E-Rank Dungeon [3]
After clearing the first goblin encampment, Alex found himself on the receiving end of a lecture from Alicia. Her icy blue eyes bore into him as she crossed her arms, her tone sharp and unyielding.
"I told you to be more aware of your surroundings, have I not?!" she scolded, her voice a mix of frustration and concern. "If I hadn't pulled you back, those rocks could have injured or trapped you. You can't just assume this dungeon will be easy just because you're stronger than it."
Alex rubbed the back of his head, feeling a tinge of embarrassment. "I didn't expect the rocks to fall." he admitted sheepishly, avoiding her piercing gaze.
Alicia's arms tightened across her chest, her disapproval evident. "That's the problem. You didn't expect it. A dungeon is an unpredictable place. You might think an E-rank dungeon is easy, but the moment you get careless, it'll remind you why so many adventurers don't come back. Expect the unexpected."
Alex nodded, her words hitting home. He had been confident—too confident, perhaps—and the near-miss had shaken him more than he cared to admit.
Alicia sighed, her stern expression softening as she stepped closer. She reached out and ruffled his hair, her fingers gliding through the strands with practiced ease. "Good. I'd hate to see my disciple hurt."
Her voice softened, becoming almost motherly. "I have only one disciple. Don't make me worry so much, my precious disciple."
Alex's cheeks flushed faintly at her affectionate gesture, but he let her continue. Stopping her was futile—when Alicia decided to fuss over him, there was no arguing against her.
Aurora chimed in, her tone sharp with exasperation. "And you didn't listen to me either! I warned you how crafty goblins can be, didn't I? You need to pay more attention, Alex. I'm not just here for decoration!"
Alex sighed inwardly, feeling cornered. He nodded sheepishly. 'Two scoldings in a row—guess I deserved that.' he thought.
While Alex processed their words, Alicia's thoughts strayed in a darker direction. Her possessive and obsessive love for her only disciple bubbled beneath her calm demeanor. 'If he's this reckless inside an E-rank dungeon, what would he be like in a more dangerous place?' she wondered, her mind racing. 'Should I keep him locked away, safe and protected? Yes… maybe that's for the best…'
She quickly shook off the thought, refocusing on Alex with a faint, reassuring smile, though it did little to mask the shadowy glint in her eyes.
As they ventured deeper into the dungeon, each encounter seemed to ignite something in him. While others might have been tense or hesitant, Alex wore a wide, unnerving smile—one that could have haunted anyone who didn't know him. Blood splattered, and monsters fell to his blade, but he seemed to revel in the chaos.
Aurora, observing through his side, missed the deeper implications of his expression, too focused on analyzing the monsters. But Alicia noticed. She saw it clearly.
And for her, it was… exhilarating.
Slowing her steps, Alicia trailed slightly behind Alex, watching him closely. Every fluid strike, every confident movement—everything about him filled her with a deep, unshakable pride. Yet, when her gaze lingered on his chilling smile, a twisted sense of joy stirred within her.
Her breath quickened, and her cheeks flushed faintly as she suppressed the surge of emotions that threatened to overwhelm her. 'I haven't chosen wrong,' she thought, the words repeating in her mind like a mantra. 'He is the only one. My disciple… my perfect disciple.'
Alicia forced herself to exhale slowly, masking her expression. She couldn't let Alex see her like this—not yet. For now, she would nurture his strength, watch him grow, and ensure no harm ever came to him.
No matter what it took.
The path ahead led to a vast cavern, its air noticeably cooler, the space sprawling with jagged boulders and rocky outcrops that cast long, foreboding shadows. The uneven terrain created an ominous battlefield, ideal for ambushes. Alex's eyes narrowed as he scanned the area, his Hunter skill humming with heightened alertness.
The atmosphere shifted dramatically as they entered a deep ravine. Narrow ledges carved into the rocky walls loomed above, providing perfect vantage points for attackers. Alex's instincts tingled, and the danger revealed itself almost immediately.
Gnolls emerged from the shadows, their guttural growls echoing through the cavern. These hulking, hyena-like creatures were larger and more brutal than the monsters Alex had faced earlier.
Armed with an array of savage weapons—jagged maces, spiked flails, and rusted axes—they leaped down from the ledges, their predatory eyes gleaming with violent intent.
The first Gnoll charged, swinging a machete with deadly force. Alex reacted instantly, casting
Another Gnoll lunged from his right, a flail swinging wildly. Alex ducked under the spiked ball and spun, his sword slicing upward in a fluid motion. The blade carved through the Gnoll's torso, its guttural snarl turning into a gurgle as it collapsed.
Above him, more Gnolls gathered on the ledges, readying their attack. Alex's sharp gaze tracked their movements. With a burst of energy, he leaped high into the air, a technique Alicia had recently drilled into him.
From her vantage point, Alicia watched with a critical eye. "Good form," she commented, arms crossed. "But your timing could be tighter."
Alex gritted his teeth but kept his focus as he twisted midair, landing on one of the narrow ledges. A startled Gnoll, axe raised, growled and swung clumsily. Alex sidestepped with ease, driving his sword into its side before kicking its lifeless body off the edge.
Without missing a beat, Alex extended his free hand and channeled his mana. "Let's see how you like this." he muttered, casting
The cavern descended into chaos. Gnolls swarmed from above and below, their savage howls reverberating through the ravine. Alex's mind worked quickly, analyzing their movements and finding gaps in their assault.
Three Gnolls rushed him simultaneously, weapons raised. He parried the first club strike, sidestepped another heavy swing aimed at his chest, and retaliated with a devastating horizontal slash.
Two Gnolls fell instantly, their blood spraying across the rocky ground. The third hesitated—a fatal mistake. Alex raised his hand and fired
"More incoming, left side!" Aurora's voice warned.
Alex turned just as a group of Gnolls on a higher ledge hurled metal javelins. He dove off his perch, rolling as he landed to avoid the makeshift projectiles that shattered against the ground.
"Sloppy aim." he said with a smirk, pushing to his feet and dashing toward the next wave of attackers.
His blade became a whirlwind of deadly precision, cutting through the Gnolls' ranks with ruthless efficiency. Alternating between powerful sword strikes and bursts of dark magic, he overwhelmed the monsters.
Through it all, Alicia remained silent, her piercing gaze never leaving Alex. She tracked his every movement with an intensity that bordered on obsession, her expression unreadable.
When the last Gnoll fell, the cavern grew eerily still. Alex stood amidst the carnage, his chest rising and falling with controlled breaths, his sword dripping with reddish brown gooey blood.
He glanced toward Alicia, who gave him a slow nod of approval.
Pressing onward, the path opened more where there was a massive cave. The air felt heavier, the faint hum of energy emanating from glowing crystals embedded in the jagged walls.
At the center of the cavern stood a towering figure—a Gnoll Captain.
This D-rank monster was a far cry from the Gnolls Alex had faced earlier. It radiated authority and raw power, its presence commanding the attention of every living thing in the room. Its matted fur, streaked with blood and battle scars, told the story of countless brutal fights.
The Gnoll Captain's crude armor, pieced together from scavenged metal and bones, clanked as it shifted its stance. In its clawed hands, it gripped a massive two-handed battle axe. The weapon was as imposing as its wielder, its chipped blade stained from past kills but still lethally sharp.
Its blood-red eyes locked onto Alex, glinting with intelligence and malice. A guttural growl rose from its throat, escalating into a deafening roar that echoed through the cavern, shaking the very walls and sending a cascade of loose dust and pebbles from the ceiling.