Chapter 18 - The Forsaken Guardian

The moment Sehan stepped forward, the atmosphere in the dungeon shifted. The Forsaken Guardian's hollow eyes locked onto him, and the chains that bound it rattled violently, sensing prey.

Then, without warning, the chains snapped.

The dungeon boss let out a guttural roar, its skeletal frame twisting unnaturally as it lunged forward. Sehan reacted in a instant. With Void Step, he blinked sideways, narrowly dodging the Guardian’s clawed hand as it tore through the stone where he had just stood.

Fast.

Much faster than he expected for something that looked half-dead.

The Guardian straightened, its tattered robes fluttering as an ominous energy seeped from its body. The air shimmered with dark mana, twisting and warping unnaturally.

[Forsaken Guardian]
[Dungeon Boss - Level ???]

A level too high to read.

Sehan didn't hesitate. He activated Void Edge, his blade shimmering with black energy as he dashed forward. The Guardian raised an arm to block, but the moment Sehan’s sword connected, the monster's limb cracked apart like brittle stone.

The beast recoiled, but Sehan pressed the attack. His sword mastery, even at only 30%, was leagues beyond what most would expect at this stage. He pivoted, slashing low, aiming for its legs. The Guardian staggered, but before he could finish his strike, a pulse of energy erupted from its body.

Sehan felt it before he saw it—a wave of deathly force blasting outward. He barely managed to raise his blade in time, crossing it in front of him as the shockwave sent him skidding back.

A system message flashed in his vision.

[You have been inflicted with Forsaken’s Curse.]
[Mana regeneration reduced by 50%. Stamina consumption increased.]

Sehan clicked his tongue. “Annoying.”

The Guardian moved again, this time more erratic. Its movements were unnatural, as if its body fought against its own constraints. Despite the curse, Sehan could still push through—if he played this right. His mind raced.

Test its patterns. Find an opening. Exploit it.

Then, in the briefest moment between its attacks, he saw it—a sigil, glowing faintly at the center of its chest.

A weak point.

Sehan’s lips curled. “Got you.”

With Void Step, he vanished from sight—only to reappear right in front of the Guardian. Before it could react, he drove his blade straight into the sigil.

The monster let out a piercing shriek as cracks spread across its body. Dark energy surged wildly before—

BOOM!

The Guardian exploded into a wave of black mist, its body dissolving into nothingness.

[Dungeon Boss Defeated.]
[You have leveled up!]

A second notification followed.

[Special Condition Met. Reward Increased.]

Sehan raised an eyebrow. A special reward? That was unexpected.

As the mist cleared, something gleamed at the center of the altar—a single item, radiating with power.

Sehan stepped forward. Whatever this was, it was going to be worth it.