Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

“We’re in trouble, run!”

As Wizard Glen looked at Wizard Herman’s cold stare and linked it to what the other Spell Casters had just said, he guessed their intentions, which were to kill all Spell Casters who entered the first floor.

Of course, Elena and Wizard Ken were no idiots. Before Wizard Glen had warned them, they had already quickly turned around to escape.

However, Wizard Herman and his group were even quicker. The Alchemy Creatures behind them moved almost instantly, and in a streak of blurred movements, they had already surrounded Wizard Glen and the others.

“Hehe, it’s too late to think of leaving now. Kill them!”

Wizard Herman fixed his eyes on Wizard Glen with a cold smile and gave his order. The four Alchemy Creatures rushed wildly at Wizard Glen and the others.

“Scorching Flame!”

Wizard Glen took a deep breath as he saw the surrounding Alchemy Creatures pouncing at him. He narrowed his eyes and his body flickered with violent Fire Elemental fluctuations.

In an instant, the temperature on the first floor of the ancient tower was increased significantly, scorching even where near-transparent strands of fire floated in the air.

“Whoosh!”

An Alchemy Creature, with both hands equipped with sharp claws, lunged fiercely at Wizard Glen but as it came in contact with the fiery blaze in the air, its body was seized by the raging flames and began to burn violently.

“Thump!”

At the same time, lines of runes flickered all over Wizard Glen’s body. It turned out that an Alchemy Creature had appeared behind him and had extended its fist, smashing it heavily into Wizard Glen. Fortunately, Wizard Glen was wearing a robe which was able to withstand the attack.

Even so, Wizard Glen’s face had turned rather pale. Through that quick moment of combat, he knew that the Alchemy Creatures had great strength and speed, and were very likely transfigured by Second-level Spell Casters.

This meant that the five Spell Casters were all Second-level!

Thinking of this, Wizard Glen could not help but reveal an anxious face. He was a Four-Elemental, Second-level Spell Caster from Fire City, and was much more powerful than most roaming Wizards. He was even confident about handling a joint attack from two roaming Wizards who were of the same level.

However, there were no less than five Second-level Spell Casters – four of which were besieging him.

A strange look flashed across Wizard Herman’s eyes as he witnessed Wizard Glen casting Scorching Flame and a few other Second-level spells but he still kept a cold smile. “You have your ways indeed. However, you must die!”

Wizard Herman spread his fingers lightly, and a gust of wild wind appeared like a shapeless energy, which soon bound the movements of Wizard Glen, Elena, and Wizard Ken.

This was a Second-level, Wind-type Binding spell. Following Wizard Herman’s spell, the other Spell Casters coordinated with their Alchemy Creatures and cast their own spells at Wizard Glen.

Although Wizard Glen had the protection of the robe, it could not hold off some of the attacks. He was indeed in a distress.

As for Elena and Wizard Ken, neither of them was a Second-level Spell Caster, especially Elena who was not even a First-level Spell Caster. They were no match for these Alchemy Creatures transfigured by Second-level Spell Casters. Both of them had to rely on the casting tools they had and were just barely able to survive.

Even so, they were already in an imminent danger – a situation which was worse than Wizard Glen’s.

“This won’t do. If we go on like this, we may never be able to escape!”

Wizard Glen’s eyes were completely red. Deep in his heart, he was beginning to feel a faint regret about coming to this ancient monument. He could have been safe and sound in Fire City and become a Third-level Spell Caster the conventional way, or even become a powerful Fourth-level Spell Caster!

However, for the sake of treasures possibly stored in this ancient monument, Wizard Glen had not hesitated and set forth on this expedition. Out of his desperation, he also took a risk by coming into the monument. Furthermore, he had underestimated these roaming Wizards. How could Spell Casters, who had made it into the ancient monument, possibly be easy to deal with?

Now that he was assailed by Spell Casters who were also of Second-level, he was unable to hold on for long no matter how many tricks he had up his sleeve.

“Crack!”

Just then, a clear noise rang out. The Spell Casters who were engaged in the fierce battle were immediately distracted by this sound.

“Haha, it’s finally cracked open. Darling, keep it up, we must bash this stone door down. The treasure of the ancient monument is stored in there!”

The one who cried out was Wizard Etland. His Alchemy Creature was a hulking, strength-type Alchemy Creature, so he was tasked with using his Alchemy Creature to knock down the sturdy stone door on the first floor of the ancient tower.

This stone door was extremely solid but under the furious strength of the Alchemy Creature’s unceasing attacks, it had finally split open in a crack. The sharp cracking noise earlier was the sound of a fracture appearing on the thick stone door.

“Darling, knock the door down quickly!”

Wizard Etland was flushed red and had an ecstatic expression. His Mind Power quickly simulated his Alchemy Creature. Instantly, the strong, massive Alchemy Creature seemed to go berserk as it raised the sledgehammer in its hands and slammed it violently onto the door.

“Almost, the stone door is almost shattered…”

Wizard Etland muttered to himself without taking his eyes off the crack in the stone door.

“Boom!”

Suddenly, the entire ancient tower seemed to tremble, and everyone froze.

Wizard Etland seemed to focus slightly before fixing his gaze firmly onto the stone door. That huge thundering sound had seemed to come from behind the stone door.

“Could there be something behind the door?”

Just as Wizard Etland was feeling bewildered and unsure, another loud sound rumbled as the ancient tower undergone another tremor. This time, all the Spell Casters on the first floor could clearly tell that the sound had come from behind the stone door.

“Boom! Boom! Boom!”

Following that, the noise became more frequent, and the movements behind the door seemed to grow greater. The fierce hits widened the fracture on the stone door.

“Bang!”

Finally, the stone door was completely shattered. Behind the doorway, a black shadow flew out at such an incredible speed that it knocked Wizard Etland’s Alchemy Creature off its feet.

“What’s this?”

At this moment, everyone was staring with mouths agape at the shadow that had flown out from behind the doorway. This black shadow was gigantic, even taller than Wizard Etland’s Alchemy Creature. It was covered entirely in a layer of black armor.

However, this black shadow was currently looking rather pitiful as it crashed heavily onto the ground. They could see that it was sent flying by some powerful force.

The black shadow trembled slightly on the floor before it quickly stood up. It seemed to become aware of its surroundings as it looked down and noticed the Alchemy Creature crushed beneath its body.

Wizard Etland was gradually recovering from his initial shock. He did not know who this black shadow was but there was no doubt that it came from behind the stone door.

It was very possible that someone had already beaten them to it, and had taken away all the treasure behind the stone door.

As he thought of this, Wizard Etland’s heart boiled over with anxiety, and he immediately ordered his Alchemy Creature, “Darling, kill it!”

The target which Wizard Etland was pointing at was that mysterious black shadow that had flown out from behind the door in such a baffling manner.

“Bang!”

The Alchemy Creature’s punch landed on the black shadow but only a dull thud was heard. A dark red bloodstain appeared on the Alchemy Creature’s fist, and blood dripped onto the floor.

Wizard Etland’s Alchemy Creature was widely known for its mighty strength but now it was not even able to break the armor of the black shadow.

“Intruder – kill!”

The black shadow turned around and spoke in an odd, twisted voice. The eyes within the black armor glowed with a green light, and a quick look at it could tell anyone that the armor was empty and hollow inside. This shadow was neither a Spell Caster nor an Alchemy Creature. It did not even have any life force.

As soon as the black shadow spoke, it abruptly reached out with its thick, solid hands and grabbed the burly Alchemy Creature effortlessly.

In one swift motion, the shadow’s hands pulled the Alchemy Creature apart viciously.

“Rip!”

Immediately, the hulking Alchemy Creature was torn into two by the black shadow. Hot gushes of dark red blood splattered on the floor, reeking with the pungent smell of blood.

“Ssss…”

Staring at the Alchemy Creature lying on the ground, and torn into two, Wizard Etland could not help but draw in a quick breath. He had transfigured his Alchemy Creature himself, so naturally, he knew it the best. Although his Alchemy Creature was well known for its strength, its defensive capabilities were very frightening as well.

Even powerful Third-level spells were not necessarily able to kill his Alchemy Creature in a blow but now this black shadow, with a quick rip of its hands, had torn his Alchemy Creature into two. It was enough to demonstrate the terrifying extent of this lifeless, black shadow’s strength.

“What kind of monster is this?”

Wizard Etland’s expression revealed his fear and apprehension. Even though his Alchemy Creature was dead, he was also furious. However, after witnessing the shocking strength of this Shadow Monster with no life force, who was able to easily tear his Alchemy Creature apart, he knew that even a Third-level Spell Caster would be no match for this Shadow Monster. Naturally, he would not act blindly without thinking.

However, just because Wizard Etland did not dare provoke this Shadow Monster, it did not mean that the monster would not make its move. With its hollow eyes, the Shadow Monster swept its gaze across Wizard Etland and the others, after which it turned around as the heavy armor all over its body emitted scraping noises which sent chills down their spine.

Feeling the stare of the Shadow Monster’s hollow eyes, Wizard Etland vividly sensed an imminent danger.

However, the Shadow Monster did not lift a hand but turned its head around again, its hollow eyes looking at the stone door with a huge hole in its middle. On the other side of the doorway, the faint silhouette of a figure wearing a black robe could be seen.

“Demon Ability, Glacial Finger!”

A cold voice rang out, and a translucent blast of freezing air quickly flew out from behind the doorway, reaching the Shadow Monster in a flash.