Dungeon of Pride, Laplace

There was no flaw in their movements, it was as if they knew each other very well and could easily anticipate what the person next to them would do.

Each of the members of the sea god's trident were very experienced and knew the weakness or opening of the others making it nigh impossible for the fire demon ape to break through their frontlines.

"[Warriors Challenge]" a warrior beside Dalton used his taunt skill to attract the aggression of a monster towards him while he made use of the powerful rare skill of his class [Master Mercenary] to finish off the monster.

The others around him were also adapting a similar tactic. The warriors with the knight or guardian classes would use their high defence stats to halt the advance of the monsters while the warriors with the berserker classes with high attack powers would use their skills to finish off the monsters.

The Assassins with their swift attacks provided timely backup and maintained overall balance while the mages cast their magic from the backlines, healing the injured and disposing monsters with their powerful magic.

The team was extremely well balanced and made everything look so easy. Although they suffered some injuries it wasn't to the point it would affect the overall efficiency of the team.

The numbers of the Fire Demon Ape might be more than a hundred but they had no coordination whatsoever. Each fire demon ape acted on his own, there was no backup nor any support from the others.

It was only a matter of time before the adventurers started getting familiarised with the attack patterns of the Fire Demon Ape and turn the tables on them.

The fight was intense but under the allure of the reward, that sitting on top of that formation waiting for them to open it, their motivation increased to a whole new level. Time passed by and the bodies of the monsters dropped on the ground one by one and after a cumbersome battle, they finally managed to cull down the number of monsters to one fourth of their strength.

"Sir Dalton, the mages are ready" An assassin who materialised beside Dalton, reported. The latter looked at the remaining monsters and the condition of the front liners before issuing an orderly retreat.

"All warriors keep your shields up and back down. Mages hold your fire until we are out of your range. Assassins ensure that no monster gets away"...

"Roger"...

The frontlines did an orderly retreat and just when they were out of the range of the mages, a powerful chain of magic was set forth and engulfed the monsters inside it.

BOOMM… BOOM… BOOOM... the deafening sounds of the explosions rang out for a while and the entire place trembled. The warriors readied their shields in case any monster managed to survive the bombardment but it seemed like there was no need.

As the last embers of the magic died down, all monsters were found either lying on the ground scorched into cinders or slashed into pieces. Whatever their conditions were, one thing was clear... the adventurers had won this battle.

"Any casualties on our side?" Dalton asked one of his closest aides.

"None sir, though quite a lot of us sustained some serious injuries and would need some time to recover" that subordinate reported.

"I see then do so. Order those that can still move to follow me" Dalton nodded his head and brought the ones that were still relatively fine towards the rock formation. It was time they harvested the rewards for their efforts and open that exquisite looking treasure chest up.

They just moved a couple of steps towards the treasure chest when suddenly…

"Be careful" Dalton hurriedly pushed a couple of his subordinates out of the way and timely dodged an attack that came from their blind spot intending to reap their life.

A couple of figures covering their faces and bodies with a robe, appeared on top of the rock formation.

"Who goes there?" Dalton asked in anger. Thanks to his fast reaction, he had managed to stop his subordinates from dying but that attack earlier definitely intended to kill.

"Tch, you managed to dodge that huh? As expected of the former vice guild leader of the Sea god's trident, Dalton Lance you live up to your title" the man leading the group of assailants clapped his hands and praised.

"Cut the flattery. Who are you guys and why are you getting in my guild's way?" Dalton was in no mood to hear all that, he interjected the man in mid-sentence and cut to the chase.

"Haha, well it's a shame we can't tell you that. However, we will appreciate it if you let us take the items inside this treasure chest" the man shrugged his shoulders and gestured one of the people behind him to start opening the chest.

"You bastard… that treasure chest is something our guild had spent so much effort for. You think we will just allow you to take our rewards?"…

"That's right, that treasure chest is something our guild had spotted first. It belongs to our guild"…

Some of the hot headed members of the sea god's trident guild immediately flared up at that remark. Their guild had fought so much for that treasure chest, how was it possible for them to just allow another party to snatch it right in front of them?

Some of them immediately got ready to intercept these people.

"Hehe, there is no such rule as finder's keepers in a dungeon. The reward belongs only to the ones that have the strength. Well, I must at least thank you for clearing the monsters, because of you we get to enjoy these rewards" the leader of that mysterious band laughed inciting the members of the Sea god's trident guild even further.

"It's not certain yet as to who gets to enjoy it" Dalton who had been patient up until this moment, finally had enough as he brought out his hammer.

Following his actions, the members of the sea god's trident also readied themselves. The enemy was just eight people. If these eight fools thought that they can underestimate the sea god's trident guild they were up for some awakening.

Dalton was just about to move when suddenly the assassins of his guild notified him of multiple approaching presences.

"Sir Dalton please give us the orders. We will smash their ugly mug so that they can never spout anything from that mouth again"…

"That's right, no one is qualified to snatch the rewards belonging to our guild"…

The warriors of his guild were ready to bring the fight to those mysterious people.

"Not so fast, I know how powerful the sea god's guild is. However, are you really sure you can fight us on top of facing those monsters while you are in that condition? Dalton Lance, I believe you are a smart man. will you risk the lives of your guild members?" the masked man commented.

Right after his words fell, a couple more figures similarly masking themselves with robes and hats, appeared from the other side of the rifts bringing hordes of monsters behind them.

"Consider this as a small present from us" the leader of this mysterious band joined up with the other newcomers, pried open the treasure chest and quickly stored the item inside before disappearing.

The present that they left behind was none other than the horde of monsters they lured over with them.

"You bastards… come back here" looking at their disappearing back, the members of the sea god's trident roared. However, their hands were currently filled with the incoming monsters that were rushing towards them.

"Sir Dalton what should we do?" the assassin who was one of his closest aides asked.

Dalton contemplated their options for a while before shaking his head. "Many of us are injured and are currently unable to fight, we need to protect them. It is not worth the risk to follow them while fighting the monsters at the same time".

"Though that may be the case, our reward was snatched right in front of us, how could we just stay silent? Doing so would besmirch the name of our guild. Hicks, take two people with you and tail them. I want to know who they are and which faction they belonged to?".

The assassin named Hicks nodded his head, he was just about to proceed forward with the plan with two other people, when Dalton patted his shoulders and added—

"Remember, tail them from behind. You don't need to confront them or anything. Our first priority is to gather information about them and why they are doing this".

Hicks moved his head in understanding and chased after those mysterious fellows. Dalton and the others watched them go before shifting their attention to the onrushing monsters.

"Listen up you all, I know that everyone must be feeling very frustrated from having the reward being taken in front of your eyes. Hence you are free to take it out on these monsters".

With his rallying shout, the members of the sea god's trident who were filled with this inexplicable negative energy of frustration, used the monsters as the outlet and went ham.

The number of monsters in this horde was only around thirty and nowhere near the number they had just faced. Thus it didn't take much long for them to dispose of this horde.

Some of the adventurers who were exhausted by the continuous fight fell on the floor panting while others took turns to stand guard and watch out for any other attacks.

Dalton who was examining the now empty treasure chest was joined by other senior members of his guild as they discussed something.

"Sir Dalton that was…"

"Yeah, it was without a doubt cross-cutting"...

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