Elyno watched the small wolf sniff at the grass, his heart still racing from the night's horrors.
"I can't just call you 'wolf' forever…" he murmured, crouching down. "I think… your name should be Tengri."
The pup lifted its head, pale eyes locking onto his. For a moment, silence hung between them—then Tengri tilted his head and let out a soft, approving whine.
Elyno allowed himself a small smile.
"Good… I'm glad you like it."
But the moment of peace shattered in an instant.
Tengri's ears flattened against his skull. A deep growl rumbled in his throat.
"What is it?" Elyno asked, but the wolf had already lunged forward, paws thudding across the dirt.
"H—hey! Where are you going?"
He sprinted after Tengri, heart hammering. The pup vanished around a thicket of moss-covered rocks—and when Elyno rounded the bend, he nearly tripped over his own feet.
Embedded in the cliff face was a massive cave mouth, black as midnight. From within, a swirling red portal pulsed with eerie light.
His panel flickered:
[View Illustration](https://imgur.com/a/qonGbNV)
A blue notification appeared:
YOU HAVE DISCOVERED A SECRET ANCIENT DUNGEON
"Tengri—wait!"
But Tengri didn't hesitate. With a final glance back, he leapt straight into the portal.
Elyno's breath caught. He swallowed hard—and then ran after him.
The world twisted.
When he blinked, they were standing in a vast stone chamber, the air thick with the smell of damp earth. For a moment, nothing stirred.
Then, from deeper in the dungeon, came the slithering sound of movement.
Shapes pooled across the floor—shimmering blue slimes, dozens of them.
Tengri snarled and lunged forward. Elyno gripped his dagger, throat dry.
"Let's go!"
Side by side, they fought.
The first wave fell quickly—ten slimes bursting into puddles under fang and blade.
A blue panel flared to life:
[SECOND WAVE]
The floor trembled as fifteen parasitic zombies shambled into view. Their milky eyes fixed on him.
Elyno felt panic rising—but this time, he didn't let it drown him. With Tengri ripping into their legs, he struck at exposed skulls and brittle spines.
When the last corpse fell, his panel chimed:
LEVEL UP! (Level 4)
+3 Stat Points
He opened his stats and dumped everything into Agility. His body felt lighter—faster.
But there was no time to rest.
[THIRD WAVE]
A guttural horn blast shook the walls.
Twenty goblins poured into the chamber, their crude swords gleaming.
Tengri pounced, sinking his fangs into one goblin's neck. Another, then another, fell beneath his claws.
But Elyno was slowing. Every swing felt heavier. Every breath scraped his throat.
A goblin's blade flashed. Pain tore across his cheek—a deep, burning cut.
He stumbled back, gasping.
I'm going to die…
A strangled scream tore from his lungs. He spun, bolting around the edges of the room, goblins chasing close behind.
He was too slow—too weak—
A notification flickered:
[Message from ???]
Don't be afraid. Just fight. You will not die.
His steps faltered.
Someone was still watching him.
His hands shook. Blood dripped from his jaw. But he turned.
"…All right."
He charged back into the fray.
Steel clashed. Flesh split. He fought until his arms went numb, until the world blurred with exhaustion.
When the last goblin collapsed, he nearly fell with it.
LEVEL UP! (Level 6)
+4 Stat Points
A soft chime sounded as Tengri padded to his side, fur dark with gore. Above the pup's head:
LEVEL UP! (Level 5)
Elyno's eyes stung with relief.
But before he could speak, a final notification appeared:
[FINAL WAVE – BOSS]
Defeat the Sin of Sloth.
A white-armored figure on a pale warhorse emerged from the darkness. His bloated form gleamed beneath the torchlight. A massive lance rested in one swollen hand.
Elyno's gaze shot to the status panel:
[Level 20 – Sloth]
"…Twenty?"
His stomach lurched.
I can't—
The Sin spurred its horse forward.
"No—no, no—"
Elyno turned and sprinted for the portal.
"Tengri, come on!"
The wolf followed without hesitation.
The lance sliced the air behind them, so close he felt the wind of it on his neck.
They dove through the red light.
The dungeon dissolved.
He collapsed onto the mossy forest floor, gasping. Tengri lay beside him, panting.
The blue panel appeared once more, steady and calm:
PLEASE SELECT A CLASS
Warrior – Master powerful swords and close combat.
Assassin – Specialize in daggers and stealth.
Support – Heal and empower your allies.
Mage – Cast spells and control mana.
He reached for Mage—but the text dimmed.
LOCKED – Intelligence and Mana too low.
Support flickered with the same lock.
Warrior…
I'm too weak to fight head-on…
His hand hovered over the final option.
Assassin.
He pressed it.
A cool sensation rushed through his veins, as if shadows themselves accepted him.
He closed his eyes.
I will survive. I will grow stronger. No matter what.
I'm Era. I write two chapters every day. If you enjoyed this story, please follow and support it. I've read countless manhwa and manga—and though I wish I could create a comic version, I don't have the drawing skills. I hope you enjoy this journey.