Apex In The Shadow

(Outside Of The Portal Dungeon)

...

.....

The chaos outside the portal was overwhelming.

Dozens of adventurers, reporters, and onlookers crowded the scene at the base of Mount Apo-Talomo.

The air buzzed with fear and confusion.

No one had ever seen anything like this.

Cameras flashed, news microphones were thrust into every available space, and voices filled the area in a rising tide of panic.

"Breaking news!"

A reporter's voice blared from a nearby mobile broadcasting van.

"In an unprecedented event, a Blue Portal Dungeon has mysteriously changed into a Red Portal! The phenomenon, as far as records show, has never been documented before. We are currently live at the scene where a team of adventurers remains trapped inside-"

The screen flicked to a live image of the swirling red portal.

Its ominous glow pulsed like a heartbeat, sending waves of unease through the watching crowd.

"-and according to sources, the team inside consists of one D-rank adventurer and several E-rank members. Experts warn that no one else can enter a Red Portal once it activates. Rescue is impossible. The portal will remain sealed until either the dungeon collapses, clear the dungeon or…"

The reporter swallowed hard, her hand trembling as she held the microphone.

"Or until… the monstrous entities inside break through."

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

A man's voice rang out sharply,

"Are we just supposed to stand here and wait until rank A monstrums swarm the whole mountain?!"

"Get the civilians out of here!"

Someone else shouted.

"This thing is going to blow!"

"The portal will explode! We'll be wiped out!"

"Gods help us... What about the people inside?!"

Near the center of the growing chaos, Ryan, the guild leader of Bukidon Guild, stood with clenched fists.

...

Name: Ryan Reyez

Rank Level: A

Leader of Bukidon Guild.

...

His sharp eyes remained fixed on the swirling red light. Sweat dripped down his temple, but his face remained grim and composed.

Beside him, a scientist with thick glasses and a pale expression flipped through a digital pad.

"Guild Leader… I've checked every record we have. There's no precedent for this. A portal changing colors? It's not just rare—it's impossible according to everything we know." She glanced up, her voice shaking.

"What's happening inside? How could this even…"

Ryan didn't wait for her to finish.

"Contact the Philippine Association. Now."

She hesitated, her fingers trembling over her device.

"Should we-"

"Do it!"

Ryan snapped.

"And issue an evacuation order. Get everyone away from here within a ten-kilometer radius."

The air grew heavier as panic spread.

Another adventurer grabbed Ryan by the shoulder.

"Leader, we need to mobilize the guilds! If this dungeon collapses, we're talking rank A monstrums the kind that could wipe out whole cities! Shouldn't we-"

"I know the risks,"

Ryan muttered through gritted teeth.

"We'll need backup. But I want the strongest adventurers from both remaining guilds on standby. No half-measures. Call in everyone who can fight at a high level! "

The scientist's screen beeped.

"The Philippine Association has issued an emergency response,"

She whispered.

Her eyes widened as she read further.

"They're dispatching reinforcements. Two guilds are being sent here. They'll prioritize their most powerful fighters…"

Ryan exhaled slowly, his mind racing.

"Good. Tell them to focus on Mount Apo-Talomo. Every second counts."

...

[PH LIVE NEWS]

The newsfeed continued broadcasting live.

A government official appeared onscreen, addressing the nation from the capital.

His voice was steady, but his eyes betrayed the weight of the situation.

"We urge all citizens to remain calm. The Philippine Association is working closely with our guilds to contain this threat. Evacuations are underway near Davao City, and additional forces are en route to secure the perimeter. Stay tuned for further updates."

...

Ryan's grip on his sword tightened as he turned back toward the swirling red light.

His heart pounded as he thought of the adventurers trapped inside.

"They're just kids. A single D-rank leader and E-ranks! …they don't stand a chance in a Red Dungeon. Damn it…!"

His jaw clenched.

"Grand… if anyone can survive in there, it's you. Just hold on a bit longer!"

...

(Inside Of The Portal Dungeon)

...

Inside the Portal Dungeon, Grand and his team continued their careful advance.

Bones littered the ground, scattered like ominous warnings from past battles.

The deeper they went, the more the bone fragments piled up, crunching underfoot with each step.

The atmosphere grew heavier, a thick tension settling over the group as if the dungeon itself were holding its breath.

Grand raised his hand, signaling the group to stop.

His voice was steady but low, filled with a seriousness that silenced everyone immediately.

"We're close to the boss's room,"

He said.

"Prepare yourselves."

Ken's heart raced as he gripped his sword tightly.

Sweat dripped down his brow and his mind raced with doubts.

"Why do I feel like I'm something will going to happen... "

Cid chuckled, rolling his shoulders.

"Yeah, yeah, old man. We've got this,"

He said with his trademark grin, eyes alight with the thrill of battle.

"No need to act all dramatic. Let's just smash whatever comes our way!"

Miya frowned, her sharp eyes scanning the surroundings.

"Something feels… wrong,"

She whispered to Sasha.

"I feel it too,"

Sasha murmured, gripping her healer's staff tighter.

She moved closer to Miya.

"Stay near me. If anything happens, I'll heal you immediately."

They pressed on, the corridor narrowing until it opened into a vast chamber.

At the center lay a massive, grotesque spider-like creature, an undead Spider Queen.

Its enormous, decaying body sprawled lifelessly on the stone floor.

Ken gasped.

"Is… is that the boss?"

"..."

Miya's eyes widened in shock.

"Why is it already dead?"

Sasha clutched her chest.

"This… this isn't right... I've never heard of a dungeon boss just dying like this. Something is really off."

Grand's expression changed, his hand resting on his giant hammer.

"This doesn't make sense. If the boss is dead, then the portal should have appeared. The dungeon should be cleared."

His voice was filled with confusion and concern.

He knelt beside the corpse, his fingers brushing the cold, lifeless body of the Spider Queen.

"But there's no portal... Something is wrong here."

Ken, his brow furrowed, muttered under his breath,

"If the boss is dead, why hasn't the portal opened yet?"

The team exchanged confused glances.

It was unheard of for a dungeon to not release a portal once the boss was defeated.

"Shouldn't we just leave then?"

Miya asked, glancing nervously at the lifeless corpse.

"If the boss is dead, then the dungeon should be cleared. We can head back, right?"

Grand slowly stood up, his eyes scanning the room.

"Technically, yes. But there's something off about this dungeon. We need to search the area. Maybe we missed something."

The group then began to search the room, their footsteps echoing as they moved cautiously.

Miya checked the walls, her eyes sharp for any hidden mechanisms.

Ken poked around near the back of the room, inspecting the ground for any irregularities.

Then, Cid's voice rang out,

"Hey! Over here!"

He stood in front of a massive double door that seemed to dominate the far wall of the chamber.

The door was ancient, its surface worn by time, but it was unmistakably the entrance to something deeper.

Grand turned toward Cid, his face tightening.

"So, I was right. This isn't the boss's room."

The group gathered around the door, unease creeping into their minds.

"But... why is there a second door?"

Sasha asked, her voice laced with uncertainty.

Ken said with confusion.

"I've never heard of a dungeon with two bosses..."

Everyone looked to Grand for answers.

His face was grim as he studied the door.

"Neither have I... But we're about to find out."

Miya stepped forward, raising a hand to touch the door.

"Are you sure we should open it?"

She asked, her voice full of caution.

Sasha shook her head, speaking quietly,

"I don't like this. We need to be ready for whatever's behind it. The Spider Queen's body… it's just hanging there, like it died without putting up a fight. We need time to prepare, to think."

Ken nodded in agreement.

"We can't rush this. We need to analyze the situation first."

Cid grinned, unfazed.

"You guys are too cautious. Come on, what's the worst that could happen?"

He tapped his double swords together, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

"Let's just open it and see what's waiting for us! I'm ready for some action!"

Grand sighed, rubbing his temple in frustration.

"Spoiled brat! We can't afford to be reckless. But time is running out, and we need to clear this dungeon. If we don't, we'll be stuck here until the portal collapses."

After a brief pause, Ken spoke up again.

"I agree with Sasha. We need to prepare. But I also agree with Cid that we can't wait forever."

Sasha bit her lip, conflicted.

"...Okay, fine. But everyone needs to be on high alert. We don't know what's on the other side of that door."

Grand nodded, finally making a decision.

"Alright, we open the door, but everyone stay on their toes. Miya, Sasha, stay close to me. Cid, Ken, watch the back. And remember, stay calm. Whatever happens, we stick together."

With a deep breath, Grand stepped forward and grasped the door's massive handles.

The weight of the door was immense, but Grand pushed with all his strength.

CREEAAAKK!

CREEAAAKK!

...

WHOOOSHH!

WHOOOOO!

WHOOOOO!

The door creaked open, revealing a room bathed in eerie, flickering black flames that danced along torches lining the walls.

In the center of the room stood a figure, a monstrous skeleton dressed in regal armor, its bones gleaming with an otherworldly aura.

It was holding a massive sword, the blade pointing downward, as if waiting for the intruders to arrive.

Grand's eyes widened.

"An Undead Knight... no, an Undead King! Why is it here!"

The undead creature's red eyes flickered to life, glowing like burning embers.

The oppressive, malevolent energy in the room intensified, pressing down on them like a physical weight.

Everyone froze, staring at the skeletal king, who slowly raised its head.

Its gaze swept over the group, sending a shiver down their spines.

Then, the Undead King spoke, its voice deep, hollow, and chilling.

"Weaklings..."

"H... Humans... "

Before anyone could react, the Undead King swung its sword with terrifying speed.

WHOOOOSHHH!

THUD!

THUD!

THUD!

The force of the attack sent a shockwave through the room, sending the others crashing into the walls.

"Raaah! F*CK!..."

Cid dashed forward with a roar, but the Undead King was faster.

"Cid, wait! Don't!"

Grand shouted, but it was too late.

"YOU?"

WHOOSH!

"Huh?"

In the blink of an eye, the Undead King's sword struck, slicing Cid into a thousand pieces with one swift motion.

SPLAT!

SPLASH!

Blood splattered and sprayed across the room, leaving a gruesome scene at the center of the room.

UAARGH... HRK! UGH!

Ken sees Cid being killed easily puked while still on the ground, struggled to stand.

His head spun with shock and fear.

"What… what the hell just happened?"

"How is this thing so powerful?"

"Are we all going to die?..."

Grand turned to him, his face grim but determined.

"Ken! Troy! Run! Get to the entrance. I'll hold this thing off!"

Troy, blood dripping from his arm, nodded in agreement.

He grabbed Ken, helping him to his feet.

"We need to move, no-"

But before they could even take a step, the Undead King appeared in front of them.

Ken's heart stopped as it raised its sword high.

Grand and Troy tried to react, but the speed of the Undead King was too much.

Then it raises it's had and suddenly Troy and Grand fell to the ground.

Ken, now on his knees again, could only stare at the looming figure of the Undead King.

"What are you?"

He whispered, his voice shaking.

The Undead King bent down, its cold, red eyes locking onto Ken's.

"You... are interesting... "

It said, almost as if amused.

Ken, in fear, stammered,

"What... Do you want from me?"

Before the Undead King could answer, something unexpected happened.

WHOOSH!

A strange pull came from deep within Ken, as if something inside him was being activated.

Suddenly, the Undead Spider appeared at his side, as if it was summoned.

SWOOSH!

SLASH!

The Undead Spider lunged at the Undead King, but it was effortlessly sliced in two.

[DING!]

[CONGRATULATIONS ON SUMMONING AN UNDEAD.]

[DING!]

[YOU HAVE RECEIVED AN ASSISTANT MASTER!]

[DING!]

[YOU HAVE RECEIVED A REWARD!

'EVERY BEING CAN BE SUBDUE!'

RANK: SSS

INFO: CAN SUBDUE EVERY BEINGS.

-1/1 ]

Ken's mind raced as a message flashed in front of his eyes.

Ken blinked, his mind struggling to comprehend what was happening.

"What… is this thing?"

But before he could think any further, the Undead King spoke again, its voice sending a chill down his spine.

"Let... Me kill... You... Humans... "

_________________________________________

KEN'S INFO

Name: Ken

Age: 18

Class: Undead Master

Rank Level: E

Summons: 1/???

Skills:

'Every Beings Can Be Subdue'

-Rank: SSS

-Info: Can Subdue Every Beings

MORE INFO

Philippine Association

-The governing body that oversees all adventurer guilds in the country Philippines, managing dungeon operations, regulating adventurer ranks, and coordinating national defense strategies.

Name: Ryan

Age: 27

Class: Swordmaster

Rank Level: A

Guild: Bukidon Guild

More Info:

Ryan is the determined and strategic leader of Bukidon Guild. As a Swordmaster, he excels in both swordsmanship and tactical combat. Known for his calm demeanor and quick thinking under pressure, Ryan is a respected figure among adventurers.

Name: Skeleton King

Species: Undead

Rank: S

Type: Skeleton

Skill: Sword of Dominion, Necrotic Aura, Teleportation, Hand of Decay

Weakness: High-level Holy magic, high-level fire magic

More Info:

The Skeleton King is a formidable dungeon boss, commanding dark magic and devastating combat abilities. Its overwhelming speed and power make it lethal. It is known for brutal efficiency and has no mercy.