Chapter 66: The Ancient Dungeon Masters

Chapter 66: Chapter 66: The Ancient Dungeon Masters

The three of them collided. The impact was so great it shook the very chamber itself. Arin’s fist connected with Authority One’s arm, only for the older Dungeon Master to remain stationary. Instead, Arin felt the force of the collision push through the point of contact and explode within his body.

With a flick of his wrist, Arin’s feet left the ground.

He was launched backwards.

Arin twisted in the air and landed on one hand before immediately launching himself forward again. Authority One was already waiting for him. Its body blurred.

Arin raised his arms to meet the incoming attack as it came from below. Authority One’s fist crashed into his abdomen and sent him upwards. Before Arin could react, Authority Ten loomed over him. A single kick sent him hurtling back downwards.

BOOM!

The ground beneath his body cracked.

Arin barely rolled away in time as Authority One’s follow up attack obliterated the space where his head had been. He pushed himself back up. His red-black aura blazing.

Arin lunged forward. Authority One couldn’t help but smile.

’’That rage of yours is impressive.’’

Arin swung but Authority One caught his fist. The older Dungeon Master twisted his wrist. A painful force shot up Arin’s arm and pulled him forward. Authority One drove its knee into Arin’s ribs, a sickening crack echoing outwards. He was sent sprawling.

Arin barely managed to keep himself upright as Authority Ten appeared in front of him .Arin reacted just as fast. Raising his arm, he was met with Authority Ten’s palm sopping mere inches from his chest.

Nothing happened.

Then the very dungeon itself shifted. The ground underneath Arin suddenly pushed up toward his body. Rocks engulfed his limbs as the Dungeon Master’s body forced him downwards. Arin narrowed his eyes at Authority Ten. ’’Dungeon manipulation?" "Something more refined?’’ Authority Ten replied. Authority Ten’s palm closed. Arin’s bones creaked under the increasing pressure. His aura flared outward. The rocks exploded away from his body as Arin broke free and swung his fist at Authority Ten.

The older Dungeon Master vanished. Arin’s fist met nothing but air. A voice echoed from behind him. ’’You are using your authority too directly.’’ Arin turned. Authority Ten’s palm drove into his back. The force of it sent him flying through the air and into the wall.

The ground around him cracked. He landed on the floor. Arene’s voice echoed inside his head.

[Arin.]

’’I know.’’

[Your body is deteriorating.]

’’I know.’’

[Your injuries are becoming too severe.]

Arin stood.

’’I said I know.’’

His voice was ragged. The red-black aura around him grew stronger. Arene fell silent.

Authority One looked over at him. "You really intend to keep going?’’ Arin lifted his head. ’’Yes.’’ Authority One laughed. ’’Then come.’’ Arin disappeared. His fist slammed into Authority One’s chest. This time, it was Authority One who was sent flying. Though barely, only a few meters. Not enough for it to register as much of a surprise to the ancient Dungeon Master.

It looked at the imprint on its chest.

’’Better.’’

Arin followed up with another punch but Authority One blocked it. Arin feinted forward. Authority One met the movement, parrying the new incoming attack. Arin ducked and Authority One’s elbow swept over his head. Arin kicked but Authority One caught his leg. Arin twisted and lashed out with his other foot before Authority One let go.

The two engaged in a blur of motion that lasted for several seconds. Arin’s Dungeon Master Rage allowed him to keep up with the pace of the fight. His muscles twitched in response to the impossible speed of his opponent’s movements. But even so, that wasn’t enough to overcome the experience of someone thousands of years old.

It wasn’t about speed. It was about reading his opponent. Every shift in rhythm, every change in stance was countered by Authority One. Every new technique Arin threw was met with a new obstacle. Then Authority One used its unique ability. The air around Arin grew heavier..A dark ring manifested behind the ancient Dungeon Master. Then another. And another. Arin’s eyes narrowed at the sight of the rings. Each one contained a symbol belonging to a different Dungeon Master.

’’What is that?’’

’’Dungeon King’s Domain."

Authority One smiled. The rings expanded.

Suddenly a dozen invisible forces pressed in against Arin. His movements slowed. The aura around him grew erratic. Even the dungeon itself seemed to reject him. Authority One stepped forward.

’’My ability allows me to establish temporary authority over everything within my domain.’’

Arin tried to move but his body refused. Authority One raised its hand. The invisible pressure increased until Arin was forced to his knees. ’’Even with only ten percent of my original power, you cannot completely resist it.’’ Arin gritted his teeth. The red-black aura exploded from his body, forcing the invisible pressure to lessen. He stood back up. Authority One’s smile vanished. Arin lunged forward, breaking past the domain. He drove his fist into Authority One’s face, sending the ancient Dungeon Master staggering back. Arin grabbed hold of his opponent and drove him into the ground.

BOOM!

The domain collapsed. Arin raised his fist to deliver another blow but Authority One caught it, then smiled. ’’You learned quickly.’’ The other hand of Authority One slammed into Arin’s chest, sending him flying. Before he could land, Authority Ten appeared. Arin saw the attack coming but it was too late. Authority Ten’s fingers touched his shoulder and a black mark appeared on his skin. Arin’s body suddenly went numb, his right arm falling to his side.

’’What did you do?!"

Authority Ten looked at the mark. ’’Authority Severance." Arin’s eyes widened. ’’The ability temporarily severs your connection to a specific function of your Dungeon Master Authority.’’ Arin’s arm didn’t move. ’’You can still move your body. You simply cannot channel Dungeon Master Authority through that arm.’’ Arin looked at Authority Ten. ’’You have an answer for everything.’’ Authority Ten smiled. ’’We have had thousands of years to develop our abilities.’’

Arin charged anyway. Authority Ten evaded.

Arin spun, attacking again but Authority Ten redirected the force of the attack, sending him sideways. Authority One appeared. The Dungeon King’s Domain reactivated. Arin’s body was pressed against the ground, the force of the domain pushing into his bones.

He barely managed to push himself back up while Authority Ten followed through with another Authority Severance mark. This time, Arin’s Dungeon Sense faded away. His connection to the dungeon became distant.

Arene reacted immediately.

[Arin!]

Arin struggled to his feet. Authority One loomed over him. ’’You’re strong.’’ Authority Ten walked up beside him. ’’Very strong for a new Dungeon Master.’’ Authority One looked down at Arin. ’’But you are still inexperienced.’’ Arin spat blood onto the ground. "I’m still standing." Authority One smiled. ’’For now.’’ The two ancient Dungeon Masters attacked at the same time. Arin raised his arms to block the first strike, only for the second to drive into his ribs. The third hit his shoulder and he was sent flying across the chamber, rolling several times before landing in a heap of broken pillar.

The pillar collapsed around him. Arin pushed himself back up. Authority Ten appeared beside him. A punch to the chest followed by another to the back sent him flying through the debris. He forced himself up, his muscles screaming in protest. Still his Rage burned. Arene was struggling to heal him.

[Arin, please stop.]

’’No.’’

[You are approaching the limit.]

"I don’t care."

[You may die.]

Arin wiped the blood from his lip.

"Then I’ll die fighting."

Authority One heard him. ’’You really are different." Authority Ten looked at Arin. ’’He has the same madness we once possessed.’’

Authority One shook his head. ’’No.’’ He looked at the red-black aura of Arin. ’’His is different.’’ Authority Ten nodded. ’’It is.’’ Arin suddenly vanished. He appeared between the two ancient Dungeon Masters.

His fist drove into Authority One but the older Dungeon Master blocked it. Arin twisted and his other fist connected with Authority Ten.

The Dungeon Master took a step back but Arin didn’t stop. For a moment, the two ancient Dungeon Masters found themselves on the defensive. Arin’s Rage had grown more refined. He wasn’t attacking with blind rage but with purpose. He was thinking. Using what he knew. Every movement, every technique was being analyzed. Every weakness recorded. Arene was watching. The System inside Arin’s mind was processing all this information faster than it ever had before. Authority One’s Domain. Authority Ten’s Severance.

Their movements. Their control of authority.

Their battle instincts. Their unique abilities.

Their weaknesses. All of it was being gathered. Arin didn’t know it. The ancient Dungeon Masters didn’t know it. But Arene did. She had been watching. Learning. Adapting. Then something happened. Arene’s voice changed.

[Data successfully gathered.]

Arin halted for half a second. Authority Ten sensed it. ’’What is it?’’ Arin said nothing.

A faint blue glow flickered inside his mind.

Arene continued.

[Unique Ability forming.]

Authority One’s expression changed. ’’Unique Ability?’’ The System pulsed.

[Unique Ability formed successfully.]

Arin’s eyes widened. The red-black aura around him exploded outward. Then came the final message.

[Awakening Unique Ability.]