The Demon of Desire: the rise of the slum rat

The day after their return to the guild, Mikhael found himself standing on the outskirts of the city, Koneko and Kael at his side. The weight of his new rank hung lightly on his shoulders, but the real weight came from the system's newest challenge.

[Quest: Ascension of the Pieces]

Objective: Reach Level 40 through the Dungeon Instance.

Conditions:

Survive and conquer the unique dungeon environment. Eliminate the dungeon boss.

Rewards: First Evil Piece unlocked. Enhanced artifact synchronization. 10,000 experience points.*

The interface disappeared as Mikhael closed it, his crimson eyes fixed on the shimmering portal before them. Its edges glowed faintly, and the energy swirling within shimmered like molten silver.

"What's the deal with this... thing?" Kael asked, gesturing to the portal.

Mikhael's response came with practiced ease, concealing the truth of the system. "It's a family trial. When we reach a certain age, we're sent into something like this. A test of strength and survival."

Koneko's ears twitched. "And how long does it last?"

"Depends," Mikhael replied. "Time works differently inside—about twenty times faster than out here. A month in there is a little over a day out here."

Kael frowned. "And you want us to come with you?"

"You'll be fine," Mikhael said, smirking. "Think of it as a chance to level up."

Kael sighed. "I hate that you make this sound so simple."

Entering the Dungeon Instance

As they stepped into the portal, a rush of energy enveloped them, pulling them into a different world. The sensation was disorienting at first—like falling without gravity—but it passed quickly.

When the light faded, they found themselves in a vast jungle, its dense canopy casting dappled shadows over the moss-covered ground. The air was thick with humidity, and the distant calls of unseen creatures echoed through the trees.

"Welcome to the trial," Mikhael said, his voice low.

Koneko's golden eyes scanned their surroundings. "This doesn't feel like a trial. It feels... alive."

Kael knelt, inspecting the ground. "This isn't just any jungle. The mana here is dense, almost suffocating. This place is crawling with monsters."

"Good," Mikhael said, drawing his blade. "We need the experience."

First Encounter

They hadn't been walking for long when the jungle erupted with movement. From the shadows emerged a pack of reptilian creatures, their scales shimmering like liquid metal. Each one stood nearly six feet tall, their clawed hands and elongated jaws bristling with sharp teeth.

"Velocis," Kael said, recognizing the creatures. "Fast, vicious, and coordinated. Perfect."

The pack lunged as one, their movements a blur.

Mikhael activated Shadow Step, vanishing and reappearing behind the lead Veloci. His blade struck true, slicing through the creature's spine in a burst of dark energy.

Koneko darted forward, her claws gleaming as she targeted another Veloci's legs. The creature stumbled, hissing in pain before she delivered a finishing blow to its throat.

Kael hung back, hurling glowing orbs at the remaining creatures. The explosions sent them scattering, allowing Mikhael to pick them off one by one.

Within minutes, the pack was reduced to lifeless husks, their bodies dissolving into faint wisps of energy that seeped into Mikhael and his companions.

System Notification: Progress Update

As the battle ended, a familiar interface appeared in Mikhael's vision:

[System Notification: Level Progress]

Experience Earned: 1,500

Current Level: 21 → 22

Mikhael felt the surge of power as his body adjusted to the level-up. He quickly allocated his stat points:

Strength: +5 Agility: +5 Durability: +5

Koneko stretched, her ears twitching. "That wasn't too bad."

Kael snorted. "Speak for yourself. I'm not built for close combat."

"Then stay out of the way," Mikhael said, smirking.

The Jungle's Secrets

The group pressed deeper into the jungle, encountering increasingly dangerous creatures. Giant insects with razor-sharp legs, venomous serpents with glowing fangs, and even a massive, plant-like beast that nearly swallowed Kael whole.

Each battle pushed them to their limits, forcing Mikhael to rely more on the artifact's power. Its whispers grew louder with every fight, urging him to take more, to use more.

"Control it," Koneko said softly after one particularly brutal encounter. "Don't let it control you."

Mikhael nodded, her words grounding him.

The Dungeon Boss

After nearly three weeks in the dungeon's accelerated time, they reached a massive clearing where the jungle gave way to a field of blackened stone. At its center stood a towering creature, its body a fusion of reptilian and insectoid features. Its glowing red eyes locked onto the group as it let out a deafening roar.

"That's the boss," Mikhael said, his voice steady. "Stay sharp."

The creature charged, its massive claws tearing through the ground as it moved.

Mikhael activated Charge, his blade flashing as he met the creature head-on. He targeted its glowing veins, disrupting its movements and forcing it back.

Koneko and Kael worked together to flank the creature, their coordinated strikes chipping away at its defenses.

But the boss was relentless, its regeneration faster than anything they had faced before.

Unleashing the Artifact

As the battle dragged on, Mikhael felt the artifact's power surge, its whispers growing louder and more insistent.

"Take it... claim its strength... prove your worth..."

Mikhael hesitated, but a glance at Koneko and Kael—both battered but determined—spurred him on.

He activated Amplify, pouring his energy into the artifact blade. The weapon flared with dark light as Mikhael delivered a powerful strike to the creature's core.

The impact shattered the boss's defenses, leaving it vulnerable to a final, coordinated assault.

Victory and Reward

As the boss collapsed, its body disintegrated into glowing fragments that filled the clearing with a blinding light.

[System Notification: Quest Progress]

Dungeon Boss Defeated.

Experience Earned: 50,000.

Current Level: 22 → 28.

Mikhael exhaled, the rush of leveling up filling him with renewed strength. He quickly allocated his new stat points, feeling the weight of the dungeon's trials lift slightly.

Koneko and Kael approached, both visibly exhausted but victorious.

"We did it," Koneko said, her golden eyes shining.

Kael smirked faintly. "Barely."

Mikhael sheathed his blade, the artifact's whispers finally quiet. "It's not over yet. We've still got more levels to climb."

The chapter ends with the group pressing forward, the dungeon's challenges growing more daunting with every step.