Frostfire Legacy

The portal leading to the dungeon was as bustling as ever—though there was a noticeable decrease in the number of adventurers due to the recent "tragedy." The air around the dungeon was thick with tension, with conversations hushed and wary glances exchanged among the gathered adventurers.

Amid the chaos, a single red-skinned Oni stood like a sentinel, towering over the crowd. He guarded the entrance with an air of authority, his muscular frame and horned visage striking a balance between protector and enforcer. His deep, booming voice carried over the din as he collected entrance fees from the adventurers eager—or desperate—enough to enter.

"Ou! Good luck, little ones!"

As always, he cheered on a group that had just paid to enter. His smile was the same as ever—friendly yet intimidating. Despite his fearsome appearance, his presence offered a strange sense of reassurance to those who passed through.

But today, something was different. His smile didn't linger as it usually did. Instead, his gaze darted to several locations around the entrance, almost as if out of habit. His sharp eyes scanned the shadows and distant rooftops, his expression hardening.

"Those bastards... still lurking around the dungeon?" the Oni muttered under his breath, his deep voice laced with irritation.

For three days, he had endured their watchful presence. The "eyes," as he called them, belonged to unknown observers who had been stalking the dungeon. Without any directives to act, the Oni could do nothing but tolerate their presence, though his patience was wearing thin.

On several occasions, the observers released brief but palpable bursts of killing intent, a silent taunt that grated on the Oni's nerves. His massive hands twitched at his sides, itching for the chance to crush them. 'If only they'd make the first move...'

Just then, the portal began to glow—a sign that someone inside was about to exit.

"Huh?"

When the light faded, no one was visible on the platform. The Oni's brows furrowed, his sharp instincts kicking in. 'No, they're there. They're just using stealth.'

Though his eyes couldn't see them, his finely tuned senses detected their life force. The familiar energy patterns confirmed the identity of the group: Aster and his companions.

As he prepared to greet them, a chilling realization struck him. The moment he'd been anticipating had arrived. The irritating observers had finally made their move, allowing him to realize their aim at the same time. 'So their target was Aster all along...!'

"Aster!" the Oni bellowed, his voice booming like thunder. The ground beneath him seemed to tremble as he spoke. "Enemies are coming! Stay close to me! Stalwart Defender!"

Without hesitation, he stepped forward, his crimson skin glowing as he activated his skill. A radiant golden hue enveloped him, and a protective film expanded outward, covering a five-meter radius around him.

BOOM!

A massive spell, as large as the dungeon portal itself, struck the golden barrier, exploding in a dazzling display of light and energy. The force of the blast obliterated everything outside the protective zone, reducing the surrounding area to rubble. Several unlucky bystanders were caught in the crossfire, their cries lost in the chaos.

"U-Uncle..."

Behind the now golden-skinned Oni, Cassy's voice trembled with worry. Her arms wrapped around Via's neck tighter. The Oni turned his head slightly, flashing her a fierce grin meant to reassure her.

"I'll hold these bastards off. Find a chance to escape to the Gravene Tower!" he commanded, his voice unwavering.

From the sheer power of the attack, he had already deduced the identity of the enemy. If his hunch was correct, Gravene Tower was the only safe haven left for Aster and his group.

A brief pause followed before Aster's voice cut through the tension, firm and resolute. "Alright, Mr. Oni. Don't die...!"

Right then, everyone understood—Cassy's premonition had not only come true but had exceeded their worst fears!

---

Earlier, deep within the dungeon, Aster's group prepared for their escape.

The atmosphere was tense as they finalized their formation. Their arrangement prioritized mobility and defense, with Kali perched on Tina's back, Cassy clinging to Via, and Aster and Liz flanking the group on either side, with Argus following them closely on the ground.

"You're heavy!" Tina grumbled, shifting under Kali's weight.

"Stop complaining. I don't like this either!" Kali snapped, her cheeks tinged with embarrassment.

Being piggybacked felt demeaning, but it was a necessary part of Aster's plan.

"You can't move while using your Shadow Concealment, right?" Aster reminded her. "So someone has to carry you. That way, we'll have a portable stealth veil."

Their strategy was simple yet risky: Kali would activate Shadow Concealment over the group, rendering them invisible as they moved. However, their movements needed to be synchronized to maintain the effect.

"Everyone ready?" Aster asked, his gaze sweeping over his companions.

The group nodded, their expressions a mix of determination and apprehension.

"Then let's go!"

Tina and Kali led the way, carefully stepping sideways through the portal. Aster and Liz followed, flanking them, while Via brought up the rear with Cassy on her back.

A blinding flash greeted them as they exited the dungeon. When their vision cleared, they were met with an unexpected sight. Find your next read at empire

The Oni uncle stood before them, his golden glow illuminating the area. He moved with startling speed, positioning himself to block an attack aimed directly at the group.

The frontal assault was spectacular, but Aster's sharp eyes noticed follow-up attacks coming from multiple directions. The strikes were precise, their intent not to kill but to incapacitate.

After a brief exchange with the Oni uncle, as if confirming their resolve, Aster barked his orders out loud.

"Move! Liz, cover everyone!" Aster shouted.

"Got it! Guardian's Embrace!" Liz responded, her voice steady despite the chaos.

Her skill enveloped the group in a protective aura, redirecting any damage they took to her instead.

With their defenses bolstered, they began to run, matching the slowest person in the team—Tina. Her pace was slower than usual as she was burdened by Kali on her back, but they had to continue onwards.

The moment they exited the Oni's protective barrier, despite Kali's stealth still up and running, the assailants locked onto them like it didn't matter. Attacks rained down on them like a storm.

Aster drew his sword, activating his skill without hesitation. "Elemental Slash—Wind!"

A powerful gust of wind intercepted an incoming flame spear, deflecting it just enough to prevent a direct hit. However, it was more powerful than expected, causing it to land a little too close for comfort. The explosion rocked the ground, sending the group sprawling.

"KYAAAH!"

"Ugh!"

"Gaha...!"

The cries of his companions filled Aster's ears. Liz, bearing the brunt of the redirected damage, fell to her knees, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth.

The sheer force of the blast—multiplied sixfold due to taking over damage for everyone—had nearly pushed her to death's door. Her failure to activate Invulnerability in time had left her in mortal danger!

Scattered and dazed, the group struggled to regroup. Cassy pushed herself upright, her destroyed eyes staring blankly toward the sky.

"...This... is bad," she whispered, her voice trembling with despair.