Chapter 236 – Intense Fight and Intense Emotion

Chapter 236

Intense Fight and Intense Emotion

Date : Day 24 of Deepwinter 1024 Aethellgard Concord Year.

Freedom Party once again stood inside the Guardian Chamber of the Fourth Floor.

The chamber had reset after their previous retreat. There were no Zomblins, no signs of the earlier battle, and no trace of the destruction that had unfolded before. The vast chamber was almost empty, its wide stone floor stretching toward the far end.

Only five enemies stood in the distance. The Goblin Caster, accompanied by two Goblin Shamans and two Goblin Shielders.

Hyoren looked at his party members one by one, checking that everyone was ready before they began their second challenge.

“Let's do this, everyone.”

Elise drew back the string of her Moonveil Bow and nocked an arrow. Her emerald eyes remained fixed on the five goblins waiting at the other end of the chamber.

“Ready, Hyoren.”

Jackey twirled his Bloody Axe and Blackmaw Tomahawk before settling both weapons in his hands. A wide grin spread across his face, his tabby cat ears standing upright with excitement.

“Always ready to whack skulkers, Big Bro.”

Arianna adjusted the brim of her wide-brimmed hat before gripping her Quadraflux Weaver tightly. The crimson-haired mage gave a small nod, her expression composed as she prepared herself for the battle ahead.

“Ready, Leader.”

Hyoren nodded in return.

“Okay. Let's do this just as we strategized.”

He drew Dawn Breaker from its sheath and raised his Steel Kite Shield. With his weapons ready, he began walking toward the center of the chamber.

His party members followed behind him.

Their steps were unhurried. They were heading toward the positions they had already decided on during their discussion after retreating from the Guardian Chamber.

Elise moved along the left side, keeping her distance from the two frontliners. Jackey stayed slightly behind Hyoren, ready to charge forward the moment an opening appeared. Arianna followed a few steps away from the two warriors, leaving herself enough room to cast her spells without interfering with their movements.

Their footsteps echoed across the empty chamber.

Ahead of them, the five guardian monsters remained motionless. They showed no reaction to the approaching adventurers.

Not yet.

Just as they had observed during their previous attempt, the guardian monsters would only begin their movements when the Goblin Caster summoned its horde. That would happen once the adventurers reached the middle of the chamber.

Hyoren remembered exactly where that invisible boundary lay.

He walked forward until he stood just before the point he had identified as the middle of the chamber. One more step across that line would trigger the Goblin Caster's summoning.

But he did not cross it.

Instead, he stepped back once.

His gaze moved toward Elise. She was already in position, her bow raised and an arrow nocked against the string.

She smiled at Hyoren.

Next, he looked at Jackey. The Beastkin had lowered his stance, both axes ready in his hands. His body leaned forward slightly, prepared to strike as soon as the battle began.

He grinned.

“Time to whack, skulkers!”

Finally, Hyoren turned toward Arianna.

“Start casting, Arianna.”

The crimson-haired mage nodded.

As they had planned, the opening move belonged to their mage. Their objective was to eliminate the three hundred summoned Zomblins in a single attack before the horde could overwhelm them.

And among everyone in Freedom Party, only Arianna possessed the means to make that possible.

She raised her Quadraflux Weaver and concentrated on casting her Branch Magic spell.

Hyoren watched as Aethell began gathering around the staff. The amount continued to increase, growing denser with every passing moment.

He waited patiently, keeping his attention on Arianna's preparations while remaining mindful of the five guardian monsters ahead.

Then, a brown, empty magic circle materialized in the air directly in front of the tip of Arianna's staff.

The mage began drawing the runes of her spell.

One by one, she drew each rune with her finger. Whenever she completed one, its exact form appeared inside the empty magic circle, gradually filling the space with the intricate markings required for her spell.

Arianna continued without rushing, her concentration unbroken.

Approximately sixty seconds passed before she finished drawing all thirty runes.

At that moment, the completed runic array appeared on the ground in front of Hyoren. It marked the location where the spell would manifest once unleashed.

The runic array for Lava Surge was ready.

Arianna's Quadraflux Weaver began to shake slightly. The amount of Aethell accumulated within its conduit had grown enormous, and the staff was carrying the power required for the coming spell. The orb on the tip of the staff, which usually shifted color, was now completely brown.

The mage looked toward Hyoren.

“It is ready, Leader!”

Hyoren understood what she meant without needing any further explanation.

The moment had arrived.

He tightened his grip on Dawn Breaker and raised his shield before stepping forward.

The instant he crossed the boundary, the Goblin Caster reacted.

It raised its staff, and just as before, a low humming sound spread throughout the chamber.

WHUM. WHUM. WHUM.

Rows upon rows of grey-skinned, feral undead goblins appeared across the stone floor. Their red eyes gleamed as their elongated claws stretched from their hands, and their bodies filled the space between Freedom Party and the five guardian monsters.

The Zomblins continued appearing until the entire horde had been summoned—three hundred of them.

And with that, Arianna unleashed her spell.

“Lava Surge!”

Silence.

For a single heartbeat, the battlefield became unnaturally still.

Then—the earth exploded with thunderous sound.

DOOOOOOOON!!

Enormous cracks shot across the stone floor like a spiderweb. Blinding crimson light erupted from beneath the ground as a column of molten magma burst outward.

The eruption did not stop. Instead, it grew stronger.

Within seconds, a miniature volcano had been born inside the Fourth Floor Guardian Chamber.

It roared.

GHORO!

Molten rock blasted a few meters into the air before crashing back down upon the ground.

GHORO!

Another eruption followed. Then another.

The volcano pulsed like the heartbeat of an angry earth. With each eruption, rivers of molten magma overflowed from its crater.

They did not flow gently.

They surged forward like a tidal wave, like a mountain collapsing into liquid fire.

GHORO! GHORO! GHORO!

With thunderous force, lava, superheated gas, burning ash, and gigantic chunks of molten rock surged together as one unstoppable catastrophe.

The Zomblins never stood a chance.

Some were incinerated before they could even scream. Others disappeared beneath the advancing sea of magma, while still more were crushed beneath massive boulders glowing orange from the unimaginable heat.

The molten tide continued advancing. Forward. Relentlessly. Consuming everything in its path.

The stone floor transformed into a blazing crimson landscape. The air shimmered violently under the intense heat, and the entire battlefield became distorted by the rising waves of scorching air.

The tsunami of lava swallowed all three hundred Zomblins.

But the destruction did not end there.

The advancing lava continued toward the five guardian monsters, threatening to engulf them along with the horde.

Just as the molten tide was about to reach them, the two Goblin Shamans raised their staffs.

Two identical barriers appeared before the guardian monsters.

The lava slammed into the first barrier with tremendous force.

CRACK!

The barrier fractured under the pressure before shattering completely.

The second barrier endured the impact for only a moment longer.

CRACK!

It, too, broke apart.

The two Goblin Shielders immediately moved forward, raising their tower shields as they attempted to protect the three staff-wielding goblins behind them.

Then the Goblin Caster raised its own staff.

Another barrier appeared.

The remaining molten tsunami crashed into it, sending cracks racing across its surface.

CRACK!

The barrier fractured further, threatening to break apart under the relentless pressure of the lava.

Yet it held.

The final barrier endured the impact, stopping the molten tide before it could reach the five guardian monsters.

When the eruption finally subsided enough for the battlefield to become visible again, the result was clear.

All three hundred Zomblins had been swallowed by Arianna's spell.

But the five guardian monsters remained unharmed.

***

Hyoren glanced back at Arianna while the last remnants of Lava Surge continued to cool.

The crimson-haired mage was still standing firmly in place, her Quadraflux Weaver held in both hands. Sweat had gathered on her forehead, and she gently wiped it away with the sleeve of her purple robe. Although her first spell had devastated the battlefield, the effort required to cast it had clearly taken its toll.

Hyoren turned his head for a moment.

“Arianna, are you all right?”

Arianna looked toward him with a composed smile. She adjusted her grip on her staff, then gave him a reassuring nod.

“Quite all right, Leader. I've gained several levels since joining Freedom Party, after all.”

She lightly touched the purple matinee necklace resting against her chest. At its center, the pitch-black orb absorbed the surrounding light, its surface remaining dark no matter how the light fell upon it.

“And with Noctynara's Lament in my possession, I am in a much better position than before.”

Her gaze returned to the battlefield. The light-blue eyes beneath the brim of her wide-brimmed hat followed the fading crimson glow, and her expression grew more serious.

“Please don't worry about me. I am no longer the same mage who could barely contribute after casting a single Lava Surge. I still have enough Aethell to cast another one if necessary.”

There was no boastfulness in her voice. She spoke with the calm confidence of a noble lady who knew her own capabilities and had no intention of becoming a burden to her companions again.

Hyoren studied her face for a moment.

Then he smiled and nodded.

“Good. I'll leave the rear to you.”

With that, he turned back toward the battlefield.

The five guardian monsters remained at the far end of the chamber, still protected by the barrier that had withstood the final surge of molten lava. Hyoren kept his attention on them while waiting for the remaining lava stones and chunks of molten rock to disappear.

One by one, the scattered remnants dissolved into particles of Aethell. The intense heat gradually subsided. The air grew clearer as the distortion caused by the eruption faded, and the blazing crimson landscape slowly gave way to the familiar stone floor of the Guardian Chamber.

At the far end, the Goblin Caster finally lowered its staff. The barrier protecting the five monsters vanished.

Hyoren's eyes narrowed slightly.

Now…

He shouted his order.

“Everyone! Move! We need to reach them before the Goblin Caster starts summoning Zomblins again!”

He kicked against the stone floor and surged forward.

“Strong Legs.”

His body accelerated as the skill took effect. At the same time, he activated his Light Magic spell.

“Accel Zone.”

A glow spread around him, enveloping Jackey as the Beastkin ran beside him. With the additional speed enhancement, Jackey's already explosive strides—enhanced by his Strong Legs and Physical Enhancement skills—carried him forward at an astonishing pace.

His cat ears stood upright, and his tail swayed behind him as he rushed toward the guardian formation. The two axes in his hands were ready to swing the moment he reached his target.

“On your right, Big Bro! I'll take care of the shielder on that side!”

Jackey angled his body toward the right flank, his grin widening as he approached the Goblin Shielders.

Hyoren glanced at him and returned the grin.

“Good! I'll handle the left!”

His gaze settled on the two goblins standing behind their tower shields. The shielders had already demonstrated how effectively they could protect the three staff-wielding monsters, allowing the Goblin Caster and Goblin Shamans to support the battle from safety.

Breaking through that defense would be their first priority.

Hyoren looked at the Steel Kite Shield in his hand, then back at the approaching enemies.

“I'm going without the shield this time.”

His expression shifted into a battle-hungry grin.

“Let's see how they handle a little brute force!”

He activated his Ring of Arsenal.

“Swap. Shield to Spear.”

The Steel Kite Shield was instantly replaced by his mithril spear—Étendard Sacré du Lys.

The banner of Aetovacus soared once again as Hyoren continued his charge. Dawn Breaker remained firmly gripped in his other hand, giving him a weapon in each hand as he raced toward the left side of the guardian formation.

He had barely covered half the distance when the Goblin Caster reacted.

The tall goblin with a purple robe raised its staff once more—it was attempting to summon the Zomblins again.

However, the summoning was much slower this time. Unlike the initial horde, which had appeared in overwhelming numbers almost at once, the replacements emerged gradually.

Three Zomblins appeared. Then three more, bringing the number to six.

Hyoren noticed them immediately. If the Goblin Caster continued summoning while they were occupied with the shielders, the undead could quickly become a problem. Even if the replacement process was slow, allowing their numbers to accumulate would undermine the strategy they had prepared.

He raised his voice.

“Arianna! The Zomblins!”

There was no need for him to explain further.

Arianna had already been watching the Goblin Caster. The moment its staff rose, she understood what she needed to do. While the two frontliners dealt with the shielders, her responsibility was to prevent the undead horde from forming again.

She calmly raised her Quadraflux Weaver.

“Earth Spikes.”

DONDONDON!

Numerous spikes erupted from the stone floor beneath the newly summoned Zomblins.

The undead were caught before they could move far, their grey bodies pierced by the sudden eruption of earth. Their red eyes and elongated claws offered little help against the attack, and the newly summoned creatures were struck down before they could join the battle.

Yet the Goblin Caster continued its work.

More Zomblins began appearing, slowly replenishing the numbers that Arianna had just eliminated.

The mage remained composed.

She did not waste time watching the result of her first spell. Instead, she shifted her attention to the next group of undead and prepared another attack, her movements controlled and practiced.

“Fire Ball.”

An orb of fire shot from her staff and flew toward the freshly spawned Zomblins.

It landed in their midst.

BOOM!

The explosion engulfed the undead in a burst of fire. The newly summoned creatures disappeared within the blast, their bodies dissolving into particles of Aethell before they could gather into another horde.

Arianna lowered her staff only slightly, her light-blue eyes already returning to the Goblin Caster.

The enemy was trying to rebuild its army. She would not allow it to do so.

***

Hyoren grinned as he watched Arianna's spells eliminate the newly summoned Zomblins.

“Good. The plan is working.”

He was already approaching the Goblin Shielder on the left side of the guardian formation. With the Goblin Caster occupied with summoning replacements and Arianna keeping the undead under control, he had a brief opportunity to break through the defenders before the battlefield became crowded again.

He intended to make full use of it.

The two Goblin Shamans noticed his approach and immediately turned their attention toward him. One raised its staff, releasing a bolt of dark magic in his direction.

Hyoren shifted his body to the side.

The dark bolt streaked past him, missing by a narrow margin.

He continued forward without slowing down, keeping his eyes on the Goblin Shielder ahead. However, movement at the edge of his vision caught his attention.

Elise had already found her opening.

She stood along the left side of the battlefield, her Moonveil Bow drawn and an arrow aimed at the Goblin Shaman that had just attacked Hyoren.

“Charge Wind Arrow!”

Green Aethell gathered around the arrowhead. The energy condensed rapidly, forming a streak of concentrated wind magic as Elise released the string.

SWOOSH!

A streak of green crossed the battlefield.

The Goblin Shielder moved to protect the Goblin Shaman, but it was too slow to position its tower shield in time. The shaman itself tried to erect a barrier, raising its staff in a desperate attempt to stop the incoming projectile.

It was too late.

SQUELCH!

The green arrow struck the Goblin Shaman squarely in the head.

The monster's body dissolved into particles of Aethell.

Hyoren caught the result from the corner of his eye and grinned.

“Nice shot, Elise!”

Elise had already begun preparing for her next attack, her attention shifting toward the remaining enemies.

Meanwhile, Hyoren had nearly reached his target.

The Goblin Shielder stood firmly behind its tower shield, ready to withstand his assault. Its broad shield covered most of its body, leaving very little room for a direct strike.

Hyoren tightened his grip on Étendard Sacré du Lys.

Rather than attacking immediately, he began charging his skill.

A faint glow gathered around the tip of his mithril spear. The light grew brighter as he concentrated Aethell into the weapon, preparing to release the stored power at the right moment.

One second.

Two seconds.

The Goblin Shielder braced itself, keeping its tower shield raised against the approaching warrior.

Hyoren waited until he had the opening he wanted.

Now…

He activated his skill.

“Meteor Thrust!”

The spear shot forward with explosive momentum.

The Goblin Shielder reacted by raising its tower shield even higher, attempting to block the incoming attack. But Hyoren's active skill was not merely an ordinary thrust. The accumulated force propelled him forward at tremendous speed, accompanied by a sharp sonic boom.

Étendard Sacré du Lys struck the tower shield.

The spear pierced straight through the defensive surface, leaving a hole in the shield.

However, the attack did not seriously injure the Goblin Shielder itself. That had never been the primary purpose of Meteor Thrust in this exchange.

Hyoren had used the skill to close the remaining distance in an instant and catch the enemy off guard. And now, with the shield compromised, he had his opening.

Before the Goblin Shielder could recover, Hyoren brought Dawn Breaker forward.

The tip of his sword aligned with the small hole left by Meteor Thrust. A dark orb began forming at the tip of the blade as he activated his Dark Magic spell.

“Shadow Bloom.”

The spell gathered at point-blank range.

Then—dark energy burst outward through the weakened section of the tower shield.

BOOM!

The force spread across the defensive surface, tearing through the remaining material until the entire shield shattered into splinters.

The Goblin Shielder staggered backward under the impact. Its left arm was broken, and the tower shield it had relied upon for protection was gone. With its defense destroyed and its balance lost, the monster was left exposed before Hyoren.

For a brief moment, the Goblin Shielder struggled to regain its footing.

Hyoren smirked.

“Got you.”

He raised Étendard Sacré du Lys once more, bringing the spear into position for his finishing attack.

“Piercing Thrust.”

The spear moved in an instant.

With its defense broken and its left arm injured, the Goblin Shielder could do nothing to stop the incoming strike.

SQUELCH!

The mithril spear pierced straight through the monster's left chest, striking its heart.

The Goblin Shielder froze for a brief moment before its body dissolved into particles of Aethell.

Hyoren withdrew his spear and steadied his stance.

One Goblin Shielder was gone.

***

Jackey was running parallel with Hyoren, his two axes firmly gripped in his hands. The speed granted by Strong Legs and Physical Enhancement carried him toward the remaining Goblin Shielder, his tabby cat tail swaying wildly behind him.

The second Goblin Shaman noticed his approach and quickly raised its staff. A bolt of dark magic shot toward the charging Beastkin.

Jackey immediately shifted his body to evade the attack. The dark bolt passed by him without slowing his advance, and he continued running toward his target.

Meanwhile, Elise had already prepared another arrow after eliminating the Goblin Shaman that had attacked Hyoren. She smoothly nocked the arrow against her Moonveil Bow and drew the string back, her emerald eyes settling on the second shaman.

“Charge Wind Arrow.”

Green Aethell gathered around the arrowhead before Elise released it.

SWOOSH!

A streak of green shot across the battlefield.

The Goblin Shaman barely had time to react before the arrow reached it.

SQUELCH!

The projectile struck its target, and the second Goblin Shaman dissolved into particles of Aethell.

Jackey caught sight of the result and grinned as he continued charging forward.

“Thanks, Elise! That's a big help!”

He turned his attention back to the remaining Goblin Shielder, which was still trying to defend itself behind its tower shield.

“Now there's only that shield skulker left!”

With the momentum from his sprint and the strength granted by Strong Legs and Physical Enhancement, Jackey planted his foot against the stone floor and leaped into the air.

His body rose above the ground, both axes ready for the coming attack.

The Goblin Shielder reacted immediately. It shifted its position and raised its tower shield, attempting to block the airborne Cat-clan Beastkin before he could bring his weapons down.

But Jackey was already grinning.

“Ha! That shield won't save you!”

While still in the air, he flicked his left hand and activated his skill.

“Trick Shot!”

The Blackmaw Tomahawk left his hand, spinning wildly as it flew through the air.

WHOOSH!

The Goblin Shielder moved its tower shield to intercept the thrown weapon.

But the black axe never came toward it. Instead, the Blackmaw Tomahawk struck the ground nearby, seemingly missing its target entirely.

CLANG!

For an instant, the Goblin Shielder appeared to have successfully avoided the attack.

That was precisely what Jackey had intended.

The moment the Blackmaw Tomahawk struck the stone floor, it bounced back into the air. Its trajectory changed, sending the spinning weapon toward the Goblin Shielder from an unexpected angle.

The monster was caught completely off guard.

The black axe slammed into its legs.

SCREEECK!

The Goblin Shielder let out a sharp, pained roar. Its knees buckled under the impact, and its stance collapsed. With one leg badly injured, it struggled to remain standing, its tower shield no longer positioned to protect its entire body.

Jackey had already prepared his next attack.

Still airborne, he raised his Bloody Axe high above his head. The momentum of his leap carried him forward while gravity began pulling him down toward the wounded monster.

His grin widened.

“Eat this, skulker!”

He activated another skill.

“Power Slash!”

The combined force of his jump, gravity, and the skill drove the red axe downward with tremendous power.

The Goblin Shielder was still struggling to stand on its damaged leg when the attack arrived.

SCREEECK!

The Bloody Axe struck its head, splitting it open with a brutal blow.

Jackey landed on the stone floor as the Goblin Shielder's body dissolved into particles of Aethell.

The fight on his side was over.

Without wasting a moment, Jackey turned toward the spot where the Blackmaw Tomahawk had landed. He quickly retrieved his weapon, then raised both axes high above his head.

“WOHOO! We're going to win this! FREEDOM PARTY STRONG!”

His tabby cat tail spiraled wildly behind him, betraying just how excited he was.

***

Hyoren watched as the last of the Goblin Caster’s entourage fell. With the two Goblin Shamans and both Goblin Shielders defeated, only the purple-robed goblin remained.

“Good job, Jackey. Elise.”

Hyoren gave them a brief nod before turning his attention to the Goblin Caster.

The tall goblin had already stopped summoning its horde of Zomblins. Perhaps it had realized that continuing to summon them was futile. With its minions gone, it had no choice but to protect itself.

The Goblin Caster raised its wooden staff, and a barrier formed around its body once more.

Jackey immediately charged forward, both axes in hand. He swung his Bloody Axe with all his might, activating his skill.

“Cross Slash!”

SCREEECK!

The blades struck the barrier with a harsh scraping sound. The protective surface flickered under the impact, but it held firm.

Jackey pulled back, his tabby cat ears twitching in irritation.

Before the Goblin Caster could do anything else, Arianna raised her Quadraflux Weaver and released another spell.

“Fire Javelin!”

A spear of fire shot across the battlefield and slammed into the barrier.

BOOM!

Flames burst against the protective surface, briefly illuminating the purple-robed goblin from behind the wall of fire.

When the flames dissipated, however, the barrier was still intact. Its surface flickered for a moment before returning to its previous state.

Arianna narrowed her light-blue eyes.

Even that was not enough.

The Goblin Caster’s barrier had withstood Arianna’s Lava Surge, a spell powerful enough to wipe out three hundred Zomblins in a single attack. It was only natural that ordinary physical attacks and basic offensive spells would struggle to break through it.

Elise had already nocked another arrow into her Moonveil Bow. Her emerald eyes remained fixed on the Goblin Caster as she began channeling her trump card, Enchant Magic: Sacred Wind.

Hyoren knew that spell had enough power to pierce the barrier.

However, he wanted to try something else first.

“Elise! Let me do it! I want to try something!”

The silver-haired ranger glanced at him. After seeing the determination on his face, she smiled and stopped channeling her Sacred Wind.

“Okay, Hyoren. But if it doesn't work, I'll take over. All right?”

Hyoren smirked as he turned his attention back to the Goblin Caster.

“Thanks!”

He reached for his Ring of Arsenal and stored his mithril spear.

“Store the spear.”

A faint flash of light enveloped Étendard Sacré du Lys before the weapon vanished into the ring.

With his spear put away, Hyoren gripped Dawn Breaker with both hands. He raised the sword high in front of him, preparing to cast the new spell he had recently acquired.

His third-tier Light Magic spell.

Hyoren focused his mind, picturing the spell's intended form. He imagined an adjustable sword of light extending from Dawn Breaker's blade, its length determined by the amount of Aethell he supplied. He had already decided to go all out.

Ten meters. That was the length he intended to create.

Ten meters… It will deplete half of my Aethell reserve…

The thought made him briefly consider the cost. Such a large expenditure was no small matter, but if that cost was necessary, he wouldn't hesitate.

But I need to go all out to break the Goblin Caster's barrier…

Hyoren steadied his breathing and began constructing the Runic Array in his mind.

Light. Conduit. Endow. Schema. Flux. Focus. Sever. Discharge.

With each rune formed on his mind, the Runic Array developed further. The runes connected in their proper sequence, forming the structure necessary to channel and shape the tremendous amount of Light Aethell he was preparing to release.

At last, the Runic Array was complete.

Hyoren opened his eyes and activated his spell.

“Luminara's Judgement - Lumen Severance!”

Blinding radiance enveloped Dawn Breaker.

Then, as though the sword itself had grown to an impossible size, a massive blade of Light Aethell extended outward from its edge. The luminous weapon stretched ten meters into the air, its brilliant form towering over Hyoren.

Everyone's eyes widened.

It was their first time witnessing this spell being activated in battle.

Even Jackey, who had been eager to rush the Goblin Caster moments earlier, paused to stare at the enormous sword of light.

Arianna's lips parted slightly beneath the brim of her wide-brimmed hat. She had seen Hyoren practice this in the back yard of their manor, but this was on an entirely different scale.

Elise lowered her bow slightly, watching the scene with undisguised interest.

Hyoren tightened his grip around Dawn Breaker.

The weight of the sword itself had not changed, but he could feel the enormous amount of Aethell flowing through it. The blade of light responded to his movements, following the direction of his sword as though it were a natural extension of his body.

He took a firm stance. Then he swung.

The enormous blade of light swept through the air, descending toward the Goblin Caster's barrier.

The moment its edge made contact, the barrier flickered violently.

For an instant, the protective surface seemed capable of holding the attack back. The immense blade pressed against it, its radiance spreading across the barrier as the two opposing forces clashed.

But Hyoren did not stop.

He poured even more Aethell into the sword of light, forcing its brilliance to intensify.

“UWOOOOH!”

His muscles bulged as he strained to push Dawn Breaker forward. Both hands remained locked around the hilt while he forced the enormous blade against the barrier with everything he had.

The barrier flickered again. And again. Each pulse grew more intense than the last. The protective surface trembled beneath the relentless pressure, struggling to withstand the overwhelming force bearing down upon it.

On the other side, the Goblin Caster desperately raised its staff higher, attempting to maintain its defensive spell. Its purple robes fluttered in the turbulent air as it poured its own Aethell into the barrier.

Neither side yielded.

Hyoren gritted his teeth and continued pushing, refusing to let the sword of light lose its momentum.

“GO THROUGH THIS!!”

For one brief moment, the battle seemed to hang in place.

Then the barrier's flickering stopped.

CRACK!

A fracture appeared across its surface.

The crack spread rapidly, branching outward until the entire barrier was covered in fractures. Until the Goblin Caster's barrier shattered.

Hyoren roared once more and continued his swing. With the barrier finally gone, nothing stood between his enormous sword of light and its target.

The Goblin Caster reacted immediately, attempting to raise its staff and cast another spell. But it was too late. The massive blade swept down and cut through the purple-robed goblin.

For a moment, the scene seemed almost silent.

Then the entire blade of light erupted.

BOOM!

A violent burst of radiance swallowed the Goblin Caster, engulfing its figure in an overwhelming explosion of Light Aethell.

Light flashed across the battlefield, flooding the chamber with brilliant white radiance. The explosion thundered through the air. Fragments of stone were blasted outward.

***

The blinding light slowly dissipated, revealing the battlefield once more.

The Goblin Caster was gone. Its purple robe had vanished along with its body, and the barrier that had protected it so stubbornly was nowhere to be seen.

Only a single magic stone and a gold chest remained where the guardian had stood.

Hyoren stood still for a moment, breathing raggedly. Sweat trickled down his forehead, and he wiped it away with the back of his hand.

This spell really eats up a lot of Aethell… I really shouldn't use it unless it's for a finishing move…

He let out a small, wry laugh at his own thought.

Hyoren quickly reached for a magic potion and pulled out the stopper. The blue liquid sloshed inside the bottle as he raised it to his lips and gulped it down.

After finishing the potion, he lowered the bottle and straightened his posture. His breathing was gradually settling, and he finally turned toward his companions.

Jackey had already slung his Bloody Axe over his shoulder. His tabby cat tail swished from side to side, betraying his excitement.

“WOHOO! We win! That was easy! HAHA!”

Elise crossed the battlefield toward them, her Moonveil Bow already lowered. The silver-haired elf giggled at Jackey's triumphant declaration.

“You say that now, but we retreated once before, Jackey. Fufufu.”

Arianna trotted over to catch up with them, her crimson hair swaying beneath the brim of her wide-brimmed hat.

“Ohoho. Jackey seems to have forgotten how we tucked our tails between our legs and ran when that horde caught us off guard.”

Jackey sheathed his axe before scratching his cheek. His grin turned sheepish, and his cat ears twitched in embarrassment.

“Hehe. But with Big Bro's plan, we came back stronger!”

Hyoren had finally caught his breath. He shook his head at Jackey's enthusiasm.

“It wasn't easy, Jackey.”

He glanced around the battlefield, taking in the empty space where the five guardians had stood only moments earlier.

“We were just well-coordinated and did our specific jobs properly.”

Hyoren turned toward Arianna with a smile.

“Without Arianna keeping the number of Zomblins under control…”

His gaze shifted to Elise.

“And without Elise sniping those two Shamans with such precision…”

He then gestured toward himself and Jackey.

“And without the two of us dealing with the Shielders at the same time…”

Hyoren let his hand fall back to his side.

“We would have been forced to retreat again. The Goblin Caster was well protected, and it could summon almost endless minions.”

He tapped the surface of his Steel Kite Shield, considering the battle they had just fought.

“We never knew the limit of the number of Zomblins it could summon, or how much punishment its barrier could withstand. That's why we needed all of us to use our full strength and overwhelm it before it could turn the battle against us again.”

Jackey continued grinning, though his expression suggested that he had only caught part of Hyoren's explanation.

“I don't really understand all that. But Big Bro means we're strong, right?”

He clenched his fist and thrust it into the air.

“FREEDOM PARTY STRONG!”

Everyone burst into laughter.

Arianna eventually turned her light-blue eyes toward the spot where the Goblin Caster had disappeared. Her expression grew thoughtful as she recalled the enormous blade of light that had shattered the barrier.

“Your spell was truly devastating, Leader. To think that it was only a third-tier spell…”

She looked back at Hyoren, her eyes filled with genuine admiration.

“Its power seemed comparable to a fifth-tier spell. Perhaps it could even approach the level of Branch Magic.”

Hyoren smiled wryly, rubbing the back of his neck.

“That's because I used a lot of secret runes from the Church. It also consumes a tremendous amount of Aethell.”

Elise tucked a loose strand of silver hair behind one of her pointed ears. A playful smile appeared on her face as she regarded him.

“Are you glad now, Hyoren?”

She giggled softly.

“You have a trump card of your own now, instead of always having to rely on Berserker. Fufu.”

Hyoren nodded.

“I am. With this, I can deal with strong enemies without always relying on Berserker.”

He paused briefly, thinking about the options he had gained.

“I'll still use Berserker when I need it, of course. But now I have another option.”

His companions watched him with warm expressions. 

For a moment, the group simply enjoyed the relief of having defeated such a troublesome guardian.

Then Jackey suddenly crossed his arms.

“Big Bro has a trump card now… that big sword of light thing…”

He glanced toward the elven ranger.

“Elise has that Sacred Arrow thing…”

Then he gestured toward the crimson-haired mage.

“And Arianna has that lava spell that can wipe out an army…”

His ears drooped as he considered his own situation. A moment later, he threw both arms into the air in desperation.

“ONLY ME DON'T HAVE ANY TRUMP CARD! NOOOO!!”

Everyone burst into laughter again.

Hyoren tried to stifle his own laughter, but the corners of his mouth kept rising.

“Jackey… your strength is your reliable damage output. Your two-axe fighting style allows you to keep dealing damage, especially when we're facing elite enemies. You can wear them down little by little without giving them much breathing room.”

Arianna stepped closer and gently touched Jackey's arm.

“Our Leader is right. Not everyone needs to have a trump card, Jackey.”

Jackey's shoulders slumped. His tabby cat ears flattened against his head, and he looked down at the ground with a sorrowful expression.

“But I want something that goes BOOM or GHORO GHORO!”

His desperate complaint made everyone laugh once more.

Elise covered her mouth with one hand, her emerald eyes crinkling with amusement.

“Fufu. They're right, Jackey. But perhaps…”

She deliberately paused, letting the beastkin look toward her in anticipation.

“If you start whacking things more skillfully, you might gain or learn a trump card of your own someday.”

Jackey crossed his arms again. His eyebrows furrowed as he thought deeply about her suggestion.

“Hmm…”

His tail swayed slowly behind him while he considered the idea.

“I see… If I whack things more skillfully… Maybe I'll get my own trump card, too.”

His expression brightened almost immediately. The sorrowful look vanished from his face, replaced by his usual boundless enthusiasm.

“Understood! I'll aim to get a trump card, too, by whacking things with skills!”

Everyone laughed once again.

The tension that had filled the Guardian Chamber during the battle finally began to fade. The danger had passed, and the relief of victory settled over the party, gradually turning into a cheerful celebration of their hard-earned success.

***

With the celebration over, Hyoren made his way across the Guardian Chamber toward the spot where the Goblin Caster had disappeared.

A single magic stone and a gold chest remained on the ground.

He first stored the magic stone in his storage bag before turning his attention to the chest. After opening its lid, everyone gasped.

Jackey let out a low whistle, his tabby cat ears perking up.

“Woah…”

Elise's emerald eyes sparkled with excitement as she leaned forward to get a better look at the contents.

“The fight rewarded us with quite a treasure. Fufu.”

Arianna, however, stood silently beside them. Her light-blue eyes remained fixed on the item in Hyoren's hands, unable to look away.

Hyoren smiled as he carefully lifted the treasure from the chest.

“This is indeed beautiful.”

What he held was a scholar's robe accompanied by a matching hat.

The robe had an elegant design, with a hood that could be folded back if the wearer prefers without a hood. Its front was left open, with no ties or fastenings intended to close it, allowing the inner lining to remain visible.

The outer fabric was crafted from rich, deep-purple brocade, while the inner lining was made of striking crimson satin. Golden embroidery and delicate gold accents adorned the surface, giving the robe an appearance befitting a royal archmage.

The matching wide-brimmed hat followed the same color scheme. Its exterior was deep purple, decorated with elegant golden embroidery, while the inside was lined with crimson satin. At the tip sat a small golden sphere, its weight causing the end of the hat to fold slightly.

It was a beautiful piece of equipment, combining the appearance of a scholar's attire with the grandeur of royal ceremonial clothing.

Arianna stepped closer, her crimson hair swaying gently as she approached.

“It is… beautiful…”

Jackey looked from the robe to the place where the Goblin Caster had stood, then back at the treasure in Hyoren's hands.

“The purple-robed goblin gave us its purple robe! HAHA!”

Arianna immediately turned her eyes toward him.

“No, Jackey. This is a completely different robe. The one worn by that goblin was distasteful! Please do not compare them! But this…”

She reached out and carefully took the robe from Hyoren.

Her fingers brushed over the rich fabric as she examined its embroidery, the color combination, and the elegant design. She turned it slightly to inspect the inner lining, her eyes following every detail.

“This is really beautiful.”

Her voice carried a warmth that made the others smile as they watched her.

Hyoren nodded.

“Then, that's for you, Arianna.”

Elise smiled knowingly beside him.

“Yeah. It was practically made for you. Fufu.”

Arianna clutched the new robe against herself. For a moment, she looked as though she wanted to put it on immediately. However, her sense of caution soon returned, and she glanced down at the garment again.

“We still need to appraise it first, Leader. Dungeon equipment sometimes carries curses, after all…”

She gently ran her fingers along the golden embroidery, admiring it once more.

“But if it isn't cursed… may I take it?”

Hyoren smiled at her question.

“Of course. It suits you so well. Besides, none of us wears robes anyway.”

Jackey raised his hand and gave her a thumbs-up.

“Good for you, Arianna! You were actually wanting to order a new robe, right? Perfect timing!”

Hyoren tilted his head in surprise.

“Oh? You wanted a new robe? That's news to me.”

Arianna gave a small, sheepish smile before gesturing toward the purple robe she was currently wearing.

Her existing outfit was simple but elegant, with a practical design suited to her work as a mage. It was the same robe she had worn since joining Freedom Party, and she had taken good care of it throughout their dungeon exploration.

“Yes, Leader. I bought this robe when I entered my final year at the academy. It's made from sturdy material and has a few runic inscriptions woven into it.”

She glanced down at her sleeves, lightly pinching the fabric between her fingers.

“But it isn't strong enough if we're going to continue diving deeper into the dungeon.”

Arianna turned slightly, allowing the others to see the robe from another angle.

“And, to be honest, the design is a little… boring.”

A faint blush appeared on her cheeks.

“I ordered it at a time when I didn't really care about how I looked.”

Her cheeks grew even redder as she hugged the new robe closer to herself.

“But now… at least I want to present myself well.”

Elise watched her with an affectionate smile. She reached over and gave Arianna a gentle pat on the shoulder.

“So, you want to dress nicely in front of your lover. Fufufu.”

Arianna immediately lifted the new robe to cover her face, hiding her crimson cheeks behind the luxurious fabric.

“Mentor, please!”

Jackey blinked in confusion. He pointed at himself, looking between Elise and Arianna.

“Her lover? Me? What's wrong?”

Hyoren couldn't help chuckling at the Cat-clan Beastkin's bewilderment.

“Jackey, Elise means that Arianna wants to look good in front of you.”

Jackey crossed his arms and nodded as though he had finally understood the situation.

“But she always looks good! She always looks beautiful!”

Hearing that, Arianna's knees finally gave way beneath her.

She sank down onto the ground, still clutching the new robe, unable to withstand any more of the embarrassment. Her crimson hair spilled around her shoulders as she lowered her head, wishing she could somehow disappear into the floor.

Jackey looked down at her for a moment before crouching beside her.

He gently removed her wide-brimmed hat and patted her crimson hair, his expression as straightforward and sincere as ever.

“You always look beautiful, Arianna. But if you want to look even more beautiful for me, then I appreciate it!”

Arianna slowly raised her head.

Her light-blue eyes met Jackey's, and the embarrassment on her face softened as his sincere words reached her. For a moment, she simply looked at him, overwhelmed by the affection he had shown her without hesitation.

“Thank you, Jackey. I love you.”

Jackey scratched his cheek, his own expression growing a little bashful.

“Yeah. I love you too.”

Nearby, Elise and Hyoren exchanged a glance.

Neither of them needed to say anything. A brief look was enough to convey what they were both thinking.

Let them be…

They turned their attention back to their companions, watching the two with warm expressions.

Freedom Party still had work to do. They needed to leave the dungeon, report their dive, and have their rewards properly processed before they could finally return home.

There would be time for all of that soon enough.

But for now, within the vast chamber of the dungeon's Fourth Floor, two of their companions were overcome with emotion, while the other two watched them with gentle smiles.

And for the moment—that was enough.