Chapter 13: The Guardian

Inside the Shadow Dungeon is a realm of perpetual darkness, where the boundaries between reality and shadow blur. The air is thick with a heavy mist that clings to the walls, and an oppressive silence fills the space, broken only by the occasional skittering of unseen creatures. Dim, flickering torches line the narrow stone corridors, casting long, wavering shadows that seem to move on their own. The dungeon feels alive as if the shadows themselves are watching and waiting.

The passageways are tight and winding, with uneven stone floors. Small cracks in the walls ooze dark energy, and shadowy figures dart in and out of sight, always at the edge of vision. The atmosphere grows colder as Cruz progresses deeper. Occasionally, the narrow corridors open into large cavern-like chambers with towering ceilings that disappear into shadow. The ground here is uneven, covered with jagged rocks and patches of shadowy fog that conceal traps and hidden enemies.

He has even started getting used to the pools of inky black liquid dotting the dungeon floor, emanating a faint purple glow. These pools act as conduits for shadow creatures, allowing them to teleport or emerge suddenly, making navigation treacherous. Little creatures called shadow imps had ambushed him time and again. Although weak, their treacherous tactics and cowardice earned them the ire of Cruz. After defeating a sufficient number of these mischievous pests, he found himself at Level 6, now halfway to Level 7.

Cruz's progress in the dungeon has been marked by constant vigilance and quick thinking. The dim light and creeping shadows force him to remain alert, anticipating any attack. As he assesses his character profile, he reflects on his journey thus far.

Character Profile: Cruz Hernandez

Race: Human

Level: 6

Abilities:

[Descent of Primus]

Rank: F evolving..... (error??//𐌗𐌘𐌦𐌗𐌡𐌕 𐌢𐌦 𐌦𐌥𐌡𐌠𐌢𐌔)

Skill Type: Causality Manipulation

Effect: User can accelerate or decelerate the flow of time around a target for a short duration.

Description: ?????

Identify

Rank: F (40/100)

Skill Type: Knowledge/Observation

Effect: User can discern basic information about an object, creature, or entity, including its name, type, level, and basic attributes. This skill helps the user assess potential threats and strategize accordingly.

[Weak Quakehorn Titan Bloodline]

Rank: ???

Description: Ability absorbed from the Stonehide Rhino's blood.

[Earth Sense]

Rank: F (22/100)

Skill Type: Environmental Awareness

Effect: User can sense vibrations and disturbances in the earth, allowing detection of nearby terrain features, hidden pathways, and the presence of creatures within a limited radius. This skill provides awareness of environmental shifts and helps locate hidden dangers or resources underground.

Health and Resources:

Health Points (HP): 36/50

Mana Points (MP): 30/40

Stamina: 34/60

Stats:

Strength: 9

Agility: 12

Endurance: 9

Toughness: 9

Wisdom: 3

Intelligence: 6

Willpower: 9

Vitality: 10

Experience Points:

Current Experience (XP): 750/1100 (Level 7)

Experience Needed for Next Level: 350

Available Stat Points: 5

Despite his recent victories, Cruz felt the weight of the dungeon pressing down on him. He didn't want to squander his available stat points without a better understanding of how each statistic impacted his abilities. Each level brings with it new challenges and each level up seemed to award him with 5 stat points, and he promised himself that he would level up and balance his stats, ensuring he never had a glaring weakness.

While battling the imps, he stumbled upon dark, enormous, eerie pillars. They were majestic yet foreboding, and he felt compelled to use his Identify ability on one of them.

Obsidian Pillars: Enormous pillars made of black stone scattered throughout the dungeon, adorned with ancient runes that pulse with dark magic. These pillars often serve as summoning points for stronger shadow creatures.

Cruz shivered and stepped back, not liking the sound of that. But alas, he was never known for his luck. Even in school, as he traded cards, he always drew the short end of the stick. This time, his bad luck caught up to him. It started with a small eerie wind, then a blop! As the shimmering runes on the pillar dripped dark liquid, they began to swirl into a whirlpool. Suddenly, a voice resonated in his head—his system alerting him to a new quest.

Quest Prompt: Guardians of the Shadows

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Quest Title: Guardians of the Shadows

Quest Type: Defeat the Guardian

Quest Giver: Obsidian Pillar (Upon interaction)

Description:

As you approach the towering Obsidian Pillar, a dark aura envelops the area, and a low growl reverberates through the air. The pillar radiates a mysterious energy, hinting at the power it holds. Suddenly, a massive Shadow Guardian emerges from the shadows, its form shifting and flickering like smoke. The Guardian's eyes glow with a fierce intensity, and it stands between you and the pillar, ready to protect its sacred duty.

Objective:

Defeat the Shadow Guardian protecting the Obsidian Pillar.

Rewards:

A unique chest will appear upon defeating the Guardian. Possible rewards include:

Skill BooksWeaponsRandom items (e.g., Potion of Shadows, Obsidian Shard, Essence of the Guardian)

As he looked at the growing whirlpool, a towering, humanoid figure crafted from pure darkness shifted outside. Its body appeared to be made of swirling shadows, constantly shifting and rippling, with faint traces of glowing runes etched across its form. Its eyes were hollow voids, and its presence alone cast an aura of dread. It wielded a massive shadow-forged spear, looking like a knight made of shadows.

Cruz steeled himself, summoning the courage that had carried him this far. He knew he had to face this Guardian if he wanted to claim whatever rewards lay hidden within the depths of the dungeon. The air thickened with tension as the Guardian stepped forward, its spear raised, ready to strike.

"Focus, Cruz," he muttered under his breath, centering his thoughts. He could feel the adrenaline pumping through his veins, igniting a sense of urgency within him. He needed to outsmart this creature, not just overpower it.

The Shadow Guardian lunged forward with blinding speed, spear thrusting toward Cruz's chest. He sidestepped just in time, feeling the whoosh of air as the weapon barely missed him. Reacting quickly, he activated[Descent of Primus] to manipulate the flow of time around him, slowing the Guardian's movements.

In the dim light, the Guardian's form flickered, its momentum interrupted as Cruz darted in closer, drawing his dagger. His heart raced as he slashed at the Guardian's leg, a shadowy mist rising where he struck. The creature roared, a deep, echoing sound that reverberated off the stone walls, sending chills down Cruz's spine.

With each clash, he used [Identify] on the Guardian, hoping to learn more about his opponent.

Shadow Guardian – Level 15

Vitality: 12

Strength: 15

Agility: 10

Endurance: 14

Mana Capacity: 9

Shadow Affinity: 15

"I need to be careful," Cruz whispered to himself, taking a few steps back to assess the situation. He could see the Guardian starting to recover, its form flickering more intensely. Cruz took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment pressing down on him.

The Guardian lunged again, this time aiming for his head. Cruz ducked low, rolling to the side as he evaded the strike. He scrambled back to his feet, feeling the adrenaline coursing through him. He would need to be strategic—he couldn't just rely on his dagger against such a formidable opponent.

Drawing upon his newfound agility, Cruz activated [Earth Sense], closing his eyes for a moment as he tuned into the vibrations around him. The Guardian's movements were heavy, and he could feel the subtle shifts in the ground as it moved.

"Now!" Cruz shouted, rushing forward as the Guardian attempted another strike. This time, he focused on the pooling shadows around him. Using his environment to his advantage, he grabbed a handful of loose stones from the ground and flung them into the air.

The stones caught the light of the flickering torches, scattering the shadows momentarily. The Guardian faltered, its form wavering as it struggled to regain its footing. But when he thought he had finally got the upper hand he reeled back in alarm as [Earth sense] warned him and it was right to, as the guardian used

[Obsidian Slam]

Skill Type: Offensive (Area of Effect)

Effect: Slams the ground with the spear, sending out shockwaves of dark energy that cause area damage and knock back nearby enemies.

Though he had escaped the force slammed him onto the Walls almost falling into the dark pools, he dreaded the strength of this knight as it gained its footing ready to lunge again but now having underestimated its enemy at first it finally decided to get serious, a pulsating death like presence was felt on the night

[Aura of Dread]

Skill Type: Debuff

Effect: Emits a fear-inducing aura that lowers the attack and defence of nearby enemies, making them more vulnerable to its spear attacks.

As it shifted and disappeared appearing close to him clinging to him as a fly adopting a low stance, ready to thrust and withdraw quickly. Cruz was now flustered having never been in a serious fight of skills before or had any serious training he decided to improvise on the fly because if he couldn't he would die! As the spear thrust forward, he sidesteps just out of reach, using small, efficient movements to avoid getting hit. He knew that his goal was to close in fast. After dodging several spear thrusts, he makes the first move to close the gap. the guardian as an experienced fighter knew that it needed to maintain distance it swings in a wide arc, forcing him to retreat a step and avoid the strike.

he was now sweating his stamina dropping and him reaching his limit as he saw how rudimentary his skills were and how lucky he was not to have met an experienced creature as this at the start, he dreaded that thought as he ducks and swiftly moves in forward to attack, the guardian attempts to create space by stepping backward and using the butt of the spear to strike at the dagger to disarm him But he anticipates this, ducks under the shaft of the spear, and moves even closer.

Seizing the moment, Cruz lunged forward, aiming for the Guardian's spear with all his might. He struck with his dagger, targeting the wrists but he was wrong thinking the guardian was human as it switches to using the spear more like a staff, employing the butt end of the spear for close strikes striking the dagger skillfully as the impact sent a shockwave through the air, and Cruz felt a surge of energy rush through him as the Guardian reeled back.

He had barely a moment to recover as the Shadow Guardian advanced again. This fight was becoming a brutal dance of survival, where every second was crucial. His heart raced, his breath came in short gasps, and his muscles screamed from the exertion. He knew he couldn't keep dodging forever.