Seraphina's voice rang out. "Arthur! Behind you!"
Arthur slowly turned his head, and his face instantly paled.
"…Oh crap."
The monster lunged.
Thick, slimy tentacles shot forward, wrapping around Arthur in an instant. Before he could react, he was hoisted into the air, dangling helplessly like a fish caught in a net.
Gael immediately stepped forward. "Everyone, take cover!" He moved quickly, shielding Seraphina and Callista behind him.
But Leo and Riven didn't listen.
"Watch our backs!" Leo shouted as he and Riven charged straight at the monster.
Gael clenched his fists. "I'm the senior here! I told you to stand down!"
Ignoring him, the two unleashed their attacks. Riven's wind blades tore through the air, slicing at the monster's limbs, while Leo's sword burned with intense flames as he cut through the creature's flesh. In mere moments, the beast collapsed, lifeless.
Arthur, still hanging in the air, sighed. "If you don't mind, could you loosen me up from here?" He forced a smile.
Riven flicked his fingers, sending a sharp gust of wind to sever the tentacles. Arthur crashed onto the ground with a loud thud.
"Couldn't you have done it smoother?!" he groaned, rubbing his sore back.
Gael, standing at the back, stared in disbelief. His eyes darted between Leo and Riven, then back at the monster's corpse.
"…Was there even a need for me to be here?" he muttered to himself.
Arthur stretched. "Alright then, let's get moving—"
Before he could finish, Hyorinmaru yanked on his ear.
"Where do you think you're going, fool? Do you want to get us killed again?"
Arthur winced. "Ow, ow, ow! Let go!"
Gael exhaled sharply. "Enough fooling around. Follow my lead."
The group ventured deeper into the dungeon. The deeper they went, the more refined the walls became. Unlike the rough, collapsed entrance, the inner chamber was decorated with strange carvings and ancient runes glowing faintly with mana. The air was thick with the scent of old stone and damp moss.
As they moved forward, an unfamiliar noise echoed through the corridor ahead.
Gael immediately raised a hand. "Hide."
Everyone pressed themselves against the walls, holding their breath.
Leo scowled. "Why are we hiding like a bunch of amateurs? Let's just go in and kick their butts."
"Calm down," Gael warned.
A man emerged from the shadows. He stopped midway, tilting his head slightly.
"…Something's not right."
Gael narrowed his eyes. The man's cloak bore an emblem—one he recognized instantly.
"That's the emblem of Velundria…"
The man smirked. "I know you're out there. Come out now."
The group stiffened.
Closing his eyes, the man whispered to himself. "…How many are there?"
A faint pulse of mana rippled through the air as he extended his senses.
"Five… no, six." He smiled. "Looks like I've got my hands full today."
Without warning, a thick smoke began to fill the dungeon. The air grew heavy, and visibility dropped instantly.
Arthur and the others coughed as the smoke wrapped around them like a dense fog.
"You made the right choice to reveal yourselves," the man said, stepping forward. "Now then… who will be my first opponent?"
Gael clenched his fists and stepped forward. "I will fight you. Leave the kids out of this."
The man chuckled. "Oh? So they're still students, huh?" His smirk widened. "But I can't just ignore them. That would be an insult—to them and to your kingdom."
Gael remained firm. "If you let them go, I promise they won't interfere."
The man sighed. "Even if I believed that, I can't take the risk. If they return, they'll bring reinforcements. And I hate interruptions."
He took a step back and extended his hand.
"Shroud… Enmu."
The surrounding smoke gathered, swirling into a single form. A blade materialized from the mist—its dark sheath pulsing with strange energy.
"Shall we begin?"
Gael turned to Arthur and the others. "Run."
Arthur stood his ground. "No. We don't run from a fight."
Leo grinned. "This is just what I was looking for." He pointed his sword at the man. "Old man, I'll be your opponent."
The man's eyes twinkled with amusement. "Children these days… so reckless. I suppose today's lesson will be about discipline."
The smoke thickened.
Everyone coughed, struggling to see.
Callista suddenly raised her hand. "Plant Magic… Guardian Flower."
Vines sprouted from the ground, twisting into a massive flower. Its petals slowly unfurled, revealing a glowing, translucent projection of the dungeon's interior. Within its image, the walls, corridors, and hidden pathways became visible.
Callista pointed. "There's a door on the other side of this chamber. That must be where the treasures are."
Gael nodded. "We can't let him get to it first. You all go—I'll hold him off."
Arthur clenched his fists. "No way! I'm staying to fight."
"Don't be foolish," Gael snapped. "Go!"
Before Arthur could argue, the enemy swordsman vanished into the smoke. A blade flashed toward Arthur—fast.
"Arthur, move!"
Gael shoved him aside and blocked the attack. The force sent shockwaves through the air.
The man chuckled. "Such a touching display. But did you really think you could take me alone?"
Gael took a step back. "…I won't know until I try."
The man smirked. "Then let's not waste time."
"Cleaver… Tsuchigiri."
The earth beneath them trembled. Large chunks of stone broke free, swirling around Gael as they fused into a massive, jagged blade. He gripped it tightly, his stance unwavering.
The swordsman grinned. "Earth magic, huh? Interesting."
Both warriors lunged.
The Split Decision
On the other side of the dungeon, Arthur and the others ran, following Callista's guidance.
Arthur suddenly skidded to a stop.
"We can't just leave everything to him."
The others turned.
Arthur clenched his fists. "This might be an expedition for you, but for me… this is a real mission. I came here to fight—to get stronger. I won't run away."
He braced himself, expecting them to stop him.
Instead, they all nodded.
"Okay."
Arthur blinked. "…Wait. That's it? Why won't you stop me?"
Leo grinned. "Because we agree with you."
Arthur's heart pounded. "You guys…"
He shook his head. "No—we can't all go. Callista still has to lead the way, and we don't know if someone's already at the treasure room."
He pointed. "Leo, Riven, and Felix, go with Callista. Seraphina, you're with me."
Seraphina nodded. "My Light Magic might be useful."
Felix smirked. "And I suppose I'll tag along with Leo's team. Try not to die, Arthur."
Arthur grinned. "I won't."
With that, they split up.
Arthur turned to Seraphina. "We need to hurry."
The battle had only just begun.