Point-of-View: Rexon "Rex" Wards

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"[Demonic Art: Atomic Pulse]!" The Archdemon exclaimed desperately, a burst of blue energy erupting around him, but it had no effect on either of us, the large explosive sphere above Ciel expanding and swirling intensely.

His upper body lurched out of the ground as he unleashed a burst of Negative Energy against the mud and began to break out and free himself, but it was too late.

Ciel swung her arms down right as he broke free and began to emerge, her most powerful Spell slamming onto the top of the Monster's head before exploding with a devastating impact.

I slid my hand down to her wrist, grabbing hold and pulling her along with me as I raced away as I felt the ground starting to cave in.

The entire space was shaking and rumbling violently, chunks of rubble raining down from the ceiling as globs of mud flew out all over the place.

Sunlight flooded in as the explosive energy expanded and blasted through the wall, the mud starting to get shallower as the sphere carved out a wide, deep crater across the ground.

The rumbling began to die down as the explosion petered out, a thick cloud of black smoke rising up from the crater.

I kept a wary eye on the smoke cloud, maintaining my grasp over Ciel's wrist and keeping her intangible.

As the smoke began to clear, I slowly began to approach the crater, Ciel trailing behind me as I continued to hold onto her wrist, cautiously peering down the crater as I stopped by the edge, my eyes widening.

It isn't simply a crater...she blasted an opening straight down to the previous floor. And on the muddy ground below, were a pair of mangled legs. It's over, she-...no, wait, it might be a trap, he could've cut off his own legs to bait us into-...

"Hey, Jill, sense anything?!" Ciel called out to the Detector.

"No, the Archdemon's presence vanished almost immediately after your explosion!" Came the response.

Huh...they're all covered in mud from head to toe.

They must have gotten splattered thanks to that massive explosion. Oh, the block over the entrance has floated back up.

Hm...

"We need to get out of here, quickly. Let's hurry up and leave the Dungeon," I called out, as I let go of Ciel's wrist.

"What's the rush? The Monster's dead," Responded Ciel, before I let out a sigh as bits of rubble fell off the walls and ceiling.

"Because this entire place looks like it could come crashing down any second now. Let's go before we get buried alive," I replied dryly.

"Oh, right...yeah, the cracks around the hole are starting to spread and deepen, we-...ow! Crap...now that the adrenaline's wearing off, I'm in a whole lot of pain," She grimaced, leaning on my shoulder before I steadily led her towards our Healer...

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Point-of-View: Charlotte Bryns

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Hm...it's true, this really is a one-floor Dungeon. The more alarming aspect of this is the fact that it appeared in the middle of a Sanctuary.

The Sanctuaries were deliberately built in spots where there were little to no Mana Current activity, to avoid exactly this.

So, then...what the hell is going on here?

A single floor...maybe, a Boss Room?

In other words, a Dungeon with only a Dungeon Boss and no other Monsters.

I'm almost certain it's a Calamity Level Threat we're up against here...this can't possibly be a coincidence, for this Dungeon to appear right when all our strongest Hunters are out of the Sanctuary.

No, this is deliberate.

And if so, then...Dungeons usually need about a week before a Stampede occurs and the Monsters can emerge, but something tells me this one isn't going to take that long.

"Chairwoman, we've submitted the request for backup to the other Sanctuaries, but...all Teleporters capable of long-range teleportation are currently occupied in raids, so we won't be getting any reinforcements anytime soon!"

"I see. Keep me updated, let me know immediately if there are any new developments."

"Understood, ma'am, you can count on me."

I wonder, exactly what's waiting for us in there?

The Detectors can't sense anything inside, but that's normal. While the barrier over the entrance of the Dungeon that keeps the Monsters from emerging is still active, Detection Magic can't pick up the presences of the Monsters on the inside while the Detector is on the outside.

We'd gathered the best Hunters among those who were available, they had formed a tight cordon around the entrance of the Dungeon.

I was currently hanging back, decked out in my gear and with a weapon in hand for the first time in decades.

Here hoping I've retained enough muscle memory to be at least a fraction as effective as I used to be.

All the present Hunters have been instructed to just hold their current positions, most of them are pretty inexperienced.

It's far too dangerous to enter this Dungeon without any of our top Hunters, so-...

"H-Hey, I sense a presence, I-I think it's a-...!" Suddenly exclaimed one of the Detectors, right as a loud blast suddenly echoed out, gut-wrenching screams of pain ringing out as streaks of blood sprayed across the air, severed limbs and body parts flying out.

"Everyone, scatter!" I yelled at the surviving Hunters, more than half the Combatants wiped out.

I grimaced as the Monster came into sight, a bead of sweat running down the side of my face.

What a terrifying Aura...

Those three horns, that's...an Archdemon, with the appearance of a young woman.

She had long, silky light silver hair that went down to her waist and partially covered her eyes. She had eerily white irises, with the whites of her eyes black. She had a slender, agile figure, and was on the shorter side.

"My...how pitiful, it seems this world's humans are just as weak as those we eradicated from our world. It seems the target is not here yet. I suppose I may as well go on a rampage to pass the time until he arrives.

Greetings, humans, I am the Fifth Seat of the Demon Lord's Generals, Fenelza Zazzeka," She introduced herself with an elegant bow, a malicious smirk on her lips as she lifted her gaze and looked around, before narrowing her eyes at me, "You seem moderately powerful by human standards, especially for such a decrepit one. Perhaps I shall toy with you first."

"Decrepit, huh? Alright, then...bring it on, I'll show you what this decrepit old bag of bones can do," I responded with a defiant smile.

Yeah...I'm going to die, aren't I?

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