Chapter 496: The Grandmaster’s Sword

The oppressive mana radiating from the fourth gate grew stronger as the six companions approached, causing even the surrounding stone walls to tremble faintly.

Unlike the previous trials, where the dangers had remained concealed until they entered, this place made absolutely no attempt to disguise the powerful creature waiting beyond.

Sage examined the enormous gate before turning toward his companions. "Well, whoever designed these trials has apparently decided that we’ve enjoyed ourselves long enough. Everyone, make sure your equipment is ready. I suspect our next opponent won’t be particularly welcoming."

Leon stepped forward, his expression remaining composed despite the pressure. "There’s a powerful presence beyond that gate, Guildmaster. Considerably stronger than the Elite-Class monsters we’ve encountered. Everyone should remain behind me until we understand what we’re facing."

Mina tightened her grip on her sword, golden mana flickering briefly around her fingers. "Captain Leon, do you think it’s a Lord-Class monster?"

"Possibly," Leon answered, studying the entrance. "But we shouldn’t judge its strength solely by the mana it’s releasing. Some dungeon monsters possess abilities that make them far more dangerous than their apparent strength suggests."

With their formation established, the expedition advanced through the gate.

An enormous circular battlefield stretched before them, surrounded by towering stone walls covered in ancient carvings. Massive chains hung from the ceiling, while dozens of broken weapons lay scattered across the cracked ground. At the arena’s center stood a gigantic armored figure, easily twice the height of an ordinary man.

Its body was covered in dark metallic plates, and four enormous arms extended from its shoulders. Each hand gripped a different weapon: a greatsword, a battle axe, a spear, and a heavy shield. Crimson light burned behind the narrow openings of its helmet.

The creature remained motionless until the final member of the expedition entered.

BOOM!

The gate slammed shut.

The armored giant slowly raised its head.

"That’s certainly an impressive collection of weapons," Sage remarked, examining the creature. "Although I question the practicality of carrying four at once."

Lucan stared at the towering monster. "Guildmaster, I don’t think practicality is our greatest concern."

Leon studied the creature carefully before drawing his sword. "Commander-Class at the very least. Its mana is considerably denser than anything we’ve encountered in the previous trials."

As the giant took its first step, golden runes illuminated across its armor.

Iris immediately noticed the unusual formations. "Captain Leon, those markings are reacting to the mana around it. Its armor appears to be reinforced by the arena itself."

"Then we’ll have to break through that reinforcement," Leon replied, stepping ahead of the others.

The giant released a deafening roar and charged.

BOOM!

Its enormous axe struck the ground where Leon had stood moments earlier, shattering the stone and sending fragments flying across the battlefield. Leon avoided the attack effortlessly, his body becoming a silver blur as he closed the distance.

His sword flashed.

CLANG!

The blade struck the giant’s chest, producing a shower of sparks. A deep crack appeared across the metallic armor, but before Leon could deliver another strike, golden light spread through the damaged section.

The crack disappeared.

Leon retreated several paces as the creature swung its greatsword toward him.

WHOOSH!

The enormous weapon passed through empty air.

"Regenerating armor," Leon observed, his expression sharpening with interest. "That’s troublesome."

Sage narrowed his eyes. The monster’s raw strength wasn’t particularly concerning compared to Leon’s abilities, but its defensive enchantments were another matter entirely.

So that’s the fourth trial’s challenge.

The giant attacked again, swinging its weapons in rapid succession. Leon moved between the strikes with astonishing precision, avoiding the axe by a narrow margin before deflecting the spear with his sword.

His movements were almost effortless.

Mina watched in amazement.

Although she had witnessed Leon fight before, this was the first time she had seen him demonstrate such refined control against an opponent possessing multiple weapons.

"Look carefully, Mina," Sage instructed, noticing her expression. "Captain Leon isn’t simply moving faster than the monster. He’s predicting where its attacks will land before they begin."

Mina nodded, studying Leon’s footwork. "He’s barely moving at all. Every step puts him exactly where the weapons can’t reach."

"That’s experience," Sage replied. "Something even your ridiculous talent can’t replace overnight."

Meanwhile, Leon increased his speed.

A brilliant silver aura erupted around his body as his mana reinforcement intensified. The stone beneath his feet cracked, and his sword became a streak of light.

SWISH!

One of the giant’s arms separated from its shoulder.

Before the severed limb struck the ground, Leon appeared behind the creature and delivered another devastating slash.

BANG!

The giant staggered as its armored back split open.

However, golden runes immediately illuminated across the battlefield.

The severed arm dissolved into particles of light before reforming at the creature’s shoulder. Its damaged armor restored itself moments later.

Leon landed several meters away, his expression finally becoming serious.

"Interesting," he murmured. "It isn’t merely healing. The arena is restoring its body."

Iris examined the glowing runes along the surrounding walls. "Guildmaster, I think the creature is connected to several magical formations. Whenever Captain Leon damages it, mana flows from the walls into its armor."

Sage immediately turned toward Rowan. "Can you identify where those formations connect?"

Rowan had already begun studying the arena. His eyes moved between the surrounding pillars and the creature’s movements.

"Possibly," Rowan replied. "But there’s something else. Every time it attacks, the runes beneath its feet illuminate before the weapons move. The formations might be directing its movements as well."

Sage considered the information before smiling faintly. "Then perhaps we should stop fighting the monster on its own terms."

He raised his hand, causing several enormous stone pillars to erupt from the ground around the giant.

RUMBLE!

The sudden obstruction forced the creature to halt its advance.

"Leon, keep its attention!" Sage instructed. "Iris, examine the formations. Rowan, find their connection points. Lucan and Mina, protect them."

Leon immediately charged forward, his silver aura blazing as he intercepted the giant’s next attack.

CLANG! CLANG!

His sword struck the creature’s weapons in rapid succession, each collision producing a deafening metallic explosion.

The giant possessed four arms, but Leon’s movements were so precise that none of its attacks could reach him.

Meanwhile, Iris approached one of the surrounding pillars and placed her palm against its surface.

"The mana is flowing through these carvings," she announced. "There are four main channels connecting the arena to the creature."

Rowan examined the surrounding floor before pointing toward several partially concealed symbols. "And those channels converge beneath the central platform. If we interrupt them simultaneously, the creature might lose its ability to regenerate."

Sage nodded. "Excellent. Iris, prepare to disrupt the mana flow. I’ll handle the surrounding formations."

He extended both hands.

Earth Mana surged beneath the battlefield, causing massive sections of stone to rise around the four pillars. At the same time, Sage summoned powerful gusts of wind to scatter the dust obscuring the carvings.

Iris immediately manipulated the moisture gathering along the exposed channels, sending streams of water into the ancient formations.

The runes flickered.

The giant suddenly roared, abandoning its attack on Leon and turning toward Iris.

"Not so fast!" Mina shouted, golden mana erupting around her body as she charged forward.

Her sword struck the creature’s exposed knee.

BANG!

The impact forced the enormous monster to stumble, giving Lucan enough time to intercept its descending spear.

Although he couldn’t withstand the creature’s full strength, Lucan redirected the weapon just enough to prevent it from reaching Iris.

"Keep moving!" Lucan warned, retreating before the giant could strike again.

Mina immediately followed with another attack, targeting the same damaged joint.

Leon appeared beside her and effortlessly severed the giant’s spear-wielding arm.

"Good timing, Mina," Leon praised, watching the creature stagger. "Now withdraw before it recovers."

Mina obeyed without hesitation.

Sage smiled approvingly. The girl was finally learning to create opportunities for her companions rather than attempting to defeat every enemy herself.

"Iris, now!" Sage commanded.

Iris released a concentrated surge of mana into the disrupted channels.

CRACK!

The first formation shattered.

Sage immediately crushed the second beneath an enormous stone pillar, while Iris redirected the remaining mana currents away from the central platform.

The third and fourth formations flickered violently before collapsing.

BOOOOM!

A tremendous explosion shook the arena.

The golden runes covering the giant’s armor extinguished.

Leon immediately recognized the opportunity.

His silver aura intensified, spreading across his sword until the entire blade shone with brilliant light.

"Everyone, stand back!" Leon commanded, stepping toward the staggering creature.

The giant released a furious roar and raised its remaining weapons.

Leon disappeared.

A silver flash crossed the battlefield.

SLASH!

For an instant, nothing happened.

Then a brilliant line appeared across the giant’s armored torso.

Its enormous body separated into two halves before collapsing onto the shattered ground.

BOOM!

The battlefield trembled beneath the impact.

This time, the creature did not regenerate.

Leon calmly lowered his sword, his breathing perfectly steady despite the intensity of the battle.

Mina stared at the fallen monster with undisguised admiration. "Captain Leon, that was incredible!"

Leon smiled as he approached the group. "Everyone contributed. Without Iris and Rowan identifying the formations, destroying the creature would have been unnecessarily troublesome."

Sage nodded approvingly. "An excellent demonstration of teamwork. Although I must admit, having a Grandmaster Knight around makes difficult situations considerably more convenient."

Lucan laughed tiredly, while Iris leaned against a nearby pillar to recover her mana.

The battle had consumed considerably more magical power than their previous encounters, particularly for Sage and Iris, who had maintained several formations simultaneously.

Rowan examined their remaining supplies before approaching Sage. "Guildmaster, we still have enough provisions, but our healing potions and mana-restoring supplies are limited. We should conserve them before the final trial."

Sage considered the warning before nodding. "Agreed. Everyone should rest while we have the opportunity."

A familiar notification appeared before his eyes.

[Ding!]

[Fourth Trial Completed!]

[Trials Completed: 4/5]

[Final Trial Unlocked!]

Across the arena, an enormous stone gate slowly opened.

Beyond it stretched a dark passage illuminated by five glowing symbols.

Sage studied the entrance, his expression becoming thoughtful.

Four trials had been completed.

Only one remained between them and the Dungeon Core Chamber.

But judging by the oppressive mana flowing from the passage, the final challenge would demand considerably more than brute strength.