From Failure to SSS-Rank Demon Lord

Mars moved with quiet confidence, his boots crunching against loose gravel as he entered the narrow tunnel leading into the dungeon. The air grew colder with each step, the faint glow of green runes on the walls casting eerie patterns on the damp stone. A faint smile tugged at his lips. It's just as I remember, he thought, his mind racing through strategies and traps he knew lay ahead.

Ahead, the path forked into three corridors, a common design meant to confuse inexperienced players. Mars didn't hesitate, veering left without slowing his stride. He knew the right path was rigged with pressure plates that activated poisoned darts, and the center one led to a pitfall. His crimson eyes scanned the dim passage, his hand tightening around his sword as he counted his steps. Exactly twenty-three paces in, the floor changed slightly—a warning of a hidden tripwire.

Mars knelt, carefully slicing the near-invisible cord with the edge of his blade. A soft click followed as a set of rusted spikes sprang harmlessly from the ceiling above. He smirked, the rush of outsmarting the dungeon's tricks invigorating him. "Amateurs would've died here," he muttered, standing and continuing forward.

The corridor opened into a small chamber where a group of skeletal warriors stood motionless, guarding the way forward. Mars slowed his breathing, watching their patterns. He knew they would only activate if someone crossed the threshold too quickly. With deliberate care, he stepped forward, activating Thrust to pierce the nearest skeleton through its spine before it could react. The remaining guards sprang to life, but Mars was already moving, using Slash to cleave through two more. By the time the last skeleton raised its sword, it was already too late.

The Chamber of the Dead

The next room was cavernous, the ceiling so high it disappeared into darkness. Stalagmites jutted from the floor like jagged teeth, while the faint stench of decay filled the air. In the center of the room stood an altar surrounded by glowing sigils. Mars's lips tightened. This is where the skeleton horde spawns, he thought, rolling his shoulders in preparation.

The moment he stepped onto the sigil-marked floor, a bone-rattling screech echoed through the chamber. Dozens of skeletons crawled out from crevices, their empty eye sockets glowing with faint blue light. Mars didn't flinch. He had fought these enemies before and knew exactly how to handle them.

[System Notification: Encounter Triggered—15 Skeletal Warriors.]

[Status Update: Stamina Drain Active. Current Stamina: 50/50.]

"Let's make this quick," he muttered, as he crossed the threshold. The room came alive. Bones rattled, and skeletal warriors clawed their way out of the ground, their rusted weapons gleaming faintly in the eerie light. Mars counted quickly—fifteen, just as he remembered. "All right," he muttered, rolling his shoulders. "Let's dance."

[Stamina Drain: -5. Current Stamina: 45/50.]

The first skeleton lunged, its movements stiff but deliberate. Mars sidestepped, bringing his blade down in a clean Slash, shattering its skull and spine.

[Skill Used: Slash. -5 Stamina. Current Stamina: 40/50.]

Another came from his left, but he spun on his heel, delivering a precise Thrust that pierced through its ribcage and left it crumpled on the floor.

[Skill Used: Thrust. -7 Stamina. Current Stamina: 33/50.]

He moved like a predator, using his superior positioning and meta knowledge to stay ahead of the horde.

The skeletons began to press closer, their movements faster now as the group coordinated. Mars used the room's layout to his advantage, leading them around the pews and forcing them into choke points. He struck out with Slash, the wide arc of his blade scattering bones as two more fell.

[Skill Used: Slash. -5 Stamina. Current Stamina: 28/50.]

His stamina was draining, his breathing heavier, but his mind stayed sharp. He baited another skeleton into overextending and took it down with a calculated Thrust.

[Skill Used: Thrust. -7 Stamina. Current Stamina: 21/50.]

Minutes passed in a grueling rhythm of movement and strikes until the last skeleton collapsed into a pile of bones.

[Combat Complete: Skeletal Warriors Defeated. Bonus EXP Awarded: 3,500.]

[Stamina Recovery Activated. Current Stamina: 30/50. Regeneration: +1 per second.]

Mars leaned against the altar, catching his breath. "Still got it," he muttered, his voice tinged with satisfaction.

[Status Update: Health Stable. Current HP: 100/100.]

The room was quiet again, save for the faint hum of the glowing runes surrounding the altar. He approached cautiously, knowing this was the trigger for the final phase.

 Confronting the Necromancer

The final chamber was larger than the last, its walls lined with jagged carvings glowing a sickly green. At its center stood the necromancer, draped in tattered black robes. The skeletal figure clutched a staff pulsing with dark energy, its hollow eyes locking onto Mars as he entered.

[System Notification: Final Boss Encounter Initiated—Necromancer Dreval.]

[Recommended Strategy: Eliminate Minions First.]

"So, another brave soul thinks they can challenge me?" the necromancer hissed, his voice cold and echoing. "You'll find only death here."

Mars gripped his sword tightly, stepping into the room with steady determination.

[Stamina Check: 40/50. Active Regeneration: +1 per second.]

"I've heard that before," he replied, his voice calm. "But you'll fall like the rest."

The necromancer raised his staff, and skeletons began clawing their way out of the ground once more.

[Minions Summoned: 12 Skeletal Warriors.]

Mars cursed under his breath. "Of course," he muttered, retreating slightly as the horde began to surround him. He didn't have magic to rely on—only his blade and his wits.

A skeleton lunged at him, and he met it with a quick Slash, severing its head cleanly.

[Skill Used: Slash. -5 Stamina. Current Stamina: 35/50.]

He pivoted, narrowly avoiding another attack, and retaliated with Thrust, driving his blade through its chest.

[Skill Used: Thrust. -7 Stamina. Current Stamina: 28/50.]

The necromancer chanted, and a wave of dark energy rippled through the room, strengthening the remaining skeletons.

[Enemy Buff: Skeletal Minions Empowered. Damage Output Increased by 20%.]

Mars adjusted his strategy, using the room's pillars as cover to create distance and isolate smaller groups of enemies. Another skeleton rushed him, and Mars struck with a powerful Slash, scattering its bones.

[Skill Used: Slash. -5 Stamina. Current Stamina: 23/50.]

One by one, the skeletons fell, though Mars's movements became slower with each swing. His stamina was running low, but he couldn't afford to stop.

[Stamina Warning: 15/50. Efficiency Reduced by 10%.]

With the horde finally defeated, he turned his attention to the necromancer, who stood at the center of the room, his staff glowing brighter.

Mars feigned a charge, drawing the necromancer's attention and forcing him to cast prematurely.

[Enemy Skill: Dark Nova Failed. Cooldown Active.]

The blast of dark energy struck the floor harmlessly as Mars pivoted, closing the distance in a single, calculated movement. The necromancer raised his staff to block, but Mars's Thrust shattered it, sending shards flying.

[Skill Used: Thrust. Critical Hit. -7 Stamina. Current Stamina: 8/50.]

The skeletal figure staggered, and Mars didn't hesitate, delivering a final, powerful Slash that severed its head from its body.

[Skill Used: Slash. Fatal Blow. -5 Stamina. Current Stamina: 3/50.]

The necromancer crumbled to the ground, his form disintegrating into ash.

[Boss Defeated. EXP Gained: 5,000.]

[Title Earned: Necromancer's Bane.]

Mars stood over the remains, his breath heavy but steady. From the ashes, a faint glow emerged, revealing a core pulsating with dark energy.

[Loot Acquired: Necromancer's Core. Quality: Rare.]

He picked it up, holding it in his hand as the system chimed.

Mars slipped the core into his inventory, his gaze sweeping over the now-silent chamber.

[Status Update: Stamina Recovery Active. Current Stamina: 8/50. Regeneration: +1 per second.]

"One step closer," he muttered, turning toward the exit. As he retraced his steps through the dungeon, he felt a flicker of pride. This wasn't just about completing a quest, it was the beginning of something much bigger.