CHAPTER 179: SOMETHING UNEXPECTED

The battle raged on.

The number of monsters wasn’t overwhelming, but each one was strong. Their claws were sharp, their movements quick, and their eyes burned with hunger.

Even after all the ones they had already wiped out, almost thirty still remained.

Still, the tide was slowly turning. One by one, they fell to the ground, turning into ash. Slowly but surely, their numbers were going down.

But Gideon’s party wasn’t in good shape either.

Ronald’s breathing was heavy, his shoulders rising and falling like he was carrying a mountain on his back. Sweat dripped from Luna’s chin, sliding down her neck before disappearing into her clothes. Jessi’s hands trembled slightly as she shaped her next ice spike, her face pale from the constant spell casting. Lilith’s hair clung to her forehead, damp from sweat, but her eyes were still sharp, refusing to look away from the fight.

Even Gideon’s brow was furrowed deeper now, the constant movement and magic starting to take its toll.

Then...

A blur shot in from the side. Ronald turned quickly and tried to dodge.... But he was a second late.

A claw raked across his flank, tearing through not only his clothes but also his skin.

"Argh!" He stumbled back, blood gushing from his ribs.

"Ronald!" Melissa shouted.

But before the monster could finish him off, Raphael moved. His hands glowed with faint green light as he pressed them over the wound. The bleeding stopped instantly, and the torn flesh began closing at a speed that showed just how skilled he was.

"Back in the fight," Raphael said firmly.

Ronald gave a sharp nod, gripping his spear again. "Thanks."

There was no time for more words at that moment.

Another monster lunged, and Ronald met it with a thrust that drove straight through its chest.

The fight went on.

Twenty-five... twenty... eighteen... fifteen...

The air was filled with the clash of magic and the roars of dying monsters. Blood hissed on the frost-covered ground. Frost shattered under heavy steps. Flames drove away the darkness. Lightning flashed in arcs, and wind sliced through anything that got too close.

Lilith’s gravity field slowed their movements just enough for Ronald’s spear and Melissa’s flames to strike with precision. Jessi’s ice locked down the fastest ones, making them easy kills. Luna’s fireballs though a bit weak struck the monsters, burning through skin and muscle, leaving smoking piles that faded into ash.

Thirteen... ten... eight...

Gideon’s air barrier shifted with the flow of battle, blocking the deadliest strikes, and then his flames continued to rampage on them.

His voice cut through the chaos, "Everyone hang in there. We can do it. No one is allowed to even get injured."

Another fell to Ronald’s spear, another to Lilith’s lightning-charged punch. Melissa roasted one alive while Luna zapped one with her lightning.

Raphael was on alert, ready to help anyone the moment they needed it quickly.

Three...

Jessi froze one monster’s leg, and Luna evaporated it with a fireball.

Two...

One of them tried to circle behind. But Gideon’s wind blades cut it down before it could get even closer.

Finally.....

Only one remained.

It glanced around at the ash where its kin had been and turned to run.

"Not so fast," Gideon growled. A fireball roared to life in his hand before shooting forward. It hit the monster square in the back, flames engulfing it completely. When the fire died, there was nothing left but drifting ash.

Silence settled for a moment. Only the sound of heavy breathing filled the air.

And then...

Jessi was the first to speak. "We can’t clear this dungeon on our own. If the third layer is this bad, going further is suicide."

Ronald wiped his spear and nodded. "She’s right. We got lucky this time."

Melissa exhaled hard. "Agreed. Maybe we should report it back to Elizabeth and return with more hunters."

Gideon didn’t answer right away. His jaw was tight, and his eyes were fixed on the frost-covered ground.

He wasn’t a fool. The decision was clear, but saying it out loud meant admitting this was too much for now.

Finally, he spoke. "We’re pulling out. Everyone, start moving. But stay alert on the way back. We can’t be sure that we are out of danger fully."

They began marching toward the dungeon gate, stepping over piles of ash and cracked stone. The air was cold, but after the fight, their bodies were burning with heat.

———-

On a road of Solvane...

A horse raced across the ground, its hooves beating in a steady rhythm. The rider’s cloak was flapping behind him in the wind.

It was Logan.

His speed had increased without him even noticing. He didn’t know why but for some reason he felt a bit uneasy.

"It’s only a D-class dungeon. They should be okay."

His horse continued to advance, kicking up the dust.

—————

Back in the dungeon.....

The party continued to head toward the entrance. When the gate came into view, relief spread through the group, only to vanish a heartbeat later.

There, blocking the exit, stood another thirty monsters. Exactly the same kind they had just fought. Their glowing eyes fixed on the party, claws flexing against the frost.

"What the fuck! They had been waiting for us?!" Ronald was totally shocked.

Everyone else was too. But before the shock could even settle....

A low growl rose from behind them.

Gideon turned slowly. So did the others. And their eyes widened.

More shapes emerged from the shadows....

Dire wolves!

But not the normal ones. These were massive in size. Each had two, some even three heads, their bodies towering over any normal wolf. Their eyes burned with the same hungry glow, saliva dripping from their sharp fangs.

The wolves spread out, their heavy paws crushing the frost underfoot. The goblins at the gate stepped forward in unison.

And in the midst of that, the party was trapped.

Gideon clenched his fist. "There had been a lot of news, rumors. But this is a first. A horde of monsters waiting at the gate."

As he spoke, the wolves’ growls deepened, and the goblins began to advance.

And in that moment, they all felt it. The shadow of death, looming in the air. Like it was staring back at them.

"I wanted challenge. Yeah. But this seems way overboard." Lilith murmured under her breath.