The sounds of battle echoed through the dungeon's stone walls, a thunderous rhythm that reverberated deep within the sixth floor.
There, two figures stood amidst the gloom... a golden-haired swordswoman and a silver-furred werewolf... both witnessing a breathtaking clash unfold before their eyes.
"Ais? Bete? What are you two just standing there for?"
A lively voice called out behind them. Neither needed to turn to know who it was.
Tiona jogged toward them, followed closely by the rest of the Loki Familia, gathering into a tight formation.
It wasn't just the executives or the elites present... the entire Loki Familia had gathered.
"Eh? There are still three of those things left? And you let a rookie fight them alone?"
Tiona exclaimed, eyes widening as she saw three Minotaurs surrounding a lone white-haired adventurer.
When the rookie was sent crashing into a wall, Tiona clenched her fists and stepped forward.
"Well... if you guys aren't going to finish them off, then I will—"
But before she could move—
ROAR!
The death cry of a Minotaur tore through the air.
In the next instant, its massive body collapsed into ash, its magic stone shattered cleanly.
"What...?"
Tiona froze.
She wasn't the only one.
Even the seasoned adventurers around her, those experienced and keen enough to gauge the rookie's strength and level at a glance, were left speechless.
"How is that possible?"
Tione appeared beside her, disbelief etched on her face.
"Ais... Bete... what is happening here?"
Riveria approached with graceful steps, her emerald eyes narrowing as she studied the scene.
"Tch. What's it look like, old hag? It's exactly what you're seeing."
Bete muttered, clicking his tongue in irritation.
Ais, however, remained silent... her golden eyes fixed solely on the white-haired girl battling the remaining Minotaurs.
"That lass looks so thin and fragile... yet she fights with that kind of ferocity?"
Gareth rumbled, stroking his beard.
"It's not just her spirit," Riveria added, her voice calm but impressed.
"Look closely... her movements are refined, efficient. Barely any wasted motion. That level of control takes years of training."
Finn folded his arms, a faint smile forming on his lips.
"Such an extraordinary rookie... Whoever trained her must be someone remarkable."
"A level one... took down a Minotaur?"
Raul whispered, his voice trembling in disbelief.
Even the amber-haired elf who stopped beside Ais was left speechless.
The Loki Familia didn't move. They were supposed to head to the surface by now, but no one said a word—they were too captivated by the battle unfolding before them.
"Come on, you can do it! Win!"
Tiona cheered, a bright smile lighting up her face.
...
'Why are there so many people watching me!?'
Belle screamed in her mind, her head spinning slightly from the realization that she had gathered such a large audience.
'Idiot! Focus on the enemies in front of you!'
The imaginary voice of her aunt barked in her head, snapping her back into a battle-ready stance.
She didn't even have the luxury to celebrate slaying the first Minotaur before the remaining two bellowed in rage.
The second one charged while the third circled to flank her.
Bell gritted her teeth and ran... not away, but toward the charging beast.
At the last second, she dropped to a slide, ducking between its legs, her dagger slicing across its inner thigh.
It stumbled, roaring in pain.
The third Minotaur swung at her, but she leapt back, the fist missing by inches.
She countered... a cross slash across its chest, then a spin to evade the retaliatory swing.
Her breaths grew ragged, her arms heavy.
But her skill, Tenebris Vitalis, was keeping her upright, letting her continue to fight even as her stamina was fading.
'Keep your center... keep your rhythm... don't lose your flow...'
The second Minotaur turned again, enraged.
Bell used its own fury against it, sidestepping at the last moment so it collided with the third.
The crash echoed through the chamber.
Bell didn't hesitate... she dashed in, climbing onto one's shoulder, using the other's body as leverage.
Her daggers glimmered.
"Haah!"
Both blades plunged into the exposed chest of the nearest Minotaur, striking the core dead center.
A burst of blue light... and another fell.
"Woohoo! She killed the second one! Just one more and she'll win!"
Tiona cheered, raising both arms high in the air.
"Unbelievable..."
"I'm a Level 2, and I don't think I could even pull that off."
"What Familia is she from?"
The lower-level members of the Loki Familia muttered among themselves, astonishment filling their eyes.
"You know, this reminds me of Argonaut."
Tiona said, her eyes locked on the white-haired girl as she dodged and counterattacked against an opponent much larger and stronger than herself.
"That hero story you liked to read?"
Tione muttered, glancing at her sister for a moment.
"Yeah. I really like that story."
Tiona smiled contentedly.
ROAR!
The last Minotaur let out an enraged bellow.
'It's agitated.'
Belle gritted her teeth and leapt aside as it charged toward her.
But the creature's massive hand caught her mid-air, iron fingers closing around her arm.
She gasped as her body was lifted off the ground.
Her dagger clattered away.
The Minotaur raised her toward its jaws, ready to crush her in one bite.
Desperation flared.
She twisted violently and stabbed the Minotaur's wrist.
It roared in pain, staggering back as it finally released her. One arm now hung limp and useless.
'A chance.'
Belle dove for the dagger on the ground and charged forward.
"Haap!"
Just as she thrust, the Minotaur blocked with its other arm... shielding its magic stone from destruction.
'It can actually do that?'
Stunned by its resilience, Belle's eyes widened as the Minotaur swung its injured arm wildly.
The dagger snapped in half.
"Oh no..."
She stared at the broken blade and bit her lip.
"One of her weapons got destroyed. Now she's down to just one dagger."
Bete muttered, his golden eyes narrowing as he shoved his hands into his pockets.
The others watched in silence, holding their breath for Belle's next move.
Belle inhaled deeply, forcing herself to stay calm.
'It's fine... now that its arms are injured, its attack patterns have become limited.'
She adjusted her grip on the remaining dagger.
As the Minotaur charged again, Belle sidestepped and slashed its Achilles tendon, sending it crashing to one knee.
"Take this!"
Seizing the moment, she hurled the broken dagger like a throwing star. It buried itself in the monster's eye.
The Minotaur roared, thrashing violently in pain.
'An opening!'
Belle didn't hesitate... she dashed forward, kicking off the ground and driving her dagger straight into its chest.
The creature swung its massive arm in a final act of rage, but she screamed and pushed with everything she had.
"Ahhh!"
The blade lodged deeper... and with a flash, the stone shattered.
Light burst through its body as it disintegrated, taking Bell with it in a shower of magic dust.
She landed hard on her knees, gasping for breath.
The air was thick with glowing motes, fading slowly into silence.
Three Minotaurs, gone.
Bell stared at her bloodied hands and the chipped edge of her dagger.
Her arms trembled.
Then she smiled faintly.
"It's over."
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