SSS-Class Overlord: My Harem Rules the Realms (18+)
Chapter 48: To the Next City.

Chapter 48: To the Next City.

The dawn light filtered softly through the stained-glass windows of Duskwatch’s mage quarters,

painting long crimson streaks across the obsidian floors. Ethan stood near the exit of the Dark

Mage Tower’s private wing, dressed once again in his traveling gear, the Warlord Fang strapped

firmly across his back.

Kaeron leaned lazily against the doorway, arms crossed. "You sure you don’t want to stick around

a few more days? We just started annoying the Fire Tower properly."

Lysena stood beside him, trying and failing to hide a faint frown. "Or at least rest a bit. You’re

barely recovered from the tournament. And Velexaria hasn’t stopped glaring at the healers for

clearing you so soon."

Ethan gave a short laugh. "Nah. The system’s already marked a location for me. If I stay any

longer, the scenario might shift without me. Calsoz is calling."

He looked toward the end of the corridor, where Velexaria stood quietly with arms behind her

back.

"I trust you’ll keep an eye on those two?" Ethan nodded at Kaeron and Lysena.

Velexaria gave him a rare, subtle smile. "Only if you don’t die on the way to wherever you’re

running off to."

"I’ll try not to. I owe you all more than I can say."

With that, he turned on his heel and strode out into the city streets.

Duskwatch was still waking up. Lanterns were dimming as morning sun poured across the white

rooftops, and merchants were just beginning to open their stalls. Ethan moved briskly through the

bustling alleys, pulling up his system’s glowing blue map as he walked.

A blinking marker had appeared over the city of Calsoz—a mid-sized trade hub bordering the

Empire’s western frontier. According to the system, that was where the next Main Scenario would

soon begin.

Ethan set the destination, and a silver line traced itself across the map, highlighting the fastest

route.

He set off, boots crunching softly on the gravel road that wound westward out of Duskwatch. He

traveled alone, passing sprawling meadows and empty watchposts. Birds called from the

treetops, and the wind stirred the tall grass into slow, rippling waves.

By late afternoon, the trees grew denser, and the shadows stretched long.

Ethan narrowed his eyes as he crossed into a familiar region. The name flickered into his mind

even before the system window confirmed it:

[You have entered: Felshade Thicket.]

Ethan muttered to himself, "So it still exists... just like in the game."

Felshade Thicket—a forest once used in Realms of Eternal Dominion as a mid-level grinding zone,

famous for its dark atmosphere, odd ambient fog, and—most importantly—its hidden content.

Ethan remembered the location of a secret dungeon that hadn’t been revealed in the early stages

of the game’s timeline. A dungeon meant for rare gear farming and tough solo grinding.

And now, it was right here—real, breathing, and untouched.

"If it’s still unmarked in this timeline," Ethan said aloud, "then I’ve got a free head start."

He followed the narrow animal trails through the forest, occasionally ducking under low branches

and hopping over gnarled roots. The deeper he went, the dimmer the light became. Trees loomed

close together, their trunks warped and thick, bark blackened like burnt wood. There was no real

danger in the early part of the forest—only low-level creatures like shadow foxes and vine

serpents, none of which dared approach him.

Still, finding the exact spot wasn’t easy.

He passed the same moss-covered boulder three times. His boots were caked in mud now, and

sweat trickled down his temple. After over three hours of searching, he let out a tired groan and

dropped onto a root-covered slope beside a massive, crooked tree.

"Guess I’ll take five."

Leaning his back against the tree’s trunk, Ethan took a deep breath. "System. Still no signs of the

entrance?"

[Secret Dungeon Entrance: Not in detection radius.]

"Of course not. You only find it after nearly giving up."

Ethan chuckled and closed his eyes for a moment, resting his arms over his knees. But then—

—CRACK—

The ground beneath him suddenly gave way.

Ethan’s eyes snapped open as the root he sat on splintered, and his body plunged downward into

the earth. He fell with a gasp, sliding through a narrow stone chute, his body tumbling in darkness

until—

THUD.

He landed hard on a flat surface, groaning.

Dust filled the air. A faint greenish-blue glow lit up the space from beneath the floor. Cracked

stone pillars jutted out from the walls, and faded murals lined the ceiling high above.

The system chimed instantly:

[Achievement Unlocked: "Pathfinder of the Forgotten"]

You have discovered a hidden dungeon before it was revealed to the world.

[+1 Star Boost]

[+Dominion Points: +5]

[+Rare Weapon Chest: Acquired]

Ethan sat up slowly, brushing his coat off. His lips curved into a wide, triumphant grin.

"Knew it."

He stood, unsheathing Warlord Fang and glancing around. Despite the soft glow and eerie

silence, he didn’t feel threatened. Not yet.

[Dungeon Discovered: Hollow Sanctum of the Thorned King]

[Recommended Level: 45+]

[Status: Uncharted – First Clear Reward Active]

"So this is what it was called... Hollow Sanctum, huh?"

He stepped forward slowly, peering down the long corridor ahead of him. The air was thick,

slightly metallic. Arcane roots slithered along the walls, some pulsating faintly.

At the edge of his vision, the system added a new quest notification:

[New Quest Added – "Claim the Throne of Thorns"]

[Objective: Reach the heart of the Hollow Sanctum.]

[Time Limit: None]

[Warning: Dungeon adapts to player strength. Do not underestimate enemies.]

Ethan gave a low whistle.

"A self-scaling dungeon... That’s rare."

His eyes narrowed, pulse already quickening in anticipation.

"Let’s see what kind of knights guard this place."

He tightened the strap on his gauntlet and stepped into the corridor, shadows dancing at the

edge of his vision. From somewhere deeper in the Sanctum, a slow, echoing hum began to build

—metal scraping against metal.

[Ethan Graves]

[Level: 50]

[HP: 380/380]

[Mana: 480/480]

[Strength: B]

[Agility: A-]

[Intellect: A-]

[Endurance: B]

[Charisma: B]

[Luck: B-]

[Dominion Points: 0]

[Potential Rating: SSS]

[Harem Slots: 0/10]

[Stat Points Available: 0]

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