Dungeon Trial
The ancient gates of the Temple of the Ashen Guardian closed behind the five adventurers with a deep rumble.
The outside world vanished.
Before them stretched a massive stone hall, its ceiling supported by towering pillars scarred by time. Ancient braziers burned with pale blue flames, casting long shadows across cracked marble floors.
Statues of forgotten knights lined both sides of the hall.
Each held a sword pointed toward the ground, as though silently guarding the temple even after death.
A system message appeared.
---
Temple of the Ashen Guardian
Normal Difficulty
Area I — Hall of Fallen Guardians
Objective:
Defeat all invading monsters.
Three waves remaining.
---
The stone floor suddenly trembled. One after another, cracks spread across the ground. Dozens of skeletal hands emerged.
Within seconds, the first wave stood before them.
Ashen Skeleton Warrior (Lv. 13) × 12
Ashen Skeleton Archer (Lv. 13) × 4
Ironwall immediately raised his shield.
"I'll gather them!"
He charged forward without hesitation. The skeletons instinctively turned toward him as he slammed his shield into the ground.
Shield Challenge!
A resonating shockwave spread outward. The monsters abandoned everyone else and rushed toward Ironwall.
"Now!"
Cole dashed from the flank. Her sword flashed.
Swift Slash!
One skeleton collapsed instantly. She immediately repositioned before the surrounding enemies could counterattack.
Behind them, Starveil calmly raised his crystal staff.
"Ice Lance."
Several crystalline spears formed overhead before raining upon the tightly packed skeletons.
Explosions of frost echoed throughout the hall.
Meanwhile, Lifebloom gently planted her wooden staff onto the ground. Soft green light spread across the battlefield.
Forest's Blessing
A warm energy enveloped the entire party.
Strength increased.
Movement became lighter.
Mana recovery accelerated.
Aster's eyes narrowed slightly.
"A party-wide enhancement..."
"Interesting."
The druid wasn't directly increasing damage. She was improving everyone's overall combat efficiency. The teamwork was far better than he had expected.
Aster quietly entered the battlefield. Drawing the Wolffang Longsword from his waist. No flashy movements. Only a single clean slash.
One skeleton's skull separated from its body. He pivoted. A second, then a third. Every strike was precise.
Never excessive.
Never wasted.
Within minutes, the first wave collapsed.
---
The second wave emerged almost immediately.
Ashen Hounds (Lv. 14) ×15
Unlike the skeletons, the beasts relied entirely on speed.
"Maintain formation!" Aster ordered.
"Ironwall, don't chase."
"Hold the center."
"Cole, left flank."
"Starveil, wait."
"Lifebloom, continue your buffs."
Everyone instinctively followed. The hounds rushed forward. Ironwall stood his ground.
The instant they entered range, his shield smashed into the earth once more. Several beasts changed direction toward him.
Only two slipped past. Cole intercepted one.
Aster intercepted the other. The remaining monsters found themselves trapped within Starveil's spell.
"Stone Prison."
Pillars erupted from the ground. The hounds' movement slowed dramatically. Aster calmly finished the remaining enemies one after another.
Again...
Without wasting a single motion.
---
The third wave arrived.
This time, the atmosphere became noticeably heavier.
Ashen Guardian Knights (Lv. 15) ×8
These enemies wore complete armor and carried large shields. Each possessed far greater durability than the previous monsters.
Ironwall immediately engaged two of them. Cole took another pair. Aster stepped toward the remaining four. Their swords descended simultaneously.
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
His longsword met every attack with perfect precision. Each deflection created an opening. Each opening became another strike.
The battle became almost rhythmic. Watching from behind.m, Lifebloom quietly whispered,
"...His fundamentals are incredible."
Starveil nodded.
"He isn't relying on skills."
"He's simply, better."
Even Cole couldn't hide her admiration. No unnecessary movements. No panic.
Every decision carried purpose. Within several minutes, the final guardian knight collapsed.
The first trial had been cleared.
---
A heavy tremor echoed throughout the temple.
The wall ahead slowly separated. Revealing a long stone tunnel. Cold air drifted from the darkness.
The party cautiously entered. Their footsteps echoed softly.
After several minutes, the tunnel widened into a circular chamber. Standing in the center was a towering knight clad in jet-black armor.
Its crimson eyes slowly ignited. A massive greatsword rested upon one shoulder.
---
Mini Boss
Ashen Warden Garrick
Level 15
---
The giant knight pointed its sword toward the party. The battle began. Aster immediately took command.
"Ironwall."
"Hold him in the center."
"Don't force blocks."
"Only redirect."
"Understand."
"Cole."
"Attack only after his swings. Never stay behind him longer than two seconds."
"Got it."
"Starveil."
"Aim for his legs."
"Restrict his movement."
"Leave it to me."
"Lifebloom."
"Maintain buffs. Save your healing."
She nodded confidently. The formation immediately shifted. Ironwall absorbed Garrick's opening attack with his shield. The impact pushed him backward several meters.
"Heavy..."
The giant knight raised its sword again.
Before it could strike— Starveil's earthen magic erupted beneath its feet. The brief imbalance was all Aster needed.
He dashed forward. His Wolffang Longsword flashed.
One slash.
A deep cut appeared across Garrick's chest. The boss staggered. Cole instantly followed.
Her sword struck the exposed joint in its shoulder. The coordination was seamless.
Lifebloom's buffs continuously strengthened the party while restoring minor wounds. The battle progressed steadily.
Every time Garrick prepared a heavy attack, Aster calmly issued another command.
"Retreat."
"Left."
"Now."
"Counter."
His instructions arrived before danger fully unfolded. As though he had already predicted the battle.
The others followed without hesitation. Several minutes later, Garrick's health finally reached zero. The armored giant slowly dropped to one knee.
Its crimson eyes faded.
Then, it's body shattered into countless fragments of light.
---
Mini Boss Defeated
Experience Awarded.
---
Golden pillars of light descended upon the party. Cole smiled.
"I leveled up!"
Ironwall laughed loudly.
"Finally!"
Starveil checked his status panel in excitement.
"Level 15."
Lifebloom also celebrated her advancement. Only one person remained unchanged.
Aster.
Level 18.
His experience bar moved only slightly. He simply smiled. The level difference was too great. Against enemies far below his own strength...
Experience was no longer his reward.
Instead, the dungeon's true value lay in its materials, equipment...
And whatever awaited them deeper within the Temple of the Ashen Guardian.