The moment Arden, Leigh, and Dominic braced themselves, the cavern erupted into chaos. The Taurmancer raised his staff, dark energy crackling around its twisted frame, while his armored personal guard stepped forward, greatsword gleaming ominously under the dim glow of the underground torches.


    "You trespass upon sacred ground," the Taurmancer’s deep voice rumbled. "You will not leave alive."


    Arden smirked, gripping his newly acquired sword. "We’ll see about that."


    With a flick of his wrist, Dominic unleashed a surge of fire toward the Taurmancer, but the robed figure effortlessly countered, twisting his staff in an intricate motion to conjure a barrier of runic energy. At the same time, the armored warrior lunged at Arden, their blades clashing in a powerful shockwave that sent dust spiraling into the air.


    Leigh darted around the battlefield, her movements precise and calculated. With Venya in hand, she targeted the Taurmancer, her blade slicing through the air with lethal grace. The Taurmancer, however, had centuries of battle experience—he sidestepped her attack, retaliating with a pulse of concussive magic that sent her skidding across the stone floor.


    Dominic gritted his teeth, summoning lightning to reinforce his next spell. He launched a barrage of ice shards at the Taurmancer, forcing him to evade rather than counter. "Arden, keep his pet busy!" he shouted.


    "Already on it!" Arden called back as he parried a devastating swing from the armored guard. The sheer force behind the attack sent vibrations through his arms, but he held firm, retaliating with a swift counterstrike to the warrior’s exposed flank. Sparks flew as steel met steel, neither combatant yielding an inch.


    The Taurmancer, now slightly irritated, slammed his staff onto the ground. The cavern trembled, and from the cracks in the stone, dark tendrils surged forth, reaching hungrily for the trio. Leigh nimbly leapt aside, severing a tendril mid-air, while Dominic formed a protective sigil around them, nullifying the worst of the dark magic’s effects.


    "This is getting annoying," Dominic muttered. "Let’s end this."


    Leigh nodded. "On my signal. Arden, get ready to break his guard."


    Arden smirked, shifting his stance. "Just say the word."


    With a sharp exhale, Leigh dashed forward, feinting a strike at the Taurmancer’s chest before shifting her blade at the last second, forcing him to counter. In that split moment, Arden surged in, his blade colliding against the Taurmancer’s barrier with enough force to send a crack splintering through the magical defense.


    Dominic wasted no time—his eyes glowed with raw power as he unleashed a searing bolt of divine energy. The Taurmancer’s weakened barrier shattered, and before he could react, Leigh’s blade found its mark, plunging deep into his chest.


    The Taurmancer gasped, his form flickering with unstable energy. "Impossible..." he rasped before collapsing to his knees. His personal guard, witnessing their master’s downfall, faltered for a split second—just enough time for Arden to deliver the finishing blow.


    As the cavern fell silent, the trio exchanged glances, their breaths heavy but victorious.This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    "Well," Arden said, wiping his blade clean. "That was fun."


    Dominic scoffed. "You have a weird idea of fun."


    Leigh sheathed Venya, her gaze shifting to the fallen Taurmancer. "We should search the area. If there’s a civilization in Laoyon, this might give us some answers."


    Arden nodded. "Agreed. Let’s see what secrets this place is hiding."


    With their enemies defeated, they pressed forward, deeper into the unknown.


    They noticed the room was wider than they had imagined. An altar stood at the front, while wooden crates were stacked on the right—possibly used for food supplies. To the left, a hidden chamber caught Dominic’s attention. He rushed over and discovered a stone altar, stained with dried blood, clearly used for dark rituals. Calling the others over, he inspected the markings carefully.


    Arden picked up a small dagger resting on the altar, tilting it under the dim light. "This is imbued with poison," he remarked, tucking it away. Nothing else in the room seemed of interest, so they moved on.


    Behind the altar, they discovered three chests. Opening the first, they found a pouch filled with gold coins. The second chest contained a finely crafted longsword—naturally, Arden claimed it, adding to his growing collection. He placed the poison dagger and his short sword into the old backpack for safekeeping.


    In the last chest, nestled among a pile of old cloth, lay a Crimson Core—a deep red gem pulsating with a faint, rhythmic glow, as if it held a heartbeat of its own. The trio exchanged glances, feeling an odd sense of satisfaction, as if they had been rewarded for their hard-fought battle.


    After gathering their loot, they took a moment to assess their surroundings. The underground cave, despite its eerie past, seemed well-equipped for living. With sturdy beds, cabinets, and even a functional kitchen in the right wing, it was clear this place had once been inhabited.


    "This could be our home for the next 26 months," Leigh suggested, running her fingers along a dusty wooden table.


    Arden nodded. "It’s defensible, spacious, and already has everything we need. We should clean up the place and take out any remaining threats inside."


    Dominic smirked. "Not to mention, I just found a mage’s spellbook and some blank runes. This place is basically a goldmine."


    With their decision made, they spent the rest of the day securing the area. Arden went aboveground to hunt for food, while Dominic and Leigh enthusiastically began renovating the cave—especially Dominic, who was eager to decipher the newfound spells. Using his magic, Dominic conjured a well underground and even constructed proper toilets and showers in each room, making the space far more livable.


    The duo worked tirelessly, renovating all the rooms for their companions when it would be their turn to stay in Laoyon. As they organized supplies and strengthened defenses, they also meditated, absorbing the battle experience and refining their energies. As the days passed, their rigorous training and relentless battles yielded significant growth. Arden felt his body growing stronger, his movements sharper as he ascended further into the Langi Realm, now at Level 3. The once-overwhelming energy of Laoyon now coursed through him with ease, enhancing his instincts and battle prowess.


    Leigh, her connection to Venya deepening, pushed beyond her previous limits. With each meditation session, her power refined itself, propelling her to the Peak of the Bahani Realm. The divine energy within her pulsed brighter, and her mastery over her techniques had reached a near-perfect state.


    Dominic, ever the arcane tactician, harnessed the abundant mana surrounding them. Through constant spell refinement and the absorption of magical cores, he felt himself breaking past the final threshold of his previous realm, stepping into the Hiuyan Realm at the Beginning Stage. His magic flowed with greater fluidity, and his spellcasting efficiency had soared to new heights.


    Each advancement brought them closer to mastering the powers they would need for their mission. With renewed confidence, they prepared for the next phase of their journey.


    Days passed quickly, and after a week, they finally emerged from the cave, now fully prepared for the next phase of their adventure. As they stood at the entrance, Dominic cast a powerful concealment spell, ensuring their new home remained hidden from any unwanted visitors.


    "Alright," Arden stretched, adjusting his gear. "Let’s see what’s next."


    With their preparations complete, they set off once more, eager to face whatever Laoyon had in store for them.