With the upgrade completed and their victory over the Giant Butterflies secured, Zealot felt a surge of satisfaction. Two skeletal companions at his side would undoubtedly bolster his strength and increase his chances of success in the dungeon.

As Zealot surveyed his surroundings, he realized the towering grasses and flowers were obstructing his view, making it difficult to see far. Suddenly, an idea struck him. Without hesitation, he and his two minions climbed a colossal 25-foot mushroom. This way, he could gain a better vantage point atop the mushroom's head and survey his surroundings.

Once Zealot and his two Skeleton Bronze Warriors ascended the colossal mushroom, they gained a commanding view of the prehistoric forest spread out before them. From this elevated position, they could see far into the distance, the towering trees and sprawling foliage stretching endlessly in every direction.

With a clear view of their surroundings, Zealot and his companions could plan their next move with precision. From their vantage point atop the colossal mushroom, they could spot any potential threats or obstacles that lay ahead.

"Alright, let's assess our situation," Zealot said, addressing his skeletal companions. "We've defeated the Giant Butterflies, but we must remain vigilant. Who knows what other dangers lurk within this prehistoric forest."

The two Skeleton Bronze Warriors nodded in agreement, their empty eye sockets gleaming with determination as they scanned the horizon for signs of movement.

Suddenly, from a far distance, the piercing sound of screams reached their ears, the desperate cries akin to adventurers in dire need. “Did you guys hear that?!” Zealot asked his two skeleton minions, a sense of anticipation creeping into his voice.

The distant screams echoed through the prehistoric forest, filling the air with a sense of urgency. Zealot and his skeletal companions exchanged a glance, their senses on high alert as they tried to pinpoint the source of the cries.

"It sounds like someone is in trouble," Zealot observed, his voice tinged with concern. "We should investigate, but proceed with caution. We don't know what dangers await us."

The two skeletal minions nodded in unison, their empty eye sockets reflecting Zealot's determination. With a shared sense of purpose, they descended from their perch atop the colossal mushroom and set off in the direction of the screams, their movements swift and purposeful.

As they ventured deeper into the prehistoric forest, the dense foliage seemed to close in around them, casting eerie shadows that danced in the dappled sunlight. Every rustle of leaves and snap of twigs set their nerves on edge, heightening their senses as they remained vigilant for any signs of danger.

Suddenly, they stumbled upon a clearing bathed in golden light, the source of the distant cries revealed before them. A party of seven demon adventurers, their faces contorted in fear, were surrounded by a pack of fearsome Dinosaur-like monsters: Velociraptors.

[Name: Velociraptor]

[Level: 60]

After entering the dungeon, Belial’s group, consisting of 15 demon adventurers, split into two parties: Belial’s party and Lilith’s party.

The Velociraptors snarled and snapped at Lilith’s party, their sharp claws and teeth glinting menacingly in the sunlight. It was clear that Lilith’s party were outmatched, their weapons barely holding the creatures at bay as they fought desperately for their lives.

Before Zealot made the decision to intervene and offer his assistance, he took a moment to meticulously scan his surroundings, ensuring that the nefarious presence of Belial was conspicuously absent. With a sense of relief washing over him upon confirming that Belial was nowhere to be seen, Zealot resolved to step in and aid them.

As Zealot observed the dire situation unfolding before him, he knew that swift action was necessary to save Lilith's party from the ferocious Velociraptors. With a determined nod to his two skeletal companions, he signaled for them to follow his lead as they rushed forward to engage the monsters.

"Charge!" Zealot shouted, his voice echoing through the clearing as he led the charge towards the Velociraptors. With his trusty skeletal minions at his side, he surged forward, his fists clenched and ready for battle. As they closed in on the nearest creature, Zealot's movements were a blur of motion, his fists and kicks striking out with precision and force.

HORIZONTAL SLASH! VERTICAL SLASH! DIAGONAL SLASH!

PUNCH! KICK! HEADBUTT!

The Velociraptors, caught off guard by the sudden onslaught, roared in fury as Zealot and his minions descended upon them. With each strike, the creatures staggered back, their scales no match for the relentless assault of Zealot and his skeletal warriors.

ROAAARRR!

As the battle raged on, Zealot's combat prowess shone brightly, his movements fluid and precise as he delivered blow after blow to the fearsome monsters. With each strike, he drew closer to victory, his determination unwavering in the face of adversity.

Beside him, his two Skeleton Bronze Warriors fought with equal ferocity, their weapons flashing in the sunlight as they clashed with the Velociraptors. Together, they formed a formidable trio, their coordinated attacks driving the creatures back with each passing moment.

Despite the Velociraptors' size and strength, Zealot and his companions refused to back down, their resolve unyielding as they fought to protect Lilith's party from harm. With each passing moment, they gained the upper hand, their combined strength overwhelming the creatures with sheer determination and skill.

Finally, with a final flurry of blows, Zealot and his companions delivered the decisive strikes that brought the battle to an end. The last of the Velociraptors fell before them, its once-ferocious demeanor now replaced by lifelessness amidst the clearing.

THUD!

[You have slain seven Velociraptors!]

[Leveled Up!]

[Leveled Up!]

[Level: 58 >> 60]

[Skeleton’s Progression: 0% >> 12%]

[Main Quest Completed!]

[Reward Unlocked: You've obtained a random Legendary skill!]

With their victory secured, Zealot breathed a sigh of relief, his chest heaving with exertion as he surveyed the clearing before him. Lilith's party, though shaken, appeared unharmed thanks to his timely intervention, their expressions filled with gratitude as they gathered around him.

"Thank you, young man," Lilith said, her voice filled with emotion. "We owe you our lives."

Love what you're reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

"Thank you, brave warrior," added Gareth, his eyes brimming with appreciation. "We would have been dino-dinner without your timely intervention."

"Indeed, without your aid, we might not have made it out alive," exclaimed Serana, her tone reflecting both relief and admiration.

As Zealot stood among the grateful adventurers, he couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction and pride. He had not only gained valuable experience and leveled up but had also saved a group of demon adventurers from certain doom. However, his thoughts soon returned to his primary objective: Belial Nocturnus.

"No need to thank me," Zealot replied humbly. "I'm just glad I could help. But tell me, do any of you know where Belial Nocturnus and his party went?"

Lilith, still catching her breath, nodded. "Belial and his group headed further into the dungeon. We split up to cover more ground, but it seems we underestimated the dangers here."

Zealot's eyes narrowed. "I see. It's imperative that I find him. He's a dangerous individual, and I have reasons to believe he's up to no good."

The demon adventurers exchanged concerned glances. "We understand," Gareth said. "Belial has always been somewhat...unpredictable and suspicious. If you're going after him, please be careful. The deeper parts of this dungeon are even more treacherous."

‘Heh, so even these guys were aware of Belial’s infamous reputation, huh? Well, I’m not surprised. Based on the novel, I know Belial wasn’t just cruel to humans; he was also ruthless toward his fellow demons. However, I have to give him some credit though—his greed was the sole reason why he gained power so quickly and eventually joined the protagonist’s party for future dungeon raids,’ Zealot thought.

Zealot nodded, appreciating the warning. "Thank you. And be on your guard. There might be more of these dino-like monsters lurking around here."

With that, Zealot turned to his two skeletal companions, both of whom were ready for the next phase of their mission. As Zealot began to lead them deeper into the forest, a system notification suddenly materialized before him, signaling his completed quest and the reward he had earned.

[Congratulations! You have unlocked a random Legendary skill!]

‘Oops, right. I almost forgot about my reward.’ The excitement bubbled within him as he opened the system interface to reveal his new skill.

[Skill Unlocked: Minion Berserk]

[Skill Type: Minion-Buff]

[Minion Berserk: Empowers minions with an uncontrollable frenzy, enhancing their combat skills with wild aggression and ferocity. When activated, this skill drives the minions into berserk mode, increasing their strength and speed by 100% for 60 seconds]

With his new skill unlocked, Zealot couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. Minion Berserk would undoubtedly prove to be a valuable asset in his future battles, empowering his skeletal companions with enhanced strength and speed when the situation demanded it.

‘Minion Berserk, huh? This will definitely come in handy,’ Zealot mused, a grin spreading across his face as he considered the possibilities. ‘With this skill, my skeletal minions will become even more formidable in combat. Let's put it to good use!’

Turning his attention back to the task at hand, Zealot led his two skeletal warriors deeper into the prehistoric forest, their senses sharp and alert as they continued their search for Belial Nocturnus and his party. With Minion Berserk at their disposal, they were more than ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

As they ventured further, they came face to face with yet another assembly of monstrous beings: the formidable Prehistoric Dragonflies, famously referred to as "Meganeura". Nine of these ancient creatures fluttered menacingly around a towering, 35-foot flower. Despite their imposing presence, their colorful wings danced gracefully, adding a touch of joy to the fantasy scene.

[Name: Meganeura]

[Level: 60]

With the Meganeura now in their sights, Zealot knew that this would be a fun challenging battle. These prehistoric dragonflies were known for their incredible speed and agility, as well as their venomous stingers capable of delivering a lethal dose of poison.

This presented the perfect opportunity for Zealot to test out his newly unlocked skill, Minion Berserk. With his two skeletal companions at his side, he knew they were more than ready to face the challenge ahead.

MINION BERSERK!

"Charge!!!" Zealot commanded, his voice brimming with excitement, as he activated Minion Berserk. Instantly, his skeletal minions surged forward, infused with an uncontrollable frenzy, their combat prowess amplified by the wild aggression bestowed upon them.

WHOOSH!

The Meganeura, taken aback by the sudden ferocity of the skeletal warriors, attempted to retaliate, but they were no match for the enhanced strength and speed of Zealot's minions. With swift and precise strikes, the skeletal warriors quickly gained the upper hand, their relentless assault driving the Meganeura back.

HORIZONTAL SLASH!!! VERTICAL SLASH!!! DIAGONAL SLASH!!!

Despite the creatures' formidable size and strength, they were swiftly overwhelmed by the sheer force of Zealot’s berserk skeletons. With each passing moment, victory seemed all but assured as the battle raged on.

In the end, it was Zealot's minions who emerged triumphant. The last of the Meganeura fell before them, their once graceful wings now still amidst the chaos of battle.

THUMP!

[You have slain nine Meganeura!]

[Leveled Up!]

[Level: 60 >> 61]

[Skeleton’s Progression: 12% >> 19%]

‘As expected from a skill of Legendary Tier… it took less than a minute for my skeletal minions to slay all nine Meganeura. At this rate, I might even lose to them in one-on-one combat…’ A shiver ran down his spine as he contemplated, with slight worry, that his minions were stronger than him.

With their victory secured, Zealot couldn't help but feel a surge of satisfaction. Minion Berserk had proven to be a formidable asset, empowering his skeletal companions with unrivaled strength and speed.

"Well done, guys!" Zealot praised, turning to his minions with a grin. "Minion Berserk served us well. With this newfound power, we're unstoppable!"

The Skeleton Bronze Warriors nodded in unison, their empty eye sockets gleaming with pride as they stood by Zealot's side.

Shortly after vanquishing the nine Meganeura, the air was filled with screams once more, emanating from behind them. It was evident that Lilith’s party was embroiled in yet another perilous situation. This time, they were facing much more formidable monsters: three gigantic 75-foot Tyrannosaurus Rexes.

[Name: Tyrannosaurus Rex]

[Level: 65]

It became evident that Lilith’s party was desperately fleeing toward Zealot and his minions, their faces etched with fear and panic. They had no other choice but to seek refuge with Zealot, fully aware that he was their only hope against the terrifying Tyrannosaurus Rexes that were hot on their heels.

ROAAAAARRR!!!

THUMP! THUMP! THUMP!

The ground trembled with each thunderous step of the colossal predators, making their need for Zealot’s protection all the more urgent. As they drew closer, their eyes pleaded for the aid they desperately needed, knowing that without Zealot's intervention, their fate would be sealed.

Zealot let out a heavy sigh, ‘I can see why Belial decided to split his group into two… it’s likely because he sees Lilith’s party as a burden, thus he decided to get rid of them.’

***

Inside the small world, within Zealot Palace's grand throne room, Sasha knelt before the mighty Demon Queen Terasia. With both knees on the ground, she obediently accepted the slave-collar placed around her neck by Queen Terasia.

Naturally, Sasha wasn't happy about receiving the slave-collar. However, she found herself with no choice but to suppress her pride for the time being and comply with whatever demands Demon Queen Terasia placed upon her. It was the only way she could secure her own survival.

After securely fastening the slave-collar around Sasha’s neck, Demon Queen Terasia began casting a spell to permanently bind it. By doing so, she ensured that Sasha would forever remain bound to her will, destined to serve as her loyal slave throughout all of eternity.

Out of nowhere, as thoughts of Zealot crossed her mind once more, Demon Queen Terasia seethed with anger. She deeply regretted ever placing her trust in him. Had she known he wouldn't uphold his promise, she would have enslaved him just as she did with Sasha. Sadly, it was her leniency that allowed Zealot to slip through her fingers.

Seething with anger, Demon Queen Terasia stormed back to her throne and took her seat with aggressive force. Fixing Sasha with a fierce glare, she instilled such fear that even Sasha couldn't help but gulp, feeling a shiver race down her spine.

"Sasha! You understand what needs to be done, right?!" Demon Queen Terasia lashed out at Sasha, her anger palpable.

Sasha, feeling confused, couldn't comprehend why her queen was so enraged. She was certain she hadn't committed any wrongdoing to provoke such fury from her majesty. Little did she know, Queen Terasia's anger wasn't directed at her, but rather it stemmed from her contemplation of Zealot.

Sasha, trembling slightly under the queen's intense glare, gathered her courage and replied, "Y-Yes, Your Majesty! I will ensure that the task is completed to the best of my abilities!"

"Very well, now leave! Remove yourself from my presence!" commanded the demon queen sharply, her tone brooking no argument.

Sasha, feeling the weight of the queen's command, nodded quickly and hastily made her exit from the grand throne room. Soon after, she emerged from the small world’s portal, finding herself once again in the confines of Zealot Castle's underground prison.