Hundred stepped forward, cracking his knuckles. "I'll handle this. You two, just watch my back."

He turned to Audi and Dodge. "But accept my party request first."

Audi and Dodge nodded, confirming the party request just as the Big Bad Wolf let out a thunderous roar. From the shadows, two wolves—one black, one white—emerged beside it, their eyes glowing with malice.

Hundred smirked. "Taunt!"

A surge of energy radiated from him, making him the most aggressive presence on the battlefield. The enemies locked onto him, their focus unwavering. His party's defenses also increased as a side effect of his skill.

The black and white wolves lunged at him, but their fangs barely scratched his armor. The Big Bad Wolf, however, slammed into him with brute force, pushing him back.

Hundred grinned. "Alright, I might need your help on this one."

He activated another buff—"Berserk!" A red aura surrounded him, increasing his critical chance and doubling his attack power.

With a roar, Hundred charged at the Big Bad Wolf. Audi followed suit, spinning his blade. "Whirlwind Slash!" His attack tore through the black and white wolves, but the Big Bad Wolf dodged with unnatural agility.

Hundred shouted, "Audi, now!"

Audi clenched his fist, preparing a magic-infused punch—only for an ice spear to manifest in his hand. Shocked but quick to react, he hurled it at the Big Bad Wolf, freezing it in place.

Hundred's eyes gleamed. "Perfect! Berserk!"

Dodge reloaded her shotgun and fired two critical shots. The bullets hit, but the beast endured. It lunged at her, jaws wide open, ready to tear through her throat.

At the last second, Audi gritted his teeth, grabbed his sword, and felt a sudden surge of ice magic coursing through him. His blade glowed with frost. Without hesitation, he swung—

Slash!

The Big Bad Wolf's head flew clean off.

Audi exhaled, lowering his sword. "Guess I'm a swordsman after all."

The monstrous body collapsed with a heavy thud, turning into dust. A deep silence followed.

Then—

A faint hum filled the dungeon. Above the remains, a glowing orb materialized, pulsing with eerie light.

Hundred crossed his arms. "There it is."

Audi wiped sweat from his brow. "What is that?"

This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Hundred stepped forward. "For a boss fight to appear in a dungeon, the Tower itself grants a special reward. We call this an Orb of Fate. The last person to land a hit on the boss gets to activate it and receive a random item or skill."

Dodge raised an eyebrow. "So we each get one?"

Hundred shook his head. "No. Only one person gets it."

Dodge frowned. "Then that means…"

Hundred extended his hand toward the orb. Nothing happened.

Dodge tried next, tapping it with her shotgun. Still nothing.

A heavy silence hung between them.

Hundred chuckled. "We all saw who got the last hit."

They turned to Audi.

"Wait—me?" Audi blinked.

Dodge smirked. "Go on, Ice Boy. It's yours."

Hesitant, Audi stepped forward and placed his hand on the orb. Instantly, it flared with energy, sending a pulse through his body. His vision blurred as knowledge flooded his mind.

unique [Skill Acquired: ??? (Summon)]

Audi staggered. "Wait… what did I just get?"

it just pop on my head. "It says it's a Summon skill?"

Dodge shrugged. "Only one way to find out."

Audi thought back to the Big Bad Wolf's ability to summon minions. Maybe that was the key?

Taking a deep breath, he clenched his fist and shouted—

"Summon!"

For a moment, nothing happened.

Then—

A pulse of dark energy erupted from him, shaking the dungeon floor. The air grew thick with the scent of blood.

Crunch. Snap. Crack.

From the corpses of their fallen recruits, something stirred.

Dodge's breath caught. "No way…"

Hundred gripped his blade. "Audi, what the hell did you just do?"

The three dead recruits—motionless moments ago—twitched. Their limbs jerked unnaturally as they rose. Though their wounds remained, their eyes burned with an eerie green glow.

A sharp, ice-cold sensation shot through Audi's skull.

Memories resurfaced.

He had done this before.

Not as Audi.

But as a Lich.

Not just any Lich—a General of Magic.

Flashes of past battles filled his mind. He remembered the dark rituals, the endless wars, the moment he ascended to General rank—the price he paid to obtain it.

To reach that level, one had to kill a Legendary Hero.

And yet… he remembered his own downfall.

Not at the hands of a Hero.

Not against a mighty warrior.

But against a party of inexperienced adventurers.

A voice snapped him back to reality. "Audi! Are you hearing me?!"

His gaze lifted. The undead recruits stood motionless, awaiting orders.

Hundred and Dodge exchanged uneasy glances.

Hundred narrowed his eyes. "You're… no ordinary adventurer, are you?"

Audi hesitated. He wasn't sure who he even was anymore.

One thing was certain—

They had entered this dungeon as a party of five.

Now, only two remained.

They had lost three recruits… but Audi had gained three new allies.

A deep unease settled over him. If he could summon the dead… what else was buried inside him?

He exhaled and clenched his fist. "Unsummon."

At once, the undead recruits dissolved into black smoke, vanishing as if they had never existed.

Hundred and Dodge stared in stunned silence.

Audi forced a grin. "Well… I guess that works."

As they left the dungeon, the weight of the battle lingered.

They had lost three recruits.

But Audi had gained something far more dangerous.

Rolling his shoulders, he smirked. "Guess I'm ready for Floor 5."