VIP System

Chapter 54 - The Dark Bargain

The kitsune's grin widened as she leaned forward, her voice dripping with disapproval. "More precisely," she continued, "I outrank you, rendering your skills ineffective against me. To me, you're like an open book." Her eyes gleamed with amusement. "But you're not like the other books I've discarded before. I find you interesting, Leo. I like to read you. But an unfinished book is hardly worth the time, so I'm giving you a chance to continue your story."

She paused, her gaze intense, before adding, "Unlike those mindless Dominion Lords, dungeon masters like me are both intelligent and sentient. Some of us seek only destruction, but I desire freedom. And I'm willing to invest in anyone I think is capable of helping me achieve it." Her expression softened slightly as she regarded him. "I've planted many seeds before you, but you... you're the one I'm rooting for."

Leo, beginning to calm down as the overwhelming aura around him receded slightly, gathered his thoughts. "What exactly do I need to do to 'free' you?" he asked, his voice steady but laced with curiosity.

The kitsune laughed, a sound that echoed off the cavern walls, both melodic and menacing. "Don't concern yourself with that just yet. Focus on strengthening yourself. Although what you did to the Orc Lord and my babies is no small feat, you're currently no match for the true monsters that roam Aetheria."

Leo's brow furrowed in confusion. "Aetheria? Where exactly is that?"

The kitsune opened her mouth to reply, but before she could, the girl standing beside her interrupted, whispering something in her ear. The kitsune's eyes narrowed as she scrutinized Leo, a knowing smile creeping across her lips. "Ah, it makes sense now. Another otherworlder, hmm?"

Her smile turned wicked, her eyes half-lidded as if she were savoring the moment. "I must say, that's... exquisite." Her voice quivered slightly, as though the realization had brought her to the brink of ecstasy. "But don't think I'll go easy on you because of it. I want you to take me seriously, Leo. I need you to understand the true difference in our power."

As she spoke, the entire cave began to shake, the ground trembling beneath Leo's feet. The walls groaned, and loose rocks tumbled down from above. Dust filled the air as the quake intensified, causing the stone structures around them to creak and shudder. The torches lining the walls flickered wildly, casting frantic shadows across the cavern.

Leo struggled to maintain his balance, grounding himself as the shaking grew more violent. His heart raced as the very earth beneath him seemed ready to swallow him whole. Then, slowly, a pitch-black light began to form above the kitsune's head. It swirled and pulsed with malevolent energy, growing darker and more oppressive with each passing second.

The words "Level 4260: Silva" appeared in the air above her, glowing ominously. Leo's knees buckled under the immense pressure, and he fell to the ground, unable to withstand the overwhelming force. His sword slipped from his grasp, clattering to the floor before it reverted back into Roxanne. She tried to call out to him, her voice weak and strained, but before she could finish, she fainted, her form becoming limp. The cats that had been at his side were instantly unsummoned, disappearing in wisps of ethereal smoke.

A black aura began to manifest around Silva, pulsing like a storm of raw power, its waves crashing against Leo with relentless force. The air grew thick, almost suffocating, as a crimson light started to form above Silva's name. The light burned brightly, illuminating the title "Dungeon Master".

Leo could feel the weight of her power pressing down on him, suffocating and inescapable. The sheer force of her presence was enough to drive him to his knees, his strength drained as he struggled to breathe. He was completely at her mercy, a mere speck of dust before a titanic force.