As they ventured deeper into the dungeon, the silence was broken by the soothing sound of water droplets hitting the cave floor. The group's footsteps slowed, as their eyes widened in unison as a breathtaking waterfall cascaded into a crystal-clear lake.
"Whoa!" Zarek and Grey exclaimed simultaneously.
Cynthia's voice was filled with wonder. "That's beautiful."
The two men rushed to the lake's edge, cupping their hands to drink from the refreshing waters. Grey lifted his head, smiling. "It's unusual for a dungeon to have a sanctuary like this."
Zarek gazed into the lake, mesmerized by the azure hue. "And the water's remarkably clean."
Zarek suggested, "Why don't we take a break here before moving on?"
Grey's response was laced with amusement. "Sounds great."
Cynthia's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm.
Seeking serenity, Zarek settled onto a flat rock, its surface polished smooth.Zarek closed his eyes, focusing inward. "The air is thick with mana, even denser than Yuki Mountain. If I absorb it here, Maybe I can improve how much mana i can absorb."
Grey watched, curiosity etched on his face. "What's he doing?"
Cynthia replied cheerfully, "I'm not sure, but Zarek said he'd rest there."
Grey chuckled. "You should rest too, Cynthia. You look exhausted after healing us both from the brink of death. You deserve it."
Cynthia smiled, her eyes drooping. "I'll just rest for a bit ." She settled against a nearby rock, as she drifted into sleep.
Grey gazed at Cynthia, her peaceful face captivating him. "She looks adorable when she sleeps,"his mind racing. Her blue hair cascaded down, framing her serene features. Her gentle breaths mesmerized him, as he couldn't help but blush.
Zarek rose to his feet, his eyes shining with accomplishment. "Yes, I did it. Even if it's little, I managed to absorb mana around a little more."
He stood up from the rock, unleashing his dual blades to examine their state after the devastating battle. The swords showed numerous scratches and minute cracks.
"I'm surprised these swords withstood that battle. Thank you, Roland-san," he muttered to himself, recalling his trusted weapon dealer Roland from the bar.
Cynthia and Grey approached, ready to proceed. "It appears you're done with whatever you've been doing," Grey said.
Zarek nodded. "Yeah, how long did it take?"
"About two hours."
Grey's eyes widened. "What? I'm sorry it took long."
"Don't worry, we've got plenty of rest," Grey reassured.
Just then, Hound's enthusiastic bark filled the air. "Baw!"
"While you were away, Hound found a way!" Hound exclaimed, darting towards the waterfall and disappearing behind its cascading veil.
The group followed his trail, their footsteps echoing off the rocks. Behind the waterfall, a hidden tunnel revealed itself.
Zarek's voice filled with awe. "Wow, who would've thought there would be a passage behind this?"
Grey grinned, showing thumbs up with one eye winked. "Isn't my beast amazing?"
As they traversed the damp tunnel, their footsteps echoed off the ground, accompanied by the steady drip of water from the ceiling.
"Cynthia, how about you join our party?" Zarek suggested, his voice sudden and inviting.
Cynthia's eyes widened, caught off guard. "You're not a member of the Terra Guild anymore, you're free now," Zarek explained. "Although, I can't say we're much of a party – just me and my captain. But he's extremely strong."
Zarek's gaze shifted to Grey. "And you, Wolfboy, want to join our party? I don't see a guild emblem on you."
Grey's voice lingered with annoyance before he regained composure. "It's Grey, not Wolfboy. Thank you for offering, Zarek, but I think I'll be better on my own."
Cynthia hesitated, weighing her options. "I'll think about it, Zarek. It's a huge decision."
Zarek nodded, grinning. "No rush. Take your time."
****
The frozen corpse shattered into a thousand glittering fragments, raining down around them. When the icy shards settled, only the core remained, exposed and vulnerable.
"Eva-sama, you took down that beast with a single shot!" Maria exclaimed, awe echoing in her voice.
Eva's gaze remained steady. "It appears that monster was an A-rank boss. Its abilities and strength were unlike any typical dungeon creature."
Maria nodded, her eyes wide with respect.
Eva's voice remained calm. "Let's move forward. I hope our fellow hunters are faring well."
As they ventured deeper, the tunnel opened up to a radiant landscape. The walls, polished to a mirror finish, reflected the light, bathing the area in an ethereal glow.
Before them stood a lone figure: a knight clad in black armor, sword grasped firmly in both hands, resting on the ground. The knight's stance was eerily still, like a statue or a corpse.
"Maria, be on your guard," Eva warned, her voice low and urgent.
Maria's gaze snapped to Eva, sensing the shift in her tone. "Yeah, Eva-sama," she replied, tightening her grip on her spear. The dual axe-like features gleamed menacingly in the dim light.
"This must be the dungeon's boss," Eva said, her voice steady despite the tension. "I can feel its power. It's stronger than me."
Maria's eyes widened, but she swiftly composed herself. A solitary drop of sweat trickled down her face as she focused on the threat.
The knight's helmet suddenly flared with a blue glow, its empty gaps igniting with an otherworldly consciousness.
Eva swiftly nocked an arrow and released it. The projectile hurtled toward the knight with deadly precision, but it deflected the arrow with its sword. The arrow changed trajectory, striking the ground with a loud impact, sending shards of stone flying.
"Eva-sama!" Maria charged forward with incredible speed, but the knight swiftly intercepted her. Lightning crackled around its feet as it launched a lightning-fast attack.
Maria barely parried the strike with her spear, the impact sending shockwaves through her arm. The axe-head developed a small crack. The knight countered with crushing force, sending Maria flying across the room.
She swiftly regained her footing, using her spear to brake her fall. Her eyes locked onto the knight, burning with determination.
Eva and Maria now flanked the knight, positioning themselves for a pincer attack.