Solo Cultivating in Superhero Academy
Chapter 136: Solarion Fragment

Chapter 136: Solarion Fragment

The deeper Elius went, the fiercer the dungeon grew.

Flames roared along the corridors.

The walls were scorched black from past battles, and the air itself shimmered with residual heat.

Each step he took brought him closer to the dungeon’s core—and closer to the enemies only meant for true warriors.

Mechanical roars echoed in the distance, followed by heavy footsteps and the grinding of gears.

But Elius didn’t slow.

His expression remained calm, his golden eyes sharp. His swords hovered behind him in perfect formation, ready to strike at the slightest motion.

His breathing was steady, every movement calculated.

Every corner turned was another opportunity—to kill, to gain, to get Martial Skills.

SHING!

In a single sweep, one of his floating swords curved around and decapitated a flame-covered beast. It collapsed with a screech, its molten eyes flickering out.

Ding!

---

[Fragment of Martial Skill found!]

Martial Skill: Unknown

Type: Thunder type.

Fragments: 2 / 5.

Effect: Fragment only.

Collect remaining pieces to unlock full skill.

---

Elius narrowed his eyes as the system screen flickered.

"Thunder-type..." he murmured. "Not bad."

Without hesitation, he moved on. Another wave of enemies rushed out of a hidden corridor—twin fire bots, heavily armored with glowing joints and razor limbs. Most F-rank heroes would have run.

Elius stepped forward.

CLANG!

His swords spun like a cyclone. Sparks flew. One enemy lost its arm, another its head. Within seconds, silence returned.

Ding!

---

[Fragment of Martial Skill found!]

Martial Skill: Unknown

Type: Normal type.

Fragments: 1 / 5.

Effect: Fragment only.

Collect remaining pieces to unlock full skill.

---

He glanced at the notification, then dismissed it without emotion. "Ordinary."

As he pressed forward through broken metal gates and melted steel, another ambush struck.

This one had a more advanced opponent—covered in lightning rods, its claws electrified with blue arcs. It snarled, charged, and unleashed a sweeping slash.

Elius dodged easily.

He flicked a finger. Three swords darted like snakes—one piercing the eye, the second cleaving its arm, the third stabbing straight into its core.

BOOM!

Electric sparks flew, and the creature dropped.

Ding!

---

[Fragment of Martial Skill found!]

Martial Skill: Unknown

Type: Thunder type.

Fragments: 3 / 5.

Effect: Fragment only.

Collect remaining pieces to unlock full skill.

---

"That’s three thunder..." Elius said thoughtfully, then moved again. His footsteps barely made sound despite the rubble beneath.

The dungeon was growing hotter, louder, more unstable.

More mechanical roars echoed in the distance.

Then he stopped.

A massive spider-like robot dropped from the ceiling. It shimmered with a faint pink aura—psychic resonance.

Its eyes glowed blue as it levitated pieces of the floor around itself, forming a shield. Energy pulsed in its limbs.

Elius frowned. "Psionics."

The creature struck first. Stones launched at him like bullets.

He sliced them all mid-air, not blinking once.

The creature floated upward, sending a barrage of telekinetic slashes. Elius didn’t move.

His swords moved for him.

They shot into the air like silver dragons, weaving and clashing, cutting down every threat. Then one final sword curved behind the beast’s back and pierced its neck.

ZRRRRCH!

It fell.

Ding!

---

[Fragment of Martial Skill found!]

Martial Skill: Unknown

Type: Psychic type.

Fragments: 1 / 5.

Effect: Fragment only.

Collect remaining pieces to unlock full skill.

---

He raised an eyebrow. "Too rare to waste... but not what I’m looking for."

Just as he turned to leave, a tremor shook the hallway.

Then—a deep, infernal roar.

From the shadows of the next chamber, a towering beast emerged. Fifteen feet tall, made entirely of blacksteel plates glowing with ember runes. Its fists burned with swirling fire. Two smokestacks jutted from its back, spewing sparks into the air.

Elius paused, feeling something stir in his blood.

He moved without a word. The fire beast charged, arms swinging like molten hammers. The air screamed under the pressure. It punched—Elius ducked. It kicked—he spun.

His swords cut across its ankles, sparking off thick armor. The beast stumbled—but didn’t fall.

It roared, fire bursting from its vents, creating a whirlwind of heat. The walls melted slightly. Flames curled through the hallway.

Elius narrowed his eyes.

Then, all six of his floating swords moved at once.

They carved a precise spiral in the air, surrounding the beast and slicing through every joint in perfect order.

CRASH!

The fire beast exploded in a storm of metal and smoke.

And then—

Ding!

---

[Fragment of Martial Skill found!]

Martial Skill: Unknown

Type: Fire type.

Fragments: 1 / 5.

Effect: Fragment only.

Collect remaining pieces to unlock full skill.

---

Elius froze.

"Fire..."

He stared at the glowing shard suspended in the air, floating like a digital ember.

He reached out and touched it. As it disappeared into his interface, a strange warmth filled his hand.

And deep in his mind—a memory flickered. Of their ancient bloodline. Of their father. Of Solarion Flame.

He looked away, not saying a word.

"This one," he murmured, "is for Keith... And I will take it."

He turned.

It was time to go back.

---

Minutes later, Elius stepped back into the chamber where Keith lay resting.

The young boy was sitting up now, eyes still hazy, body wrapped in gauze and burns. He looked up at Elius and smiled weakly.

"You’re back..."

"I am," Elius said calmly, walking over. "How’s your body?"

"Hurts everywhere," Keith muttered with a chuckle. "But I think I can stand."

"You won’t need to stand just yet." Elius knelt beside him and handed over a canteen. "Drink. It has recovery serum mixed in."

Keith drank gratefully, grimacing as the taste hit.

"What about you?" he asked. "You went deeper, didn’t you?"

Elius nodded, his expression unreadable.

"I killed six more enemies. Collected the things that I was looking for..."

"Anything strong?"

"Yes. Strong types. Thunder. Psychic. Fire."

Keith raised an eyebrow. "Fire?"

Elius met his eyes for a moment.

Then turned away.

"Nothing you need to worry about yet."

Keith frowned, but didn’t argue.

Elius sat beside him, swords hovering silently above.

"I’ll keep going soon," he said, staring ahead into the dark. "The dungeon is vast, and I’ve yet to see the true core. But for now, rest. Heal. Reflect."

Keith hesitated.

Then asked softly, "You’re not mad that I was weak?"

Elius closed his eyes.

"No."

Keith blinked.

"I’m proud," Elius said finally. "You were weak. But you fought like someone who refused to stay that way."

Keith smiled again.

Elius stood, looking once more into the shadows.

Soon, he would dive deeper.

And soon—Keith would follow.

But not yet.