The underground corridor now felt like another world—not just because of the darkness that swallowed every corner, but because of the will of a single man, Raden Dharma, who continued to survive alone in the midst of madness.
His steps were heavy. Sweat mixed with blood ran down his temple. His breath was ragged, but his eyes remained sharp. In his hand, the Ebon Dagger had lost its shine. The blade had dulled after countless clashes with monsters. But Raden wasn't finished yet.
"Still... not enough," he muttered.
His current level: 80.
Still far from level 100. A number that seemed impossible without long, painful battles.
In the distance, footsteps echoed.
Fangbeasts. Not one or two, but five of them.
These weren't normal Fangbeasts either. They were larger, with glowing purple veins across their bodies. Mutated. Evolved versions of the monsters that had nearly killed him before.
"Three... no. Five," Raden steadied himself.
He took a deep breath and activated Void Step. In a flash, he vanished and reappeared in the middle of the pack. His dagger stabbed into the neck of one beast, and at the same time, he activated Shadow Split.
A shadow clone of himself emerged from the ground, blocking the claw of another. But the third Fangbeast slammed into him from the side. Raden crashed into the stone wall, scattering debris.
HP: 510 / 880
"Haah... Haah... Focus. I can do this..." he gasped.
He immediately used Void Slash—a sweeping shadow strike that cut through two monsters at once.
+270 EXP
+270 EXP
Dark blood splattered across his body. But two more monsters were still raging.
Stamina: 140 / 460
"If I run out of stamina… it's over."
He jumped onto a large boulder. The fourth Fangbeast charged, but Raden baited it into smashing into the wall. Stones fell, crushing the monster's back. Raden plunged his dagger into its throat.
+270 EXP
"One more."
The last one waited. It was cautious, watching Raden from a distance. Raden did the same.
Then, a grin formed on his face.
"Well then... I'll go first."
He used Void Step—appearing behind the beast. But it spun and struck him with its horns. He was sent flying again. HP: 70
"Ugh... I need to end this."
Void Slash. Shadow Split.
A combined shadow attack surged forward, hitting the monster dead on. Finally, it fell.
+270 EXP
LEVEL UP! Lv. 81 EXP: 120 / 900
---
Several hours later...
Raden kept moving. Monster after monster fell before him—Lurkers, Goblin Shamans, even Undying Bugs, armored creatures like demonic scorpions.
LEVEL UP! Lv. 90 EXP: 220 / 990
His HP was rarely full. Only two potions left. Half stamina. But Raden didn't stop.
He found a large room, like an arena.
Inside were a group of Goblin Shamans, encircling a blue flame. They were in the middle of a ritual.
Raden narrowed his eyes.
Seven of them.
"Trouble. But... also a huge opportunity."
With Void Step, he appeared in their center and unleashed a spinning Void Slash. Five of them died instantly.
The remaining two fired a fireball and a lightning bolt. Raden dove behind a large rock, activating Shadow Split to distract them. He threw his dagger—right into one shaman's chest.
The last tried to flee.
Raden chased. No mercy. One final Void Slash ended it.
LEVEL UP! Lv. 95 EXP: 500 / 1040
---
Two hours later...
Raden's hands were trembling. His body was covered in wounds, but his resolve burned brighter.
Six mutated Fangbeasts. Four Undying Bugs. Five more Shamans.
LEVEL UP! Lv. 99 EXP: 780 / 1080
He gasped. A hallway stretched before him.
"One more level... and I'll see if all this was worth it."
He stepped forward, slowly. Each movement weighed heavy.
Suddenly, a monster dropped from above—Wyrmlet, a giant earth serpent with armored scales and venomous fangs.
A fierce battle began.
Void Slash bounced off. Shadows weren't enough to pierce it.
But Raden spun, leapt, and drove his dagger into the Wyrmlet's eye.
Then, he backed off—used Void Step—and slashed its head clean off.
+1200 EXP
LEVEL UP! Lv. 100
---
[CLASS EVOLUTION TRIGGERED]
[Voidblade Class evolves to: Voidblade: Awakened]
[New Skills Unlocked: Shadow Armory, Void Dash]
> Voidblade: Awakened – "The shadows grow stronger. Now capable of summoning weapons from the void. Teleportation range increased."
Explanation:
"Shadows grow stronger" → Shadow attacks now deal more damage and last longer.
"Summon weapons from the void" → Raden can now conjure weapons directly from shadows.
"Teleportation range increased" → Void Step and similar skills now reach much farther, improving mobility and tactics.
Raden stood still.
His body felt lighter. His hands shimmered. Shadows rippled around him.
He raised a hand—and from the darkness, a sword emerged.
"This... is my new power?" he whispered in awe.
The shadow beneath him moved like ink. In an instant, he vanished—and reappeared 20 meters ahead.
Void Dash.
"I am no longer just a shadow...
I am its master."
Grinning, he surged forward—cutting down two Goblins who lurked ahead. Shadow Armory gave him a second dagger—then a shadowy bow.
LEVEL UP! Lv. 102
---
A few hours later...
With his new power, Raden slaughtered monsters that once nearly killed him.
LEVEL UP! Lv. 110 EXP: 20 / 1190
He now stood atop a mountain of corpses.
His breath steady.
His eyes no longer heavy with pressure—but focused and hungry.
Raden smiled.
"The first step is done. Now...
Who's next on my list?"