Chapter 21 – The First Planetary Dungeon
The radiant wings surrounding City Hall continued to shine long after Malachar’s projection disappeared.
Without the Abyss General empowering them, the remaining Abyss Captains rapidly weakened.
Azrael dashed forward.
"Shadow Step."
His figure blurred across the battlefield.
Slash!
The first Captain’s arm fell to the ground.
Before it could regenerate—
"Oblivion Severance."
A crescent of black energy swept across the monster.
Unlike before, the darkness didn’t explode violently.
Instead, it silently erased the crimson corruption flowing through the Captain’s body.
The monster froze.
Cracks spread across its armor.
Then—
It shattered into countless fragments of black dust.
Abyss Captain Defeated
+3,000 EXP
+750 Evolution Points
Oblivion Severance Mastery
25% → 29%
"One down!"
Marcus laughed as he swung his hammer into another Captain.
"Leave one for me!"
The second Captain charged toward him.
Just before the monster’s sword connected—
Golden vines erupted from the ground.
Genesis Bind!
The Captain’s movements stopped.
Marcus grinned.
"Perfect timing!"
BOOM!
His hammer smashed into the Captain’s chest.
The monster crashed through three buildings before Elena appeared above it.
Blue lightning danced across her blade.
"Thunder Flash!"
A brilliant arc of lightning split the Captain in two.
Captain Eliminated
"Nice teamwork."
Elena smiled.
"We’re finally getting used to fighting together."
Nearby, Ryan and Sophia coordinated with remarkable precision.
Ryan’s arrows forced monsters into narrow paths while Sophia eliminated them one after another.
Claire directed support teams, making sure every injured guild member reached Seraphina’s healing field.
The battle that had once been chaotic now resembled a well-trained army.
Azrael couldn’t help smiling.
"They’re growing."
Not just in levels.
But in experience.
In confidence.
In trust.
Thirty minutes later...
The final Abyss Captain let out a deafening roar before collapsing.
Silence returned to City Hall.
Then the System chimed.
Congratulations!
Guild Recognition Trial Complete.
Result:
Perfect Victory
Performance Rating:
SSS
Cheers erupted throughout the headquarters.
Marcus threw both fists into the air.
"We did it!"
Ryan collapsed onto the ground laughing.
"I seriously thought we were dead."
Sophia kicked him lightly.
"You say that after every battle."
"Because every battle almost kills us!"
The guild burst into laughter.
For the first time since the apocalypse began...
Everyone felt like they had truly survived.
Golden light descended upon the Guild Core.
The crystal expanded once more.
Stone walls repaired themselves.
Broken windows reformed.
Damaged corridors restored to their original appearance.
The entire City Hall trembled.
Outside...
Massive walls of white stone slowly rose from the ground.
Four defensive towers emerged at each corner of the territory.
Golden barriers surrounded the perimeter.
The headquarters had evolved.
Guild Headquarters Upgraded
Rank:
Bronze Fortress
Unlocked Features:
✓ Training Hall
✓ Guild Warehouse
✓ Healing Fountain
✓ Mission Board
✓ Defensive Barrier
✓ Guild Teleport Beacon (Local)
Marcus stared in amazement.
"It upgraded itself..."
Claire smiled.
"We’re really building a city."
Azrael looked at the restored headquarters.
"This is only the beginning."
Suddenly...
Every guild member received another notification.
World Event
The first Planetary Dungeon has appeared.
Dungeon Name:
Ruins of Eden
Difficulty:
F
Location:
18 Kilometers Northeast of Elysia.
Entry Requirement:
Level 7
Maximum Participants:
20
First Clear Rewards Available.
Elena’s eyes widened.
"A dungeon already?"
Marcus grinned.
"I’ve been waiting for this!"
Seraphina tilted her head.
"What exactly is a dungeon?"
Elena answered.
"In the games I used to play..."
"They’re places filled with monsters and treasures."
The System immediately corrected her.
Information
Planetary Dungeons are fragments of ancient civilizations integrated into newly awakened worlds.
Clearing dungeons accelerates planetary evolution.
Azrael frowned.
"Ancient civilizations..."
Raphael’s words echoed in his mind.
"Reach the higher worlds."
Maybe...
The dungeon contained answers.
Later that afternoon...
The guild gathered inside the newly restored council chamber.
A holographic map floated above the table.
The dungeon’s location blinked in gold.
Azrael looked around the room.
"We can’t all go."
Claire nodded.
"Someone has to protect headquarters."
Marcus raised his hand.
"I’m going."
Sophia rolled her eyes.
"We knew you’d volunteer."
Ryan also stepped forward.
"I’ll come too."
Elena folded her arms.
"I’m definitely not missing Earth’s first dungeon."
Seraphina looked toward Azrael.
"So..."
"Who’s staying?"
Azrael thought for a moment.
"Claire."
She nodded immediately.
"I’ll manage the headquarters."
"I know you will."
The final expedition team was decided.
Azrael.
Seraphina.
Elena.
Marcus.
Ryan.
Sophia.
Fourteen additional Level 7 guild members.
Twenty people in total.
That evening...
As preparations continued...
Azrael wandered into the headquarters library.
Most of the shelves were empty.
Only a handful of old government documents remained.
Something on the top shelf caught his attention.
A dusty leather journal.
He carefully opened it.
Most pages had decayed with age.
Only one sentence remained readable.
"The angels descended once before... and promised they would return when humanity was ready."
Azrael’s heart skipped a beat.
"This was written..."
"...forty-three years ago?"
Before he could read further—
The pages turned to ash.
The System appeared.
Hidden Record Detected.
Historical data corrupted.
Recovery unavailable.
"...Someone erased it."
He quietly pocketed the journal’s leather cover.
Even if the pages were gone...
The symbol embossed on the front remained.
A wing encircling a sun.
He had seen that emblem before.
It was carved onto Raphael’s armor.
Far beyond Earth...
Within the First Heaven...
Auriel stood before the Celestial Mirror once more.
Michael approached quietly.
"They’ve discovered the symbol."
Auriel nodded.
"It was only a matter of time."
Michael looked toward the countless stars.
"The First Dungeon..."
"...contains one of your husband’s relics."
Auriel closed her eyes.
"I know."
"If they obtain it..."
"They’ll learn his name."
Michael sighed.
"And perhaps..."
"...begin asking questions we cannot yet answer."
Auriel whispered softly,
"I’m sorry..."
"My beloved."
"Our children are finally walking the path you prepared for them."
Meanwhile...
Deep beneath the Ruins of Eden...
A massive stone chamber trembled.
Ancient runes illuminated the darkness.
A gigantic pair of stone doors slowly creaked open for the first time in thousands of years.
A voice echoed through the empty ruins.
"Authorized bloodline detected..."
"Heirs of Genesis..."
"Heirs of Oblivion..."
The voice paused.
Then, for the first time in millennia...
It laughed.
"Master..."
"Your children have finally come."
A pair of brilliant golden eyes slowly opened in the darkness.
Waiting.
Watching.
For the day the twins would step into the dungeon and uncover the first fragment of their forgotten legacy.