CHAPTER 536: DREADFORGED ARMOR

BOOM!

BOOM!

BOOM!

The battlefield erupted into chaos.

A furious crowd surged forward, surrounding the massive stone creature cloaked in dark, blazing flames.

"ROAR!"

In the next instant, the stone behemoth raised its arm high, casting a colossal shadow that blotted out the sky.

That overwhelming force came crashing down like a tidal wave, engulfing Ataneya in an instant.

But—

There wasn’t a trace of fear in Ataneya’s eyes.

Instead, they burned with a savage fury, more intense than ever before.

"Umbral Detonation!"

She threw her fist forward, slamming it straight into the monster’s attack.

The impact was explosive—an earth-shattering shockwave tore through the battlefield, obliterating everything nearby. Ataneya was blasted backward, skidding dozens of steps before she could steady herself.

No surprise there.

She was an SS-rank Crimson Ultimate hero, going up against an SSS-rank monster.

There was no way she could win.

But still—

She held her ground.

She wasn’t even seriously hurt.

Whoosh!

Whoosh!

Whoosh!

At that moment, Namyanna, Andona, Cicero, and Seraphina all launched into action, flanking the creature from every side. They weren’t about to give it another shot at Ataneya.

The battle exploded into a full-on brawl—blow for blow, strike for strike.

Neither side giving an inch.

"Damn, this thing’s way stronger than the Dark Sovereign," Ethan muttered, eyes wide. The last boss had been tough, sure—but this? This was on a whole other level.

The power gap was obvious.

"No surprise. This is what a real SSS-rank Crimson Ultimate looks like," came a calm voice.

Ethan turned toward the sound—and there she was, floating in the air like a ghost out of the void. Elira.

"Elira," Ethan said seriously, "if they can’t take it down, I’m counting on you."

"Relax," she said with a smirk. "That big guy’s not in my league."

ROOOOAR!

Suddenly, the stone creature let out a deafening roar that shook the heavens.

FWOOOM!

A pillar of dark fire erupted from its body, and the blue gem embedded in its chest flared to life, glowing with a blinding light.

Its power surged—

And kept rising.

"Shit," Ethan cursed, his face going pale.

Before he could say another word, the creature’s body exploded like a volcano, spewing molten black lava in every direction.

And then—

The lava began to shift.

Twist.

Take shape.

Dozens of smaller versions of the dark-flame stone monster emerged from the molten pools, each one radiating the same terrifying energy.

"You pitiful insects," the creature boomed, its voice echoing like thunder. "From this moment on, the great Blazing Overlord Khorzinoch shall bless you with the fear and fury of the Dungeon’s deepest depths. So go on—enjoy it while it lasts! Hahahaha! HAHAHAHAHA!"

The monster’s maniacal laughter filled the air.

And finally, they had a name.

Blazing Overlord Khorzinoch.

From the depths of the Dungeon.

"This arrogant bastard..." Ethan growled, fists clenched, eyes blazing with fury. "He’s really asking for it."

"My Lord," came a teasing voice, half-laughing, half-provocative. "You thinking of stepping in yourself? He’s practically begging for a beatdown."

Ethan blinked.

"Me?"

"You think I can handle that?" he asked, turning to Elira, clearly skeptical.

"Why not?" she said with a shrug. "I’m right here, aren’t I? Besides, haven’t you noticed? That guy’s tough, yeah—but it’s all defense. His offense? Kinda meh."

"And don’t forget that armor you picked up," she added with a sly grin.

"The armor...?" Ethan paused, then his eyes lit up.

"Yeah. Try it out. That thing’s packed with dark energy. If you can tame it, you might just be able to go toe-to-toe with a standard SSS-rank Crimson Ultimate. Like the Dark Sovereign you fought before," Elira said coolly.

That was all Ethan needed to hear.

If that was true—if he could really reach that level—

Then what the hell was he waiting for?

"Alright. Let’s do this."

Without hesitation, he pulled out the battered, corrupted armor left behind by the Dark Sovereign and began strapping it on.

THUD.

BOOOOOOM!

A surge of raw, agonizing power exploded from the armor the moment it touched his skin, swallowing him whole in an instant.

"AAAHHH!"

A scream tore from Ethan’s throat as his body convulsed in agony. His face twisted, contorted with pain so intense it looked like it might tear him apart from the inside out.

There was no doubt about it—

This was SSS-tier power.

And his body wasn’t ready for it.

The torment was unbearable, like his bones were being crushed and his blood set on fire.

"Elira!" he shouted, barely able to get the words out.

"Don’t panic. Hold on. This is part of the process," Elira said calmly, shaking her head. She didn’t flinch, didn’t soften. "It’ll pass... just ride it out."

At that moment, as if sensing the shift in power, the massive stone creature cloaked in dark flames—Khorzinoch—suddenly froze.

His expression changed.

Then—shock.

"Dreadforged Armor?! How the hell is that in your hands?!"

Clearly, Khorzinoch recognized the armor.

And not just recognized it—he feared it.

There was no other reason for that reaction.

Ethan grinned through the pain, his teeth clenched but his eyes burning with defiance.

"Why do you think?" he growled.

The agony was still there, but it was starting to dull, just a little. He could feel the armor syncing with him, the power beginning to settle.

"You thought you were here to mess with us," Ethan said, voice low and sharp. "But did you ever stop to wonder why that crazy bitch, the Dark Sovereign, never told you about this?"

"Heh... You really are a dumbass."

"What did you say?!"

Khorzinoch’s fury exploded.

He let out a thunderous roar, his entire body igniting with a surge of dark fire.

And then—he attacked.

BOOOOM!

The sky split open as torrents of Inferno Flames erupted from the void, converging into a single, massive blast that screamed toward Ethan like a meteor of pure destruction.

But Ethan didn’t flinch.

His body blurred—vanishing in a flash—

And then—

He clenched his fist.

And slammed it down.

BOOOOOOM!

The impact was cataclysmic. The ground shattered, the air cracked, and Khorzinoch’s attack was obliterated in an instant—reduced to nothing but smoke and sparks.

"Holy shit..." Ethan blinked, stunned by his own strength.

This armor—

The Dreadforged Armor—

It was the real deal.

"Alright then..." he muttered, a grin spreading across his face.

"Let’s go again!"

...