CHAPTER 34: DUNGEON SURVIVAL (4)

Some hours earlier.

Amon and his team continued their exploration the next day.

As they moved through the forest, they killed many monsters along the way. But something felt off. No matter how many monsters they defeated, they didn’t receive any points.

At first, they thought it was a technical issue. But as more time passed, it became clear that the Academy wouldn’t take this long to fix a simple problem.

"Where are we going?" Amon asked, walking behind Arnold.

Arnold, who was leading the group, didn’t slow his pace. "The monsters we’re encountering are stronger than before. That means we’re getting closer to the boss’s lair."

He continued, "The monsters near a boss’s lair are always stronger compared to the ones that wander further away."

Amon nodded in understanding. Fortunately, being teamed up with Arnold and Aisha made things easier. Killing monsters wasn’t much of a problem when he had them as allies.

Suddenly—

"Helpppp!"

A loud scream for help echoed through the forest.

The group instantly turned in the direction of the cry. Aisha’s beast-like ears perked up and twitched as she locked onto the sound.

The team exchanged quick glances. Without hesitation, they nodded at each other and sprinted toward the source of the scream.

What they saw made them freeze in shock.

A massive snake-like monster towered over the clearing. Its violet-scaled body glistened under the dim forest light. Green eyes with vertical slits locked onto its prey, and its long tongue flicked out with a dangerous hiss.

’Damn, it’s huge,’ Amon thought, his face paling slightly.

"It’s an early Rank Two monster," Aisha said, her tone serious for once.

Several students were already fighting it, but the snake wasn’t what drew their attention first.

It was the sight of one student lying bloodied on the ground.

Without hesitation, Arnold and Aisha rushed forward to join the battle.

In a flash, Aisha’s fist connected with the snake’s massive body while Arnold’s sword slashed down from the other side.

Clang!

The snake’s scales were so tough that neither attack seemed effective.

The monster hissed loudly and swung its massive tail toward Aisha.

She crossed her arms to block, but the sheer impact sent her crashing into a nearby tree. Wood splintered as her body slammed into the trunk.

Arnold quickly retreated, narrowly dodging the snake’s follow-up strike.

Aisha got back to her feet, gritting her teeth. Lightning crackled around her palm as she conjured a spell.

A thunderous spear of blue lightning shot forward with a sharp crack, flying straight toward the snake.

At the same time, one of the students from the other team hurled a blazing fireball.

The snake avoided the fireball but couldn’t dodge the lightning spear. It roared in pain as the attack struck its scales.

Seeing his chance, Amon raised his revolver.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

Bullets flew one after another. One shot pierced into the snake’s open mouth as it screamed, another lodged directly into its left eye.

The snake thrashed violently, roaring in pain and slamming its body against the ground. The earth trembled as if an earthquake had struck.

Arnold didn’t waste the opportunity. Silver light coated his blade, sparkling like stars. He dashed forward, the ground cracking beneath his feet.

He leapt high into the air. A radiant arc of silver light sliced cleanly downward.A beautiful Silver trajectory form in middle of battlefield.

Thud!

The giant snake’s head separated from its body with a single, clean slash.

The monster collapsed lifelessly, and its massive body dissolved into glowing light before vanishing entirely.

Amon stared, his eyes wide. ’So cool! And damn, that attack was strong. He killed a Rank Two monster in just one slash...’

Arnold walked back toward the group, his breathing heavy. His steps were slow and deliberate. That attack had clearly taken a toll on his body.

The other students gathered together, checking on their fallen comrade.

"Are you all right? What about the fifth one?" Amon asked.

They turned and saw Amelia kneeling beside the bloodied figure on the ground.Ronald was standing beside her with nervous look.

"Petrick!" the four surviving students rushed over.

Amon and his group followed.

Amelia’s hands shook as she examined him. Her voice trembled. "He... he’s dead! He should have been transferred out when he was injured this badly. But... he didn’t."

"Damn it, why did this happen? What’s going on?" Rock said, his voice heavy with grief and fear.

His teammates stood silently, their faces grim.

A heavy silence fell over them.Petircks teammates were sad and afraid.

Finally after a while, Amon spoke. "We need to go to the boss’s lair. That’s the only way we can get out of here."

Though a student had just died, Amon didn’t look shaken the way the others did. He felt sadness for the boy, yes, but he knew now wasn’t the time to mourn.

The other students looked at him but said nothing. Deep down, they knew he was right. If they stayed here, more students would die.Not everyone is strong like top students.

Arnold nodded, his expression calm though his body still looked tired. "Yes. We should head to the center. That’s where the monster’s lair should be."

He then turned to Rock’s group. "Are you coming with us? Or do you want to retreat toward the outer edge of the dungeon where the weaker monsters are—and the safe zone as well?"

Rock and his teammates exchanged uncertain looks.

After a pause, Amon suggested, "I think the strongest among your team should come with us. The others should head toward the safe zone."

Ronald and Amelia both agreed with Amon’s reasoning.

"Yes, that’s the best choice," Aisha added, her expression serious—rare for her.

Arnold nodded as well.

"Then I’ll come with you," Rock decided. He turned to a girl from his team.

"Lily, take the others to the safe zone. And... take Petrick’s body with you if you can. We can’t leave it here to be eaten by monsters."

Lily nodded firmly. "Yes. Just take care of yourselves."

With that, Lily and the two nervous students carried Petrick’s body and left the group.

Arnold turned back. "Then let’s move."

He resumed walking at the front, and the others followed behind him.

Before long, the ruins of an ancient building came into sight. The massive stone structure looked like an old temple, half-buried in the forest.

"Shouldn’t you have gone with Lily and the others?" Rock asked Amon, his tone worried.

Amon blinked, then smirked to himself. ’Is he worried something might happen to me? Why does it sound a little insulting though?’

He chuckled softly. "Of course not. I’m not the same boy you saw in the first lecture. I’m strong now." His voice carried confidence.

Rock looked surprised but then nodded as if he understood. He glanced at Arnold, thinking maybe Amon had grown strong like him.

"Tch, stop bluffing," Aisha cut in, her voice annoyed. "You’re still the same. I saw your pale face when you looked at that snake monster."

Rock blinked again and stared at Amon curiously.

Amon awkwardly looked away and whistled.

"It’s fine. He can be useful when needed," Arnold interrupted.

Amon gave Arnold a grateful look, while Aisha only clicked her tongue in irritation.

Step by step, they approached the ruins.

"We’re close to the boss’s lair," Arnold said calmly. "Let’s go."

With that, the group entered the ancient temple.