The air inside the shifting maze grew heavier as the four adventurers—Red, Anna, Sephyra, and Duke—stood face-to-face with the Minotaur Guardian.
It was massive, nearly three meters tall, covered in dark iron-like fur, with jagged scars across its body. In its hand, it wielded a brutal double-headed axe, crackling with an ominous energy.
The glowing inscription on the floor confirmed their suspicions:
"Defeat the guardian to proceed."
Red sighed, rolling his shoulders. Well, there goes the plan to sneak through.
Anna grinned. "Finally, a real fight!"
Duke, however, was more cautious. "Be careful. It's not just big—it's intelligent. Minotaur Guardians are known for adapting to enemy attacks."
Sephyra nodded, gripping her staff. "We need a plan."
Red was about to suggest letting Anna do her thing while he observed, but the Minotaur didn't wait—it charged.
The Battle Begins
The ground trembled beneath its stampede as it swung its axe with terrifying force.
Anna, always the first into the fray, met its attack head-on. Her gauntlets clashed against the Minotaur's axe, the impact sending shockwaves through the corridor. She skidded back but kept her stance.
"Damn, this thing hits hard!" she grunted.
Red wasn't surprised. This wasn't just an ordinary beast; it was a dungeon boss in all but name.
Sephyra reacted quickly, summoning Undine, the water spirit, to coat the floor with ice. The Minotaur's hooves slipped slightly, throwing off its balance.
Duke took advantage of the opening, dashing in with precise sword strikes aimed at the beast's legs. His blade cut deep, but the Minotaur barely flinched.
It roared, swinging its axe in a wide arc.
"Move!" Red shouted.
Everyone scattered—except Duke, who was just a fraction too slow. The axe caught his side, sending him crashing into a stone pillar.
"Duke!" Sephyra's voice cracked with panic.
He coughed, struggling to rise. "I'm fine—keep fighting!"
But Red could see it. Duke wasn't fine. That attack had broken ribs, maybe worse. He wouldn't last long.
Red cursed under his breath. *Time to stop messing around.*
Red's Gamble: The Dimensional Cache
He reached into his pocket and summoned the Dimensional Cache, his personal inventory system. Normally, his Gacha System determined what he could use, but…
I have one thing stored here.
A single Legendary Weapon—one he had pulled by pure chance but hadn't been able to use at full power yet.
Grim's Valor – The Doombringer Halberd
As the weapon materialized in his hands, a cold aura spread through the battlefield. It was a monstrous polearm, its obsidian blade pulsating with dark energy.
A system message flashed before his eyes:
Warning: Legendary Weapons lose 50% of their power if not summoned via Gacha.
Even weakened, it was still powerful.
Red spun the halberd, feeling its weight. "Alright, big guy. Let's dance."
The Minotaur locked onto him, sensing the shift in battle. It charged again, axe raised high.
Red dashed forward, faster than before, the halberd's passive ability Bloodlust Surge kicking in. It enhanced his reflexes, allowing him to narrowly dodge as the axe slammed down.
With a fluid motion, he countered. "Grim Slasher!"
The halberd howled through the air, leaving a streak of crimson energy as it struck. The impact was explosive, sending the Minotaur reeling backward for the first time.**
Anna whooped. "Where were you hiding that!?"
Red exhaled. "Long story. Keep hitting it!"
The Final Push
Sephyra, pushing aside her fear for Duke, unleashed a barrage of Icicle Spears, targeting the Minotaur's joints. Anna, recovering from the initial clash, charged in again, hammering it with raw force.
Duke, despite his injuries, forced himself to his feet, determined to contribute. He aimed for the legs, severing tendons.
The Minotaur roared in pain, staggering.
Red saw the opening.
He leap high, halberd spinning.
The Minotaur looked up—just as Red brought Grim's Valor down in a final, devastating strike.
The impact split the beast's skull.
A moment of silence. The the Minotaur collapsed.
The inscription glowed.
"Trial Complete."
The battlefield fell quiet, save for their heavy breathing.
The Aftermath: A Costly Victory
Anna punched the air. "We did it!"
Sephyra didn't celebrate. She rushed to Duke, kneeling beside him. His breathing was ragged, blood pooling beneath him.
Red felt it before the notification even appeared.
Warning: Party Member Critically Injured.
Duke's eyes fluttered. He managed a weak smile. "Looks like… I won't be moving on with you."
"No," Sephyra whispered. "No, we can still—"
Duke reached up, gently touching her cheek. "You're strong. Stronger than you know. Don't stop here."
Sephyra shook her head violently. "Don't talk like that! I—"
Duke's eyes closed.
The system notification confirmed it.
Duke has fallen.
Sephyra didn't scream. She didn't cry. She just stared at him, expression unreadable.
Red tightened his grip on the halberd.
Anna looked away, fists clenched. "Damn it…"
The maze shifted again, revealing the exit.
The trial was over. But for Sephyra, something had just begun.
End of Chapter 7