The man's voice echoed through the hall—like thunder rumbling through the heart of a mountain. The dungeon walls trembled, and a wave of fear and unease cast its shadow over every member of the team.
But that one sentence was enough...
Sylphy shouted, firm and without hesitation:
"Everyone, attack!"
Daggerol's face twisted with rage, fire blazing within him. He gripped his massive axe and charged toward the demon.
At the same time, Gazel, moving with heavy, swift steps, flanked from the left, rushing toward the man's blind spot.
William moved his lips, chanting a prayer with passionate reverence:
"Oh Almighty Lord... Creator of light, banisher of darkness... Grant your faithful servant strength!"
And in that moment, a radiant spear of light emerged from his hands—burning bright—and shot toward the demon.
Daggerol roared, leapt into the air, and raised his axe high—bringing down a crushing, lethal blow.
The sound of metal striking an unearthly force rang through the hall — but...
The demon merely smiled.
Calmly, effortlessly, he raised his hand and stopped Daggerol's blow mid-air.
Daggerol's eyes widened in disbelief. Still suspended, the man grabbed his leg—
and hurled him like a feather straight at Gazel.
Gazel, mid-attack, had no time to react—
The two warriors collided with a thunderous crash.
CRACK!
Both were slammed into the wall; fragments of stone rained down.
At the same time, William's spear of light struck the demon's chest — but...
A faint, shimmering aura—like an invisible barrier—appeared around his body.
The spear hit it with full force… and simply dispersed into the air, as if it had struck nothing at all.
The demon, casually brushing invisible dust off his coat, said with mocking disdain:
"Physical and magical attacks... don't affect me."
William clenched his magical staff; the grinding of his teeth in fury could be heard.
He stared into the demon's eyes… and saw nothing but a smug, mocking smile.
A look from above, as though gazing at an insect.
With that same smile, the demon softly said:
"No need to rush…
I'll give you a chance to unleash your strongest attack.
Don't worry... I won't kill you."
But before he could finish his sentence—
The twang of a bowstring!
Sylphy had already fired an arrow straight at his face.
Without blinking, the man raised his hand, caught the arrow midair, snapped it between two fingers, and let the pieces fall.
He sighed, then said:
"Really?...
I expected more."
Sylphy stepped forward, dagger raised, and shouted with firm determination:
"William! Unleash your spell—I'll buy you time!"
William nodded seriously and began chanting.
His voice no longer trembled—it was firm and resonant:
"O Lord...
Creator of heavens and the world...
Grant me the power of final light..."
Meanwhile, Vantias took advantage of the chaos.
Silently, stealthily, he made his way toward Anna.
His eyes were locked on her—he had to save her.
Panting, Vantias reached Anna. Chains, like iron serpents, were coiled tightly around her wrists and ankles.
He raised his sword and brought it down with all his strength.
CLANG!
The shock of metal on metal sent a painful jolt through his arms.
His bones ached.
But still...
Clang... clang... clang!
He kept raising, swinging, striking—wordless, relentless.
Across the hall, the demon's eyes shifted toward Vantias.
He paused… and sighed quietly.
Then he turned his gaze back to the group.
Sylphy, rage in her eyes, dagger in hand, charged at the demon.
She screamed:
"DIIIEEE!"
But her rage had blinded her—her strikes were wild, rapid, and unrefined.
The demon merely smiled...
His hands clasped behind his back, as though strolling through a garden.
With the smallest movements, he dodged her attacks—as if they were nothing more than morning stretches.
He spoke calmly:
"Your movements... are too slow."
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the hall, William had finished preparing the final spell.
A massive orb of holy energy, as large as his own body, glowed between his hands.
His mana was nearly drained, his mind heavy, but his eyes—steadfast.
With the last of his strength, he launched the orb of light at the demon—
a brilliant, burning radiance streaking through the air like a shattering thunderclap.
At the last moment, Sylphy smiled faintly and leapt backward.
The demon didn't move.
Still standing, composed—
As though he wanted to see how powerful this "final attack" really was.
At the same time, Vantias managed to shatter the first chain.
A chunk of metal hit the ground with a heavy clang.
Without delay, he moved to the second chain, sweat dripping from his brow—but his hands kept fighting.
BOOM!
William's final attack struck the demon with immense force.
Dust and smoke engulfed the hall, the explosion echoed within the dungeon's walls, and waves of energy trembled through the stone.
The pillars cracked—
and part of the ceiling collapsed with a deafening crash.
William, drained of mana, could no longer stand.
His vision dimmed, darkness creeping into his sight. His body gave way—
But before he fell, Sylphy caught him.
With a tired smile, she said:
"We did it…"
William smiled faintly in return; he didn't even have the strength to speak.
At that moment, the blast woke Anna from unconsciousness.
Her eyelids slowly opened—her vision blurry…
But within that blur, she saw a familiar face: Vantias, calling her name with concern.
After a moment, her vision cleared. Recognizing his face, she gave a faint smile:
"I'm glad… you're safe."
Vantias only stared at her, saying nothing, still working to break the chains.
With a weak voice, Anna asked:
"Where… are we?"
Vantias replied:
"In a dungeon. A demon kidnapped you… we came to rescue you."
That one sentence was enough to ignite terrifying memories in Anna's mind.
Her face twisted with fear. Suddenly, she cried out:
"No! Let me go! You and the others need to run! You don't stand a chance!"
Vantias was confused:
"What? What are you talking about? We're here to save you—that's why we came!"
But Anna, her voice trembling, continued:
"You don't get it...
If you're here, it's because he wanted you to be here!"
Vantias struggled to understand.
"What do you mean?"
Anna shook her head in panic:
"This dungeon… it's alive!
You think you just got here? No traps? No enemies? No resistance?
This place... is a cage. One that wanted to swallow you!"
Doubt and fear began to coil in Vantias's mind.
Before he could respond...
Hehehehe…
A dark and familiar laugh echoed through the hall.
The dust cleared like fog—
and the demon's face emerged from within.
Unharmed.
Not even a scratch.
Not even a crease in his clothes.
With a cold smile, he said:
"Interesting…
That was what you called a final attack?"
A deathly silence filled the hall.
Their faces froze in terror.
William's eyes widened in disbelief. Sylphy stepped back—her smile vanished, replaced by shock.
Meanwhile, Gazel and Daggerol rose from the ground.
They retrieved their weapons—
And the moment they saw the demon completely unharmed,
their stunned expressions shifted… to pure rage.
As if failing had become a personal insult.