The Heavenly Demon of Terror-Chapter 328: Floor 1: The Maw of Trial

Samuel's POV – Lord of Fangs Dungeon

The Dungeon Gate shimmered behind me, sealed shut with threads of silver flame. There was no going back—not until I beat whatever beast ruled this hole.

I stood at the edge of a shattered obsidian path, suspended above a black void that stretched forever downward. Bone towers rose from the darkness like the ribs of some long-dead titan, and glowing glyphs flickered on the ground beneath my boots.

"Floor One, huh?" I muttered, rolling my shoulders and letting the familiar heat of my Hellfire Gauntlets surge to life. "Let's see what you've got."

[System Notification – Welcome to the Dungeon of the Lord of Fangs]

Floor 1: The Maw of Trial

Objective: Survive the Packlord's Arena

Sub-Objective: Defeat all Hounds within 3 minutes for bonus reward

A massive iron gate ahead groaned open.

"Ah," I said, cracking my knuckles, "so we're doing this gladiator style."

Inside the arena, a crescent-shaped platform waited—lit by eerie red moonlight. The floor was covered in claw marks, dried blood, and crushed stone. Then... I heard them.

Growling.

Six pairs of glowing amber eyes emerged from the shadows—massive, muscular hounds with jagged bone plating and fangs like ivory daggers. Each beast radiated dark mana, tongues lolling, eyes fixed on me like prey.

The one in the center—twice the size of the others—let out a thunderous bark that shook the arena.

[Packlord Varghis – Fangbound Houndmaster]

"Alright, big guy," I grinned. "Let's get this party started."

I launched forward, my gauntlets igniting with red-hot fury.

The first hound lunged—jaws wide. I slid low beneath it and uppercutted it so hard, it flipped backward with a yelp.

"ONE!"

Another came in fast from the left, but I caught it mid-air and hurled it into a stone pillar. The impact cracked bone and stone alike.

"Two down," I muttered, breathing heavy. "Four to go."

Then the Packlord howled—and the remaining hounds surged with a burst of speed, dark auras exploding around them.

"Ah, buffs. Of course."

I jumped, barely dodging two fang strikes and landed with a fiery stomp that sent a shockwave outward.

[Skill Activated – Infernal Tremor]

The wave knocked two hounds flat, stunning them. I dashed in, slamming both fists into their skulls—BOOM! BOOM!

Blood and black mist burst from the impact points.

"That's four!"

Suddenly, the Packlord was on me. I turned just in time to block his massive claw with my crossed gauntlets—metal clashed with monstrous strength, sending sparks flying.

"Not bad," I grunted, feeling the impact tremble down to my bones. "But I've wrestled worse things in my dreams."

Varghis snarled and tried to bite—his fangs closed on air as I ducked under and planted a punch right into his ribs. The hit staggered him—but not for long.

"Let's finish this!"

He pounced—fangs descending like spears. I surged power into my gauntlets.

[Limit Break: Burning Core]

A fiery sigil erupted beneath my feet. Time slowed. My body blurred into motion. Five rapid strikes lit up his chest like an inferno.

Then—

"Final hit!" I roared, leaping high and crashing down with both fists.

CRACK!

The platform shuddered. The Packlord slumped, legs twitching, smoke rising from his mangled chest.

[Enemy Defeated – Packlord Varghis Slain]

[Bonus Objective Completed – All Hounds Defeated Within 3 Minutes]

Reward: Fangshard Sigil + Packhunter's Rune + ??? ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com

I stood, chest heaving, bloodied but alive. My gauntlets cooled with hissing steam as the arena shifted and the gate ahead opened.

I stepped forward, not bothering to look back.

"One floor down," I whispered. "Nine more to go."

And my smile only grew.

"Bring it on, Lord of Fangs. I'm just getting started."

________________________________________

Samuel's POV – Just Beyond Floor 1, In the Transition Chamber

The moment I stepped through the second gate, I was surrounded by low blue torchlight and the sweet, satisfying sound of reward chimes ringing in my ears. A circular chamber stretched before me—smooth obsidian walls etched with glowing silver runes. At its center floated a crystalline pedestal, humming softly with residual magic.

"Alright... let's see what I got from slapping a bone mutt into next week," I muttered, pulling up the system window with a flick of my hand.

---

[SYSTEM REWARD SUMMARY – FLOOR 1 COMPLETE]

✅ Packlord Varghis Defeated

✅ All Hounds Slain within 3 Minutes

🎖️ Fangshard Sigil (Epic)

→ A cursed rune once embedded in the skull of a legendary houndmaster. Enhances all physical damage dealt to Beast-type enemies by 30%. When activated, summons spectral hounds for 30 seconds.

🎖️ Packhunter's Rune (Rare)

→ Increases movement speed and agility by 15%. Grants passive aura that increases damage when fighting alongside allies.

❓ Mystery Drop: Veiled Fragment

→ A fragment wrapped in layers of protective energy. Cannot be identified until reaching Floor 5. Caution: It pulses with latent divine dread.

---

I whistled low. "Damn... I knew this dungeon wasn't playing around, but this? This is the kind of loot I live for."

I pulled the Fangshard Sigil into my inventory and immediately slotted it into my gauntlets. A crackle of black flame surged along my arms as it bonded with the weapon's core. My knuckles glowed with fresh, dangerous energy.

I tested a few quick jabs into the air—each strike left a faint red arc trailing behind, like I was punching through the afterimage of a beast's roar.

"Beautiful," I grinned. "Now I really am the alpha."

Then I glanced at the Veiled Fragment.

"That... looks like trouble." I tapped it. The screen refused to identify it again.

[Further Access Locked – Progress to Floor 5 to Unveil Contents]

"I hate delayed gratification," I groaned, but I slipped it away. "Still, you got my attention."

The torchlight dimmed for a second.

[System Notification – New Portal Activated: Floor 2 – The Bloodroot Tunnels]

A dark red light bloomed ahead, revealing a descending stairwell covered in thorny roots. The stone pulsed faintly underfoot.

I cracked my neck, rolled my shoulders, and began my descent.

"Let's keep the rhythm going. Next round, next bloodbath."

But as I walked, I couldn't shake the lingering aura that pulsed off that fragment. It was... old. Hungry.

And oddly familiar.

"Whatever's down there," I whispered to myself, "you'd better be worth my time."

With fire in my fists and fury in my veins, I stepped into Floor 2—ready to keep burying the light deeper within.