Chapter 37: Frozen Crypt

A chill swept over Liam and Yogesh as they stepped into the Frozen Crypt.

Pale blue crystals embedded in the walls provided just enough light to see the narrow passage ahead. Frost covered the stone floor, and the occasional drip of water echoed through the darkness.

Yogesh turned toward Liam with a confident grin.

"Let me show you how much stronger I’ve become!"

Liam gave him a doubtful look.

"I don’t think so. You should just watch me instead."

Yogesh raised an eyebrow.

"Are you saying you’re stronger than me?"

Liam shrugged.

"How about a competition? Let’s see who can kill the most monsters."

Yogesh immediately became interested.

"Now that’s a good idea!"

He clenched his fist.

"You’re on!"

"Alright. Don’t complain when you lose."

Yogesh laughed.

"We’ll see about that."

They continued down the passage until it opened into a spacious chamber. Several skeletons covered in ice stood motionless inside. Blue flames flickered in their empty eye sockets, and each carried a weapon made of frozen bone.

A notification appeared in Liam’s vision.

[Monster Detected: Frozen Skeleton]

[Rank: Common]

[Level: 25]

Yogesh’s expression turned serious.

"Looks like we’ve found our first opponents."

A low growl sounded beside him.

His Spirit Wolf appeared, its silver fur glowing faintly. The beast lowered its head and fixed its gaze on the skeletons.

Yogesh grinned.

"Watch closely!"

The Spirit Wolf lunged forward. One of the skeletons raised its icy sword, attempting to block its charge.

The wolf easily dodged the attack and clamped its jaws around the skeleton’s arm. With a sharp twist, it ripped the limb away, sending the creature tumbling to the ground.

Yogesh followed close behind. Spirit energy gathered around his fist as he struck another skeleton in the chest.

The impact shattered its frozen body.

Liam watched the fight with interest.

’His Spirit Wolf is quite strong. Yogesh’s own physical abilities have improved, too.’

Yogesh turned back toward him, looking pleased with himself.

"Well? What do you think?"

Liam glanced at the remaining skeletons.

"Not bad."

Yogesh frowned.

"Not bad? That’s it?"

Liam smiled and raised his hand.

"Then let me show you something."

Dark energy gathered around his fingers. Several thin blades formed in the air before him, their edges shimmering with dark light.

With a slight motion of his hand, Liam sent them flying.

The blades cut through the chamber, striking the remaining skeletons one after another. Their frozen bodies broke apart, leaving only scattered fragments on the floor.

The room fell quiet.

Yogesh stared at the remains.

"...What was that?"

Liam lowered his hand.

"Dark Magic."

Yogesh looked at him in surprise.

"How can you use magic?"

Liam shrugged.

"I had some good adventures."

Yogesh shook his head, still trying to process what he had seen.

"I don’t know if you are lucky or unlucky now."

Liam gave him a small smile.

"Come on. We still have a competition to finish."

Yogesh’s confidence returned.

"Right! Let’s see who gets the most kills!"

They moved farther into the dungeon.

The Frozen Crypt was a Tier 2 dungeon, and according to the information they had found, its maximum level was 80. Since both of them were still below that level, they had plenty of room to improve.

As they explored, they encountered more monsters. Frozen Skeletons, Ice Ghouls, and Frost Wolves roamed the icy corridors and chambers. Most were between Level 15 and Level 30, making them suitable opponents for the two young Dream Walkers.

Yogesh fought alongside his Spirit Wolf, moving with increasing confidence. Silver spirit energy surrounded him, sharpening his senses and enhancing his speed. His movements had begun to resemble those of a wolf, allowing him to dodge attacks and counter with powerful strikes.

Liam watched him from a distance.

’He is already using the Dream Manifestation’

Yogesh was already displaying the instincts and physical enhancements of his Spirit Wolf Dream Race.

However, Dream Races were not limited to the Dream Dimension. Dream Walkers could also use their racial abilities in the real world through a process known as Dream Manifestation.

Liam decided to test his own racial manifestation.

He focused his mind, and a tiny, chibi-like humanoid figure appeared behind him.

The creature had a small body, pale skin, and white hair. Its appearance was similar to Liam’s current form, though it looked more like a little demon than an ordinary human.

Liam turned to look at it.

"Hmm. Its much easy then I thought it would be."

He focused on the little figure and willed it to move.

The chibi Evil Eye raised its arms.

Liam moved his own hands, and the figure followed. He then turned around, and it spun in place as well.

’So I can control its movements just by using my will.’

Yogesh stared at the tiny figure in surprise.

"Wait! Your Dream Race is the Cursed Eye, right? How did it turn into this?"

Liam glanced at him.

"Like I said, I had an unusual experience in the Dream Dimension. My race evolved into a Lesser Evil Eye."

He pointed toward the small humanoid manifestation.

"Now I have a human-like body, though it looks more like a chibi version of a little demon."

Yogesh nodded slowly, studying the figure.

"So this is the manifestation of your Lesser Evil Eye race?"

"Yeah."

Yogesh looked at the tiny figure again.

"That’s actually pretty cute."

Liam shrugged.

"What can I say, its more than just cute" He said.

Liam smiled as he looked at the little Evil Eye manifestation.

After all, it was more than just a cute appearance. He could use all his skills through his Dream Race manifestation, and with his skills already at their maximum levels, he was confident in his combat abilities.

"Come on. Let’s continue."

Yogesh nodded.

"Don’t think I’ll let you win just because you have some strange abilities!"

Liam chuckled.

"We’ll see."

The two continued deeper into the Frozen Crypt.

Their little competition soon turned into a series of battles. Whenever they encountered monsters, both rushed forward to claim as many kills as possible.