Chapter 69

[You have entered the dungeon “Ancient Minotaur Habitat.”]

[Warning: The party’s average stats are below the recommended level.]

A low murmur accompanied the opening of my eyes.

The overall appearance of the dungeon was a damp, dark cave.

As befitting the lair of beastmen, primitive totems and scattered animal bones lay about.

The warning message was something I’d already braced for.

Instead, my fellow party members’ thoughts were directed elsewhere.

“This is a story dungeon. This could get some serious video views later.”

“I guess we’re the first ones here?”

“If there’s anyone here before us, I’ll kill them.”

“Ah…”

Story dungeons were one of the sweet spots of the New Continent.

Though the first-time clear difficulty was high, promised was a reward on a level far beyond regular dungeons.

Once cleared, it would convert into a regular dungeon, so everyone except the initial discoverer would be playing an inferior version of the game.

Of course, there are ways to tackle the high difficulty—not for everyone but those seeking a challenge.

It’s the realm of honor, so consider it an exception.

For streamers like Soobin and Elderlyn, this was a great opportunity.

Exclusive content always guaranteed hits.

Every past story dungeon clear had been accompanied by high view counts.

As the scout of the party leading the way, I moved forward.

The first enemies we faced were three Minotaurs.

“Three enemies. Two warriors, one archer. I’ll keep an eye on the archer when we arrive.”

In a low voice, I announced the composition of the monsters.

You must not think of these creatures as mere normal mobs.

The baseline stats and equipment—this was about more than their high specs.

Monsters in story dungeons are equipped with AI far more sophisticated than those in regular dungeons.

In this age where AI technology has far surpassed human capabilities, monsters designed with elevated difficulty can display tactical thinking, making them formidable opponents.

[The Blessing of the Winds rests upon us.]

[All action speed increases by 10%, movement speed by 15%.]

[User: Sansa]

As I moved along the ceiling to avoid detection, Soobin’s great sword clashed with a Minotaur’s axe for the first time.

The metallic sound thundered through the dungeon. While the move had impressive momentum, the result was bad.

The timing of the Minotaur’s attack disrupted the parry.

Apparently, the guard gauge held for now.

However, one detail was concerning.

After the clash, Soobin’s wrist seemed to buckle.

It was clear proof of a significant disparity in raw strength.

Thanks to low sensitivity adjustments, he might not have felt it yet, but it was a very unpleasant sign.

For a great-sword warrior to be clearly outmatched in strength meant there was a considerable disparity in monster vs player specifications.

Sure enough, Soobin’s expression twisted.

“Crap! My guard’s breaking on the next attack!”

“Shield is ready!”

Just as predicted, Soobin’s defense broke on the next incoming attack.

Sansa quickly deployed a protective barrier, while the Berserker warrior joined the fray.

A red flash announced a likely explosion of Elderlyn’s magecraft.

Though the situation appeared precarious, every member of this party was a seasoned gamer.

With natural talent or learned experience, they wouldn’t die so easily.

At times like this, it’s best not to overthink and simply stick to my role.

Clinging to the ceiling carefully, I positioned myself behind the enemy archer.

“That thing could pass as a spear, I think.”

Were the Minotaurs taking their size into consideration?

The object on the bowstring was far too large to be called an arrow.

If someone like me, small in build, were to be struck by such a thing, it would surely end in immediate death.

Even Sansa or Elderlyn wouldn’t fare much better.

Thus, I had to make my move before the arrow released.

Luckily, Elderlyn’s fire spell was buying us some time.

Taking advantage of the dissipating smoke, I descended.

Just as the archer was about to aim at Sansa, I drove my dagger into the Minotaur’s neck from behind.

With the disruption, the arrow missed its mark and failed to harm any allies.

I immediately leapt onto the Minotaur’s back and wrapped my legs around its neck, riding it like a wild horse.

Or should I call it a rodeo, since this beast was closer to a bull?

“Phew. This is kinda thrilling.”

My first job is to cut the throat to prevent it from calling for help.

I don’t want any screams complicating things for me.

The skin was tough and resisted my blade, feeling akin to piercing the chain armor of a lance knight in the Arena.

Nevertheless, I stabbed with all my might.

With difficulty, I held my ground against the Minotaur’s writhing, though my vision swayed under the immense strain.

Mostly, my pelvis was being tossed around, rocking my body violently.

Even tightening my thighs and pressing my lower abdomen had no effect; it was becoming clear that I couldn’t withstand this brute force with my small frame.

Eventually, when the archer discarded his bow and reached for me,

I had to abandon my advantageous position.

“Catching me means death!”

As I slashed at the spine with my dagger, I landed on the ground.

With a powerful kick of the Minotaur’s hooves, I narrowly avoided it by rolling onto the floor.

Naturally, while passing between the large legs of the Minotaur once more, I found its rear exposed.

But had my earlier stab managed to penetrate deeply?

No, the monster’s tough hide was too much to pierce with my arm strength alone.

At best, I managed to split the skin slightly.

I could see the heart beneath, but my dagger didn’t hit deep enough.

While retreating without reclaiming my weapon, I prepared for the next attack.

[‘Forbidden drug’ effect applied.]

[For 12 seconds, strength increases by 8.5%, but you take 0.8% fixed damage from your maximum HP per second.]

Did I bite off more than I could chew?

The clawed hand aimed for my head like a mace.

In my current position and stance, dodging was impossible.

And yet, if I got struck fully here, my body might just crumple.

I had no choice but to use one of my precious survival techniques.

My body, which disappeared ghostlike, reappeared a few steps away.

Losing that card means I must take advantage of the counter-attack.

I pressed down on the clawed hand aiming for me.

Using the sturdy body as leverage akin to a springboard, I leaped and grabbed onto the Minotaur’s horn, flipping over it like a gymnastic move.

Through the inverted view, I spotted the dagger I had lodged earlier.

With no hesitation, I focused all my strength into my heel.

I slammed down on the dagger’s hilt like driving a nail.

Even this creature, sturdy as it was, couldn’t endure the replacement of its heart with a dagger and live.

“The archer’s done. I’ll rejoin shortly.”

Amidst the rising flames of Elderlyn’s fire spells, the other side’s status was obscured by the black smoke.

From what I could make out, I could see the silhouette of a Minotaur.

Keeping an eye on the rear positions, I engaged, targeting the neck.

Of course, the concern was that just as I couldn’t discern my party members’ situation clearly, neither could they see mine.

The moment I finished off one Minotaur whose stamina was almost depleted,

I tried escaping from being buried underneath its falling body.

However, my path was blocked by the corpse of another Minotaur warrior, struck down by Soobin’s final blow.

My vision was entirely obstructed.

I briefly reconsidered using another survival technique… only to remember that I had used it earlier.

“Huh? Uh…uh-oh?”

Ultimately, I was buried under the Minotaur’s massive body before I could move in time.

My body pressed into the ground, unable to move under the weight.

Turning my head slightly, I could see the bull’s head oozing warm, flowing blood right before me.

Its hulking frame had draped over me like a blanket, immobilizing my arms and legs.

The party members who approached, perhaps curious about the commotion, looked down at me.

“What are you doing there?”

“……”

“Haha! Look how cute!”

“Stop laughing and help me out. It’s heavy.”