By the time we reached the eighth floor, our progress had slowed down significantly.

The relentless waves of enemies were starting to take a toll, and exhaustion was beginning to show on everyone’s faces.

“Fuck, man—why do I always get the worst of the attacks?”

Kagami grumbled; frustration clear in his tone.

“Well, you’re not exactly dodging them.”

“What’s the point of dodging if it just makes it harder for me to reach them?”

“Maybe try adapting your tactics first? Go for the archers in the back next time instead of charging straight in.”

“Ha! Easy for you to say—you haven’t done shit.”

“Well, that just shows how much we trust you guys.”

The response was met with a glare.

“This fucker… You sure know how to talk.”

“Thank you.”

Still annoyed, he muttered something under his breath while aggressively biting into the barbecue skewer in his hand.

Given how hungry he looked, it wouldn’t have been surprising if he accidentally ate the stick too.

Amused by the sight, I turned back to my own meal when a familiar voice called out beside me.

“Riley, here.”

I looked up to see Seo, holding out another freshly grilled skewer.

“Thank you.”

She gave a small nod before returning to the portable grill pan, she had brought along, focused on cooking the rest.

Right now, we were taking a much-needed rest inside one of the few safe zones in this entire dungeon.

The area around us resembled an ancient temple field, surrounded by vibrant red flowers that stretched as far as the eye could see.

The atmosphere was eerily serene—almost too peaceful compared to the chaos we had just endured.

We had skipped resting at the sixth-floor safe zone, which explained why everyone was completely drained by now.

A break was long overdue.

And considering what was waiting for us on the next floors… we were going to need all the energy we could get.

I glanced at the rest of the group as they hunched over their meals, devouring their skewers like they hadn’t eaten in days.

It was actually kind of funny—some of them usually carried themselves with a sense of dignity, but right now, they looked downright barbaric with food.

Kagami and Lucas?

That was expected.

Those two had never cared much for table manners in the first place.

But Janica?

Seeing her—who always tried so hard to maintain the appearance of a proper young lady—shamelessly hogging most of the freshly grilled skewers was a sight I never thought I’d see.

“W-What?”

Noticing my gaze, she stiffened, her cheeks dusted with a faint blush.

I simply shook my head. “It’s nothing.”

She narrowed her eyes suspiciously but didn’t press further. Instead, she clutched onto her skewer a little more defensively, as if afraid I’d try to steal it.

I let out a quiet chuckle before turning my attention back to the glowing embers of the grill Seo was tending to.

At this rate, after a short break, we should be able to clear the dungeon without much trouble.

The ninth floor was next, and by the time we got there, the dungeon’s adaptive system should have fully adjusted to the three of them.

So far, it had been tailoring its enemies based on our strengths.

For Kagami, the dungeon had been throwing nimble, precise martial golems at him in waves.

The usual spear-wielders and archers never seemed to stop coming at him, forcing him into relentless combat.

Despite this, he had bulldozed through them all with sheer brute force alone.

But once we stepped onto the ninth floor…

That luxury would be gone.

The golems on the next level wouldn’t just be physically stronger—they would be able to wield aura.

One well-placed aura-infused spear or arrow would tear straight through Kagami’s defenses.

He was strong, sure. But if he didn’t start adapting, he was going to get himself killed.

Lucas, on the other hand, seemed to be facing a generalized assortment of enemies.

Unlike Kagami, who was being pitted against martial-based golems that tested his brute strength, the dungeon didn’t seem to know how to properly assess Lucas’s capabilities.

I guess that made sense.

How do you adapt to someone you can’t properly gauge in the first place?

Lucas was simply too strong for this dungeon.

No matter what kind of adaptive measures the system tried to implement, unless it decided to throw the bosses at him outright, there wasn’t much it could do to stop him.

The best it could manage was sending wave upon wave of enemies in an attempt to slow him down.

But…

He’d probably just cut through them like butter.

Though, I did wonder… would the same outcome hold true once the golems started wielding aura?

In the game, that was when things took a sharp turn in difficulty.

The horde of aura-enabled golems was an absolute nightmare, not just because of their durability, but because they could constantly shift their attack patterns.

Predicting them was nearly impossible.

Would Lucas still be able to carve through them as effortlessly as before?

…Guess we’d find out soon enough.

Meanwhile, among the three of them, Janica had the smoothest progression.

And as expected,

Whether it was because the dungeon wasn’t paying as much attention to her or because her killing style was too precise for it to properly analyze, one thing was clear—she was the one who was growing the most.

Between Kagami’s brute force and Lucas’s overwhelming power, Janica’s strength was coming from refinement.

Of the three, she had benefited the most from this whole ordeal—skill-wise, at least.

It was subtle, but I could already tell—her aura efficiency had improved.

Each strike, each movement—her energy control was becoming more precise.

At this rate she might unlock [Balance] her hidden skill all by herself…. Maybe I should leave one of the boss’s summon to her instead of Seo and Rose?

…

“God-fucking-damnit!”

Kagami muttered in frustration, his voice barely audible over the relentless whistling of aura-infused arrows slicing through the air.

He pressed himself tightly against the side of a thick stone pillar, his breath ragged as the deadly projectiles shattered the castle walls around him.

Dust and debris filled the air, coating the once-pristine floors of the Eastern-style fortress they were trapped in.

The interior, once eerily quiet, was now filled with the echoing tremors of destruction as the enemy’s attacks tore through anything in their path.

He had expected the enemies to get stronger—Riley had warned him from the beginning.

But this? This was bullshit.

Up until now, the dungeon had followed a predictable rhythm: either it threw endless waves of enemies at them or sent specialized hunting units that tested their precision.

So naturally, he expected a hybrid of both at this stage.

Not this.

Not actual killer machines wielding aura-infused martial arts.

Strength-wise, he still outclassed them.

That much was clear.

But ability-wise? Skill-wise?

These golems had completely outstripped him.

The first time he charged in, fists crackling with raw force, he was ready to tear them apart.

Instead—

They adjusted.

Every single one of them.

Each strike he threw was either redirected, deflected, or outright countered.

It was infuriating.

Their movements were flawless, their martial arts so polished that it was impossible to just brute force his way through anymore.

He could no longer ignore their attacks and just power through like before.

Not unless he wanted to die.

And to make matters worse, those damned aura-infused arrows kept cutting through the battlefield, forcing him to stay on the defensive.

He needed a plan.

Or at least, he needed backup.

“Hey, Riley! Where the hell are you!?”

Kagami shouted, irritation bleeding into his voice as he barely dodged another incoming spear thrust.

This was supposed to be a party raid to clear the dungeon together.

So where the hell was their so-called party leader now!?

He clenched his fists, his frustration only growing.

He was starting to regret agreeing to Riley’s plan in the first place—where only he, Lucas, and Janica were in charge of taking on most of the dungeon.

Because right now?

He was getting his ass handed to him.

’I shouldn’t have acted tough…’

Kagami gritted his teeth, frustration clawing at the edges of his mind. He hated this.

This wasn’t just about strength anymore—these golems weren’t enemies he could overpower with brute force alone.

They were fast, efficient, and fought with an almost human-like precision.

Every mistake, every wasted movement, was punished.

It was infuriating.

But giving up? That wasn’t an option.

Closing his eyes for a brief second, he forced himself to focus.

The raw heat of his mana surged through his veins, collecting in his fists, but he knew better than to blindly throw out a [Meteor Fist] this time.

A full-powered strike might have wiped out a horde in one blow, but the enemy had already adapted.

He needed a different approach.

If he couldn’t wipe them all out at once… then he’d just have to take them down one by one.

His aura flared to life.

Steel-gray plates rippled across his skin as his [Man of Steel] ability activated, encasing his body in a near-indestructible layer of protection.

The burning mana inside him shifted, his aura spreading evenly across every inch of his body.

’I’ll probably collapse after this…’

No more holding back.

“Fuck it!”

With a sharp exhale, he launched himself from cover.

BOOM!

A deafening explosion erupted from beneath his feet as he blasted forward, tearing through the battlefield like a cannonball.

The force of his movement cracked the stone floor beneath him, leaving a shattered crater in his wake.

His target?

The archers in the back.

They were the ones keeping him pinned down.

They were the ones forcing him into a defensive fight.

Not anymore.

Meanwhile…

Just a few dozen meters away—

High above the colossal castle walls, Lucas and Janica were locked in their own brutal battle.

The golems swarmed them from every angle, their polished metallic bodies reflecting the eerie dungeon light.

Unlike before, where they could simply cut through the enemies with ease, this time they actually had to try.

Each strike required more effort.

Each movement had to be calculated.

And the worst part?

The arrows.

They rained down like a never-ending storm.

Every second they hesitated—even for a fraction of a breath—an aura-infused arrow would come dangerously close to striking them down.

If they stopped moving for even a moment—they were dead.

“Riley said the 9th and 10th floors were connected, right? Does that mean the boss is inside the castle?”

Lucas asked, his gaze fixed on the massive structure dominating the center of the area.

He and Janica stood side by side, catching their breath between skirmishes, their weapons still slick with their current never-ending battle.

Unlike the grand stone fortresses of the western kingdoms, this castle had an entirely foreign design—tall, sloped roofs, intricate wooden beams, and layered towers that gave it an eerie, almost East imperial presence.

It wasn’t just imposing; it felt out of place, like it had been ripped from another world and forced into the dungeon’s depths.

“Most likely…” Janica muttered under her breath, her eyes narrowing as she sidestepped a spear thrust aimed directly at her throat.

CLANG!

The spear scraped past her cheek, close enough that she felt the rush of displaced air.

Without missing a beat, she countered—her sword flashed in a swift, precise arc, severing the golem’s arm before it could retract its weapon.

But as she moved, a realization dawned on her.

Where are they?

Her senses sharpened, her aura stretching outward as she quickly scanned the battlefield.

Normally, Riley and the other two girls should’ve been nearby.

Even if they weren’t fighting alongside them, they always watched—hovering behind them like silent judges, evaluating their every move.

And Riley… ’He’s not looking at me… anymore…’

Janica was used to the feeling of his unrelenting gaze, the weight of his silent scrutiny pressing against her back.

It was annoying—borderline oppressive—but now…?

Nothing.

Her grip tightened around her weapon.

They weren’t behind them.

They weren’t above them.

And given the relentless swarm of golems, there were only so many places they could be watching from.

Her heart pounded just a little harder.

Something wasn’t right.

“Hey Lucas, maybe we should—”

“Janica, dodge!”

“Wha—?!”

BOOM!

The explosion tore through the ground where Janica had been standing just seconds ago.

Instinct kicked in—her body moved before her mind could process the danger.

She leapt upward, twisting midair as debris and dust erupted beneath her.

Using the surrounding golems as stepping stones, she landed skillfully on one’s head, then pushed off, flipping backward in a perfect arc.

Green aura flared around her blade as she activated her skill—

[Swift Blades].

In a single, fluid motion, she slashed outward, her green aura slicing through the surrounding golems in a perfect circle.

Their metallic bodies split apart, collapsing in synchronized destruction just as she landed gracefully on her feet.

“Tch… damn it.” Janica exhaled sharply. “That was way too close.”

Her eyes darted toward the source of the attack. Wait… was that—?

“Kagami…?”

Her voice carried a mix of surprise and concern as she caught sight of her teammate.

A battered, dust-covered Kagami staggered forward, blood trickling from his forehead, his arms covered in fresh gashes.

Despite his injuries, he simply rolled his shoulders, shaking off the pain as if it were nothing more than a minor inconvenience.

“Tch… that guy was stronger than I thought.”

Lucas and Janica followed his gaze, their eyes drifting downward to where Kagami had been launched from.

And then—

They saw it.

A towering figure, easily over two meters tall, stood among the rubble of destroyed golems.

Unlike the usual enemies they had faced so far, this one was different.

It was larger, stronger, more refined—wearing a martial master’s uniform, its stance eerily reminiscent of a trained warrior.

But what unsettled them most wasn’t its size or stance—

It was its presence.

The other golems, all of them, had suddenly stopped moving. As if commanded by an unseen force.

Then—they bowed.

Every single one of them lowered their heads in silent acknowledgment of the new arrival.

Janica’s breath hitched as she took in the sight.

It looked too human.

Its long, electrified hair swayed unnaturally, crackling with an unknown energy. And at the center of its chest—

A glistening core, pulsing with a dense, almost suffocating amount of mana.

Far denser than anything they had faced before.

It radiated power, its mere existence distorting the air around it.

“Hey… don’t tell me… is that—” Janica muttered, voice barely above a whisper.

“Yeah… most likely.” Kagami replied instantly, wiping the blood from his nose with the back of his hand.

Then—the golem moved.

Its stance shifted, fluid yet deliberate.

The moment it settled, a wave of invisible pressure washed over them.

[Heavenly Martial Master’s Presence] → [Activated!]

The tension in the air thickened.

A single, unspoken realization gripped all three of them—

If they didn’t get serious now…

They might not make it out alive.

…..

“GRAAAAGGGGHHH!!!”

“KUAAHHHGGGG!!!!!”

The deafening screeches of the two massive golem bosses echoed through the throne room, shaking the very foundations of the ancient castle.

[Loongiz], a colossal dragon-like golem, twisted its thirty-meter-long metallic body in the air, its form crackling with dark purple lightning.

The moment it roared, a surge of electrical energy burst outward, distorting the air around it.

Above, the ceiling—though impossibly high—was now covered by a thick veil of dark storm clouds, summoned by the creature’s sheer presence.

The once-grand throne room had transformed into an eerie storm-lit battlefield, gale-force winds howling as they spiraled around its form.

And then—

The ground shook violently beneath them.

Standing directly in front of the group was [Xiaminz], a towering, tiger-like golem that exuded an overwhelming sense of power.

Its pristine white frame, lined with golden inscriptions, pulsed with raw energy as it snarled at them.

Each step it took sent tremors through the stone floor, the weight of its presence alone making it clear—

This was no ordinary opponent.

These two creatures—both S-rank monsters—were the Heavenly Golems, the castle’s final guardians.

And now, they stood between Riley’s group and their goal, their immense mana pressure bearing down on them like an unshakable force.

For a brief moment, no one spoke.

Then—

“Hey Riley, I can fight now, right?”

Riley barely had time to register the voice before turning to see Seo standing beside him, her red eyes gleaming with anticipation.

“…Huh? Oh. Sure.”

Before he could even finish speaking, Seo hummed to herself in amusement—

And vanished.

A sharp crackle of lightning trailed behind her as her form blurred, shooting forward like a bolt of electricity straight toward Xiaminz.

“Guess that means I’ll take care of that one, right?”

Riley turned to see Rose, standing calmly beside him, gazing up at Loongiz with unwavering focus.

Her golden eyes shimmered, reflecting the flickering storm overhead.

She didn’t need a response—but she got one anyway.

Riley nodded.

That was all she needed.

With a faint smile, Rose lifted off the ground, ascending into the storm-filled throne room as she soared toward the thirty-meter-long dragon golem, her presence radiating pure confidence.

As Riley watched the girls fight, their fierce clashes shaking the throne room, he barely reacted to the chaos surrounding him.

Rose and Seo were fully engaged in their battles—Rose danced through the air, golden light trailing in her wake as she clashed against the thunderous dragon, Loongiz, while Seo, a streak of crackling electricity, weaved around Xiaminz, the tiger-like behemoth.

The entire chamber had become a battlefield.

Explosions erupted, stone debris rained down, and flickers of magic illuminated the throne room’s darkened ceiling.

Yet, despite the sheer magnitude of the battle, Riley barely spared it a glance.

His steps were slow but deliberate as he made his way toward the throne.

Something felt… off. Stay connected through NovelBin.Côm

His eyes darted around, scanning every corner of the vast hall.

No sign of the boss?

By all logic, this was the final floor of the dungeon—the throne room, where the strongest enemy should reside.

The monstrous guardians that should’ve only been part of the challenge, not the final obstacle.

Then… where was the real boss?

A deep frown formed on his face as he reached the throne.

Without hesitation, he kicked it.

CRACK!

The moment his foot connected, the massive throne splintered apart, sending shards of dark stone flying.

Black boxes.

A series of neatly stacked, rune-inscribed black boxes lay hidden beneath the now-shattered throne.

Before he could even process what he had found, a familiar system notification flickered into view.

[Congratulations! You have found the hidden treasure of the dungeon.]

[Heavenly Pill Box x5 obtained.]

“Where the hell did that thing go?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep