CHAPTER 53: RAW STRENGTH

The portal flared with a subdued hum, then Neal teleported into the heart of a dead world.

No sun. No moon. Just storm-wracked skies and a wasteland of shattered steel and bone.

Lightning danced across the clouds. Broken towers jutted from the earth like the ribs of some ancient beast. This was no jungle or forest. This was a dungeon, home for the monsters.

Eidolon Grave

A war-torn plane where gold-rank monsters were born in great numbers. No forests, no animals—just corrupted relic-knights, wraith-armored behemoths, and storm-cursed titans.

This dungeon had been a nuisance for most veterans because of the high number of gold rank monsters.

Mass raiding dungeons was not a common thing in this world. As only awakeners above a gold rank could raid a gold rank dungeon.

What’s the use of mass raiding when the boss is just a gold rank monster.

And the same applies to the academy system but more complicated. All veterans had to earn 10000 contribution points each or the total sum of all the gold rank dungeons cleared by the veterans should reach 10000.

Each gold rank dungeon gives them 2000 points divided among the raid members.

And solo clearing one would give them the whole 2000 points.

The Juggernauts had long since reached their quota of 10000 points and were waiting for the rest of the veterans to catch up. But it would not be anytime soon so they decided to rush clearing up dungeons.

Perfect.

Neal rolled his shoulders.

Then he drew his breath, clenched his fists, and walked.

No posing. No witty lines.

Just absolute presence.

Neal had long since left the flashy phase behind. No explosions. No fire. His aura didn’t roar—but it pressed down on the world like a mountain.

The first wave of monsters appeared. A platoon of Steelborn Wights, armed with rusted halberds and swords—former warriors cursed into undeath.

They rushed in.

Neal didn’t flinch.

He met them halfway—dash towards them and each blow was enough to shatter multiple monsters at once.

The earth shook. The closest three wights were crushed under pressure in an instant without any time for resistance.

Another came for a backstab.

Neal turned—barely—and kicked it into oblivion.

Each swing of his fists was a hammerblow. No wasted motion. No emotion.

"...Level 90. Let’s test my physical limits," he muttered.

The dungeon began singing.

A haunting choral hum. The dungeon’s midpoint boss approached.

The Iron Chorus – A trio of blade-dancers bound together, moving as one, each hit echoing across the next like soundwaves.

Fast. Coordinated. Built to shred tanks.

They blinked behind him.

Neal stepped backward—into the strike.

The blade hit his chest and snapped.

He didn’t even grunt.

Another came for his legs.

Neal stomped, creating a tremor.

They lost footing.

And then—

He grabbed one of the Iron Chorus members mid-strike and used them to smash the other two.

A crack thundered across the zone.

Mid-Boss The Iron Chorus Defeated.

At the top of a hill made of broken spears stood the final boss.

And it was not just one but two final bosses.

A massive knight, hollow-eyed, wearing a black tattered cape and wielding a blade the size of a carriage.

Eidolon Warden – Level 84 gold rank elite.

The second was a Colossus Knight, a rare and a unique, gold rank monster focused on unstoppable momentum, battlefield control, and sheer physical domination.

Colossus knight was a famous monster dreaded by everyone. They appear anywhere they want and nobody knows of their origin.

But their often appearances in dungeons had given away their skills.

Passive: Titan’s Core – Increases strength and endurance per minute spent in combat.

Passive: Iron Stance – Immunity to knockbacks and crowd control.

Active: Anvil March– Each step delivers quake staggering enemies.

Ultimate: Worldbreaker Surge – Temporarily gains 100% mass and strength, all attacks cause terrain rupture. And increases by another 100% for each enemy raiding the dungeon.

Unlike the others, this boss didn’t charge.

It stood.

And watched.

Then it knelt—planting its blade into the earth.

A ritual began.

Neal didn’t wait.

He sprinted forward. Each step shook the battlefield.

The Eidolon rose, sword igniting with phantom lightning.

As if protecting the Colossus Knight.

They clashed.

Neal’s fist against the monster’s sword

The impact sounded like two mountains colliding.

Every hit carved trenches. Every block resounded like thunder. Neither gave an inch.

The monster swung wide.

Neal caught it with both arms—veins straining—and forced it aside.

Then he punched the boss in the face.

And again.

And again.

Its armor cracked. Its skin bled.

But the Colossus knight was still kneeling.

Then the system notification came.

Boss killed Eidolon

Right after the system notification the monster rose to his feet and charged towards Neal without any warning.

Neal was already prepared for it and answered with a kick.

Another round of bouts began and Neal dominated the battle hard.

But this monster was just getting stronger and stronger with each minute passing by and was getting close to Neal’s strength.

Because of its passive skill Titan’s core the more damage it took, the heavier its blows became. Titan’s Core was stacking.

The fight lasted 15 minutes.

When the monster activated World surge, doubling its speed and strength. Neal started losing in a fight of raw strength.

Then—

Neal gritted his teeth not because of pain but because of disappointment.

So my raw strength only amounts to this much.

With a roar that split the storm clouds, he activated his combat form and with a single punch he killed the monster.

A single punch!

System Notification: Dungeon Cleared.

Bonus Reward : Eidolon armor set [Gold rank]

Neal stood over the silent battlefield. He was in perfect condition but he still frowned.

He checked the system and it showed.

[Remaining Dungeons to Graduate: 9999/10000]

His mood lightened.

Then he opened his comm-crystal.

Neal: "Done."

Kaelen (via link): "Took you long enough. We are waiting for you at the academy."

Jered (somewhere else): "Bro we made a banner and everything."

Neal didn’t respond. Just smiled a little and started walking again.

And picked a golden crystal, the core that runs the dungeon.

Each dungeon had a crystal each and the colour varies corresponding to the rank.

It was necessary to pick the dungeon core as it not only closes the dungeon but it was a very valuable item as well used to upgrade structures and buildings.