Once again, the team of nine appeared inside the dark tunnel. But this time, things felt different. At first, most of them had worn confident expressions, a quiet sense of assurance blooming in their chests, all because a peak-tier expert was not only with them—but leading them. That was until they noticed the portal they had been sucked into wasn't white like before. No... it was a deep, ominous red.
Instantly, the confident aura that hung around them like a protective charm crumbled, and an invisible chill slithered down their spines. Their eyes darted around the shadowy passage as their hearts raced uncontrollably, drowned by the panic swelling within.
'Did he make a mistake?'
That question surged through their minds like a tide, unspoken but heavy in the air. Yet none dared to say it out loud. Not because they didn't want answers, but because none had the courage to question him. Even Kenny, who had once led the party with unwavering boldness, hesitated.
The tunnel was deathly silent, as if the darkness itself was holding its breath.
Until Kenny finally broke the silence.
"Party Leader... this is the hard mode," she said, her voice steady on the surface but uncertain underneath.
Malik turned slightly, his head tilting backward with a faint smile still glued to his face, a smile that somehow felt both reassuring and mysterious.
"I'm aware," he replied, the calmness in his tone deepening the confusion in their hearts.
He wasn't alarmed. He wasn't anxious. In fact, he looked pleased.
Their panic didn't make sense anymore. His serenity—so natural, so absolute—spread through the group like wildfire. It didn't take long before their doubts began to waver, replaced by something sturdier.
'He looks extraordinarily calm…'
'He's so confident…'
'I think we'll be able to pull this through.'
Malik's smile, wide and unwavering, silently assured them that even this—especially this—was part of the plan. Their trembling hands steadied, grips tightening around their weapons, and in their eyes, the flicker of fear was slowly replaced by the glint of determination.
"Haha… it's just the hard mode," Angel Michael suddenly laughed, scratching the back of his head awkwardly. "There shouldn't be much of a difference between it and the normal mode, right?"
Although Malik knew that statement was nothing short of laughable—the difference between normal and hard mode was like comparing the earth to the heavens—he didn't refute his friend. He understood that Michael wasn't trying to state facts, just trying to lighten the mood, and judging from the slight chuckles and eased shoulders around him, it worked.
Even the fragile-looking Young Star, who'd been ghostly pale moments ago, now had a look of resolve on his face.
Malik nodded in satisfaction.
His team was ready.
"With that being settled..." Malik's tone deepened as his smile faded into something more commanding, "Let's move out."
"We're sticking with the former plan," he continued, his voice clear and steady. "MT and Guardian Knight in front. Berserker and Swordsman flank from the left and right. The two Elementalists stay with the Healer. Young Star and I will cover the rear."
His declaration stunned the team into silence once more.
They stared at him, wide-eyed.
He wasn't taking point? He wasn't going to lead the charge? With his strength, they thought he would spearhead the entire run, wipe the floor with whatever the dungeon threw their way, and make clearing the first floor a breeze.
But instead, their Party Leader had just announced that he was taking a support role.
They couldn't help but wonder... was this the right decision?
"Party Leader..." Kenny spoke again, her brow furrowed in disbelief, "...I thought you'd be the vanguard."
"No," Malik shook his head without hesitation, eyes sharp. "The previous arrangement is perfectly fine. I'll play my role as support."
His words were resolute. There was no room for debate.
"Now—move. And don't stop." Malik's voice dropped, firm and commanding.
The team obeyed instantly.
Their synchronized footsteps echoed off the cold stone walls of the tunnel, their breaths sharp and focused. The sound alone was enough to draw attention—and it did. Malik narrowed his eyes and activated his enhanced senses. The world around him became clearer—brighter—despite the darkness that surrounded them.
Seven monsters were approaching fast, charging straight toward them without stealth or hesitation.
Unlike the normal mode, where monsters waited to launch sneak attacks at this early stage, these creatures didn't bother hiding. They were coming in hot.
"Everyone get ready!" Malik's voice cut through the dark like a blade, sharp and direct.
Weapons gripped tighter. No one slowed down.
"MTs, pull aggro. Vanguard, be ready to deal a decisive blow!" he called again, and the two frontliners—Tipa and White Emperor—slammed their shields in front of them. A bright flash of white light surged from their gear, illuminating the beasts charging their way.
[Feral Gnarl-Rat] [Lv. 10 Common Monster]
[HP: 1500]
Everyone's eyes widened.
They were massive. Nearly twice the size of the ones they fought earlier. Their muscles bulged under grey fur, and their claws gleamed like daggers. Not only was their size absurd—but their defense and speed were clearly leagues above the previous monsters.
"Healer, prepare to heal!" Malik shouted again, his voice clear and unwavering.
The monsters crashed toward them. The tunnel was narrow, so only three could come at once.
Tipa and White Emperor each drew the attention of one, pulling them expertly to the sides. But the third monster slipped through.
Right into the path of Kenny and Slicer.
"Charge!" the two shouted in unison, launching forward to intercept.
Slash! Slash!
Twin arcs of steel slashed across the rat's hide.
-50
-30
The numbers floated above the monster's head—disappointing to say the least. A monster with 1500 HP would barely flinch at that.
Before they could recover, the beast struck back.
Its claws tore through the air with a feral shriek, sending both Kenny and Slicer flying backward. Their HP bars dropped by 10% in an instant.
"It's too fast!" Kenny coughed, gritting her teeth.
"And its defense is absurdly high!" Slicer cursed, scrambling to his feet.
Backline panic surged as the monster turned its bloodthirsty eyes toward the Elementalists. The Healer, already overworked trying to maintain the health of both MTs, didn't even have time to glance behind.
Big Nurse was sweating buckets, his fingers flying across the interface as he did his best to keep up with the damage numbers flooding his screen.
Then, just as the threat reached the backline, a fourth monster slipped in.
The two Elementalists didn't hesitate.
"Lightning Spear!"
"Flame Burst!"
Their voices rang out as a bolt of crackling lightning and a torrent of fire surged toward the charging monster. The impact was fierce—sending it tumbling back.
-300
The damage number appeared—but to Angel Michael, it was anything but reassuring.
"Jesus! That was my strongest spell!" he cried out.
Kenny gave a wry smile even as she staggered to her feet. Their combined strongest spells had done only 300—less than a quarter of the monster's health.
'Things are looking ugly… I wonder what Brother Man like Malik is thinking right now…' she thought bitterly, turning to glance at him—
—and that's when it happened.
The Gnarl-Rat lunged, its jagged teeth aiming for her exposed throat.
Kenny barely managed to raise her greatsword in time to block the bite, the force sending her flying once again.
-400
Her HP dropped to 40% instantly.
White Emperor was down to 30%. The Healer was low on mana. The Elementalists were running dry on MP. Only Malik and Young Star had yet to engage directly.
It was now or never.
Young Star gritted his teeth, and without hesitation, charged.
He didn't care what Malik would think. He couldn't just stand by anymore.
His sword flashed as he used a skill on the monster charging at Taiwo, catching it mid-air.
Slash!
The blade descended in a clean arc, crashing into the beast's skull and slamming it to the ground.
-200
The damage was respectable. But it wasn't the number that shocked him—it was the sudden clarity, the feel of the strike.
He turned around instinctively, his wide eyes locking onto the man still standing calmly at the rear.
Malik met his gaze.
His expression hadn't changed.
But this time, that smile looked different—colder, sharper, more dangerous.
"Play time is over."