Tunnel Greed (D-rank Skill)

"Roarrrrr!"

However, this time, the ground didn't return to silence like the four times before.

Instead, the entire cavern, adorned with red ore linings, suddenly began to tremble like an earthquake had just struck.

Even the heat became unbearable, as if some kind of molten furnace had been unleashed deep within the earth, flooding the cavern with waves of scorching air.

"Finally, you're out. Damn, you made me waste so much of my time."

Feeling the earthquake, a smile appeared on Lucien's lips.

Earlier, it had refused to leave its nest, forcing him into a passive position.

But after half an hour of tormenting the Earth Dragon with wave after wave of E-rank Glimmergnaws, he could finally see its full appearance.

"Boom!"

"Roarrrrr!"

Lucien finally saw the huge Earth Dragon roaring in anger at those tiny rodents running out of the cavern entrance.

Its body was covered in dark, stone-like scales with sharp red crystals sticking out all over, making it look like a moving mountain filled with glowing rocks.

However, though it seemed heavy, it was surprisingly agile as it suddenly lunged and jumped high, landing directly at the entrance of the cavern atop a group of Glimmergnaws, turning them into meat paste.

"Squeak..."

"Screech..."

Only when death was near did the Glimmergnaws come to their senses, but it was too late.

Their entire bodies were crushed into powder under the sheer weight of the gigantic monster.

A D-rank monster was in a league of its own. These E-rank rodents could never outsmart it even on their best day, let alone now.

"Roarrrrr!"

"Shit!"

Lucien was already out of the cavern, but he was still immediately spotted by the Earth Dragon as soon as it appeared at the entrance, its massive form blocking out the faint light from within.

Its intelligent, beady eyes locked onto him without hesitation, knowing full well who was irritating him from the beginning.

So, without a shred of hesitation, it ignored those tiny rats and with terrifying speed, it dashed forward like a boulder, the ground trembling beneath its weight and fury.

"Swoosh!"

It was so fast that Lucien barely had a moment to react before the beast was upon him.

Fortunately, he was ready and managed to crush another amulet with a desperate grunt, when a pulse of defensive magic enveloped him.

"Boom!"

"Ugh... fuck!"

However, even with the amulet's protection, the impact sent him flying, his back slamming into the stone wall with a sickening thud.

His body crumpled to the ground, his vision swimming and breath escaping in a sharp gasp as pain bloomed across his side.

"Swoosh!"

But the Earth Dragon was relentless. Its massive form closes the distance again, shaking dust loose from the tunnel walls with every thunderous step, ready to strike again.

'Tunnel Greed...!'

Although Lucien had been caught off guard, the looming presence of the Earth Dragon sharpened his focus. 

So, he finally gritted his teeth against the pain and summoned what strength he had left and activated the Tunnel Greed skill.

"Swoosh!"

Suddenly, Lucien felt his mental power being drained rapidly as an intense headache almost made him faint.

Fortunately, as soon as he activated the skill Tunnel Greed on Earth Dragon, its movement suddenly stopped. 

The skill effect of agro removal worked, as the Earth Dragon suddenly lost its target.

However, although it no longer attacked Lucien, it still looked at those Glimmergnaws running around the tunnel in anger.

"Hey, big guy, look what it is?"

However, Lucien wouldn't just let it do as it pleased.

With his remaining mental power, he realized he could barely use the Tunnel Greed one last time, that too with significant drawbacks.

So, without waiting for even a second, Lucien suddenly waved his hand and took out five pouches similar to the one before.

This was all the gold he had.

"Squeak?"

"Squeak, Squeak..."

Before the Earth Dragon could look at it, those scared Glimmergnaws, ready to flee for their lives without caring about Lucien, suddenly stopped.

After all, they knew what was inside that pouch. Of course, they were greedy for it.

"Grrrrr….."

Lucien's shout successfully managed to draw the Earth Dragon's attention once again.

But this time, before it could get angry or attack, it suddenly saw Lucien hurling the entire pouch to the side, toward the group of Glimmergnaws who had been ready to run moments ago.

"Clitter… clatter…"

Because he threw it without a care, the pouch burst open, and a rain of gold spilled forth, appearing even more magnificent than before.

"Make sure to keep it safe."

Lucien suddenly smirked at those rodents as if he were entrusting his assets to them for safekeeping. He had already tested this method before and was sure it would work.

"Kree-Kree"

Seeing the dense rain of shining coin falling just like before, the sharp, excited squeaks of the Glimmergnaw even managed to nullify the roar of the Earth Dargon. 

Only, in their excitement, they failed to see a similar look of greed on their enemy's face. Only, it was even more intense than theirs.

"Roarrrrrrr!"

As soon as the Earth Dragon saw those shiny coins, it suddenly roared in extreme excitement, as if they were the most precious objects in the world, more so even than the Infernium it had found.

Lucien could even see smoke curling from its mouth, signifying the Earth Dragon's overwhelming excitement.

"Yes, that's what I was aiming for."

Although his head felt like it was about to split open, when he saw the Earth Dragon's reaction, Lucien managed to smile in relief.

As long as his skill worked as he intended, it wouldn't be long before he become extremely powerful.

"Grrrrr…"

While he was thinking, the Earth Dragon suddenly let out a low growl and completely ignored Lucien and even the rodents scurrying around.

Instead, with a powerful "WHOOSH!", it lunged forward just like before, using its new skill.

"Boom!" 

Suddenly, as soon as the Earth Dragon landed in the center, flames sprang forth and engulfed everything, roasting the Glimmergnaws alive.

It happened so instantaneously and so fast that the rodents didn't even have time to react.

They were incinerated together. 

It was Inferno Surge, a D-rank fire-type active skill.