Absolute Cheater

The display shifted, then flickered. And then—"Unique Dungeon Discovered."

A new name appeared on the display:

[Veyruhn Core Ruins] – Dungeon Realm 09-X

Type: Ruined Arcology – Unknown Tier

Danger Level: High (Recommended: Tier 5+)

Reward: ??? – High Probability of Lost Core Inheritance

Notes: Unstable – Limited Time Entry

"Hm, we can do that since it's only a Tier 5," Asher said as he reminded himself of how this world's power system worked.

They didn't classify strength using traditional ranks like Saint, Lord, or Ascendant as in other worlds. Instead, they gauged power through Combat Tiers. It wasn't just about cultivation level—it was about practical battle capability.

Two people of the same cultivation realm could fall into completely different tiers, depending on their combat experience, techniques, and mana manipulation.

Here, a Tier 5 individual was considered a legendary-rank powerhouse—and by this world's system, Asher and Valeris would fall into Tier 10, the highest known tier.

So, in comparison, a Tier 5 dungeon was basically just an appetizer for them. At least, that's how the system here seemed to work.

Asher and Valeris descended into the dungeon with quiet confidence, the dense mana of the world humming around them like a living entity. The entrance, marked by carved obsidian runes and guarded by faint shimmering barriers, parted easily for the two. Most adventurers would tremble at the idea of entering a Tier 5 dungeon without a large party—but to them, this was simply the beginning of a new cycle.

The interior was vast. Towering trees of crystal grew alongside lakes of molten mana, and creatures that fed on arcane resonance prowled the ever-shifting terrain. Mana beasts with layered hides and elemental cores attacked in waves—fire wolves with vapor-trailing maws, thunder-scaled panthers that struck like lightning, and serpentine wraiths that screamed through shadows.

Valeris moved like moonlight—clean, calm, and utterly lethal. Her twin blades shimmered with soul-forged power, weaving between strikes and counterattacks. Every movement redirected the mana of the beasts against them.

Asher, on the other hand, fought like a storm bound in flesh. With Void Crescent – Soul Severance dancing through his blade and the added might of his soul-based arts, he cleaved through elite monsters as though they were made of smoke. He didn't just cut bodies—he severed the connection between soul and form.

Hours passed, the floors melted away one by one. Their synchronization was flawless. With every level they descended, the beasts grew stronger, the mana thicker—and the resonance from the dungeon core above grew louder.

Finally, they reached the central chamber.

There, floating like a small sun, was the Dungeon Core—a glowing heart of violet crystal, pulsing with boundless mana. All around it were smaller shards, dropped from defeated floor bosses. Asher's Absolute Appraisal activated the moment he neared them.

"These are Core Fragments," he said aloud, eyes glowing. "Absorbing them will increase one's compatibility with the world's laws—refining mana control, enhancing elemental affinity, and potentially pushing someone to the next Tier if they're close to breaking through."

Valeris picked one up, her gaze sharp. "So this is how people grow here… through the Dungeon's gifts."

Asher nodded. "And the main core—if claimed—can be bound. It'll act as a mana source and a personal training domain. But only one can bind it. The others are usually destroyed, or given as offerings to factions."

Valeris smiled faintly. "We're not joining any faction, are we?"

"No," Asher replied, stepping forward. "We make our own."

With a thought, he extended his soul energy and pressed it into the core.

It responded with a low hum—then surged with light.

In a flash, the entire Dungeon Core was absorbed into Asher's body. His veins pulsed with ethereal glow for a moment before dimming.

"Hmm... it seems my progress increased by only 0.1%," Asher muttered, calmly assessing the change with Absolute Appraisal.

Valeris let out a soft laugh and patted his shoulder. "Well, it's normal. After all, this was a very low-level dungeon compared to our current strength."

He nodded. "Yeah. But now that we've seen how this world functions—its dungeon laws, its mana core system—it's time we set our sights on higher dimensions."

The two exited the dungeon casually, having defeated the final boss with ease. The portal behind them shimmered and sealed shut, marking the dungeon as cleared.

"But I don't think high-tier dungeons are going to be easily accessible," Valeris pointed out. "Those kinds of places are likely controlled or hidden—places even peak powerhouses can't just walk into."

Asher smirked. "Of course. That's why we're not going to find them…"

He raised his hand, and the sigils of Absolute Appraisal shimmered faintly in his eyes.

"We're going to uncover them."

Lines of golden data flickered before him, mapping out leyline activity, dimensional overlays, and hidden anomalies in real time across the planet's surface. Within seconds, he located the concealed entry points—sealed by ancient mechanisms and hidden from the local detection spells.

"There. I've found one," he said, lowering his hand.

A thin smile formed on Valeris's lips. "Lead the way, then."

Without wasting time, the two soared into the skies, racing across vast terrain. Mana winds whipped past them as they headed straight for the concealed Tier X dungeon, leaving arcs of light in their wake.

The wind grew heavier as they flew toward the distant horizon, where land gave way to a vast, endless ocean. The waves beneath them shimmered with dense mana currents—deep blues interwoven with veins of glowing silver, as if the sea itself pulsed with energy.

Asher came to a halt midair, scanning the area again. His golden eyes narrowed as he pointed toward a point deep beneath the surface.

"It's under the sea," he said calmly. "About six kilometers down."

Valeris floated beside him, eyes narrowing. "That deep? No wonder it's hidden. The mana density here is insane."

He nodded, then dove without hesitation.

She followed, both of them cutting through the water like blades of light. The pressure increased rapidly, but their bodies adapted with ease, their Dragon Hearts harmonizing with the mana-rich environment.

Bioluminescent sea creatures scattered as they descended—eel-like serpents with crystal horns, jellyfish emitting gentle pulses of aura, and colossal shadowy shapes that fled instinctively from their presence.

Minutes passed in silence.

At the ten-minute mark, Asher's hand suddenly extended forward.

"There it is."

Before them stood a massive stone arch embedded in the ocean floor, entwined with ancient corals and kelp-like energy strands. Strange runes spiraled around the frame, glowing faintly—reacting to their presence.

The portal shimmered with a translucent violet hue, pulsing like a heartbeat.