Nexus: The Rise of the Administrator

Chapter 15: The First Dungeon – “Blood Hive” Part 1

The morning following the awakening of his new class dawned with a dangerous stillness over the Nexus Territory. The 500-meter radius around the Riverview Building was relatively clear, yet the air held the heavy anticipation of something massive approaching. Xander Voss woke before sunrise, his new body still adjusting to the genetic transformation.

He rose from the king-sized bed he had claimed in the Safe Zone’s master suite. His 1.92-meter frame and 98 kilograms of pure muscle made the floorboards creak slightly. His chiseled abs, gladiator-broad shoulders, and corded arms—capable, it seemed, of snapping steel in two—were living proof of the Gene Awakening Potion’s power. An aura of *Sovereign Presence* radiated from him even at rest—a subtle weight in the air that compelled obedience before he even spoke a word.

Lira slept to his left, naked from the waist up, her red hair fanned across the pillow like liquid fire. Her defined, athletic muscles gleamed softly in the Safe Zone’s blue ambient light. Elena lay on the other side, wearing nothing but one of Xander’s oversized shirts that barely contained her ample bosom. The Japanese-Brazilian geneticist had insisted on "closely monitoring" his post-transformation changes. Both women had slept pressed against him, each silently staking her claim.

Xander smiled—a cold, possessive expression. He ran his hand along the curve of Lira’s waist and then over Elena’s hip, feeling their warm, soft skin. Both women stirred, slowly waking up.

"Already up..." Lira murmured, her voice husky with sleep and desire. Her green eyes roamed over his bare torso with undisguised hunger. "You look even more... incredible today."

Elena opened her dark brown eyes and adjusted her makeshift glasses. Even though she had just woken up, her brilliant mind was already racing.

"The testosterone and dimensional energy levels in your blood must be off the charts by now. I want to collect samples later. And..." She bit her lip, gazing at his abdominal muscles. "I want to study other things, too."

Xander let out a low, deep laugh that made both women shiver.

"You two will have plenty of time to 'study.' But today, the territory needs me. We’re going to check on the new recruits and reinforce the Territorial Laws."

They got dressed. Xander chose light, System-reinforced leather armor that fit his imposing new physique perfectly. Lira donned her archer’s gear, her compound bow now permanently infused with mana. Elena carried a pack filled with samples, an acid syringe, and a modified scalpel—her own unique form of combat.

When they descended to the building’s lobby—now converted into a gathering point—forty-one survivors were already waiting. Word of the Territorial Laws had spread. Some had sworn allegiance immediately. Xander accepted fourteen new commoners, bringing the total to fifty-five loyal inhabitants. Krueger and his last two henchmen had been spotted fleeing south during the night. Good. An example had been set.

As Xander laid down Territorial Law No. 4—"All commoners must participate in daily training in the Basic Training Room for a minimum of two hours"—the sky above the park shuddered.

A deep, rumbling sound—like a thousand giant bees buzzing at once—filled the air. In the center of the park, less than thirty meters from the Nexus Anchor, a blood-red portal tore through reality. It was different from the massive portals in the sky. This one was vertical and oval-shaped, with edges that pulsed like living veins. Red letters floated above it:

[Dungeon Portal – Blood Hive (Rank D+)]

Recommended Level: 15–30

Bosses: Parasite Queen (Level 25)

Rewards: Gene Essence, Parasite Core, Skill Tomes, Growth-Type Equipment

The portal began to leak a red mist that smelled of iron and rotting honey. Smaller insectoid monsters were already trying to emerge but were repelled by Xander’s territorial barrier.

Elena was fascinated.

"An instanced dungeon within our territory... This isn't random. The System is testing you, Administrator."

Lira gripped her bow, her knuckles turning white.

"Let's destroy it before something comes out and kills our recruits."

Xander gazed at the portal with glowing gold-and-blue eyes. His new title, *Lord of the First Domain*, pulsed, granting him +25% authority. He felt he could close the portal if he wanted to. But he didn't.

"No. We’re going in. This is the first dungeon in our territory. We’re going to clear it completely. Me, Lira, and Elena. The rest of you stay here and defend the Anchor. If the portal spits anything out, kill it."

He looked at the two women.

"Ready?"

Lira nodded with fierce loyalty.

Elena smiled with scientific ambition.

"I’ve always wanted to dissect a dungeon from the inside."

Xander activated Nexus Domain (Level 1) on a small scale for the first time, creating a temporary barrier around the portal so that only the three of them could enter. They stepped forward and were swallowed by the red light.

The interior of the Blood Hive was an organic nightmare.

The walls of the first floor were made of pulsating flesh, thick veins, and red waxen cocoons. The floor clung to their feet like molasses. The air was hot, humid, and heavy with pheromones that made their heads throb. Above them, the ceiling was covered in hundreds of slowly pulsating egg sacs.

[You have entered the Dungeon: Blood Hive (Floor 1 – Nursery)]

As soon as the notification appeared, dozens of insectoid monsters began to emerge from the cocoons.

[Parasite Beetle – Level 12] x 14

[Blood Drone Wasp – Level 14] x 9

The beetles were the size of large dogs, with glossy red carapaces and mandibles dripping with acid. The wasps were worse—agile, with dagger-like stingers and wings that produced a deafening buzz.

"Formation!" Xander ordered, his voice echoing with commanding authority.

Lira was already in motion. She climbed onto a ledge of hardened flesh and began to fire. Her Mana Arrows were far more powerful now, thanks to her training in the dimensional room. Each blue arrow pierced two beetles at once, shattering their carapaces with surgical precision.

Elena wasn't a frontline fighter, but she was brilliant. She had prepared vials of concentrated acid mixed with inverted pheromones. She hurled two vials into the center of the swarm. The wasps went into a frenzy, attacking one another.

Xander charged forward like a god of war.