Chapter 64: Chapter 64: Netherhorn Minotaurs

"Oh, lord.. What a monstrosity!"

Ethan and the others nearby stared in shock at the colossal demonic entity on the frontline.

The creature, nearly 250 meters long, loomed over them like a mountain, its massive form dwarfing everything around it.

Even with the Sunfire Crow's illumination, they struggled to see its full shape; the creature's pitch-black color blended seamlessly with the darkness.

The Dreadnaught Colossus was the embodiment of pure darkness, a demon forged from darkness and skeletons. Its skull-like head, crowned with jagged obsidian horns, bears hollow sockets filled with swirling voids that could devour light.

With each step, its legs (pillars of darkness) crush the earth beneath them, leaving voids where the ground has been consumed by shadow.

Its entire being exudes an aura of dread, bending light and space around it, as the air grows cold and hope fades in its presence.

Some hunters had already lost control, wetting themselves in terror after locking eyes with the monstrous entity.

As soon as Ethan was about activate Appraisal, he felt an overwhelming amount of dread. It's as if his instincts was screaming not to do it at all cost. He felt like he could be turned to ashes instantly upon doing it.

Ethan felt cold head to toe, shivering all over.

"What the hell! Who in their right mind would face this thing?"

Roar!

Howl!

Screech!

But, their horror was short-lived as they watched yet another horde of beasts began to emerge from the wilderness, charging directly into the fray.

"Damn it," Marcus cursed in frustration as he saw thousands of more beasts were on the way. His eyes turned red, but he felt overwhelming despair inside.

"Oh no! Are we going to die like this?" Panic spread among the ordinary hunters as the newly arrived beasts swarmed them.

By this time, they had nearly depleted all their Mana Reserves and supplies. Exhaustion weighed heavily on them after the prolonged battle.

Struggling to keep up with the berserk beasts' relentless assault, several hunters were crushed in the chaos.

"Run! Run!" Some scrambled away in fear, dragging their exhausted bodies.

"O Source of All Being, in Your hands, the stars are born, and the earth finds form. Guide us, Your humble servants, as we walk the paths You have shaped. May we be ever mindful of Your eternal light, which breathes life into all creation," some prayed earnestly, preparing for what seemed like their inevitable deaths.

"Ahh!" A girl screamed as she saw a giant serpent propelling itself toward her, its gaping mouth and sharp teeth ready to seal her fate.

Ethan moved swiftly, his sword slicing through the air as he killed the serpent instantly, saving the girl from certain death.

[ ★ Horned Rampage: Uses its fiery horns to gore and smash through enemies, delivering both fire and physical damage.]

[★ Minotaur's Outburst: Enters a berserk state when their health falls below 10%, increasing its strength, speed, and attack power, allowing it to perform rapid, ferocious strikes.]

"Level 31? Tough nut, aren't you?" Ethan muttered, his eyes narrowing at the imposing Minotaur.

He quickly realized that the beast must have slipped through the frontline due to the sudden chaos. Normally, such a powerful creature wouldn't breach the third defense line.

Surveying the battlefield, Ethan saw that the sight of the Minotaur had left everyone around him trembling with fear.

It meant everyone was in utmost danger.

"Roar... Roar..."

The ground shook with each thunderous roar, and the echo of more Minotaurs arriving became apparent. The rhythmic pounding of their hooves was like a relentless storm, making everyone's hearts pound with dread.

Ethan cast a complicated glance over his surroundings. His mind raced to find a solution. There were nearly ten of these monstrous creatures, their power ranging from level 30 to level 35.

Marcus, his face a mask of despair, stared at the approaching Minotaurs. Despite his fierce determination, he knew that facing even one of them alone was an almost certain death sentence.

Still, he resolved himself and went to Ethan, to fight beside him, in company. That seemed to be the best option.

Cedric and Yona also followed along, finding no other options.

"Alright, time to get serious."

Ethan glanced at them, then activated Lava Juggernaut's (D), his most destructive skill. In an instant, he transformed into a towering seven-meter giant, a fearsome amalgamation of molten rock and searing magma.

"Inferno Leap (D)!" he commanded, charging upward amidst the Minotaurs.

The onlookers, frozen in terror and awe, gasped in amazement. "Wow!" they collectively exclaimed.

"Good heavens! What is this power? Who is this young man?" the elderly veteran hunters marveled, their eyes wide with shock. In their entire lives, they had never witnessed such a display of power.

Though they were familiar with transformation skills—typically possessed by individuals with powerful bloodlines, like those from the five great clans—Ethan's form was entirely unprecedented.

Some veterans noted a resemblance to the Lava Giants from the newly discovered Rock Giants Cave.

"Guys, maybe he got that skill from the newly formed dungeon—Rock Giant's Cave. I've seen similar monsters down there..." a young man suggested to his companions, capturing everyone's attention.

"Ohh, Really?"

"What luck!" they whispered among themselves, their eyes gleaming with a mix of envy and excitement.

They began to plan a visit to the dungeon, hoping to survive and potentially acquire such incredible skills for themselves.

However, no one knew that it was just their wishful thinking.