Chapter 671: Moving Up

The stone Demon finally died and broke apart into countless pieces of gray rock.

Everyone lowered their weapons and let out a collective sigh of relief. Their shoulders relaxed and the tension that gripped them throughout the battle finally began to ease.

"Fuck me," Don muttered. "Tell me that was the last one."

Maira wiped the sweat from her forehead and gave him a tired look. "You really think we’re that lucky?"

"At least it was only one," Leyan said, though he sounded far from reassured. He glanced toward the broad staircase at the other end of the chamber. "For all we know, there could be ten more waiting upstairs."

"Don’t say that," Arven groaned.

"Well, whatever shit waits for us up there, we still have to face it," Samuel said. "We find the artifact, take it back, and get the hell out."

Everyone knew Samuel was right. They could complain all they wanted, but the mission was still unfinished.

While the others stared at the steps with varying degrees of dread, Clyde felt something quite different: anticipation.

Another floor meant another guardian, and another guardian meant more Demonic energy. He could already sense the faint presence of power lingering somewhere above them.

His expression was calm, giving nothing away. To everyone else, he appeared no more concerned than usual.

Mina, however, watched him from the corner of her eye. She had spent enough time around Clyde to recognize it. Sometimes, it meant he was thinking about something he didn’t want to share.

And judging by the faint interest in his eyes, he was planning something again.

Despite her thought, she decided not to press him further. Clyde always kept certain things to himself, and she had learned that forcing him to explain didn’t accomplish anything. Whatever he was planning, she trusted him enough to follow his lead.

Samuel straightened and gestured toward the staircase. "All right. Let’s move. Stay alert, watch your surroundings, and don’t assume the next floor will be any easier."

Don immediately took the lead, raising his shield in front of his body.

The others followed behind him with their weapons ready and magic gathering around their hands.

No one expected a peaceful climb. An attack could come from the staircase, from the walls, or from whatever lay beyond the next landing.

The higher they climbed, the stronger the Demonic energy seemed to become.

Eventually, they reached another room. The layout was almost identical to the previous floor. Another staircase rose from the far side, leading to the next level.

Then the floor trembled and now two enormous stone figures emerged from the ground until they reached the size of a tall human, their rocky bodies grinding together as ancient runes illuminated their chests.

The guardians did not roar or issue any warning. The moment their bodies finished forming, both charged toward the intruders.

"Here we go again," Don muttered.

He planted his feet and raised his shield just as the first guardian swung its arm at him. The impact shook his entire body, but he held his ground long enough for Samuel to thrust his spear into the creature’s exposed side.

The second guardian turned toward Leyan and Maira, forcing them to scatter before its fist struck the floor.

Stone fragments burst into the air, but the both of them didn’t waste time reacting to the destruction. Maira rushed toward its flank while Leyan retreated to gain a clear shooting angle.

No one needed to discuss a strategy. They had already fought one guardian together, and the experience gave them a rough understanding of how these creatures moved and where their bodies were most vulnerable.

Samuel and Don kept the first guardian occupied while Maira and Leyan attacked the second. Arven supported them with magic, disrupting the creatures’ movements whenever they threatened to overwhelm the frontline.

Mina stayed close to Clyde, her daggers ready. She knew she still lacked the experience of the others. Her movements were improving, but she could not yet read an enemy’s attacks as quickly as Samuel or Maira.

Rather than rushing recklessly into a fight beyond her capabilities, she watched the guardians carefully and waited for openings she could exploit.

The fight continued for several more minutes before the group finally brought both guardians down.

As the last stones struck the floor, everyone paused to catch their breath.

Don stared at the remains before looking toward the staircase. "All right. One guardian on the first floor, two on the second."

"Which means?" Arven asked, though his expression suggested he already knew the answer.

"Three on the next one," Don replied bitterly. "And if this keeps going, we’ll be fighting an entire army before we reach the top."

"Let’s hope the artifact is worth the trouble," Maira said.

Samuel nodded toward the stairs. "Rest while you can. We’re moving."

They were tired, their equipment was taking damage, and the pyramid showed no sign of letting them pass without a fight. Still, turning back without the artifact was not an option.

They climbed to the next floor.

As expected, three stone Demons waited for them.

The creatures emerged from the floor almost simultaneously, their bodies blocking the stair as their ancient runes began to glow. This time, the group barely reacted with surprise. They had already begun to understand the pattern.

One guardian on the first floor. Two on the second. Three on the third.

The pyramid was increasing the number of guardians with every level.

The three guardians attacked. The group met them, their movements more coordinated than before.

The battle was harder than the previous one. With three enemies moving at once, the group had less room to maneuver, and each guardian could punish even a brief lapse in concentration.

However, their growing experience made the difference.

They gradually weakened the guardians, forcing them into awkward positions before focusing their attacks on the same targets. One after another, the stone Demons cracked and died, leaving nothing behind but scattered rocks and fading runes.

When the chamber finally fell silent, the group stood amid the ruins, breathing heavily.

Don looked toward the next staircase and shook his head. "I’m starting to hate this place."

Samuel ignored his complaints and began walking toward the stairs. "Keep moving. We still have a mission to finish."

Clyde followed with a calm expression, his interest in the Demonic energy above them growing stronger with every floor. The others saw only another exhausting battle waiting ahead.

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