Solo Leveling: Infinite Talent

Mai Lee stood in the middle of the empty dungeon chamber, the black card from Kaito still resting in his hand. The offer played over and over in his mind. A faction that operated outside the guilds? One that didn't answer to anyone but itself? He had spent his life believing that strength alone was enough, but Kaito's words lingered—sooner or later, you're going to need allies.

He sighed and put the card away. There were more immediate concerns at hand. The dungeon's core was still deep within the ruins, and he had yet to claim his prize.

With careful steps, Mai advanced toward the next corridor. The dungeon's eerie blue torches flickered, casting long shadows along the stone walls. His boots barely made a sound as he moved through the ruined temple. He could sense it—the core was close.

A sharp hiss echoed through the chamber ahead. Instinct kicked in, and Mai ducked just in time to avoid a streak of acid flying past his head. The stone behind him sizzled and melted, leaving a steaming crater in its wake.

Stepping forward, Mai's eyes narrowed as he spotted the creatures lurking in the darkness.

Venom Reapers.

These monstrous arachnids were the bane of many hunters. With legs as sharp as blades and venom potent enough to melt steel, they were A-rank threats—deadly to most hunters, but not to him.

Mai cracked his knuckles. "Let's get this over with."

The Venom Reapers lunged. Three of them moved in unison, their sickle-like legs aiming to slice him apart. Mai blurred out of their reach, his speed far beyond their perception.

He retaliated instantly. Shadow Step. His figure flickered as he reappeared behind the first Venom Reaper, his fist glowing with pure mana. With a single strike, the arachnid exploded into pieces, its exoskeleton shattering like brittle glass.

The other two turned, their movements desperate and erratic. One spat a glob of venom while the other swiped its legs in a whirlwind attack. Mai barely needed to dodge. He lifted his palm and activated Void Eruption. A pulse of dark energy shot forward, consuming the venom mid-air before crashing into both creatures. They screeched as the attack swallowed them whole, leaving only their twitching husks behind.

A silence followed. Then, the familiar chime of his status window rang in his ears.

[Partial Status Update]

Experience Gained: 320,000

New Ability Copied: [Venomous Exoskeleton – A-Rank]

Fusion Available: Combine [Venomous Exoskeleton] with [Shadow Carapace] to create [Abyssal Shell – S-Rank]

Mai's lips curled into a smirk. Not bad. He immediately activated the fusion, feeling his body shift as his defenses evolved. His skin tingled as a layer of abyssal energy coated his body, hardening his physical form while remaining flexible. He clenched his fist, testing the new sensation. The ability had granted him both a higher resistance to physical attacks and a natural counter to venom-based abilities.

"That should come in handy."

He turned his attention back to the chamber ahead. If the Venom Reapers were guarding this area, then he was definitely getting close to the core.

With renewed focus, Mai advanced deeper into the ruins. The air grew heavier with magic, the presence of the dungeon core becoming undeniable. After a few more turns through the labyrinthine corridors, he finally reached it.

A massive crystal hovered in the center of the grand chamber. The core pulsed with energy, waves of mana radiating from its translucent form. The patterns carved into the surrounding walls glowed in response to the power within it.

Mai approached cautiously, his senses sharp. It was never this easy. No dungeon core was left unguarded.

His instincts screamed at him just in time.

The air behind him twisted. A presence emerged from the void itself—a massive figure clad in dark armor, its helm obscuring any sign of a face. Its crimson eyes locked onto Mai with undeniable malice.

Dungeon Guardian: Abyssal Warden – S-Rank.

Mai exhaled slowly. "Of course there's a final boss."

The Abyssal Warden raised a jagged greatsword, black flames licking its edges. It moved impossibly fast for its size, closing the distance between them in an instant.

Mai barely managed to parry the first strike, his arm vibrating from the sheer force behind the attack. His enhanced body held up, but the strength behind the Warden's swing was monstrous.

The Warden didn't let up. It continued its onslaught, each strike shaking the chamber with its might. Mai dodged, weaving between the attacks, searching for an opening.

Then he saw it. A brief moment where the Warden's blade swung wide, exposing its left flank.

Mai acted instantly. Void Surge. His form blurred as he slipped past the next strike, appearing behind the Warden. His hand surged with abyssal energy as he drove a devastating blow straight into its exposed armor.

The Warden staggered. Cracks spread across its dark plate, but it wasn't enough to finish it.

It turned, its burning eyes flaring with rage. Mai barely had time to react before the Warden released a shockwave of black fire, forcing him to retreat. The sheer heat of the attack singed the air around him.

He narrowed his eyes. "Alright, let's end this."

Summoning his full power, Mai activated Abyssal Overdrive. His body became a blur of dark energy, his speed and strength amplified beyond normal limits. He dashed forward, his movements unstoppable.

The Warden swung again, but Mai wasn't there. He reappeared above it, descending like a comet. His fist crackled with raw mana as he delivered the final blow.

Oblivion Fist.

The impact shattered the Warden's armor completely. Its body crumbled into black dust, the remnants of its power dissolving into the air.

A moment of silence followed. Then, a notification appeared before Mai.

[Status Update]

Experience Gained: 2,500,000

New Ability Copied: [Abyssal Warden's Might – S-Rank]

Level Up! (Level 55 → Level 56)

Mai took a deep breath, absorbing the weight of his victory. He had fought powerful foes before, but this was proof that he was advancing toward the true pinnacle of strength.

He turned to the dungeon core and placed his hand on it. The moment he did, the energy within the crystal flowed into him, the dungeon itself collapsing as the core was claimed.

As the world around him faded back to reality, Mai glanced at the black card Kaito had given him once more.

He had survived alone for this long.

But maybe… just maybe… it was time to consider a different path.

For now, he put the thought aside. There were stronger enemies waiting for him, and he intended to meet them head-on.