Chapter 184 – Once Retreated, But Now Victorious
Chapter 184
Once Retreated, But Now Victorious
Date : Day 30 of Lunaeve 1024 Aethellgard Concord Year.
The miniature volcano continued to rage.
GHORO! GHORO! GHORO
The thunderous sound continued, accompanied by the tsunami of molten magma.
Nearly a full minute passed.
Then, the eruptions gradually weakened. Silence slowly returned. The trembling ground settled. The molten waves finally stopped advancing.
A long hissing sound filled the chamber. Thick white steam rose from the cooling battlefield.
The rivers of lava rapidly darkened. The molten rocks lost their fiery glow. The volcanic ash slowly dispersed into the air.
Then, just as quickly as the catastrophe had appeared, it began to disappear. The molten rock faded. The cooling magma vanished. The ash dissolved. Within moments, not a trace of the miniature volcano remained.
Only drifting steam lingered above the battlefield.
And beneath it, an endless field of Magic Stones glittered across the guardian platform.
Hyoren instinctively looked back.
Arianna was still standing. Her right hand still gripped Quadraflux Weaver. She remained completely motionless. As though frozen in place.
Then Quadraflux Weaver slipped from her fingers and struck the stone floor with a clattering sound.
Arianna's body slowly swayed.
Before her knees could give out—she gathered the last fragment of strength remaining within her.
“Victory for Freedom Party!”
Her voice echoed proudly throughout the now silent Guardian Chamber.
Then—her light blue eyes rolled backward. The last trace of consciousness left her body. She fell face first onto the cold stone floor.
The magical artillery of Freedom Party—the genius quad elemental mage who had just unleashed a natural disaster upon an entire army—was finally out of commission.
Hyoren saw Arianna fall onto the stone floor.
"Arianna!"
His body instinctively leaned forward.
But before he could rush toward her—movement entered the corner of his vision.
Hyoren immediately turned back toward the battlefield.
The natural disaster Arianna had unleashed was overwhelming.
Yet, just as she had warned beforehand, even Lava Surge couldn't annihilate an army of more than a thousand Goblins.
The spell had only engulfed less than half of the enormous rectangular guardian platform.
The remaining battlefield had escaped the volcanic catastrophe.
There, only dozens of goblins remained, twenty, perhaps thirty at most.
They instinctively gathered together. Surrounding a single figure. The Goblin Ruler. The Floor Guardian stood taller than every Goblin around it.
Its polished dark armor remained spotless despite the chaos that had consumed the battlefield. A matching dark helmet concealed its expression.
Its left hand still firmly held the long and white flag bearer pole. The purple banner fluttered gently amidst the rising steam.
Its right hand remained empty. Just as it had throughout the entire battle. The sword strapped to its waist remained sheathed.
Throughout the battle, the Goblin Ruler had never moved from its raised dais. It had simply stood there. Watching. Waiting. As though patiently observing everything unfold.
But now, with less than five percent of its army still standing, the Floor Guardian finally moved.
It leaped down from the raised dais. And started dashing. Followed by the rest of the goblins around it.
The battlefield had already begun cooling. The molten magma had disappeared. The volcanic bombardment had ended. There was no longer a sea of lava to halt its advance.
Hyoren tightened his grip around Dawn Breaker. He knew exactly what that movement meant.
The battle against the army had ended. And the battle against the Floor Two Guardian—the Goblin Ruler—had reached its next stage.
***
Hyoren looked toward the charging Goblin Ruler and the dozens goblins still following behind it.
He turned his head.
“Elise! Take care of Arianna first... make sure she is fine!”
Without waiting for an answer, he looked to his right.
“Jackey! With me! We hold the line. Never let those goblins pass the bridge!”
Jackey had already understood his role long before Hyoren barked his orders. His right hand tightened around Bloody Axe. And his left hand firmly gripped Flying Kite Axe.
His tabby cat ears stood straight while his tail flicked confidently behind him.
“Yes, Big Bro! I will not let a single skulker harm Miss Purple! She already did her job. Now it's MY turn!”
Hyoren nodded.
“Good! I'll keep the Ruler busy. Prioritize dealing with the leftover goblins! Hold them until Elise finishes treating Arianna!”
He raised his shield before shouting one last command.
“Elise! After Jackey when you're done!”
He didn't look back again. He trusted his party. Elise would treat Arianna.
Hyoren immediately charged forward.
His boots carefully avoided the countless Magic Stones scattered across the battlefield. The glittering stones covered almost every step ahead. Normally, such an amount of treasure would make any adventurer ecstatic.
Not now.
“Tch... These are truly a hazard.”
The battlefield itself had become an obstacle.
Every misplaced step could send the smooth Magic Stones rolling beneath his boots.
He kept his eyes forward. The Goblin Ruler had already crossed nearly half of the guardian platform. There wasn't much time left.
Without slowing down, Hyoren swept his foot across the stone floor. Dozens of Magic Stones scattered away, clearing a narrow path.
Beside him, Jackey did exactly the same.
His feet kicked aside every loose Magic Stone in his way, making sure nothing would interfere with their footing once the battle began.
Neither of them wanted to lose their balance because of the very loot they had fought so hard to obtain.
Within moments—a small section of the battlefield directly before the bridge had been cleared.
Hyoren and Jackey stopped several meters in front of the bridge. One stood with a shield and sword ready. The other lowered both axes into his familiar stance.
Without exchanging another word—they held the line together.
Behind them, Elise knelt beside the unconscious Arianna.
Ahead of them, The Goblin Ruler continued its relentless charge, its polished dark armor gleaming beneath the pale blue light of magic lamps on the ceiling. The purple banner held firmly in its left hand fluttered as it advanced.
No goblin would pass the bridge. Not while the two of them were still standing.
***
Meanwhile, Elise had already slung Moonveil Bow across her back the moment Hyoren barked his order.
She sprinted toward the unconscious mage. Her leather boots lightly scraped on the stone floor before stopping beside Arianna. Without wasting a second, she crouched down.
"Arianna..."
The young noblewoman lay motionless where she had fallen.
Her breathing was uneven. Sweat completely soaked her face despite the cold stale air of the dungeon.
Elise gently removed the wide-brimmed mage hat from Arianna's head and carefully placed it beside her. She then slipped one arm beneath Arianna's shoulders before slowly turning her over. Cradling her in both arms, Elise immediately began checking her condition.
Her fingers rested against Arianna's neck.
Her pulse was fast… Too fast…
She leaned closer.
Her breathing was still steady, although noticeably quicker and heavier than normal.
Good… At least she was breathing properly…
Elise placed the back of her hand against Arianna's forehead. It was drenched with sweat. She gently brushed aside Arianna's damp red hair before checking her temperature more carefully.
A little feverish...
She quietly nodded. Her silver hair swayed with the movement.
A sign of complete Aethell depletion...
She wasn't surprised.
After constructing Ritual Magic and maintaining a volcanic catastrophe for nearly a full minute. This outcome was almost inevitable.
And Elise understood. When someone's Aethell Core was completely emptied. The body would suffer a severe backlash. Splitting headaches. Extreme exhaustion. Loss of consciousness.
Depending on the individual, recovery could take several hours. Sometimes, even days.
Without hesitation, Elise opened her Storage Bag. She quickly retrieved a Magic Potion. The blue liquid gently sloshed inside the glass bottle.
She uncorked it before carefully supporting Arianna's head.
"Easy..."
Tilting the bottle little by little, Elise slowly poured the potion into Arianna's mouth, making sure she swallowed without choking. After finishing the bottle, Elise let out a small breath.
"Good… This won't wake you up immediately… But it should help your recovery."
She reached into the Storage Bag once more.
This time, she pulled out a folded tarp and a thick blanket. Working quickly, she spread the tarp across the stone floor before carefully laying Arianna on top of it. She covered the unconscious mage with the blanket, making sure her body remained warm despite the cold air filling the Guardian Chamber.
The small area behind the bridge was still the safest place available. Unless the Goblin Ruler defeated them and crossed the bridge—Arianna would remain safe here.
Elise slowly stood up.
She wiped the sweat from her own forehead. Then she reached over her shoulder and unslung Moonveil Bow once more.
The silver wood of the elegant bow faintly gleamed beneath the pale blue light cast by the dungeon's magic lamps.
Her emerald eyes swept across the battlefield.
Hyoren and Jackey had already crossed the bridge. The two of them stood shoulder to shoulder, preparing to meet the charging Goblin Ruler and the remaining goblins head-on.
There wasn't another second to lose.
Elise immediately reached into her Storage Bag and replenished the arrows she had nearly exhausted during the previous battle. One after another, she filled her quiver until it was full once again.
She gave a final glance toward the sleeping Arianna. Then turned back toward the battlefield.
Without another word—the elven ranger broke into a run. Bow in hand. Ready to support the two frontliners once again.
***
Hyoren raised his Steel Kite Shield.
His dark eyes never left the charging Goblin Ruler.
Behind it, the remaining Goblins quickly spread to the left and right instead of clustering together like before.
Hyoren counted them at a glance. His eyes narrowed.
"Twenty-two in total..."
He let out a slow breath.
"That's definitely a small number compared to one thousand five hundred… but it's still plenty."
Twenty-two goblins were more than enough to overwhelm an unconscious Arianna if even one slipped through.
But he wasn't fighting alone. A faint smile appeared on Hyoren's face.
"I trust Elise and Jackey."
They would handle the remaining Goblins. His job was to stop the Floor Guardian.
The distance between them rapidly disappeared.
Now that it was much closer, the Goblin Ruler looked even more imposing than before. It stood far taller than ordinary goblins. Its posture was upright and almost human-like. Completely different from the hunched figures of the Goblins surrounding it.
Its polished dark armor reflected the pale blue light of the dungeon's magic lamps.
The dark metallic sheen… Feels strangely familiar…
Hyoren's expression gradually became serious.
It's just like Hifoppe’s...
His memories resurfaced.
The Goblin Knight Hifoppe. A Servant of Gidol. The very monster personally tasked by Demon God Gidol to create this dungeon.
Long before the abandoned quarry had transformed into the Dungeon Town. Hyoren and Elise had encountered Hifoppe inside the quarry's main tunnel.
It had been one of the hardest battles of their lives. A battle they had barely survived.
The Goblin Knight had nearly bisected Elise with a single attack. Leaving a permanent scar across her torso.
That battle had also changed Hyoren himself.
Back then, he had still fought as a spearman. But watching Elise nearly die before his eyes, had forced him to reconsider everything. It was because of Hifoppe, that he had chosen to become the party's tank.
To stand at the very front. To become the shield protecting the people precious to him.
Hyoren's gaze returned to the charging Floor Guardian.
That gleaming dark armor… It has to be the same material…
His grip tightened around his Steel Kite Shield.
Demon Steel…
The design differed from Hifoppe's armor. But that distinctive metallic sheen, he couldn't mistake it.
"I don't think it's a Servant of Gidol."
Servants of Gidol possessed intelligence comparable to humans. They could speak. They could converse. They could think.
This Goblin Ruler had remained completely silent since the battle began. Not a single word. Not a single laugh. Not even a roar directed toward Freedom Party.
Hyoren narrowed his eyes.
"But that armor...and that posture… I should expect a similar level of difficulty."
Without taking his eyes off the approaching Floor Guardian, Hyoren raised his voice.
"Jackey! Elise! This one looks troublesome! Go all out! Use Stamina Potions!"
His left hand remained firmly behind the Steel Kite Shield while his right quickly reached toward the pouch at his waist.
His fingers wrapped around a familiar glass bottle. Golden liquid gently sloshed inside. A Stamina Potion. Created from Dreambloom nectar.
Hyoren had relied on its raw material before. He and Elise had used it while fighting the Alpha Green Wolf.
Later, they bought the potion forms as a trump card. And it had become an invaluable asset during their battle against Hifoppe.
And now, facing another powerful opponent, he had no intention of taking unnecessary risks.
He uncorked the bottle then emptied it in one gulp.
Warmth immediately spread throughout his body. It was as though an invisible enhancement enveloped him. His muscles felt lighter. His breathing steadied. Strength surged through every limb. His body felt faster. More durable. More powerful.
Hyoren briefly glanced sideways.
Jackey had already finished drinking his own potion. A short distance behind them Elise lowered her empty bottle after taking hers as well.
Good… Everyone was ready…
Hyoren turned his full attention back to the Goblin Ruler.
The distance between them disappeared. For the first time since the battle began the Goblin Ruler moved its right hand.
Its fingers grasped the sword hanging at its waist. The dark longsword slowly left its sheath.
Hyoren immediately activated his skill. He only had one target.
"Provoke."
The Goblin Ruler instantly changed direction.
Ignoring everything else, it charged straight toward Hyoren.
The dark longsword descended.
CLANG!
Steel collided against steel.
Hyoren received the strike head-on with his Steel Kite Shield.
His boots scraped violently across the stone floor.
"Heavy!"
He gritted his teeth. Then twisted his shield. Redirecting the powerful slash away from his body.
The battle against the Goblin Ruler had begun.
***
Hyoren locked his Steel Kite Shield against the Goblin Ruler's dark blade. The two remained locked together for only a brief instant.
Then—the Goblin Ruler's left hand moved.
Hyoren's eyes widened.
The long flag bearer pole swept sideways with astonishing speed. It wasn't merely carrying the banner. It was attacking with it.
CLANG!
Hyoren immediately raised Dawn Breaker, intercepting the wide swing before it could strike his flank. The impact sent a tremor through his arm.
The purple banner fluttered violently from the sudden collision.
Only then did Hyoren notice it clearly. The flag bearer wasn't made from wood. Its long shaft was forged from white metal. The tip ended in a short, sharpened point. Not long enough to be a proper spear—but more than sufficient to thrust, sweep, and strike.
It was a weapon.
The fluttering purple banner didn't hinder its movements in the slightest. The Goblin Ruler manipulated it with remarkable precision.
Sword in its right hand. Flag bearer in its left. The two weapons moved together with practiced coordination.
The Goblin Ruler suddenly jumped backward, widening the distance between them.
Then, without a moment's hesitation, it charged again. The dark longsword descended.
CLANG!
Hyoren received the heavy slash with his Steel Kite Shield. The impact reverberated through his entire body.
Before he could launch a counterattack—the flag bearer shot forward.
CLANG!
Hyoren instinctively twisted his wrist. Dawn Breaker intercepted the thrust just before it reached his chest.
The Goblin Ruler gave him no breathing room.
Every time Hyoren finished defending one attack, the next arrived immediately from another angle. Its offense flowed continuously, forcing him to react instead of think.
Damn… It's actually dual wielding a sword and a spear…
No wonder it didn't discard its banner when charging… the flag bearer is not only for buffing its own army… it skillfully uses it as a spear…
Hyoren couldn't find an opening.
Even after drinking the Stamina Potion. Even with the enhancement coursing through his body. He was being pushed onto the defensive.
The combination of heavy sword strikes and relentless spear attacks left him no opportunity to retaliate.
He could only continue blocking and parrying. And waiting for the slightest mistake. Unfortunately—the Goblin Ruler showed none.
***
While Hyoren prepared to meet the Goblin Ruler's charge, Jackey shot forward.
He sprinted without hesitation, veering toward the right side of the battlefield to intercept the remaining goblins.
"Big Bro will deal with that skulker with the flag... I need to ease his burden!"
His golden eyes sharpened with a predator's gaze. His tabby cat ears stood upright. The two axes in his hands spun once before settling into their familiar positions.
The first goblin reached him. Jackey's right arm flashed.
SCREEECK!
Bloody Axe cleanly severed the Goblin's head. Its body immediately dissolved.
Jackey didn't even spare it another glance. His eyes rapidly swept across the battlefield.
The remaining goblins weren't charging together anymore. They had spread apart. Each one maintained several meters of distance from the others as they attempted to circle around Freedom Party's frontline.
"Tch… I can't use Whirlwind Slash or Rotating Slash to deal with them quickly!"
Jackey glanced toward Hyoren.
The Goblin Ruler's relentless assault left Hyoren constantly defending.
"I need to help Big Bro fast."
Jackey immediately made his decision.
"Strong Legs."
A surge of strength gathered within both legs. Combined with the enhancement granted by the Stamina Potion—the Cat-clan Beastkin exploded forward.
His speed increased dramatically. He became a blur racing across the battlefield.
Another Goblin entered his path. Before reaching it, Jackey's left arm swung.
"Precision Throw."
SWOOSH!
Flying Kite Axe spun rapidly through the air. Its curved blade rotated with deadly precision before striking a Goblin that had broken away from the group and was sprinting toward the bridge—toward unconscious Arianna.
"Not on my watch, skulker! Don't bother Miss Purple!"
SCREEECK!
The spinning axe buried itself squarely into the Goblin's head. Its body dissolved before it could take another step. The white axe struck the stone floor with a sharp sound.
Jackey never slowed.
The Goblin directly before him swung its rusted weapon. Jackey's response was faster.
SCREEECK!
Bloody Axe carved across its neck. Another Goblin dissolved.
Already charging toward his next target, Jackey extended his empty left hand.
"Return."
The rune engraved upon Flying Kite Axe activated. The axe vanished from where it had fallen. An instant later, the white axe reappeared securely within Jackey's waiting hand.
Without breaking his stride, he swung Bloody Axe again.
SCREEECK!
Another Goblin disappeared into particles of Aethell.
Movement caught the corner of his eye. Another Goblin had slipped away from the group. Its destination—the bridge.
Jackey immediately hurled his left-hand axe again.
"Precision Throw."
SWOOSH!
The spinning weapon cut through the air.
SCREEECK!
The Goblin dissolved only a few steps before reaching the bridge.
"I SAID DON'T BOTHER MISS PURPLE!"
Jackey roared across the battlefield. His tail lashed fiercely behind him. He refused to allow even a single Goblin past him.
Empowered by Strong Legs and the Stamina Potion, Jackey became a relentless hunter. He darted from one Goblin to the next with explosive speed.
Bloody Axe swung. Flying Kite Axe flew. One Goblin fell. Then another.
Every Goblin that tried to break through was intercepted before it could threaten the unconscious Arianna.
***
While Hyoren clashed against the Goblin Ruler. And Jackey became a relentless hunter across the battlefield.
Elise fought in her own way. She never stopped moving.
Rather than remaining near the bridge, the elven ranger ran along the outer edge of the battlefield, circling around Hyoren and the Goblin Ruler while keeping a safe distance.
Her silver hair fluttered behind her as she darted around, while her emerald eyes continuously scanned every movement on the battlefield.
"That Goblin Ruler is truly troublesome..."
She frowned.
"Even with the Stamina Potion... Hyoren is still being pushed back..."
She smoothly nocked an arrow.
"Double Shot."
SWOOSH!
Two arrows flew almost simultaneously.
Two Goblins attempting to attack Hyoren from his blind side were struck before they could even raise their weapons. Both dissolved instantly.
Without pausing, Elise drew another arrow.
Her eyes carefully observed the duel unfolding ahead. The area surrounding Hyoren faintly shimmered. She immediately recognized it.
"Hyoren has already activated Accel Zone..."
Yet, despite the speed enhancement from the spell, the Goblin Ruler continued matching his movements.
"Its skill is truly something..."
She released another arrow.
SWOOSH!
A goblin trying to circle Jackey—collapsed before it could swing its rusted sword.
Elise immediately ran again.
She constantly changed positions. Never remaining in one place long enough for the enemy to predict her next shot. Her silver hair danced behind her as she sprinted across the stone floor.
Another arrow was already resting against the bowstring.
This time, her attention returned to Hyoren.
Dawn Breaker was already coated in pale blue Aethell. Dark Aethell intertwined around the blade like wisps of smoke.
A familiar sight of his skill and spell. Magic Blade and Enchant Maledict. Hyoren had already activated both.
"He still can't land a proper hit… The curse hasn't even been applied once..."
The Goblin Ruler's relentless combination of sword and flag bearer simply left no opening.
Movement caught Elise's eye. Two goblins attempted to rush Hyoren from behind again.
"Double Shot."
SWOOSH!
Two more arrows flashed through the air. Both struck true. The Goblin dissolved before it could interfere with Hyoren's duel.
Elise immediately changed positions once again.
"I need to clear the Goblins quickly… So Jackey and I can help Hyoren."
Her emerald eyes swept across the battlefield.
The number of surviving Goblins had already dropped considerably. Jackey continued hunting them one after another with frightening speed. At the same time, every arrow Elise released found its target.
She quietly counted the remaining enemies.
"Eleven left… Then Jackey and I can finally participate in that battle."
She drew Moonveil Bow toward the Floor Guardian itself—the Goblin Ruler.
"Charge Arrow."
SWOOSH!
The charged arrow tore through the air.
The Goblin Ruler reacted instantly. Its left arm moved. The white metallic flag bearer intercepted the incoming shot.
CLANG!
The arrow was knocked aside.
"Tch."
Elise clicked her tongue.
Her attack had failed, or so it seemed.
The brief instant the Goblin Ruler spent deflecting the arrow created exactly the opening Hyoren needed. His body immediately surged forward. He activated Quick Slash. The blade finally slipped past the Goblin Ruler's defense. A shallow cut appeared across its torso.
Tiny, but enough. One stack of Enchant Maledict had finally been applied.
A faint smile appeared on Elise's lips.
“Good… That was worth it…”
Then, a movement entered the corner of her eye. A Goblin had slipped through. It was only moments away from reaching the bridge.
Elise immediately turned.
"I can't line up the shot quickly enough..."
She made her decision instantly.
"Tracking Shot."
SWOOSH!
The arrow curved through the air.
Its trajectory bent unnaturally as if guided by an invisible hand.
SQUELCH!
The arrow pierced straight through the Goblin's head. The monster dissolved only a few steps before reaching the bridge.
Elise lowered her bow slightly.
Then immediately began moving again. The elven ranger never remained still. She continuously ran around the edge of the battlefield. Watching. Calculating. Searching.
Every arrow she loosed sought the enemy that posed the greatest immediate threat. Whether protecting Hyoren. Supporting Jackey. Or ensuring not a single Goblin reached the unconscious Arianna.
***
CLANG!
Hyoren absorbed another relentless strike from the Goblin Ruler with his Steel Kite Shield.
One stack of Enchant Maledict had already seeped into the Goblin Ruler. The effect was still subtle.
But, combined with the enhancement from the Stamina Potion, and the acceleration granted by Accel Zone. It was enough to finally give Hyoren a little breathing room.
A streak of silver suddenly shot in from the left. An arrow. The Goblin Ruler reacted immediately.
Its dark sword flashed.
CLANG!
The arrow was swatted aside before it could reach its target.
But, that single instant was exactly what Hyoren had been waiting for.
He stepped forward. His shield surged toward the Goblin Ruler.
"Shield Bash."
BANG!
The heavy Steel Kite Shield slammed into the Goblin Ruler's chest.
The impact forced the monster backward. Its footing faltered for the first time since the battle had begun.
Hyoren immediately followed up.
"Quick Slash."
SQUELCH!
Dawn Breaker carved a shallow cut across the Goblin Ruler's less armored flank. Not deep. But enough.
A second stack of Enchant Maledict seeped into the wound.
However, the Goblin Ruler's combat instincts were terrifying. Even while being blown backward by Shield Bash, even while staggering from the impact, its left hand never stopped moving.
The white metallic flag bearer shot forward like a spear.
Hyoren had just completed the slashing motion of Quick Slash. The skill's momentum prevented him from cancelling the movement completely.
His instincts screamed. He twisted his torso as much as he could.
SQUELCH!
The sharpened tip pierced into his flank.
Pain shot through his side. He sucked in a sharp breath through gritted teeth.
Without hesitation, Hyoren knocked the flag bearer away with Dawn Breaker before immediately jumping backward.
He ignored the burning pain.
He instinctively raised his Steel Kite Shield once more.
Just in time. The Goblin Ruler was already upon him again. Its dark longsword descended.
CLANG!
Steel crashed against steel. Hyoren received the blow with his shield.
"Damn it. I really can't overcommit..."
His jaw clenched.
"If I had been a split second slower… my abdomen would've been ruptured."
He retaliated with a normal slash from Dawn Breaker. No skill. Just a straightforward attack.
CLANG!
The Goblin Ruler smoothly intercepted it with the shaft of its flag bearer. The exchange lasted only an instant before both separated again.
Hyoren narrowed his eyes. His breathing gradually steadied.
"I really shouldn't rely on my skills too much until Jackey and Elise finish their own fights."
Against an opponent like the Goblin Ruler. Every skill carried a risk. Skills possessed committed motions. Once activated, they couldn't simply be cancelled midway. Even if the opening lasted only a fraction of a second, a warrior as skilled as the Goblin Ruler could exploit it immediately.
Hyoren exhaled slowly.
He pushed the pain in his wounded flank to the back of his mind.
***
Just as Hyoren locked his shield against the Goblin Ruler's sword, the moment he had been waiting for finally arrived.
"Big Bro! I came to help!"
Jackey burst onto the battlefield. The Cat-clan Beastkin and Elise had already eliminated the remaining Goblins.
Although, Jackey wasn't unscathed. Several shallow cuts covered his arms, shoulders, and torso. None of them were serious. But they had accumulated throughout the battle.
He had deliberately prioritized speed over defense, accepting minor injuries to prevent even a single Goblin from reaching Arianna.
But now, he was finally free to focus entirely on the Floor Guardian.
Without slowing down, Jackey leaped high into the air. His right arm swung downward. Bloody Axe descended toward the Goblin Ruler's exposed back.
CLANG!
But, instead of biting into flesh, the axe slid across the dark armor, throwing sparks into the air.
Jackey's golden eyes widened.
"What?!"
The armor was far tougher than he had expected.
The Goblin Ruler immediately retaliated. Its white metallic flag bearer whipped backward like a spear.
SQUELCH!
Jackey twisted his body at the last possible moment.
The sharpened tip failed to pierce him directly. Even so, it still grazed his flank, opening another shallow cut.
Before the Goblin Ruler could continue its attack, Hyoren lunged forward.
"Shield Bash!"
BANG!
His Steel Kite Shield slammed into the Goblin Ruler's side. The powerful impact staggered the monster. Its follow-up attack toward Jackey was interrupted.
"Jackey! Demon Steel is too hard! Only attacks empowered with skills can pierce it!"
Jackey immediately nodded.
"Got it, Big Bro!"
The Goblin Ruler recovered almost instantly. Its dark longsword swept toward Hyoren once more.
CLANG!
Hyoren raised his Steel Kite Shield and received the blow head-on.
At that exact moment—an arrow streaked across the battlefield.
CLANG!
It struck the Goblin Ruler's helmet. The impact echoed loudly. But the dark helmet easily deflected the shot.
The Goblin Ruler didn't even flinch. It completely ignored the attack.
Hyoren immediately countered with Dawn Breaker.
CLANG!
The Goblin Ruler intercepted the slash using the shaft of its flag bearer.
Then—another arrow flew.
SWOOSH!
This one was noticeably faster. A streak of pale light trailed behind it. Elise's Charge Arrow.
The Goblin Ruler sensed the danger. It attempted to evade at the last moment.
SQUELCH!
The arrow narrowly missed its head. Instead, it buried itself deep into the Goblin Ruler's shoulder. Dark blood splattered across the stone floor.
Although it wasn't a fatal hit—the poison coating Elise's arrow immediately seeped into the wound.
The Goblin Ruler's movements slowed for a brief instant. Its stance faltered.
Hyoren's eyes flashed. He didn't let the opportunity escape.
"Quick Slash!"
SQUELCH!
Dawn Breaker carved another shallow wound into the Goblin Ruler. A third stack of Enchant Maledict seeped into its body.
The Floor Guardian retaliated immediately. Its dark longsword swung toward Hyoren with tremendous force.
Hyoren had already anticipated it. He raised his Steel Kite Shield.
CLANG!
The heavy slash crashed against the shield.
At the very same moment— Jackey attacked from behind once again. This time, he activated a skill.
"Cross Slash!"
SCREEECK!
The attack landed squarely across the Goblin Ruler's back. An X-shaped wound appeared through the armor.
It remained shallow, a testament to the incredible durability of the Demon Steel. Even so, it had pierced.
The Goblin Ruler immediately pivoted. Its flag bearer swept around in a vicious counterattack.
Hyoren and Jackey both reacted at once. They jumped backward, narrowly avoiding the wide sweep.
The three combatants separated once more. Hyoren steadied his shield. Jackey twirled his twin axes back into position.
Several meters away, Elise calmly nocked another arrow.
Their attacks had yet to inflict any deep wounds. Every cut remained shallow. Every strike barely managed to breach the Demon Steel armor.
But, each successful hit layered another injury. Another curse. Another dose of poison.
The Goblin Ruler's expression remained hidden behind its dark helmet. It never spoke. It never roared.
It simply continued fighting with the same silent composure.
Yet despite its overwhelming skill, the battle was beginning to shift. Slowly. Surely. The three members of Freedom Party were starting to overwhelm the Floor Guardian together.
***
The clash continued relentlessly.
None of the three dared to relax for even a heartbeat.
Hyoren remained at the very front, concentrating solely on weathering the Goblin Ruler's relentless assault. Rather than recklessly trading blows, he patiently defended, only launching the occasional counterattack whenever an opening appeared to add another stack of Enchant Maledict.
Elise continued circling the battlefield. Her emerald eyes never stopped searching for opportunities. Whenever Hyoren forced the Goblin Ruler to expose itself, an arrow immediately followed.
Meanwhile, Jackey became a blur around the battlefield. The Cat-clan Beastkin never stayed in one place. He constantly darted around the Goblin Ruler, striking whenever its attention shifted toward Hyoren before disappearing again.
The teamwork between the three gradually became smoother.
Each covered the others' openings. Each created opportunities for the others to attack.
Even so, the toughness of Demon Steel truly lived up to its reputation. Normal attacks accomplished almost nothing. Only attacks empowered by skills could pierce the armor. But, every wound remained shallow.
The battle slowly turned into one of attrition.
Little by little, the Goblin Ruler's body accumulated injuries. Four arrows protruded from different parts of its armored body. Several X-shaped wounds from Jackey's Cross Slash scarred its back and side. Numerous shallow cuts left by Dawn Breaker overlapped one another.
Elise's poison and the ever-increasing stacks of Enchant Maledict made the Floor Guardian's movements gradually become sluggish.
Even so, none of them lowered their guard.
The Goblin Ruler remained an exceptionally dangerous opponent. One mistake would still prove fatal.
The Goblin Ruler swung its dark longsword.
CLANG!
Hyoren received the heavy slash with his Steel Kite Shield.
Immediately afterward the white metallic flag bearer thrust toward his chest.
CLANG!
Hyoren knocked it aside with Dawn Breaker.
At that very moment—Elise seized the opening.
"Charge Arrow."
SWOOSH!
The glowing arrow shot across the battlefield.
SQUELCH!
It pierced straight through the Goblin Ruler's left hand.
The injured hand immediately lost its strength. The white metallic flag bearer slipped from its grasp and crashed onto the stone floor. Its left arm hung uselessly by its side.
Hyoren's dark eyes flashed. He didn't waste the opportunity.
"Shield Bash!"
BANG!
The Steel Kite Shield slammed into the Goblin Ruler's chest.
Without the support of its flag bearer, the Floor Guardian could no longer stabilize its stance. It staggered backward. Its footing became unstable.
Hyoren immediately pointed Dawn Breaker toward the staggering Goblin Ruler.
"Shadow Bloom."
Dark Aethell erupted from the blade. A wave of shadow exploded forward at nearly point-blank range.
BOOM!
The Goblin Ruler was blasted several meters backward.
Dark energy engulfed its vision. Blinded by the spell's effect, it wildly swung its sword through empty air.
Elise attacked next. She had already prepared another arrow.
"Charge Arrow."
SWOOSH!
The charged arrow streaked forward.
SQUELCH!
It pierced through the Goblin Ruler's ankle. The powerful impact pinned its leg in place, disrupting its attempt to regain balance.
"Jackey! Now!"
Jackey's golden eyes flashed.
He had been waiting for exactly this moment. He exploded forward. Then leaped high into the air.
"THIS IS THE END!"
His right arm drew Bloody Axe high overhead.
The Goblin Ruler was still struggling to regain its footing. Still blinded. Its back and neck were completely exposed.
Jackey activated his skill.
"Power Slash!"
His axe descended like an executioner's blade.
SCREEECK!
The empowered strike cleaved through the base of the Goblin Ruler's neck.
The weakening effect stacks of Enchant Maledict, compounding effect of Bloody Axe, and the overwhelming force behind Power Slash, finally proved enough. The neck gave way.
The Goblin Ruler's head separated cleanly from its body.
Still encased within its dark helmet, the severed head spun through the air. Its hidden expression never changed. Dark blood erupted from the decapitated neck as the head struck the stone floor with a heavy sound.
The headless body remained standing for only a brief moment.
Then, like the Floor Guardian before it, its body slowly dissolved. The Goblin Ruler gradually broke apart into shimmering particles of Aethell.
Silence descended upon the Guardian Chamber.
The three members of Freedom Party remained where they stood. Their breathing was ragged and other than Elise, their bodies were full of wounds.
But, Freedom Party was victorious.
They had defeated the Floor Guardian—the Goblin Ruler. A Guardian which they retreated before.