Chapter 17

Going around the corner he came across a creature he hadn't seen before 

[SYSTEM MESSAGE

] Inspecting Target: Abyssal Chimera

 Creature Type: Serpentine / Feline Hybrid

 Level: 15

HP 1000/1000

Adam's breath caught in his throat as the creature looked at him the Abyssal Chimera hissed, a low, guttural sound that reverberated through the cavernous corridor. He had only a moment to react. The Instinctive Awareness coursed through him, heightening his senses to their peak. He could see the creature's movements The Chimera lunged, its enormous claws swiping through the air. Adam rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the deadly strike. His Dodge skill came into play, and he was already on his feet, moving with fluid grace. He had to think fast. The creature's sheer size made it formidable, but Adam knew his strengths lay in using Dexterity and his toxins to outsmart enemies like this.

He reached for his Sedative Venom and coated his blade in the viscous substance. The Chimera screeched, its claws scraping against the stone as it spun to face him, its glowing eyes narrowing.

"Let's see how you handle this," Adam muttered under his breath, his heart pounding. He waited for the creature to strike again, but this time, he was ready. The Chimera lunged with a speed that before this would have been impossible for him to follow. With a well-timed leap, he soared over the creature's massive form, his blade coming down in a quick, decisive strike.

The blade sank into the Chimera's back, and the creature howled in pain For a split second, it stumbled, and Adam could see the telltale signs of the toxin starting to take effect. Its movements slowed, its eyes flickering as the Sedative Venom began to cloud its senses. But Adam didn't wait for it to recover. He knew that a creature of this power wouldn't be taken down so easily. He darted behind a pillar, using his surroundings to stay out of the Chimera's line of sight as he strategized his next move.

He took a deep breath, focusing his thoughts. His Pain Resistance was helping him endure the battle, but he wasn't out of the woods yet. The Chimera's roar echoed through the dungeon, but it was weaker now

Adam reached into his inventory and pulled out a Healing Herb, chewing on it quickly as his HP started to regenerate. He felt a wave of renewed strength as his body healed The Chimera, disoriented and slower now, swung its tail wildly, trying to strike at anything in its path. Adam took advantage of its confusion, darting around it and landing another precise blow to its flank. The creature hissed, its massive body twitching As the Chimera collapsed to the ground with a deafening crash, Adam knew it wasn't finished yet. He could feel the pressure building, the tension thick in the air. He readied himself, focusing on the creature's every movement With a leap, he closed the distance, his blade coming down hard on the creature's neck. The Abyssal Chimera let out one final, pitiful screech as its head fell to the ground with a sickening thud.

The dungeon fell silent, and Adam staggered back, his chest heaving with exhaustion. He had done it.

But before he could take another breath, a faint rustling echoed from the far end of the corridor, quickly followed by the unmistakable sound of skittering feet.

Adam's eyes widened as the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. His Instinctive Awareness flared to life, and he immediately understood the danger. More creatures—there was no time to waste. He was already battered and drained from his fight with the Chimera, and he knew that if he didn't prepare quickly, whatever was coming would catch him off guard.

His hand shot to his inventory, pulling out the remaining Stamina Potion and Healing Potion he had gotten at the beginning of the dungeon. He hadn't needed them yet, but if there was ever a time he needed it, it was now. After this Adam was going to treat himself to some calming tea and eat some root-senpi did he mention how much he hated this place?

Adam uncorked the Stamina Potion first, downing it in one swift motion. The bitter liquid burned as it slid down his throat, but the surge of energy that followed was instantaneous. His muscles felt less fatigued, his body brimming with energy like the best energy drink. He immediately followed up with the Healing Potion, which had a cool, soothing effect as it began knitting his wounds together. His HP surged back, the healing process working fast.

He gripped his small blade tightly and stuck a healing herb and Dullroot in his mouth ready to chew when he needed it. 

[SYSTEM MESSAGE]

Inspecting Target: Armored Dungeon Behemoth

Creature Type: Armored Insectoid

Level: 15 

HP: 750/750

It was like a cross between a beetle and a rhino and A Venomous Dungeon Scuttler followed right behind it. Adam had one though, Fu…. 

He immediately used Leap, propelling himself into the air and over the Scuttler's head. He landed on the other side The Venomous Dungeon Scuttler let out a screech of frustration as it turned to him. Meanwhile, the larger Armored Dungeon Behemoth trudged forward, its massive claws dragging along the stone floor. He pushed forward and cut the Armored Behemoth before dodging away letting his toxin get inside the creature and wait for it to kick in. That was when he heard it more creatures coming thinking quickly he looked towards the hall he came from and clicked his boots using his teleporting ability to get out of there. As he appears he leaps further trying to get out of the creature's line of site if possible without looking behind he just keeps running until he was too tired to keep going and collapsed to the floor exhausted.

Waking up he jumped up ready to fight not for the first time, this dungeon was making him go crazy. Pulling out his creation set up as he started referring to all his tools. He made more of everything he used up during his fights. He was going to hunt everything that hunted him all the while looking for the exit to this place as he has been doing.

Adam walked around the corridor where his last fight ended taking a moment to look around and wait in the shadows after drinking

Item: Illuminating Tea

Rarity: Uncommon

Effect: When consumed, this tea enhances visibility in low-light conditions for 3 Hours.

He waited and seeing his chance when one of the earlier monsters entered he used taunt and lead it for a chase never going too fast to lose it this time, When Adam thought he was far enough away he waited for it to close in on him and used dodge and cut the creature with his toxin. Now all he had to do was keep cutting it and waiting for it to bleed out. And a few minutes later it did just that earning him some xp and a few loot drops. Chewing a dullroot he headed back to his shadowy corner waiting to do it all over again.

After the fourth time luring the creatures away and killing them the loot he collected amounted to 

750 XP 2x Stamina potions,1x Health potion, and some silver and copper. He was hoping to get more ability shards looking in his inventory he currently had

Ability Shard x7

Class: Herbalist (Level 6) 1685/5000

After resting he continued walking down the halls coming across a door for the first time since entering this place he tried to inspect it.

[SYSTEM MESSAGE]

Inspecting Door: Boss Room

Status: Sealed

Requirement: Defeat 1/2 Mini-Bosses to unlock

Description: The way out of this dungeon. Beyond this door lies the final challenge before you and your party can escape the labyrinth.

Finally at least knowing the way out now he just needed to find this last mini-boss and kill it hopefully leveling up in the process.