The Shield Warrior, Ryan, kept the Fairy completely fixated on him, deflecting the ice spikes and creating the perfect smokescreen for the ambush.Rand, the assassin, emerged from the shadows like lightning. His short daggers gleamed with razor-sharp edges.
And, as simple as the tactic was, the Fairy—fast as she might have been—wasn't exactly bright. Her mystical teleportation couldn't save her from a sudden, physical strike she hadn't anticipated.
Rand drove both blades deep into the base of the creature's neck. With one swift, clean, brutal motion, he tore the Fairy's head off.
There was no mystical scream, no legendary burst of light. The boss's body simply collapsed into shimmering violet-blue ashes, scattering across the damp floor.
Silence filled the chamber, broken only by the clank of Ryan's armor.
The Fairy's death triggered an immediate reaction in the dungeon itself. At the far end of the cavern, where the ruins met the basalt wall, the stone seemed to shift and open.
With a metallic groan and a flash of bright light, a chest appeared. It was no ordinary chest—it was massive, made of dark wood bound with blue metal plates. The reward.
The four adventurers froze, breathing heavily, drenched in sweat but victorious. Then, with renewed energy, they dashed toward the chest. The exhaustion of battle was forgotten, replaced by the rush of triumph and the promise of treasure.
From the rubble, Lilith seized the opportunity. She crawled silently to a closer pillar, giving herself a better view of both the prize and the group's reaction.
"That was easier than I expected," she thought, watching as Ryan forced the chest's mechanical lock open. It wasn't magic-based—just brute force and metal.
The chest creaked open, revealing a dim glow inside.
The adventurers collected their spoils: scattered silver coins, and basic materials for potion and weapon crafting—the usual loot from a Blue (Rare) dungeon.
But as soon as the last item was removed, the chest began to vibrate. From the empty space left behind, a glowing yellow sphere rose slowly, pulsing with intense, radiant energy. The light was so bright it outshone all the fireflies in the cavern.
At the sight of that color, the group's exhaustion vanished, replaced by sheer excitement. Lúcio, the archer, gasped audibly.Yellow was the universally recognized color of Legendary items and materials.
"Could it be? A legendary drop from a rare dungeon?" exclaimed Mari, the mage, her fatigue forgotten.
Lúcio adjusted his glasses, his voice trembling with excitement."There's a small chance of it happening, but... I guess we got lucky. Our clear time must've boosted the drop rate. I didn't expect this!"
Ryan, ever the team's steadfast leader, reached out. His fingers, still dusted with the Fairy's ashes, brushed the surface of the yellow sphere.
But what came out wasn't the promised legendary reward.
It was an explosion.
The yellow orb detonated with a deafening roar, a shockwave blasting through the cavern and throwing the adventurers against the stone walls. Dust and fireflies rained from above.
When the golden haze began to settle, a massive figure hovered where the sphere had been.
It was a giant, nearly three meters tall, suspended in midair. His dark armor gleamed faintly under the dim light, and two heavy, curved horns jutted from his helmet. It wasn't human—it radiated a raw, overwhelming power.
Silence again. Ryan groaned, trying to stand. The others were sprawled across the ground, paralyzed by the sheer pressure of the being's presence.
"I think... that orb was meant to summon a hidden legendary boss," whispered Lúcio, his voice weak from the impact. "I've read about something like this before..."
"What terrible luck," murmured Mari, tears glimmering in her eyes. She knew death was near.
"Don't give up!" Ryan roared, forcing himself to his feet. "If we're going to die—let's die fighting!"
From the shadows, Lilith watched the scene unfold with cold amusement.
"A fake treasure that spawns another boss? This 'Yellow Rank' business is a lot more theatrical than I thought," she mused, processing the situation.