Chapter 165 – This is Impossible…
Chapter 165
This is Impossible…
Date : Day 10 of Lunaeve 1024 Aethellgard Concord Year.
Hyoren, Elise, and Jackey continued exploring the second floor of Akela Dungeon.
As they ventured deeper into the labyrinth, the pattern gradually became clear. Every 15 to 20 minutes—they would encounter another group of monsters.
The composition always varied between Goblin Saber, Goblin Lancer, Goblin Shielder, and Goblin Assassin. The elite variants appeared in different combinations, forcing them to adapt every battle.
Their third encounter came not long after. A Goblin Lancer and a Goblin Assassin.
The three of them didn't need another briefing. After the previous battles, everyone already understood their roles.
Hyoren charged first. Shield raised.
“Magic Blade.”
“Enchant Maledict.”
His eyes locked onto the Goblin Lancer.
“Provoke!”
The Goblin Lancer's eyes immediately turned bloodshot. It lowered its spear and charged.
CLANG.
Hyoren blocked the two-handed spear thrust with his shield.
Instead of simply redirecting the attack like before—he immediately activated his newly acquired Skill.
“Shield Bash!”
BANG!
His shield exploded forward with tremendous force. It slammed directly into the Goblin Lancer's torso.
The goblin's eyes widened. Its footing collapsed. It stumbled backward.
Hyoren didn't waste the opening.
“Quick Slash.”
His Mithril-Alloy Broadsword flashed under the guidance of the Skill.
SQUELCH!
The Goblin Lancer still reacted at the last possible moment. It twisted its body while stumbling. The blade only carved a shallow wound across its side.
Hyoren grinned.
That was enough. The curse from Enchant Maledict seeped into the wound. One stack.
Good… This new skill had already proven its usefulness…
Though he knew he still couldn't become complacent.
The Goblin Lancer remained incredibly skilled. Even while losing its balance, it had nearly avoided the attack entirely.
But, the battle would definitely become more manageable now.
Meanwhile—Jackey was already chasing the Goblin Assassin.
“Strong Legs.”
Aethell surged through his legs. His speed increased dramatically.
The Goblin Assassin immediately began moving erratically. Left. Right. Forward. Backward. Trying to make itself impossible to predict.
Yet—Jackey noticed something. His Keen Instinct allowed him to read the Assassin's movements a little better than before.
The improvement wasn't dramatic. But it was noticeable.
He grinned.
“Eat this!”
His Bloody Axe swung. The Goblin Assassin dodged to the left. Followed with Flying Kite Axe. The goblin ducked beneath it before rolling backward.
Both attacks missed. But only by a hair's breadth.
Jackey laughed loudly.
“WOHOO! I can see you now!”
Not far away, Elise continued moving along the edge of the chamber.
Searching for the perfect angle. Then—she found it. Moonveil Bow rose. She nocked an arrow. Pulled the bowstring to its full draw.
Waited.
The moment the Goblin Assassin finished its backward roll—she released.
“Tracking Shot!”
SWOOSH!
The arrow shot across the chamber.
The Goblin Assassin instinctively sidestepped. But this time—the arrow curved slightly in midair—guided by Elise’s new skill. Adjusting its trajectory.
The goblin's eyes widened. It couldn't react again.
SQUELCH!
The arrow pierced through its leg before pinning it to the stone floor.
Jackey's grin widened.
“Got you!”
He lunged.
“Cross Slash!”
Both axes carved across the Goblin Assassin's torso simultaneously.
SCREEECK!
Two deep slashes crossed into a large X-shaped wound. The Goblin Assassin froze for a brief moment. Then its body dissolved into countless particles of light.
Elise immediately switched targets.
Moonveil Bow was already drawn in her hands. She smoothly nocked another arrow. Then aimed at the Goblin Lancer.
By now—the Goblin Lancer had already suffered three successful hits from Hyoren's repeated combination of Shield Bash and Quick Slash.
Although each wound was shallow, three stacks of Enchant Maledict had already taken effect. Its movements were noticeably slower than before.
Even so—the Goblin Lancer remained a formidable opponent. It continued moving with remarkable precision. Dodging. Thrusting. Retreating.
Searching for every possible opening.
Hyoren never rushed. He patiently waited for another chance.
The Goblin Lancer lunged once more.
CLANG!
Hyoren blocked the thrust. Then immediately stepped forward.
“Shield Bash!”
BANG!
His shield slammed into the Goblin Lancer's chest. The monster stumbled backward. Its stance broke once again.
Hyoren instantly followed.
“Quick Slash!”
SQUELCH!
The Goblin Lancer desperately twisted its body. The blade only carved another shallow wound across its side.
But once again—another stack of the curse seeped into its body.
The Goblin Lancer's movements slowed even further.
Elise had been waiting for exactly this moment.
Now...
She released the bowstring.
SWOOSH!
The arrow streaked across the chamber. A faint green trail followed behind it, the blessing of Sylvana's Lavalier enhancing its flight.
The Goblin Lancer instinctively tried to evade. But its body no longer responded as swiftly as before.
SQUELCH!
The arrow buried itself deep into the Goblin Lancer's head.
The monster froze. Its spear slipped from its grasp. For several long seconds—it remained motionless.
Then its body slowly dissolved into countless particles of light.
***
Jackey and Elise walked over to Hyoren.
Hyoren lowered his shield before sheathing his Mithril-Alloy Broadsword. The sound of metal sliding into its scabbard echoed softly through the quiet chamber.
He smiled at his two companions.
“Good work, everyone.”
Elise lowered her Moonveil Bow and nodded.
“I think we've figured out their fighting pattern now.”
She glanced toward the place where the Goblin Lancer had disappeared.
“They're still skillful. But after fighting them several times… We know what to expect.”
Jackey rested Bloody Axe on his shoulder while hanging Flying Kite Axe back on his belt.
“They became easy!”
He grinned broadly.
“Thanks to our growth!”
His tabby tail spiraled excitedly.
“Freedom Party strong!”
Hyoren chuckled.
“Don't become complacent.”
He looked at both of them.
“It's true our new skills have made these encounters much more manageable.”
He paused briefly.
“But these goblins are still formidable opponents.”
He gestured toward the empty chamber.
“And this time there were only two of them. If we let our guard down… They'll punish us immediately.”
Jackey's head bobbed several times.
“Understood, Big Bro!”
Elise smiled softly.
“We'll stay careful.”
Hyoren nodded in satisfaction.
“Good.”
The three of them quickly gathered the loot. The Magic Stones. The spear. The daggers. Every usable piece of equipment disappeared into their Storage Bags.
Once the chamber had been stripped of everything valuable, they resumed their exploration.
Elise naturally returned to the front of the formation. Moonveil Bow rested lightly in her hand.
Her pointed ears twitched, listening for the faintest sound hidden within the silent corridors as she guided the Freedom Party deeper into the second floor of Akela Dungeon.
Freedom Party continued exploring the second floor.
One encounter after another.
The elite goblins appeared in different combinations. A Goblin Lancer and a Goblin Shielder. A Goblin Shielder and a Goblin Assassin. Two Goblin Lancers accompanied by a Goblin Assassin. Then many other combinations.
The pattern gradually became familiar.
Whenever there were only two elite goblins, Hyoren would hold one of them by himself while Elise and Jackey quickly overwhelmed the other. Once one of the opponents fell, the three of them would immediately regroup and eliminate the remaining goblin together.
Those encounters rarely lasted long.
With Shield Bash, Quick Slash, and the weakening effect of Enchant Maledict, Hyoren could now contribute enough damage to shorten every battle considerably.
However—whenever three elite goblins appeared—everything changed.
Hyoren had to occupy two enemies at once. The burden on him increased dramatically.
Elise and Jackey also couldn't rush their own battle. One mistake or one opening—was enough for the third goblin to interfere.
So they fought patiently. Carefully. Never rushing. Never growing greedy.
Their teamwork steadily improved with every encounter.
Against two elite goblins—they eventually reached the point where they could defeat them without receiving any injuries.
Against three—their newly acquired skills made the fights far more manageable than before. But they were still difficult. Minor wounds continued appearing from time to time.
Especially whenever the Goblin Assassin was part of the group.
Its thrown daggers remained difficult to predict even after several encounters.
Fortunately—every shallow cut was quickly healed afterward by Hyoren's Healing Light.
Little by little, Freedom Party advanced deeper into the labyrinth.
After defeating their fifteenth group of elite goblins. After the chamber finally fell silent once more.
Hyoren reached inside his shirt.
He pulled out his newly bought necklace watch. With a soft click, he opened its cover. The three hands quietly pointed to the time.
18:12.
He smiled faintly. Then closed the cover. The watch disappeared beneath his shirt once again.
Hyoren looked toward his companions.
“It's already late. We should end today's dive.”
Jackey crossed his arms.
“No wonder…I'm so hungry!”
Almost immediately—his stomach let out a loud growl. The sound echoed through the empty chamber.
The three of them burst into laughter.
After their laughter subsided, Hyoren turned toward Elise.
“Please find us a good resting place.”
Elise nodded. Her silver hair swayed with the motion.
“Okay, Hyoren. Give me a moment.”
She closed her eyes.
Inside her mind, Mapping skill reconstructed the routes they had explored throughout the day. Every corridor. Every chamber. Every intersection.
Several seconds later, she opened her emerald eyes again.
“I found one. A dead end. We passed it about an hour ago.”
She pointed toward one of the corridors.
“It's quite far from every chamber occupied by goblins. So it should be safe enough for the night.”
Hyoren nodded.
“Good. Lead the way, please.”
Elise smiled softly.
She adjusted her grip on her Moonveil Bow before walking to the front once more.
Following the mental map created by her Skill, she guided them through the winding corridors in search of a place where they could finally rest.
***
They arrived at the dead end not long after. Without wasting time, they quickly set up camp.
Hyoren took out the four square Ward Stones from his Storage Bag. He walked to each corner of the dead end and placed one small white stone on the ground.
As the fourth stone settled into place, he poured Aethell on it—then the runic inscriptions engraved on all four Ward Stones glowed with a pale blue light. Then a shimmering protective barrier quietly expanded, enclosing the entire dead end.
Hyoren nodded in satisfaction.
“Okay. Safe as usual.”
He and Jackey immediately erected their tent before setting up a simple washing area nearby. Meanwhile, Elise prepared dinner. The familiar aroma of her special stew gradually filled the quiet dead end.
Once everything was ready, the three of them took turns washing away the sweat, dust, and dried blood from the day's battles.
Only after that did they gather around dinner. The familiar routine had become a comforting anchor amidst the dangers of the labyrinth.
Hyoren scooped a spoonful of stew into his mouth. The hot meal warmed his body almost immediately.
“This floor really is a training floor.”
He swallowed before continuing.
“We didn't gain much experience or loot today… But our skills proficiency increased a lot.”
Jackey swallowed a large chunk of meat before raising his spoon enthusiastically.
“Before, I thought the first floor was better! But this floor isn't bad either! I keep getting stronger! And I get to fight worthy opponents! WOHOO!”
Elise smiled. She tucked a strand of silver hair behind her pointed ear.
“Yeah. I can feel myself improving with every encounter.”
She looked thoughtfully at Moonveil Bow resting beside her.
“Even though my level hasn't changed.”
Hyoren nodded.
“At first, the dungeon's design felt arbitrary.”
He stirred the remaining stew in his bowl.
“But now I think it's actually well designed. If we want to sharpen our Skills...”
He paused briefly.
“We go to the second floor.”
A small smile appeared on his face.
“And if we want to mindlessly grind… The first floor is the better choice.”
Elise nodded in agreement.
Hyoren then looked toward her.
“How's our progress, Elise? The mapping of the second floor.”
Elise finished another spoonful before closing her eyes.
Inside her mind, Mapping skill reconstructed every corridor they had explored throughout the day.
Several moments later, her emerald eyes opened again.
“Hmm… We've mapped around 22% of the floor.”
Hyoren placed his now-empty bowl on the ground.
“One day for 22%...”
He quickly calculated.
“So around five days to finish mapping. Then we challenge the Guardian on the sixth day.”
He nodded in satisfaction.
“Good. We're still on schedule.”
Elise smiled.
“Yes. At this pace, we'll spend around six days inside. Then afterwards three to four days rest days.”
Jackey emptied the last of his stew before raising a fist triumphantly.
“Yes! More than six days without a brothel would kill me! Hahaha!”
Hyoren and Elise couldn't help chuckling.
After dinner, they cleaned up their bowls before retiring to their respective tents.
Jackey entered his own tent first. Only moments later—a familiar snore echoed from inside.
Hyoren and Elise exchanged amused glances. Then they entered their own tent. After neatly placing their weapons and equipment within easy reach, they lay down on their sleeping bags.
Elise naturally snuggled closer. She rested her head on Hyoren's shoulder. Her long silver hair cascaded around them.
She leaned forward and gently kissed him. Hyoren returned the kiss.
"Night, Hyoren...”
Hyoren wrapped an arm around her and pulled her a little closer.
“Good night, Elise. Sleep tight.”
Before long—exhaustion claimed them both.
Soon, two rhythmic breathing joined the loud snoring coming from Jackey's tent outside.
Within the pale blue barrier formed by the Ward Stones, the Freedom Party finally allowed themselves to relax.
Tomorrow, they would once again challenge the second floor of Akela Dungeon.
But tonight—inside their small sanctuary carved out from the dangerous labyrinth—they simply rest
***
The days gradually bled together for Freedom Party. They continued exploring the second floor of Akela Dungeon.
By now, their rhythm had been firmly established. Every morning, they left their campsite and ventured deeper into the labyrinth. Every evening, once Hyoren confirmed the time on his watch, they returned to a prepared dead end to rest.
The encounter pattern itself repeated. Two elite goblins. Then three. Then another pair. Another trio. The combinations constantly changed, but their responses no longer did.
Encounters with two elite goblins had become manageable battles. Hyoren would hold one while Elise and Jackey quickly overwhelmed the other before joining him.
Against three elite goblins—they still needed to remain patient. One careless mistake could still lead to injuries. Especially whenever a Goblin Assassin appeared among the group. Its thrown daggers remained the most troublesome part of every encounter.
Still, their teamwork continued improving every single day. On average, they fought 15 to 17 encounters before ending each day's exploration.
When evening finally arrived, Hyoren would check his watch. Then the three of them would retreat to the nearest suitable dead end.
The four Ward Stones would be placed at the corners. The tents would be erected. Dinner would be cooked. Another quiet night would pass within their small sanctuary.
Little by little—Elise's Mapping Skill filled in the second floor.
The second day ended with 42% mapped. The third day reached 59%. The fourth day expanded it to 81%. Then—by the end of the fifth day—they finally found it.
Standing at the end of another ancient corridor was a familiar archway like they encountered on the first floor.
But unlike the massive Dungeon Entrance Archway on the surface, this one was smaller. Perhaps only two-thirds its size. Its frame was less imposing, but no less impressive.
The design was unmistakably similar.
And the moment someone touched it—they would be teleported into the Floor Guardian Chamber.
The chamber surrounding the archway also differed from every room they had explored so far. It was broad. Open.
Spacious enough for several adventuring parties to rest comfortably while preparing for the battle ahead.
Though still smaller than the Safe Room, it was noticeably larger than ordinary monster chambers.
Hyoren, Eliae and Jackey stopped before the archway. Their bodies were weary after five days of exploration. But their spirits couldn't have been higher.
Hyoren smiled.
“The second Floor Guardian Chamber… We finally found it.”
Elise lowered her Moonveil Bow before briefly closing her eyes. She checked the completed mental map drawn by Mapping skill.
A few moments later, she opened her emerald eyes again.
“And with this… The second floor is now 100% mapped.”
Jackey rested Bloody Axe on his shoulder. His tabby cat tail immediately spiraled.
“Time to whack the Guardian!”
Hyoren chuckled.
He reached beneath his shirt and took out his watch. With a soft click, he opened its cover.
17:48.
He smiled before closing it again.
“Be patient, Jackey… We'll rest first. We'll challenge the Guardian tomorrow, after we've fully recovered.”
Almost on cue—Jackey's stomach growled loudly. The beastkin blinked. Then scratched his cheek sheepishly.
“Right… I forgot I'm hungry!”
The three of them burst into laughter.
***
The camp was prepared with practiced efficiency.
They then quickly washed themselves and ate dinner. And before long, the last bowl of Elise's special stew was emptied.
Hyoren put down his bowl before reaching into his pocket.
He took out his Guild Card. The metallic card felt cold and solid in his hand.
He looked at his two party members.
“Let's check our progress on this 2nd floor.”
He smiled faintly.
“I don't think we killed that many goblins. We didn't even level up. But let's check our tally.”
He focused on the Akela Dungeon Exploration Quest recorded on his Guild Card.
The tally appeared before him.
Goblin Lancer: 10
Goblin Saber: 7
Goblin Shielder: 3
Hyoren chuckled.
“I didn't kill that many, huh? Only 20... in 5 days?”
Elise smiled knowingly.
“That's expected. At the first place, we didn't fight that many goblins.”
She looked at Hyoren.
“And your role was tanking, Hyoren. You spent most of the battles holding the enemies while Jackey and I finished them.”
She then glanced at her own Guild Card.
“For me… 22 Goblin Saber. 26 Goblin Lancer. 21 Goblin Assassin. 17 Goblin Shielder… 86 total.”
Hyoren nodded before both of them looked toward Jackey.
The beastkin puffed out his chest proudly before checking his own Guild Card.
“Me! 37 Saber! 31 Lancer! 18 Assassin! 27 Shielder! Total is…”
A pause.
“...113!”
He immediately threw both arms into the air.
“So many elites got whacked! WOHOO!”
Hyoren smiled.
“219 elite goblins in 5 days, huh...”
He nodded thoughtfully.
“That's a far cry from the first floor. Over 1200 goblins.”
Elise nodded.
“Yeah. The difference in numbers is staggering.”
She smiled softly.
“But despite defeating fewer monsters… I think all 3 of us became much stronger here.”
Hyoren looked at his Guild Card again.
“I think so too. Not every kind of progress can be measured by levels.”
He smiled.
“Let's check our progress then. Our skills definitely grew a lot.”
He flipped the card over. Then poured Aethell into it to reveal the private information stored within. The metallic card glowed briefly. One by one, lines of text appeared across its surface.
He turned it toward his party members.
Level : 13
Experience to next level up : 2,629/7,873
Status :
Strength : 16
Vitality : 15
Dexterity : 13
Agility : 13
Magic : 14
Skills :
Forest Walking Lvl 1
Spear Mastery Lvl 3
Throwing Lvl 2
Magic Manipulation Lvl 5
Instinct Lvl 3
Dissection Lvl 1
Aethell Sense Lvl 2
Magic Blade Lvl 4
Light Magic Lvl 3
Strong Legs Lvl 2
Sword Mastery Lvl 3
Shield Mastery Lvl 4
Dark Magic Lvl 3
Spell Learned:
Basic Light Magic : Healing Light
Basic Dark Magic : Enchant Maledict
Active Skill :
Spear : Piercing Thrust
Sword : Quick Slash
Shield : Provoke, Shield Bash
Throwing : Precision Throw
Unique Skill : Berserker
Blessing : Divine Protection of Twin Goddesses
Hyoren smiled in satisfaction.
“As expected. No level up. But my Instinct, Shield Mastery, Magic Manipulation, Magic Blade, Light Magic, and Dark Magic all increased.”
He lowered the Guild Card.
“Both of my magic skills also reached Lvl 3...”
He tapped his chin thoughtfully.
“That means I unlocked another spell slot. I should visit Oria after we return. So we can discuss what kind of spell I should learn next.”
Jackey bobbed his head enthusiastically.
“Big Bro became even stronger! WOHOO!”
Elise tucked a strand of her silver hair behind her pointed ear.
“That's good. More spells mean more options.”
She smiled softly.
“And with your fighting style… Having more utility will make you even more versatile.”
Hyoren nodded.
“But… I shouldn't rush my decision. Once I choose a spell, I'll be stuck with it permanently.”
Elise brought out her own Guild Card.
The metallic surface reflected the pale blue glow of the magic lamps.
“My turn.”
She flipped the card over before gently pouring Aethell into it. The Guild Card glowed briefly. Moments later, lines of text appeared across its surface.
She turned it toward Hyoren and Jackey.
Level: 17
Experience to next level up: 7,998/16,327
Status:
Strength: 14
Vitality : 14
Dexterity : 26
Agility : 25
Magic : 11
Skills :
Bow Mastery Lvl 6
Magic Manipulation Lvl 3
Magic Arrow lvl 2
Forest Walking Lvl 4
Silent Step Lvl 5
Tracking Lvl 5
Sword Mastery Lvl 2
Dissection Lvl 3
Mapping Lvl 2
Poison Mastery Lvl 1
Trap Dismantling Lvl 2
Active Skill :
Bow : Charge Arrow, Double Shot, Tracking Shot
Unique Skill : -
Blessing : Blessing of the Verdant Mother
Elise nodded after reading through the list. Her silver hair swayed gently with the motion.
“So many of my skills leveled up...”
Hyoren smiled as he looked over the status.
“Bow Mastery… Magic Arrow… Silent Step… And Tracking.”
He nodded in satisfaction.
“You became even more formidable, Elise.”
Elise smiled softly.
“Thanks, Hyoren. I could feel the improvement myself.”
Jackey gave both of them a thumbs-up.
“Everyone is strong! Freedom Party strong!”
His cheerful declaration made both Hyoren and Elise chuckle.
Then Jackey wiped out his own Guild Card. He poured Aethell into it. The Guild Card glowed briefly.
“Let's see mine!”
He grinned from ear to ear before turning the card toward Hyoren and Elise.
Level : 14
Experience to next level up : 5,012/9,448
Status :
Strength : 18
Vitality : 10
Dexterity : 14
Agility : 15
Magic : 5
Skills :
Axe Mastery Lvl 5
Throwing Lvl 3
Dual Wielding Lvl 4
Keen Instinct Lvl 5
Dissection Lvl 1
Strong Legs Lvl 3
Evasion Lvl 1
Active Skill :
Axe: Power Slash, Rotating Slash.
Dual Wield : Cross Slash, Hurricane Slash.
Throwing : Precision Throw.
Unique Skill : -
Blessing : -
Jackey immediately threw both hands into the air.
“WOHOO! Keen Instinct, Strong Legs, and Dual Wielding all leveled up! I even got a new Evasion Skill!”
Hyoren chuckled.
“You also got a new Active Skill from Dual Wielding reaching Lvl 4... Hurricane Slash?”
He tilted his head.
“What does it do?”
Jackey frowned slightly.
“I... don't know how to explain it, Big Bro.”
He stood up from his seat.
Then spread both arms wide as if gripping his axes. Without warning, he spun around three times in rapid succession.
“Like this!”
He stopped before scratching his cheek.
“Hahaha! That's how the image in my head showed it!”
Elise couldn't help chuckling.
“So...”
She smiled.
“It's an Active Skill meant for dealing with multiple opponents surrounding you.”
Hyoren nodded.
“Yeah. That makes sense. If we encounter groups of enemies again, that skill should be very useful.”
Jackey's head bobbed enthusiastically.
“Yeah! Strong skill get! WOHOO!”
Satisfied with his explanation, the cat-clan beastkin sat back down beside them.
After a few moments of silence, the excitement from seeing their own progress gradually settled.
The adrenaline faded.
And the exhaustion from their 5-day campaign suddenly returned all at once. Their bodies felt noticeably heavier. The pull of sleep became almost irresistible.
Hyoren looked at Elise and Jackey.
“I think we should sleep. Tomorrow is a big day.”
Jackey, who was already on the verge of dozing off, slowly nodded.
“Yeah… sleepy… Good night, Big Bro... Elise...”
He pushed himself to his feet before dragging his tired body toward his own tent.
The contrast with his earlier bravado was so striking that Hyoren couldn't help chuckling. Just moments ago, the energetic beastkin had been shouting about his new Skills. Now, he looked like he could collapse at any second.
Hyoren smiled before turning toward the silver-haired elf beside him.
“Let's go, Elise?”
He offered his hand.
Elise smiled softly before placing her hand in his.
“Okay, Hyoren.”
The two of them entered their own tent.
After setting their weapons and equipment neatly beside their sleeping bags, they lay down.
Elise naturally moved closer. She rested her head against Hyoren's shoulder, her long silver hair spreading softly around them.
Neither of them spoke. There was no need.
The familiar warmth of each other's presence was already enough.
Hyoren wrapped an arm around her. Elise gently returned the embrace. Their weary bodies relaxed almost immediately.
Within moments—rhytmic breathing could be heard from their tent.
***
They woke up the next morning feeling fully rested and re-energized.
Their final night of sleep inside the dungeon had washed away the fatigue accumulated over the past 5 days.
After a quick wash, Elise prepared a simple breakfast.
The three of them ate quietly. Quickly. Efficiently. Today was the day. They would challenge the Guardian of the second floor.
Once breakfast was finished, they broke down their camp with practiced efficiency. Not long after, the dead end looked exactly as they had found it.
Hyoren looked at his party. He tightened the grip on his shield.
“Let's go kill the 2nd Floor Guardian.”
Elise silently nodded. She slung her Moonveil Bow across her shoulder.
Jackey rested Bloody Axe on his shoulder while holding Flying Kite Axe in his other hand. He nodded as well.
Without another word, the Freedom Party began walking toward the archway.
Their footsteps echoed softly through the empty chamber.
Then—just a few steps before reaching the archway— Hyoren suddenly stopped. His brows furrowed slightly. A strange sensation crept along the back of his neck.
An uneasy feeling.
Elise immediately noticed. She turned toward him. Her silver hair swayed gently with the motion.
“What's wrong, Hyoren? Why did you stop?”
Hyoren continued staring at the archway.
“I don't know… I've got a bad feeling.”
His voice was low. Serious.
“A gut instinct. I can't explain it. It's just... a feeling.”
The excitement in Elise's expression vanished almost instantly. Her emerald eyes sharpened. She knew Hyoren well enough.
He wasn't someone who panicked without reason. Nor was he someone who mistook imagination for reality.
More than once, his instincts had warned them of danger before anyone else noticed. If Hyoren felt something, she wouldn't ignore it.
Elise stepped closer before gently placing a reassuring hand on his arm.
“Okay. This dungeon has already shown too many anomalies.”
She nodded firmly.
“We'll expect the worst. And we'll be careful.”
She looked directly into his dark eyes.
“Your instincts have kept us alive this far. I trust them.”
Jackey, despite still looking eager to fight, also nodded without hesitation.
“I don't feel anything.”
He scratched his cheek.
“But I trust Big Bro!”
Hyoren looked at both of them. A faint smile appeared on his face. He was grateful. Neither of them questioned him. Neither dismissed his feelings.
They simply trusted him.
He took a slow, deep breath. The lingering unease remained. But his mind gradually became calm once more.
His expression returned to its usual composed focus.
“Alright. Let's see what this Floor Guardian has in store for us.”
He tightened the grip on his shield.
“But we're going in cautiously.”
Both Elise and Jackey nodded. Together, Freedom Party resumed their steps.
***
Hyoren placed his hand on the archway. The center of the gate felt cold and solid beneath his palm.
Almost instantly, the familiar voice echoed directly inside his mind. The mocking laughter of Demon God Gidol.
Pretend heroes... Ready to get your asses kicked by my army? Go in! Go in! Xixixi...
Hyoren silently answered in his mind.
Yes.
The world dissolved. The familiar sensation of teleportation enveloped the three of them. An instant later—their feet landed on solid ground once more.
They had arrived inside the Floor Guardian Chamber.
The first thing that greeted them was the sheer scale of the place. It wasn't merely a room. It was closer to an ancient hall. A colossal one.
So vast that the far wall disappeared into the gloomy distance.
Hyoren estimated it stretched for more than two football fields.
His eyes slowly swept upward. The ceiling arched high above them, formed from black stone. Pale blue magic lamps, much brighter than those in the dungeon corridors, were embedded across the ceiling.
Their light illuminated the enormous chamber with an eerie glow.
His gaze lowered. A deep rift surrounded a massive rectangular stone platform in the middle.
The rift wasn't particularly wide. But it was impossibly deep. They couldn't see the bottom. If someone fell into it—there was no chance of surviving.
A single stone bridge connected the place where they stood to the massive platform beyond.
It was only wide enough for 8 to 10 people to stand side by side. But compared to the scale of the chamber, the bridge looked surprisingly narrow.
Then Hyoren noticed the second thing. The army. His pupils contracted. What greeted them wasn't a boss fight. It was a war.
Spread across the enormous platform before them was a horde of goblins.
More than a thousand of them. A sea of green skin. Leather armor. Rusted weapons. Countless snarling faces.
And standing atop a raised stone dais near the back of the platform—was the Floor Guardian.
It was a tall goblin. Definitely elite variants of goblin. But unlike the Goblin Berserker from the first floor, this one wasn't bulky. Its build was lean. Yet every movement radiated disciplined strength.
Dark armor covered its body. A helmet concealed most of its face. In its left hand, it held a long spear-like pole bearing a purplish-black banner. Its right hand remained empty. But a long sword hung at its waist—ready to be drawn.
The Guardian stood motionless. Like a commander calmly waiting for the battle to begin.
Silence filled the chamber. Hyoren, Elise, and Jackey were shocked.
All three felt the blood drain from their faces. Cold sweat soaked their backs. Their breathing became shallow.
This wasn't a fight. It was a death sentence. There was no strategy. No teamwork. No amount of skill or experience that could overcome such overwhelming numbers.
They would be simply swallowed by the horde. And torn apart long before they ever reached the Guardian.
For several long seconds, no one spoke.
Then—Elise finally found her voice. Her voice trembled.
“This is impossible…”