After killing a dozen Ice Lions, no more rushed toward the team. To be more precise, none of the Ice Lions could rush on them.

Even though no Ice Lions came toward them, the team still didn't move. Everyone seemed to freeze in place as their eyes remained fixed on Kieran, who seemed to be walking around among the Ice Lions as if he were in a park. Shard of Broken World constantly spinning in his hands, but none of his movements seemed to be rushed or disordered.

"How can a early stage Bronze rank be so strong?"

"Is it because he's a double awakened?"

"What is this weapon he wields?"

"No idea. I've never seen anything like this, even in the Starlight stores."

"So now you believe me when I tell you he's as strong as a Silver rank?" Alexei asked, catching the attention of the other team members.

Each of them looked at him differently now, even though they were still jealous of the permission he and Anna had received from the guild. Seeing Kieran's strength, they begin to understand the choice of their guild master.

'Even if Alexei fails to recruit him into the guild, as long as we can form a friendly relationship with him, it will be worth it,' Holden thought, keeping his eyes on Kieran.

'I didn't expect to make such a discovery when I came here,' Kieran thought, looking at the last Ice Lion that had died at his feet.

Just before killing him, he tried to think about getting a soul crystal, and as if the strange ability he had answered him, the soul crystal formed inside the Ice Lion.

'It will save me trouble whenever I have to kill crystal beasts with other people around me in the future.'

"Are you okay? Do you need treatment?"

A soft voice came from behind him. Turning around, he saw Danaë approaching him with a blue mark resembling an ancient inscription shining on her right hand, while the rest of the team stood behind her, staring at him.

"I'm fine, thank you, I have no injuries on me."

"You were amazing, Kieran! You should have told me you were so strong!" Amber approached him with bright eyes.

"Alexei already said it. It was you who didn't believe him," replied Kieran.

At his response, most of the members turned their faces away.

"It's different to hear it from someone else and see it for yourself!" Amber pouted a little, looking away from Kieran.

"Now that everyone is aware of your strength, our next fights will be easier. I can leave you the front with the other three, can't I?" Alexei asked with a slight smile on his face.

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"Of course, no problem! I apologize in advance for my terrible capacity to work as a team."

"Ahah, don't worry, do what you want. We'll adjust to you."

Some of them frowned at Alexei's words but said nothing after remembering Kieran's performance.

"All right," said Kieran.

"It's just a matter of killing the Ice Cloud Lion now. Let's go," said Alexei.

Following the same paths as before, the team descended until they reached the bottom of the cave where the Ice Cloud Lion was waiting.

*roars*

The Ice Cloud Lion let out a deep roar, but its eyes seemed to flicker for a moment when it didn't hear the response from its fellows.

*roars*

Roaring again, it rushed towards the team. A cloud of ice mist began to circle around its body before expanding, becoming numerous clouds of ice mist scattered throughout the cave.

"Be careful. This ability allows it to create an ice attack from any cloud it has formed!" Alexei's voice rang out, and as if everyone had come to an agreement, they quickly moved into a formation.

Kieran wasted no time and set off to meet the Ice Cloud Lion with Shard of Broken World in hand. The Ice Cloud Lion let out a roar at the sight.

The next moment many shards of ice formed in each cloud of icy mist before shooting out in every direction.

At the same time, its protruding pair of claws were swung toward Kieran, trying to rip him apart.

Kieran moved his double-bladed sword to defend against the attack, but contrary to what he thought, the strength of the Ice Cloud Lion was immense, throwing him into the air under the power of its blow.

His arms quivered under the intense strain as he contorted his body in mid-air, forming a platform of earth. He leaned on it as a barrage of glinting ice shards hurtled toward him and the team.

"Yukionna's Blessing!"

A blue aura shot through Holden, reducing the power of the ice shards hurtling toward them. The three at the vanguard used their ability to defend the others behind them while Kieran created a wall of fire in front of him that melted any ice shards that tried to pass through it.

"Surround it! Don't let it use its abilities freely! Amber, summon your Ice Mist Hawk!" shouted Alexei.

"Okay!" replied Amber.

The whole team moved as one, surrounding the Ice Cloud Lion, the three who were to protect the front began attacking it from each direction as Kieran threw himself head-on again.

From behind, Amber joined her hands together, forming a circle of symbols under her feet. The next moment, a small pale blue feathered hawk with a beak and claws of ice appeared above her.

"Cliff, Ice Mist!"

Hearing the order from Amber, the Ice Mist Hawk flew above the team. It flapped its wings several times, and a wind began to blow in the cave. It opened its beak, and a mysterious song sounded in the ears of each member of the team.

Kieran didn't understand what the chanting of the Ice Mist Hawk was supposed to do. Nothing had changed in his vision, but he continued his attack on the Ice Cloud Lion without time to think about it.

"Earth Spike!"

An earth spike came out from under the Ice Cloud Lion's belly, trying to impale it on the spot, but the spike broke instantly, failing to pierce the Ice Cloud Lion's thick skin, just making it roar in annoyance.

The attack from the other team members wasn't much more effective, barely leaving marks on its fur.

Arriving above it by using an earth platform, Kieran's body shrunk, and his arms expanded several times. Tightening his grip on his double-bladed sword, he was surprised to find that the Ice Cloud Lion wasn't looking at him when he had appeared so close to it. Without hesitating a second longer, he swung a slash at the Ice Cloud Lion's head.

The attack slashed the Ice Cloud Lion's right eye. Letting out a roar of pain, the lion shook its body before attacking everything around it as if it couldn't see anything.

A cold aura began to swirl around its body as it roared skyward.

"Get away quickly!"

Alexei barely had time to warn his team when ice spikes came out of the ground all around the Ice Cloud Lion.

Seeing the ice spikes approaching him, Kieran created a platform of earth to push his body backward, landing close to Alexei.

He stared in disbelief at the Ice Cloud Lion attacking all around it as if it had lost its sight despite still having one eye in good condition.