Chapter 11 — The Captain's Dungeon Trial
Lare woke up with a long stretch, joints cracking like fireworks.
Raen immediately shouted,
"BROOO! YOU'RE ALIVE! I thought you turned into an old god ghost!"
Aricus flicked Raen's forehead.
"He literally woke up one minute ago. Calm down."
Lare blinked, confused.
"Why are you two acting like I died?"
Raen hugged him so hard his ribs bent.
"Because you glowed like a festival light… then collapsed like a rock!"
Aricus crossed his arms. "And also because you reached Old God Level 1 in front of us. Which is illegal."
Lare rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed. "Anyway… I'm fine."
Then—
> R.O.Y.A.L: NEW QUESTS UNLOCKED
Quest 1: Clear the Devil Dungeon
Quest 2: Become Captain of the Royal Guard
Quest Difficulty: EXTREME
Lare's jaw dropped. "…Captain? Already?"
Raen whistled loudly. "Bro, even my uncle worked fifteen years to become a Vice Captain. And you got a quest in your sleep."
Aricus stepped forward, serious. "The Devil Dungeon is the worst dungeon in the empire. Only high-level royals enter it. And you're being asked to clear it… alone."
Raen slapped Aricus's back. "Not alone. We're going with him."
Aricus glared. "No. The quest is for him only."
Raen pouted. "So unfair. I want to beat devils too."
Lare looked at them, smiling softly. "Maybe I can request R.O.Y.A.L to let you two join—"
Before he finished:
> R.O.Y.A.L: REQUEST DENIED You must enter alone.
Raen fell on the ground dramatically. "I hate your system! Throw it away!!"
Aricus corrected him. "His system is literally divine. It will throw you away."
---
Journey to the Dungeon
Three days later, all three stood before the ancient structure —
a black stone tower covered with devil markings.
Raen gulped. "This place is giving me stomach pain."
Aricus whispered, "This is the dungeon where Devil-Born creatures live. They are not devils… but beings born from devil energy. More dangerous."
Lare stepped forward. His aura shimmered lightly.
"I'll handle it."
Raen grabbed his arm. "Wait. Before you go—"
He hugged Lare.
Raen whispered, "Don't die. If you die, who will I bully?"
Aricus placed a hand on Lare's shoulder. "And who will understand my lectures fast? Don't force me to teach Raen."
Raen: "HEY!"
Lare laughed. "I'll come back."
When he entered, the door slammed shut.
---
Inside the Devil Dungeon
The air was thick like smoke.
Flames flickered on the walls.
Then—
Dozens of red-eyed creatures crawled from the darkness.
Skin black, veins glowing crimson, claws long like blades.
> Devil-Born — Rank B, Rank A, and 1 Rank S detected
Lare cracked his neck.
"Good warm-up."
They rushed at him.
He vanished.
Three appeared cut in half before they knew what happened.
Lare's speed had increased drastically after his Old God awakening.
A Devil-Born screeched and shot dark beams.
Lare blocked them with his bare hand.
The creature froze.
Then Lare punched it so hard the entire floor cracked.
The dungeon roared, walls shaking.
---
The Rank S Monster Appears
A monstrous shadow rose.
Horned. Towering. Eyes burning white.
Devil-Born King — Rank S
It growled, "Human… your energy tastes like an ancient god."
Lare smirked. "Sorry. I'm not on the menu."
The monster charged.
The ground exploded under its steps.
Lare gathered aura.
> Old God Strike — Basic Form
The moment they clashed—
BOOOOM!
A shockwave blasted across the entire dungeon.
Outside, Aricus and Raen staggered back.
Raen shouted, "HE'S FIGHTING A WHOLE DUNGEON IN ONE HIT!?"
Aricus clenched his fists. "…That idiot. He's going to destroy the dungeon itself."
---
Victory
Inside, dust cleared.
The Rank S monster collapsed, crumbling into ash.
> Dungeon Cleared
Captain Quest Completed (1/3)
Requirement: Survive the Awakening Trial
Lare wiped his forehead.
"That… wasn't so hard."
Suddenly—
The ground glowed under him.
A mysterious voice echoed in his mind.
"Old God child… this is only the beginning."
Lare frowned.
"…Who was that?"
The voice faded.
He stepped out of the dungeon.
Raen jumped on him. "BROOO HE'S ALIVE!"
Aricus sighed in relief. "Welcome back… Captain candidate."
Lare smiled.
"Let's go home."
—---