The massive structures bore inscriptions in the Dino People’s mysterious language, indecipherable to everyone except the Depravitas. For Vlad and his companions, these markings were as clear as daylight.
Recognizing the danger swiftly approaching, Janus and the others turned their focus urgently back to escape as the colossal Legendary Dino Warrior drew closer with each second.
Despite detecting figures moving inside the Hunter’s Guild, the towering metallic creature prioritized those still visible on the street. It immediately set its robotic gaze upon Janus, Agamenon, and their companions, deciding to eliminate these targets before returning to annihilate the remaining intruders hidden within the guild.
Meanwhile, within the confines of the ancient guild building, chaos erupted violently. Thunderous explosions echoed continuously throughout the structure, shaking its very foundations.
Inside, Vlad, Ouroboros, Fafnir, and Jormungandr relentlessly assaulted Decimus, pouring their full power into each strike with unmistakable killing intent. Yet, despite their numerical advantage, Decimus was far from helpless.
The scion of the Zanis family fought back fiercely, his exceptional mastery over the Law of Shadows granting him unparalleled agility and deceptive evasiveness. His attacks were swift and unpredictable, nearly impossible for an ordinary Sage to track.
If it had been a one-on-one battle, none of the Depravitas—not even Vlad or Fafnir—could match Decimus’s speed and shadowy maneuvers. However, their combined teamwork was extraordinary, perfectly synchronized to limit Decimus’s movements.
Although their primary reason for entering the Hunter’s Guild was to access the hidden path to the city’s core, the chance to eliminate Decimus was too valuable to ignore.
The Zanis Family already harbored intense animosity towards the Depravitas, which would only grow stronger after Vlad revealed his Darkness Devouring Runic Formations. Killing Decimus would weaken the family and offer the Depravitas a chance to claim all the valuable treasures he carried.
Vlad lunged forward, his sword colliding violently with Decimus’s shadow-infused dagger. The impact sent tremors through Vlad’s arm, nearly overwhelming him.
Before Decimus could capitalize on Vlad’s vulnerability, a barrage of precise plasma beams fired by Jormungandr forced him to hastily retreat.
Decimus had barely dodged the plasma beams when Ouroboros materialized behind him in a burst of white speed, launching a devastating dual strike toward his back. Decimus, barely evading Ouroboros’s deadly assault, had no time to regain his footing.
In that brief moment of vulnerability, Fafnir’s colossal figure descended upon him like a crashing meteor. An explosive torrent of fire and ice swallowed Decimus whole, propelling him across the room with devastating force. He collided violently with a stone wall, coughing out a mouthful of blood as his internal organs shuddered from the impact.
Seizing the moment, the eyes of Vlad, Jormungandr, Fafnir, and Ouroboros filled with ruthless determination, each unleashing their most potent attacks simultaneously.
Vlad delivered an enormous arc of sword energy, Ouroboros shot forth a wave of destructive force, Fafnir unleashed a terrifying blast of combined fire and ice, and Jormungandr fired a devastating volley of more than thirty plasma beams.
Decimus’s pupils dilated in horror, fully aware of his peril. Already wounded and exhausted from his prior clash against Janus, these combined attacks had enough destructive force to obliterate him instantly.
His survival instincts screamed urgently, forcing him into a desperate gambit. Clenching his teeth, he channeled all his remaining energy into the dagger, causing it to glow fiercely before violently shattering.
A cataclysmic vortex of shadow erupted from the dagger’s destruction, instantly swallowing the incoming attacks. The powerful shockwave hurled all four Depravitas backward, scattering them across the edges of the vast chamber.
Vlad, Jormungandr, Fafnir, and Ouroboros swiftly recovered control over their bodies, but their expressions grew grim as they scanned the area—Decimus had vanished entirely. Even their advanced A.I. Chips failed to detect any trace of his presence.
"Did he flee the building?" Ouroboros growled suspiciously, his gaze turning warily toward the shattered entrance.
"I don’t think so," Jormungandr responded thoughtfully, eyes glinting with cunning insight. "Outside is that Legendary Dino Warrior. I doubt Decimus’s treasure could teleport him far enough to escape the city entirely. He’s still here."
The rest of the Depravitas nodded solemnly in agreement, understanding the implications of Jormungandr’s assessment. If the small yellow cat was correct, Decimus remained hidden within the shadows of the Hunters’ Guild building, lurking silently, ready to strike the moment an opportunity presented itself.
Vlad’s eyes sharpened decisively. "We could search every corner for him, but that would take too long. The Legendary Dino Warrior might attack this building at any second. Let’s prioritize our true goal."
Although eliminating Decimus and claiming his possessions would indeed be beneficial, their primary objective remained unchanged: reaching the core of the city, where legendary wealth and priceless treasures awaited discovery.
Fafnir, Ouroboros, and Jormungandr quickly acknowledged Vlad’s words, agreeing unanimously. Without further hesitation, the four immediately descended deeper into the bowels of the Hunter’s Guild, swiftly navigating toward the hidden pathways indicated by their carefully studied map.
Their A.I. Chips thoroughly analyzed the detailed map from the Mayor’s mansion, allowing each Depravita to visualize every step of their journey. Guided flawlessly through a complex maze of chambers and stairways, they finally reached the deepest level—a concealed dungeon beneath the guild.
The place had clearly served as a clandestine prison and a secret combat arena, evidenced by the ominous platform at its center. It appeared that the Hunter’s Guild leader had conducted secretive, perhaps even illegal, operations centuries ago. Yet, none of the Depravitas wasted a second of consideration on this ancient history. The guild leader had died long ago; his dark dealings meant nothing to their current goals.
Vlad led the group confidently through the dimly lit dungeon toward a remote and unassuming corner. They stopped abruptly in front of a seemingly ordinary wall, indistinguishable from the others around it.
Carefully, Vñad withdrew the small, mysterious gems he had recovered along with the map, aligning them perfectly with the wall’s subtle indentations.
Immediately, the wall began to tremble violently.