The lack of a map or further information about this dungeon makes our current exploration even more dangerous and risky. Without any information from the guild, we have to rely on our own instincts and do our best to ensure our own safety with all the strength we have.

The lack of sufficient information also prevents us from making plans for what we should do. We don't even know what kind of enemies we will face next, so we're currently relying solely on my detection abilities.

This is the risk when exploring a newly discovered dungeon, which is why many adventurers refused to participate in this mission despite the high rewards offered by the guild. An adventurer wouldn't care about the amount of the guild's offer if it endangers their life.

The Adventurers Guild also cannot force adventurers to join a mission like this. The guild can only compel adventurers to participate in a mission when it concerns saving a city from monster attacks or the rescue of someone very important. So, adventurers have the freedom to choose and reject missions according to their own desires.

After getting quite exhausted in the first area of the dungeon, we finally agreed to continue our exploration to the next area. As I ventured further into the dungeon, I felt a stronger magical pressure. The previous area was just a large corridor, but as we entered further, it transformed into a vast area.

"There's nothing here," Nick said, looking around the area.

"Are there no monsters here?"

It was an empty area. There were no monsters present except for a bat-like creature hanging from the ceiling. As I identified it, it was a different kind of bat compared to the ones on the surface, and it was twice the size. It remained still and didn't attack, perhaps unaware or unconcerned about our presence.

In front of us, there was a large hole with a spiral staircase inside. That was the only path available to us at the moment. I didn't see any other way besides the staircase in front of us. We finally decided to proceed, with me taking the lead position.

The staircase itself was only about a meter wide, which required us to walk in a single file. It was quite terrifying to look at. There were no railings on the sides, and beneath the staircase was a dark abyss with no visible end. The steps themselves were merely rectangular patches of ground attached to the wall of the chasm. I hoped the stairs were sturdy enough to support our weight. Even though we weren't fighting a monster, just stepping on these stairs increased my adrenaline. It felt like I would instantly die if I slipped or made a wrong step.

"How deep is this staircase?" Flitz asked from behind me.

I activated my detection ability to see the length of the staircase and the depth of the abyss we were currently crossing. It had a depth of over a hundred meters. It was truly a very deep chasm, and I wondered how many chambers were inside this dungeon.

I continued to create a ball of light for illumination at the moment because this room would be completely dark without any light source. Everyone carefully stepped forward, and some of them had sweat dripping down their faces. Their expressions were filled with worry and fear, evident on the faces of all the adventurers.

After a few moments of walking anxiously, we finally reached the end of the staircase, only to find a horde of monsters waiting for us. We had planned to take a brief rest to relieve our stiff legs from climbing the staircase, but it seemed we wouldn't have time for that.

"*ggrrrr..."

"*grrrr..."

Several monsters immediately directed their intimidating gaze towards us. There were about two hundred monsters ahead of us. As I observed, they resembled black-skinned Minotaurs, each wielding a large axe in their right hand. They stood at around two meters tall, clearly stronger than the group of skeletons we encountered earlier. It seemed they also had the attribute of darkness—a Minotaur with the attribute of darkness.

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"*Slash..."

"*Whoosh..."

[Wind Arrow]

[Light Arrow]

I immediately sent several wind spells and light spears simultaneously towards all the Minotaurs. Unfortunately, some of the Minotaurs managed to withstand the attack. They had stronger magical resistance compared to the skeletons on the previous floor. It appeared that the deeper we went into the dungeon, the stronger the monsters we would face.

After using my magic attacks, I swiftly dashed towards the Minotaurs, and the other adventurers followed suit, launching their attacks together after my initial strike.

"*Clang..."

My sword clashed directly with the axe of a Minotaur. I felt the force behind its attack as it slammed down upon me, aiming for my head. I used both my swords to parry its strike, with the axe's edge clearly visible in front of my eyes. I would likely die if I didn't retaliate immediately. Several Minotaurs seemed poised to launch their attacks towards me. I reinforced my body with magical energy and pushed back against the Minotaur in front of me, causing it to be thrown back several meters and collide with other Minotaurs.

"*Slash..."

"*Slash..."

A gust of wind emanated from my sword, accurately aiming at the Minotaur running towards me. With just one strike, several Minotaur heads fell simultaneously, a precise magical wind attack severing their necks.

"Hey Vans, help over here too!" shouted one of the adventurers.

A group of Minotaurs was surrounding some adventurers, causing them difficulties. I quickly created a magical attack to assist—a multitude of fire arrows formed in the air. Although using fire magic inside a cave was risky, I still attempted it because it was one of the most powerful spells I currently possessed.

"*Whoosh..."

With a wave of my hand, all the fire arrows, scorching hot, directly targeted all the Minotaurs that had become my targets. It caused a hundred Minotaurs to die simultaneously with holes in their heads and chests.

It had become an unfair battle as I saw several adventurers struggling to fight against the Minotaurs attacking them simultaneously. Flitz's group was also having difficulties. Nick was exerting all his strength to withstand the attacks from multiple Minotaurs, but his sword strikes were slightly awkward because he wasn't using his own sword. Currently, Nick was using the sword I had lent him earlier.

There were still about four hundred Minotaurs we had to fight. Some adventurers appeared to be growing more exhausted and struggling as the battle dragged on. Our position was increasingly pressed with the aggressive attacks from the Minotaurs, and it would be disadvantageous for us if the fight dragged on.

[Fire Arrow]

I created another barrage of fire arrows to swiftly end the battle, directing them simultaneously towards the Minotaurs attacking the other adventurers.

"Thanks, Vans," one of the adventurers said.

I quickened my movements to evade several Minotaurs' attacks aimed at me. Although over a hundred Minotaurs had died, the remaining ones refused to relent in their pursuit of me. In fact, more Minotaurs ran towards me. Unlike humans, these monsters showed no trace of fear whatsoever.

Dozens of Minotaurs sprinted toward me, intending to attack from all directions with hatred gleaming in their eyes. As a form of defense, I immediately created wind magic surrounding me, forming a circle of wind magic that served as a shield. It managed to hold back some of the Minotaurs that were about to attack.

"*Whoosh..."

"*Crack..."

Dozens of Minotaurs were flung away, rolling on the ground. Without wasting any time, I sent a magical attack towards them. A hundred high-speed fire arrows swiftly pierced through the fallen Minotaurs, instantly killing dozens of them.

"Aaah..." one of the adventurers suddenly screamed.

A Minotaur's axe struck an adventurer. Quickly, I moved to his position. I was the only one who could currently move freely and provide assistance to the other adventurers.

"*Slash..."

With a single sword strike, I killed the Minotaur that had attacked the adventurer, while the adventurer himself was severely injured. Blood gushed from his chest due to the Minotaur's axe strike, and now he couldn't move and could only sit behind me, enduring the pain.

"Damn, this is getting worse," I complained while fending off the attacks from several Minotaurs.

I created more offensive magic to swiftly end this battle, disregarding how much magic energy I had left. I consecutively launched fire magic attacks at all the Minotaurs simultaneously.

I increased the quantity and intensity of my magical attacks against all the Minotaurs, striking them with even greater brutality than before. After fighting for a while, we finally managed to defeat all the Minotaurs, leaving everyone exhausted and seated on the ground.

"Phew..."

"Phew... This was a tough fight," one of the adventurers groaned.

"It seems like we can't go any further. We can't continue with such a large and formidable enemy," Nick said, struggling to hold back his fatigue.

"Yeah, it seems like we should go back and report to the guild master about this dungeon," Flitz suggested to everyone.

It's better to retreat, as it might be more dangerous to continue this mission. Besides, there's no punishment from the guild for failing to complete this mission.

"You can all go back first. I'll continue this mission alone," I said to everyone.

"What are you saying, Vans?" Flitz exclaimed, slightly shocked.

Of course, he would be surprised when I spoke like that. I decided to stay because I felt I could handle it alone.