Chapter 38 : SSS Rank Dungeon 2
OUTSIDE THE (SSS) RANK DUNGEON
Aurelia and Grim stood before the ominous entrance of the SSS-rank dungeon, its gaping maw like a monstrous creature waiting to devour them. The air was thick with tension, the surroundings desolate and cold.
"Why don't we turn back? We still have some time," Aurelia said, her voice carrying a hint of nervousness, though she tried to mask it with indifference.
Grim's lips twisted into a dark smile. Without warning, he grabbed her crimson hair and yanked her head back, his grip firm but not painful. His black eyes gleamed with that familiar, terrifying amusement.
"Aurelia, you belong to me, so you'll die with me," Grim said, his voice low and mocking as he laughed.
"Please don't joke around," Aurelia replied, her golden eyes narrowing. "I know you're crazy enough, but how can I be crazy enough to play your game?"
He let go of her hair, patting her head instead, his expression turning from cruel to strangely reassuring. "Don't worry. I'm not gonna die, and you can't die without my permission. I know what I'm doing."
Aurelia opened her mouth to speak, but Grim grabbed her hand and began dragging her inside the dungeon before she could protest.
Now they were inside, the entrance sealing shut behind them with an echoing rumble. The air was thick and oppressive, the environment resembling a twisted, hellish paradise. Massive trees with leaves larger than shields rose around them, their bark black as night. The sky overhead was a deep, fiery red, like the world itself was bleeding and ready to rain fire.
Grim looked around, his gaze sharp. "Now we're inside, and we can't leave until we clear it. Looks like we have no choice."
"You're a madman," Aurelia said, her voice trembling slightly as she took in their surroundings.
"I've heard that before," Grim replied with a smirk.
Aurelia bit her lip. "You know the time here is different from outside, right? I think one month here is one day outside. So if we stay five days in here, it'll be five months."
Grim shrugged, unfazed. "And?"
"What exactly are you planning to do here?" Aurelia asked, her irritation growing.
Just then, a glowing screen appeared before them, its letters blazing ominously.
DUNGEON (SSS) RANK
OBJECTIVE: DEFEAT THE DRAGON
Aurelia's eyes widened. "Looks like we're fucked," she said, glancing at Grim.
Grim laughed, his tone dark and utterly fearless. "Indeed. How can we defeat a dragon? Well, let's just scout for now. We've got a whole five months."
As they spoke, a group of massive orcs emerged from the dense forest, their snarling faces twisted with bloodlust.
"Looks like we have some guests," Grim said with a wicked grin. "Why don't we deal with them first?"
"Wait," Aurelia said sharply. "I have to try something. Don't kill them—just make them unable to do anything."
"Got it."
This was only the second time Aurelia was going to witness Grim's power. He moved like a beast unleashed, his speed so blindingly fast that the orcs couldn't even react. Within moments, Grim had grabbed them by their heads like they were mere toys, his hands crushing their strength and will with ruthless precision. He made sure not to kill them, only rendering them useless.
One of the orcs swung its massive arm, its fist slamming into Grim's face with a force that would have shattered a normal man's skull. But Grim stood there, unfazed, as if he hadn't even felt the blow. His black eyes gleamed with amusement, as if he was enjoying their futile struggle.
He dismantled the entire group with terrifying efficiency, his white hair swaying as he moved. His body was a masterpiece of strength and brutality, dangerous and breathtakingly handsome. His hair, reaching his shoulders, added to the wild aura surrounding him.
When Grim finished, he dragged the defeated orcs and threw them at Aurelia's feet like offerings.
Aurelia's eyes widened, not just at the sheer power Grim possessed but at how casually he handled it. His strength was monstrous.
But it was her turn. Taking a deep breath, she activated her ability. Grim watched with fascination as the orcs' entire lifeforce was sucked out of them, their bodies withering until they were nothing but husks.
Grim chuckled, impressed. "Looks like you've got some scary ability, and you were scared of challenging this dungeon."
Aurelia's golden eyes locked onto his black ones, her chest heaving slightly from the effort. "It's not the dungeon that scares me... It's you."
"Good," Grim whispered, his voice dark and laced with amusement. He stepped closer, his large frame towering over her, his hand brushing over her crimson hair in a disturbingly gentle manner. "Fear suits you."
Aurelia's heart raced. She hated how he could make her feel this way, as if his very presence was both a danger and a lure she couldn't escape from. The way his gaze burned into her, possessive and consuming, made her feel trapped... and something else she refused to acknowledge.
But in this world where death lurked around every corner, maybe she needed that madness Grim carried so easily.
---
Grim asked Aurelia, his voice laced with curiosity, "So, what ability were you using?"
Aurelia's lips curled into a wicked smirk. "This shameful ability I got... But I like it. And I'm also going to teach you a lesson with this. Just let us defeat this dungeon. Dark Embrace."
Grim's amusement grew as he looked at her, his eyes gleaming with dark excitement. "Don't give me any chance, darling. Because if you do... I'm going to devour you."
Aurelia met his gaze and activated her ability. The lifeforce of the orcs began draining from their bodies, their skin turning pale as their strength faded away. Their lifeforce flowed into her, making her feel a surge of power.
But then Grim stepped forward, his eyes never leaving hers. With a casual gesture, he raised his hand, and something even darker emerged. A swirling mass of pure darkness manifested like a black hole, consuming the bodies of the lifeless orcs. Their remains vanished into nothingness, leaving only silence behind.
Aurelia's eyes widened. "What... what is that?"
Grim's grin grew more sinister. "It's my ability. Void."
He grabbed her hair and pulled her close, their faces just inches apart. Before she could react, his lips crashed against hers with brutal passion. His tongue invaded her mouth, claiming her completely. The force of his kiss left her gasping, her body trembling with desire.
Then Grim pulled away, but only slightly. His hand still gripped her hair as he tilted her head back. His tongue hovered above her lips, and a thin line of saliva dripped from his mouth into hers. She drank it willingly, her eyes hazy with lust.
But just as she leaned in for more, he stopped. His fingers released her hair, and he stepped back with a smirk. "We have to defeat the dragon first, darling. After that, we'll have all the time to enjoy ourselves."
He turned away, his back to her, as if dismissing her entirely.
But Aurelia's frustration flared. Her fingers clenched, and she lunged forward, grabbing his hair from behind and forcing him to face her. This time, she slammed her lips against his, her kiss fierce and demanding.
Grim's amusement deepened, his dark gaze glowing with excitement. His hand shot up, wrapping around her neck and squeezing tightly. "I'll give you this chance, darling. But if you slip up... you know what I'll do."
His grip tightened, leaving red marks on her neck before he let go.
Aurelia touched her neck, her breathing heavy and her eyes burning with desire. "You better watch out, Grim. Because even if you beg... I'm not going to stop."
"Looking forward to it, darling." Grim's voice was a low, dangerous growl.
They continued moving through the jungle, the landscape resembling a twisted world of chaos. The ground was littered with gigantic leaves, the trees towering above with branches so sharp they could slice through flesh. The sky was a shade of crimson, like blood threatening to rain down upon them.
Days turned into weeks, weeks into months. The dungeon's distorted time meant one day outside equaled one month inside. They hunted various monstrous creatures, their strength growing with every fight. Aurelia absorbed their lifeforce, feeling her abilities strengthen, while Grim's Void consumed their bodies, leaving nothing behind.
Despite their constant fighting and danger, their twisted romance grew stronger, the darkness between them intertwining like chains that bound them to one another. Every now and then, Grim would seize her, forcing her to submit to his relentless kisses, his rough touches, and his possessive grip. And Aurelia would respond just as fiercely, her own hunger matching his.
But then, one day, they finally stumbled upon it.
The lair of the dragon.
A monstrous red beast lay curled up, its scales glowing like molten rubies. The sheer size of the creature was overwhelming, and the aura it emitted was suffocating. Even while sleeping, its presence threatened to crush their very souls.
Grim looked at the dragon with a smirk. "Looks like we have to plan, darling. We can't defeat this one the same way we did with the others. This one is much stronger. Strong enough to kill us."
They retreated to a safer location, away from the dragon's lair. Grim settled down on a large stone, his eyes sharp and calculating.
"Alright, darling. Tell me what spells you can use and how long you can maintain them."
Aurelia glanced at her stats screen.
---
STATS
AURELIA ASHFALL
LEVEL: 190
STRENGTH: 90
MANA: 100
ENDURANCE: 100
IQ: 100
ABILITY: DARK EMBRACE
---
"I've grown much stronger than before thanks to the lifeforce of the monsters. And I've been practicing the spells I only read about in the library. My specialty is ice magic, but I can also use fire, wind, and teleportation magic. I can also turn invisible."
Grim's grin grew with pride and hunger. "Come here."
Aurelia approached him, and without warning, his hand shot out and grabbed her wrist. He yanked her forward, forcing her to sit on his lap. His hands roamed over her body, his grip possessive, his touch harsh and unrelenting.
"As expected of my wife."
Aurelia's cheeks flushed crimson at his words, her golden eyes gleaming with excitement and embarrassment. "Of course, I'm your wife. So, of course, I have to keep up with you."
Her gaze darkened with lust as she traced her fingers along his chest.
Grim's expression twisted into something dark and ravenous. "Darling, we should wait a little longer. Don't worry, after it's over... nobody's going to stop us."
"You better," Aurelia whispered with both longing and defiance.
Grim's demeanor shifted to cold seriousness. "Now, listen. Here's the plan. You're going to use your invisibility magic to stay hidden at all times. Leave marks in different locations so you can teleport instantly if needed. Make sure it can't locate you. When I give the command, you'll use your magic accordingly. Understood?"
Aurelia nodded, her expression now filled with determination. "Got it."