Clang—!
A sharp metallic sound rang out as a sword pierced through a Beastman monster, pinning it to the wall.
Then with a boom, the monster burst apart instantly, turning into black smoke and disappearing.
Only a light purple magic stone remained on the ground.
Scenes like this could be seen everywhere nearby.
"Very useful… but it really burns money."
Cao Ye opened a gate to Imaginary Space, storing all the weapons and magic stones.
Still, he couldn't help sighing.
The ability was incredibly convenient.
But it consumed weapons like crazy.
It was like buying the newest smartphone.
Even if it was expensive, could you really resist using it?
Looking at the sword in his hand, the blade already showed obvious wear.
Even though it wasn't completely ruined yet, its lifespan was already counting down.
After finishing collecting everything, Cao Ye looked ahead.
He was currently on the 16th Floor of the Dungeon.
Once he passed through the nearby corridor, he would enter the 17th Floor.
That was today's mission:
Reach the 17th Floor.
The 17th Floor was the room of the Floor Boss, and also the gateway to the safe zone on the 18th Floor.
Floor Bosses were also called the "Lone Kings of the Labyrinth."
These monsters existed since ancient times.
Only one existed per floor.
And they never left their designated level.
A Floor Boss was typically about two levels stronger than other monsters on the same floor.
Its respawn cycle was irregular.
Although their power levels were measured similarly to adventurers, Floor Bosses usually had massive bodies, powerful abilities, and special weapons.
They were far more dangerous than adventurers of the same level.
Defeating them usually required a team effort.
For example, the Floor Boss of the 17th Floor—
Goliath.
Its potential power was around Level 4.
For most adventurers, encountering it was a disaster.
Step… step… step…
Unlike the cave-like floors above, the 17th Floor was brightly illuminated.
Large glowing crystals filled the surroundings.
There was also a gigantic crystal wall.
According to rumors, Goliath was born from this crystal wall.
Cao Ye wasn't sure if that was true.
He had watched the anime before, but his memory wasn't perfect.
"Wow…"
Walking through the corridor of the 17th Floor, Cao Ye stared at the massive crystal wall in amazement.
Seeing it in person was completely different from watching it in anime.
This kind of natural wonder would definitely become a tourist attraction in his previous world.
Crack…
Boom… boom… boom…
Suddenly, strange sounds echoed from the surrounding walls.
Cao Ye looked around.
One by one, grooves opened in the walls.
Then monsters began emerging.
Standing upright with massive bodies—
Minotaurs.
Minotaur monsters.
Creatures with potential power around Level 2.
And judging by their numbers, this was clearly not normal.
"…A Monster Feast."
Cao Ye's expression turned serious.
A Monster Feast was a rare phenomenon in the Dungeon.
A sudden birth of large numbers of monsters all at once.
For adventurers, it was practically a disaster.
ROAR—!
One Minotaur roared the moment it appeared.
And since Cao Ye was the only human here—
He became their target.
He quickly counted them.
About thirteen or fourteen Minotaurs.
He was only Level 1, facing a group of Level 2 monsters.
This was no small challenge.
ROOOAR—!!
With furious roars, the Minotaurs charged toward him.
Cao Ye immediately reacted.
A rift opened beside him.
From it emerged a jet-black sword.
This was the weapon Ottar delivered this morning.
The Black Sword.
A Second-Class Weapon.
In Orario, even some Level 3 or Level 4 adventurers couldn't afford equipment like this.
BOOM!
The first Minotaur charged.
Cao Ye stepped back, dodging its attack.
Although they were humanoid, their fighting style was brutal and primitive.
Slash!
Cao Ye swung the black sword.
But the effect was minimal.
The Minotaur's tough body only received a shallow cut.
It barely counted as an injury.
As a Level 2 monster, Minotaurs had far stronger defenses than the monsters he fought before.
BAM!
The Minotaur counterattacked.
Its massive horns stabbed forward violently.
Two sharp horns pierced through Cao Ye's skin.
Two bloody holes appeared in his body.
The powerful impact sent him flying backwards.
Cough… cough…
Cao Ye clutched his chest.
His entire chest cavity burned with pain.
Blood flowed from wounds on his abdomen and chest.
At that moment, it felt like he had returned to the days two weeks ago when he first struggled to survive in the Dungeon.
"I'm still too weak…"
When power was needed most—
It was never enough.
ROOOAR—!
The other Minotaurs were already closing in.
If he faced them all at once, he wouldn't survive.
BOOM!
"Mana Burst!"
Magic power exploded from his body.
His physical abilities instantly surged under the enhancement.
WHOOSH!
Cao Ye rushed forward.
He thrust the sword into a Minotaur's waist.
But the monster's dense muscles slowed the blade.
Then—
BAM!
Another Minotaur slammed into him.
He was sent flying again.
This wasn't a one-on-one fight.
If he attacked one Minotaur, the others would attack him immediately.
The black sword also flew out of his hand, still stuck in the monster.
Ptoo!
Cao Ye spat out blood.
His eyes slowly changed.
Facing these Minotaurs—
He would have to risk everything.
Otherwise escaping safely would be impossible.
Drip.
At that moment—
A drop of black mud, dark like ink, fell from Cao Ye's body.