As the Minotaur's hammer was about to crush Garrik, Celia used her gravity manipulation technique, amplifying the force on the beast. In an instant, the Minotaur was crushed completely, leaving the others stunned.

  The crystal orb flew toward the Minotaur’s corpse, absorbing the mana released from it. As the orb turned light red, Celia smiled, proud of herself. The others praised her, further boosting her confidence.

  Garrik frowned. "You didn’t even enter the battlefield, just sneak attacked it."

  But everyone ignored him.

  Nyx asked, "What was that?"

  Lysara crossed her arms. "You’re strong."

  Vex smirked. "This is the power of Orion’s Legion Commander."

  Garrik, stunned at being ignored, grumbled under his breath.

  Hidden in the shadows, Orion watched everything carefully.

  Come on, kitty cat, don’t get distracted. The disappearance of one Minotaur will put the others on high alert. I believe you know that very well. It wouldn’t be surprising if a Mutant Minotaur appeared.

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  Suddenly, a deafening roar echoed through the dungeon.

  Nyx judged the situation. "Looks like the disappearance of their companion enraged them."

  A Mutant Minotaur charged toward them at high speed.

  Before they could react, it was already upon them. Their happy expressions vanished.

  Celia took command. "Garrik, draw its attention!"

  Garrik obeyed, attacking the Minotaur head-on. Celia dashed behind it, manifesting a blue-flaming aura sword. She aimed for its neck.

  Sensing danger, the Minotaur turned reflexively, about to attack Celia.

  Orion, watching from the shadows, panicked.

  Should I wait here? But what if this is an unusual monster? No, I can’t risk it.

  In an instant, he teleported near Celia, slashing with his longsword. The Mutant Minotaur was sliced apart in seconds.

  Celia, caught off guard, fell—but Orion caught her in his arms.

  She smiled up at him.

  Orion, still on edge, asked, "How can you smile when your life was in danger just a moment ago?"

  Then, realization dawned on him. His mischievous grin returned as he covered his mouth. "Wait… could it be that you like being carried like a princess in my arms?"

  Celia’s face turned bright red. "N-No! I just… forgot about the Mutant Minotaurs' energy sensitivity!"

  Nyx leaned toward Lysara, smirking. "I think you have a strong competitor."

  Lysara, flustered, jumped away. "W-What are you saying?!"

  Vex narrowed his eyes. "Orion, what are you doing here?"

  Orion shrugged. "I was worried about you all. I couldn't directly help, so I was watching from the shadows."

  Before anyone could reply, a knight in golden armor suddenly leaped forward, attacking Orion.

  Orion blocked the strike, struggling against the force. "Who are you? Why are you attacking us?"

  Celia, seeing an opening, decapitated the knight instantly.

  Everyone was stunned by her quick action.

  Then, before their eyes, the knight’s head regrew.

  Recognizing Celia as the biggest threat, the knight lunged at her.

  Orion understood immediately. "It’s a monster!"

  He teleported, slicing the knight into pieces. But almost instantly—

  The knight regenerated.

  Garrik, frustrated, punched with full power—his aura-clad fist blew up the knight’s head.

  Yet, the knight got up again.

  Nyx narrowed her eyes. "It’s regenerating from another source. First, we need to destroy it."