Chapter 160: Sumaru 2

Chapter 160: Sumaru 2



[Star Rippling Dungeon]

A grand name given to an elusive dungeon, steeped in the history of the world's most renowned martial artists.

This dungeon is more than just a mere challenge; it is a symbol of celestial power, its very essence tied to the heavens.

The dungeon has played a significant role in shaping the legends of old, with its secrets and treasures inspiring generations.

Even one of the blade techniques of the Gyeoul clan was named after the celestial body associated with this dungeon, a testament to its significance in the martial lore of this world. For Kagami Kento, this dungeon represented more than just an opportunity to grow stronger. It was a chance to elevate his family's status, to finally establish the Kento clan as one of the prestigious Heavenly Clans of the Eastern Empire.

Though the Kento clan was known for their formidable Meteor Fist technique, they paled in comparison to the might of other clans, whose legacies were etched in history.

The Star Rippling Dungeon held within it a martial manual, a treasure that could unlock untold power.

Kagami knew that acquiring this manual would not only bolster his own abilities but also secure the future of his clan.

The honor, prestige, and power that would come from mastering the secrets within the dungeon would elevate the Kento clan to heights his father could only dream of.

With the martial manual in hand, Kagami envisioned himself mastering techniques that would make him unstoppable, a force to be reckoned with in the martial world.

The dungeon was a gateway, a bridge between the Kento clan's current state and the greatness they aspired to achieve.

...

Since my mana wasn't celestial or divine by nature, entering the dungeon would be like walking into a death trap-poisonous and lethal.

Whatever challenges or creatures awaited within, Kagami would have to handle them on his

own.

But I wasn't too worried; after all, this was Kagami we were talking about. He'd likely breeze through the traps and monsters laid within the dungeon.

The dungeon only manifests for a brief moment at the first minute after the sun sets, so we'd need to be extremely attentive once it appeared.

Unlike in the game, where the dungeon gets marked on your mini-map, here, we'd have to sense it using our own mana-a skill I hadn't quite mastered yet.

So far, not much had happened during our climb, aside from a few monsters drawn by the clanking of Kagami's backpack or perhaps by the scent of our presence.

But the real threat lay ahead-the Tiger God of Lightning, Sumaru.

He wasn't just a god but also the guardian and peacekeeper of the Star-Rippling Dungeon. Sumaru would likely notice immediately that I lacked starlight mana.

The absence of it in me might make him see me as an intruder, something to be eradicated rather than tolerated.

Rumble!

Rumble!

Thunder echoed above the clouds as the skies darkened ominously.

The distant flashes of lightning illuminated the bleak landscape, casting fleeting shadows across the mountainside.

I glanced up at the gathering storm and sighed inwardly.

'Looks like he noticed us...'

Sumaru, the territorial tiger of these mountains, was a force you really just can't escape from huh.

'I'd hoped he might overlook our presence, but clearly, that was just wishful thinking.'

"Looks like a storm's brewing. We should hurry up," Kagami suggested, his eyes fixed on the rapidly darkening sky.

He wasn't wrong to be concerned.

We were near the peak of the mountain, and with winter's harsh grip, a snowstorm was a very real threat.

The last thing we needed was to get caught in one while trying to navigate the treacherous terrain.

Kagami wasted no time.Vissit novelbin(.)c.om for updates

He coated his entire body with mana, the aura around him flickering as he prepared to ascend faster.

His determination was clear, but I knew the dangers of overexerting too early.

"We're about a hundred meters away from the location," I warned, my voice steady despite the growing tension. "Make sure to preserve your mana."

He gave me a brief nod, acknowledging the advice.

Even though his appearance was bulky and imposing, Kagami's control over mana was

precise, almost elegant.

With a sharp burst of energy, he shot through the air, his form becoming a blur as he raced toward the mountain's summit.

I watched him for a moment before focusing on the path ahead.

The wind began to pick up, carrying with it the biting cold of the impending storm. Sumaru's presence was undeniable now

...

'Did Sumaru really decide to ignore us?'

It didn't sit right with me. Sumaru, the guardian beast of this mountain, wasn't known for

backing down easily.

If it had chosen not to confront us, there had to be a reason.

But what could it be?

.....

'He's dangerous...'

With gigantic blue vertical pupils pulsating with divine lightning, Sumaru assessed the scene

before him with an almost serene detachment.

His eyes, imbued with the power to see through the essence of souls and mana, pierced

through the chaos.

They allowed him to discern not just the surface of things, but the very core of their existence.

The young blonde-haired man, standing there with an aura of impending doom, was marked by death in every conceivable way.

The weight of mortality seemed to hang over him like an inescapable shadow.

To Sumaru, this was not particularly alarming on its own-after all, death was a common

thread woven into the lives of many.

What set this situation apart and marked the young man as truly dangerous were the forces lingering around him.

Two distinct and powerful presences were entwined with his being.

One was an ominous mark etched across his mana heart, a dark, scaly aura that squirmed and twisted within, its nature obscured and incomprehensible to Sumaru.

The other, more immediate and intrusive, was a potent and familiar energy seeping into the

atmosphere around him.

This lingering presence was something Sumaru knew all too well. It sent shivers down his

spine and made the hairs on his body stand on end.

This was no ordinary energy. It radiated an ancient, primordial power that resonated with the

kind of force Sumaru had encountered only a few times in his life-an energy that spoke of gods and legends, of beings far beyond the mortal realm.

Its very familiarity was unsettling.

A power far beyond his own, and a power reminiscent of the goddess who bestowed divinity

upon him... Sumaru's mind seethed with a mix of anger and intrigue as he observed the young man.

The palpable energy radiating from Riley was undeniable, an echo of the same divine force

that once touched his own existence.

This young man, who seemed so unassuming, had managed to capture the attention of that

wretched goddess, Erebil.

Sumaru's anger flared at the thought, but he forced himself to stay composed. If Erebil had

taken an interest in the young man, then it was essential to approach with caution.

Sumaru knew better than to act rashly.

The presence of an evil god showing affection for someone was a dangerous variable.

The young man's significance was not something to be underestimated or dealt with hastily.

With a sense of grim curiosity, Sumaru resolved to observe the situation carefully before making any move.

He took to the air, landing atop a jagged mountain peak in the valley below, where he could remain hidden and maintain a strategic vantage point.

'It's best to keep an eye on him for now' Sumaru mused to himself.

His gaze shifted to the other individual in the scene-an innocent soul, pure and rare among

their kind.

This purity was something Sumaru respected and valued deeply, but it was the blond-haired young man who truly piqued his interest.

He couldn't afford any distractions or interference from the other human.

The focus had to be on the blond haired young man.

A murderous gaze settled in Sumaru's eyes as he observed Riley from his concealed perch.