The dungeon pulsed with silence.
Steam still hissed from the scorched stones where the boss had fallen. The shimmering rewards hovered in the air—awaiting claim.
The moment Raven's fingers brushed the pulsing heart, everything changed.
[Class Awakening Initiated…]
[Detected Class: Ashen Warlord ]
[Warning: Cellular Reconstruction in Progress…]
"Raven—" Alex stepped forward, but it was too late.
Raven's body convulsed violently as glowing heat erupted from his chest. Flames wrapped around him like armor, burrowing into skin and bone. His muscles spasmed, bones shifted, blood ignited with unnatural light.
He dropped to his knees, teeth clenched in agony.
The heat from his body radiated outward in waves.
Alex shielded his eyes.
Then—
A voice echoed from the entrance behind them.
Cold. Controlled.
"Fascinating. I arrived just in time."
Alex turned.
The man was already inside the chamber. Sea-blue armor, flowing like liquid metal. His presence dampened the air, the floor slick with moisture. His hair was neatly combed back, and his expression—empty.
Fang.
The Fang insignia burned across his chestplate.
The temperature plummeted.
Alex instinctively stepped between the Fang and Raven, whose body still burned, eyes closed, locked in transformation.
"Hahaha," the Fang laughed mockingly, casually drawing a sword that shimmered with swirling liquid. "you seriously trying to protect him? So laughable. Oh I have seen you. Your posters. So you killed someone in our town and now you have infiltrated the dungeon. Where did you get that much guts from? And the most funny thing is you are level 10 worm..without class"
Alex was silent as always. His heart pounded. His injuries from the dungeon boss still throbbed, but there was no choice.
Fang raised his hand. The water blade came fast. Alex ducked, barely missing a cut to the throat. The blade scythed through the stone wall behind him like wet paper.
Alex countered—Dash activated—appearing behind the Fang with his dagger ready.
A clang. The Fang parried it like it was nothing.
Alex grit his teeth and attacked again. He used every ounce of his speed, his honed instincts, his assassin's precision.
He landed a kick to the Fang's ribs—a hard one.
The Fang winced. Just a little.
Then a fist slammed into Alex's stomach.
CRACK.
The impact sent him flying backward.
He hit the ground and rolled, coughing blood.
"You shouldn't be able to fight like this," the Fang said, more intrigued than angry. "You are strong for a level 10. How did you raise your attributes at this level? Doesn't matter, you both are going to die anyway".
Alex stood slowly, wiping blood from his mouth.
He didn't speak.
He just opened his status.
[Attribute Points – 10 ]
He used all unused points evenly except at Intelligent. The surge was instant. His muscles tightened, lungs expanded, nerves sharpened.
[Skill Book: Strength Enhancement → Learn]
He rolled his shoulder once.
And dashed forward again.
The Fang's next attack missed—barely.
Alex slipped under it, slashing deep across the Fang's hip.
Blood spilled.
The Fang blinked.
Then smiled.
"Interesting. You are faster now. You had more unused attributes, didn't you? I am really getting curious now."
They clashed again.
Alex stabbed high, feinted low, used his shadow movement, flipped the dagger mid-swing.
His fighting style wasn't flashy—it was raw. Precise. Efficient.
He didn't waste motion. He didn't waste breath.
The Fang blocked each strike, but not without effort.
"You… fight like a veteran," he muttered, parrying a blow. "But you're only Level 10…"
Another hit. Alex's blade sank into the Fang's shoulder before being knocked away.
WHAM.
A water bullet hit Alex in the leg, forcing him. It almost pierced his leg all the way.
The Fang tilted his head. "You see? This is the difference between class and non-class. You see your friend over there? His body is getting suited to become according to his class. His element. Its not always about attributes."
Alex didn't answer.
He ran forward again limping.
The fang casually fired more water bullets from his finger. Alex barely could barely dodge. He was tired. Bullets hit him all over his body and threw him against the wall. He was losing.
"You should be proud. I am level 21. You have stood against me for this long." the Fang said quietly. "A level 10 who can keep up with me, even for a minute, is a contradiction."
He stepped forward, raising the water blade.
"Now die."
Alex couldn't move.