Only Chance

While Adonis clashed head-on with the towering Orc King, swords whirling and Eclipse robe shielding him from deathblows, the three others—Tyrant, Ai, and Alex—dashed toward Mia at the side corridor.

Ai, breathing heavily, asked, "What's the plan?"

Mia didn't even blink. "Look around."

The moment they turned their heads, reality sank in—the exit tunnel was blocked by a swarm of Flame Orcs, at least a dozen, their red bodies glowing and axes raised. There was no way out.

Cold sweat broke over them.

"If he was with us," Ai said nervously, glancing back at Adonis, "maybe we could push through… But now?"

"With your mana exhausted," Mia said coolly, her ice chick curling tighter against her collarbone, "you're all good as dead."

Ai nearly cried, "I don't want to die yet!"

Alex sighed. "Death is the only truth. No one outruns it."

Tyrant clenched his fists. "What should we do then?"

Mia pointed to the left tunnel—its entrance glowing faintly red.

"We go deeper. To the second floor."

All three stared at her like she'd gone mad.

"Are you insane?!" Ai exclaimed. "That's a one-way route! We'd have to clear the entire second floor of dungeon to exit!"

"Do you have another option?" Mia's voice was sharp as a blade.

Tyrant opened his mouth. Then closed it. There was no other way.

Ai groaned, "Oh God, we're gonna die down there…"

Alex nodded, as if it was already written in the stars. "A fitting grave."

Tyrant turned back. "What about him? You're just gonna leave him to fight that monster alone?"

Mia didn't hesitate. She looked toward the battlefield where Adonis was holding his own—blood on his cheek, golden sword blazing, robe shielding him from flame and claws. Despite the hellish heat, he stood tall, unbending.

"He'll make sure we get to the second floor alive," Mia said softly.

"ARE YOU GUYS GONNA SPEND THE REST OF YOUR LIVES TALKING?!" Adonis roared mid-swing. "RUN, IDIOTS!"

That snapped them out of it.

"Move!" Tyrant barked, and the group bolted toward the tunnel to floor two.

Behind them, Adonis stood alone—his sword swirling, his mana flaring, facing a beast he couldn't yet beat.

But even so—

He didn't take a single step back.His back was straight even against the towering monster, with a sword in hand he charged forward.