Chapter 133 Summary
The wind howled through the jagged spires of the Demon Castle, a mournful chorus that seemed to echo the ancient curses etched into its stone walls. Inside the labyrinthine corridors, shadows moved with a life of their own, coalescing into forms that whispered of forgotten horrors. Yet even the darkness trembled at the sound of a single name—Sung Jin‑Woo—whose reputation had become legend across the continents. The air itself seemed to part as he stepped forward, his eyes a cold, calculating steel that reflected the flickering torchlight.
Jin‑Woo had been summoned to this S‑rank dungeon not by chance, but by a summons that resonated through the very core of his being. The Demon Castle had appeared on the map like a scar, a gaping wound that threatened to bleed chaos into the world. The council of hunters had warned of its peril, but the Monarch of Frost that ruled its deepest chambers had already sent a chilling warning: “Turn back, hunter, or be frozen in eternity.” Jin‑Woo smiled, a thin line that barely concealed the fire burning within. He had faced monarchs before, and each time he emerged stronger, each victory a stepping stone toward his ultimate ascension.
The first corridor was lined with statues of long‑dead monarchs, their eyes hollow, their mouths frozen in silent screams. Jin‑Woo’s hand brushed the cold stone, feeling the lingering aura of ancient power. He could sense the presence of the Frost Monarch even now, a pulse of icy energy that seemed to seep into his very bones. It was a reminder that this was no ordinary dungeon; it was a crucible designed to test the limits of a hunter’s resolve.
A sudden crack split the silence as a massive door of black iron swung open, revealing a cavernous hall bathed in an ethereal blue glow. The floor was slick with frost, and towering pillars of ice rose like frozen sentinels. At the far end of the hall stood a figure cloaked in a mantle of snow, its eyes twin shards of crystal that cut through the gloom. The Monarch of Frost turned, its gaze locking onto Jin‑Woo with an intensity that could freeze the sun itself.
“Jin‑Woo,” the monarch’s voice resonated, a sound that seemed to come from the very walls. “You have come far, but the cold will be your end.”
Jin‑Woo’s response was a low chuckle that reverberated through the hall. “I’ve survived colder nights than this,” he replied, his voice steady. “Let’s see if you can keep up.”
The battle erupted with a ferocity that shook the foundations of the castle. The Frost Monarch summoned blizzards that swirled like living entities, each gust a razor‑sharp blade aimed at Jin‑Woo’s heart. He countered with a surge of shadow energy, his shadow soldiers forming a protective barrier that absorbed the icy onslaught. The clash of elements—ice against darkness—created a dazzling display of light and shadow, each strike echoing like thunder across the cavern.
As the fight intensified, Jin‑Woo felt a familiar surge within him, a dormant power that had been waiting for the right moment to awaken. The new skill he had unlocked during his recent training—a technique he had named “Eternal Nightfall”—began to stir. It was a manifestation of his shadow army’s deepest potential, allowing him to merge his own essence with the shadows, becoming a living embodiment of darkness. The air around him thickened, and his silhouette blurred, taking on an almost ethereal quality.
“Eternal Nightfall,” he whispered, feeling the power flow through his veins like liquid night. The shadows around him coalesced into a massive, swirling vortex that seemed to devour the very light. With a swift motion, he unleashed the vortex, sending a wave of pure darkness crashing into the Frost Monarch. The monarch’s icy armor cracked under the onslaught, shards of frost shattering like glass.
The Monarch roared, a sound that reverberated through the hall, and retaliated with a torrent of frozen spears that shot toward Jin‑Woo like a hailstorm of death. He dodged with uncanny agility, his shadow form allowing him to slip through the cracks of reality itself. Each spear that missed left a trail of frost that melted upon contact with the shadows, turning the battlefield into a surreal dance of melting ice and swirling darkness.
Just as the battle seemed to tip in Jin‑Woo’s favor, a sudden tremor shook the castle. The ground cracked, and a deep, guttural laugh echoed from the shadows beyond the hall. From the darkness emerged a group of hunters, their faces lit by the glow of their weapons. Cha Hae‑In, her silver hair glinting like moonlight, stepped forward with a calm confidence that steadied the air around her. Her eyes, always sharp, locked onto Jin‑Woo, and she raised her sword, its blade humming with a faint, blue aura.
“Jin‑Woo, we’re here,” she called out, her voice carrying the weight of countless battles fought side by side. “We can’t let you face this alone.”
Behind her, Liu Zhigang, the stoic Chinese hunter known for his mastery of the thunder element, raised his fists, crackling with electric energy. Yoo Jinho, the Korean hunter whose speed rivaled the wind itself, crouched low, ready to strike with his twin daggers. And Thomas Andre, the enigmatic French hunter whose mastery of fire had earned him the nickname “Flameheart,” ignited his palms, a blaze of orange and red dancing across his knuckles.
The arrival of his comrades shifted the tide of the battle. The Frost Monarch, sensing the surge of power, let out a howl that seemed to freeze the very air. Yet Jin‑Woo, now fully merged with his shadow army, felt a renewed vigor. He raised his hand, and the shadows responded, forming a massive shield that enveloped the group, protecting them from the monarch’s icy barrage.
“Together,” Jin‑Woo said, his voice resonating through the shield. “We’ll break this frozen throne.”
The hunters moved as a single unit, each unleashing their unique abilities in perfect harmony. Cha Hae‑In’s sword sliced through the frost, each strike leaving a trail of silver light that melted the ice in its wake. Liu Zhigang’s thunderbolts crackled, striking the monarch’s armor and shattering the frozen crystals that protected it. Yoo Jinho’s speed was a blur, his daggers finding the gaps in the monarch’s defense, each thrust a flash of steel that pierced the cold. Thomas Andre’s flames roared, a wave of heat that turned the surrounding ice into steam, obscuring the battlefield and creating a veil of mist.
The Frost Monarch, now battered and bruised, let out a final, desperate scream. Its form began to crumble, the icy mantle cracking and falling away like a dying star. Jin‑Woo seized the moment, channeling the full might of Eternal Nightfall. The shadows surged, wrapping around the monarch like a shroud, and with a deafening crack, the Frost Monarch shattered into a thousand shards of crystal that dissolved into the air.
Silence fell over the hall, broken only by the soft hiss of steam rising from the melted ice. The hunters stood amidst the wreckage, breathing heavily, their eyes reflecting the glow of the fading battle. Jin‑Woo lowered his hand, the shadows receding back into his form, the darkness settling like a cloak around his shoulders.
“We did it,” Cha Hae‑In said, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. “The Frost Monarch is no more.”
Jin‑Woo nodded, his gaze lingering on the remnants of the monarch’s throne. “This was only the beginning,” he replied, his voice low. “The Demon Castle still holds deeper secrets. The true heart of this place lies beyond.”
Liu Zhigang stepped forward, his eyes scanning the walls for any hidden passages. “There’s a sealed gate on the far side,” he observed, pointing to a massive slab of stone etched with ancient runes. “It’s likely the entrance to the core of the castle.”
Thomas Andre flicked his wrist, sending a small flame dancing across his palm. “Then let’s move. The longer we linger, the more likely the castle will try to trap us.”
Yoo Jinho grinned, his twin daggers glinting. “I’m ready for whatever comes next. Let’s finish this.”
The group advanced, their footsteps echoing through the cavernous hall. As they approached the sealed gate, Jin‑Woo felt a familiar tug at his consciousness—a whisper from the shadows that seemed to beckon him forward. He placed his hand upon the ancient runes, and the stone began to glow with a soft, violet light. The runes pulsed in rhythm with his heartbeat, and the gate slowly creaked open, revealing a staircase that spiraled down into the abyss.
The descent was steep, the walls narrowing as they moved deeper into the heart of the Demon Castle. The air grew colder, and the faint sound of distant chanting drifted through the tunnels, a low hum that resonated with the lingering presence of the Frost Monarch. Jin‑Woo’s mind sharpened, his senses attuned to every shift in the environment. He could feel the weight of the castle’s ancient magic pressing against his soul, testing his resolve.
At the bottom of the staircase, they entered a massive chamber illuminated by a dim, crimson glow. The walls were lined with towering pillars of black stone, each etched with runes that pulsed with a dark energy. In the center of the chamber stood a massive throne, its seat empty, but the air around it crackled with a power that seemed to warp reality itself.
“Is this… the throne of the Demon King?” Cha Hae‑In whispered, her eyes widening as she took in the sight.
Jin‑Woo stepped forward, his shadow army forming a protective circle around the group. “It feels like it,” he said, his voice echoing off the stone. “But there’s something else here… a presence that’s been waiting.”
From the shadows behind the throne, a figure emerged—a tall, gaunt man with eyes that burned like embers. His hair was a wild tangle of black, and his armor was a patchwork of dark metal and bone. He raised a hand, and the room filled with a low, resonant hum that seemed to vibrate the very core of their beings.
“I am the Keeper of the Abyss,” the figure announced, his voice a blend of menace and curiosity. “You have broken the Frost Monarch, but the true test lies ahead. The Demon Castle is not merely a dungeon; it is a living entity, a crucible for those who seek power beyond mortal limits.”
Jin‑Woo’s eyes narrowed. “What do you want from us?”
The Keeper smiled, a thin, cruel grin. “I seek a worthy opponent, a hunter who can challenge the very foundations of this world. You, Sung Jin‑Woo, have shown great promise. I will grant you a chance to ascend further—if you can survive the trial I set before you.”
Cha Hae‑In stepped forward, her sword at the ready. “We won’t back down. We’ll face whatever you throw at us.”
The Keeper raised his hand again, and the chamber transformed. The pillars dissolved into swirling vortexes of darkness, and the floor beneath them cracked, revealing a chasm that seemed to stretch into infinite night. From the depths rose a legion of shadowy figures—monsters forged from the very essence of the castle’s darkness. Their eyes glowed with a malevolent light, and their claws dripped with a black ichor that seemed to corrupt everything it touched.
“This is the Abyssal Legion,” the Keeper intoned. “Defeat them, and you will earn the right to claim the throne. Fail, and you will become part of this darkness forever.”
The battle erupted with a ferocity that eclipsed even the clash with the Frost Monarch. The Abyssal Legion surged forward, their numbers overwhelming. Jin‑Woo’s shadow army expanded, forming a wall of darkness that met the legion head‑on. Cha Hae‑In’s sword sang, each slash cutting through the shadows with a brilliance that illuminated the chamber. Liu Zhigang summoned thunder, each bolt striking the legion and sending them scattering. Yoo Jinho moved like a phantom, his daggers flashing as he weaved through the enemy ranks, each strike a burst of kinetic energy. Thomas Andre’s flames roared, turning the darkness into ash.
Jin‑Woo felt the surge of his new skill, Eternal Nightfall, reaching its apex. He channeled the power into a single, devastating wave—a vortex of pure darkness that swallowed the legion’s front line, crushing them into oblivion. The shadows recoiled, and the chamber trembled as the force of the attack reverberated through the stone.
But the Abyssal Legion was not easily defeated. From the depths, a massive figure rose—a towering behemoth of shadow and bone, its eyes twin pits of void. It let out a guttural roar that shook the very foundations of the castle. The creature’s presence dwarfed the others, its aura radiating a cold that seemed to freeze even the flames of Thomas Andre.
“This is the Abyssal Colossus,” the Keeper announced, his voice echoing with a mixture of admiration and warning. “Only the strongest can hope to defeat it.”
Jin‑Woo’s heart pounded, but his resolve was unshakable. He stepped forward, his shadow army forming a protective barrier around him. The Colossus swung its massive arms, each strike sending shockwaves that rippled through the chamber. Jin‑Woo dodged with uncanny agility, his shadow form allowing him to slip through the cracks of reality, appearing behind the beast in an instant.
He unleashed a flurry of shadow blades, each one cutting through the creature’s armor like a hot knife through butter. The Colossus roared in pain, its eyes flashing with a furious light. Jin‑Woo felt the power of Eternal Nightfall surge within him, and he called upon the deepest reserves of his shadow army, merging his own essence with the darkness to become a living embodiment of night.
The Colossus lunged, and Jin‑Woo met it head‑on, the two forces colliding in an explosion of light and shadow. The impact sent a shockwave that rippled across the chamber, shattering the remaining pillars and sending debris raining down. The other hunters seized the moment, their attacks coordinated with surgical precision. Cha Hae‑In’s sword struck the beast’s leg, crippling its movement. Liu Zhigang’s thunderbolts struck its head, disorienting it. Yoo Jinho’s speed allowed him to dart in and out, delivering precise strikes that weakened the creature’s core. Thomas Andre’s flames engulfed the beast’s torso, turning its shadowy flesh into a searing blaze.
The battle raged on, each second a test of will and endurance. Jin‑Woo felt his stamina waning, but the presence of his comrades fueled his resolve. He could sense the Keeper watching, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of curiosity and respect. The Colossus let out a final, deafening roar, and with a massive swing of its arm, it attempted to crush Jin‑Woo.
In that instant, Jin‑Woo’s shadow army surged forward, forming a protective dome that absorbed the impact. The force of the blow reverberated through the dome, but the shadows held firm. Jin‑Woo seized the opportunity, channeling the full might of Eternal Nightfall into a single, concentrated blast. The darkness erupted from his hand like a black comet, striking the Colossus directly in its heart.
The creature shattered, its form disintegrating into a cascade of black particles that dissolved into the air. The chamber fell silent, the only sound the ragged breaths of the hunters and the faint hum of the Keeper’s lingering presence.
The Keeper stepped forward, his eyes reflecting a mixture of admiration and something deeper—perhaps a hint of respect for the hunter who had dared to challenge the abyss itself. “You have proven your worth, Sung Jin‑Woo,” he said, his voice resonating through the stone. “The throne is yours, should you choose to claim it.”
Jin‑Woo approached the throne, his shadow army trailing behind him like a living cloak. He placed his hand upon the cold, obsidian seat, feeling the ancient power pulse beneath his fingertips. A surge of energy coursed through him, a torrent of memories and strength from countless battles, from the first time he stepped into a dungeon to the present moment where he stood on the precipice of true ascension.
He closed his eyes, allowing the power to flow through him, merging his soul with the throne’s essence. The room filled with a blinding light, the darkness of his shadow army intertwining with the radiant energy of the throne. In that moment, Jin‑Woo felt a transformation unlike any he had experienced before. He became more than a hunter; he became a monarch of his own making, a bridge between light and shadow, a ruler of both the living world and the realms beyond.
When the light faded, Jin‑Woo stood before the throne, his eyes glowing with a new intensity. The shadows that once clung to his form now seemed to dance at his command, each one a loyal servant ready to obey his will. He turned to his comrades, a smile playing on his lips.
“We did it,” he said, his voice resonating with a newfound authority. “The Demon Castle is ours, and the world will feel the change