Immediately at the altar, Hazard summoned three hundred archers and set out toward the fortress.
The available forces consisted of 18 ordinary demonic undead, 35 demonic undead swordsmen, and 342 demonic undead archers.
Only five minutes had passed, and after clearing the battlefield, a massive wave of hellhounds descended upon the fortress. The battle was intense, with arrows raining down, and the swordsmen using wooden shields effectively as tanks, preventing the enemy from advancing. This allowed the archers to easily eliminate large numbers of hellhounds with each wave of arrows.
By the end of the demonic hound assault, the remaining forces were:
2 demonic undead swordsmen15 ordinary demonic undead336 demonic undead archers
The swordsmen unit had been almost entirely wiped out, but the victory was undoubtedly worthwhile. The bodies of the slain hellhounds piled up, forming a spiked wall filled with arrows. After some time, the arrows were retrieved, replenishing the archers' supplies, and the gathered corpses totaled 167 hellhounds—a significant number. The strategic positioning and effective use of terrain had proved invaluable.
For a moment, Sun Tzu's name crossed Hazard's mind as he placed his hands on his hips. "He would surely be proud of me." Meanwhile, elsewhere in a different realm, a mysterious being observed humanity's battles against apocalyptic scenarios, casually scratching his ear with his little finger while rewarding his chosen representative with a coin.
Night had fallen, but the situation in the Forbidden Mountain's southern section—controlled by the hellhounds—was unlike any other night. A massive, organized attack by an army of demonic undead was underway.
An additional 233 archers and 469 swordsmen had joined the ranks, and under Hazard's leadership, the army advanced. Some hellhounds had already retreated, leaving a trail of blood. Hazard, protected at the heart of the army, quickly pushed into the hellhound territory, overwhelming them with sheer numbers. Soon, he found himself standing before a cave that descended into the earth.
[Hellhound Lair - Lord Rank 2 Threat - Exploration Value: Medium to High]This was once a mine used by Castlevania 400 years ago. After losing the Great War, many of Vlad and Mordred's monstrous followers scattered across the mountains, and a group of hellhounds managed to settle in this Fire Gem Mine.
Hazard pondered his next move. Entering the mine would mean losing the advantage of numbers. However, he recalled a strategy to smoke the rats out of their hole.
Leaving a few swordsmen at the entrance while the archers aimed at the cave's mouth, Hazard and his warriors searched the mountain for alternative exits—finding none. This mine had only one way in and out, which was perfect. He had already ordered the collection of wood and flammable materials. Striking an old sword against a suitable stone, he created fire and set it at the cave entrance.
Thick smoke quickly filled the mine, though some of it escaped. Within minutes, another wave of hellhounds—about fifty—emerged, only to be swiftly slaughtered. While they could survive in extreme heat and withstand fire, they still needed to breathe. As the mine became engulfed in smoke, suffocation forced them out—straight into the army's deadly embrace.
Hazard was pleased, but it wasn't over yet. A new figure emerged from the darkness.
[Greater Hellhound - Lord Rank 2]During the war, the Hellhound King, Cerberus, had commanders of varying ranks, including ten-thousand-leaders, thousand-leaders, and more. This Greater Hellhound was a thousand-leader, exiled along with its remaining forces, and had lived in Castlevania's Fire Gem Mine ever since.
Hazard acknowledged the danger but remained unfazed. Under the barrage of three hundred arrows, the beast took a defensive stance. Its tough hide made it a true tank, prioritizing endurance over agility—unlike werewolves. Yet, Hazard knew its weaknesses: eyes, abdomen, lower flanks, hamstrings, and Achilles' heel.
Three volleys of arrows struck true, bringing the massive creature to its knees. Standing before the beast, Hazard gazed into its arrow-pierced eyes, raised his sword, and plunged it into its right eye, finishing the job.
[You have defeated the Greater Hellhound - Lord Rank 2! Reward: 15,000 gold][You have cleared the Hellhound Lair - Lord Rank 2 Threat][A Shining Silver Treasure Chest has been obtained!]
Satisfied with the rewards, Hazard entered the mine. Before becoming a hellhound lair, this was a Fire Gem Mine, making it a place worth exploring. Navigating its winding paths, he discovered several one-inch red gemstones but nothing else of value.
Gathering the hellhound corpses, Hazard and his army returned to the altar, seeking the security of a safe place—ready to open the Silver Treasure Chest.