"They're finally here. They move quite fast."
Dalun Li took a deep breath as he watched Manfred's group and Remel enter the fourth floor.
This day was bound to come sooner or later.
The strongest individuals were destined to reach the forefront of the dungeon exploration at the same time.
A battle between him and them was unavoidable.
Throughout the forest of the fourth floor, all the monsters were prepared.
However, it was almost impossible for these wood soldiers to pose a threat to such a dream team.
As expected.
Upon entering the forest of the fourth floor, Manfred and his core group didn't even need to lift a finger against the wood soldiers; the level 9 attendants handled them with ease.
The wood soldiers were only level 4 and were merely common monsters; faced with such a massive level gap, they were completely powerless.
Manfred's group pushed through the forest without mercy.
All Sam had to do was guide everyone in the right direction.
"What strange monsters. I've never seen anything like them in other dungeons."
"These are unique monsters birthed specifically by this dungeon."
Rhine, the mage, collected the branches and wood chips dropped by the wood soldiers and wood armor monsters, clicking her tongue in wonder.
"What do you mean?"
Manfred crossed his arms and asked Rhine.
"It means this dungeon is by no means ordinary. A dungeon capable of birthing its own unique monsters is definitely not something a small dungeon can achieve."
"You should know that the entire Grey family only controls a single medium dungeon."
"Even so, the resources from that medium dungeon firmly support the Grey family's status in the northern border."
"If this dungeon is not a small dungeon, the Grey family will have the chance to annex William VI's lands and become the true overlord of the Lanxi Kingdom's northern border within fifty years."
Rhine excitedly explained the value of a high-grade dungeon.
Manfred thought for a moment before asking again.
"What if it's a large dungeon?"
"That's impossible,"
Rhine replied decisively.
"I said if. You should know that anything is possible; that's what you used to say all the time."
Rhine flicked her long black hair away from her forehead with her finger.
"If the family head has such intentions, after occupying a large dungeon and dominating the northern border, he could declare independence and split from the Lanxi Kingdom."
"You should know that the Lanxi Kingdom, the Geri Kingdom, and the surrounding small nations were all part of a single country a thousand years ago: Mahr."
"It was only when two large dungeons appeared simultaneously in the central and northern regions that the Lanxi Kingdom split and became independent."
"The Mahr Empire also splintered into countless nations, and those who occupied the large dungeons became the present-day Lanxi Kingdom and Geri Kingdom."
Rhine gave Manfred a history lesson.
In reality, the possibility of independence didn't exist.
The members of the royal family were no fools; once they confirmed this was a large dungeon, the crown would surely occupy and control it at any cost.
Manfred found it interesting and was about to ask more about the legendary super dungeons when Sam's voice rang out.
"My Lord, the location of the Exiled Sentry is just ahead."
"It's right under that massive magic tree, along with the treasure chest."
Manfred stopped his idle chatter with Rhine and walked to the front of the team, gazing toward the distant tree.
He then drew the longsword from his waist.
The blade surged with immense magic power and was embedded with azure gemstones.
"Rhine, Weiss, come with me."
"The rest of you stay on guard outside. Even if a battle breaks out, be careful not to damage the magic tree."
"Yes, sir!"
With three extraordinary beings cooperating, their power was beyond what ordinary people could imagine.
Furthermore, a mage with a secure environment to cast spells could cause truly terrifying destruction.
Dalun Li had already focused all his attention beneath the magic tree on the fourth floor.
This was a battle involving three extraordinary beings with different specializations; he had to watch and learn well.
Particularly the mage—this was currently the only mage within the Well of Eternal Imprisonment.
The three did not underestimate their foe or act carelessly.
Weiss, acting as a heavy warrior, walked in front with his shield and hammer, closely followed by Rhine the mage.
Manfred protected Rhine's flank.
As extraordinary beings, all three possessed All-Attribute Resistance, allowing them to withstand the toxic mist.
To avoid unnecessary casualties, they did not bring any non-extraordinary attendants with them.
Furthermore, there were limits on the number of people allowed to challenge monster leaders and floor overlords.
A floor boss's room could only accommodate six people at once.
A monster leader's room allowed eight.
If the numbers were exceeded, the intruders would be repelled; even if they forced their way through and defeated the boss, no loot would drop, and the floor passage would not open.
The three reached the end of the tunnel and entered the water-filled space of the Exiled Sentry.
They also saw the wooden treasure chest placed upon the stone pedestal.
"Despicable and greedy thieves, attempting to covet and steal my master's treasures."
"The Well of Eternal Imprisonment will never forgive you."
"The Exiled Sentry of the Well of Eternal Imprisonment shall claim your heads to appease my master's wrath."
The Exiled Sentry leaped out from the side, its massive impact splashing water across the floor.
The greatsword swung down toward the front without mercy.
Weiss, the heavy warrior, took a stance and raised his iron-black greatshield.
The greatsword collided with the shield's surface, the massive shockwave kicking up sprays of water.
However, the heavy warrior did not retreat a single step, and his body did not waver in the slightest.
The magic-infused shield remained perfectly intact.
With a roar from Weiss, the shield flashed with a blinding light.
Immense power erupted from the shield, as if returning all of the Exiled Sentry's strength back to it.
First-rank heavy warrior ability: Reprisal!
The Exiled Sentry's greatsword was violently knocked aside, and its massive body stumbled back a step.
At that moment, Rhine, standing behind Weiss, finished her incantation.
"In the name of the fire spirits, I summon thee."
"Fireball!"
Her staff was held high as flames gathered.
Her black hair beneath the magic hat swayed in the scorching wind, and even Rhine's face became more beautiful and mysterious under the magical glow.
The massive fireball let out a howl as it flew over Weiss's head, slamming into the staggering Exiled Sentry.
The Exiled Sentry could only raise its shield to meet the fireball.
The moment the shield met the flames, it was swallowed by the intense heat; the scalding fire washed over the shield and spread across the sentry's entire body.
"Well done, Rhine!" Manfred praised from the flank.
Fire magic was extremely effective against plant-type monsters.
And Rhine specialized in the natural categories of elemental magic, especially fire and wind.
Manfred did not let this perfect attacking opportunity pass; gripping his silver light, his figure turned into a blur and flashed past.
The flaming Exiled Sentry struggled to dodge the attack, but its blocking shield was sliced clean through, and its arm flew into the air along with it.
"Roar!"
The Exiled Sentry let out a roar and rolled into the puddles on the ground, extinguishing the flames on its body.
There was a reason why Dalun Li had covered this space in a layer of water.
It was precisely to counter the fire's effectiveness against the Exiled Sentry!
Seeing this, Manfred, who had just severed the sentry's arm, quickly pulled back to a safe distance.
If he were fighting alone, perhaps he should have pressed the advantage.
But they weren't alone. They were... a team.
Weiss stepped forward with his shield, re-establishing the Exiled Sentry's aggro.
Rhine raised her staff, beginning another incantation.
Manfred prowled the flank, sword in hand, waiting for the next opportunity for a killing blow.
Rate on N.U.
