The Forest of the Wolf King grew darker as the trio pushed deeper, the shafts of sunlight barely piercing the dense canopy above. Their boots crunched over the damp leaves and moss, every sound echoing faintly in the stillness. Even the wind seemed to hold its breath.

  They had fought through several scattered monster groups—stray wolves, lone goblins, and a few scattered patrols. Each battle had sharpened their rhythm as a team.

  [3 Goblin Warriors Defeated.]

  [4 Lesser Wolves Defeated.]

  [Experience shared within the party.]

  [Level Up! – Sora Lawrence – Level 3.]

  Sora leaned on her staff, brushing damp strands of hair from her face. “Three already… feels like the monsters here just don’t stop coming.”

  “They won’t,” Veldora said, tightening the straps on his shield. “This is a dungeon. Monsters here spawn until the boss is defeated, or until we retreat out from the entrance.”

  Ciel, walking at the front, glanced over his shoulder. “Keep sharp. We’re close to something stronger… I can feel it.”

  The oppressive air ahead confirmed his instincts. The trio stepped into a wide clearing, its edges lined with jagged roots and half-buried bones. From the far side, a towering goblin emerged—its iron armor crudely hammered, its weapon a jagged great sword with dried blood caked along its edge. It stood nearly twice the height of a normal goblin, its yellow eyes glowing like hot coals.

  [Mini-Boss: Goblin Captain – Level 8.]

  Sora’s grip on her staff tightened. “That’s no regular goblin…”

  “No,” Ciel said, voice low. “Mini-bosses are stronger than normal monsters. They have higher stats compared to other monsters of the same level. Their job is to test us before we face the true boss.”

  “And hard mode makes this worse,” Veldora muttered, adjusting his stance. “Its stats might be closer to a Level 12 monster.”

  “Then we hit it first,” Ciel said, raising his hand. A mana-forged blade shimmered into existence, its edge honed like ice. “defensive Formation. I’ll pressure it from the side. Veldora, keep it locked on you.”

  Veldora nodded, stepping forward, shield raised. “Let’s do this.”

  The Goblin Captain roared, stomping forward with a speed that belied its bulky frame. Veldora braced himself, shouting, “Taunt!”

  The goblin’s attention snapped to him, its great sword descending in a brutal arc. The shield caught the blow, but the impact sent Veldora skidding back several feet, his arm trembling from the sheer force. “Damn… that hit like a boulder!”

  Sora reacted quickly. “Chaos Bolt!” A twisting spear of black and violet mana shot forward, smashing into the goblin’s shoulder. It staggered but did not slow down.

  Ciel darted in, his mana blade striking with precision, carving a shallow gash across its chest. “Keep its focus on you, Veldora!”

  “Trying!” Veldora yelled, but the goblin was relentless. It pivoted suddenly, swinging its great sword in a wide arc. Veldora raised his shield, but the force was overwhelming—the blade cut through his shield, cutting into his upper arm.

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  “Agh!” Veldora cried out, falling back. His shield arm was bleeding, the crimson soaking into his sleeve.

  “Veldora!” Sora shouted, firing another Chaos Bolt to push the goblin back.

  Ciel froze for a moment. A flash of anger surged in him—sharp and hot. Something inside him snapped. He clenched his fist, his domain flaring to life, his mana blade crackling like lightning.

  “You dare hurt my friend,” he said, his voice low and cold. “That was your last mistake leading to your demise.”

  He didn’t wait for a response. Without hesitation, Ciel charged straight at the goblin, ignoring its counterattack. The great sword whistled through the air, but Ciel shifted just enough to let it pass before driving his blade deep into the creature’s side. The force of his strike, amplified by his honed Mana Craft, made the goblin roar in pain.

  He slashed again and again, each movement fluid and unrelenting. His strikes were sharper, faster—there was no hesitation now, only precision fueled by anger. The goblin tried to retaliate, but Ciel was already gone, shifting past its guard and cutting through its hamstrings.

  With one final upward slash, his mana blade cleaved through the goblin’s neck. Its body crumbled, dissolving into motes of light.

  [Mini-Boss – Goblin Captain Defeated.]

  [Experience shared within the party.]

  [Level Up! – Veldora Greyson – Level 4.]

  [Loot Obtained: White mana stone x 1]

  Ciel let the mana blade dissolve, his breathing heavy but controlled. He turned back to Veldora, his eyes still sharp. “Are you alright?”

  Veldora grimaced as he pulled out a healing potion from his inventory, uncorking it. The liquid glowed faintly as he drink it , the pain dulling instantly. “Yeah… I’ll live. Damn thing nearly took my arm off though. I should’ve been able to block that.”

  Sora placed a hand on his shoulder. “It’s not your fault. Mini-bosses are made to break through defenses. You held your ground.”

  Veldora gave a small nod but looked away, clearly frustrated. “I’m the tank… I should protect you both. Instead, I got cut open like a dumb kid.”

  “You protected us,” Ciel said firmly. “If you hadn’t intercepted, Sora or I might have taken that hit and it would have been fatal for us, you soaked the damage which we couldn't.”

  The trio moved to a resting point, catching their breath. The oppressive presence of the dungeon boss loomed further ahead. Ciel stood quietly for a moment, thinking of Veldora’s bleeding arm and the near miss they had just endured.

  “This ends now,” Ciel said suddenly, his tone carrying an edge that silenced both Sora and Veldora. “When we reach the boss… I’ll fight it alone.”

  “What?” Sora looked at him as though he’d gone mad. “Ciel, you can’t—”

  “I can.” His gaze was steady, unwavering. “I’m not risking either of you getting hurt. That goblin was only a mini-boss. The Wolf King will be far worse.”

  “Then we fight it together!” Veldora said sharply. “What’s the point of a party if you throw yourself into danger alone? Do you think we are a burden you have to carry?”

  Ciel’s voice lowered, almost a whisper. “Because if something happens to you two, I won’t forgive myself. You guys are not a burden it is just that the dungeon is well past your levels.”

  There was a moment of silence. Even Sora hesitated at the sincerity in his words. “You’re serious. Aren't you?”

  “I am.” He looked ahead, his jaw tight. “To be honest I’ve been holding back this entire time I haven’t even used 20% of my full power. Trust me—this is the safest way.”

  Veldora replied “you are not bluffing. are you?”

  Ciel simply shook his head.

  They stepped into the heart of the dungeon. A faint mist rolled over the clearing, and heavy paw steps echoed from the shadows. The Dire Wolf King emerged, its pitch-black fur streaked with silver, its crimson eyes glowing with malice. It stood nearly three meters tall, its fangs gleaming like knives.

  [Boss Monster Detected: Dire Wolf King – Level 10.]

  [Objective: Defeat the Dungeon Boss.]

  The air trembled with the beast’s growl.

  “Stay here,” Ciel said quietly. “I’ll handle this.”

  Before they could argue further, he raised his hand. “Realm Seize.”

  A swirl of blue energy enveloped the Dire Wolf King, and in an instant, the creature vanished—pulled into Ciel’s realm.

  “What… just happened?” Sora whispered, eyes wide.

  Ciel looked back at them. “Wait here. I’ll be back soon.”

  And then, with a blink, he vanished too.

  “Your end is here,” Ciel muttered as he stepped into his realm, facing the Dire Wolf King with cold, unwavering eyes but raging inside.