The Hidden Monster of House Vale

Lucien and Seraphina stood in the guardian's chamber, the air thick with the metallic scent of blood and the lingering echoes of battle. The massive throne loomed behind them, carved from obsidian and adorned with skulls of beasts long forgotten. Seraphina's heart still raced from her near-death experience, but something had shifted within her—a crack in the armor of selflessness that had defined her existence.

A short while ago, she had been moments away from death.

Now she was standing beside the person she had once lost.

Lucien looked at her and asked calmly,

"So... how do you want to deal with this situation?"

Seraphina immediately understood what he meant.

The other groups had already entered the dungeon.

They had taken the relics and treasures while she fought the guardian.

Her expression became thoughtful.

"I want the relics and artifacts of this dungeon."

She didn't hesitate.

"But if they already took everything, they probably won't share it."

She frowned.

"And their numbers are large. If we force them, what about their families? What if they create problems for us after we leave the Ancient Breach?"

Her thoughts continued to spiral.

She was thinking about consequences.

About enemies.

About families.

About everything except herself.

Lucien watched her for a moment.

Lucien stepped closer, his finger pressing gently against her lips. The touch was warm, unexpected, and it silenced her immediately.

"Sera, you talk too much. And you think too much about others as well."

His golden eyes held hers, unwavering. "My question is simple—do you want the relics?"

Seraphina's breath caught. She had always been the dutiful daughter, the responsible clan member, the one who put family above all else.

But she had stared into the abyss of death only moments ago. She had seen her life flash before her eyes, and in that fleeting vision, she had seen nothing but duty, obligation, and sacrifice. Nothing for herself.

Then she answered honestly.

"Yes."

"I want them."

"But..."

She lowered her eyes.

"Not for my family."

"Not for my clan."

"For myself."

The words felt strange coming from her mouth.

Her entire life, every decision she made was connected to Thornveil.

Her family.

Their reputation.

Their expectations.

But after facing death...

After standing at the edge of losing everything...

Something inside her changed.

Lucien smiled.

"That's the only thing that matters."

"You want the relics."

"That's it."

"Always be honest with yourself."

His expression became gentle.

"Don't think too much about others."

"That includes your family."

Seraphina felt something loosen in her chest, a knot she hadn't even realized she'd been carrying her entire life.

It was terrifying and liberating all at once. Taking hard decisions had never been her strength, but perhaps it was time to learn.

The first group of realm masters emerged from the dungeon's depths, their voices carrying through the guardian chamber.

They were laughing, boasting, completely unaware of the predator waiting in the shadows.

"What do you think—did she die?" one of them asked, his tone dismissive.

"Who cares," another replied with a shrug. "Because of her, we got this opportunity. As long as we get outside, we just have to run from the guardian—that's it."

"What if she already killed the guardian and is waiting for us?" a third voice chimed in, tinged with paranoia.

"Do we really have to share our relics and treasures with her?" The question hung in the air, answered by a chorus of decision.

"Hell no, I'm not doing that."

"Yeah, she must be exhausted if she's even alive. We can just kill her easily."

One of the men laughed, his voice taking on a sleazy quality. "God, but she's so beautiful... Maybe we can have some fun with her as well."

A few women among the group joined the conversation, their voices dripping with venom. "Do whatever you want with her—just keep me safe, and I might make your night interesting."

"She was so naive thinking we'd split our hard-earned treasures. Stupid bitch."

As they emerged fully into the chamber, their laughter died in their throats. The guardian's body lay in unrecognizable pieces, torn apart with brutal efficiency.

Two heads were missing entirely. And sitting on the throne of the guardian, as if he owned the very darkness itself, was a man they couldn't see clearly through the shadows. Then the man spoke.

"Thank you for your hard work," Lucien said, his voice smooth as silk and twice as dangerous. He leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand with an almost bored expression. "Losers."

"Now..."

"Give me everything."

His voice became cold.

"And I might consider letting you live."

The group became furious.

One of them stepped forward.

"Miss Seraphina!"

"What is the meaning of this?"

"Are you trying to betray us?"

Another shouted.

"Who the hell are you?"

"Why would we give you our treasures?"

"We have numbers!"

"We are all Spirit Forge Realm cultivators!"

The darkness hid Lucien's face.

Lucien rose from the throne, moving with predatory grace.

As he stepped into the light, his features became visible—sharp, angular, devastatingly handsome.

His Dull-Golden hair caught the dim glow of the chamber, and his eyes gleamed with an intensity that made even the bravest among them take a step back.

"Lu... luc... Lucien Vale?" The name fell from their lips like a curse.

The atmosphere changed instantly.

After Lucien Killed Sarric and his Guardian Marson Mordric, his name had spread throughout the Ancient Breach.

Everyone knew him.

Even those who had never seen him...

Had heard stories.

One of them trembled.

"Lucien Vale..."

"Why are you helping her?"

"Didn't Seraphina Thornveil reject you?"

"Why are you doing this?"

Lucien looked at him.

The question hung in the air for exactly one second. Then roots and vines erupted from the ground, wrapping around the man's legs with crushing force.

Before anyone could react, Lucien grabbed his head, yanking upward with impossible strength while the vines pulled downward.

The sound of tearing flesh and snapping bone echoed through the chamber.

Lucien held the severed head aloft, blood dripping onto the stone floor, and brought it to his face.

"It's none of your business," he said calmly, as if commenting on the weather.

Then he tossed the head toward the group like a macabre offering. Fear spread instantly.

The survivors stared in horror, their bravado evaporating into pure terror. Seraphina watched from the side, her expression unreadable.

She had killed before—many times—but watching Lucien tear a man apart with sheer physical force was something else entirely.

She felt a flicker of pity for them. They had given her potions to survive, even if out of self-interest.

"Lucien Vale, don't go too far!" one of the realm masters shouted, his voice trembling despite his words. "Our families won't let you get away with this!"

Lucien's smile widened, and it was the most terrifying thing any of them had ever seen.

"You have two choices."

"First."

"You give me everything."

"I let you live."

"Second..."

"I kill you."

"And take everything myself."

"I will count to five."

"One."

Everyone remained frozen.

"Two."

Lucien turned his back.

The moment he did...

The man who had spoken earlier saw his opportunity.

He launched himself at Lucien's exposed back, his weapon drawn, his eyes wild with desperation.

He never reached his target.Blood-red vines erupted everywhere.

Bloody vines erupted from all directions, stabbing into the attacker from every angle.

They didn't just pierce his body—they attacked his soul directly, shredding his existence into thousands of pieces.

His scream was cut short, and he dissolved into nothingness.

"Three."

When Lucien turned around, everyone else was already on their knees, their heads pressed to the ground in absolute submission.

"We surrender!"

"We will give everything!"

Lucien turned.

He smiled.

"Good choice."

"I like decisive people."

Then he looked at the treasures.

"And when I said everything..."

"I meant everything."

"Even things that belonged to you before entering this dungeon."

They scrambled to obey, pulling out their treasures and relics and piling them onto a cloth on the floor.

Rings, bangles, artifacts, golden coins, swords, spears, mage staffs, consumables—fruits and potions and rare items of every description.

They didn't dare lift their heads, presenting their offerings like supplicants before a god.

Seraphina watched the scene unfold, her heart pounding with exhilaration. She had never tasted this kind of power—absolute, unquestioned dominance.

She could have done the same thing herself; she was strong enough to take on these measly realm masters. But her morality, her ingrained sense that realm masters should work together, had always held her back.

Lucien had shown her how easy life could become when you focused only on yourself, on your own strength and desire.

So this is power, she thought, her chest swelling with pride. This is what it means to be truly free.

She looked at Lucien—his confidence, his ruthlessness, his absolute certainty—and felt her heart flutter. This is the man I fell in love with.

When the last treasure was offered, Lucien raised his hand. Before anyone could react, vines erupted once more, piercing through every single survivor in a single, devastating strike.

Their bodies crumpled, and their souls were absorbed into Lucien's Soulvoid, converted into soulpoints.

Seraphina immediately looked at him.

"Lucien."

"You promised to let them go."

Lucien nodded.

"I did."

"Then why?"

He looked at the corpses.

"Because if I let them live, they will gather their families."

"They will bring stronger people."

"They will create unnecessary problems."

Seraphina understood.

Seraphina felt a wave of relief wash over her.

She had been afraid, for just a moment, that he might be a mindless bloodthirsty monster. But his reasoning was impeccable. Logical. Practical.

"Devious," she murmured, impressed. "Just how much have you learned about these things? We can take all the treasures without any responsibility, without any blame or risk."

"Exactly." Lucien's smile softened. "Now, let's wait for the other groups."

She smiled.

My future husband is terrifying.

The dungeon had eight paths.

Eight groups.

Lucien and Seraphina waited.

One by one...

The groups returned.

And one by one...

They were defeated.

Sometimes Lucien sat on the throne while Seraphina handled them.

Sometimes Seraphina sat beside him while Lucien dealt with them.

By the seventh group...

The treasures had multiplied.

They were no longer fighting for survival.

They were enjoying themselves.

Lucien lounged on the throne, a glass of wine in his hand. Seraphina sat on his lap, her legs draped over the armrest, her own glass clinking against his. The bodies around them were already beginning to cool, but neither paid them any mind.

When the final group entered...

They immediately attacked.

But Seraphina moved.

A flash of fire.

The battle ended instantly.

Lucien looked at the mountain of treasures.

"We've earned quite a lot," Seraphina said, taking a sip of the rich red wine. It tasted of victory.

"Earned?" Lucien chuckled, his breath warm against her ear. "I would say robbed. But if it gives you a feeling of accomplishment, who am I to argue?"

"I feel like I should start robbing people regularly now," she mused, a dangerous glint in her eye.

"I love the idea, but it's risky. This was easy because we didn't have to deal with any family guardians." Lucien's hand traced idle patterns on her hip. "We got lucky."

"I know," she said with a sigh. "It's just—something has awakened inside me. After robbing all these people, I feel... powerful. Alive."

"Oh?" Lucien's voice dropped to a low, seductive purr. "My Sera is becoming a bad girl. Maybe I should punish you."

Seraphina leaned closer, her lips brushing against his ear. "Why don't you punish me right here?"

Lucien's smile widened, and she could feel the tension building between them. Then, suddenly, he pulled back, his expression shifting from seductive to serious. "I would love to, but we don't have much time."

Seraphina groaned, frustration evident in every syllable. "You tease me so much."

But even as she complained, she was already pressing closer, wrapping her arms around him from behind. "Lucien... if it weren't for the time, I would give you my purity. But to be honest, I want it to be something special."

Lucien didn't respond. His eyes were scanning the chamber, his mind clearly elsewhere.

"Sera, this dungeon isn't completed yet."

"What?" She blinked, pulled from her romantic reverie.

"There's still something unfinished here." He rose from the throne, his instincts sharp and focused. Seraphina followed his gaze, and she realized he hadn't heard a single word she'd said. Part of her was relieved—it would have been embarrassing to have him dismiss her confession. But another part, the part that had been falling deeper in love with him every second, wished he had heard.

Lucien approached the throne, examining it from every angle. Then, with a grunt of effort, he turned it. The massive stone structure rotated, and the floor beneath them began to descend like a lift, carrying them into darkness.

Seraphina's eyes adjusted slowly, the only sound the grinding of stone and the rush of wind. After twenty minutes of descent, they came to a stop in front of a giant door, covered in ancient runes that pulsed with a faint blue light.

They exchanged a glance, their earlier playfulness replaced by caution. Lucien pushed the doors open, and light flooded into the chamber.

Beyond the door was a completely different world. Snow—no, not snow. White, fluffy clouds covered the ground as far as the eye could see. The sky was bright, though there was no sun, and the temperature was perfectly pleasant. They stepped through the threshold, and Seraphina gasped.

"It's... clouds," Lucien said, his voice filled with wonder. "We're walking on clouds."

The valley stretched before them, dotted with the remnants of what looked like a city. Houses, temples, and monuments stood in perfect condition, yet utterly empty. Everything was made of white stone and silver, giving the entire place an ethereal, heavenly quality.

They made their way through the silent streets until they reached a temple at the valley's heart. Inside, there was a seal—an intricate pattern of light and power that pulsed with barely contained energy.

"Sera," Lucien said, his voice thoughtful. "This could be dangerous. But judging by the environment, I believe this part of the dungeon is for taming monsters. I already have one." He glanced at her, his expression serious. "Do you want it?"

Seraphina considered the offer. Monsters could be incredibly powerful allies—or devastating liabilities if not properly controlled. But the power of a tamed beast was undeniable. "Yes," she said finally. "I do."

Unlike the other parts of the dungeon, which allowed for assistance from others, taming monsters required a solitary approach. If the creature was in an egg, anyone could nurture and hatch it, and the contract would form with the one who performed the ritual. But this was different. This valley had been specifically created as an environment for a single monster, meaning the creature was likely fully grown and would need to be personally conquered.

From the clouds, the chances were high that the monster was a flying type. And flying beasts didn't hatch from eggs—they were born directly, living creatures from the moment they came into existence.

Lucien approached the seal and broke it with a single, decisive motion. The seal shattered, and from within, a creature emerged—a majestic red horse, its muscles rippling with power, its mane a flowing cascade of golden fire. It reared back, snorting flames, its eyes burning with primal fury.

"Sera, catch!"

Lucien grabbed her and threw her toward the seal. She landed with her hand on the seal, and a dome erupted around her, trapping her inside with the beast. Lucien was thrown back, landing hard outside the barrier.

Seraphina scrambled to her feet as the red horse charged, breathing a torrent of flame directly at her. She dove to the side, rolling and coming up in a defensive stance. She raised her hand, ready to unleash her fire-based abilities—

Nothing happened.

"Wh-what?" She tried again, focusing her energy, channeling her cultivation. But there was nothing. No power, no response, no connection to her inner reserves.

"My cultivation... it's gone!"

Author Note:

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