Chapter 35 - 34: Depths and Shadows
The stale air of the Dungeon was strangely familiar now.
Even with its shifting walls, strange bioluminescent glow, and the distant roars echoing from below, Ethan no longer felt fear when he stepped inside. He felt purpose.
Lili walked beside him, crossbow strapped over her shoulder, a small pack filled with potions, supplies, and loot bags. She kept her eyes sharp and her movements tighter than before. Their teamwork had grown naturally over the past few dives.
Today, they were pushing toward the 9th floor.
"Monsters incoming," Lili said, crouched behind a rock outcrop, peeking through the dark.
"Type?" Ethan asked calmly, drawing his short sword and dagger.
"Two War Shadows and a Killer Ant pack. Five of them."
He didn’t hesitate. "Cover me."
He darted forward as Lili rolled into position. The shadows moved unnaturally fast—dark, humanoid forms with slashing claws. Behind them, the larger Killer Ants clacked their mandibles and charged with armored legs.
Ethan moved like water.
His footwork was clean and his strikes decisive. His dagger slashed across the first War Shadow’s neck, dispersing it in a mist of blue light. The second came at him, claws extended, but he spun low, tripping it and driving his sword through its chest.