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Ian managed to locate the clumps of mana at the jaw of the lion's boulder.

Though it wasn't too hard, it took him a while to recognize them since he was still getting used to seeing them, but he was able to spot it by honing in on the concentration of mana.

"It's dark magic..." Ian muttered.

There was more than just nature mana gathered together. There was also a cluster of mana that was slightly darker and murkier.

Ian instinctively felt repulsed and turned back to face Jamie and Chris as they approached.

"Found what?" Chris asked with a doubtful expression on his face that betrayed his contempt for Ian. 

Unable to see what Ian did, Chris stared at him as though he was spewing nonsense. Ian’s eyebrows twitched. He’d seen that look many times before from other higher-level hunters who looked down on others. 

Ian fought to contain himself as the heat rose inside him. He wanted to fire back at Chris, but he contained himself and raised his hand, pointing at the lion’s jaw.

"Over there. It’s an entrance."

“Are you messing around? What entrance…?”

Ian grinned at Chris's response, tapping his finger against his sword as he examined the boulder.

If there was an entrance, there must also be some sort of handle to the door as well. Since it was operated by mana, something must be linked to it.

Mana was very interesting, but it was also very simple. Every artifact or device powered by mana had pathways that connected to it like an electric circuit.

Ian smiled when he saw the path connecting to the place where the mana was clumped together. Just as he expected, there was a door-opening device there.

Ian perked his head up and checked where the sun was.

It was about lunch time. They were just in time.

Ian and the other Squad 8 members of the Devil Platoon were not fools. They had held a meeting to prepare for the worst-case scenario before they left.

[It's impossible to compare our forces. We can only handle two Black Orcs with our number.]

Jamie said, shaking her head skeptically.

Ian knew that the three of them would not be able to defeat all of them alone, and based on what the mana indicated, they were definitely there.

[What should we do then?]

[It's simple. Let’s break in when the homeowner isn't there]

[So, a break and entry on an empty turf, you mean?]

Hamilton nodded.

[Confirming it’s empty would be enough to protect the villagers.]

Chris opposed, but Hamilton shook his head.

[If the kidnapped civilians are there, they must be saved at all costs. Don't forget, Chris, we are a unit that exists for the empire, and the safety of its citizens is our top priority.]

[But...]

[Considering our circumstances, the best strategy right now is to go through with Ian’s plan.]

[…I understand.]

They had stayed a little longer to aid the village in rebuilding its defenses, and then Ian, Jamie, and a reluctant Chris had traveled here just in time.

Setting aside the two hours for the search had worked out well, and their timing seemed almost perfect.

Ian stepped forward, determined to activate the device.

"Please look carefully. Something interesting will happen.” Ian said as he bent down and gripped the lion's big toe, lifting it up. Its toe bent at a right angle.

"I don’t see anything?” Jamie said to Ian after a short wait.

Ian shrugged. He could see the mana clumped up in the lion’s jaw. It was slowly growing as it absorbed more of the surrounding mana.

"I swear if you made us go through all of this for nothing, you’re…” Chris threatened, taking a step toward Ian.

But then...

“Huh?”

A dark blue portal appeared in front of Ian.

Ian briefly peered into the portal and gestured for Jamie and Chris to follow him through, before he swiftly stepped inside through.

Everything turned dark.

Ian tilted his head as a familiar sensation washed over him.

A window popped up in front of him simultaneously.

[You have entered a dungeon.]

[You have discovered a Class 6 dungeon, "The Dark Sorcerer’s Laboratory," for the first time!]

[For the next 24 hours, the amount of EXP and rewards you can gain will be doubled!]

***

A dungeon…

Ian surveyed his surroundings as he ran his hand through his hair.

He peered around. It was dark and damp, just like most dungeons he had seen.

He was surprised that there was a dungeon in the Panthea continent, however.

This could be quite beneficial for him. Dungeons were good hunting grounds. Something like a reset¹ could exist, but if he did well, he could grow tremendously in a short frame of time. 

Furthermore, this dungeon was Class 6, the same class dungeon where Ian had previously lost his life. 

A monster called Gigant, which should not have been there, had emerged from that Class 6 dungeon and taken his life. However, Ian believed he would have died either way as most Class 6 dungeons not only had several slightly weak mobs, but also one rare and incredibly strong monster. 

Whether it had been a Gigant or another monster of the same strength, the outcome likely would have been the same. Ian was not strong enough to clear it.

Would he be able to overcome the Class 6 dungeon now? 

Ian wanted to know. He had died in vain the last time, but he believed he stood a good chance this time around.

We’re literally breaking in.

Even if there were two Black Orcs present, Ian guessed they would be Class 7 at best, or Class 6 at worst.

“Fuu.”

Ian felt oddly pumped and took a breath as he glanced back at Jamie and Chris who had just followed him through the portal.

"What do you think?"

"Hmm..."

"You’re right, there was magic."

Chris only groaned, unable to say a word. Jamie bobbed her head.

"The enemy doesn't seem to know we're here yet, so let's proceed with caution.”

Jamie and Chris followed Ian in silence.

Ian walked slowly, reducing the sound of his footsteps like a seasoned veteran. Although he had never taken the lead in a Class 6 dungeon before, he had led in Class 7 dungeons several times. So, he felt confident taking the lead.

Additionally, their individual fighting styles and weapons supported their current pattern. Jamie was an archer who was most helpful from a distance, and Chris relished using his two daggers in close combat surprise attacks.  

On the other hand, as the group’s only sword user, Ian would naturally be at the front of the battle, anyway.

Though it may have seemed empty, there would surely be a guard of Black Orcs watching the abducted villagers, and they were a force of only three.

They remained poised for battle, knowing that a conflict was imminent.

After a while, they began to hear voices.

"Please spare me! Agh!"

"Please let us out of here! My child, at least my child...”

The voices were faint, but they were definitely human.

The voices of the Orcs could be heard as well.

"Chwik! Be quiet, human. You'll all be in our stomachs soon, anyway!"

“Chwak!”

It sounded thrilled.

Ian's face crumpled, and he quickened his pace.

Even Black Orcs most likely did not hear Ian’s party as they carefully approached, and it was unlikely that they would be able to differentiate their smell from the dozens of imprisoned people in front of them. 

The monsters were too busy chewing on the leg of a recently deceased human to see them when they approached.

"Just now, those Orc bastards...”

Ian saw Jamie’s face contort with a similar look of anger and disgust that he knew must show on his own face. Chris, however, had already concealed himself in the shadows.

"Let's shoot an arrow first."

It was always advantageous to strike first and take advantage of the element of surprise.

Jamie nodded at Ian's proposition, loading an arrow into her bow.. Holding her breath, she pulled back on the bowstring, before letting it fly with a swish. The Black Orc cried out when the projectile landed squarely on its shoulder.

“Chwak!”

The skin of a Black Orc is much tougher than that of a regular Orc, and the arrow failed to inflict great injury. However, the confusion that it provided was more than enough to provide them an upper hand.

Ian sprang up from his crouching position and rushed toward the injured monster while Chris ran along the wall beside him, still hidden in the shadows.

I can't see him, but I can sense him.

Was it due to the mana?

Ian snapped out of his musing as the Black Orc appeared in front of him.

Ian brandished his sword, a ray of light emanating from it and illuminating the dark dungeon.

Clang!

A sharp metallic sound rang out.

The Black Orc blocked Ian’s sword with its arm, once again proving its superiority to a regular orc. While blood dribbled from its arm, it was not enough to sever its arm.

“Chwik…”

It was a disappointing outcome.

Enraged, the monster swatted at Ian with its grand sword.

"Chwak! Die, human!"

Ian quickly dodged the blow.

I definitely can’t block that.

An ordinary Orc possessed strength far greater than that of an adult man, and the Black Orc was far more powerful than an ordinary Orc.

While Ian was curious how much power the Black Orc could wield with its grand sword, he had no desire to find out firsthand.

Whoosh.

The wind howled as its sword extended towards Ian.

Damn it. It’s too late.

Ian knew that he could lose a shoulder.

He clenched his teeth and twisted his body further.

Swish!

An arrow flew past Ian.

Thud!

It hit the monster’s sword, causing it to steer a little bit to the side.

Whump.

The Orc’s attack had missed Ian by a hair's breadth, leaving the monster off balance from its wild attack.

Breaking out into a cold sweat, Ian moved his already twisted body and swung his sword.

Ian’s sword slashed into the Orc’s side.

“Damn.”

Ian could feel the slash was inadequate.

It only cut the monster’s skin and couldn't go any deeper.

"Stupid. Chwik."

The Black Orc laughed as it raised its weapon again, a look of pure scorn stretching across its face.

Ian grimaced as he inhaled with a furrowed brow.

"Ha... Now the Orcs are looking down on me?" He muttered, raising his sword as well.

Mana began to swarm around Ian, but he was so focused on the monster’s sword that he did not notice.

Ian looked at the Orc’s hefty sword, reevaluating his approach.

He had attempted to avoid it completely before, but his body had failed him.

Ian knew a direct clash with the Black Orc would result in him breaking his arm at the very least. Still, he raised his sword.

“Ian!” Jamie shouted his name from behind.

Ian did not stop the momentum of his sword.

“Uahh!” 

He tightened his grip on the sword and bellowed as he swung.

Then, a miracle happened.

¹리젠 / Regen: Has been altered to “Reset.”