chapter 17

Azazel's POV

The beast barreled into the room, a monstrous shape of fur, claws, and rage. Its massive form barely fit through the tunnel, its hunched frame forcing it to duck before it lunged forward with a deafening snarl.

Nike didn't hesitate. He moved like lightning, slipping between the beast's claws and delivering a sharp kick to its ribs. The impact sent a shockwave through the air, but the monster barely staggered.

I swallowed hard. This is real. This isn't a game. If we lose, we die.

My panel flickered, offering status updates on my mobs. Their emotions swirled in my expanded senses—determination from Hydra, Naga's sharp focus, the mindless obedience of the drones, and a surprising surge of protectiveness from Stinky.

Nike's voice snapped me back. "Azazel! I need crowd control—something to slow it down!"

Right—right! I fumbled through my spells. Fear magic. I need to try fear magic.

Extending my hand, I focused on the beast, channeling my will into the words I barely understood. Dark energy swirled at my fingertips before launching forward in a twisting mist. The moment it touched the creature, its body stiffened.

The monster's bloodshot eyes widened in panic. It let out a half-snarl, half-whimper, its legs locking up as its breath came in short, frantic gasps.

It worked.

Nike took the opening, leaping up and slashing at its shoulder with his gauntlet-clad claws. The beast roared, staggering back—but then, something shifted.

A new message popped up.

"WARNING: Target is entering Frenzied State. Fear effect has increased aggression."

My stomach dropped. Oh no.

The beast's panic twisted into something worse. It threw its head back and howled—a sound so raw and primal that even my dungeon creatures hesitated. Then, with reckless fury, it lunged—not at Nike, but at the woman.

She gasped, stumbling back, her exhausted body too slow to react.

My heart pounded. No.

I didn't think. I just acted.

"Hydra! Naga! Intercept!"

The twin serpents launched themselves at the beast's flanks, their fangs sinking into its matted fur. Crystal mice darted around its feet, nipping and clawing, trying to trip it up. The drones hovered close, waiting for an opening.

Nike twisted, planting his foot and launching himself at the creature's side, his gauntlets glowing faintly as he drove a punch into its ribs. A sickening crack filled the air.

The beast staggered, blood dripping from fresh wounds.

I locked eyes with the woman. "Get behind me!"

She hesitated—only for a second—before scrambling toward me, her breath ragged.

Nike cracked his knuckles, eyes gleaming with a wild grin. "Alright, big guy. Round two."

While Nike held the monster's attention, weaving between its claws with the mobs at his side, I rushed forward, grabbing hold of the exhausted woman before she could collapse.

She was barely standing.

I hooked an arm around her waist, dragging her away from the battle and toward the tunnel leading to the core room. Her breathing was ragged, her body trembling from exertion.

"Stay here. We'll protect you."

I barely gave her time to respond before turning back, heart hammering in my chest.

As I reentered the fight, I threw my hand forward, summoning a crackling bolt of dark energy. The spell coalesced in my palm—a swirling mass of shadow before I launched it straight at the beast's raised arm.

Impact.

The force of the spell slammed into its forearm just as it was about to swipe at Nike, knocking its aim off course. The beast stumbled back half a step, its bloodshot eyes flickering toward me.

Then, I felt it.

A shift in its focus. The raw, seething rage that had been locked on Nike turned on me.

My stomach dropped.

"Shit—I think I just pulled aggro."

The beast's bloodshot eyes snapped toward me the moment my Shadow Bolt struck its arm. It let out a guttural snarl, its breath hot and foul as it locked onto its new target—me.

Oh no.

The monster lunged, closing the distance far faster than something its size should be able to. I barely had time to react before it swiped a massive claw in my direction.

"Ooga Booga!"

The fear spell shot out instinctively, latching onto the creature's mind like dark tendrils. For a moment, its charge faltered—its muscles seizing, breath coming out in short, panicked gasps. Its own instincts fought against it, but I knew it wouldn't last long.

Nike didn't waste the opening. He dashed in from the side, his gauntlet-clad fist slamming into the beast's ribs with a sickening crack. It staggered, claws scraping against the stone floor as it tried to regain balance.

"Azazel, keep moving! You're too squishy to be standing still!" Nike shouted.

Right!

I turned and sprinted toward the far end of the room, putting as much distance between me and the monster as possible. Hydra and Naga slithered in from the sides, their fangs gleaming as they lunged at the beast's legs. Stinky and Noodle, the two named crystal mice, darted between its feet, aiming for weak spots in its thick fur.

The drones buzzed overhead, their crystal stingers poised, waiting for an opportunity.

Nike took a stance beside me, his sharp eyes fixed on the beast. "We need to hit it harder. What else do you have?"

I glanced at my panel, my mind racing. My spells weren't strong enough to do real damage, but I had utility. I could weaken it—make it easier for Nike and the mobs to bring it down.

"Jinxed!"

A faint, eerie glow settled over the monster as the hex took effect. Its movements slowed, as if an unseen force was weighing it down. I could feel it—its luck was draining, making it more susceptible to every strike.

Nike grinned. "Now we're talking."

The beast shook off its hesitation and let out a deafening roar. It charged again, its frenzy taking over, swiping wildly at anything in its path. One of its claws clipped Naga, sending the serpent flying across the room with a pained hiss.

Damn it!

I clenched my fists, my mind racing. If I don't do something, this thing is going to tear through my dungeon. I need to stop it now.

Then an idea hit me.

I slammed my hand against the ground, focusing on the connection to my dungeon. My mana surged outward.

Mana Creation: Spike Trap!

The stone beneath the monster shifted, jagged crystal spikes erupting from the ground beneath its feet.

It let out a choked snarl as the sharp edges sank into its flesh, drawing dark blood. It recoiled, trying to backpedal—

Nike was already moving.

With a fierce battle cry, he leaped forward, his fist crackling with raw energy. His gauntlet collided with the beast's skull, sending a shockwave through the room.

The monster's legs buckled. It swayed—dazed, weakened, and bleeding.

One more hit.

Nike braced himself, muscles coiled. "Azazel, finish it!"

My pulse pounded. This was it. I had to act now.

I raised my hand, channeling everything I had left into my next spell.

"Shadow Bolt!"

The dark energy lashed out, striking the beast square in the chest.

It let out a final, strangled howl—before its massive form collapsed with a heavy thud.

For a moment, the room was silent.

Then, a notification flickered into view.

[Dungeon Defended: XP Gained – 320]

[Level Up: Level 5 (Copper Tier)]

Two new spells unlocked

Hypnosis-this spell can dominate the weak mind mortals into doing anything for an hour unless attacked. Enemies don't apply

Healing hoodoo- cures poisons, toxins and curses.

I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding.

We won.

Nike exhaled sharply, rolling his shoulders as he surveyed the fallen beast. "Not bad, boss. You actually held your own."

I groaned, leaning against the wall. "I think I'm gonna pass out."

Nike just laughed. "Welcome to dungeon life."