Chapter 21: Chapter 21 – Dungeon crisis (2)

Leon and Kael exchanged a quick glance.

Then followed immediately.

The dungeon corridors twisted endlessly.

Each turn led to another path.

Each path filled with danger.

More monsters appeared as they advanced.

Different types.

Different sizes.

Some fast.

Some heavily armored.

Some capable of using basic magic.

But the team adapted quickly.

Leon handled close-range combat.

His massive sword cleaving through enemies with surprising precision.

Despite his delicate appearance, his strength was undeniable.

Each swing carried enough force to break bone and steel alike.

Kael moved through the battlefield like a shadow.

His rune scrolls activated one after another.

Speed boosts.

Concealment.

Short bursts of enhanced agility.

Each rune used strategically.

Each movement calculated.

He struck vital points.

Clean.

Efficient.

Deadly.

And Eternia—

Controlled everything.

Her First Circle pulsed steadily within her chest.

Her mana flowed smoothly.

Her spells came faster now.

Sharper.

More precise.

Wind blades sliced through enemies before they could reach her.

Compressed bursts of air shattered defenses.

Occasionally—

She fused spells.

But carefully.

Minimally.

She conserved energy.

Because her goal was clear.

"...We need to finish first."

Not just clear.

Not just survive.

Finish first.

Every second mattered.

They continued advancing.

Collecting monster cores as they moved.

The cores were essential for the trial.

Proof of their kills.

Proof of their progress.

Kael gathered them quickly, storing them in a pouch.

Leon covered the rear.

Eternia led.

Their pace increased.

Faster.

More aggressive.

More efficient.

Until—

They turned a corner.

And everything changed.

A heavy thud echoed through the corridor.

The ground trembled.

Leon stopped.

"...Did you feel that?"

Kael’s expression darkened slightly.

"...Yeah."

Another thud.

Closer this time.

Eternia’s eyes narrowed.

"...Something big."

The air shifted.

Mana fluctuated violently.

Then—

It appeared.

A massive figure stepped into the corridor ahead.

Towering.

Muscular.

Covered in thick, dark hide.

Horns curved upward from its head.

A massive axe rested in its hand.

The ground cracked beneath its weight.

Leon’s eyes widened.

"...That’s—"

Kael’s voice cut in sharply.

"...A Minotaur."

Silence fell.

For a brief moment—

No one moved.

Then Kael spoke again.

"...Why is that here?"

His voice was tight.

Controlled.

But clearly alarmed.

"This is supposed to be a lower-tier dungeon zone."

Leon tightened his grip on his sword.

"...That thing shouldn’t be here."

A Minotaur was not a beginner-level monster.

It was a mid-tier creature.

Strong.

Fast.

Durable.

Far beyond what most candidates at this stage should face.

The creature snorted.

Then charged.

Fast.

Too fast for its size.

Eternia reacted instantly.

"Move!"

She stepped forward—

Pushing the stunned Leon out of the way.

Its massive arm swung forward with terrifying force.

CRASH.

The impact hit her directly.

Eternia’s body flew backward.

Slamming into the stone wall.

The sound echoed through the corridor.

Silence followed.

"...Eternia?!"

Leon’s voice broke first.

Kael’s head snapped toward her position.

Dust settled slowly.

Eternia’s body slid down the wall.

Blood stained the stone behind her.

Her staff slipped slightly from her grip.

Her vision blurred.

Her chest burned.

"...That... hurt..."

Her breathing became uneven.

Her body felt heavy.

Too heavy.

The impact had been direct.

Too direct.

Her consciousness began fading.

Leon rushed forward slightly.

"Are you okay?!"

Kael’s expression darkened further.

"...Damn it."

The Minotaur snorted again.

Preparing to attack.

But Eternia—

Barely moved.

Blood dripped from her lips.

Her vision dimmed.

The world began to spin.

"...Not... now..."

Her thoughts struggled to stay coherent.

"...I can’t..."

Darkness crept in.

Her body weakened.

And slowly—

Eternia Sinclair began losing consciousness