Level Up: Voidwalker

Atlas watched as the Blackscale lunged at him and Medusa, its massive body cutting through the air like a dark shadow. In an instant, they split apart to avoid the creature's assault.

'That was close! This thing was fast.'

He cast a Void Lance, aiming it directly at the beast. When the azure projectile struck its tough hide, it shattered one of its scales with a resonating crack, but that was all. The monster barely flinched, its eyes narrowing as it prepared to retaliate.

It lunged in his direction, causing Atlas to use Void Step to get out of the way as Medusa slammed into the monster's body. He took the opportunity to use his Voidwalker Form, and when the skill was activated, his body changed.

Atlas transformed into a terrifying monster, limbs elongating and body bulking up, taking on the grotesque shape of an eldritch horror. Tendrils of dark energy pulsed from his form, and the ground seemed to tremble beneath him.

The Blackscale suddenly halted mid-attack. Its predatory instincts kicked in as it sensed the overwhelming shift in Atlas's aura—a presence far more dangerous than before. The beast hesitated, unnerved by him.

As the change finished, Atlas lunged at the monster so quickly that it or Medusa couldn't see him. His claws tore through the black scales, causing them to shatter under the force, sending the beast crashing into the dungeon wall.

Following that, Atlas dashed at the dazed giant snake before plunging his clawed hands into its body just as Medusa bit down on its neck. He tore right through its torso and covered the floor with blood.

'Now it's dead! Thank god,' Soon enough, the Blackscale vanished into the dungeon, but that's when Sirens, Giant Crabs, and Snakes attacked. Atlas went crazy before savagely slaughtering them as they appeared.

Half an hour later, all the monsters lay slain, their bodies dissolving as they returned to the dungeon from which they came. Atlas reverted to normal, feeling exhaustion wash over him like a tidal wave.

'Maybe I should rest?' he thought. 'No, I need to keep moving forward.'

His limbs ached, and his breath came in ragged gasps. Without hesitation, Atlas pulled out a stamina potion and quickly downed it, feeling the green liquid giving him some missing energy and making him feel refreshed.

Once Atlas felt better, he stepped down the stairs and reached the thirty-fourth floor, where they encountered more of the same monsters. With Medusa's help, he killed all the attackers and finally reached the last Sub-Bosses arena.

'At least I'm close to completing this horrible dungeon.'

Unlike the others, Atlas had to descend into a dark valley that led to the Dungeon Boss. When he and Medusa stepped onto the sandy ground, a shield blocked them in, but that's when something rose from a large dune.

His eyes widened when he spotted a Giant Crab, but this one was at least ten times the size of the previous monsters. It was dark red and had giant pincers that made him nervous. The beast stared at him with its black eyes, and Atlas could tell it hated him passionately.

'What's this things problem?' he thought.

Atlas gulped as he gripped Nightblade tighter. Medusa's voice rang in his mind, 'We can do this, Master. You're becoming strong and is quick enough to dodge any of its attacks.'

When Atlas heard this, he nodded before using Void Sight on the Sub-Boss to determine its name and rank.

[Reefclaw]

[Rank: A+ - 1500 Exp]

[Sub-Boss: 3/3]

[Keep out of the way of its pincers and watch out for its magic]

Following the explosion, Medusa vanished into the shadows, disappearing as the Reefclaw lumbered forward, its massive form shifting the sand beneath its feet with each step. Atlas wasted no time, unleashing a Void Barrage at the advancing beast.

The azure projectiles sliced through the water with deadly precision, striking the creature head-on. Each impact sent ripples through the water, but the Reefclaw pressed on, undeterred by the barrage, as it bore down on him.

'What is this thing!' he internally panicked.

A massive explosion erupted, sending shockwaves through the water and causing the Sub-Boss to stumble backward. Despite the blast, it remained undeterred, regaining its footing and continuing its relentless advance.

Its sheer size made it an unstoppable force. Atlas didn't know what to do, just as Medusa rushed out of the shadows and tried to bite one of the monster's legs. However, the Giant Crab quickly sliced the Death Serpent in half.

'Oh shit! This is bad,' Atlas thought before dashing in the creature's direction.

When the Reefclaw noticed Atlas attacking and sent a wave of chaotic water in his direction, he used Void Step to vanish as its pincers crashed into the ground. He reappeared not far away, only to notice its massive, dark red body cast a shadow over the arena.

The ground trembled under its colossal weight as its eight tree-sized legs carried it toward him, 'This is going to be a hard battle,' Atlas mused excitedly. 'But I can use my speed, magic, and sword.'

The creature's black, soulless eyes locked onto him with hatred as it raised its enormous pincers. With a loud crack, the Reefclaw's left pincer came down in a blur, aiming to crush him into the sand as the claw obliterated the ground where he stood moments before.

Sand exploded into the air, and the sheer force of the blow sent shockwaves through the battlefield. Atlas managed to jump out of the way before using Void Step to get behind the Giant Crab.

"Too slow!" he growled, his voice carrying a surge of adrenaline as he reappeared a few feet away.

Without hesitation, the Reefclaw swung again with its right pincer. But once again, Atlas dodged to predict the trajectory of the beast's attack. He rolled to the side, feeling the rush of wind as the claw grazed past him.

'So lucky that I'm fast otherwise, I'd be crushed into pulp.'

Atlas knew he couldn't keep dodging forever. His body was already aching from previous battles, and the monster's size gave it an almost advantage. But his eyes narrowed as he gripped Nightblade, its edge gleaming with azure energy thanks to Void Infusion.

'I need to slow this thing down,' he pondered while glancing around. 'I wish I had my left arm; why did that artifact deactivate!'

He shook his head and threw three Inferno Bombs at the Reefclaw, who raised its pincer. When the explosives hit, they erupted, causing the monster to roar in pain as the red flames burned its carapace.

Atlas charged forward, deftly dodging the snapping jaws of the Reefclaw as he focused on its left front leg. With a swift strike, he sliced through the creature's thick carapace, eliciting the beast's sharp hiss of pain.

Seizing the moment, he quickly cast Void Blast, aiming directly at its face. The azure projectile shot forward, and when it connected, a small explosion erupted, forcing the Reefclaw to reel back, disoriented by the sudden blast.

Atlas continued to attack, using his speed to avoid any attacks, unleashing a hail of Void Bullets that peppered the monster's body, each impact weakening the creature. Seizing the opening, he moved in and sliced through several more of its legs thanks to Void Infusion.

The Reefclaw let out a guttural hiss as its body crashed to the ground, its remaining legs unable to support its weight. Despite its fall, the creature remained dangerous, its massive pincers snapping violently at him.

Atlas pressed the assault, casting spell after spell while darting in close to slash through the Reefclaw's tough carapace. Blood gushed from the wounds, staining the sand and water around them.

In a desperate bid for survival, the beast thrashed wildly, its flailing limbs sending debris flying, 'Now I've got it. It's time to die, beast,' Atlas thought, excitement surging through him as he saw the creature weakening. Sensing victory was near, he readied himself for the final strike.

He summoned a charged Void Lance, gathering his energy and focusing intently. With a swift motion, he hurled the projectile directly at the Reefclaw's face. The extra mana infused within it amplified its power, allowing it to pierce through the creature's tough flesh.

The moment it exploded inside, the Reefclaw shuddered violently, its body convulsing in a final, desperate attempt to resist. But it was futile; with one last hiss, the massive creature fell, defeated at last.

Atlas was happy and approached the corpse to collect the loot, but he noticed it didn't vanish just as its claw flew out and tore through his legs. Feeling his leg cut off, he dropped to the ground and cast Void Bomb at the half-dead monster.

He let out a scream of pain, but Regeneration kicked in and slowly started healing it, but the agony of it all knocked him out. Atlas sunk into the comfortable sand as an older man's voice rang out in surprise.

Discover stories with empire

[I'm surprised you beat that boss, Dungeon Conquerer. One more to go, then we shall meet]

The new stump started regrowing as the Reefclaw sank into the dungeon, leaving behind the shining Monster Core and pile of loot.

[Drop some powerstones, comments, and gifts to help the novel grow; I appreciate all the support you can give]