Levian walked out from the fog itself, he bowed, leaving many breathless and confused. They have never thought a man like him would come walking out of the mist itself unhindered. For many had disappeared or been found dead.

A man with reptilian golden eyes with golden hair that matched perfectly together, while half of his lower face was covered in a black and white bone mask that made one wonder if he was ill. He wore loose black clothing with red snake-like designs up and down his sleeves and pants as he swung a metal chain around his fingers leisurely.

“Well. Well. Well.” Levian’s voice rang thickly with pleasure at the amount of death and chaos that he was seeing in front of them. “I like this.”

One would think that Levian was coming out to take a stroll in the deepest part of the dungeon floor with the way he just made it seem like it was his home. Everyone knew that whoever this person was was powerful, and none of them could do anything to stop him if he decided to unleash himself.

“I got what I want here, and I have no use for this place anymore.” Levian boastfully stated. Not caring that he was showing off his power or the thoughts of others. “So, in my generous heart, I decided to give you guys all a chance.”

Snow didn’t know what Levian had up his sleeve, but she had a feeling that he was doing this because he was that kind of bastard that enjoyed taking pleasure in someone else’s pain. His arrogant attitude didn’t stop with just his casual display of waltzing out of the fog, but standing amid the dungeon floor with Gem Beast that stood in place, not even daring to attack. It was as if they knew that the being in front of them was a power that they could not contend with.

“Though I thought a good amount of you guys would die here, that doesn’t seem to be the case.” Levian gazed at the people around, trying to figure out what was going on. His eyes went towards the fortress, where he saw a blue shield protecting the very walls that kept all of the Gem Beast out.

He nodded his head, realizing what was happening. “It seems that you have brought an artifact and a good one too.”

Mike, who was the rare few who was able to move, spoke. “Who are you? Are you here to help us?” He eyed Levian carefully.

“Me?” Levian spoke, placing his hand on his chest a bit dramatically. “I just came here on a stroll and found a few toys to play with. That’s all.” He shrugged as if it was not a big deal.

“I don’t believe you,” Mike replied, such a blatant disregard for Levian’s words made Levian curious on who would dare talk back to him.

Levain tilted his head, taking a good look at Mike. He sniffed the air once then disappeared like smoke. Out of nowhere, Levian appeared before Mike and stared him down. The full brunt of

Levian’s magic dwarfed Mike’s, causing him to collapse and kneel to the ground.

“That’s more like it.” Levian drawled on, enjoying the prostate position that Mike was in. “A

fake pretending to be a hero.”

Mike glared at Levian; his hand gripped his sword harder to the point where it was turning red.

“I am not a fake.” He hissed.

“I concur with that statement.” Levian retorted, brushing Mike off.

Everyone knew that Mike was a Hero, but to be blatantly called a fake made many wonder what this man knew that they didn’t.

With a shook of his head, Levian thoughtless looked next to Dairen. “And a pet.”

Dairen coldly looked at Levian offended.

Rage filled Mike’s heart. He could barely look up at Levian without hacking up a fist full of blood.

“This is how you Players or whatever you call, beings need to be when asking for help,” Levian spoke with arrogance, waving his hand in front of him. He turned his gaze at the others. Many more people around him fell to their knees as if they were in front of a king.

Even Snow was struggling to fight as she felt his pervading energy pat her on her shoulder, pushing her down to her very knees. But, she retaliated. Her power clashed against his like fire and water, fighting for mental dominance.

A smile crept on Levian’s lips, realizing what Snow was doing. She barely stood up, unable to do nothing but to stand. It went on for a few minutes until he got tired of playing with Snow’s mind as he let go, bored.

“Better than I expected, Snow,” Levian replied. The Players glanced over, trying to figure out what connection she had with the person. “I knew you were special.”

Levian then took a step forward, looking at her. He gazed into her eyes, wondering what was going on in her mind.

“I thought you would have fallen so easily, but that wasn’t the case. The moment you enter, you have grown.” Levian nodded. “Even Heather had gotten stronger, just living inside this dungeon.”

Snow glared. She wasn’t too thrilled that his lips said her friend’s name.

Levian gave her a knowing look, “The dungeon is a powerful source of magic; just staying in here would increase your power slowly. Every death in this dungeon feeds the dungeon itself, but this specific dungeon is known to power up by sacrificing others? It is why it is called the Dungeon of Sacrifice.” He chuckled, thrilled with the answer that he had given. “You were just unlucky to have fallen into this dungeon, the others aren’t as strong, sadly.”

He then shrugged his shoulders, not saying anymore. Snow could see the enjoyment that Levian was having just watching the people and her squirm for answers.

Levian rummaged in his pocket; he pulled out a cloudy looking black crystal ball that gave off a disgusting power. Instantly, everyone knew what it was: a dungeon core.

“My gift to you,” Levian poured in a small pool of dark energy, causing the orb to shine. He then dropped it onto the ground as if it was just a piece of trash.

A wild grin escaped his lips. His words echoed, “Kill it, and you are free, but fail and watch the world burn.” A cackle of laughter escaped his lips, shuddering everyone.

His words were like a sledgehammer, realizing what this meant. The dungeon core was right in front of them, meaning the moment the dungeon core was destroyed, everything was over. No more would the Natives be stuck in this wretched dungeon life, but go out once again to bask in the warm sun that many dearly missed.

Levian stepped back. He disappeared like smoke, leaving the rest of them free of the terror that he had caused.

The black orb started to shake, and bubble, the water from the very lake poured out onto the very land. It crawled over towards the black sphere, wrapping itself in silver water. Then everything changed.

A loud heartbeat echoed out. Everyone knew whatever was happening. They needed to react now.

Everyone scrambled into action. A fierce battle ensued as monsters and humans tried to topple each other in a mad dominance.

Mike was the first to reach the black orb. He reached out to grab it from the ground, but before he could snatch it, a Gem Beast smashed into his side, hurtling him in the air.

The Gem Beast kicked the orb further away as it picked up momentum, taking shape into a watery blob.

Others scrambled over, trying to destroy the core in the hopes of being the last one to break the black orb. But they were all violently pushed back by the Gem Beast. Hundreds of Gem Beast huddled over to protect the black orb that glowed menacingly black. Until finally, a creature formed from the black sphere itself.

It was a small human-sized creature, barely even reaching six-foot. The black orb was embedded on its chest, glistening under the light. Six horns decorated its head like majestic jewels as crystal gems adorned it. Each of its hands were encased heavily in crystals as it formed large claws that touched the ground. It was like a lizard, slinking on the very floor.

No eyes adorned its very body. Instead, large gills were present on the side. Hard plated scales decorated its arched back, giving it a feeling of a giant tank moving on land. Large jaws that could crush a man’s skull and an armored twin tail where the end of its tail was like a hammer.

The most distinguishable part of the monster itself was the pair of tusks that jutted out from its lips in a large upside-down arc. That wasn’t all; the water that trailed from the lake, more Gemmed Beast slugged its way out, replacing the old that had fallen.

“A named monster: BullRoc.” Mike hissed, he was getting up from the ground where he slew the

Gem Beast.

Death.

That was all Snow could feel around the creature that was created from the dungeon core. A beam of monstrous electric light thundered overhead, hitting the very barrier itself. It shattered into millions of pieces. Snow felt a sharp tug of energy drain from her very body, telling her that the barrier had collapsed on itself. Luckily for her, the barrier did not take her down with it. It had a fail-safe system that detached her energy when something so powerful hit it in one blow and destroyed the connection.

A temporary sense of hopelessness swallowed her mind. The wall was broken as a large gaping hole was present for the monsters to burst through. Her dream became real.

Snow quickly pushed such thoughts aside, knowing full well that whatever was to come next all depended on the people here. She knew that this war wasn’t over, and she was going to make sure that it was her group that came out alive.

A few of the Players were unlucky enough to be caught up in the blast as they died. Audrey was

already shouting at his guild members to get in position to take in the brunt of the oncoming

Gem Beast that was rushing to the walls.