The soft hum of the secondary Dungeon Core filled the chamber with an ethereal blue light. The stale, musty scent of the dungeon air was tinged faintly with the energy of magic and earth. Ashen's hollow sockets remained fixed on the sleek form of the dungeon wolf, who sat quietly a few feet away, its amber eyes reflecting the glow of the core.
The wolf's fur rippled like shadows dancing in a flickering flame, taut muscles twitching in readiness. Bound by the invisible chains of the Core's magic, the beast was calm but alert — a loyal companion newly forged from the dungeon's wild heart.
"Command accepted: Follow and protect," the Core echoed in Ashen's mind.
Ashen's bony fingers flexed, sensing a subtle but tangible link forming between them, as if a thread of energy connected their very souls. Despite the void where flesh once was, a spark of life stirred inside his hollow frame — fueled by this new alliance.
"Training protocol initiated," the Dungeon Core's voice resonated with quiet authority. "Improvement of physical strength and combat efficiency essential for survival and dungeon evolution."
Ashen shifted his weight on his feet, adopting a tentative fighting stance. His movement was awkward but deliberate — bones grinding faintly as he tested his reinforced joints.
The wolf lowered its stance, muscles coiling like a spring, and then launched forward with a powerful leap.
Ashen barely managed to sidestep the lunging attack, feeling the rush of air as sharp teeth snapped where his ribs would have been.
"Attack evaded: Success."
The Core's voice buzzed approvingly in his mind.
"Counter-attack opportunity detected."
Ashen's fist swung with newfound strength, bone colliding with muscle and fur. The wolf yelped, retreating but unharmed — the attack meant more to test strength than to kill.
The wolf circled Ashen, low growls vibrating in its throat. Its movements were fluid and precise, instinct honed from years surviving in the dungeon's wilds.
Ashen lunged forward, swinging a heavy punch. The wolf dodged and snapped at his wrist.
For a moment, the cold bite of teeth was startling — but Ashen's reinforced bones resisted the pressure.
"Damage received: Negligible."
As the fight progressed, Ashen felt the core's power weaving through his skeleton, strengthening bone and joint alike.
"Strength increased by 5%.""Bone Reinforcement skill upgraded to Lv. 2."
After what felt like hours, the sparring slowed. The wolf sat calmly, panting lightly, and Ashen mimicked the motion as best he could—settling into a resting pose.
The wolf padded over and nudged Ashen's hand with its wet nose. For a moment, the silence was profound — an unspoken communication passing between bone and fur.
"Monster bond strengthening improves dungeon evolution rate," the Core reminded him softly.
Though Ashen was nothing but bones and magic, he felt a strange warmth in that moment. He was no longer alone in the darkness.
The Core encouraged Ashen to push further.
"Next objective: Increase raw strength and unlock combat techniques."
Ashen took the wolf deeper into the chamber, where jagged rocks and broken pillars formed an obstacle course. His task: improve power while maintaining agility.
The wolf darted between the pillars, snapping at the air and leading Ashen on a chase.
Ashen tested new moves — quick bone jabs, powerful swings, and grapples reinforced with Core magic.
Each strike made his bones hum with energy, each dodge smoother and more precise.
A surge of power exploded through Ashen's form.
"Level Up Available. Current Level: 2. Experience: 100/150."
The Core's voice was calm but insistent.
"Allocate skill points."
Ashen's thoughts were clear.
Bone Crushing Strike Lv. 1: A heavy blow designed to smash through armor and stun enemies.
Enhanced Summoning Lv. 1: Increase control range and combat efficiency of summoned monsters.
"Skills acquired."
Ashen tested his new Bone Crushing Strike, smashing a broken pillar with devastating force. The stone shattered, dust and debris scattering.
The wolf growled approvingly and circled back to Ashen, its amber eyes bright with excitement.
The Core's voice filled Ashen's mind again.
"Dungeon core status: Stable. Monster bond strengthening accelerates dungeon evolution."
Ashen stared at his skeletal hand, feeling for the first time that he was more than death. He was a master of this realm, slowly forging his power one bone, one bond, one victory at a time.