kaito… You walk the path of the Forgotten King."
Arin's heart pounded.
"Who are you…? Why me?"
No reply.
Only fragments of memories that weren't his.
A black throne.A sealed gate.A symbol of a dragon devouring its own tail.
And then—
FLASH!
The vision shattered.
Arin gasped and fell to his knees, breathing harshly.
"What… was that? Whose memories were those?"
The Heart's Gift
The Dungeon Heart glowed brighter.
A beam of crimson energy shot into Arin's chest.
His body lifted off the ground.
His eyes widened in shock.
[ System Evolution Initiated ][ Host Synchronization: 12%... 37%... 68%... ]
Arin gritted his teeth.
His entire body felt like it was burning—not painfully, but intensely, purifying every cell.
[ 100% ]
Light exploded outward.
When it faded, Arin floated gently down.
A new set of notifications appeared.
[ System Upgrade Complete ][ New Title Unlocked: Heir of the Lost Monarch ][ New Abilities Obtained ]
• Shadow Domain (Lv.1)Creates a field where Arin's strength increases, and enemies weaken.
• Necro-LinkAllows communication with the souls of the dead for guidance.
• Essence StorageArin can store energy of defeated creatures for future summoning or skills.
Arin blinked.
"These… these powers are too strong for someone like me."
But the system responded instantly.
[ Correction: These powers belong to you by right. ][ Your bloodline has awakened 1%. ]
Arin froze.
"My… bloodline?"
The message didn't return.
The heart dimmed again, as if its duty was complete.
But something else drew Arin's attention.
A platform rose from the ground, holding a single object:
A black mask.
Thin. Elegant. Shaped like a wolf.And glowing faintly with grey and purple aura.
The system explained:
[ Shadow Monarch's Mask ]
• Increases concealment• Weakens the fear of death• Enhances necromancy commands• Bound only to Arin Kaito
Arin picked it up.
It felt warm—like it was alive.
He slowly lifted it and placed it over his face.
The mask attached itself perfectly.
Arin's aura shifted—deeper, darker, more controlled.
He whispered,
"So this is… my new start."
The Dungeon Begins to Collapse
Suddenly—
CRACK… CRACK… CRACK…
The chamber shook violently.
Crystals shattered.
The entire dungeon began collapsing.
Arin clenched his fists.
"No time to think—move!"
He sprinted toward the exit as the ceiling crumbled behind him.
A gigantic red crystal nearly crushed him, but he slid under it, rolling to his feet.
The staircase he came from was breaking apart.
He leaped upward, shadows wrapping around his legs.
Shadow Step!
He flashed from one broken platform to another, climbing the collapsing dungeon.
Chunks of crystal exploded behind him.
Light tore through the hall.
Finally—
BOOOOM!!!
Arin burst out of the dungeon just as the entrance sealed shut behind him.
He fell onto the normal forest ground, coughing.
The sky was back to its natural blue.
Wind rustled the leaves.
Arin lay there, breathing hard…
Then he laughed softly.
"Tsk… I survived again."
He sat up and touched the new mask.
His aura rippled around him—calm, deadly, and powerful.
Arc 2 has truly begun.And Arin Kaito…
is no longer the same boy.