From Mountainous Carnage to Uncertain Silence

As the explosion bead fulfilled its purpose, the resonating roars of the beasts echoed through the air, causing the ground beneath us to tremble ever so slightly.

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We awaited the emergence of the creatures from the depths of the dungeon. And there they stood, resembling rhinoceroses in body, yet with distinctive features that set them apart. Their hornless heads lacked eyes but possessed formidable noses and rows of razor-sharp teeth.

"By the gods, it's the Wide-eyed," exclaimed one of the knights, his voice filled with a mix of fear and recognition.

The Wide-eyed creatures were notorious for their exceptional defence, agility, and insatiable appetite.

They were upper-ranked C grade monsters, posing a significant threat to any who dared to challenge them.

As they emerged from the dungeon, they emitted low growls, seemingly engaging in some form of communication.

Their acute sense of smell detected the scent of blood lingering in the air, drawing their attention to the injured knights who had aided the adventures.

"If you can't hold them off, redirect their attention towards me!" I commanded, raising my voice above the chaos that ensued.

In response to my proclamation, two of the beasts turned their focus toward me, their predatory instincts guiding their every move. Steadying myself, I infused my longsword with mana, causing it to emit a faint blue glow.

I swung my sword with effortless precision, utilizing no specific technique as I intercepted the oncoming Wide-eyed creatures.

The blade effortlessly cut through their defences, leaving behind a visible line that cleaved their heads in two.

A single swing was all it took—a testament to the power and expertise I had gained through the accumulation of millennia of experience through Galadriel.

As another Wide-eyed approached, I dispatched it with the same ease and efficiency as its fallen comrade.

The process unfolded so swiftly that both the remaining monsters and the knights stood dumbfounded, their expressions a mixture of awe and disbelief.

I swiftly kicked the lifeless bodies aside, clearing a path for the relentless onslaught of beasts that now focused their attention solely on me.

"Wyrmheart First Stance," I whispered, my grip tightening on the hilt of my sword. With a surge of determination, I unleashed a relentless barrage of 21 consecutive slashes. Each strike found its mark, killing two or more Wide-eyed creatures with each powerful blow.

Despite the mounting casualties, the never-ending stream of reinforcements from the depths of the cave ensured that new adversaries swiftly replaced the fallen.

Undeterred, I continued my onslaught, deftly kicking the bodies of the fallen beasts to the side, preventing the area from becoming overcrowded with their lifeless forms.

The two knights assigned to this task diligently carried out their duty, dragging the bodies away and meticulously extracting the precious mana cores and valuable parts from the fallen beasts.

The resounding war cry of the knights echoed through the battlefield as they valiantly pushed more beasts towards me. I welcomed the challenge with open arms, revelling in the exhilaration of effortlessly wielding my sword and cutting down my enemies.

The joy of battle surpassed all else, especially when victory came with such ease.

Wave after wave of Wide-eyed creatures poured forth from the depths of the dungeon, intensifying the chaotic scene before me.

The space grew increasingly crowded as the lifeless bodies of fallen beasts stacked upon one another.

Even the two knights assigned to the task of clearing the battlefield were beginning to feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of corpses.

In an act of desperation, the knights leaped onto the back of a fallen Wide-eyed, using it as a makeshift platform to gain a height advantage over the surrounding chaos.

Undeterred by the mounting challenge, I continued to strike down the encroaching beasts.

More and more Wide-eyed creatures met their demise at the end of my blade, their bodies adding to the growing mountain of fallen foes.

As the battle raged on, the numbers of the monsters began to dwindle. With each victorious swing of their swords, the knights let out a triumphant war cry, holding their weapons high in the air.

The last remaining beasts fell under their blades, marking the hard-fought culmination of our efforts.

As the battlefield fell into a hushed silence, the knights cast their gazes upon me, standing atop a mountainous heap of Wide-eyed.

Their eyes held a mixture of awe, respect, and curiosity. Sensing the need to proceed, I issued a command for the knights to clear the bodies strewn across the field. Some of them quickly moved to carry out the task at hand.

After a moment of respite, we engaged in a discussion, contemplating the possibility of throwing another explosion bead into the dungeon.

However, to our surprise, no new monsters emerged from within its depths. The air remained still, devoid of any sounds except for the echoes of the previous explosion. We waited, hoping for a resurgence of activity, but none came.

"Is it over?" one knight pondered aloud, a mixture of anticipation and disbelief painted on his face.

"So soon? I expected a much larger influx of monsters during a dungeon outbreak," another knight remarked, his tone filled with slight disappointment.

Why are you disappointed though?

"Let us wait a few more minutes," suggested yet another knight, his voice echoing the collective sentiment of uncertainty.

As time passed and no further signs of activity manifested, I called the knights to gather, their murmurs growing louder with each passing second. They proposed various solutions to the situation, each voicing their concerns and suggestions. However, I remained steadfast in my decision, for I had already made up my mind.

"I shall venture inside to scout," I declared. The knights' discussions reached a crescendo, expressing their worry and respect for my safety.

"With all due respect, sir, I believe it would be perilous for you to go alone. It would be wiser to send a group of knights to scout in your stead. Your presence is needed here, as it may pose a risk if any of the beasts were to escape," a knight offered, his words carrying a genuine concern for my well-being.

"Fear not," I reassured them. "If the danger lies within, it is I who must face it. I shall ensure that no beast escapes, and if I encounter formidable adversaries, I shall make a swift retreat."

Having witnessed my prowess in battle, having seen me dispatch the vast majority of the Wide-eyed creatures, the knights relented, understanding the rationale behind my decision.