A Deal with the Smith The scent of burning metal and oil still clung to Ethan’s clothes as he left Hollow Fang Forge, his mind racing. A monster in the sewers. A side job right before their outpost mission. It was a risk. But if he completed it, he’d get a massive discount on the Twin Shadowfangs—a pair of daggers tailor-made for his fighting style. And if there was one thing he had learned from Nightshade Caverns— A good weapon could mean the difference between life and death. So now? He was hunting. The Sewers of Portland The sewer entrance was exactly where Boros said it would be—beneath a rusted iron grate, half-hidden in an alley at the edge of the market district. Ethan crouched beside it, gripping the bars. The air reeking of stagnant water and something else. Something rotting. He exhaled. Then he dropped down.

  Navigating the Tunnels The moment his boots hit solid stone, the System reacted.

  [NEW LOCATION DISCOVERED: PORTLAND SEWER SYSTEM]

  [DUNGEON STATUS: UNRANKED – NON-STANDARD THREATS DETECTED]

  Ethan frowned. Non-standard threats? He activated Shadow Cloak, blending into the dim surroundings as he moved forward. The tunnels stretched ahead in three directions:

  Left: A narrow passage with flowing water, its surface murky.

  Right: A corridor collapsed inward, rubble blocking the path.

  Forward: A larger tunnel, where the blood trail led deeper.

  Ethan had a choice. But deep down, he already knew where he was going. He followed the blood. Something Watches The further he went, the more unnatural the silence became. No rats. No dripping water. Just his own breathing and the faint squelch of blood beneath his boots. Then— He felt it. The sensation of being watched. A slow, crawling tension at the back of his skull. Ethan didn’t stop moving. But his grip on his dagger tightened. It knows I’m here. He reached the end of the passage— And saw the first body.

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  The First Victim A Guild worker, slumped against the stone wall. Their face was frozen in a look of pure terror, their hands clutching at their torso—where something had torn them open. Ethan crouched, his pulse steady.

  [EXAMINING CORPSE…]

  Cause of Death: Severe lacerations. Organs removed post-mortem.

  Time of Death: 12–16 hours ago.

  Infection Risk: Low.

  Ethan’s jaw tightened. This wasn’t a random kill. Something had hunted this person. And worse? It had taken something from them. The First Attack A soft click. A faint splash of water. Ethan moved before his brain even registered it— [Shadow Step – Activated.] In an instant, he flashed backward, just as a clawed hand ripped through the space he had just occupied. He landed in a low crouch, weapons drawn. And finally, he saw it.

  The Sewer Stalker It was partially human. Or at least, it had been once. Its flesh was twisted and blackened, stretched too tightly over its frame. Its arms were too long, its fingers ending in razor-sharp claws. And its eyes— They were glowing red. The same red eyes he had seen at the outpost. Ethan’s blood ran cold. It’s one of them. And then it moved. The Fight Begins The creature lunged, its speed unnatural. Ethan dodged left, feeling the wind of its claws slashing past his face. [Silent Blade – Activated.] His dagger flashed, slicing across the creature’s ribs. It howled. But it didn’t fall. Instead— Its wounds sealed instantly. Ethan’s stomach dropped. Regeneration. Just like the ones from the outpost. This fight just got a lot harder.

  Adapt or Die Ethan switched tactics. [Dark Grasp – Activated.] Shadows erupted from the ground, coiling around the creature’s limbs. For a brief second, it struggled. Then— Its form shifted, slipping through the tendrils like liquid. Ethan’s eyes widened. It adapted. He needed to end this now. [Void Lance – Activated.] A bolt of dark energy shot from his palm, slamming into the creature’s chest. The force sent it flying backward— But before Ethan could move— It vanished. The tunnel was empty. Like it had never been there. The Aftermath Ethan’s chest heaved. The air was thick with tension. Then, the System pinged.

  [THREAT EVASION DETECTED]

  Enemy has retreated.

  Warning: Unknown entities may learn from failed engagements.

  Ethan exhaled slowly. It hadn’t fled out of fear. It had watched. Tested him. And next time? It would be stronger. He glanced back at the dead worker. At the bloodstained floor. At the dark tunnels stretching ahead. Then he turned and walked away. This fight wasn’t over.