The next day, they stood once again at the dungeon entrance. This time, the atmosphere around them was completely different. They were no longer a broken team trying to survive. They stood as Distro—rebuilt, stronger, and more complete than before.
Igna adjusted his grip on his dagger, his eyes focused. Beside him stood May, calm and confident. Behind them, Hena prepared her support magic, while Yash stood quietly, his presence alone enough to make the surrounding adventurers keep their distance.
They entered without hesitation.
The first and second floors felt trivial now. Monsters that once forced them to struggle were now easily dealt with. Igna moved smoothly, his golden path guiding his movements. May cut through enemies with speed and precision, while Hena supported them from behind with perfect timing. Yash barely moved, simply observing.
By the time they reached the third floor, the air had changed again.
Stronger monsters appeared, and the environment became more dangerous. Groups of Death Worms suddenly burst out from the ground, attacking unpredictably from different directions.
Igna reacted instantly. His eyes sharpened as the golden paths appeared in his vision. He moved without hesitation, dodging their attacks before they even emerged fully. His dagger struck precisely where they would surface, cutting them down one after another.
Igna: "I can see them before they come out."
May smiled slightly.
May: "Then don't miss."
She moved forward, her blade flashing as she cut through multiple worms at once. Her speed was overwhelming, her attacks clean and efficient.
Behind them, Hena raised her hand, her magic activating.
A faint glow surrounded them.
Hena: "Stay close."
Her ability manifested, drawing power from a mystical source. The presence of a legendary creature—the Rainbow Bird—seemed to flow through her magic. Their wounds healed instantly, their stamina restored, and their movements became lighter.
Igna felt it immediately.
(This support… it's different.)
The battle continued smoothly as they cleared the area.
Then—
The ground shook.
Heavy footsteps echoed.
From the shadows ahead, massive figures emerged.
Minotaurs.
Not one.
Eight.
Each one towering, powerful, and carrying immense killing intent.
Igna's body tensed.
Even May's expression turned serious.
May: "This won't be easy."
The Minotaurs charged.
The fight began instantly.
One of them swung its weapon toward Igna. He dodged at the last second, but the force of the attack alone shook him. He countered, striking at its leg, but the damage was minimal.
Another Minotaur rushed May, forcing her into a direct clash. Sparks flew as their weapons collided, the ground cracking beneath them.
Hena supported from behind, healing and boosting constantly, but even then, the pressure was overwhelming.
Igna tried to use his prediction ability, but the speed and strength of the Minotaurs made the paths unclear. He could only react at the last second, barely avoiding fatal blows.
One Minotaur fell after a combined attack from May and Igna, but the remaining ones only grew more aggressive.
The battle dragged on.
Their breathing grew heavier.
The situation started turning.
Then—
Yash moved.
A sudden, overwhelming pressure filled the area.
It was different from anything Igna had felt before.
Cold.
Sharp.
Terrifying.
Yash stepped forward slowly, his eyes emotionless.
Then—
His killing intent was released.
For a moment, everything froze.
The Minotaurs stopped.
Their bodies trembled.
Fear.
Pure instinctive fear.
Igna felt it too.
His body stiffened slightly.
(This… power…)
Before that moment could pass—
Yash moved.
He disappeared.
And in the next instant—
He was behind them.
One slash.
Then another.
Then another.
His blade moved faster than Igna could see.
Within seconds—
All the Minotaurs collapsed.
Clean cuts.
Instant deaths.
Silence returned.
Igna stood still, unable to move.
He hadn't even seen the attacks clearly.
May exhaled slowly.
Hena lowered her hand.
May: "Still the same…"
Yash sheathed his sword calmly.
Yash: "Let's move."
They continued forward, but this time, Igna's thoughts were different.
He looked at Yash.
Then at his own hands.
(That's… the level I need to reach.)
They moved deeper and finally reached the safe point of the fourth floor. Unlike the previous ones, this place was massive. There were structures built inside, small houses, resting areas, and even groups of adventurers staying there.
Igna looked around, surprised.
Igna: "People live here…?"
Hena nodded.
Hena: "This is the biggest safe point. People who reach here sometimes stay for research or long missions."
As they walked further inside, a voice called out.
???: "May?"
They turned.
A tall man approached them with a surprised expression.
May's face changed slightly.
May: "Drake?"
The man smiled.
Drake: "Didn't expect to see you here."
His eyes then shifted to Yash.
He froze.
Drake: "…You're alive?"
Yash gave a small nod.
Drake let out a short laugh, still in disbelief.
Then his expression turned serious.
Drake: "Be careful on this floor."
The atmosphere shifted instantly.
May: "Why?"
Drake lowered his voice.
Drake: "Someone is killing people."
Silence fell.
Igna's eyes narrowed.
Igna: "Not monsters?"
Drake shook his head.
Drake: "No."
A pause.
Drake: "A human."
The air turned cold again.