The detective trio set up in formation. Bram was in the front with Sera by his side. Gregory stood with his pistol at the ready just behind them. There was an opening left in the middle of both Bram and Sera, presumably so he could see and shoot.

Levi’s heart thrashed against his chest. He could hear the thudding of the monster's footsteps, the howling screeches of their primal desire. They appeared.

One of them leaped forwards without a shred of hesitation. They were in the form of a hound. Tentacles in the dozens wriggled from its mouth. Hidden amongst them were dagger-like teeth. Bone spikes protruded from its mottled black fur.

The monster held an eerie resemblance to the apostle that was almost summoned–just smaller. Had they received a call from its master?

Levi hoped not.

Gregory fired his gun, accurately striking the beast in the eye. Gregory stepped to the side as the monster flopped to the ground, sliding forwards until it stopped right in front of Levi, tongue hanging out of its disgusting mouth.

The rest of the creatures of the Krag arrived seconds later. Levi, stuck to the spot in awe, watched the adult trio fight against the horde of monsters. From that, he could deduce what Ingredients they had fed their Birthrights.

Sera relied on agility and… something that wasn’t entirely mana, to bolster her attacks with the power of wind. Levi knew she wasn’t using mana because of his talent with the magical energy. He could see it in the air, and could feel it when it was used. He didn’t feel it with Sera. She was using something else to power her attacks, something different.

She summoned another blade of wind from her blade, cutting through another one of the monsters in half.

Bram’s fist was covered in crimson light. Just like Sera, he didn’t use mana. It was also something different. The red hue imbued his arms with increased strength as he used his arms like industrial pistons, clobbering anything that came his way. More than that, however, was his insight of battle. He knew where to be, when to be there, and it all involved protecting his team. It seemed he had a powerful insight of protection.

Gregory was the same. But he used that insight to kill, not to protect. He could see his enemies in a way Levi simply couldn’t follow. No monster was safe, no matter how unpredictable their movements.

Apart from that, he didn’t have any magical abilities. That was why he relied on his powerful pistol.

At first, the trio were performing well. But as the fight dragged on, with more monsters arriving, it was clear they were slowing down.

So, Levi decided to help in any way that he could.

One of the monster’s zig-zagged straight for Sera. Tongue imbued with mana, Levi shouted at the Kragling. “Stumble–” The monster had paused for a split second, resulting in its body being cleaved apart by Sera, but it had come at a cost. Levi groaned in pain, cradling his head.

“Levi, are you okay?” Sera asked in between sword strikes.

“I’m fine!” Levi responded through the pain.

“Be careful using your abilities with stronger monsters, Levi!” Gregory shouted, then shot his pistol once again.

So the Level difference is too high then? Levi guessed. But, after glancing at how much progress his Skill had just leapt by, Levi shook his head in an attempt to relieve himself of the pain. Incite had just increased by a total of 5000 experince. This amount of hurt was nothing in the face of progress.

You have defeated: Crypt-Hound (Level 36)

| Experience is reduced due to low contribution.

Magic and Mana has increased by 1!

He hadn’t even Levelled up even though the monster was Level 36. Field with vigour, Levi spat out his words multiple times. But each time he used it, the pain grew worse. It used so much mana that he had to rest inbetween actions.

However, progress was progress. Incite had jumped up by 20,000 xp.

It also felt good helping out. Even though he could only stop the hounds for half a second, if that, Gregory’s words rang true. Even that minuscule amount of time he had bought the trio, was enough for them to kill the monster with ease.

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Levi would use his words, then use mana control to rest his breathing, and slowly gather his mana. It took around 10 minutes to recover. He repeated this 3 times. It was a measure of just how many damn monstrous hounds there were. It was like a never-ending wave. Levi forced himself not to worry, and placed his trust in the adult trio.

The supernatural detectives were receiving wounds now. Bram especially. He was tiring faster than the others, his actions slowing. At some point, he even stopped using that red aura skill around his fists. It appeared that it was draining his stamina. Claw marks marred the front of his forearms, face, chest, and legs.

Gregory was also running out of bullets. He had, at some point, stepped forward with a dagger in hand to conserve ammunition, slashing and hacking at the hounds with practiced ease. Because he relied on a mechanical pistol, he was still full of energy. But it was clear that hand-to-hand combat wasn’t his strong suit.

Sera, the strongest amongst them, made it clear that the difference in Ingredients was truly paramount. Although slowed somewhat, she was still killing at a speed the others simply couldn’t match.

Levi commanded one of the hounds once more, and this time, he stumbled back from the intense pain that pervaded his mind. He was well and truly done, his mana container running on fumes, if that.

Resting his back against the cave’s wall, he controlled his mana once again.

And then, something happened. Something amazing. He found himself entering a deep trance.

His consciousness was sucked deep into his body, to an area that resembled a dried up pool. The area surrounding him was dark, a pale blue shimmering against the black walls. Levi closed his eyes, and focused on the pool in front of him.

Drops of liquid appeared from the ceiling of the darkness. It dripped into the pool. The drops transformed into a steady stream of beautiful blue water.

You have obtained the Skill – Meditate (★): You have learned how to enter a deep trance and accumulate mana far faster than normal.

| When Meditating, mana regeneration is increased by 100%.

| Progress to next Level-up → 0/1,000xp

Soon, the pool was full. Levi ripped himself out of his trance-like state, and started using Incite once more with a wide grin on his face.

Take this, bastards!

"Fight each-other!"

His words targeted at least four of them. For a split second, the chosen hounds glared at each-other, only to then be cleaved apart by Sera.

A moment later, a blast of force swept over Levi’s mind and his vision turned black.

Levi woke up in a daze, ignoring the System notifications filtering in his vision. Startled, he pulled himself up off the floor and inspected the trio. They were still fighting. They still have roughly the same amount of energy from before he had fallen unconscious. Only a few seconds had passed.

Making a note to himself not to do that again, Levi knew the situation couldn’t go on like this. His eyes scoured the mine in search of anything that could be used. With his mind on trap making, he automatically scanned for anything that could be used as such. But he couldn’t see 15 feet in front of him.

“They keep on coming!” Sera shouted.

“There must be a crypt somewhere nearby,” responded Gregory with gritted teeth. “Levi, see if you can find anything to block this entrance!”

Levi was already planning on it. But he couldn’t see.

He spun around, and said, “I can’t see anything!”

“Here!” Gregory, without turning, tossed the purple gem fastened to his lapel over his shoulder. Levi caught it in his hands then shone it to the back walls of the mine.

Inside a mine cart were large boxes. There were 3 of them. They looked familiar. Levi dashed over and ripped the wooden lid off thanks to his increased strength. Red sticks that looked very similar to dynamite revealed themselves.

Smiling, Levi got rushed to the other side of the rail cart and pushed. It only moved a little. So, using his entire strength with his legs as a base, he heaved, pushing the metal cart on the rail. It was picking up speed as he approached the entrance where all the fighting was happening.

“Has anyone got fire?!” Levi shouted from behind.

Gregory glanced backwards, then laughed. “Aye, bombs away!”

“I really hope this doesn’t bury us alive!” Levi yelled. He was 5 metres from the trio.

“Worry about that later!” Gregory shouted in response, dodging the claws of a hound. Bram grabbed it by the scruff of the neck, and threw it into three snarling oncomers.

Levi picked up speed, and launched the cart into the entrance of the cave. The moment it passed Gregory, he deftly struck up a lighter, and tossed it in the passing by cart.

Bram picked up Gregory, and dashed backwards. Sera sliced open a hound, and also retreated.

The cart disappeared behind a wall of crypt hounds.

Holy shit, he thought as he gazed with wide eyes. There were at least 20 of them.

Levi squinted as a blinding light pierced the veil of darkness within the mine's passageway. A blast of dark smoke followed, and the rumbling of earth crumbled down.

Coughing, Levi wafted the blanket of smoke and dust out of his face. The impenetrable wall of rubble had muffled the sounds of monstrous yells, howls, and screeches.

And then, Levi finally glanced at the notifications piling up.

He smiled.

You have Levelled up!