The Rise Of The No. 1 Hunter-Chapter 148: ENTITY BEYOND ANALYSIS

As the Chimera let out a final, distorted scream, its massive body crashed to the dungeon floor. Cracks spread across the stone as dust billowed upward.

Raito exhaled slowly.

"It's over."

He stretched out his hand toward the fallen corpse and raised his voice.

"Yield my call."

For a brief moment, nothing happened.

Then—

The Chimera's flesh peeled away, dissolving into black mist. Bones surfaced one by one, snapping into place as purple energy surged through the remains.

[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]

Undead Conversion Successful

Target: Chimera

Status: Undead – Bound

LP Cost: (1,200 LP)

The skeletal Chimera stood upright, hollow eyes glowing faintly as it bowed its head toward Raito.

[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]

New Summon Acquired

• Undead Chimera

• Rank: S

• Loyalty: 100%

Raito nodded once.

"Return to the Hunter Domain."

At his command, the undead Chimera—and the other summoned undead—began to evaporate, dissolving into purple particles before vanishing completely.

The pressure in the air lessened.

Raito looked ahead.

"Well… time for the final floor."

This dungeon wasn't long—but it was dense.

Two Chimeras already. One far stronger than the other.

For something labeled below S-rank… this place is abnormal.

He stepped forward.

Fifth Floor

The door to the fifth floor towered before him.

It was massive—far larger than any previous gate. Ancient runes glowed faintly along its edges, pulsing like a heartbeat.

The moment Raito approached, the air changed.

A suffocating pressure pressed down on his shoulders.

"…Something's in there," he muttered.

"Something strong."

It didn't make sense.

The dungeon's overall structure didn't match this level of presence.

Still—

Raito placed his hand on the door and pushed.

BOOM—!

Dust exploded outward as the gate slammed open.

A thick, dry smell filled his lungs.

He stepped inside.

Darkness.

Complete darkness.

No walls.

No ceiling.

No floor he could properly perceive.

Raito slowed his breathing.

Then—

He noticed it.

A chair.

Barely visible.

At first, it was only an outline.

Then—

Red eyes flickered to life within the darkness.

For a split second, they stared straight at him.

And then—

Gone.

The darkness twisted.

Reality itself seemed to fold inward, like something was compressing space and thought at the same time.

Raito's instincts screamed.

This isn't just mana…

The air distorted.

A presence—no, an absence—wrapped around the room.

Sulking.

Silent.

Watching.

Then—

BOOM.

The dungeon lights ignited all at once.

Glowing runes lit the chamber in eerie crimson and violet hues.

Smoke swirled at the center of the room.

Fragments of shadow gathered, forming a shape.

Raito narrowed his eyes.

"…It's made of smoke."

The entity shifted—its form unstable, yet deliberate.

Then it solidified.

A man stepped forward.

A dark cloak draped over his body.

One eye glowed deep red beneath the hood.

In one hand—a dagger.

In the other—a massive crimson sword that radiated killing intent.

The pressure skyrocketed.

[SYSTEM WARNING]

Unidentified Entity Detected

Threat Level: UNKNOWN

Analysis: FAILED

Raito felt his LP tick down slightly just by standing there.

[Passive Effect Detected: Corrupt Presence]

LP Drain: (–50 LP per second)

"…So that's it," Raito said quietly.

"The real boss."

The entity's red eye curved into something resembling a smile.

A distorted voice echoed—not through sound, but directly into his mind.

"You… are not supposed to be here."

Raito's purple aura flared instinctively, pushing back against the pressure.

He reached into his pocket, fingers brushing his dagger.

"Yeah," he replied calmly.

"I hear that a lot."

[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]

Final Boss Encounter Initiated

Floor: 5

Dungeon Status: LOCKED

Escape Disabled

Raito smiled faintly.

"…Good."

Raito's eyes narrowed.

This was bad.

Really bad.

The creature's body wasn't flesh.

It wasn't mana either.

It was pure darkness—a mass of smoke and shadow constantly shifting, refusing to stay solid.

"…Tch."

Raito tightened his grip on the dagger.

"If you had a physical body," he muttered, "this would've ended in one strike."

But this thing?

This would take time.

And time was exactly what he didn't have.

The moment he stepped forward—

The creature dissolved.

Its body scattered into smoke, drifting upward like black mist. From above, it looked down on Raito, its single red eye glowing faintly through the haze.

Then—

It reformed.

Solid once more.

Standing above him.

"…Annoying," Raito said.

The entity vanished again—reappearing midair.

[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]

Skill Activated: Flash Execution

LP Cost: (800 LP)

"I'm running out of time."

Raito kicked off the ground. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

His body blurred.

In a single breath, he closed the distance and raised his dagger.

Slash—!

The blade collided with something solid.

Clang!

Blocked.

The creature parried his strike with its dagger, sparks scattering through the darkness.

Before Raito could pull back—

The entity raised its other arm.

A massive crimson sword descended.

Raito twisted his body and blocked.

BOOM—!

The impact sent shockwaves through the chamber, cracking the dungeon floor beneath his feet.

Raito slid backward but didn't fall.

He lunged forward again—aiming straight for the creature's neck.

The blade passed through.

Nothing.

Smoke.

"…Again."

The entity melted into shadows, sinking into the ground like ink poured into water.

Raito clicked his tongue and followed, landing heavily.

That was when—

The shadows beneath his feet moved.

Tentacles erupted from the darkness.

One.

Two.

Three.

They wrapped around his arms.

More followed.

Three coiled around his left leg.

Three more locked onto his right.

Ten in total.

They tightened.

Raito felt his body being dragged downward.

Pulled toward the shadow.

Toward isolation.

[SYSTEM WARNING]

Shadow Assimilation Detected

If fully absorbed, escape probability: 0%

"…So that's your plan."

Raito raised his dagger.

"This is pure shadow," he said calmly.

"And shadow can be cut."

He swung.

The blade cleaved through the tentacles—

But instead of breaking, they split, reforming instantly as smoke.

"Tch."

He slashed again—faster this time.

Another divided.

Another.

But every cut created more gaps, more movement, more shadows crawling toward him.

His LP ticked down relentlessly.

[Passive Effect: Corrupt Domain]

LP Drain: (–120 LP per second)

Raito exhaled sharply and twisted his body, forcing space between himself and the shadows.

He leapt backward then.

The tentacles recoiled.