The scent of blood, the clamor of battle, and the shimmering bone armor painted a scene of chaos and valor.
Lin fell onto the battlefield straight from the dungeon's exit.
Beside him, a pack of Abyss Demonic Dogs gnawed relentlessly.
The dungeon's entrance bore no resemblance to its prior tranquility, now strewn with dismembered limbs.
Abyss Demonic Dogs swarmed everywhere, besieging a wide perimeter around the instance's entrance.
Human race teams, encircled and outnumbered, fought valiantly for their lives.
An icy tether lashed out, whipping away the Demonic Dog next to Lin with the force of a tempest.
Following this, a radiant arrow, trailing light, struck another dog, its detonation scattering the beasts nearby.
"Young man, hasten to us!" A voice called, as a blade's light cleaved through another attacker.
The knight who had previously invited Lin and his team approached, having seen him besieged upon exiting the dungeon.
Though Lin had noted their approach earlier, he had been assessing the broader conflict.
To know both the enemy and oneself ensures victory; with his skeleton armor and damage redirection, Lin stood virtually invulnerable.
Yet, he hadn't anticipated rescue so swiftly, especially by the seven-star veteran who had invited him earlier. This veteran left a mark of kindness on Lin's impression.
"Young man, snap out of it," the veteran urged, now shielding Lin.
The team—comprising a mage, archer, prophet, and healer—formed a classic five-member setup.
Upon inspection, Lin was found unscathed, much to the veteran's relief.
"We'll fend off the Demonic Dogs. Use the teleportation stone to return to the fortress," the veteran instructed, prioritizing Lin's safety over inquiries into his miraculous dungeon exit.
"What's transpired?" Lin inquired.
"Abyss unleashed these hounds, encircling us," the veteran replied, his tone laced with disdain for the abyss.
"Why not retreat?" Lin probed. Given their formidable skills and equipment, retreat seemed plausible.
The healer explained the sudden onslaught post-dungeon exit had caught many off-guard, resulting in fatalities. Their captain, refusing to abandon those in peril, epitomized heroism, albeit with a hint of jest from the healer.
Their experience was evident, effortlessly repelling the beasts. Amidst their defense, news of another team's casualty reached them, revealing the widespread threat.
However, their resolve remained unshaken, given their ability to heal and their contempt for the Demonic Dogs.
As preparations for a breakout commenced, Lin revealed his intent to remain, summoning a horde of skeletons to join the fray, astounding his allies.
With Lin's command, the battlefield transformed, his skeletons decimating the enemy ranks.
Employing the Corpse Explosion skill, Lin methodically cleared the vicinity, his efforts recognized with military accolades and contribution points from Xia Jing Academy.
As Lin advanced, decimating the Abyss Demonic Dogs, his stature among his peers soared, his prowess undeniable.
Following the skirmish, casualties were tended to, and discussions of the abyss's potential motives surfaced.