......


    The Empyrean Talons spent quite a lot of time clearing all the small cave channels that they had found. They made sure that they did not leave anything unturned, so they threaded their way with full caution while carefully looking at everything and closely observing the cave channels, especially the cave walls and ceiling.


    They were trying to find a clue in these cave channels about the true nature of this special dungeon.


    But after clearing all the Komodo Lizards that varied from common to elite-rank monsters, the group did not find anything else. They only bumped into a dead-end when they reached the deepest parts of these small cave channels.


    Aside from the few Earthen Elemental Cores that the Komodo Lizards had dropped and a pitiful amount of experience points, the group did not find much from these places.


    The grinding of experience, when someone reached the third tier of their respective class, became more challenging. The rise of difficulty was at an exponential level, making it hard for most of the players to level up.


    Aside from hunting in very high-level hunting grounds such as the Neutral Regions in the Aurora Continent or going to the Awakened Continent to train, leveling up by normal means would become impossibly hard.


    Previously, when the group was grinding outside the dungeon, the experience points that they were getting were quite pitiful as well. But it was still way better than the grinding in the regular hunting grounds in the Aurora Continent.


    As for this dungeon, the group realized that it was from the category of dungeons that would only give them the reward experience points once they had killed the bosses ruling each stage and clearing the entire dungeon altogether.


    That should also be when other rewards such as weapons, equipment, special items, mystical tools, high-quality materials, and others would be given to them.


    ...


    Arthur was frowning as the group stood at the center of the section that was connected to every cave channel.


    It seemed like he was having a hard time choosing which of the three major paths in front of them would they be choosing.


    "What is there to think about? Let''s just pick either the left or right one since the one at the center is the one that will lead us to the main sections of the dungeon," said Leonard as he became impatient after waiting for Arthur to choose for a long time.


    The group just got online, so they were currently at their peak conditions. He was quite itching to have a real challenge right now since dealing with these common and elite-rank Komodo Lizards became quite boring.


    These monsters were quite challenging at first, but it became easier to deal with them once the group was able to familiarize themselves with their strength and attack patterns.


    Leonard wanted to fight against the Special Elite Rank Komodo Lizard once again and test their current progress.


    Arthur wanted to ignore Leonard at first, but he quickly changed his mind and explained. "It is not like I am having a hard time to choose. I just find it strange that the other two paths are a little different compared to the first time I have examined them."


    "Different? How different?" asked Shin as he joined the two.


    Arthur pointed at the left and right paths first before saying. "Previously, when you asked me to first use my Dragon Senses to check on these cave channels, I said that these two channels don''t have anything in them."


    "But now that we have fully cleared all the minor and smaller channels, these two are now releasing a ''scent'' of their own."


    Or to be more precise-... the entire place had multiple killing intents that were being directed at them.


    Swoosh! Swoosh!


    Shin and Diablo did not even hesitate as they retreated and regrouped with the others while sharply sweeping their gaze in the surroundings.


    Due to the killing intents coming from every direction, the group could not pinpoint the exact location where they were coming from.


    Not long after, the group started seeping glaring eyes appeared from the darkness covering the entire cave channel.


    These sharp eyes carried immense intent which made the group feel a stinging sensation on their skins.


    As Arthur saw these monsters hiding in the dark, the expression on his face suddenly contorted before shouting to the others. "Shadow Lizards! These guys are descendants of Shadow and Dark Dragons! Be careful of their stealth skills!"


    While he was warning everyone, a sharp glint silently flashed on the ceiling above the group while staring at them.


    This lizard-like creature slowly and silently opened its mouth before extending its flexible and stretchable tongue from it.


    Swoosh!


    This tongue shot toward the group like a silent weapon, heading straight to Cloe, who was standing at the entrance of the group''s formation.


    This creature was intelligent enough to tell that her role in the group was the most crucial one, so targeting her first was the most logical choice.


    The speed of the tongue was so fast that it almost reached Cloe within an instant. But right before it touched torched her, a sword flash suddenly appeared on its path and sharply tried to cut it.


    Shing!


    Shin suddenly appeared right in front of Cloe like a ghost and swung his sword upwards.


    Clang!


    Blazing sparks flew in the air as the sound of metal colliding against metal rang in the entire cave, attracting everyone''s attention.


    "There are also above us as well!" shouted Shin to inform the others while he was preparing to use another skill.


    Roar!


    This collision immediately signaled the start of the battle.


    ......