Chapter 494: The First Trial

The enormous stone gate closed behind the six companions with a thunderous rumble, sealing the entrance to the battlefield and leaving them surrounded by towering rock formations illuminated by crimson crystals.

Sage surveyed their surroundings with growing interest. The arena was considerably larger than it had appeared from the entrance, stretching several hundred meters in every direction.

Jagged pillars rose from the cracked ground, creating narrow passages between them, while an enormous circular platform occupied the battlefield’s center.

Dozens of dark figures stood motionless around the platform, their silhouettes resembling armored warriors.

Then the first creature moved.

Its head rose slowly, revealing a grotesque face beneath a thick covering of black scales. The monster stood nearly three meters tall, with powerful arms ending in curved claws and a long, muscular tail dragging behind it. Jagged bone plates protected its shoulders and chest, while two crimson eyes glowed beneath its protruding brow.

The remaining creatures began moving as well.

"Those certainly aren’t ordinary monsters," Lucan remarked, tightening his grip on his weapon as more creatures emerged from behind the stone formations.

Leon studied their movements before drawing his sword. "They’re organized. Look at how they’re positioning themselves. The ones in front are advancing slowly, while the others are spreading toward our flanks."

Rowan immediately examined the battlefield. "They’re trying to surround us. There are at least twenty, possibly more behind those pillars."

Mina’s eyes brightened as golden mana began gathering around her body. "Finally! Something worth fighting! Uncle Sage, these look much stronger than the monsters we encountered earlier!"

Sage examined the creatures carefully. Their mana fluctuations were noticeably stronger than those of the Guard-Class monsters they had defeated in the dungeon’s initial region. More importantly, their movements suggested a degree of coordination uncommon among weaker dungeon inhabitants.

"Elite-Class," Sage concluded, recalling the classification standards he had established in the Adventurer Guide Book. "Judging by their mana and physical characteristics, these creatures should fall within the Elite-Class category."

Leon nodded in agreement. "That seems accurate. Their individual strength isn’t particularly impressive, but their numbers and coordination could be troublesome for ordinary Adventurers."

Sage glanced toward the knight with a faint smile. "Fortunately, we brought someone who considers Elite-Class monsters an inconvenience rather than a threat."

Leon chuckled. "I’ll handle anything that gets too close, Guildmaster. But perhaps we should allow the others some experience."

"An excellent suggestion," Sage replied, turning toward Mina. "Especially since someone has been complaining about the lack of excitement."

Mina grinned before stepping forward. "Leave them to me, Uncle Sage!"

Before Sage could respond, the nearest monster released a guttural roar.

The creatures charged.

Mina immediately rushed forward, golden mana surging through her limbs as she accelerated toward the closest enemy. Her sword flashed through the crimson light, striking the monster’s armored chest with enough force to shatter several bone plates.

The creature staggered backward, but Mina didn’t allow it to recover.

She twisted her body and delivered another slash across its exposed neck, sending the massive monster crashing onto the battlefield.

"One!" Mina exclaimed triumphantly, turning toward another approaching enemy.

Leon watched her movements with approval. "Her swordsmanship has improved considerably. Her mana reinforcement is becoming more efficient, and she’s wasting less strength between attacks."

"She has certainly improved," Sage agreed, although his expression remained thoughtful. "But she still has a rather unfortunate habit of forgetting that enemies occasionally have friends."

Almost immediately, three monsters moved toward Mina from different directions.

She noticed the first two and adjusted her stance, blocking one creature’s claws before slipping beneath the other’s attack. However, the third monster remained behind a stone pillar, waiting until her attention shifted.

Rowan spotted the movement.

"Mina, behind you!" he shouted, pointing toward the concealed creature.

Mina turned, but the monster was already lunging toward her exposed side.

Before its claws could reach her, a silver flash crossed the battlefield.

The creature’s upper body separated cleanly from its lower half.

Leon lowered his sword, having crossed the distance with such effortless speed that Mina barely registered his movement.

"Don’t lose sight of your surroundings," Leon instructed calmly. "Defeating one enemy means nothing if another strikes you while you’re celebrating."

Mina glanced at the fallen monster before nodding. "Understood, Captain Leon. I didn’t notice that one."

"Then remember it," Leon replied, offering her an encouraging smile. "Your strength is more than sufficient to defeat these creatures individually. What you need to improve is your awareness."

Meanwhile, the remaining monsters continued advancing.

Rather than charging recklessly, they divided into several groups, using the surrounding pillars to conceal their movements. Some deliberately approached the frontline while others attempted to circle toward Iris and Rowan.

Lucan immediately moved to intercept them.

"Guildmaster, they’re targeting our rear!" he warned, positioning himself between Iris and two approaching monsters.

Sage raised his hand, gathering Earth Mana beneath the creatures’ feet. The ground suddenly erupted into jagged stone barriers, disrupting their advance and forcing them into a narrow passage.

"Lucan, hold that position," Sage instructed. "Iris, prevent them from spreading out. Rowan, watch the other passages."

Iris responded immediately, extending her hand toward the approaching monsters. A powerful stream of water surged across the battlefield, striking their legs and throwing several off balance. Before they could recover, she manipulated the surrounding earth to raise a low barrier across their escape route.

Lucan advanced and struck the nearest creature, forcing it backward into the obstruction.

The monster attempted to retaliate, but Lucan shifted his stance and drove his weapon into the exposed gap beneath its shoulder armor.

It collapsed with a furious roar.

Rowan continued watching the battlefield rather than joining the fighting directly. After observing several exchanges, he noticed something unusual about the monsters’ movements.

"Guildmaster, they’re responding to signals!" Rowan announced. "Whenever the larger creatures roar, the others change positions. They’re coordinating their attacks!"

Sage turned toward the central platform, where three particularly large monsters remained behind the advancing groups.

"So that’s how they’re organizing themselves," Sage murmured. "They’re using those creatures to direct the others."

Leon glanced toward the platform. "Shall I eliminate them?"

Sage considered the battlefield before shaking his head. "Not yet. Let’s see whether our younger companions can handle the situation. You can intervene if anything becomes dangerous."

Leon smiled faintly and returned his attention to the fighting.

Mina had already defeated another monster, but she was beginning to understand that charging ahead wasn’t the most effective approach. Every time she pursued an enemy, others attempted to exploit the opening she left behind.

She glanced toward Lucan, who was maintaining his position despite facing several creatures.

Then she looked toward Iris and Rowan.

For the first time since entering the arena, Mina deliberately withdrew instead of pursuing another wounded enemy.

"Uncle Sage, I’m coming back!" she called, retreating toward the group while keeping her sword raised.

Sage smiled approvingly. "A wise decision. I was beginning to wonder whether we’d need to attach a rope to your waist."

Mina frowned as she returned to their formation. "You don’t have to make fun of me every time!"

"Of course not," Sage replied innocently. "Only when the opportunity is particularly irresistible."

Despite her annoyance, Mina positioned herself beside Lucan and prepared to intercept the approaching monsters.

Leon observed her adjustment with satisfaction. "Good. Now remember that fighting together doesn’t mean everyone attacks the same enemy. It means each person protects the others while creating opportunities."

Mina nodded seriously. "I’ll remember, Captain Leon."

With their formation restored, the battle quickly began shifting in their favor.

Rowan continued identifying the monsters’ movements, warning the others whenever a group attempted to circle behind them. Iris used her magic to restrict the creatures’ mobility, while Lucan prevented any enemy from breaking through their defensive line.

Mina concentrated on protecting the formation instead of pursuing individual kills.

Whenever a monster approached Lucan’s exposed side, she intercepted it with a powerful strike. When another attempted to reach Iris, Mina immediately changed position and forced it backward.

Her golden mana flowed smoothly through her body, reinforcing her movements without the excessive expenditure she had displayed earlier.

Sage watched her progress with considerable satisfaction.

She’s learning.

At eleven years old, Mina had already reached the strength of a 4-Star Master Knight, an achievement that would astonish countless Warriors throughout the Kingdom. However, possessing extraordinary talent didn’t automatically grant battlefield experience.

That was something she needed to develop through actual combat.

"Rowan, what about those larger creatures?" Sage asked, glancing toward the central platform.

Rowan studied their movements before answering. "They’re directing the others, Guildmaster. If we eliminate them, the remaining monsters should lose their coordination."

Sage nodded. "Then let’s finish this."

He raised his hand, causing several enormous stone pillars to erupt from the ground around the central platform. The sudden obstruction separated the three larger monsters from their followers, disrupting their ability to direct the battlefield.

"Iris, restrict their movements!" Sage instructed.

Iris immediately responded, sending streams of water across the platform before raising additional stone barriers around the creatures.

"Mina, Lucan, advance together!" Sage commanded.

The two moved forward simultaneously.

Lucan intercepted the first monster, drawing its attention with a series of controlled strikes. Mina slipped around its exposed side and delivered a powerful slash across its neck, bringing it down.

The second creature attempted to retreat, but Iris’s magic restricted its movement long enough for Mina to close the distance.

Golden mana flashed across her blade.

The monster collapsed.

The final creature released a furious roar and charged toward them, only for Leon to step forward and casually swing his sword.

A single silver arc passed through its body.

The massive creature was cleanly dismembered before it could take another step.

Leon lowered his weapon without appearing remotely exhausted.

"That should settle things," he remarked.

Without their leaders, the remaining monsters lost their coordination. Some charged recklessly, while others attempted to retreat between the stone pillars.

The expedition eliminated them without difficulty.

Several minutes later, the battlefield finally fell silent.

Mina lowered her sword and released a long breath. Although she hadn’t suffered any serious injuries, the prolonged fighting had left her noticeably more tired than Leon.

"That was harder than I expected," she admitted, looking toward the fallen monsters.

Leon approached her and nodded approvingly. "You performed well, Mina. More importantly, you corrected your mistake during the battle. Remember what you learned today."

Mina smiled. "I will, Captain Leon."

Sage stepped beside them, surveying the battlefield. "Excellent work, everyone. And Mina, congratulations on discovering that teamwork is occasionally more useful than trying to fight an entire army by yourself."

Mina puffed out her cheeks. "Petty Uncle Sage!"

Before Sage could respond, a deep rumbling echoed throughout the arena.

The crimson crystals embedded in the surrounding walls began glowing brighter, while golden runes appeared across the enormous stone gate opposite their entrance.

A familiar notification appeared before Sage’s eyes.

[Ding!]

[First Trial Completed!]

[Trials Completed: 1/5]

[Second Trial Unlocked!]

The enormous gate slowly opened, revealing a passage leading into dense darkness.

Unlike the battlefield they had just cleared, the passage beyond was filled with strange vegetation and the distant cries of unseen creatures.

Rowan approached the entrance and immediately frowned.

"Guildmaster, I don’t think the next trial is another battlefield," he observed.

Sage looked toward the unfamiliar wilderness beyond the gate.

"Well," he remarked, "that would have been far too convenient."

The second trial awaited them.