Following it several arrows shot out but Ethan pulled out Greatsword and slammed it onto the ground creating a loud gust of wind.

TANG!TANNG!

Metallic chime erupted one after another.

Joel shouted,"Haro,Irida destroy the traps."

Following the call,arrows and magic shout.

BOOM!BOOM!BOOOM!

As the arrow onslaught finished,Ryu's golden eyes narrowed. "Monsters."

The passage ahead stirred. Figures began to emerge from the gloom,with their twisted forms moving on all fours, glowing eyes fixed on the intruders.

Joel drew his sword, his face calm, a faint smile tugging at his lips as if he had expected this.

"Stay sharp."

Randall stepped forward beside him, with blade in hand. Ethan's sword slid free with a smooth motion, the steel glinting in the firelight. Ryu bared her teeth, her tail swaying low as she crouched into position.

The first monster lunged.

Ethan met it head-on. His sword cut down in a swift arc, the clash ringing loud as steel met the beast's crude weapon. The shock pushed against his arms, but he held steady, eyes sharp. With a quick twist, he shoved the creature back and struck again, this time slicing deep.

Randall moved beside him, heavy swings breaking through another monster's guard. Sparks flew with each clash, and sweat ran down his brow as he forced the beast back step by step.

Ryu darted past them, her movements fast and fluid. Her claws tore through another attacker, her muscles tense and controlled. She fought without hesitation, her sharp eyes never losing focus.

Irida raised her staff and light surged down the corridor, pushing back the shadows. Haro loosed an arrow that whistled past Ethan's shoulder, burying deep into a monster's chest.

The passage rang with the sounds of battle. Steel struck against bone and crude weapons.

Breathing grew heavy, grunts and roars echoing through the stone. Ethan's gaze stayed steady as he parried another blow, sweat glistening at his temple. He pushed forward, his strikes fast and precise, his presence like a steady flame in the chaos.

Joel fought close by, calm and unshaken. His blade cut with perfect control, each swing efficient, each movement balanced. Even in the heart of the fight, a faint smile stayed on his lips, as though the chaos only sharpened his focus.

Ryu slammed a monster into the wall with raw force, her claws tearing across its chest. Blood sprayed, and her golden eyes burned brighter.

Little by little, the monsters began to fall. Their number weakened,and their movements grew sluggish. The corridor filled with the scent of blood and smoke.

When the last beast collapsed to the stone floor, silence returned. The group stood in the flickering torchlight, breathing hard, weapons still at the ready.

Ethan lowered his sword slowly, his chest rising and falling. He glanced toward the others, his cool expression steady even as his grip tightened for a moment longer.

Joel sheathed his sword with a quiet sound and looked down the passage, the calm smile still on his face. "This is only the beginning."

Then moved further inside.

Ethan looked around the passage with sharp eyes. The air was heavy, and his voice carried low but firm. "Be careful. All the monsters here are at the intermediate level."

Schiekk!

A shadow darted past them. The nimble figure flashed by and appeared behind Joel. Before it could strike, an arrow whistled through the air. The creature shrieked as the shaft slammed into its side, throwing it off course.

"Good shot," Joel said without a hint of panic. His calm praise steadied the others.

He narrowed his eyes at the writhing thing on the ground. "Carrion Crawlers."

Ethan stepped closer and saw the twisted monster twitching. Its body resembled a centipede, but larger, its legs scratching against the stone.

A sudden thought hit him, and his chest tightened. Slowly, he lifted his eyes.

"Fuck!" His voice tore through the silence.

Everyone followed his gaze. Above them, the entire ceiling was alive.

Crawling creatures of various shapes shifted across the rock. Their strange, pale eyes glowed faintly in the dark, casting an eerie light that chilled the bone.

The air seemed to freeze.

"Dirty insects," Ryu muttered, her lips curling in disgust. She clenched her claws tight, the sound of her breath rough.

Randall's throat bobbed as he swallowed hard. "Don't tell me… the boss monster here is the Insect King."

The thought alone was enough to send a shiver down every spine. No one wanted to imagine what that would look like.

Ethan turned his head toward Joel. His voice was low but urgent. "Should we deal with them, or ignore them?"

Joel's calm eyes scanned the walls and ceiling. He shook his head slightly. "We can't ignore them. These may be low-level creatures, but some are poisonous. If they sneak through and attack us, we'll be in grave danger."

He turned to Irida. "You know what to do."

Irida nodded and moved forward. Her staff glowed faintly as she planted her feet. "Step back. And Haro, you're in charge of covering."

At Joel's command, the group pulled into formation. Ethan and the others stood behind Irida, their weapons raised.

"I wish we had a shield," Haro muttered under his breath, clicking his tongue.

"Wait a minute. I might have one." Ethan reached into his dimensional ring and pulled out the old shield he once carried. The metal looked worn but sturdy.

"Use it as cover," Joel advised in his steady tone.

All eyes shifted to Irida as she began her spell. Her face was cold, focused as she gripped her staff firmly.

Joel's eyes widened as a memory struck him.

"Irida, don't use flame blasts, or we'll be done for!" he called out quickly.

Irida froze for a moment, then whipped her head toward him. Her glare was sharp, her eyes burning. "I know that much. I'm not an idiot, for gods' sake." Her words cut like a knife but she turned back, refusing to break her focus.

Her staff pulsed with power. Heat gathered in the air.And a second later, the fire roared.

Swoooosh

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