Guardian

A grand palace stood in the depths of the dungeon, its walls shimmering with a crystalline glow. Inside, five blue-haired beings, their forms human-like but distinctly otherworldly, sat around an elegant table, their feast laid out before them.

These were the Fairy guardians, entities born gifted with intelligence and a natural affinity for mana.

Vanessa, Leo, Corona, Fana, and Oboron.

Corona placed down his goblet, his fingers tapping against the table in frustration.

"Three demons, a swarm of adventurers, and now mercenaries," he muttered. "This is bad. I need more time to prepare. I have to exterminate these rats before they spread further into my domain."

"Crystal Dungeon is one of the most complex dungeons," Fana added, swirling her drink. "It takes years to fully explore."

"Many have tried," Leo chuckled, tearing into a piece of monster meat with sharp teeth. "Ever since this dungeon appeared, adventurers have come one after another. Yet not a single one has reached this level."

He wiped his mouth and smirked. "I almost feel sorry for them. They think they can claim this place… But they don't even realize how small they are."

Oboron, who had been silently listening, let out a quiet breath. Unlike his brethren, he did not revel in arrogance. He observed.

He raised a hand, and before him, a glowing map unfolded in the air. His mapping skill activated, scanning the dungeon's depths.

Dots flickered across its surface—adventurers, mercenaries, scattered groups moving through the maze-like structure. Some moved cautiously, others recklessly.

But then—

A single figure appeared on the map.

Oboron's expression darkened. The entire dungeon trembled at the presence of this being.

"Impossible…" he murmured.

The dots of other beings flickered and vanished, one by one, as they were erased—not by traps, not by monsters, but by one entity alone.

A woman.

She walked through the dungeon unhindered, unstoppable.

Horns curved from her head, her scarlet eyes glowing with an unnatural radiance. The air around her twisted, saturated with raw, bloodlust-fueled mana.

Oboron clenched his jaw.

"This is no ordinary opponent," he muttered.

The room fell silent as his words sank in.

Oboron stood.

"Where are you going?" Corona asked, frowning.

Oboron's gaze remained on the shifting map.

"To face her."

A spatial rift swirled open before him. Without another word, he stepped through.

Tonight, he would confront the Demon King.

…

Time passed, and my training under Retto finally bore results. I became stronger, sharper, and faster. With Lumina and Kuroe joining us, our team's strength skyrocketed. We weren't just some ragtag adventurers anymore.

We were warriors.

And now, we were hunting an A-rank monster—the Fire Salamander.

The tunnels leading to the salamander's lair were suffocatingly hot. The deeper we went, the more the air shimmered with heat, making it hard to breathe. Lava veins pulsed beneath the cracked stone floor, and the stench of burning sulfur filled my nose. The walls glowed ominously, casting eerie, flickering shadows as we moved forward.

Retto, walking ahead, tightened his grip on his sword. His sharp gaze flickered toward us.

"This path leads straight to the Fire Salamander," he said. His voice was calm, but I could tell—he was on edge.

The last time he faced a dragon-class beast… his squad barely survived.

But this time, we were here to finish the job.

Kuroe cracked her knuckles, smirking. "An A-rank bounty, huh? I'm getting excited."

Lumina's golden eyes burned with resolve. "That overgrown lizard won't last a minute against my light magic."

I stayed quiet, gripping my sword. This was my chance. If I wanted to prove my strength, now was the time.

Then—

The cave trembled.

A deafening roar echoed through the cavern, shaking the very walls. Cracks formed along the ceiling, sending chunks of molten rock crashing down. The heat intensified, the very air becoming heavy with an oppressive force.

And then, emerging from the fiery depths…

It appeared.

Name: Fire Salamander

Race: Dragon

Level: 143

HP: 350,890

MP: 500,000

Skills: Abilities: Dragon's Eyes.

The Fire Salamander's scaled body glowed like molten steel, veins of lava pulsing beneath its flesh. Its flaming tail whipped violently, sending searing waves of heat through the cavern. Its glowing amber eyes locked onto us, filled with hunger and fury.

"It has the Intimidation ability!" Lumina gasped.

A surge of pressure crashed over us, an overwhelming killing intent that threatened to crush our very souls. My hands trembled. My legs nearly gave out. This thing… wasn't just a monster.

It was a calamity.

The beast lunged, its maw glowing with an infernal light—

"Move!" Retto shouted.

Just as the Fire Salamander breathed out a massive wave of hellfire, we scattered, dodging in different directions. The flames erupted, melting stone and turning the ground into a sea of lava.

Kuroe's sword flashed—

"Lightning Swift!"

Her form blurred, appearing next to the salamander in an instant. A streak of silver cut across its side—

But the blade barely left a scratch.

"Tch! It's got insane defenses!" Kuroe gritted her teeth.

I focused my mana. If magic attacks couldn't pierce its defenses, then—

"Wind Magic: Towering Tornado!"

A violent cyclone erupted, tearing through the cavern, extinguishing the flames and forcing the Fire Salamander backward.

Lumina followed up immediately—

"Light Magic: Luminous Spears!"

A dozen radiant lances formed in the air, striking the beast at blinding speed. The impact sent shockwaves through the cavern—

But the Fire Salamander regenerated instantly. Its charred skin reformed, and the magic barriers around its body reconstructed in seconds.

"Damn it—magic resistance and regeneration?!" I clenched my fists.

"Then let's do this the old-fashioned way," Retto muttered.

He lowered his stance, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword.

The Fire Salamander roared, preparing another devastating fire breath—

But in that moment—

Retto vanished.

"Sword Skill: Judgment."

A blinding arc of light swept through the cavern. For a brief second—

Everything fell silent.

Then—

The Fire Salamander's massive body split in two.

Its eyes flickered. A deep, guttural growl rumbled from its throat.

And then—

It collapsed.

[Congratulations! Semi-Boss Monster Defeated.]

A window popped up in my vision. The Fire Salamander… was dead.

"…"

Kuroe and Lumina were stunned. Their eyes widened as they watched Retto calmly sheath his sword.

"…That was incredible," Lumina whispered.

"Seriously, what kind of monster are you?" Kuroe muttered in disbelief.

I remember before… He say that he can kill the dragon by him self. Seems like Retto is not joking after all.

I let out a deep breath, sweat dripping from my forehead. Retto… he really was on another level.

But then, his body swayed.

Just as he was about to collapse—

Kuroe rushed forward, pulling out a water flask. "Here, drink this."

Retto took it and drank without hesitation.

Then—

Kuroe suddenly blushed bright red.

"…Why are you blushing?" Lumina raised an eyebrow.

Kuroe looked away, fidgeting. "I… took a sip from that bottle earlier…"

"…"

That was an indirect kiss.

I stared at Retto, feeling a strange, annoying sensation bubbling inside me.

"…You really are hopeless," I muttered under my breath.

I wasn't sure if I was talking about him… or myself.

Retto let out a small chuckle, wiping his mouth. "We should keep moving. The dungeon won't wait for us."

With the Fire Salamander defeated, Retto downed an MP potion, refueling himself. But even with this victory, we all knew—this was only the beginning.

This dungeon was still full of unpredictable dangers.

And we weren't done yet.