The experiment was half successful. The results weren't ideal, but they weren't too disappointing either.
Demonic Lions with stable [Mana Cores] could use [Mana], but those without one still lost their [Cores] after death and couldn't use [Mana] as undead.
The most disappointing thing was that once their [Mana] was exhausted, their [Cores] disintegrated, so they couldn't recover [Mana].
"It's more useful to just consume the [Mana Core] and have ordinary undead." That way, he could improve his own strength.
However, he didn't care much. For now, he wasn't in a hurry to increase his [Mana].
"Let's sweep this dungeon first." Cracking his knuckles, he summoned the undead Demonic Lions and his dagger.
It wasn't war nor battle—it was a one-sided massacre.
Each group had five Demonic Lions for the first ten floors. As the number of floors increased, so did the number of monsters in each group.
Enhanced by [Mana], the Demonic Lions were much faster and stronger than ordinary undead Demonic Lions.
Anvil had only two undead that could use [Mana], albeit for a short time. So he used three as meat shields and two enhanced undead as his fighting force.
Bang!
Ordinary undead were useless. A single strike from the enhanced Demonic Lions sent them crashing into walls.
Thick gashes were carved into their bodies, deep enough to expose bone.
If monsters' natural defenses were as thin as paper before these enhanced beasts, then human defense was worse than paper. A single strike could kill any ordinary person or even D-rank [Awakened] humans.
Anvil was cautious. With his enhanced reflexes, reaction time, and speed, not a single monster could touch him.
His dagger moved swiftly, cutting throats cleanly.
Even the reinforced defenses of Demonic Lions tore apart like paper—the dagger truly was a treasure.
Undead Demonic Lions enhanced by [Mana] clashed with their living kin. Both had equal strength.
But being undead had its advantages. They felt no pain and weren't weakened by blood loss.
The living ones had no such luxury.
Slice!
As sharp claws ripped through skin, blood gushed out. With each bite, more wounds covered their bodies.
Roarrr!
The Demonic Lions roared in agony, clawing and biting at the undead.
But only a little blood leaked from the undead, and they neither weakened nor slowed down.
The two enhanced undead kept fighting relentlessly. The living Lions quickly fell into disadvantage while the undead gained the upper hand.
Meanwhile, Anvil had already killed one by slashing its throat. Seeing that, the next Demonic Lion grew afraid.
It tried to dodge, but Anvil was faster. His hands swiftly carved a deep cut into its body.
Blood splattered, but the dagger absorbed it. Even the blood that hit the ground rose up like smoke and flowed into the blade.
Roar! Roar!
The Demonic Lions' screams echoed in the chamber.
Yet the lone enhanced Demonic Lion that had taken on three ordinary undead had barely any wounds.
Even ganged up on, it stood tall with pride.
It clawed and bit them, creating massive wounds, while their weaker claws and bites barely scratched it.
The ordinary undead suffered heavy damage.
Slice!
The enhanced Demonic Lion cut through one's neck, beheading it instantly.
The undead fell and did not rise again. Its right eye glowed brightly as the Lion rushed to the next one, biting its neck until no flesh or bone remained.
The head fell, and so did the undead.
Having learned the weakness of the undead, the enhanced Demonic Lion let out a domineering roar and finished the last ordinary one.
It turned its gaze.
Seeing its kin struggling against undead, it tried to help.
But Anvil blocked its path.
He had just finished his own fight, and with his ordinary undead destroyed, he knew this Lion couldn't be allowed to live.
"So, small numbers of undead are useless here. Enhanced Demonic Lions can kill them easily, and once they learn weaknesses, they exploit them. That means decent intelligence." Anvil felt a headache coming on.
He had thought he could just raise a large undead army and storm the dungeon, but clearly, that plan wasn't feasible.
"Hmm…" Anvil suddenly sensed danger.
ROOOOOAR!
The Demonic Lion roared, and its eight eyes glowed bright red. Beams of light shot out, striking Anvil.
"Oh shit!" Too late, Anvil realized the monster had used its [Skill], [Gaze of Petrification].
His body instantly hardened into stone. He couldn't move.
Fortunately, he could still use his mind and the black gas. Hastily, he summoned two corpses as undead.
Roar!
The Demonic Lion charged confidently, its face twisted in arrogance and pride.
Swish!
But it was too late.
Two undead leapt forward, blocking its path.
The Demonic Lion wasn't fazed.
It let out a low roar that almost sounded like a laugh, mocking the two ordinary undead.
It was natural—they had no [Mana Cores] and couldn't enhance themselves.
They were quickly dominated.
The Lion focused its attacks on their necks, deepening the wounds with each strike.
Anvil didn't care. All he needed was time.
"Five seconds…" The effects of [Gaze of Petrification] lasted thirty seconds.
The two undead were crushed in under thirty.
One's neck was severed instantly. The other tried its best, jumping to bite, but the Lion's flesh was too tough; its teeth couldn't pierce.
With a final swipe, its neck was sliced open, and it collapsed back into a corpse.
Then, with arrogance, the Lion turned to Anvil.
Anvil was freed from the gaze. He was already upon the Lion, plunging his dagger into its mouth.
The blade pierced through easily, emerging from the back of its skull.
Ro…ar?
Confused by the sudden strike, the Demonic Lion collapsed before it could understand what had happened.
"That… was the worst. I nearly died." He knew a single strike from that beast could have ended him.
If he had been injured, he wouldn't have had time to recover. He'd have become food.
He glanced at the rest of the battlefield.
Two undead were petrified while their foes attacked fiercely.
He stepped in.
Sneaking behind, he slit the Demonic Lions' throats one by one.
Immersed in battle, they never noticed him until it was too late.
"Let's make a plan first. I should review my mistakes and correct them. Charging into a dungeon like this isn't feasible." With that thought, he pulled back.
He hadn't lost all his undead—he had gained five more. Three could use [Mana], two could not.
However, the two undead Demonic Lions were badly injured. Their heads hung loose, nearly severed, with flesh missing from their necks.
Anvil had only cleared the first three rooms, yet progress was painfully slow. He hadn't brought bags, so the trip would yield no profit.
Because of that, he returned earlier than planned, determined to make a better strategy.
If he charged alone, it would take too long. Anvil had no intention of dragging it out. Regardless of strength, he valued his life.
Like today—there was no guarantee he wouldn't be hit by a [Skill]. Surviving with only an injury would already be a blessing.
He needed a better plan to conquer this dungeon and expand his undead army.
"I should find a way to let my undead conquer while I sit back." If he could take this dungeon and gain enough undead, he could easily dominate other E-rank dungeons.
Anvil returned to the Academy.
It was evening, and he had to find the dormitory where he would live from today.