'Based on the information the WAA gathered about the dungeon, the right path would eventually lead to a dead end, so as long as we kept turning left, we would eventually encounter a descending staircase along with the floor's guardian…' Shye pondered as he removed the black blood staining his greatswords.
To date, they've encountered only two types of monstrous creatures on the first floor: Voidlurkers, purple ape-like beings that typically hide in void pockets, and Shadow Creepers, black, monstrous creatures resembling praying mantises with crab-like claws and bony wings.
This brought slight comfort to their hearts as it confird that the information given to them by the WAA was accurate.
"Crowley."
Dalton's brutish voice sounded from behind him, prompting him to turn his head, glancing nonchalantly at the shielder, who had a rather awkward expression on his face.
"What?"
"I apologize for underestimating you earlier. From now on, I will fully heed your commands."
"Hmph. Fine, apology accepted. Just don't make the sa mistake with the other champions from my region. And you need to pay closer attention to my instructions; sotis you go in too deep."
"Y-Yeah, understood."
Shye was naturally happy to be acknowledged. However, he couldn't show his emotions too much.
He was the party leader, after all.
It was evident that Walter and Freeze wanted to do the sa.
Unfortunately, their pride didn't allow them to.
Still, It was clear they would follow Shye's every command from now on, enabling Shye to adopt an even more aggressive and efficient approach.
…Continuing their journey inside the chillingly dark pathways of the Horza Blaidde Mana Dungeon, the WAA extermination party didn't encounter any monstrous creatures for a while.
Instead, after about forty minutes, they noticed sothing glowing golden at the end of the pathway they were walking along.
"Everyone, wait here. Rai Hou, co with and help check out this golden glow."
"Got it."
Shye decided that it might be too unsafe and inefficient for others to advance with them.
After all, it was highly likely that the golden thing at the end of the pathway was a trap.
Since he was confident in his and Rai Hou's ability to survive for a while, Shye decided it would be best for the two of them to scout ahead and investigate. Their teammates could assist later if sothing went wrong.
Advancing vigilantly, Shye whispered:
"Rai Hou, so monstrous creatures have the ability to evade my skill's detection. Don't just watch for traps; be cautious of ambushers too."
Hearing Shye's words, the Yon Augenn champion's face turned even more serious.
However, as they got closer to the golden glow, their stern expressions gradually eased.
"It's the staircase leading down to the second floor!" The duo exclaid in unison, a smile on their faces.
Unfortunately, their delight was short-lived as Shye's mana pulse soon detected a huge creature hanging upside down right above them.
"Crowley, above!"
"Yeah."
Rai Hou's senses utterly impressed Shye. He didn't have the sa detection skill as Shye, yet, he sohow knew that there was sothing above them.
This was the Yon Augenn champion's talent, the very thing that made him drowsy most of the ti.
Rai Hou could imdiately detect if soone or sothing had targeted him, and if he was close enough, he could even tell where the bastard would be attacking from.
His talent, called [Dark Sense], had an effective radius of two kiloters, making it nearly impossible to ambush Rai Hou unless soone could hide in a spatial or void pocket.
He was basically one of the most slippery archers one could find.
Assassins typically rely on their stealth tactics to surprise archers and kill them in one go.
Unfortunately, the likelihood of assassination tactics succeeding against the Yon Augenn champion was extrely low, even with the aid of a diversion, because the champion's talent could detect any aggressive intent, again, except for those hidden in spatial and void pockets.
His talent, combined with his exceptional dueling skills, keen sense of positioning, remarkable accuracy, and high damage output, made him one of the best archers in the highly competitive Yon Augenn region.
Furthermore, despite his youth, he showed imnse promise.
If all goes well, Rai Hou could beco one of the region's hero candidates.
This talent automatically activates whenever he is not in a safe location, however, continuously draining his ntal energy.
This resulted in him feeling drowsy whenever he was in a safe area like the WAA headquarters.
…Feeling the upside-down monstrous creature's vicious descent, Shye and Rai Hou jumped backward at the sa ti, narrowly avoiding a ferocious dive attack.
"Main force! We need assistance!" Shye exclaid, turning to the Yon Augenn champion. "Rai Hou! Support from the back, I'll buy us ti!"
Shye wanted to use appraisal.
However, he wouldn't be able to read the status window even if he did so, as the monstrous creature's attention was on him. Explore more stories with empire
It would be better to do it once his party mbers arrived.
Realizing that the creature's claw, infused with a black aura, was hurtling towards his neck at an incredible speed, Shye knew he had no choice but to defend himself in a direct confrontation.
"Tch."
He gripped his greatswords tighter, brandishing them diagonally upwards to repel the creature's claw.
'Power Slash! Boost! Boost! Boost!'
Naturally, since Shye was unaware of the monster's strength, he decided it would be best to use all three charges of his boost to increase his chances of winning, or at least surviving the clash of brute force.
Winds howled as the vague silhouette of the claw and the enormous greatswords ferociously headed toward the other, aiming to overpower their opponent.
Soon after, they collided, producing a cacophony of loud tallic noises and dull thuds that echoed across the dark pathways.
"Puhahk!"
Shye spat out blood.
As he expected, based on the monstrous creature's muscular physique, it had imnse strength, and it was the correct decision to use all three charges of [Boost].
However, the creature wasn't unscathed.
Its entire right arm felt numb and its palm bled with black blood.
Still, it couldn't believe that a re human, a young one at that, could stand up to its strength.
Hence, it felt threatened.
The creature knew that humans always attack in small groups of seven people.
This expectation quickly ca through as multiple footsteps and voices echoed across the biting darkness.
"Crowley, we're here!"
"Heal!"
"Illumina!"
Walter's golden sphere ascended seven ters into the air once more, illuminating the entire area and revealing the form of the monstrous creature they were facing.
"W-What the hell is that thing..."
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