The mountain groaned. Cracks spiderwebbed outward from the dungeon fissure, glowing veins of mana spreading like molten rivers. The monster roared, its cry so loud the clouds above seemed to tremble. But this time, its call wasn't merely a roar of rage—
It was a summons.
The fissure pulsed, vomiting waves of corrupted light. From it, creatures clawed their way out, birthed from raw mana and malice. Smaller, but no less deadly.
Wolf-like beasts with crystalline spines. Hulking brutes of stone and flame. Winged aberrations shrieking like banshees. Dozens, then hundreds, spilled across the battlefield.
The adventurers' battered formation collapsed at the sight.
"T-There's too many!"
"They're endless—!"
"Fall back!"
Panic spread like wildfire. The guild vice leader tried to rally them, but her voice was drowned in the cacophony of growls and screeches.
Alex only tilted his head, watching the wave with a gleam in his eye.
