The dark power of the abyss surged out, unleashing a multitude of monsters.
Their visages were indistinguishable from those of abyssal demons, all embodying ferocity, cruelty, and bloodthirstiness.
The demons moved either by flight or on foot, accompanied by terrifying giant beasts, exuding an imposing presence.
On the human front, the professionals engaged in battle.
Top-level professionals above level 70 took to the skies, while a greater number remained grounded.
"There's something amiss with these professionals!"
Lin observed keenly.
The professionals before me were not living beings but specters, appearing somewhat ethereal.
This anomaly was not limited to the human professionals but extended to the demons from the abyss as well.
Their appearance was menacing, yet upon closer inspection, they seemed somewhat illusory.
The conflict raged fiercely in a realm where shades of black and white blended at the center.
Abyssal demons inherently possessed the ability to fly. Even those mounted on giant beasts could take to the air at will.
Thus, the human forces seemed at a significant disadvantage from the outset.
As the battle commenced, humans were already on the back foot.
Suddenly, a mage elevated his staff and proclaimed, "Forbidden Sky!"
Instantly, all beings, including the elite humans, plummeted from the heavens.
Except for the mage, the sky was emptied of combatants.
He then hoisted his staff and invoked, "Forbidden Curse: Elemental Catastrophe!"
The entire elemental upheaval ensued, causing the dungeon realm to tremble and descend into chaos.
Hundreds of human mages simultaneously lifted their staffs, unleashing a barrage of forbidden spells at the demons.
The demons sustained heavy losses until the Demon King made his appearance.
Massive in stature, akin to an ancient demon god, the Demon King could tower between heaven and earth, often reaching heights of thousands of meters.
With a flutter of his wings, he unleashed a formidable elemental force, ravaging the entire human battalion.
The clash of forbidden magic resulted in a spectacular eruption of colorful brilliance, engulfing the entire dungeon.
After a brief moment, the brilliance faded, and both humans and demons vanished.
The realm, initially divided between shades of black and white, had transformed into a domain of chaotic elements, with elemental spirits emerging throughout.
Lin understood. The preceding spectacle was a depiction of a past battle, intended to elucidate the origins of the Elemental Plains.
Of course, this was but a glimpse into a more profound narrative.
Forbidden magics clashed, sculpting the landscape anew.
Ning Yiyi, awestruck, inquired, "Is this a depiction of an ancient battle?"
Lin murmured affirmatively, "It seems so."
The barriers to both pathways dissipated simultaneously, necessitating a choice between the two.
Without hesitation, Lin opted for the path leading into the night, a route tainted by abyssal energy, aligning with Lin's natural inclination.
The descent along the path was uneventful until they reached the base of the mountain, where they encountered a creature identical to an Abyss Demon.
A vast plain stretched out before them, devoid of any structures or obstacles.
At the plain's farthest reach stood a colossal statue, marking the lair of the dungeon's boss.
This dungeon, divided into three distinct sections, necessitated the eradication of all abyss-aligned creatures to ensure passage.
After a period of recuperation, the skeleton warriors were fully revitalized.
All 130 skeleton warriors and 100 skeleton mages were summoned to confront the hellish challenge of a level 30 dungeon.
Given the dungeon's formidable difficulty, Lin proceeded with utmost caution, aware that typically only a fully equipped twelve-member team of level 35 or above would dare venture here.
Lin, however, embarked on this solo journey at level 26.
The initial adversary resembled an Abyss Wolf Demon, yet its size surpassed any Lin had previously encountered. Mounted upon a green wolf, it towered over five meters tall.
Equipped with wings, the Green Wolf possessed the capability to launch into flight at any moment.
As the skeleton warriors charged with their swords drawn, the skeleton mages unleashed their spells from above.
Despite the onslaught of magic, the monster emerged, undeterred by the attack.
"It remains unscathed?"
The collective assault of 100 skeleton mages could inflict severe damage on even a level 40 elite demon.
Yet, the creature before them sustained only minor injuries.
Incorporating detection within their spells, they gathered intelligence on the foe.
[Battlefield Wolf Demon (Hell Level Elite Monster)]
[Level: 34]
[Strength: 15000]
[Agility: 10000]
[Spirit: 10000]
[Physique: 15000]
[Attributes: Enhanced defense and vitality due to abyssal energy influence.]
Lin assimilated the insights from the detection spell.
The creatures encountered here were intrinsically linked to the abyss, their existence fueled by its energy.
Though their levels were suppressed, rendering their attributes inferior to those of level 40 elite demons, their unique traits remained formidable.
Their enhanced defense and vitality rendered them daunting adversaries.
Hence, even the focused firepower of 100 skeleton mages was insufficient for an immediate kill.
Wielding a three-meter-long sword, the monster struck a skeleton warrior, producing a clang of metal.
The skeleton warrior momentarily paused but remained unyielded.
With the skeleton warriors' superior attributes, they feared no opponent, barring those with special abilities.
No matter the adversary's defenses or vitality, perseverance was key.
The frontline skeleton warriors deployed their skills with vigor, their blades, imbued with a crimson glow, rending flesh and sinew.
Absence of blood was noted, instead, a dark mist emanated from the wounds, dissipating into the air.
The battlefield wolf demon, impervious to pain, disregarded the incoming attacks.
Unlike typical demons, it remained undaunted, resisting the urge to flee.
A simultaneous assault by ten skeleton warriors, coupled with a second volley from the skeleton mages, proved fatal.
The battlefield wolf demon emitted a peculiar sound, akin to a bursting balloon, enveloped in a dark mist, and vanished without trace.
[Defeating the level 34 battlefield wolf demon yielded 680000 experience points.]
The experience gained was substantial, far surpassing that of a typical hell-level outpost dungeon and doubling that of an equivalent level Abyss Demon.
Considering the dungeon's hell difficulty, the experience reward was deemed appropriate.
Lin expressed concern, "There's no corpse..."
Similar to the creatures of the Elemental Plain, these monsters left no remains, rendering the corpse explosion skill ineffective.
Ning Yiyi shared the sentiment, "Without a body, detonation is impossible."
Lin concurred, acknowledging the limitation.
Yet, Ning Yiyi's subsequent remark, laced with optimism, suggested an alternative strategy, "Then, we proceed one by one."
If mass detonation was unfeasible, individual targeting was the next best approach.
Upon their entry into the area, darkness enveloped the world.
Enshrouded in perpetual night, visibility dwindled significantly.
The darkness devoured all incoming light, leaving only the skeleton's soul fire as a beacon.
Lin, with a soul flame in hand, illuminated the immediate vicinity.
Ning Yiyi, with heightened senses, embraced the darkness, finding solace in the assassin's domain.
"Numerous monsters lurk within."
Ning Yiyi's soft exclamation hinted at the hidden threats.
Lin, unable to perceive the danger, responded, "Guide me, and I shall strike."
"Understood!" Ning Yiyi replied with enthusiasm.
Having felt sidelined since her awakening as a dragon assassin, Ning Yiyi relished the opportunity to contribute meaningfully.
She pinpointed the monsters' locations, enabling Lin to direct the skeleton warriors into battle.
Though methodical elimination lacked the thrill of mass carnage, it ensured safety and efficiency.
Lin, relieved of direct command, focused solely on Ning Yiyi's guidance.
The area was teeming with monsters, occasionally drawing multiple adversaries simultaneously, requiring additional effort.
Lin observed that the monsters, though resilient, lacked distinctive abilities.
Compared to the [Dragon Frontline Outpost] dungeon, this Hell difficulty challenge seemed less daunting.
As they advanced, Lin's experience soared, nearing a level-up by the midpoint. Ning Yiyi, bathed in white light, celebrated her advancement.
Ning Yiyi couldn't help but remark, "For Hell difficulty, this seems rather effortless."