Chapter 21 - 21: The Encounter
Ethan's boots landed softly against the stone floor of the first floor. It had become routine by now, the path etched into his memory. The air was still musty, the light dim, and the tension ever-present—but it didn't shake him like before.
The first three floors passed quickly.
His movements were sharper, his dodges cleaner, and every strike of his blade was precise. The goblins fell with ease, the kobolds couldn't keep up, and even the needle rabbits couldn't surprise him anymore.[System Notification: "Dungeon Adaptability" has increased to Rank C.]
[Agility slightly increased.]Ethan smirked. So this is what real progress feels like.
He pressed deeper into the dungeon, past the third floor and into the fourth, then the fifth. He moved with confidence now, relying on his instincts and experience. The monsters were growing tougher, but he was growing with them.
In one chamber, he came face-to-face with a small pack of war shadows. They flickered into being from the walls themselves, soundless, cold, and fast.
But Ethan was faster.
He danced between their strikes, his dagger flashing in clean arcs. Within seconds, they vanished into particles of light.
"Too slow," he muttered, wiping his blade.
Just then, the ground beneath him trembled.
Thud.
Ethan froze.
Thud. Thud.
The stomping grew louder, and dust shook loose from the dungeon ceiling. His heart began to race—not out of fear, but readiness.
Minotaur.
He knew what it was before he even saw it. That distinct, thunderous cadence of hooves on stone. A moment later, the hulking beast turned the corner.
Over two meters tall, horned and broad-shouldered, with red fur and a face twisted into a snarl. It wasn't supposed to be on the fifth floor. Minotaurs were far too strong for this depth.
Then he saw her.
A small figure with a heavy-looking backpack ran out of another tunnel, clearly fleeing for her life. She had short brown hair and a tattered cloak, panting heavily, stumbling as she ran.
Ethan's eyes widened slightly.
Liliruca Arde.
Lili... Bell's porter in the anime.
He recognized her immediately. She looked even smaller and more helpless in real life.
The Minotaur charged after her, hooves pounding, roar echoing through the stone hall.
"Damn it," Ethan hissed, dashing forward without hesitation.
Lili turned her head slightly, eyes widening at the monstrous shadow behind her—and then at the blur speeding toward her from the side.
Just before the Minotaur's clawed hand could swipe her into the wall, Ethan skidded between them and brought his dagger upward in a fast arc.
Clang!
Steel met monster.
The Minotaur's arm was forced back slightly, its momentum stalled—but not broken.
Ethan grabbed Lili's arm. "Move!"
They dove to the side as the Minotaur roared and smashed through a stone pillar.
The impact rocked the entire corridor.
Ethan gritted his teeth. "This is going to be rough..."
Lili looked at him, shocked. "W-Who are you?!"
"I'll explain later! Just stay back and don't die!"
He stood, eyes focused, and brought his dagger to the ready. This wasn't going to be like goblins or shadows. This was a real test of everything he'd gained.
The Minotaur turned its eyes on him, snorted, and charged.
And Ethan smiled.
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