A large group of elves. Probably ten or twenty laid on the ground—bones mangled and broken. Some of their arms were even cut off.
Ji Won and Seo Jaehyun were mostly unharmed—a few cuts and bruises on their bodies but apart from that. They remained uninjured.
Ji Won sat on a tree stump—holding his head in his hands. His breathing ragged and quick. Like he had been underwater.
Seeing this, Seo Jaehyun ran a hand through his hair—staring at Ji Won with a mix of frustration and sympathy.
After all.
They were processing that they had just taken a life. But Ji Won seemed a bit more panicked and more guilty than Seo Jaehyun.
"It's fine. Ji Won. We did what we had to. Its kill or be killed. Lets just find the boss and get out of here."
Seo Jaehyun's voice was a bit more comforting then it was before—it looked like he was trying to make Ji Won get out off the pit he had put himself in.
Ji Won didn't reply immediately. Instead he took in a sharp—deep yet still shaky breath.
"I guess you're right.. Let's just clear this damned dungeon.."
Ji Won stood up—his whole body feeling like hands were trying to pull it into the ground but he resisted. A fire of determination and focus igniting within his chest—one that made him walk and take step after step.
I need to be strong... I just unlocked a system no one has.. Train, Clear dungeons...That's what I need. Nothing else is important
Seo Jaehyun's eyes flickered towards Ji Won. Noting the change in his expression but he didn't comment on it—he knew taking a life could change any normal man.
They heard a sound coming from deeper within the forest—their eyes immediately snapping towards the general direction of the sound.
It was like drums, maniacal and distorted laughter—and.. Metal bangles clinking and clanking together, almost in a harmony. Like something was dancing alone in the darkness.
They walked towards in silence, the crimson snow beneath them didn't crunch—instead it squelched like they were stepping on flesh but they weren't disgusted.
A system notification appeared in front of Ji Won. Just briefly enough for him to read it contents.
[Congratulations! You've Unlocked A New AB-Rank Skill! Mind Of A General (level:1)! Your Thinking Speed Rises To Unprecedented Levels! Your Mental Toughness Rises And So Does Your Planning!]
He shut the screen off—feeling the effects of the skill already settle into his mind. His fears, guilts all cleared up within a few moments—his brain thinking and processing sensations at a million miles per hour.
Sae Jaehyun also had a system notification appear in front of him, the green holographic screen floating in front of him.
[Congratulations! You've Unlocked A New A-Rank Skill! Lion's Roar (level:1)! Using This Skill Allows You To Invoke Fear In Your Enemies And Increase Morale of Allies!]
Ji Won tried peeking at Sae Jaehyun's screen but to him—it was just an empty hologram that floated in front of Sae Jaehyun.
I guess that my screen also looked like that to him. That's why he didn't question why I got a higher rank skill than him.
Ji Won contemplated whether or not this skill was really—worth it. But his thoughts were quickly cut off. The duo reaching a clearing in the woods.
There it was.
A giant slim red elf with flowy white hair and glowing red eyes—it didn't look that brutish.
It was dressed in an ancient black robe that looked like it held the memories of a hundred elven generations, its edges tattered and they seemed to be rotting.
Its hair was glistening despite their being no moon—no sun in the dungeon realm. Anything of that sort.
It had a giant grin spread across its lips, revealing all of its sharp teeth that were more like the jaws of a Piranha and not a humanoid being.
The makeshift bangles it was wearing on its ankles and wrists were tight. Like chains—and they truly were like that. Interconnected with a small yet durable metal chain.
It danced manically and wildly—its eyes going to the back of its head as it enjoyed itself.
Ji Won remained calm and stoic, but a slow unease trickled down his spine—like drinking hot water on a hot summer day.. Wrong. Just wrong.
The boss... Its unpredictable. The new skill—it works on logic that's why I'm feeling a bit strange...
Sae Jaenhyun on the other hand was both terrified and thrilled—his daggers were already ready to go. A small—shaky yet still confident smirk spread across his face.
"Ji Won-"
Ji Won shut up quickly—putting a hand on Sae Jaenhyun's mouth-
But He Was Too Late.
The Dungeon Boss stopped its dance as it started to vibrate its arms wildly—to make the bangles and chains on them jingle. It seemed to enjoy the sound.
Its neck slowly turned towards Ji Won And Sae Jaenhyun as its mouth slowly closed.
Its expression turned.. Serious? No.. Thirsty. Thirst for blood.
"Children.. Children of the outside, stained in my families blood.."
It spoke. It actually spoke. Its voice was far too calm, too polite to be one that belonged to a monster.
Ji Won's eyes widened—so did Sae Jaehyun's but. Ji Won did remain a bit more composed, even though his knees were shaking. Almost buckling under his weight.
"I shall kill you. I am in need of new clothing articles. I shall carve them out of your very flesh.."
Its neck cracked and popped as its body fully turned to face them both. Its head remaining in one place—like that of an owl.
"I WILL MAKE YOUR VEINS THE VERY THREADS THAT HOLD MY CLOTHES TOGETHER! I WILL MAKE YOUR BRAIN AND MEMORIES MY FOOD-"
It was cut off as both Ji Won and Sae Jaehyun lunged at him—weapons in hand and prepared to fight.
The elf grinned—it charged right back at them both. The sound of drums and twisted music following it's movements.
Ji Won cleaved at its side with his broadsword but it dodged with ease—its agility nothing to scoff at.
Sae Jaehyun tried to attempt a sneak attack on it—appearing behind the elf with his daggers aimed at its neck but-
The elf bit down on the dagger. Its head twisting upside down—grinning as it did so. The bones inside cracking and turning unnaturally. Visible from above the skin.
It sucked the blood out from the dagger—making it shrivel up as Sae Jaehyun tried to kick it away. But the boss resisted grabbing onto both of Sae Jaehyun's feet and tackling him to the ground.
The Elf headbutted Sae Jaehyun—but. Before it could unleash more attacks, Sae Jaehyun spat blood onto its face.
"What shall that do child?"
Sae Jaehyun chuckled at the elf's question as he finally kicked the elf off of him—the blood pouring from his finger making the dagger revert to its original state.
"Nothing just distract you—"
The Elf grinned as it knew exactly what would happen in that moment of distraction, Ji Won hacked at its back—leaving a massive wound that bled with a black blood that smelled of nothing but garbage.
It laughed in pain jumping away as the red snow below soaked its blood—red, fleshy flowers sprouting from the snow where the blood fell as they started releasing a glitter of sorts—that sparkled in the dim lighting.
It felt like Ji Won and Sae Jaehyun were just forced into a choke-hold—their throats closed up and their eyes watered—blurring their vision as the elf slowly approached.
It dragged a thin red makeshift sword behind it—leaving a trail in the snow from which even more flowers sprouted.
"Tell me how the Grand Shaman in hell greets you."
It dashed forward, sword aimed at Sae Jaehyun's neck—blade flashing with different shades of red.
For the first time, Sae Jaenhyun thought that..
It Might Truly Be The End