LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 67: 67.
The moment they stepped into the Dungeon, the atmosphere shifted. It was as if they had entered another world, one shrouded in a silence that was both heavy and foreboding. The walls were rough and uneven, pulsating faintly with a strange, dim light that seemed to come from within the stone itself. Shadows stretched across the stone corridors, and the air felt thick, charged with an energy that set each of their nerves on edge.
Hestia moved to the front, her gaze scanning the path ahead. She could sense the raw, ancient energy of the Dungeon, a constant reminder of the unpredictable dangers that lurked within. Though she wasn't equipped to fight directly, her role was to support and guide them, helping each of her Familia navigate the unfamiliar terrain.
"This place feels… alive," Ichigo murmured, his hand resting on his Zanpakuto, his eyes sharp as he took in every detail of their surroundings.
Hestia nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "It is, in a way. The Dungeon creates its own creatures, its own environment, almost as if it's a sentient entity. Monsters here are born from the walls, emerging fully formed with only one purpose—to destroy intruders."
Rukia's gaze swept over the walls, her hand lightly gripping her Zanpakuto. "So we're in its territory, then. This Dungeon is as much our enemy as the monsters it spawns."
"Precisely," Hestia replied, impressed by her insight. "It's a labyrinth of endless challenges, and each floor is more dangerous than the last. The monsters here are unlike any you've fought before. They don't tire, they don't feel fear. They exist purely to fight."
Orihime's fairies glowed faintly around her, offering a soft light as she whispered, "So it's a place that will keep testing us, then."
"Yes," Hestia affirmed. "But remember, this is what adventurers here do daily. They face this darkness, overcome it, and grow stronger. And I have no doubt that each of you has the strength to do the same."
As they ventured deeper, a faint sound echoed through the corridor—a low, growling noise that reverberated off the walls, sending a chill through the air. The Familia halted, each of them immediately on guard, their senses heightened. Hestia's heart quickened as she recognized the sound, the primal, guttural noise that marked the approach of one of the Dungeon's many denizens.
"Prepare yourselves," she whispered, stepping back to give them space. "It's coming."
In the shadows ahead, a creature emerged—a kobold, its eyes glowing with a fierce, animalistic hunger. Its body was covered in coarse fur, its claws sharp and gleaming as it moved with a predatory grace. Behind it, more kobolds emerged, their low growls filling the corridor as they closed in, forming a pack that prowled toward the Familia with single-minded focus.
Ichigo was the first to step forward, his gaze calm but intense as he drew his Zanpakuto. "We'll take them together. Chad, cover the left. Rukia, you're with me on the right. Orihime, stay back and support. Uryū, keep us covered."
The others moved into position, their stances steady, their expressions filled with purpose. Hestia watched, her heart swelling with pride as they fell into formation, each of them adapting seamlessly to the situation. This was their first real test in the Dungeon, and already, she could see the bond they had forged, the trust they placed in each other.
The kobolds lunged, their claws glinting as they charged forward. Ichigo met the first one head-on, his blade flashing as he struck with precision, cutting through the creature with a single, decisive blow. Behind him, Rukia moved gracefully, her Zanpakuto glowing with a faint frost as she swung, a wave of icy energy freezing the nearest kobold in its tracks before shattering it.
Chad stood to the left, his fist glowing with divine-infused energy as he blocked a kobold's claws with his arm, the impact resounding through the corridor. With a powerful punch, he sent the creature flying back, its form dissipating into wisps of shadow as it collided with the wall.
Uryū stood further back, his bow drawn, his gaze focused as he released a volley of arrows. Each arrow found its mark with deadly precision, piercing through the kobolds that tried to flank the others, his calm focus never wavering. His movements were methodical, each shot carefully aimed to keep the creatures at bay.
Orihime watched the battle unfold, her hands raised as her fairies hovered protectively around her, ready to form a barrier or heal anyone who might be injured. She was the anchor of their formation, her presence steady and unwavering as she provided support, her eyes filled with quiet determination.
Hestia's gaze moved between each of them, her heart racing as she watched her Familia in action. They were handling the kobolds with an ease that impressed her, their coordination and strength making them a formidable force. Despite being newcomers to this world, they fought with the confidence and resilience of seasoned adventurers.
But just as the last kobold fell, a new sound filled the air—a deep, echoing roar that reverberated through the corridor, far louder and more menacing than before. The walls seemed to shake with the force of it, dust trickling down from the ceiling as the ground trembled beneath their feet.
Hestia's eyes widened, recognition dawning. "A minotaur," she whispered, her voice filled with both awe and concern. "It's a high-level monster, much stronger than the kobolds. This… this shouldn't be here on the first floor."
Ichigo's grip on his Zanpakuto tightened, his expression steady but serious. "Then we'll face it together. We didn't come here expecting an easy path."
Rukia nodded, her gaze focused. "We've handled worse before. This is just another test."
The minotaur emerged from the shadows, towering over them, its red eyes glowing with a fierce, unyielding rage. Its massive horns gleamed in the dim light, and its muscular form exuded power as it let out another roar, lowering its head to charge. This creature was unlike the kobolds—its aura was oppressive, filled with an intensity that radiated danger.
Chad moved to the front, his fists glowing as he prepared to intercept the minotaur's charge. Uryū and Orihime took their positions at the back, ready to support from a distance. Hestia stepped aside, her gaze filled with both concern and pride as she watched her Familia prepare to face their first true threat in the Dungeon.
As the minotaur charged, Chad braced himself, meeting the beast's advance with an unyielding resolve. He swung his fist, landing a powerful blow against its side, the impact resonating through the corridor. The minotaur staggered, but it quickly regained its footing, its enraged gaze turning to Chad with a newfound intensity.
Ichigo and Rukia moved in tandem, their blades flashing as they struck at the minotaur's flanks, their combined attacks forcing it back. Uryū's arrows flew through the air, each one finding its mark, piercing the minotaur's hide and distracting it long enough for the others to reposition.
The minotaur roared, swinging its massive arm in a wide arc, forcing Ichigo and Rukia to jump back. Its strength was overwhelming, each movement filled with a raw power that made it clear this was no ordinary opponent. This was the Dungeon at its most dangerous—a creature born of its depths, a test of strength that would push each of them to their limits.
Orihime's hands glowed as she summoned a protective barrier around Chad, the golden light shimmering as the minotaur's next attack struck, the impact absorbed by her shield. She held her ground, her fairies hovering around her with determination, her focus unwavering.
Hestia felt her heart pounding as she watched them, her breath caught between fear and admiration. This was the Familia she had chosen, the individuals who had trusted her enough to follow her into the unknown. They were unyielding, resilient, each of them pushing forward, refusing to back down even as the minotaur pressed its attack.
With a final, powerful strike, Ichigo and Chad moved in unison, Ichigo's blade flashing as he sliced across the minotaur's chest while Chad's fist connected with a resounding force, driving the creature back. The minotaur let out a final roar before collapsing, its massive form dissolving into a cloud of shadows that drifted into the air.
Silence settled over the corridor, broken only by the sound of their steadying breaths. Hestia stepped forward, her gaze filled with pride as she looked at each of them, her heart swelling with gratitude.
"You did it," she murmured, her voice filled with emotion. "You faced the Dungeon's test and came through together."
Ichigo nodded, his expression calm but resolute. "We're here for each other. That's what makes us strong."
Hestia smiled, feeling a renewed sense of purpose as she looked at her Familia. They had faced their first trial in the Dungeon, a test that had pushed them, but they had emerged stronger, their bond unbreakable.
This was only the beginning, and together, they would face whatever challenges Orario had in store.