The Anti-Bone Boy and Big Knife Boy had barely been tested today. They hadn't suffered any real wounds, hadn't faced the sort of pressure that forced them to adapt and grow. Ethan knew this wasn't enough.
"They need a tougher challenge," he thought.
That was why he had chosen the Forest of the Maniac Python—the most dangerous dungeon in Ravenshade City. Compared to the smaller instances he had cleared before, this one wasn't just stronger; it was designed to throw waves of enemies at challengers. The wild monsters inside didn't fight alone. They lived and hunted in groups, surrounding and crushing their prey.
If his summons were to evolve further, they had to prove themselves here.
And so, Ethan set off without hesitation.
---
This particular dungeon had always been notorious. Many wondered why experienced adventurers often avoided it. Why not challenge it earlier, instead of attempting weaker places like Fangjing Miku? The answer was obvious to anyone who had seen its gates.
Guarding the dungeon was not just two or three soldiers—there was an entire squad of more than a hundred.
As Ethan approached, the guards exchanged glances. A boy this young walking alone toward the nightmare forest was a sight they'd seen too often. Some came out of curiosity. Most never came back.
One of the guards stepped forward, his tone kindly but firm.
"Little brother, this dungeon isn't for someone at your level. Come back when you've grown stronger."
It was advice born of genuine concern. Many rookies ignored warnings, walked in, and perished before even seeing the heart of the dungeon.
Ethan gave a polite nod, signing the registration papers. "I understand. But I'll give it a try. If it doesn't work out, I'll come back."
The guards sighed. They'd heard that line before. Still, rules were rules, and they couldn't deny entry once someone signed.
The captain of the squad, however, couldn't help himself. He stepped closer, worry creasing his brow. "Hey, little brother, do you at least have a City Return Scroll?"
Ethan blinked. In truth, he hadn't bothered to prepare one.
The captain immediately thrust a scroll into his hand. "Take it. Better safe than sorry."
Ethan smiled faintly, accepting the scroll. "Thank you." He made a note of the man's face—kindness like this was rare.
Behind them, the other guards chuckled.
"Captain, there you go again, bleeding kindness. That scroll's worth tens of thousands!"
The captain shot them a glare. "What do you know? Do you think just anyone dares approach this place? Maybe he's not ordinary. Maybe he's a genius, one of those prodigies Ravenshade University recruits every year. Tens of thousands is a small price if it means I've made a good impression."
His men rolled their eyes. "Captain, how many 'geniuses' have you sponsored now? Didn't every one of them crawl back half-dead or terrified?"
This time, the captain only smiled. He knew they weren't wrong. At his own rank, his growth was stuck. No better equipment, no high-grade skills. The best he could hope for was to latch onto a true rising star. Tens of thousands of dollars meant nothing compared to that chance.
Then one of his men squinted at the dungeon's console. "Captain, you'd better prepare yourself again."
"What is it?"
"That kid… he didn't choose the easy mode. He picked Nightmare."
"What?"
The captain's jaw nearly dropped.
The simple mode already required at least 80 stars of combat power. Nightmare? Nightmare demanded 400 stars minimum, and even then, only if you had a full five-person team.
The guards laughed among themselves. "Captain, you'll regret that generosity. We'll hold you to your promise—next payday, you're treating us to drinks, singing… or better yet, how about letting the brothers soak their feet at the bathhouse?"
The captain didn't respond. He only shook his head, staring at the boy disappearing into the forest. There was no mistaking it—Ethan had chosen Nightmare deliberately.
"Either he's insane," the captain muttered, "or he's exactly the kind of genius I'm hoping for."
---
Inside the dungeon, the atmosphere changed immediately.
The Forest of the Maniac Python stretched out like a primordial world. Towering trees blocked out the light, their roots thick enough to trip even giants. The air was damp and heavy, carrying the musk of predators.
Without hesitation, Ethan summoned his partners.
Anti-Bone Boy and Big Knife Boy materialized, their forms brimming with excitement.
For them, this was freedom. They could feel the density of enemies lurking, smell the danger hidden in every bush. This was their chance to unleash their power.
The Anti-Bone Boy strutted forward with arrogance, his tentacles twitching rhythmically. But his pride was quickly tested.
From the undergrowth burst a massive blue python, its body thicker than a house beam and stretching tens of meters long.
It lunged, jaws unhinging, fangs flashing like ivory blades.
The Anti-Bone Boy froze for a moment, startled. But before the python's fangs could sink in, Big Knife Boy swept in, blade flashing, carving a gaping wound across the serpent's skull.
Blood sprayed. The python's head snapped aside, its attack missing by inches. It let out a thunderous, guttural hiss, its body thrashing like a bulldozer tearing through the jungle. Trees splintered. Earth quaked.
Enraged, the Anti-Bone Boy roared back. He leapt onto the serpent's body, jaws clamping down. His teeth tore through flesh, but the python's iron-like scales limited the damage. The beast whipped its body, flinging him aside like a rag doll.
But Ethan's summon wasn't done yet.
"Breaking the Army!"
The Anti-Bone Boy's form expanded, swelling into a monstrous six-meter-tall killing machine. He seized the python in his jaws again, lifted it off the ground, and shook with terrifying force. Flesh ripped. Bones snapped. Blood cascaded like rain.
The python retaliated, sinking its fangs deep into his abdomen. Two punctures marked the wound, shallow but painful.
That only made the Anti-Bone Boy angrier.
Crunch!
His jaws tightened, bones cracking audibly. At the same time, he activated "Swallow", devouring flesh and rapidly healing the punctures on his abdomen.
With a sickening snap, the serpent's body was torn in half. Yet even in pieces, it lived on. Its head reared back, gathering energy.
A massive wind blade, glowing blue, formed within its jaws and shot forward with deadly precision.
The blade slammed into Anti-Bone Boy's back. He staggered, a long gash tearing open across his spine. The damage was worse than any bite so far.
Furious, the Anti-Bone Boy locked onto the python's weak spot—its seven inches. His jaws crushed down mercilessly. Sparks flew as scales resisted, but his stubborn rage refused to release.
The python tried again to summon another wind blade. But this time, Big Knife Boy was ready. His blade slashed down, splitting the serpent's mouth before the energy could be released.
The unfinished wind spell exploded inside its own throat, blasting its head into a bloody ruin.
Click!
The Anti-Bone Boy's jaws clamped again, snapping the serpent fully in two.
The Windblade Giant Python fell dead.
A system chime rang in Ethan's ears.
"Reminder: Successfully killed the dark-gold level Windblade Giant Python. Experience points awarded."
The Anti-Bone Boy stared down at the corpse, checking to make sure it was truly lifeless. Satisfied, he instinctively began dragging it toward Ethan, ready to break it down for his master.
But when he turned, he saw Ethan had already stepped back a safe distance, calmly watching.
Just as confusion set in, the forest erupted.
Dozens of rustling sounds surrounded them from all directions.
From the bushes, from the trees, from the very earth itself—the next wave was coming.
The real test of the Nightmare Dungeon had only just begun.
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