Renan’s expression darkened.
’What… is that?’
Then, his eyes moved to the wall behind the dwarf.
Etched in bold, unyielding letters was a message.
Renan read it out loud, his voice echoing through the empty chamber.
"The shadow of the past."
’Huh, what does this Shadow of the Past mean?’ Renan thought as his sharp gaze moved down to the rest of the inscription, scanning for more details. Below the bold words, he saw additional writing etched into the stone, carrying an ominous message.
"Child, do not cross this line but read this first.
I do not know how or who sent you into this dungeon, but as you see, the dwarf sitting on that box is a shadow of mine—well, not exactly my shadow, but a copy. Although it does not possess the full extent of my power, it is still quite strong, standing at the Seven-Star level warrior.
You, child, who are not even above ten years old, will die a brutal death under its relentless attacks.
And since there is also no escape from this dungeon once you enter it, I suggest that you—whoever you are—kill yourself painlessly rather than endure a death filled with agony."
Renan’s eyes narrowed as he finished reading. A moment of silence filled the air.
"Huh," he exhaled, tapping his fingers against his chin. "Now, what should I do?" he murmured, though he already knew his answer.
His gaze moved toward the Dwarf Progenitor’s Shadow. The shadowy figure sat unmoving on the stone box, its long beard reaching the ground. Despite being seated, its stature was imposing. By estimation, the shadow was about four feet five inches tall—a bit taller than standard size for dwarves—but the massive hammer resting beside it was anything but standard. The weapon lay there like an executioner’s tool, six feet long, with one side shaped like a sharp blade and the other like a crushing Warhammer.
Renan’s eyes flickered to the box on which the shadowy dwarf was perched. It wasn’t adorned with any extravagant designs—just a simple stone chest.
’That box,’ Renan thought, his pulse steady, ’is this entire dungeon built to protect whatever is inside it?’
His decision was made.
’Seven stars… If I go all out, I can win,’ he assured himself. Without further hesitation, he took his first step forward.
*TAK*
*TAK*
His footsteps echoed as he entered the vast hall.
And then—
*WOOSH*
His instincts screamed.
His body moved on its own, his left arm instinctively raising to shield his head.
And just in time—
*BOOM*
The force of the impact sent him flying backward, out of the hall, back into the cave. In mid-air, he twisted, angling his legs downward, and slammed into the ground, skidding to a stop.
"You…" Renan muttered, his voice low and filled with rage.
"You bastard…" His eyes darkened, and his aura surged.
"I’m going to kill you."
Pain throbbed through his body, but he could handle it. After all, he had survived Nymeria’s training, which was more brutal than this. But that didn’t mean he liked it. Instead, He hated feeling pain.
He glanced at his left arm.
It was mangled beyond recognition, barely hanging on by shreds of muscle. Fragments of bone jutted out, exposed to the air.
Renan snorted.
’Tch. I underestimated him.’
He clenched his good hand, the veins on his arms pulsing with mana.
’I need to use my dragon form.’
His fox ears vanished, his five tails disappeared, and his hair turned pure white. His golden eyes shifted to blood-red. The transformation took mere seconds.
Despite his altered form, his left arm remained shattered.
But—
His damaged arm glowed with golden light.
And in an instant—
His arm was healed, looking like it previously was.
Renan clenched and flexed his fingers. The pain was gone.
’The Light Element truly is one of the best,’ he thought, feeling the renewed strength coursing through him. But there was no time to admire his healing ability. He strode forward, his red eyes locked onto the shadowy dwarf that now stood at the hall’s entrance.
Renan noticed something.
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’So… it only attacks when I step inside,’ he analyzed, his mind working fast.
Scales formed along his arms and the sides of his face. His red eyes became slitted, and four horns sprouted from his head—two at the front, two curving backward.
And then—
*BOOM*
He vanished.
The ground beneath him sank under the force of his leap.
The dwarf shadow also disappeared—
But not because it moved.
Because Renan moved it.
At blinding speed, Renan grabbed the shadow dwarf by the throat and dragged it backward.
The shadow struggled, attempting to break free, but Renan didn’t allow it.
His right arm was pulled back, coiled with immense power—ready to strike.
The shadow lifted its hammer, but—
Renan’s mana flared.
The earth responded.
The very ground twisted and wrapped around the dwarf, locking it in place.
Renan smirked.
’You’re not moving.’
With the dwarf shadow immobilized, Renan struck.
*BOOM*
*CRACK*
The ground shattered, and the dwarf’s head was slammed face-first into the floor.
But Renan wasn’t done.
He lunged forward, prepared to finish it.
The dwarf shadow struggled against the earth bindings, attempting to break free.
But—
Renan was faster.
The ground shifted again—forming a stone pillar beneath the dwarf and launching it toward him.
Renan responded instantly—his palm igniting.
A fireball formed—but this was no ordinary fire.
It shifted colors, turning violet—
A Purple Flame Blast.
The same attack he had used on the wolf, but this time—far stronger.
The dwarf shadow sensed danger.
It tried to move—
But the earth grabbed it again.
At that moment—Renan activated his telekinesis, further locking it in place.
The dwarf shadow was trapped.
And then—
Renan fired the attack.
*BOOM*
A massive explosion erupted.
The shockwave sent the skeletal remains of the children flying.
When the dust settled, a deep crater had formed at the center of the hall.
Renan approached the edge, peering into the dark abyss.
He narrowed his eyes and activated his mana senses.
And just as he expected—
"It’s not over yet…" he muttered.
Because suddenly—
Two bright white eyes snapped open in the darkness below.