Chapter 8 — The One Who Returned
Deep within the unstable double dungeon, the monsters had begun to settle again.
The massacre from earlier had already faded into instinctual memory. To the creatures of the dungeon, death was not tragedy—it was simply part of the environment.
One particular beast wandered through a cracked stone corridor.
It was massive.
Four meters tall when standing upright, thick plated hide covering most of its body, jagged teeth protruding from a jaw built purely for tearing flesh apart. Its arms dragged slightly along the ground as it walked, claws scraping against the stone floor.
The monster stopped.
Then sat down heavily.
Its massive belly bulged outward.
Inside it, digestion was slowly happening.
The beast rubbed its stomach lazily.
That tiny human earlier had been… interesting.
Weak.
Fragile.
But surprisingly sweet.
The monster let out a satisfied grunt.
Then—
Something moved inside its stomach.
The creature froze.
Its glowing yellow eyes widened slightly.
That wasn't normal.
Something pushed outward from inside its throat.
The beast gagged.
A hand suddenly forced its mouth open from within.
The monster's eyes exploded wide with shock.
Then—
RIIIIIP
The hand tore through flesh.
Teeth snapped outward as the creature's jaw was violently forced open. Blood sprayed across the stone floor as something began crawling out of the monster's mouth.
Something human.
Something very much alive.
Lucas climbed out slowly.
Covered in blood.
Completely naked except for his boxers.
He landed lightly on the stone floor.
Behind him, the monster collapsed lifelessly, its skull torn open from the inside.
Lucas exhaled softly.
It was slow.
Measured.
Like someone taking their first breath after waking from a deep sleep.
The air felt different.
The world felt sharper.
More detailed.
More… alive.
Lucas raised a hand slowly.
Flexed his fingers.
"…Huh."
His voice echoed through the corridor.
He tilted his head slightly.
"…Borrowed body."
The words left his mouth casually.
Like he was commenting on the weather.
The surrounding monsters had gathered now.
Dozens of them.
They stared at him silently.
At first glance he looked human.
But something about him felt… wrong.
Wrong in a way that made even dungeon creatures instinctively step backward.
Lucas stood up fully.
His current appearance had changed dramatically.
---
My appearance:
Height: 196 cm (6'5") — unchanged. Still towering, still absolute.
Weight: 100–103 kg (220–227 lbs) — reduced mass, increased density. Every kilogram now serves function, not presence.
Physique:
Stripped of excess, sharpened to perfection. His build is leaner, but paradoxically more powerful—muscle fibers packed tight like braided steel.
The chest remains broad and dominant, but now flatter and harder, built for explosive force rather than bulk. Shoulders are still wide, but cut cleaner, with deeper separations. Arms are longer-looking, sinewy, with strength that reveals itself only in motion.
His twelve-pack is sharper, deeper, carved with surgical precision—no thickness, only lethal symmetry. His waist is narrower, his V-taper more severe, giving him the silhouette of a perfected predator rather than a juggernaut.
Movement:
Silent efficiency. No wasted gestures. When he shifts, it's smooth and economical, like gravity obeys him. He doesn't look strong while standing still—he looks dangerous.
Skin:
Still flawless, cool-toned, untouched. Tighter over muscle, emphasizing definition without exaggeration.
Hair:
Same length and style, dark ash-black, heavier at the roots, cleaner at the edges. It never looks messy—only deliberately unbothered.
Eyes (Crimson Gaze):
Unchanged in color, evolved in presence. The crimson is darker now, deeper—less flame, more abyss. His gaze no longer judges loudly; it decides quietly.
Jawline & Face:
Even more refined—leaner facial structure, tighter angles. His jaw looks harder, as if clenching is unnecessary. Calm carved into bone.
Voice:
Still deep and thick, but now lower in volume, not pitch. He speaks fewer words, each one carrying finality. It's the voice of someone who never needs to repeat himself.
Aura:
Calm, cold, and absolute.
Where before he felt like a king, now he feels like the law that replaced kings. His presence doesn't press down—it stabilizes the space, forcing everything else to align or collapse.
Overall Impression:
He is no longer a symbol of power.
He is power under restraint—lean, honed, and lethal, existing in perfect control.
---
Lucas stretched his neck slowly.
Bones cracked softly.
"…Nice."
He looked down at his hands.
Flexed them again.
"…Feels expensive."
Behind him, the monsters were still staring.
None approached.
None attacked.
Instinct screamed at them.
Danger.
Lucas looked at them casually.
Then smiled like an idiot.
"Yo."
No response.
He scratched his head.
"…Awkward."
One monster finally stepped forward.
It was huge.
Three meters tall, thick armored skin, massive claws.
Lucas blinked.
Then in a flash—
He grabbed its head.
Lifted it effortlessly off the ground.
The monster's feet dangled.
Lucas tilted his head.
Still smiling.
"Yo."
He spoke casually.
"Were you this light all along?"
The monster's face showed pure, unfiltered terror.
Lucas snapped its neck instantly.
CRACK
He tossed the corpse aside like trash.
Then turned to the others.
"…My bad."
Silence.
Then chaos erupted.
The monsters charged.
Lucas moved.
Not fast.
Just efficient.
A claw swung at him.
Lucas sidestepped.
His arm moved once.
The monster split in half.
Another lunged.
Lucas grabbed its arm and ripped it off.
Another.
He punched straight through its chest.
Blood sprayed everywhere.
Bodies dropped.
Limbs scattered.
The corridor became a slaughterhouse.
Lucas fought calmly.
Like someone casually cleaning his room.
No wasted motion.
No unnecessary power.
Just simple, efficient destruction.
Within seconds—
Ten monsters lay dead.
Lucas wiped blood off his face.
"…Hmm."
Then something new appeared.
A different monster stepped forward.
Slim.
Armored.
Carrying a sword.
Its presence was noticeably stronger.
Lucas blinked.
"Oh?"
The creature moved instantly.
The sword flashed.
Lucas's hands fell to the floor.
Cleanly cut off.
A second strike pierced through his chest.
The blade exited his back.
Lucas looked down slowly.
"…Ouch."
He looked up at the monster.
"Bro."
His voice was calm.
"Chill."
"You not tryna take me off that quick."
The monster's eyes widened.
Lucas's arms began regenerating.
Flesh grew.
Bone reformed.
Muscle sealed.
His chest closed instantly.
Not even a scar remained.
The monster jumped backward, releasing its sword and creating distance.
Lucas pulled the blade from his chest casually.
"…Nice sword."
Then he looked back at the ten corpses behind him.
A smile spread across his face.
"…Hmm."
He snapped his fingers once.
"Forget borrowed power."
His voice dropped slightly.
"Arise."
The ten bodies trembled.
Dark shadows seeped from the ground.
The corpses stood up slowly.
But they were no longer monsters.
Their forms had become dark silhouettes.
Shadow soldiers.
Fully armed.
Fully ready.
Lucas grinned.
"…Oh that's fun."
The armored monster froze.
Ten shadow warriors turned toward it.
Ready to fight.
The dungeon was about to get very interesting.
---
Time passed.
A lot of time.
Lucas walked through the dungeon corridors calmly.
Behind him followed an army.
Shadow monsters.
Hundreds of them.
Every creature he killed became another soldier.
Another fighter.
Another weapon.
Eventually—
He stopped.
A massive stone door stood before him.
The entrance to the main boss chamber.
Lucas wiped sweat from his forehead.
"…Damn."
Behind him stood 234 shadow soldiers.
Yet somehow—
He still felt uneasy.
Lucas scratched his head.
"…Yeah this guy might be different."
Inside his mind, Arcadrim chuckled.
Lucas sighed.
"…Alright alright."
He cracked his neck.
"Can't bore the demon lord."
Then he casually opened the door.
---
The chamber was massive.
A throne stood at the far end.
And sitting on that throne…
Was a knight.
Black armor.
Massive sword.
Helmet covering its face.
It sat silently.
Completely still.
It didn't even acknowledge Lucas entering.
Lucas blinked.
"…Rude."
He walked forward.
Past the massive chamber.
Past the silent shadows.
Until he stood directly in front of the throne.
The knight still didn't move.
Lucas studied it carefully.
Then spoke.
"You bored?"
The knight didn't react.
Lucas tilted his head.
"You look like someone who's tired of opponents dying too quickly."
Silence.
Then—
The knight spoke.
"Mm."
Lucas blinked.
The voice was deep.
Ancient.
Calm.
"Yes, human."
Lucas's eyes widened slightly.
"How did you know?"
Lucas stared.
"…Hold up."
"Can beasts talk now?"
Inside his mind, Arcadrim laughed.
Lucas scratched his head awkwardly.
"…Okay then."
He smiled slightly.
"Let's make a bet."
The knight finally looked at him.
Lucas shrugged.
"You're clearly stronger than me."
The knight didn't deny it.
Lucas continued.
"So here's the deal."
"If I survive twenty attacks…"
He smiled.
"You kill yourself."
The knight stood.
It moved instantly.
The sword flashed once.
Lucas's body split cleanly in half.
Blood sprayed across the floor.
Then—
His body regenerated instantly.
Lucas stood there again.
Perfectly intact.
Smiling.
"…Nice."
The knight slowly raised its sword again.
Lucas's grin widened.
Because that attack…
Had already counted as one.
And the knight hadn't refused the bet.
Which meant only one thing.
It had accepted.
The end...