The valley fell silent.
The colossal monster slowly lifted its head.
Even from hundreds of meters away...
Sam felt its gaze.
Inside his mind...
Rex spoke.
Commander...
Probability of detection... ninety-four percent.
Sam never looked away.
"It knows we're here."
Affirmative.
Then...
The massive creature lowered its head once more.
It resumed its patrol.
Leon slowly exhaled.
"...That was close."
One of the elite scouts swallowed nervously.
"I thought it was going to charge."
Leon shook his head.
"Not yet."
He looked toward Sam.
"But if we make one mistake..."
"It will."
---
Sam crouched beside the cliff.
His eyes swept across the valley.
"There are too many monsters to fight head-on."
Leon nodded.
"My scouts counted approximately two hundred."
"Possibly more."
The elite scouts quietly gathered around the two of them.
Sam pointed toward the valley floor.
"Report."
One scout stepped forward.
"The northern entrance is heavily defended."
Another pointed toward the western side.
"Steep cliffs."
"Almost impossible to climb."
A third scout unfolded a rough sketch.
"The eastern path is the least defended."
"But..."
He hesitated.
"It leads directly toward the boss."
Silence.
Sam studied the map.
Then...
He smiled.
"Perfect."
Several scouts blinked.
"...Perfect?"
Leon raised an eyebrow.
"You planned on fighting it anyway."
Sam chuckled.
"I came here for the boss."
---
Inside his mind...
Rex interrupted.
Commander...
Mission Update.
A blue screen appeared.
---
Mission
Capture the Mana Crystal Mine
Objectives:
✔ Reach the valley.
□ Eliminate the Regional Boss.
□ Secure the Mana Crystal Vein.
Reward:
???
---
The screen disappeared.
Sam stood.
He looked toward the Goblin Chief.
Then toward the Goblin Mage.
Both undead silently waited for his orders.
"They've fought beside me since the beginning..."
He smiled.
"And today..."
"...we get stronger together."
---
Leon looked toward the elite scouts.
"Listen carefully."
"No unnecessary fighting."
"If Commander Sam engages the boss..."
"Our job is simple."
The scouts nodded.
"Eliminate every monster that tries to interfere."
Sam looked at Leon.
"What about you?"
Leon smiled faintly.
"I'll do what Scouts do best."
"I'll make sure nothing surprises us."
---
Sam slowly drew his sword.
The sound of steel echoed softly through the valley.
SHING...
Behind him...
The Goblin Chief tightened its grip around its weapon.
The Goblin Mage raised its staff.
Fire mana slowly gathered around the crystal at its tip.
Inside his mind...
Rex spoke once more.
Commander...
Warning.
Sam's smile faded.
"What is it?"
Multiple elite mana signatures detected.
Sam frowned.
"There are more?"
Affirmative.
The Regional Boss is not alone.
Before Sam could respond...
A deafening roar shook the entire valley.
ROOOOOOOOOAR!!
Every monster below froze.
Then...
As one...
Hundreds of heads slowly turned toward the cliff.
Dozens...
Then hundreds...
Of crimson eyes locked onto Sam's expedition.
The Regional Boss raised one enormous arm.
The monsters roared together.
The valley erupted into chaos.
Leon immediately shouted.
"We've been spotted!"
Sam smiled.
"Good."
He lowered his stance.
"It's our move."
The Battle for the Mana Crystal Valley...
Had begun.