Chapter 45

Chapter 45: Confirmed by the gaze, it’s someone you don’t wanna mess with～

Level Fifteen of the Dungeon.

The interior of the labyrinth was eerily quiet, with no sense of monsters nearby. The damp air mixed with the smell of stone wafted through the gray rocky cave.

The cavern-like passage was rather dim.

A few light sources near the ceiling flickered like campfires, cutting the slightly dark scenery into irregular shapes.

Two figures stealthily walked deep within the severed darkness.

“According to the details of the mission given by the guild, if I haven’t misread the map, then this area should be where the Wyvern ‘Enhanced Species’ was sighted.”

Izay carried the silver-gray spear on his back, holding the map in his hand and observing the markings on it with the aid of silently burning phosphorescence.

As indicated on the map, this was where the Wyvern appeared.

Although it had been a day since the Wyvern was last spotted, as a rare ‘Enhanced Species’, it should still be hunting nearby, whether it be adventurers or monsters alike.

“Shouldn’t be wrong, there are more adventurers around here lately…”

Ryu’s cool voice reached Izay’s ears.

Compared to her previous attire, Ryu now had half her face covered with a scarf, her hood completely pulled down, only revealing a pair of clear azure eyes.

With the Adventurer Guild having issued a bounty mission, those who saw the announcement and were interested weren’t just Izay alone.

Many adventurer teams, believing themselves to be strong or wanting to gain merit from this, also accepted the mission at the guild and set out for Level Fifteen.

This caused the number of adventurers stationed in this area to surge.

To conceal her identity, Ryu also masked her appearance.

“Tch! There are so many people on Level Fifteen now? Damn ‘Enhanced Species,’ completely ruining our plans…”

At that moment, a rough voice reached Izay and Ryu’s channel.

Multiple footsteps gradually approached, and Izay cast a glance towards the stone tunnel beside him.

At the same time he looked over, four armed adventurers, both men and women, emerged from the darkness, their faces bearing expressions of resentment that their business had been disrupted.

Coupled with the black tattoos on their faces that seemed to enhance their intimidating presence, these adventurers didn’t look like good people…

Stepping out of the dark stone tunnel, the four adventurers originally intended to continue complaining.

However, when the phosphorescent light illuminated the ceiling, they noticed there were others present, and their voices abruptly cut off.

The tall man leading the group locked gazes with Izay, whose expression seemed curious, and relaxed even though he wasn’t holding his weapon while walking in the middle layer. This made the man’s thoughts sink.

And the fully masked adventurer beside him…

Confirmed by the gaze, it’s someone you don’t wanna mess with.

The tall man instantly dismissed any thoughts of conflict with Izay and the other.

As if not noticing them, he averted his gaze to the side of the rock wall and silently led his team away.

Glancing to the side as he watched the four figures disappear into the rock tunnel, Izay couldn’t help but twitch his lips.

“Seriously…?”

“What do you mean seriously? Was something wrong with those four adventurers?”

Ryu followed Izay’s gaze toward the four, asking somewhat confusedly.

Earlier, due to not noticing the two’s presence, the four had spoken without any disguise, and both Izay and Ryu had heard the man’s complaint.

But unlike Ryu who didn’t know the inside story, Izay immediately associated many things upon hearing that sentence.

“No, it’s nothing, just observing curiosities.”

“Observing curiosities?”

“Yes, anyway, it’s not something I can interfere with right now. If we meet again in the future, then we’ll deal with it then…”

Ryu tilted her head, unable to understand what Izay meant, her heart filled with doubts.

However, upon realizing he had no intention of continuing, she gave up on further questioning.

Boom— Boom—

The two continued exploring the area for a short while longer when “boom, boom” loud sounds began echoing in their ears.

The ground-shaking noise approached from the depths of the darkness.

“The Minotaur?”

Izay put away the map and gripped the spear in his hand, his eyes fixed on the monster emerging from the depths of the darkness.

In the Level Fifteen area, the monster most commonly appearing and bringing nightmares to adventurers. Since entering Level Fifteen, this was the first time Izay encountered this long-renowned bull monster.

Under the illumination of the phosphorescent lights resembling torches near the ceiling, one could clearly see its copper-red skin.

Breathing heavily, bulging with massive muscles, stomping hooves like rocks.

Bull head and human body, towering over two meters in height, wielding an enormous natural weapon akin to a battle axe, the bull monster glared down at the two tiny humans before it.

Unlike hellhounds or unicorns rated as Lv.2, which merely had attacks and agility reaching the Lv.2 domain, the Minotaur far surpassed both in speed, strength, and endurance. Their potential ability values were incomparable.

“MooOOOOOoOOOO!”

However, there was no time to think further as the Minotaur, spotting its prey, charged forward, shattering the ground and raising its massive stone axe high.

“Steadfast as a Rock!”

BOOM!

A dark golden rock pillar instantly inserted itself between Izay and the bull monster. The huge stone axe struck the rock pillar, sending fragments flying, yet it failed to destroy it in one hit.

Due to this attack, the Minotaur’s body momentarily froze.

Taking advantage of that brief moment, Izay darted past like thunder from the side, thrusting his spear forward to reach the Minotaur’s front.

Behind him, Ryu watched Izay’s retreating figure with an indescribable mood.

As a Lv.1 adventurer facing a monster with potential ability values at Lv.2, did he have to charge so recklessly?

It was as if the opponent was the Lv.1 instead.

Before Ryu could continue expressing her thoughts, a fierce silver light suddenly burst forth.

“MooOOOO!!”

The sharp spear tip carved a long, deep bloodline across the beast’s chest, the powerful impact forcing the Minotaur’s upper body back, causing its large stone axe to fall from its grasp.

Weaponless, the Minotaur roared in pain.

Facing the seemingly enraged monster, Izay dodged its desperate swinging arm, weaving his spear into swift and fierce patterns of silver light.

Countless wounds spread across the Minotaur’s body.

Normally, Izay’s strength attribute wouldn’t match such a towering monster, and if it came down to brute force, he definitely wouldn’t have the upper hand.

But humans were never a race accustomed to wrestling with brute strength.

Relying on wisdom, weapons, and armor was their pride.

Izay’s attacks could easily pierce the Minotaur’s defenses, undoubtedly thanks to the weapon in his hands.

This silver-gray spear was commissioned by the Hero Finn privately from a blacksmith, possessing sharpness and strength second only to the first-tier adventurer’s equipment.

Though compared to the Spear of Command currently used by Finn, it was quite inferior, for novice adventurers, it was undoubtedly a weapon exceeding standard specifications.

If there were any other spearmen in the faction besides Finn, this weapon would have already been eagerly taken for use long ago.