My Charity System made me too OP

The dense mist from the swamp clung to their skin as Leon and Luna cautiously moved deeper into the dungeon. The path was narrow and treacherous, with hidden pits of muck and water threatening to swallow them at every step. The air grew heavier, thick with the smell of decay, and the once tranquil sounds of nature were replaced by unsettling silence, save for the occasional rustle of something unseen shifting in the murk.

Luna held her dagger at the ready, eyes scanning the shadows, while Leon kept his staff in one hand and his sword in the other, both senses alert. Every movement felt magnified in the oppressive atmosphere, and each step seemed to draw them further into the unknown.

As they approached a large, still pool of water, Luna stopped abruptly. "Do you hear that?" she whispered, eyes narrowing.

Leon froze, listening intently. At first, all he could hear was the faint ripple of water and the soft groans of the swamp, but then a low growl reached his ears, followed by a series of splashes.

From the murky depths, two glowing eyes appeared above the water's surface, staring directly at them. Before Leon could react, a massive form lunged from the water—a giant, bloated fish, its scales shimmering like dark steel, its jaws lined with rows of sharp, glistening teeth.

"Watch out!" Leon shouted, raising his sword just in time to parry the first strike, the fish's enormous teeth snapping mere inches from his face. The force of the impact sent a shock through his arm, and he quickly stepped back, repositioning himself.

Luna didn't hesitate. She darted forward, her movements swift and precise, as she lunged at the fish's exposed flank, slashing with her dagger. The blade sank deep into its thick, slimy skin, but the creature barely reacted. It swung its tail around, sending a shockwave of water crashing into them.

Both Leon and Luna were knocked back by the force, falling into the mud with a splash. The fish bellowed, its mouth opening wide, revealing even more rows of deadly teeth.

"Damn it, this thing's tough!" Luna hissed, scrambling to her feet and wiping the slime from her face. She quickly regrouped, pulling out another weapon—a small throwing knife she kept hidden—and hurled it at the creature. The knife struck its eye, sending it into a frenzy, but still, the monster didn't relent.

Leon, realizing the need for a more aggressive approach, raised his staff high and chanted an incantation. A bolt of energy shot from the staff, striking the fish square in its jaw. The creature recoiled from the force, finally momentarily stunned.

"Now's our chance!" Leon shouted.

Luna didn't wait for a second invitation. She charged forward, flipping gracefully over the fish's thrashing tail, and with a swift strike, she pierced its gills. The monster let out one last, pitiful gurgle before collapsing into the water, motionless.

As the swamp grew quiet again, they took a moment to catch their breath. Leon wiped the sweat from his brow, eyes scanning the now-still water. "That was close. But I guess that's just the first of many."

Luna nodded, sheathing her dagger. "Yeah. There's a reason no one's cleared this place. But we can handle it. One step at a time."

They continued forward, the path becoming more winding and narrow, as the shadows of twisted trees and vines grew thicker. The sound of water dripping and distant sloshing filled the silence. Every so often, they spotted more glowing eyes peeking from the water, but none dared approach them just yet.

Luna glanced back at Leon. "This dungeon is different. It's not just about fighting. It's about surviving the environment too. We'll need to be smart if we're going to make it through."

"I know," Leon replied, tightening his grip on his sword. "But we're in this together. Let's finish what we started."

With renewed determination, they pushed forward, ready to face whatever dangers awaited them in the heart of the swamp.

Their footsteps squelched in the muddy ground as they pressed further into the swamp dungeon. The trees loomed higher, twisted and gnarled, their branches resembling skeletal fingers stretching toward them. Thick vines draped from above, covered in patches of dark moss that seemed to pulse faintly, as if alive.

Every few minutes, a flicker of movement caught their eyes—shadows shifting in the mist, followed by faint splashes as unseen creatures slithered back into the murky pools. The air was filled with a sour, moldy odor, which only grew stronger the deeper they ventured.

Luna glanced at Leon. "This place feels... wrong. Almost like it's watching us."

Leon nodded, his eyes never leaving the path ahead. "It's enchanted with dark magic, that's for sure. The whole swamp is probably cursed. We'll need to stay sharp."@@novelbin@@

Suddenly, a series of guttural growls echoed through the mist, accompanied by the sound of shuffling feet and wet splashes. From between the trees emerged a group of twisted, shambling figures—undead creatures covered in layers of mud and moss, their skin a sickly greenish hue. Their eyes glowed faintly, a haunting blue, as they lumbered toward them with jerky, uncoordinated movements.

"Swamp zombies," Luna muttered, pulling out her dagger. "Looks like they're guarding something."

Leon gripped his staff, casting a quick glance around. "We don't have time to waste here. Let's clear them out and keep moving."

Without further warning, the undead lunged forward, their movements slow but relentless. Leon swung his staff in an arc, releasing a burst of energy that struck the nearest zombie, sending it reeling backward. The creature staggered but quickly regained its footing, stumbling forward once more.

Luna darted in, her dagger flashing as she sliced through the decayed flesh of another zombie. The creature let out a hollow groan and collapsed, but two more stepped forward to take its place. She sidestepped a swipe from one of them, spinning gracefully to drive her blade deep into its side.

The battle continued, the swamp echoing with the sounds of groans and splashes as the undead fell one by one. Despite their slow movements, their sheer numbers made it difficult to break through. Every time one fell, another would take its place, crawling out from the thick mud.