The air broke violently as a huge Minotaur swung its enormous axe down in a frantic arc, nearly missing the floating servo-skull that bounced away with almost mocking elegance. Sparks flew from the impact point as the stone broke beneath the weight of the strike. The second skull swerved behind the beast, releasing a brief blast of energy that scorched its matted fur. The Minotaur wheeled, howling in rage, muscles rippling beneath its skin as it tried to swat the elusive drones out of the air—only to miss again.
Its roars became deeper, shifting from wrath to calculation. Then its eyes focused on the quiet man standing at the corridor's edge. The person had not moved. There is no stance; only cold, watching eyes.
If he is unable to hit these creatures, he decides to go for something larger. The Minotaur charges toward Luthar, making no further effort.
As the Minotaur approached Luthar, before it could lift its weapon to hit him, Luthar stepped forward smoothly and methodically, hefting the long power axe—the power fields sparking to life. The weapon was huge, with a haft longer than his armspan and intended for equal parts strength and precision.
In a single, clean swing, the energised teeth of the weapon tore through the Minotaur with brutal ease. Momentum carried the beast forward for a step—then it collapsed. It didn't even have time to scream.
Silence returned, broken only by the faint electrical hum of the servo-skulls resuming passive hover.
From the shadows at the edge of the chamber, Freya's voice drifted in like silk wrapped around a blade.
"My, my... Ten out of ten. Now, let's continue the momentum and fight all the monsters without the long-range weapons."
She offered a slow clap, eyes gleaming with amusement as she stepped into view, her expression equal parts playful.
Looking at the servo-skulls, she commented, "Looks like they won't be useful anymore."
Luthar didn't turn to face her. He merely gave a faint nod, the servo-skulls shifting position as if responding to unspoken commands.
"They were never meant to fight," he said calmly. "They're assistants—who are running out of energy after killing so many monsters."
Freya approached, each step confident, her divine presence almost tangible in the darkened corridor. She brushed a stray lock of silver hair from her face and grinned.
Looking at Luthar, who had stopped moving, she said, "Don't tell me you're already tired from one slug, or are you waiting for a kiss from a beautiful girl for defeating that Minotaur?" her voice lilting.
Luthar said nothing, his gaze sweeping the path ahead. The walls trembled faintly—a subtle sign of movement deeper in the Dungeon. More were coming.
Freya chuckled and, with a gesture, signalled the group to move. "Let's keep going; at least now I don't have to watch heroic tales of two skulls," she said.
Meanwhile, far below the 18th floor, a much different scene was unfolding as the situation for Luthar started to change.
Bell stumbled into the 18th floor's safe zone with Welf slung over his shoulder, the smith's arm draped limply across his back. Every step was agony; his legs shaking from exhaustion and strain, but he refused to fall. Welf's blood had soaked into his tunic, sticky and warm, and Bell could feel every ragged breath the older boy took.
Behind them, Liliruca followed, her gait uneven, more dragging herself than walking. One arm clutched her ribs where purple bruises were already forming beneath her armor. Her chainsword scraped lightly against the floor, as she was about to let go.
Bell finally dropped to one knee as he crossed into the sanctuary, gently lowering Welf to the ground with a grunt. "We… we made it…" he whispered, voice hoarse with disbelief.
Welf didn't respond at first. Then, with a groan, he turned his head and squinted at the glowing sky above. "Finally, no more monsters," he mumbled, eyes unfocused.
Liliruca reached them seconds later, falling to her knees just short of collapse. Sweat and grime streaked her face, but her eyes never left the corridor behind them.
As the group started to pass out, back at Luthar and Freya's location, large numbers of monsters were arriving.
On the upper floors, the air was thick with the scent of ozone and sweat.
The ground trembled—first gently, then with an unmistakable rhythm. Dozens of monsters were emerging from the tunnels: a mixture of war hounds and Minotaurs, their roars echoing like thunder in the tight corridors.
Luthar's servo-skulls immediately veered upward to gain a better vantage.
In one hand, he was holding his axe; in the other, raising his gun. The weapon purred to life as he pulled the trigger.
The first blast caught a war hound mid-leap, vaporizing its head in an instant. A second bolt snapped into the skull of a charging Minotaur. Each shot was measured and clean—Luthar's form steady, steps controlled as he adjusted his stance between bursts.
Freya, watching from the side, didn't interfere. Her eyes gleamed as she observed the efficiency of it all.
The gun hissed, venting steam from its side as Luthar paused only long enough to sling it back and draw Loafer with a single fluid motion.
A trio of Minotaurs closed the distance.
The first one was killed by an energy bullet before it could come closer.
The second, after arriving near Luthar, raised its club, only to be split from shoulder to hip by a single arc of the crackling axe.
The third hesitated; before it could think what to do, a pulse shot lanced straight into its eye.
Silence settled again—briefly.
Freya's voice came softly, almost teasing.
"I almost feel sorry for them."
Luthar gave a faint exhale, lowering the gun.
"I feel like you just like desperate fights where the protagonist almost has to die to defeat the monsters."
"That would be true," saying this, Freya continued, "A hero should have ups and downs; without them, a hero is quite useless."
Luthar, checking his gun, replied, "Unfortunately for you, my downtime is over. From here on, all obstacles will be child's play." His voice was filled with confidence, forgetting that this wasn't some realistic world; world based on fantasy have challenges are like cockroaches that appear everywhere.
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