The training hammer felt impossibly heavy in Maira's hands. She adjusted her stance, trying to imitate the Aegis Automaton's posture.
"Like this?"
Arcanis hovered beside her.
"Your feet are too close together."
Maira shifted them.
"Now?"
"Better."
She tightened her grip.
"How about now?"
"You're holding it too tightly."
Maira frowned.
"Then how am I supposed to hold it?"
"Like you're holding something you trust."
"...It's a giant hammer."
"Exactly."
Maira stared at him.
"Sometimes I wonder if you intentionally make things difficult."
"I prefer the term 'educational.'"
The Aegis Automaton suddenly moved, Maira's eyes widened. It crossed the distance between them in an instant.
BOOM!
Its hammer slammed downward, Maira barely rolled away, the impact shattered the stone where she had been standing.
"Whoa!"
She scrambled backward.
"That was your warning?!"
The automaton didn't answer, It just attacked again.
Maira raised her hammer.
CLANG!
The collision sent a shockwave through the chamber, her arms immediately went numb.
"GAH!"
She was thrown backward, sliding several meters across the floor, Arcanis remained calm.
"Don't resist the force."
"What?!"
"Redirect it."
The automaton charged again, Maira's eyes narrowed. She remembered the Stonefang Daggers.
Momentum.
She had learned to work with the force instead of fighting against it.
The guardian swung.
Maira stepped aside.
The hammer passed beside her, she twisted her body and allowed the guardian's momentum to carry its weapon past her.
Then—
THUD!
She struck its side, the hammer bounced harmlessly off its metal body. Maira stared.
"...That did absolutely nothing."
Arcanis chuckled.
"You weren't trying to hurt it, you were trying to understand it."
Maira frowned.
"That's supposed to make me feel better?"
"No."
"Good."
The automaton turned, its glowing eyes focused on her.
"Adaptation detected."
Maira blinked.
"Was that... praise?"
"Beginning second lesson."
The guardian's body suddenly changed, its enormous war hammer split apart and transformed into a long spear. Maira's eyes widened.
"It can change weapons?!"
"Forge Analysis," Arcanis said.
"It adapts to whatever you're doing."
"So I have to adapt faster."
"Precisely."
The spear came flying toward her, Maira ducked.
The weapon swept over her head, she stepped forward and swung, then the guardian blocked.
CLANG!
Maira's hammer was knocked aside, the spear immediately rotated, she barely avoided the next thrust.
Again.
And again.
The guardian's attacks became faster, Maira's breathing grew heavier. She wasn't strong enough, she wasn't fast enough, her C-Rank body was being pushed to its absolute limit yet she kept moving.
One attack.
Dodge.
Two attacks.
Block.
Three.
Roll.
Four—
SLAM!
The spear struck her shoulder, Maira flew backward and crashed against a stone pillar.
"MASTER!"
Arcanis rushed toward her.
"I'm fine!"
She slowly stood, her shoulder hurt, her breathing was ragged but she was smiling.
"...I think I get it."
Arcanis paused.
"Get what?"
Maira looked at the guardian.
"It isn't trying to beat me, it's trying to force me to learn."
Arcanis smiled.
"Exactly."
She tightened her grip.
"So..."
"Let's learn."
The guardian raised its spear, Maira raised her hammer, the two charged.
This time—
Maira didn't focus on strength, she focused on movement, the spear thrust toward her chest, then
she stepped left, the weapon followed. She stepped right, it followed again. Maira suddenly stopped, the spear passed beside her, she swung the hammer upward.
CLANG!
The spear was knocked into the air, Maira immediately spun, the momentum carried through her body, then she brought the hammer down.
BOOOOM!
The guardian blocked with its shield, but for the first time it was pushed backward.
Only one step but it was a step, Maira's eyes widened.
"I moved it!"
Arcanis' pages fluttered excitedly.
"You did."
The Aegis Automaton looked at the dent in its shield, then back at Maira. Its blue eyes became brighter.
"Adaptation confirmed. Candidate possesses combat intuition."
Maira grinned.
"Does that mean I passed?"
The guardian raised its weapon again.
"No."
Her smile disappeared.
"...Worth asking."
Arcanis laughed.
The automaton's armor suddenly began glowing, its body became surrounded by blue magical energy.
"Final lesson."
The forge shook.
"A creator must understand..."
The guardian raised its hammer.
"...that creation is not merely the act of making something."
Maira tightened her grip.
"It is the ability to give purpose to power."
The hammer came crashing down, Maira planted her feet.
This time...
She didn't dodge, she swung upward.
BOOOOOOM!!
The two hammers collided, a massive shockwave exploded through the forge, Maira's knees buckled.
The floor cracked beneath her feet but she held, she gritted her teeth.
"Purpose..."
The guardian pushed harder, Maira's arms trembled.
"...isn't that what I've been doing this whole time?"
Her memories flashed before her.
Her mother.
The village.
The five boys.
The dungeon.
Arcanis.
Her hatred.
Her desire to survive.
Her desire to become stronger.
She raised her head.
"I don't want power just because it's power."
The wind around her body began moving, a faint green glow appeared around her hands.
"I want enough power to decide my own future."
The guardian's hammer stopped, silence filled the forge.
Then—
CLANG.
The Aegis Automaton lowered its weapon, its blue eyes dimmed.
"Answer accepted."
The magic circle beneath Maira vanished, the ancient forge suddenly erupted with brilliant blue flames.
"Successor Trial..."
"Complete."
Maira stared.
"...I passed?"
The guardian slowly knelt before her.
"You are not yet a master blacksmith."
"You are not yet a master of magic."
"But you understand the first principle."
The black hammer in Maira's hand began glowing.
"Power exists to serve purpose."
The hammer dissolved into particles of light, they flowed into her body.
Maira gasped.
A new sensation spread through her mana pathways, not another element.
Not yet, it was something different, a connection, an understanding, she could suddenly feel the forge.
The metal.
The flames.
The mana flowing through the ancient machinery, her eyes widened.
"...What did you just give me?"
Arcanis floated closer, his pages turned rapidly, then his voice softened.
"Not a power, a foundation."
Maira looked at her hands.
"For what?"
Arcanis smiled.
"For everything you're going to create."
Behind them, the ancient forge began opening, a massive stone door revealed a passage beyond.
At the end of it a faint golden light could be seen, Arcanis turned toward it.
"And I believe, that's our way to the Floor Boss."
Maira smiled.
"Finally."
She started walking, then stopped. She looked back at the Aegis Automaton.
"Thank you."
The guardian remained kneeling.
"Grow stronger, Successor. The forge will remember you."
Maira nodded.
Then she and Arcanis disappeared into the passage, neither of them noticed the ancient runes glowing behind them. A single message appeared above the forge.
SUCCESSOR REGISTERED.
MAIRA — FIRST HUMAN IN 2,000 YEARS TO AWAKEN THE ORIGINAL FORGE.
Meanwhile
The eastern frontier had never felt so crowded, within the hour, the roads leading out of Draxia had become filled with adventurers. Carriages rolled through the gates, Knights rode alongside them, Mages traveled in groups, their staffs glowing faintly beneath the evening sky.
Above them, the Silver Tempest soared across the clouds, while scouts from the Night Ravens disappeared into the surrounding forests. For the first time in years, Draxia's adventurers were moving as one, and at the center of it all, Zelkris walked silently, Kaleb's party followed behind him.
Terry glanced at the enormous number of adventurers surrounding them.
"Never thought I'd see this many elites gathered for one monster."
Kaleb nodded.
"Neither did I."
Asura looked toward the sky.
"How many parties are actually involved?"
Natalia answered.
"At least twenty."
Saria corrected her.
"Thirty-seven."
Asura nearly stumbled.
"Thirty-seven?!"
Saria nodded.
"That's how seriously Zelkris is taking this."
Terry looked toward their leader.
"Do you think we'll actually find it?"
Zelkris continued walking.
"No."
Everyone looked at him.
Terry blinked.
"...No?"
Zelkris stopped.
"We aren't going to find it."
He turned toward them.
"We're going to make it reveal itself."
Kaleb's eyes narrowed.
"That's the plan?"
"Yes."
Zelkris pointed toward the forest.
"The Adze has spent years avoiding detection. If we search every tree and every cave, we'll accomplish nothing."
He looked toward the dozens of parties spreading across the frontier.
"So instead..."
"We give it something it wants."
Several hours later, a large convoy moved through the eastern forest, at its center was a heavily guarded carriage.
Four A-Rank adventurers surrounded it.
Two mages maintained barriers.
A dozen knights rode alongside it.
And at the center of the carriage was a small black container, Kaleb glanced at it.
"That's the bait?"
Zelkris nodded.
"Yes."
"What's inside?"
"An ancient monster core."
Kaleb frowned.
"How valuable?"
Zelkris looked at him.
"Enough to attract something like the Adze."
Asura scratched his head.
"Wouldn't it be easier to just announce that we're carrying something valuable?"
Zelkris smiled faintly.
"We did."
Everyone stopped, Terry stared at him.
"You leaked the information?"
"Of course."
Saria's expression became serious.
"So the Adze knows we're here."
"Exactly."
Kaleb looked around.
"Then we're basically inviting it to attack."
Zelkris's golden eyes narrowed.
"That's the idea."
Far above the forest...
A Silver Tempest scout suddenly stopped, her eyes narrowed.
"Captain."
Lyra looked over.
"What?"
"Something's wrong."
"What?"
The scout pointed downward.
"The birds."
Lyra looked.
Hundreds of birds were flying above the forest.
Except...
They were avoiding one particular section, a perfect circle. Lyra's expression hardened.
"Tell the others."
On the ground Saria suddenly stopped, Kaleb noticed.
"What is it?"
She raised a finger.
"Listen."
Everyone went silent.
Nothing.
Then—
Tuk.
A branch fell somewhere ahead, Terry raised his shield.
"Something?"
Saria shook her head.
"No."
Another branch fell.
Tuk.
Then another.
Tuk.
Kaleb's eyes narrowed.
"The branches..."
"They're falling one at a time."
Saria nodded.
"Something is moving through the trees."
Asura activated his detection skill, his eyes glowed.
He immediately frowned.
"...Nothing."
Terry sighed.
"Again?"
Asura nodded.
"I can't sense anything."
Zelkris remained calm.
"Good."
Everyone stared at him.
"Good?"
Zelkris smiled.
"That means it's close."
Kaleb's flames slowly appeared around his fingers.
"Everyone stay alert."
The convoy continued moving.
Ten meters.
Twenty.
Thirty.
Nothing happened.
Then—
CRACK.
The forest suddenly became completely silent.
No birds.
No insects.
No wind.
Zelkris raised his hand.
"Stop."
The entire convoy froze, Kaleb looked around.
"...It's here."
A knight nervously asked:
"Where?"
Zelkris didn't answer. Instead, he looked toward the carriage, the black container suddenly trembled.
Thump.
Everyone's attention snapped toward it.
Thump.
Again.
THUMP.
The container began shaking violently, Kaleb's expression changed.
"That's not supposed to happen."
Zelkris immediately stepped forward.
"Everyone back!"
The container exploded.
BOOOOOOM!
Black smoke erupted across the road, the adventurers immediately entered combat formation. Terry planted his shield.
"IRON WALL!"
A massive defensive barrier appeared, Natalia raised her staff.
"Everyone stay together!"
Asura summoned several beasts.
Saria vanished.
Kaleb ignited both hands.
The smoke slowly dispersed.
Nothing.
The container lay destroyed, but there was no creature. Terry frowned.
"...Did it take the core?"
Zelkris shook his head.
"No."
He looked at the ground.
"The core is still here."
Everyone stared.
The ancient monster core was lying in the dirt, untouched. Kaleb's expression changed.
"Then why did it destroy the container?"
Zelkris's eyes narrowed.
"It didn't."
Silence.
A chill passed through the entire group, Zelkris slowly looked upward.
"It was never interested in the core."
Something moved.
Above them.
A gigantic shadow passed between the treetops.
"EVERYONE!"
Zelkris shouted.
"UP!"
BOOOOOOM!
The ground exploded.
A gigantic claw smashed through the convoy, several adventurers were thrown into the air, Terry blocked the impact.
"GUH!"
His boots dug deep into the earth.
"IT'S STRONG!"
Kaleb immediately fired.
"FLAME SHOT!"
A concentrated blast tore through the trees, for a fraction of a second something appeared, a massive creature.
Black.
Twisted.
Its eyes glowing with an eerie intelligence, the blast struck its side.
BOOM!
It disappeared into the forest, Kaleb stared.
"...I saw it."
Saria appeared beside him.
"So did I."
Zelkris smiled.
"Good."
Kaleb looked at him.
"Why are you smiling?"
Zelkris turned toward the forest.
"Because the hunt has officially begun."
Deep within the trees two golden eyes opened.
The Adze slowly licked the blood from one of its claws, then it smiled.
"Thirty-seven parties..."
Its voice was barely more than a whisper.
"...and a Dungeon Lord."
Its smile widened.
"This might actually be fun."
Meanwhile.
The ancient passage stretched far beyond what Maira had expected. With every step, the temperature gradually decreased, the volcanic heat disappeared behind them, replaced by a strange warmth that seemed to come from the walls themselves, Maira glanced back. The Original Forge was already disappearing into the darkness.
"...Do you think we'll ever come back here?"
"Definitely."
Arcanis floated beside her.
"You've only awakened the forge. You haven't even begun to understand what it can do."
Maira raised an eyebrow.
"So you're saying that giant ancient workshop is basically mine now?"
"Not exactly."
"...What does that mean?"
"You are its recognized successor."
"Which sounds like mine."
"Technically."
"Then I'll call it mine."
Arcanis sighed.
"Very well, Master."
Maira smiled.
"Good."
They continued walking.
After several minutes, the tunnel suddenly widened, a massive chamber opened before them, Maira stopped.
"...Whoa."
Unlike the previous room, this chamber was completely natural, huge volcanic crystals grew from the ground like trees, streams of molten rock flowed between them. At the center stood a circular stone platform covered in ancient runes, and hovering above it was a glowing red crystal. Arcanis immediately became serious.
"Master."
"What?"
"Don't touch that."
Maira stopped herself.
"...Why does everyone keep telling me not to touch things?"
"Because you have a dangerous habit of touching ancient objects."
"...Fair."
Arcanis floated closer to the crystal.
"This is a Floor Gate."
"A what?"
"A mechanism created by the dungeon itself."
He examined the runes.
"Every World-Class Dungeon floor has a method of progression."
"Some require defeating a boss."
"Some require solving a puzzle."
"Some require surviving a specific event."
"And some..."
He looked toward the enormous crystal.
"...require defeating something."
Maira's expression changed.
"So this is it?"
"The Floor Boss?"
"Not quite."
Arcanis paused.
"This is the entrance to its domain."
Maira sighed.
"Of course."
A deep rumble suddenly echoed throughout the chamber, the crystal began pulsing.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Then—
BOOM!
A massive wave of energy erupted from the platform, Maira was thrown backward.
"WHOA!"
Arcanis immediately surrounded her with a protective barrier, the crystal cracked.
CRACK.
Another crack appeared, then another. Maira stared.
"...Arcanis?"
"I know."
"What is happening?"
"I don't know."
That answer immediately worried her.
"You don't know?"
"I know almost everything about the dungeon."
"Almost?"
"There are things even I never discovered during my two thousand years here."
The crystal shattered.
A blinding red light flooded the chamber, Maira raised her arms to shield her eyes.
Then...
Everything became silent.
The light faded.
Standing upon the platform was a gigantic creature.
Its body resembled a lion, but it was covered in dark volcanic scales. Four massive horns curved from its skull, chains of molten metal wrapped around its limbs, its eyes burned with golden flames. The creature slowly raised its head, Maira instinctively stepped backward.
"...That's the Floor Boss."
Arcanis didn't answer, he was staring at it, then the grimoire's pages began turning rapidly.
"Master..."
"What?"
"...This isn't the boss I expected."
"What do you mean?"
Arcanis' voice became unusually tense.
"Something is wrong."
The creature opened its mouth, a deep voice echoed through the chamber.
"A successor..."
Maira froze, it was speaking.
"After all these centuries..."
Its golden eyes locked onto Maira.
"...the forge has finally chosen another."
Maira tightened her grip on her daggers.
"How do you know about the forge?"
The creature slowly smiled.
"Because I was here when it was built."
Arcanis went completely silent, Maira looked toward him.
"...Arcanis?"
Nothing.
"Arcanis?"
His pages stopped moving, then, quietly—
"...I know that voice."
Maira's eyes widened.
"You do?"
The creature's gaze shifted toward the floating grimoire, its expression changed. Recognition.
"And I know yours."
The chamber suddenly became unbearably tense.
Arcanis' cover began glowing faintly.
"...Impossible."
The creature laughed.
"You survived."
Arcanis' voice became cold.
"...You shouldn't exist."
Maira looked between them.
"What is going on?"
The creature slowly pulled one molten chain from its body, the entire chamber shook.
"Come, Arcanis. Let us see whether two thousand years of imprisonment have made you weaker..."
Its golden eyes returned to Maira.
"...and whether your new master is worthy of carrying the forge's legacy."
Maira slowly drew her Stonefang Daggers, the wind around her feet began to swirl. She looked at Arcanis.
"Whatever this thing is..."
She smiled.
"...we're not backing down now."
Arcanis' pages fluttered, then he smiled.
"That's my Master."
The creature roared, the entire volcanic floor shook.
Meanwhile
The eastern frontier had never felt so crowded, within the hour, the roads leading out of Draxia had become filled with adventurers. Carriages rolled through the gates, Knights rode alongside them, Mages traveled in groups, their staffs glowing faintly beneath the evening sky.
Above them, the Silver Tempest soared across the clouds, while scouts from the Night Ravens disappeared into the surrounding forests, for the first time in years, Draxia's adventurers were moving as one, and at the center of it all, Zelkris walked silently. Kaleb's party followed behind him.
Terry glanced at the enormous number of adventurers surrounding them.
"Never thought I'd see this many elites gathered for one monster."
Kaleb nodded.
"Neither did I."
Asura looked toward the sky.
"How many parties are actually involved?"
Natalia answered.
"At least twenty."
Saria corrected her.
"Thirty-seven."
Asura nearly stumbled.
"Thirty-seven?!"
Saria nodded.
"That's how seriously Zelkris is taking this."
Terry looked toward their leader.
"Do you think we'll actually find it?"
Zelkris continued walking.
"No."
Everyone looked at him, Terry blinked.
"...No?"
Zelkris stopped.
"We aren't going to find it."
He turned toward them.
"We're going to make it reveal itself."
Kaleb's eyes narrowed.
"That's the plan?"
"Yes."
Zelkris pointed toward the forest.
"The Adze has spent years avoiding detection. If we search every tree and every cave, we'll accomplish nothing."
He looked toward the dozens of parties spreading across the frontier.
"So instead..."
"We give it something it wants."
Several hours later, a large convoy moved through the eastern forest, at its center was a heavily guarded carriage. Four A-Rank adventurers surrounded it, two mages maintained barriers. A dozen knights rode alongside it and at the center of the carriage was a small black container.
Kaleb glanced at it.
"That's the bait?"
Zelkris nodded.
"Yes."
"What's inside?"
"An ancient monster core."
Kaleb frowned.
"How valuable?"
Zelkris looked at him.
"Enough to attract something like the Adze."
Asura scratched his head.
"Wouldn't it be easier to just announce that we're carrying something valuable?"
Zelkris smiled faintly.
"We did."
Everyone stopped, Terry stared at him.
"You leaked the information?"
"Of course."
Saria's expression became serious.
"So the Adze knows we're here."
"Exactly."
Kaleb looked around.
"Then we're basically inviting it to attack."
Zelkris's golden eyes narrowed.
"That's the idea."
Far above the forest, a Silver Tempest scout suddenly stopped, her eyes narrowed.
"Captain."
Lyra looked over.
"What?"
"Something's wrong."
"What?"
The scout pointed downward.
"The birds."
Lyra looked, hundreds of birds were flying above the forest.
Except...
They were avoiding one particular section, forming a perfect circle, Lyra's expression hardened.
"Tell the others."
On the ground, Saria suddenly stopped, Kaleb noticed.
"What is it?"
She raised a finger.
"Listen."
Everyone went silent.
Nothing.
Then—
Tuk.
A branch fell somewhere ahead.
Terry raised his shield.
"Something?"
Saria shook her head.
"No."
Another branch fell.
Tuk.
Then another.
Tuk.
Kaleb's eyes narrowed.
"The branches..."
"They're falling one at a time."
Saria nodded.
"Something is moving through the trees."
Asura activated his detection skill, his eyes glowed and immediately frowned.
"...Nothing."
Terry sighed.
"Again?"
Asura nodded.
"I can't sense anything."
Zelkris remained calm.
"Good."
Everyone stared at him.
"Good?"
Zelkris smiled.
"That means it's close."
Kaleb's flames slowly appeared around his fingers.
"Everyone stay alert."
The convoy continued moving.
Ten meters.
Twenty.
Thirty.
Nothing happened.
Then—
CRACK.
The forest suddenly became completely silent.
No birds.
No insects.
No wind.
Zelkris raised his hand.
"Stop."
The entire convoy froze.
Kaleb looked around.
"...It's here."
A knight nervously asked:
"Where?"
Zelkris didn't answer. Instead, he looked toward the carriage, the black container suddenly trembled.
Thump.
Everyone's attention snapped toward it.
Thump.
Again.
THUMP.
The container began shaking violently.
Kaleb's expression changed.
"That's not supposed to happen."
Zelkris immediately stepped forward.
"Everyone back!"
The container exploded.
BOOOOOOM!
Black smoke erupted across the road.
The adventurers immediately entered combat formation, Terry planted his shield.
"IRON WALL!"
A massive defensive barrier appeared, Natalia raised her staff.
"Everyone stay together!"
Asura summoned several beasts, Saria vanished, Kaleb ignited both hands.
The smoke slowly dispersed.
Nothing.
The container lay destroyed.
But there was no creature.
Terry frowned.
"...Did it take the core?"
Zelkris shook his head.
"No."
He looked at the ground.
"The core is still here."
Everyone stared.
The ancient monster core was lying in the dirt untouched, Kaleb's expression changed.
"Then why did it destroy the container?"
Zelkris's eyes narrowed.
"It didn't."
Silence.
A chill passed through the entire group.
Zelkris slowly looked upward.
"It was never interested in the core."
Something moved.
Above them.
A gigantic shadow passed between the treetops.
"EVERYONE!"
Zelkris shouted.
"UP!"
BOOOOOOM!
The ground exploded.
A gigantic claw smashed through the convoy.
Several adventurers were thrown into the air.
Terry blocked the impact.
"GUH!"
His boots dug deep into the earth.
"IT'S STRONG!"
Kaleb immediately fired.
"FLAME SHOT!"
A concentrated blast tore through the trees.
For a fraction of a second...
Something appeared.
A massive creature.
Black.
Twisted.
Its eyes glowing with an eerie intelligence.
The blast struck its side.
BOOM!
It disappeared into the forest.
Kaleb stared.
"...I saw it."
Saria appeared beside him.
"So did I."
Zelkris smiled.
"Good."
Kaleb looked at him.
"Why are you smiling?"
Zelkris turned toward the forest.
"Because the hunt has officially begun."
Deep within the trees...
Two golden eyes opened.
The Adze slowly licked the blood from one of its claws.
Then it smiled.
"Thirty-seven parties..."
Its voice was barely more than a whisper.
"...and a Dungeon Lord."
Its smile widened.
"This might actually be fun."
The forest fell into an eerie silence, for several seconds, nobody moved. The adventurers stood frozen, weapons raised, eyes scanning the surrounding trees, even the wind seemed to have stopped.
Then—
WHOOOOOSH!
A powerful gust swept through the clearing, leaves and dust spiraled upward.
"What's happening?!" Terry shouted.
"Stay alert!" Magnus commanded.
Kaleb looked around, trying to locate the source of the disturbance, then Asura's eyes suddenly widened.
"Up there!"
Everyone looked toward the sky, something was hovering high above them. For the first time, the legendary beast had finally revealed itself.
The Adze.
Its appearance was almost unsettlingly thin, its body possessing an unnatural, insect-like build. Its skin was hard and segmented, resembling the armored exterior of an enormous ant. Long, impossibly thin arms hung from its body, each ending in elongated claws sharp enough to tear through steel.
Shorter claws protruded from its feet and yet, despite its monstrous appearance, the strangest thing about it was what it wore. A perfectly tailored butler's outfit.
A dark vest.
A crisp shirt.
Gloves.
Polished shoes.
The clothing looked almost absurd on such a creature.
Almost.
Because the moment everyone looked into its eyes, the humor disappeared. There was intelligence there. Cold, ancient intelligence, the Adze hovered effortlessly above the assembled adventurers, looking down upon them as though they were insects beneath its feet, Zelkris finally spoke.
"So..."
His golden eyes narrowed.
"You finally decided to show yourself."
The Adze slowly lowered its head, a wide grin appeared across its face.
"Why, if it isn't the human Dungeon Lord."
Its voice was surprisingly refined, almost polite.
"Fancy finally seeing you in person."
Several adventurers exchanged uneasy glances, Terry whispered,
"It talks?"
Asura swallowed.
"I was expecting something more..."
He hesitated.
"...beast-like."
The Adze heard him, then chuckled.
"You expected an animal?"
Its smile widened.
"You think someone of my caliber wouldn't be able to speak?"
It placed one claw against its chest dramatically.
"How insulting."
Zelkris remained unfazed.
"Who knew the Adze had a sense of humor?"
"Who knew the human Dungeon Lord possessed such a dry personality?"
A few adventurers almost laughed, almost, nobody dared. Zelkris stepped forward.
"Why have you attacked those villages?"
The Adze tilted its head.
"Why?"
It looked genuinely confused by the question, then it shrugged.
"I was bored."
Silence.
"I wanted a snack."
Another pause.
"And perhaps a little entertainment before I went to sleep."
Several adventurers tightened their grips on their weapons, Natalia's expression darkened.
"You murdered innocent people..."
The Adze looked toward her.
"Murder?"
It shrugged.
"I ate."
Its tone was so casual that it made the statement even more disturbing.
"They were there."
It spread its arms.
"I was hungry."
Kaleb's flames intensified.
"You bastard."
The Adze's eyes shifted toward him.
"Oh?"
A grin appeared.
"Another interesting one."
Before Kaleb could respond Zelkris disappeared.
BOOM!
A brilliant beam of light erupted from his hand, it tore through the sky with tremendous force.
The Adze barely moved, one of its long claws rose.
SHIIIIING!
The claw intercepted the beam. Instead of being destroyed, the light bent around its claw and was redirected. The beam shot toward the distant mountains.
KRAAAAAAAAAAASH!
The mountain behind the Adze completely exploded. Rock and debris erupted into the sky, the shockwave swept across the forest, several adventurers were forced to shield their faces. Dust filled the battlefield, the Adze slowly lowered its claw, a faint smile appeared on its face.
"Wow."
It looked toward the destroyed mountain.
"Powerful."
Zelkris's expression remained cold, the Adze stared at him for several seconds, then its grin widened.
"I like you."
It stretched its long arms.
"Let's battle."
Zelkris's eyes sharpened.
"Gladly."
"Everyone!"
Kaleb shouted.
"GET READY!"
The adventurers immediately snapped into formation. Iron Vanguard raised their shields, Silver Tempest took to the skies, Emerald Bloom prepared their support magic, the Night Ravens disappeared into the surrounding shadows, Kaleb's party moved together.
Terry drew his weapon.
Natalia raised her staff.
Saria began preparing her magic.
Asura stared upward, trying desperately to maintain his appraisal.
Then the Adze suddenly laughed.
"Hehehe..."
It looked around at the hundreds of adventurers.
"Oh?"
Its claws spread apart.
"Don't worry."
Its smile became sinister.
"You guys can have fun too."
The air suddenly became heavy, a dark magical aura erupted around the Adze, Kaleb's eyes widened.
"Everyone, MOVE!"
The Adze slammed one claw into the air.
BOOOOOOM!
Dark portals appeared throughout the battlefield.
One.
Five.
Twenty.
Then dozens.
Something began crawling out of them, Terry's face went pale.
"What the hell are those?!"
The creatures emerged from the portals in droves.
Dark, winged monsters with twisted humanoid bodies.
Sharp claws.
Blackened skin.
Glowing eyes.
They descended upon the battlefield like a swarm, Asura immediately recognized them.
"Popobawa!"
The adventurers stared.
"How many are there?!"
"Too many!"
The Popobawa screamed and charged.
SKREEEEEEEE!
The battlefield exploded into chaos.
"IRON VANGUARD!"
Magnus roared.
"SHIELDS!"
BOOM!
A wall of shields slammed together, the first wave of Popobawa crashed into them.
"Hold the line!"
Magic erupted behind the defensive formation.
Fireballs.
Lightning.
Arrows.
Ice spears.
The forest became a battlefield, Kaleb looked upward, the Adze was still hovering there.
Watching.
Smiling.
"You planned this."
The Adze chuckled.
"Of course."
It slowly turned its body toward Zelkris.
"I knew you'd come eventually."
Zelkris's eyes narrowed.
"And you wanted me here."
"Precisely."
The Adze stretched its arms.
"You're different from the others."
Its gaze shifted toward the chaos below.
"They're prey."
Then it looked directly at Zelkris.
"But you..."
Its smile became wider.
"...might actually be worth hunting."
Zelkris smiled.
"You've made one mistake."
"Oh?"
"You assumed I'd let you choose the battlefield."
The Adze's eyes narrowed, Zelkris suddenly launched himself into the sky.
BOOM!
The shockwave shattered several trees beneath him, he appeared directly in front of the Adze.
The creature's eyes widened, Zelkris raised his hand.
"Come."
A brilliant sphere of light formed in his palm.
"Let's take this somewhere else."
The Adze stared at the sphere, then it laughed.
"HAHA!"
Its claws extended.
"Now you're speaking my language."
Zelkris fired.
The Adze twisted through the air, the beam missed by inches. It turned toward the eastern mountains.
"Follow me, Dungeon Lord!"
Zelkris smiled.
"Don't worry."
He accelerated after it.
"I intend to."
The two figures vanished into the distance at terrifying speed. Behind them, the battlefield erupted into an all-out war, Kaleb stared after them for half a second. Then a Popobawa dove toward him, he immediately raised his hand.
"Wrong person to ignore!"
BOOOOOOM!
A pillar of fire swallowed the creature, Kaleb turned toward the others.
"Everyone!"
He raised his flames.
"We've got our own fight!"
The assembled adventurers roared. And so the battle began, not as one battle but as two.
High above the forest, the Dungeon Lord and the legendary beast raced toward the mountains.
Below them, hundreds of adventurers fought against the Adze's monstrous army and somewhere deep within the eastern forest, the Adze smiled. Because this wasn't its real hunt yet, this was only the beginning.
The forest erupted into chaos, the moment the Adze vanished into the darkness above the battlefield, a deafening chorus of screeches filled the night.
Then—
FWOOSH!
Black shapes poured from the trees.
Dozens.
Then hundreds.
The Popobawa descended upon the adventurers like a living swarm. Their elongated limbs twisted unnaturally as they moved through the darkness, leathery wings carrying them between the trees. Their claws scraped against armor and stone, while their crimson eyes glowed beneath the moonlight.
"Here they come!"
Kaleb thrust his hand forward.
BOOOOOOM!
A massive wall of flame erupted before the party.
Several Popobawa crashed directly into it, their bodies consumed by fire. But more came and more.
Terry raised his shield.
"Formation!"
CLANG!
A Popobawa slammed into his shield hard enough to push him several meters backward. Terry gritted his teeth.
"These things aren't normal!"
He swung his shield sideways.
CRASH!
The creature was launched through several trees.
Saria appeared behind another one.
"Too slow."SHING!
Her dagger passed across its throat, the creature collapsed. Another immediately swooped toward her. Saria vanished.
WHOOSH!
The Popobawa struck empty air.
"Shadow Step."
She appeared above it.
"Backstab."
STAB!
It fell.
But Saria barely had time to breathe, three more descended upon her.
"Seriously?!"
She crossed her daggers.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
She blocked three sets of claws before being forced backward. Meanwhile, Natalia raised her staff.
"Everyone, stay within the barrier!"
A golden magic circle expanded across the battlefield.
SACRED BARRIER!
A dome of holy light formed around several adventurers. The Popobawa slammed into it from every direction.
BOOM!
BOOM!
BOOM!
Natalia's expression tightened.
"They're trying to break through!"
Asura stood beside her.
"Then let me give them something else to worry about."
He raised both hands.
"Come forth!"
A massive purple summoning circle opened above the battlefield.
ROOOOOAR!
His Sky Tyrant Wyvern emerged from the portal.
Its enormous wings spread across the sky, the Popobawa looked upward, the wyvern opened its jaws.
KRAAAAAAAAAA!
A violent blast of wind and dark mana swept through the forest, dozens of Popobawa were thrown into the trees.Asura grinned.
"That's better."
Then—
A Popobawa landed directly behind him, Asura froze.
"...Oh."
Saria's dagger flew past his cheek.
SHING!
The creature's head flew off, Asura slowly turned.
Saria retrieved her dagger.
"You're welcome."
"...Thanks."
"Try looking behind you next time."
"I was busy commanding a wyvern!"
"Excuses."
Iron Vanguard
Magnus slammed his hammer into the ground.
BOOOOOOM!
The earth erupted, several Popobawa were launched into the air.
"IRON VANGUARD!"
His party immediately moved, Freya raised both hands.
EARTH SPEAR!
Massive stone spikes erupted from the ground, Lena released a volley of arrows.
FWOOSH! FWOOSH! FWOOSH!
Borin stood at the front with his shield.
"COME ON!"
A swarm descended upon him.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
His shield absorbed blow after blow, Father Orion raised his staff.
"Blessing of the Earth!"
A golden aura surrounded the party, Magnus laughed.
"Now that's teamwork!"
Silver Tempest
High above the battlefield, Lyra watched the chaos below.
"Too many."
Gale landed beside her.
"Then we cut through them."
Rex's body crackled with lightning.
"Finally, something interesting."
Mira raised her hand.
"Freeze."
A massive wave of ice spread through the air, dozens of Popobawa were frozen mid-flight, Lyra drew both swords.
"Let's go."
The three launched themselves downward.
BOOM!
They tore through the frozen creatures like lightning.
But despite the adventurers' overwhelming coordination the Popobawa kept coming, Kaleb looked around. His expression changed.
"...This isn't an attack."
Terry glanced at him.
"What?"
"They're not trying to kill us."
Saria's eyes narrowed.
"They're keeping us busy."
Natalia looked toward the sky.
"...The Adze."
Kaleb nodded.
"It's separating us."
Meanwhile — Above the Battlefield
Zelkris stood alone.
The forest stretched beneath him.
Hundreds of Popobawa filled the area below yet none approached him. He slowly followed.
The Adze was flying several a few meters away. The creature smiled.
"So you've figured it out."
Zelkris adjusted his coat.
"You've deliberately created a battlefield where my forces cannot assist me."
"Exactly."
"You've studied Draxia. I've studied everything."
The Adze tilted its head.
"Your guild. Your adventurers. Your territory. Your magic."
Its smile widened.
"And you."
Zelkris's eyes narrowed.
"Then you should know what happens when someone threatens my people."
"Oh, I do."
The Adze slowly spread its arms.
"That's why I chose you."
Zelkris stared at it, the Adze suddenly laughed.
"You're the strongest person here."
A pause.
"And I want to know..."
Its eyes sharpened.
"...how much fun you'll be."
Zelkris raised one hand, purple magic began gathering around his fingers.
"You've made one mistake."
"Oh?"
"You assumed I needed my people to defeat you."
The Adze's grin widened.
"Good."
Its claws extended.
"Then prove it."
For a moment nothing moved, then both disappeared.
BOOOOOOOOOOM!
A shockwave exploded across the sky. Below them, every adventurer stopped fighting for half a second, they looked upward. Two figures collided above the forest, Zelkris's fist met the Adze's claws.
KRAAAAAAAAAAACK!
The clouds themselves split apart, Kaleb's eyes widened.
"...They're already fighting."
Terry looked up.
"I can't even see them."
Saria's expression became serious.
"Neither can I."
Asura swallowed.
"That's... not normal."
Natalia looked toward Zelkris's battle.
"He's holding back."
Kaleb slowly nodded.
"Of course he is."
He looked at the battlefield around them.
"And that's exactly what the Adze wants."
A distant explosion illuminated the clouds.
BOOOOOOM!
Kaleb tightened his grip.
"Everyone!"
The party turned toward him.
"We finish these things as fast as possible."
He looked toward the enormous number of Popobawa surrounding them.
"Because once Zelkris stops holding back..."
His expression hardened.
"...this entire forest might become a battlefield."
Far above them, the Adze laughed and for the first time...
Zelkris smiled.