Chapter 8: Zombie Dungeon!
I returned home after my conversation with Koneko. She had insisted she needed to inform Rias about what she'd seen, which I understood but still felt uneasy about.
….
The Next Day:
Koneko's POV:
I stood in Rias's office, explaining everything from last night. Her expression remained calm, but I could see the wheels turning in her head.
"So, you're saying that Shiro did all of this?" Rias asked, her tone measured.
I nodded. "Yes. But he told me he doesn't want to become a devil. He said he'll help us if we ever need him, though."
Rias leaned back in her chair, her crimson hair cascading over her shoulders. "I see. Well, I suppose we should formally introduce ourselves to him. Is he at school today?"
I shook my head, frowning. "No, he didn't come. It worries me. He always acts like he's expecting to get hit for the smallest things. And… I just have a bad feeling."
Rias's thoughtful expression softened slightly as she motioned for me to sit beside her on the couch. I obeyed, unsure of what she was about to say.
"You're worried about him," she observed. "What do you think is going on?"
I hesitated, gathering my thoughts. "I think… I think he might be getting abused. I don't have any real proof, but the way he reacts—it's like he's bracing himself for punishment. The first time I caught him doing something wrong, he closed his eyes and waited, as if expecting me to hit him. When I asked why he was afraid, he said he thought I was going to hurt him. Later, I joked that he wasn't worth the trouble he gets into, and he said, 'I'm not worth shit.'" I clenched my fists, frustration and concern bubbling to the surface. "I can't prove it, but I just feel like something's wrong."
Rias sighed, her gaze thoughtful but understanding. "Koneko, I know you're worried about him. And I trust your instincts. But if you don't have proof, it's best to wait for him to come to you. He said he'd tell you when he's ready, didn't he?"
I nodded reluctantly. "Yeah."
"Then trust him for now," Rias said gently. "But listen, the student council should have more information about him by Friday. That's two days from now. If you want, we can go together to look into his records. I won't force you to come, but I'll be going."
Her offer reassured me somewhat. "Okay," I agreed quietly.
….
Shiro's POV:
I lay under my covers, staring blankly at the ceiling. Sleep had been far from restful last night. I had dreamt of them again—the ones who left scars on me, not just physically but deep in my mind.
I couldn't bring myself to go to school today. No matter how strong I get, I know the truth. I'm weak—a disgrace. That thought echoed in my head like a cruel mantra, refusing to fade.
….
Later That Day:
Feeling slightly better, I decided to distract myself with training. I accessed my Instant Dungeon ability, hoping to push myself further.
[System Notification: New Dungeon Options Available.]
The interface now displayed multiple new options, each with intriguing descriptions. One caught my eye immediately:
[Vampire's Castle]
A daunting dungeon where players can face powerful vampire enemies. Rewards include:
• Rare Ring (Class B–S)
• Rare Amulet (Class B–S)
• Vampire's Ring (Class S)
• Vampire's Crown (Class S)
My gaze lingered on the description. An S-class ring and crown? Those rewards could be a game-changer.
Curiosity got the better of me, and I scrolled to examine the other dungeon options, eager to see what challenges awaited me next.
[Zombie's Castle: Dungeon Description]
This castle is overrun with hordes of zombies. Beware of zombie archers lurking in the shadows. Possible rewards include:
• Rare Bow (Class B–S)
• Rare Sword (Class B–S)
• Rare materials from the dungeon's hidden beast.
Without hesitation, I selected the Zombie's Castle dungeon.
….
Inside the Dungeon
I stood amidst a sea of fallen undead, panting slightly. Every zombie in the castle had been eradicated, their bodies strewn across the crumbling stone floors. The last archer had been particularly annoying, but I managed to cut it down without a scratch.
"Finally," I muttered, pulling out a stamina potion. Despite not using any magic or taking any damage, the relentless wave of enemies had left me drained. I tilted the bottle back, the cool liquid revitalizing me instantly.
Just as I lowered the bottle, a blood-red message flashed before my eyes:
[WARNING: BOSS APPROACHING.]
My stomach sank as the room darkened, an oppressive energy filling the air.
"Great, just what I needed," I grumbled, gripping my sword tightly.
A massive black magic circle appeared on the ground before me, pulsating with malevolent energy. From its depths emerged a towering dragon, its skeletal frame wreathed in dark flames.
"This is just ridiculous," I muttered, staring up at the creature. "A dragon? Really?"
The undead dragon let out a deafening roar that shook the very foundation of the castle.
[Observe Activated.]
• Name: ???
• Race: Undead Dragon
• Title: Dungeon Boss
• Level: 60
• HP: 10,000/10,000
• MP: 10,000/10,000
• Stamina: 2,500/2,500
I barely had time to finish reading the stats before the dragon launched a massive wave of black flames in my direction.
"Crap!" I dove to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack. Summoning my sword, I darted forward and slashed at its tail with all my strength, severing it cleanly.
The dragon screeched in pain, swinging its massive claw at me. The impact sent me skidding across the room, slamming into the wall.
"Not fair!" I shouted, struggling to my feet. I activated Sparks, sending a surge of lightning coursing toward the dragon. The magic struck its skeletal frame, causing it to writhe in agony.
[Dragon HP: 5,317/10,000.]
Encouraged by the result, I alternated between Sparks and Flames, keeping the pressure on. The combination seemed effective, but my confidence faltered when I felt something sharp pierce my back.
I turned to see a lone zombie, one I had somehow missed during my initial sweep. "Damn it!" I growled, driving my sword through its head. The zombie crumpled to the ground, but the brief distraction was enough for the dragon to prepare another attack.
A massive fireball, far larger than any of its previous attacks, hurtled toward me.
I had no time to dodge. The blast struck me directly, sending me crashing into the far wall. A crater formed behind me as I slumped to the ground, my body screaming in pain.
"Alright," I muttered, forcing myself to my feet. "Time to end this."
Summoning every ounce of magical power I had left, I channeled it into my sword. Flames erupted along the blade, the heat so intense that it turned blue. The air shimmered as the temperature rose, and I could feel my magic reserves rapidly depleting.
The dragon roared, charging toward me, its hollow eyes burning with fury.
Raising my sword above my head, I unleashed all my energy into one final attack.
"SUPER NOVA SLASH!" I roared, bringing the blade down in a wide arc.
A wave of brilliant blue flames surged from the sword, cutting through the dragon with devastating force. The creature froze mid-step, its body split cleanly in two.
For a moment, silence filled the room. Then, the dragon's remains erupted in a fiery explosion, consuming the battlefield in a brilliant blaze.
Exhausted, I activated Instant Dungeon Escape, collapsing onto my bed as soon as I returned home.
For the first time in a long while, I fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.
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Hey guys even though we didn't cross 100 power stones but here is the chapter… enjoy….:):):):)