"Thunder!!"


    The night descended upon them, cloaking thendscape in darkness, apanied by the ominous rumble of an approaching thunderstorm. Thunderbolts crackled in the air, heralding the arrival of Thunderboii monsters.


    "Tuck, Tuck, Tuck..." The rhythmic sound of their jaws echoed ominously.


    "Spark--"


    "ng, ng"


    "Pearl!!" Eli''s voice pierced through the chaos as he twisted the neck of a Thunderbonii with his Ember.


    "Yes!" Pearl responded with determination, driving her spear into the creature''s eye sockets and pinning it to the ground.


    With a final spark, the Thunderbonii fell lifelessly, its threat extinguished. Pearl quickly backed off as she entered within the protective barrier crafted by Lia.


    "What now?" Pearl''s voice was tense as she surveyed their surroundings, herpanions encircled by Thunderbonii monsters.


    Inside the barrier, Eli''s team and John''s team gathered, their eyes drawn to the tumultuous sky above.


    "Look there..." John''s voice was grave as he gestured toward the swirling clouds, illuminated by shes of lightning.... The ominous harbinger of the Thunderstorm.


    "What?" Arlyne''s brow furrowed in confusion as she followed John''s gaze.


    "That is the Overlord of this Dungeon," John dered solemnly, his words weighted with significance.


    "???" Eli''s expression mirrored his confusion as he turned his attention to the darkened heavens.


    Though only the swirling ck clouds and blueish lightning were visible to him, a sense of uneasiness settled over him.


    "Haha... Of course, you cannot see it," David''s smirk hinted at a deeper understanding as he extended his hand toward the sky,


    /In the shadows, light I see,


    Negativity, now flee from me/


    He chanted his words a whispered incantation as he released a surge of mana toward the thunderstorm.


    "THUNDER!!!"


    "SSSsHHHHHHhhh!!"


    As the magical energy collided with the clouds, a deafening roar echoed through the destendscape. Slowly, the clouds dissipated, revealing a.....


    "KKKKIIIIIKKKRRRR!!!!!"


    As the clouds parted, revealing the monstrous entity lurking within, a hushed gasp swept through the group. Silhouetted against the fading storm clouds... the half-flesh, half-skeleton eagle emerged, its presencemanding awe and fear in equal measure.


    Its massive wingspan stretched ominously across the sky, casting a shadow over thend below. Feathers, tattered and torn, mingled with exposed bone, giving the creature a grotesque and otherworldly appearance. Sinewy muscles pulsed beneath patches of decaying flesh, evidence of the unholy fusion of life and death thatprised its form.


    Its hollow eye sockets, glowing with an eerie, malevolent bluish spark light, surveyed the scene below with a predatory gaze. Sharp talons, gleaming in the faint sparks, extended from skeletal ws, poised to strike at any moment.


    "KKKKKKKIIIIIKKKK!!!"


    As it let out another ear-splitting screech, the ground trembled beneath its talons...


    The hollow eye sockets of the monstrous eagle filled with bluish sparks, ring malevolently at the group that had dared to wound it.


    "I see...." Eli''s voice was barely a whisper as his gaze locked onto Pearl, who nodded in silent understanding.


    ''We found it...'' Eli''s thoughts echoed inwardly as he surveyed their surroundings, taking note of the Thunderbonii that nowy motionless, their frenzied assault on the barrier abruptly halted as if their strings had been cut like a puppet...


    "Since you guys were here for the internship, Leave the dangerous part to us!!" John''s sudden deration cut through the tension as he hurled his hammer skyward.


    "Woosh, Wossh"


    As the hammer hurtled through the air, its trajectory seemingly true, the monstrous eagle reacted with uncanny agility. With a sudden, powerful p of its half-feathery wings, the creature twisted and turned mid-flight, evading the projectile with a fluid grace that belied its grotesque appearance.


    The air around it crackled with energy as it surged forward, closing the distance between itself and John with rming speed.


    "We''ve got its attention!!" John''s voice rang out with determination as he nced back at his teammates, receiving affirming nods in response.


    John''s heart pounded in his chest as he braced himself for the impending impact, his muscles tensed and ready for the inevitable sh.


    With a swift gesture, Lia ceased the barrier spell, her focus shifting to the intricate staff clutched tightly in her hands. With a fervent prayer escaping her lips,


    /OH! God!! Grant me strength to reach the sky/


    Lia''s invocation resonated with an unwavering resolve as she channelled her magic towards John and David.


    A surge of energy enveloped John and David, suffusing their bodies with newfound power. They could feel the exhrating rush coursing through their veins, invigorating them for the battle thaty ahead.


    With determination etched upon his face, John seized his hammer, the weight of it feeling lighter in his hands as the divine blessing infused him with renewed vigor. With a mighty leap, heunched himself towards the monstrous eagle....


    "Aaaaahhh!!!"


    Meanwhile, David stood ready at John''s side, his mind focused and his spells at the ready. With a silent incantation, he prepared to unleash the full force of his magical prowess in support of hisrade''s assault.


    /Fire Dance/


    .....


    ...


    Eli, Arlyne, and Pearl stood at a cautious distance, observing John''s group as they engaged in a fierce battle with the monstrous eagle.


    Despite their initial doubts, it became evident that John and hispanions were not merely putting on a show... their determination and skill were genuine.


    "It looks like they aren''t faking it, though," Arlyne murmured, her gaze fixed on the intense struggle unfolding before them.


    Eli''s brow furrowed in contemtion as he watched the scene y out. He had harboured doubts about John''s group''s true intentions, but their ferventbat dispelled any lingering suspicions.


    Still, Eli couldn''t shake the nagging question that lingered in his mind... Why had they drugged their food in the first ce?


    "ording to the information I have... defeating that thing wasn''t possible with just three members," Pearl interjected.


    "Hmmm," Eli nodded in acknowledgement. After learning the name of the dungeon, Pearl mentioned having some information about it. Although it wasn''t abundant, even a little information was valuable to them.


    Earlier that morning, before John could borate on the dungeon''s structure, Eli''s group had already pieced together some knowledge about it, albeit only a few details about the overlord.... a half-dead eagle known as Stormborn Skeagle. However, they were curious to see what John and his friend were nning.


    Though Eli really wanted to finish off these bastards who trying to drug them..... Pearl and Arlyne insisted on waiting... more evidence before taking action.


    It wasn''t as though they were driven by a sense of justice; rather, they simply wanted to ensure thoroughness before eliminating their targets.


    Suddenly, Eli''s gazended on the sparkling portal in the sky, a glint of determination shing in his eyes.


    He turned to Arlyne and instructed, "Throw this," as he handed her a fallen skull.


    "!!!" Arlyne''s initial reaction was one of surprise, but she quicklyposed herself and nodded, obediently tossing the skull into the air.


    ''sssshhhh!!''


    This time, Eli didn''t leap into action. Instead, he heightened his senses, focusing intently on the trajectory of the skull to see if it would be intercepted by any sparks.


    It was then that the monster let out a deafening screech, diverting its attention to the sky.


    "SSSRRRRHHHH!!"


    In a swift motion, it shot a blue spark from its mouth, obliterating the skull before it could reach the portal..... just in a microsecond.


    "SHOO!!"


    "..." Eli stared nkly at the monster, which returned its focus to the ongoing battle with John''s team.


    "It seems we need to deal with that creature," Arlyne muttered, her expression grim as she assessed the situation.


    "Let''s finish it off," Pearl dered, her determination evident as she turned to Eli, "We don''t have time to specte on their intentions. Let''s take down that monster and leave this ce!"


    With her blue spear in hand, she unleashed her attack, sending it hurtling towards the busy monster,


    /Ice spear/


    "ssshhh"


    "sssshhh"


    Her spear split into numerous projectiles, resembling a swarm of icy daggers as they descended upon the creature, driven by the ferocity of her assault.


    /Lioness'' Roar/


    Arlyne muttered the incantation as she tightened her grip on her thin de, preparing herself to lunge towards the monstrous adversary. However, in a sudden turn of events,


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    "!!!"


    "!!!"


    The monster materialized before them, emitting a bone-chilling screech that echoed through the deste space,


    "KKKIIIIIKKII!!!!"


    In a sh, it vanished, leaving behind a brightened sky and a dissipating portal.


    John''s team, their bodies bearing the marks of battle, staggered over to Eli''s group.


    Eli scanned their worn figures, evidence of the fiercebat they endured.


    "-ha-ha-Tsk, It escaped-ah-" John muttered, his voice tinged with resignation as he assessed his battered form, riddled with numerous scratches.


    "-ha- Youdies fine -ha-" David queried breathlessly, his own body disying signs of the intense struggle.


    "Damn that monster... You okay, Mr. Asher Eli?" Lia inquired, although she wasn''t as battered as the others it was still exhaustion evident in her eyes.


    "OH? N-No.. I am fine," Eli replied.


    Hearing that, Rather than relief.... furrows creased the brows of John''s team members.


    Suddenly, then,


    ''Thud''


    ''Thud''


    Both Arlyne and Pearl copsed to the ground, their bodies giving way like broken toys.


    At this sight.... the lips of John''s team curled into a sly smile.