The creature lunged, unnaturally fast, its wings spread wide as it closed in on Asta. He dodged the razor-sharp claws by a hair and countered with a wide swing of his anti-magic blade. The sword cleaved into the beast's torso, black tar-like blood spraying from the wound. Yet, the creature barely flinched. Its body pulsed, absorbing the surrounding mana to heal itself.
"Damn it," Asta growled, frustration etched on his face. "It's regenerating faster than I can cut it!"
"Then stop cutting and kill it already!" Klaus snapped, summoning a barrier of spinning steel as another creature lunged toward Mimosa.
"What do you think i'm trying to do!" Asta retorted, leaping back to avoid the beast's second swipe.
Behind him, Mimosa created a flurry of vines that wrapped tightly around the creature's legs, slowing it down. "Asta,Klaus, they're tracking you through both mana and sound!"
Asta charged again, this time using the distraction from Mimosa's magic. He leapt into the air and brought his sword down with all his strength. The blade severed the creature's head clean off.
It let out a guttural screech before its body collapsed into a puddle of black, tar-like goo that hissed as it dissolved into the cavern floor.
"One down," Asta said, as he turned toward the others.
"There's more coming." Mimosa said nervously, her green eyes darting toward the distant echoes of more screeches.
Meanwhile, Yuno, Noelle, and Luck were fighting their own battle. Three of the creatures surrounded them, circling like vultures, their eyeless faces twitching toward the smallest movements.
"These things are a pain," Noelle muttered, summoning a swirling shield of water around her. "They're relentless!"
"Not just relentless," Yuno said, his tone calm but serious as he floated just above the creatures. "They're absorbing mana from the air." He waved his hand, and a powerful gust of wind slammed one of the creatures into the cavern wall. "We can't let them keep feeding."
Luck darted ahead with a manic grin, his body crackling with lightning. "Then let's
slaughter them all!"
"Luck, wait—" Noelle started, but he was already too far gone.
The creatures immediately locked onto the sudden burst of mana, lunging toward him. Luck sidestepped one and landed a charged punch to another's head, but the impact barely phased it.
"Stop playing around and think!" Yuno called out, summoning another gust of wind to push the creatures back. "They're drawn to mana. You're just making it worse."
"Hey, I'm just trying to have some fun!" Luck said, laughing as he dodged another attack.
Noelle groaned, holding her shield steady as she aimed a blast of water at the nearest creature.
It wasn't long before the groups converged in the central cavern, the screeches of the creatures growing louder around them. Asta, Klaus, and Mimosa arrived first, their breaths heavy as they scanned the area.
"Looks like you're still alive," Asta said as Yuno's group appeared from the opposite tunnel.
"Barely," Yuno replied, glancing at the others. "You ran into them too, I take it?"
"What gave it away? The sweat, the injuries, or the black goo?" Klaus quipped.
"Can we skip the jokes?" Noelle cut in, her tone sharp. " Those things are everywhere and we need a plan, stat."
"And because they're drawn to magic," Mimosa said. "The more we use, the more of them will come. We'll be overwhelmed if we're not careful."
"Then what do you suggest?" Klaus asked.
Before anyone could argue, a deafening screech filled the cavern as a swarm of creatures descended from the shadows above.
The combined team fought with everything they had. Yuno unleashed gale-force winds, slowing the creatures' approach and scattering them across the cavern. Asta charged headlong into the swarm, his anti-magic blade cleaving through their defenses.
Noelle summoned a torrent of water, washing away clusters of the creatures and carving out a safe zone for Mimosa to heal the injured. Klaus reinforced their defenses with rotating steel barriers, while Luck darted through the chaos, landing precise strikes on the creatures' weakest points.
Even with their combined strength, the creatures' numbers seemed endless. It wasn't until a lull in the battle that the group spotted something strange: an ancient hieroglyph carved into the cavern wall.
Mimosa illuminated the markings with her magic, revealing a series of figures transforming into monstrous, bat-like creatures.
"These must be the result of some kind of forbidden magic," Mimosa said, her voice tinged with horror. "This place is older and more dangerous than we thought."
Noelle frowned, brushing a strand of silver hair from her face. "So what do we do now? Keep fighting until we're all dead?"
"We split up," Asta said firmly.
"That's a terrible idea," Klaus replied immediately.
"We don't have a choice," Asta shot back. "If we stick together, we'll attract another swarm. Smaller groups will make less noise and move faster."
Reluctantly, the teams divided. Asta and Yuno went North, Klaus and Noelle West, and Luck and Mimosa East.
East
The twisting corridors of the labyrinth seemed endless, illuminated only by faintly glowing symbols carved into the walls. Each twist and turn seemed designed to confuse and disorient intruders. Mimosa, with her magical map spell, diligently marked their path while Luck darted ahead, his lightning crackling faintly in the dark.
"This place is incredible!" Luck exclaimed, his grin stretching wide. "I can feel so much energy all around. It's like the dungeon itself is alive!"
"Maybe don't touch anything," Mimosa replied, her voice tinged with exasperation. "We don't know what these symbols mean, and you've already triggered one collapse."
Luck stopped and tilted his head, looking at the glowing runes on the wall. "What if it's a challenge? Maybe the dungeon's testing us to see if we're worthy!"
"Or it's a trap to kill us all," Mimosa muttered, carefully avoiding a suspicious-looking tile. "Focus, Luck. If we don't get out of this maze soon, we'll never regroup with the others."
Luck's grin didn't falter, but his tone softened slightly. "Don't worry, Mimosa. If anything dangerous shows up, I'll protect you. I promise!"—until a distant, guttural screech echoed through the maze, reminding them they weren't alone.
West
Klaus and Noelle moved cautiously through the dimly lit corridor, their steps echoing softly against the smooth stone. The air grew heavier with each step, a faint, acrid stench wafting toward them.
"I don't like this," Noelle muttered, her grip tightening on her wand.
Klaus held up a finger, signaling her to shut up. " Look ahead."
The corridor opened up into a massive cavern, its sheer size taking them both by surprise. The space was eerily silent, save for the occasional drip of water from stalactites above. Bioluminescent fungi cast a faint, sickly green light, illuminating rows upon rows of large, cocoon-like structures lining the walls and ceiling.
Noelle's breath hitched. "Are those…?"
"Yes," Klaus whispered, his voice grim. "This must be their hive."
Each cocoon pulsed faintly, as if alive, their surfaces covered in web-like veins that glowed faintly with mana. A few of the creatures were visible, curled up inside, their grotesque forms dormant but twitching as if on the edge of waking. The ground was littered with remnants of past battles—broken weapons, charred bones, and fragments of crystal-like stone that gleamed faintly in the dim light.
"If even one of them wakes up—"Noelle said, her voice low but urgent.
"I know," Klaus interrupted, his face pale but resolute. "We need to leave. Now."
As they turned to retreat, the faint sound of shifting stone made them freeze in place. Klaus's eyes darted toward the edge of the cavern, where one of the larger cocoons began to crack open.
"Move," he hissed, his voice barely audible.
Noelle nodded, her heart pounding as they backed away slowly. Each step felt like an eternity, their breaths shallow to avoid making noise. The cavern seemed to hold its breath with them, the oppressive silence amplifying every tiny sound.
Just as they reached the corridor, a guttural growl echoed from behind. One of the creatures stirred, its eyeless head lifting as it sniffed the air.
Noelle's water magic swirled around her instinctively, but Klaus raised a hand to stop her. "No spells. It'll sense the mana. Just go!"
Without another word, they broke into a silent sprint, the faint sound of claws scraping against stone growing louder behind them.
North
Asta and Yuno stood at yet another fork in the dungeon. The cavernous paths stretched in opposite directions, shrouded in darkness and mana-saturated air.
"This is the fourth split off " Asta complained, "Oh well, we'll just settle this with a quick game of rock,paper,scissors. "
" What are we children" Yuno said with a scoff
Asta smirked.
"Don't tell me you're afraid to lose in a child's game."
And just like that Asta got Yuno's competitive spirit flaring. "You know it's fine let's do it ."
They both readied their hands, the air between them thick with tension.
"Rock! Paper! Scissors!"
Asta threw scissors. Yuno, rock.
"Ha! Guess I'm going left," Yuno said, already turning toward his path.
"Wait, no fair! Best two out of three!" Asta protested, but Yuno was already walking away.
The tunnel Asta took opened into a vast cavern illuminated by glowing fungi clinging to the jagged walls. In the center of the space, chaos reigned. Mars and his Diamond Kingdom soldiers were surrounded by a horde of mana-feeding creatures, their numbers overwhelming. The beasts lunged at the soldiers, feeding off their spells and regenerating faster than they could be injured.
Mars, at the center, fought valiantly with his crystal magic, forming lances and barriers to protect his team. But even his immense power was dwindling under the constant assault.
"Hold the line!" Mars shouted, his voice hoarse. "Don't let them break through!"
Asta's eyes darted to the treasure piled near the cavern's edge: ornate chests, magical trinkets, and amidst it all, a sword embedded in the ground. Its dark blade pulsed with a foreboding energy that called to him.
" Finally the Demon Dweller" Asta muttered.
His thoughts were interrupted by a soldier's scream as one of the creatures broke through their defenses. Without hesitation, Asta charged forward, his anti-magic blade slashing clean through the beast.
Mars looked up, shock flickering across his face. "Wh–Who the hell are you!?!"
"Me,I'm the one that's going to be helping your sorry ass!" Asta shouted, slicing another creature in two.
Working together, Asta and Mars began to turn the tide. Mars used his crystal barriers to herd the creatures into clusters, while Asta's anti-magic blade cut through them with precision. As the last of the monsters fell, the cavern fell eerily silent.
Mars slumped against a rock, breathing heavily. "Why… Why did you help us? We're enemies."
Asta sheathed his blade and grinned. "Enemies or not, you looked like you needed help. And besides, If we're going to make it out of here we all need to work together."
Mars stared at him, conflicted. "You're strange, Clover boy."
Asta turned toward the treasure, his eyes landing on the Demon-Dweller Sword. He pulled it free from the ground, feeling its dark energy course through him. As he grabbed a few additional trinkets and coins, he glanced back at Mars.
"You're not going to grab some loot ?" Asta asked.
Mars shook his head, his gaze softening slightly. "Nah,You keep it."
Meanwhile..
Yuno moved cautiously through the quiet corridor, his wind magic swirling faintly around him, his senses sharp and alert. The silence was oppressive, broken only by the occasional distant echo of battle. As he stepped forward, the air grew heavier, the mana in the atmosphere becoming nearly suffocating. He turned a corner and froze.
Before him was a chamber bathed in an ethereal glow. At its center stood an ornate coffin, its surface covered in ancient runes pulsating with rhythmic bursts of mana. The runes were intricate, layered with a complexity that spoke of ancient knowledge long since forgotten. Yuno's sharp eyes immediately fixed on the figure inside the coffin—a young woman with delicate, unmistakably elven features. Her silver hair shimmered like moonlight, cascading around her face, and her closed eyes fluttered as though caught in the throes of a dream.
Yuno took a hesitant step forward, his breath catching. "An elf…" he whispered, his voice barely audible.
The figure stirred slightly, her lips parting as though she could sense his presence. A soft whisper escaped her, faint yet pleading. "Please… help me…"
Yuno stopped, his heart pounding. The energy emanating from the runes was ancient, powerful, and protective—designed not just to seal, but to imprison. His instincts warned him against interfering, but the desperation in her voice cut through his hesitation.
He approached the coffin, inspecting the runes closely. Each layer seemed to hum with its own frequency, a barrier meant to keep her locked away for eternity. Still, something about her presence felt familiar, almost comforting, despite the ominous circumstances.
"I don't know who you are," Yuno murmured, "but if you've been sealed here, there has to be a reason."
The woman stirred again, her voice trembling. "Please… I've been here for so long. I… I don't even remember how much time has passed."
Yuno exhaled deeply, his wind magic swirling protectively around him. "Alright. I'll help you. But if this is some kind of trap…" He shook his head, leaving the thought unfinished.
Focusing his mana, Yuno carefully began unraveling the runes. Each layer resisted, sparking with energy as it was dismantled. The process was painstaking, requiring precision and patience. As the final rune shattered, the coffin opened with a faint hiss, releasing a rush of cool air laced with mana.
The elf's golden eyes fluttered open, locking onto his. She gasped softly, her body tensing as though ready to defend herself. "Who… are you?"
Yuno stepped back slightly, raising his hands in a gesture of peace. "I'm Yuno. I'm here to help. Are you… alright?"
She sat up slowly, her movements tentative, as though her body were unused to motion. Her gaze remained fixed on him, a mixture of wariness and curiosity. "Yuno… That name… and your mana… You remind me of someone."
"Who?" Yuno asked, his voice calm.
Her expression softened, and a hint of sorrow flickered in her eyes. "The First Wizard King. He… he was a friend to my people. To my brother."
Yuno's breath caught. "Your brother…?"
She nodded, her hands gripping the edge of the coffin as she steadied herself. "My name is Ryuu. I was sealed here during the betrayal… when the humans attacked us. My brother, Licht, and the others used forbidden magic to ensure the survival of our legacy. This dungeon… it's a breeding ground for the creatures. They were meant to protect our kingdom from future invaders, but something went wrong. Their growth spiraled out of control, feeding off the dungeon's mana."
Yuno's brows furrowed as he listened, piecing together her words. "You've been here all this time, trapped because of what happened?"
Ryuu looked away, her voice trembling. "I was… the youngest. My brother couldn't bear to let me fight. He sealed me away to keep me safe, but… I've been alone. For so long."
Yuno's heart ached at her words, but he kept his tone steady. "You don't have to stay here anymore. Come with me. I'll protect you."
Her golden eyes studied him intently, searching for any trace of deceit. "Why would you do that? You're human. Humans destroyed us."
"I'm not like them," Yuno said firmly. "I don't know what happened back then, but I know what I believe in now. If you trust me, I'll make sure you're safe."
Ryuu hesitated, the centuries of pain and betrayal weighing heavily on her. But something in Yuno's voice—his unwavering conviction—struck a chord. "If you mean what you say… I'll go with you."
She stood shakily, her mana flaring briefly before stabilizing. With a soft incantation, her elven features shifted, her golden eyes dulling slightly as she concealed her heritage. Her silver hair dimmed to a pale blonde, blending in with her new disguise.
"No one can know who I am," she said quietly. "If they discover the truth, they'll hunt me."
Yuno nodded, his expression resolute. "Your secret is safe with me."
As Asta and Yuno's paths converged, their groups slowed to a cautious halt. Asta's eyes flicked to the unfamiliar girl trailing behind his brother .
"So, uh… who's your new friend?" Asta asked, tilting his head toward the girl.
Yuno crossed his arms, raising an eyebrow. "I could ask you the same thing. Last I checked, we don't know anyone from the Diamond Kingdom."
Asta gestured toward Mars. "Okay, so ,This guy and his team were getting wrecked by those mana monsters—like, getting their asses handed to them. They didn't stand a chance. He's the only one left of his team, plus, I figured teaming up was smarter than letting him get killed."
Mars nodded stiffly, clearly uncomfortable but grateful. "Survival makes for strange alliances."
Yuno gave a skeptical nod before gesturing to the girl behind him. "Her story's a bit more complicated. I found her trapped in some kind of sealed coffin. From what I gathered, those creatures kidnapped her and were planning to… I don't know, use her for something. She's powerful, but she was in trouble, so I helped her out."
The elf shot him a subtle look but stayed silent, keeping her hood low.
Asta scratched the back of his head, his grin faltering for a moment. "Alright, I guess that makes sense. So… i guess we're both just picking up strays, huh?"
"Seems like it." Yuno said dryly. "
Before the mama can get any more awkward.
"Let's head back to the main path and find the others. They're probably wondering what's taking us so long."
The group set off together, the tension easing slightly as they moved with a shared purpose.