CHAPTER 461: DUNGEON END

By the time Asher reached the valley pass, dawn was breaking. The light hit the peaks, scattering across the snow. He didn’t stop to admire it. He was exhausted—physically and mentally drained from what had just happened in the abyss. His body ached, his armor was cracked, and his scythe still faintly pulsed with residual heat.

He followed the trail down without a word. The guards at the outpost saw him but didn’t say anything; they just stepped aside, staring as he passed. He didn’t bother reporting to anyone this time. He didn’t care about the Association, the records, or the rewards. He just wanted to sleep.

He reached the inn by evening. The place was quiet. A few travelers sat by the fire, but Asher didn’t even look their way. He went straight up the stairs, down the hall, and into his room.

He closed the door behind him, dropped his gear in the corner, and sat on the edge of the bed. His hands felt heavy. The room was dim, only a single lamp burning near the wall.

He lay back without changing clothes, staring at the ceiling for a few seconds. Then his eyes closed.

Within moments, he was out—no dreams, no thoughts, just silence.

He slept like a dead man.

When Asher finally woke, it was already late the next day. The room was dim again—the sun had shifted far past the window, leaving only a thin strip of orange light on the floorboards. His body felt like stone, muscles stiff and sore, but the exhaustion had dulled into something manageable.

He sat up slowly, rubbing a hand over his face. His armor was still cracked, faint traces of rust and dried blood along the edges. The scythe leaned against the wall where he’d dropped it, quiet and cold now, its glow completely gone.

For a moment, he just sat there in silence, listening. The inn was calm. No shouting, no chaos, no alarms. Just the faint murmur of people talking downstairs and the creak of wood from the wind outside. Normal.

He stood, stretched once, and took a slow breath. His body protested, but it held. Whatever damage he’d taken in that abyss was already healing. Slowly, but surely.

He walked over to the small basin in the corner, splashed water on his face, and looked into the mirror above it. His reflection stared back—tired eyes, the faint red glow still lingering in his pupils. There was a scar now, just below his collarbone. A reminder.

"That was the hardest fight I’ve ever had," he mumbled to himself, voice low and rough. "But it gave me something to look forward to."

A familiar chime echoed in his mind—his system interface flickering back to life after being silent for what felt like ages.

[Cheat Gacha Available]

Asher blinked once, then sighed, half amused. "Let’s see what we’ve got this time," he muttered. It was mostly habit at this point. He rarely relied on system rewards anymore—most were minor compared to the strength he’d forged himself. Still, sometimes they offered something unexpected.

[rolling...]

A soft hum filled the air, followed by a flash of golden light above his palm. A small spectral chest materialized, glowing faintly. The lid opened with a click, and data streamed into his vision.

[Congratulations Host, You obtained the Cheat: Beast Supreme]

[Beast Supreme: The Power of the Beast Sovereign now dwells within you— a supreme-grade beast-taming talent.]

[Multiple sub-skills and evolutions have been unlocked under the Beast Supreme talent.]

Asher raised an eyebrow, watching the information fade. "Beast Supreme, huh," he muttered. "Didn’t see that coming."

He leaned back against the table, arms crossed. The idea of taming beasts didn’t exactly fit his style—but a "supreme-grade" ability was worth looking into. For now, though, he was too tired to care.

He closed the system window with a flick of thought. "Later," he said quietly. "I’ll deal with it later."

Asher left the inn not long after. The cold air hit him the moment he stepped outside, sharp but refreshing. Snow crunched beneath his boots as he walked through the quiet mountain path leading toward the local Dimensional Association—a small fortress-like structure built near the valley’s edge. That was where all official dungeon reports, bounties, and point transfers were handled for upper realm adventurers.

He wasn’t there for a report this time. He only needed to cash in.

The guards at the entrance recognized him immediately and stepped aside without a word. Inside, the hall was warm, lined with glowing crystal lamps. A few clerks and evaluators looked up as he entered; whispers followed him almost instantly.

He ignored them, walked straight to the counter, and placed a small sealed pouch on the table. It landed with a dull thud. The woman behind the counter blinked, hesitating before she opened it. Inside were several blackened heads—clearly not human—and two twisted insignias, still pulsing faintly with corrupt energy.

Asher spoke calmly, "Invader Commanders from the Abyss Vein. Their oaths are sealed. That should cover my points."

The woman stared at him for a moment, then quickly composed herself and typed into her device. A faint blue light scanned the contents before flashing green.

[Reward Validated]

[Transferring Upper Realm Points: +480,000]

She swallowed hard. "Under a month since your arrival," she said softly. "This is...a high-grade incursion you’ve cleared alone."

Asher only shrugged. "You’ll see me more often," he said, his tone flat.

The receptionist blinked in surprise, then gave a small chuckle. "I’ll be looking forward to it," she said with a playful smile. As she leaned forward slightly, the top buttons of her blouse shifted, revealing a glimpse of her generous cleavage—but Asher didn’t even glance her way. He simply nodded once and walked out.

The woman sighed as he disappeared through the doorway. "He’s not a lecher," she muttered under her breath. "Those types are usually easier to deal with."

A fellow receptionist nearby smirked. "Oh? Were you planning to seduce him and enjoy his wealth?"

She shrugged without shame. "Of course. Would’ve been nice to have someone like that around."

Her coworker laughed. "I envy you—you get the powerful ones, while I’m stuck with minor hunters who brag more than they earn."

The first receptionist just smiled faintly, still staring at the door Asher had exited through. "Power like that doesn’t come with room for distractions," she said quietly.