CHAPTER 12: Forged in Pain
---
The days that followed—
Were not normal.
They were hell.
Lucius stood once again in Valhalla.
The training grounds.
The place where warriors were broken—
And rebuilt.
Right—
Slash—
CLANG—
Front—
Thrust—
CLANG—
Every attack—
Stopped.
Every movement—
Read.
Lucius's breathing grew heavier.
Sweat dripped down his face.
His body trembled.
But he didn't stop.
Because this—
Was only the beginning.
---
First Month
Pain.
That was all there was.
From morning—
Till night.
No breaks.
No comfort.
No mercy.
Devox didn't teach with words.
He taught with force.
With pressure.
With overwhelming difference.
Lucius attacked—
And got thrown.
Again.
And again.
And again.
Each time—
His body slammed into the ground.
Each time—
His bones screamed.
Each time—
He stood back up.
"…Again."
That word—
Became his existence.
Sleep?
Barely.
Food?
Minimal.
Recovery?
Irrelevant.
Lucius lay on his bed at night—
His body burning.
Muscles tearing.
Bones aching.
"…I can't even sleep…"
His voice was low.
Dry.
Exhausted.
But his eyes—
Sharp.
Awake.
"…Good."
Because every second—
Was progress.
---
Second Month
Something changed.
Lucius stood again before Devox.
But this time—
He didn't rush.
He observed.
Carefully.
Deeply.
"…You're learning."
Devox's voice echoed.
Lucius moved.
Not fast—
Not reckless—
But controlled.
—Step.
Teleport.
Appear.
Strike—
CLANG—
Blocked.
But—
Lucius didn't retreat.
He adjusted.
Shifted his angle.
Followed through.
Again—
CLANG—
The sound rang differently.
Sharper.
More refined.
Devox's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Better."
Lucius exhaled slowly.
His movements—
Smoother.
Cleaner.
His body—
Still weak—
But adapting.
His mind—
Faster.
Sharper.
Because now—
He was predicting.
---
The Breaking Point
Night.
Lucius stood alone.
Sword in hand.
His body shaking.
His vision blurred.
"…Instinct Flow…"
Always active.
Always pushing.
"…Again…"
Until—
[Instinct Flow → Lv.4]
"…Finally…"
---
Evolution
[Basic Sword Mastery → Advanced Sword Mastery Lv.5]
---
Reward of Endurance
[All Things Being Equal Acquired]
→ Effect 1: Temporarily equalizes physical and skill disparity between user and opponent based on current ability limits.
→ Effect 2: When activated, the user and the target are dragged into a separate space known as the White Void, where the environment favors the user and grants a 50% increase to all stats.
→ Condition: Requires intense focus and high mana consumption.
→ Backlash: Severe strain on the body if overused. If the opponent is significantly stronger than the user, the White Void may shatter.
[Aura Lv.1 Unlocked]
→Effect: Allows the user to enhance attacks and defense using internal energy.
→ Effect 2: Slight increase in physical strength and pressure output.
→ Limitation: Unstable control at low levels.
Three Months of Blood
Lucius stood before the dungeon gate.
[Dungeon: Temple of Skarnlings]
Rank: E
E-rank dungeons were considered the lowest tier—often used for training beginners. However, what made them dangerous wasn't strength… but numbers. Creatures inside these dungeons rarely fought alone, overwhelming their targets through sheer quantity and relentless aggression.
"…So this is where it begins."
A faint smirk appeared.
"…I hope those Skarnlings and Skarn Tyrant remember me…"
"…It'll make killing them easier."
A low chuckle escaped him.
He stepped forward—
And disappeared.
Month 1 — Foundation
Cold. Damp. Decay.
The Temple of Skarnlings.
A place filled with low-ranked monters—
But dangerous in numbers
The structure of this dungeon resembled an ancient ruin, with narrow corridors and blind spots everywhere—perfect for ambushes. Many inexperienced fighters lost their lives here, not because they were weak… but because they were careless.
Drip.
Drip.
Drip.
Lucius moved silently.
Carefully.
Then—
A screech.
A Skarnling dropped from above.
Then another.
Then five.
---
Lucius exhaled slowly.
"…Good."
—Step.
---
Teleportation.
He vanished.
Reappeared—
Slash—
Blood splattered.
Another—
Thrust—
Clean kill.
But—
---
More came.
From all directions.
As expected—Skarnlings hunted in packs. Once one detected prey, the rest would converge rapidly, leaving little room for escape. Survival depended on awareness, positioning… and speed.
---
Lucius didn't panic.
---
He moved.
Faster.
Sharper.
More efficient.
Each strike—
Cleaner than the last.
Each movement—
More refined
Hours passed.
Then—
A voice echoed.
[You have slain Skarnling x12]
[+120 EXP]
[+4 Stat Points Acquired]
[Level Up]
[Level 3 → Level 4]
Lucius stopped briefly.
His breathing steady.
"…Already?"
The system continued.
[+2 Stat Points Acquired]
---
A screen appeared.
[Status Window]
Name: Lucius van Venus
Title: Overlord of the Abyss
Level: 4
Strength: 6
Agility: 11
Mana: 12
Sensitivity: 7
Endurance: 7
Available Stat Points: 6
Lucius didn't hesitate.
"…Mana."
I need to increase my mana.
[+3 Points Allocated to Mana]
[+2 Points Allocated to Agility]
[+1 Points Allocated to Strength]
Mana: 15
Agility: 13
Strength:7
A faint surge flowed through his body.
His breathing—
Easier.
Teleportation—
More stable.
And I can feel that my 'agility' and 'strength' have increased a lot.
"…Good."
Then—
A deeper screech echoed.
Larger.
Heavier.
A massive Skarnling emerged—
Bloated body.
Eyes glowing violently.
The Skarn Tyrant.
Lucius narrowed his eyes.
"…So there's a leader."
It lunged—
FAST.
Lucius vanished—
Appeared above—
SLASH—
But it endured.
Claws swung—
He twisted mid-air—
Barely avoiding it.
"…Tch."
Again—
Teleport.
This time—
He appeared directly behind—
And drove the blade into its skull—
CRACK.
The body collapsed.
[Boss Defeated]
[+300 EXP]
[+2 Stat Points]
Lucius exhaled.
"…Better."
Bodies littered the temple.
Lucius stood alone.
---
Covered in blood.
His eyes calm.
Cold.
---
System notifications echoed.
[Level Up]
[Level 4 → Level 6]
Status window
Name: Lucius van Venus
Title: Overlord of the Abyss
Level: 6
Strength: 7
Agility: 13
Mana: 15
Sensitivity: 7
Endurance: 7
Available Stat Points: 6
Lucius exhaled slowly.
So every level up is 2points
"…Not enough."
---
END OF MONTH 1
MONTH 2 — Growth
[Dungeon: Rotfang Cavern]
Rank: D
D-rank dungeons marked the line between beginners and true fighters. Unlike E-rank dungeons, monsters here possessed stronger bodies, sharper instincts, and occasionally… primitive intelligence.
The air—
Thick.
Poisonous.
Creatures here—
Stronger.
Faster.
Deadlier.
That's when Lucius ripped part of clothes and covered his nose and said I need to finish this quickly before the poison get me.
Rotfang Cavern was particularly dangerous due to its toxic environment. The air itself carried a faint poison, slowly weakening those who stayed too long. Many who entered without preparation would collapse before even encountering a monster.
A beast lunged.
Large.
Fanged.
Rot dripping from its jaws.
Lucius didn't hesitate.
Aura surged.
—Step.
Teleport.
Appear above—
Strike—
BOOM—
The creature collapsed.
Dead.
Lucius landed.
Breathing heavier.
"…D-rank…"
"…Better."
Fights became harder.
Longer.
More brutal.
Lucius bled.
More than once.
But—
He adapted.
Faster.
Better.
Stronger.
[You have Slain Rotfang x14]
[+280 EXP]
[+5 Stats Points]
Unlike Skarnlings, monsters here didn't rely purely on numbers. They tested endurance, reaction speed, and decision-making. A single mistake… could mean death.
A roar echoed.
A massive wolf emerged—
Its body leaking poison.
The Rotfang Alpha.
Lucius's breathing faltered.
"…Poison…"
The air thickened.
His vision blurred.
He nearly collapsed.
"…So this dungeon itself… is the threat…"
The Alpha attacked—
Lucius forced himself up—
"…I won't die here…"
Teleport—
Slash—
Missed.
Again—
Teleport—
This time—
He drove his sword through its throat.
The Alpha collapsed.
Lucius dropped to one knee.
Poison burning his lungs.
Then—
[New Skill Acquired]
[Poison Immunity Lv(Max)]
[You have Slain Rotfang Alpha]
[+600 EXP]
[+4 Stat Points]
[Level Up]
[Level 6 →Level 9]
[+6 Stats points]
Lucius froze.
"…So certain actions…"
"…get recognized as skills…"
And 6 whole stats points that's good, it's seems the system is generous when it comes to points.
And I am already level 9,I need to reach level 15 or maybe 20 before I enter Eclipse Academy...
He laughed softly.
"…Interesting."
MONTH 3— Survival
[Dungeon: Blackroot Forest]
Rank: C
By C-rank, dungeons were no longer considered training grounds. These were survival zones. Monsters here could coordinate, track, and even hunt strategically. Entering such a dungeon alone… was often seen as suicide.
These Monsters are called Nightmares
Silence.
Too quiet.
The trees—
Alive.
Watching.
Blackroot Forest was infamous for its deceptive calm. The environment itself worked against intruders—limited visibility, shifting terrain, and monsters that blended perfectly into the surroundings.
---
Then—
Movement.
Nightmares emerged.
Multiple.
Coordinated.
Lucius narrowed his eyes.
"…C-rank…"
"…Good."
Aura surged.
Instinct Flow activated.
Teleportation—
Perfect.
The battle—
Exploded.
He moved—
Like a phantom.
In.
Out.
Kill.
Disappear.
Reappear.
Again.
Again.
Again.
These monsters didn't rush blindly. They surrounded. Cut off escape routes. Forced mistakes. This was no longer a hunt…
This was war.
Blood covered the forest floor.
Lucius stood at the center.
Surrounded by nightmares corpses.
His breathing—
Heavy.
But controlled.
[You have Slain Nightmare x12]
[+700 EXP]
[+6 Stats points]
[Level Up]
[Level 9 → Level 13]
[+6 Stats points]
I need to allocate my points before I face the Nightmare Boss.. Blackroot Treant
"... Status".
[Status Window]
Name: Lucius van Venus
Title: Overlord of the Abyss
Level: 13
Strength: 11
Agility: 18
Mana: 26
Sensitivity: 10
Endurance: 10
Available Stat Points:12
This time I need to increase my strength to balance my weak physique and my sensitivity....so ,uhmmm
Strength:+6
Agility:+2
Sensitivity:+3
I can't forget about my Endurance,so....
Endurance:+1
THE FINAL BOSS
The ground shook.
A massive tree moved.
The Blackroot Treant.
Branches shot forward—
Lucius teleported repeatedly—
Mana draining fast.
"…This one's different…"
It adapted.
Tracked him.
"…Good."
Aura surged.
Instinct Flow pushed to the limit.
He vanished—
Appeared above—
Drove his blade into its core—
BOOM—
The forest fell silent.
[Boss Defeated]
[+900 EXP]
[+5 Stat Points]
[Level 13→ Level 16]
[+6 Stat Points]
Woah! My body felt like I was flying.
It's left with only one month before going to the Academy, I need to make my final preparations....
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To Be Continued.