I Ascend Alone-Chapter 83: SSS-Rank Dungeon Part V

As the echoes of the battle subsided, the dust settled in the massive, cavernous space. The Abyssal Beast's lifeless body lay crumpled on the ground, the massive creature now nothing more than a deflated heap of shadowy remnants.

The deeper they ventured into the dungeon, the air grew colder, more oppressive. The walls themselves seemed to pulse with a dark, unnatural energy, as if they were alive, watching. With every step, the tension inside the group mounted.

Even the seasoned National-Level Hunters, who had faced countless dungeons before, couldn't shake the feeling that this place was different.

It wasn't just the strength of the creatures lurking within, but the sheer atmosphere of the dungeon that weighed heavily on them.

Leon, Raiden Arakawa, and Ji Seong-Ho led the charge, with Gabriel Dela Cruz and Alexander Graves flanking the frontlines, their senses sharp, ever vigilant.

The rest of the S-Rank Hunters formed a perimeter, ready to strike at any moment.

The deeper they pushed, the more they encountered. Lesser Abyssal beasts, shadows that moved faster than the eye could follow, and eldritch horrors that seemed to twist space itself. But each wave was cut down with swift precision, the National-Level Hunters and S-Ranks carving through them as though they were nothing more than fodder.

Every strike from Alexander's massive fists sent shockwaves through the dungeon, while Gabriel's arcane bursts obliterated anything within range, reducing creatures to ash with ease.

But as they moved further into the heart of the dungeon, the encounters became more dangerous, and the creatures they faced were more cunning.

At one point, the ground beneath their feet cracked open, sending forth a new, terrifying creature—an Abyssal Colossus. It was a towering behemoth, armored in thick, abyss-forged plates, and wielding massive claws that could slice through stone like butter. Despite its size, it moved with unnatural speed, its rage fueling its every strike.

But this time, it wasn't just Alexander Graves and Gabriel Dela Cruz at the forefront. The entire team was forced to join the fray. Raiden Arakawa summoned a storm of lightning that cracked the air, aiming to stun the beast.

Ji Seong-Ho wielded his blade with masterful precision, cutting through the creature's defense, but even his strikes had little effect on the beast's thick armor. It was Alexander, with his immense strength, who delivered the first devastating blow to the creature, forcing it back.

But the battle wasn't over. The Abyssal Colossus roared in defiance, lashing out at the Hunters around it. Every blow it landed sent shockwaves through the dungeon, shaking the ground beneath their feet. Leon and the others continued to assist from the sidelines, waiting for their moment to strike.

Meanwhile, the National-Level Hunters took the brunt of the battle, with Raiden providing support from a distance, his thunderous attacks lighting up the dungeon's dark expanse.

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Finally, after what seemed like hours of intense battle, the Colossus staggered back, its enormous body bloodied and broken. With a final, thunderous roar, it collapsed into the abyss below.

"Is everyone alright?" Leon's voice broke through the tension, his gaze scanning the team. They were all battle-worn, but no one had fallen.

"We press on," Raiden's voice was firm, his eyes already scanning the next part of the dungeon. "We've come too far to turn back now."

As the hunters pressed deeper into the dungeon, the eerie atmosphere only grew more oppressive. The walls pulsed with a dark, unnatural energy, and the very air seemed to hum with malevolence. Every step they took was met with the distant echoes of unseen creatures lurking in the shadows.

Despite the growing tension, the outside forces—including me—were still receiving live updates thanks to one particular S-rank hunter: Ezekiel "Iron Rain" Mercer.

Ezekiel was an American S-rank hunter specializing in advanced combat engineering and artillery support.

His unique ability allowed him to deploy floating drones equipped with devastating cannons, capable of both recording the battlefield and launching powerful bombardments.

These drones transmitted real-time footage back to the command center outside, ensuring that those stationed beyond the dungeon could monitor the operation.

Through one of his drones, we watched as the team advanced cautiously. The National-Level Hunters led the way, their presence alone exuding overwhelming dominance.

Behind them, the S-rank hunters, including Leon Vael, covered the flanks, keeping watch for potential ambushes. The lower-tier abyssal creatures that had emerged before had been swiftly eliminated, allowing them to focus entirely on whatever awaited deeper inside.

Then, suddenly, a deep rumbling shook the dungeon, followed by an unnatural, guttural roar.

Ezekiel's drones quickly adjusted their angles, zooming in on the massive abyssal beast that emerged from the darkness ahead.

Though not as large as the previous S-rank creature they had fought, this one exuded a terrifying aura, its twisted, serpentine body covered in obsidian-like scales, pulsating with abyssal energy.

Multiple glowing red eyes lined its elongated skull, and jagged spines jutted out from its back like a twisted amalgamation of countless creatures fused into one.

Gabriel Dela Cruz was the first to react. His Radiant Sovereign's Blessing flared to life, golden mana surging outward as he raised his hands.

"Barrier."

A massive golden barrier materialized in front of the team just in time—because the abyssal beast lunged forward with blinding speed, its fanged maw stretching unnaturally wide.

BOOM!

Its monstrous impact slammed into Gabriel's barrier, sending shockwaves rippling through the cavern. The force was enough to crack the very ground beneath them, but the barrier held.

Raiden Arakawa's eyes flashed. "It's fast."

Alexander Graves grinned, stepping forward and rolling his shoulders. "Good. It'll be more fun to break."

Without hesitation, Alexander Graves' monstrous frame moved like a blur, his sheer mass defying logic as he launched himself toward the abyssal serpent. His fists, coated in earth-shattering force, struck with the weight of a meteor.

BOOM!

The impact sent tremors rippling through the dungeon, chunks of obsidian-like rock flying in all directions. The abyssal serpent screeched as Alexander's punch cratered its scales, sending it crashing backward.

But the creature was far from finished.