Lyra was the first to react. The moment the Titan revealed itself, a primal scream tore from her throat: "Run!"
Without hesitation, she turned and sprinted down the passage, her nimble form weaving through the goblins. The others, their shock giving way to a surge of adrenaline, followed close behind.
The Titan's immense size filled the passage, each step shaking the ground beneath them. Panic clawed at their throats as they fled, their breaths coming in ragged gasps. The air grew thick with the stench of ancient power and fear. The Titan's red eyes burned with purpose as it lumbered after them, its every movement rattling the dungeon's foundations.
"I want to go home!"
The adventurers pushed their bodies to the limit, their lungs burning with exertion. They sprinted through twisting corridors, their flight echoing through the cavernous halls. The Titan's massive hands crushed or swatted aside goblins in its path, their shrieks drowned out by the chaos of the escape.
Hope dwindled with every passing second. The Titan, though slow, was relentless. Its sheer size and power felt insurmountable. Their bodies screamed in protest, but they had no choice. They had stumbled upon a force far beyond them, and retreat was their only option.
"I don't want to die here! My son was just born!" Gregor shouted, his voice cracking with desperation.
As they rounded a bend, a glimmer of light pierced the darkness ahead—the entrance, their way back to the surface. With one final burst of energy, they surged forward, the Titan's deafening roar chasing them. Bursting into the cool night air, they stumbled, gulping in deep breaths of freedom.
They had escaped the Titan, but its immense power and chilling intelligence would haunt them forever.
Woosh!
Suddenly, a figure appeared from around the bend, sprinting toward them with surprising speed. "Sorry, I'm late!" he shouted, his voice barely audible as he zipped past the bewildered adventurers. He didn't stop, his gaze locked on the colossal Titan emerging from the dungeon entrance.
The adventurers froze, watching in stunned silence as the lone figure charged at the monstrous being. His silhouette was dwarfed by the Titan's massive frame.
A glimmer of recognition sparked in the young looking mage's eyes. "Sebastian!"
Sebastian, the S-Rank Adventurer, was a legend among adventurers. One of the top seven strongest individuals in the world, his name inspired awe and respect. His arrival, unexpected yet perfectly timed, offered a sliver of hope in the face of despair.
He gripped his massive sword, the blade crackling with otherworldly heat. With a roar that echoed through the valley, he unleashed his attack.
"With the light that creates heat, with the fire that makes everyone hate—Phoenix!"
[Skill Activated: Sword of Phoenix]
Sebastian leapt into the air, flying straight toward the Titan's enormous form. The adventurers watched in awe as he became a blur of fire and steel.
He struck the Titan with meteoric force, his flaming blade cleaving deep into its obsidian flesh. A geyser of molten rock erupted from the wound, showering the area with fiery debris.
Despite the devastating blow, the adventurers knew this wasn't a killing strike. A Titan wouldn't fall so easily. But Sebastian's attack had bought them precious time. They watched, hearts pounding, as the legendary S-Rank adventurer danced around the enraged Titan.
The battle raged on, the ground shaking with every clash. The adventurers, torn between awe and fear, could only watch as Sebastian, the lone warrior, faced the Titan.
"T-That is… the savior of the Zurbek Kingdom, and one of the strongest mankind?" Amelia stammered, her voice barely audible over the chaos.
A wide smile spread across the young looking mage's face. "Yeah, that idiot also my party partner."
The revelation hit the group, deepening their respect.
It gave them hope. If Sebastian, a human like them, could fight a Titan, then maybe they had a role to play too.
Sebastian landed near the group, his massive sword still crackling with heat. He wiped sweat from his brow, a carefree grin breaking across his face. "Well, what's up? Let's keep going!"
His casual attitude, so different from the earth-shattering battle he'd just fought, left the adventurers speechless. Amelia, still processing who he was, couldn't help but compare him to other heroes she'd met. Most were stoic, weighed down by responsibility and power. But Sebastian radiated joy, an enthusiasm that felt almost out of place for someone of his status.
"You… you seem different," Amelia finally said, her voice tinged with awe and curiosity.
Sebastian chuckled, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Different? How?"
"Other heroes… they're usually… cold," Amelia admitted, her cheeks flushing under his gaze. "They don't smile like you do."
Sebastian's expression turned thoughtful. "Ah, I see," he said, his tone briefly serious. "Maybe it's because I don't see myself as a hero. I'm just an adventurer, same as you. We all have our strengths, and sometimes, a smile can be as powerful as a sword."
His words struck a chord with the young mage, who nodded in agreement. The image of the distant, emotionless hero began to fade, replaced by the understanding that even the strongest individuals were still, human.
"Alright, let's get back to it," Sebastian declared, his grin returning. "We've got a dungeon to conquer, and I wouldn't want to miss all the fun."
As they pressed deeper into the dungeon, Sebastian's words stayed with them: sometimes, a smile could be as powerful as a sword.
"Lily!" Sebastian called out, his voice echoing through the cavern.
Lily turned to him, her eyes questioning. "Yes, Sebastian?" she replied, still in awe of him.
"Tell me about this dungeon," he said, glancing around the passage they'd just left. "What can you tell me about the architecture, monsters, or puzzles?"
Lily nodded, her mind racing. "From what I've seen, this is an ancient dwarven structure. The craftsmanship is precise, and the mechanisms are complex. The goblins we fought might have been remnants of a guardian force."
"And the Titan?" Sebastian asked, frowning.
"It was… a major obstacle," Lily admitted, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Maybe not the final boss, but definitely a mini-boss."
Sebastian chuckled. "A mini-boss? That thing was practically a mountain! Guess we shouldn't underestimate dwarven security."
His humor lightened the mood after their tense escape. Still, he knew the Titan wasn't to be taken lightly—it was a powerful foe and a reminder of the dangers ahead.
Emerging from the passage, the adventurers entered a massive chamber. The ceiling soared high into the darkness, and the room was dominated by a colossal square structure carved with glowing dwarven runes.
Three large doorways surrounded its base, each hinting at further challenges. At the far end of the chamber stood an enormous obsidian door, etched with intricate symbols that hummed with latent power.
The adventurers fell silent, taking in the sight. This was the heart of the dungeon, the place they'd been striving to reach.
"So," Sebastian said, breaking the tense silence, "which door do we tackle first?"
The adventurers stood before the three imposing doorways, each a gateway to the unknown. The air was thick with anticipation and unease. Adventure awaited behind each door, but so did danger.
Lily stepped forward, her brow furrowed in thought. "Maybe we should think about the layout," she suggested. "The central square seems like the heart of this place. These three doors probably lead to separate areas, and the big door at the end might be the final goal. But we'll need to deal with whatever's behind these smaller doors first."
Amelia, still shaken from the Titan, voiced her worry. "But what if one of these doors leads to another Titan? We barely made it out last time."
Sebastian, his eyes fixed on the structure. "We know what we're up against now. With careful planning and teamwork, we can handle anything."
His words reignited their determination. They'd faced a Titan and survived, and that experience had strengthened their bond. Now, they were a team, ready to face each door with caution and strategy.
After a quick discussion, they decided to explore the three smaller doors first. Each seemed to promise its own challenge:
[The first door, carved with intricate dwarven designs, likely led to traps and guardians that would test their agility and reflexes.]
[The second door, marked with a glowing rune, hinted at magical trials that would demand the young mage's expertise.]
[The third door, etched with the image of a snarling beast, probably hid ferocious creatures that would require combat skill and teamwork to defeat.]
The choice wasn't easy each path offered its own risks and rewards.
Suddenly, a low rumble echoed through the room. The ground trembled beneath their feet as the three smaller doorways began to shift and grind. With a series of mechanical clicks and groans, the individual doors merged into a single, massive doorway—larger even than the obsidian door at the far end of the chamber.
"What!?"
The once separate doorways had merged into a single, massive portal. Its surface glowed with an otherworldly light, the carvings and symbols from the smaller doors now forming a unified, intricate design.
A stunned silence fell over the adventurers. The transformation left them speechless, torn between awe and unease.
Sebastian's voice broke the silence, firm and resolute. "Let's go, everyone. Whatever's beyond this door, we'll face it together. But if any of you are below A-Rank, stay back. I'll take the lead—I won't let anything happen to you."
His words carried both confidence and protectiveness, resonating deeply with the group. Amelia stepped forward, her voice steady despite her lingering fear. "We've got your back,Sir. Sebastian. We'll support you however we can."
Lily nodded. "Your magic will be crucial, Sebastian."
Taking a deep breath, Sebastian placed his hand on the colossal door. The carvings pulsed with energy at his touch, and the massive portal began to grind open with a low, ominous groan. Anticipation surged through the group as they peered into the darkness beyond, their hearts racing with a mix of fear and exhilaration.
< Chapter 10 > Fin.