Heaven or Hell
…
"I should definitely follow my gut next time," Zeke muttered, his footsteps echoing hollowly against the dungeon's stone floor.
"Okay, next time we're listening to the main character." Kai snickered and threw a jab at Zeke's shoulder—the playful punch landing with a soft thud.
After splitting from Zeldris' group, they hadn't encountered a single monster. The dungeon was eerily quiet, silence pressing against their ears like cotton, and the usual resources were nowhere to be found. The air felt stale and undisturbed, as though nothing living had passed through these corridors in ages.
The mana stones had been mined clean, leaving only empty sockets where crystalline veins should have glowed with ethereal light.
'Hey Zero, what do you think is happening?'
{Wow, finally. The great main character finally remembered his faithful sidekick.}
'Hehe, very funny. This would be a great time for professor mode.'
{I'll pardon you this once, but I have no answers—other than, you're cooked.}
'The cliché, right?'
{Umhm.}
Zeke rolled his eyes hard enough for anyone watching to see.
What will be will be. Can't stress about it—might not even be what I think it is.
With that thought, Zeke went back to annoying the group, serving as a mental health distraction for everyone, his jokes and commentary cutting through the oppressive atmosphere like a blade through silk.
…
About thirty minutes later, the group reached the section's end and emerged into a wide chamber that led to a massive door—most likely the boss room. The space opened before them like a cathedral, the ceiling lost in shadow far above, and the door ahead carved with intricate runes that pulsed with faint, sickly light.
Zeldris and his group stood near the door in a tight formation, faces tense and watchful.
"You were slow." Zeldris didn't bother hiding the target of his anger. His voice cut through the space between them, sharp and cold as winter wind. "Must you see everything as an avenue for jokes?"
"Oh. My apologies." Zeke smiled as he spoke, then walked past him toward the door. The smile didn't reach his eyes, and the temperature around him seemed to drop several degrees.
The group noticed immediately—Zeke's aura had shifted. The usual playful energy had been replaced by something harder, more brittle.
Yeon shot Zeldris a dangerous look, her eyes narrowing, then addressed both groups with measured authority.
"Seeing as you're all spotless, you must not have encountered any monsters either."
The male assistant spoke up, adjusting his glasses nervously. "Yes, that was our experience as well. When we arrived, it was proposed we wait for your group." He gestured toward the massive door, his hand trembling slightly. "Lord Zeldris has a bad feeling about the door."
"Looks like our groups will be working together officially for the boss raid," Aaron interjected from the side, his deep voice carrying a note of resignation.
"Yes. This raid might not be about who gains the most resources—but about leaving here alive." Zeldris walked toward Yeon and stretched out his hand for a handshake, movements deliberate and controlled. "Let's work together to get to safety, Rat."
Yeon clapped his hands together—the sound sharp and decisive—and looked Zeldris straight in the eyes with a smirk that held no warmth. "We'll be in your care."
Then, turning to the trio, she motioned them toward the giant door. Zeldris' group did the same, their footsteps creating a cacophony that seemed too loud in the oppressive silence.
…
{What's wrong with you?}
'Nothing. What's wrong with you?'
{Forget it. You deserve whatever spoiled your mood.}
Zeke left him without a response.
{Don't let anyone make you quit the persona that brings your loved ones joy. Even if you're influenced by this dungeon's unnerving aura, remember—the new Zeke is a better Zeke.}
'I couldn't care less.'
Zeke watched the group walk toward him, their shadows stretching long and distorted across the stone floor. He turned toward the door and waited. Together they opened it—the ancient hinges groaning like something in pain—and walked into the boss room.
…
We're fucked.
Zeke groaned internally as he and the group slumped to the ground upon entering, their legs giving out as though invisible weights had been placed on their shoulders.
The door slammed shut behind them with a thunderous boom that reverberated through their bones. They found themselves kneeling, forced down by an overwhelming pressure that made the air itself feel solid and crushing.
As he fell, palms scraping against cold stone, Zeke looked up to see a horned figure sitting on a pile of shining treasure—gold, jewels, and artifacts that caught the dim light and threw it back in dazzling, mocking splendor. The figure sat lazily, hands on his knees, head resting on one hand—the picture of bored indifference despite the terror he radiated.
The creature's eyes opened slowly—glowing with ancient, predatory intelligence—and looked straight at Zeke across the vast chamber.
In that gaze, Zeke felt utterly, completely seen.
Heart hammering against his ribs like a trapped bird, Zeke cast Observation to understand the power pressing down on him like the weight of mountains.
…
(Status Window)
Name: Karys
Age: 913
Race: Dragon (Youngling)
Rank: S-Rank
…
STATS
Strength: 2000 (SSS-Rank)
Agility: 2000 (SSS-Rank)
Endurance: 2000 (SSS-Rank)
Perception: 2000 (SSS-Rank)
Magic Power: 2000 (SSS-Rank)
…
INNATE ABILITY
Sunder (Severance Monarch) — SS-Rank
Effect: You command the principle of severance, allowing you to cut anything from physical matter to abstract concepts.
The ability has three core functions, which you can use interchangeably:
1. Unseen Severance: By making a slashing motion, you can send forth an invisible, intangible slash. It ignores conventional durability and physical barriers, cutting directly at the target. Energy cost scales with the "conceptual density" of what you're trying to cut (e.g., cutting a rock costs little; cutting a "magical contract" costs significantly more).
2. Instant Dismantling: Upon physical contact with a target, you can will it to be dismantled. This instantly severs its components at a fundamental level without force or collateral damage (e.g., touching a lock causes it to fall apart into pins and springs; touching a magical barrier causes it to flicker and dissipate). Cost scales with the target's durability and magical integrity.
3. Reality Anchor: You can impose a "Law of Severance" upon an area, creating a dimensional lock. This severs all extradimensional connections, nullifying teleportation, portals, pocket dimensions, and time manipulation within the zone. The larger the area and the stronger the spacetime abilities you wish to suppress, the greater the energy drain. This function can be maintained passively but will steadily consume your energy.
…
TRAITS
Draconic Might (SS-Rank)
Your very existence is oppression. In your presence, any creature weaker than you cannot move. Seeing you makes them recognize their king—they can only kneel to worship you.
Dragon (SSS-Rank)
You are a dragon. You have the bloodline of heaven's most favored creature. You have 90% resistance against damage—physical and magical—from creatures your equal, 100% resistance against creatures weaker than you, and at least 50% against those stronger than you.
…