Jin and Lysandra continued traversing the dungeon. They had encountered many beasts, but most were Great Normals at or below the Brute Class.
While they were relatively easy to take down, fighting one every few steps was both mentally and physically draining.
At the moment, the two sat down to rest, panting as warm steam oozed from their breaths.
The cold air from the dungeon depths caressed their skin, making them shiver slightly.
They knew staying in one place for too long was dangerous. Stronger beasts would definitely locate them faster, and their bodies already reeked of the monsters they had slain.
“I think we’ve rested enough,” Jin said. “Let’s move.”
They treaded forward cautiously.
Suddenly, Jin’s
A jet of highly pressurized water flew past them, missing their heads by a hair’s breadth.
They stumbled and fell onto their backs. The water drilled a hole into the cavern wall, steam rising from the impact.
Jin’s face went pale as he slowly turned toward the source of the attack.
“Oh, it’s just you guys… boring,” Edric said dryly.
“Huh?! That’s the first thing you say to people you just ambushed?!” Jin snapped.
Edric waved nonchalantly. Jin fumed.
“Jin! Lysandra!” Aurelia exclaimed in relief. “We’re so glad to see you. Are you guys alright?”
“For the most part, yes,” Lysandra replied. “I’m glad we reunited. We now have a higher chance of survival.”
“Where did you guys come from?” Jin asked.
“From the right tunnel,” Wolfton said, pointing to a passage that appeared oblique to them.
“Oh…”
“I know we’re all happy and all,” Edric said, “but we need to move. Standing around chatting will only attract unwanted attention. We wouldn't want that, and we still have a mission.”
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“For someone who takes pleasure in fighting, you’re surprisingly considerate,” Lysandra said. Aurelia leaned in beside her with a mocking smile to see his reaction.
“You know what?” Edric replied. “I think you guys should raise your voices. The fun is dying down. I need some excitement!”
Lysandra and Aurelia stared at him deadpan.
“You just had to ruin the sentiment.”
After walking a few strides into the left tunnel, the environment began to change.
Instead of snow-covered rocks and piled frost, everything was coated in ice. From massive surfaces to tiny cracks and crevices, the cavern glistened like crystal.
Icy columns and pedestals were scattered throughout the space. Enormous icicles, like stalagmites and stalactites, hung above and below them like spiked spires.
The ground was smooth, slippery, and mirror-like. They had to tread carefully.
Sniff sniff.
“Seems we’ve got company,” Edric said excitedly, water bubbles forming around him.
“Yeah, there’s no other way,” Aurelia replied, her hands glowing.
Wolfton began charging his lightning-fire attack.
Lysandra summoned her gates.
Wind swirled around Jin.
All of them were ready to battle their way through.
.....
Meanwhile…
Lupin stood atop a massive snow-covered boulder, golden aura enveloping his body.
He suddenly leapt away as two appendages smashed into the rock, obliterating it.
Before him stood a colossal, feathered, dinosaur-like reptile. A large, slick, backward-facing crest sat vertically on its head.
Its teeth were long, serrated, and packed tightly in its jaws.
Its feathered arms ended in three-fingered claws, each nearly a meter long.
Its legs were scaled, gleaming with a vibrant blue sheen. Its feet had three toes, with the central claws curved like sickles.
Its long, feathered tail was rigid and stiff, perfectly balancing its massive body.
It screeched.
Opening its maw, it revealed two tongue-like appendages, each tipped with a suction-like mouth ringed by hook-shaped teeth.
“Who would’ve thought a Gigadrome would be a mini-boss here?” Lupin smirked while clinging to the cavern wall.
“Jokes on you, you abominable gremlin. I’m your opponent.”
Stretching his hands, his aura converged, first forming the shape of a sword, then condensing into a long silver katana.
It was light, sleek, and razor-sharp, perfect for swift combat.
But he changed his mind. He wanted a different weapon.
The Gigadrome, growing impatient, swiped its claws, gouging the cavern walls.
Dust and debris filled the air, obscuring vision.
Amidst the chaos, Lupin shot forward, dust trailing behind him.
This time, a red-tipped, jagged-bladed spear formed in his hands.
“Fifth Stance: Spiral Thrust.”
The spear rotated violently during the thrust, creating a massive golden drilling force that tore forward at high speed.
When it struck the Gigadrome’s feathers, a thin energy shield halted Lupin’s advance.
But Lupin was no ordinary fighter. His mastery of weapon cultivation was exceptional, and his spearmanship was elite.
The rotation intensified.
Cracks formed.
The shield shattered.
The spear tore through flesh, muscle, and bone without resistance.
The Gigadrome screeched in agony before crashing to the ground with a thunderous impact that shook the cavern.
Dust and snow filled the air.
Lupin stepped back, twirling his spear.
“A lowlife like you never stood a chance against me,” he said coldly.
“Now to find those reprobates. I hope they’re not dead… because 'm going to kick their asses in the afterlife if they do ”
Unbeknownst to him,
One of the Gigadrome’s fingers twitched.