Chapter 93: Shadows In The Depths

Tap-tap—tap-tap.

Footsteps echoed around him.

As he ventured through the deep mine, Yenir continuously probed the path ahead with Mental Energy Detection.

The seemingly bottomless pit looked like the gateway to hell, exuding an overwhelming sense of dread.

Sensing the group’s collective worry, Yenir took a deep breath and forced a smile:

“Don’t worry. I’ve got you.”

“We’re not exactly weak ourselves…”

Even as he said that, Yenir knew the truth—the combined strength of the two was barely equivalent to a low-level Second Stage, perhaps even a bit less…

Strictly speaking, if you discount his own SSS-level skill, their team was the weakest in this dungeon run.

If the earlier levels hadn’t been so manageable, he might have considered abandoning them.

How the hell are we going to beat this…

By the end of the fight, he realized he’d have to rely solely on himself. The little girl, at best, could trigger a skill when a mutant appeared, though it would leave her defenseless.

And what’s with that Middle-Aged Man? Firing his little water gun with a ‘biubiubiu’ sound at the zombies—maybe even giving himself a boost?

“Lord Ye Lin! We believe in you!”

“Lord, I believe in you too!”

In unison, they declared their trust in Yenir after his reassurance. Out of sheer desperation—and lured by the high rewards of the Hell’s Gate Dungeon—they had almost gambled everything on this run.

Yet, lacking both influence and strength, they hesitated and missed the chance to join the other Third Stage fighters.

Now, their only hope rested on Yenir’s genuine Third Stage power.

Noticing their renewed loyalty, Yenir’s lips twitched as he let out a dry chuckle.

Little did they know, his so-called Third Stage ability was a sham—otherwise, he’d likely be at his wit’s end by now.

He felt a tinge of curiosity.

To lighten the mood, Yenir asked with a hint of curiosity:

“How did you both manage to reach Second Stage? Li Ke? You still look so young…”

“And especially you—the one with the gun.”

Drawing from his previous life, Yenir knew all too well how survival in the early stages depended on talent and determination.

If it weren’t for his Sword God System and the full backing of the Military, he’d probably still be stuck at Stage 0.

In the realm of ordinary awakeners, Second Stage strength is considered quite solid.

Addressing his question, the girl named Li Ke managed a wry smile and said:

“Lord Ye Lin, I’m 27. Although both my parents are awakeners, it took me nine years just to barely reach Second Stage.”

“Back when my parents were still around, they could help me hunt mutants. But after that tragic accident took their lives, I’ve been stuck at the beginner stage ever since.”

Her expression darkened as memories of her parents’ sacrifice for her well-being filled her with sorrow.

Both her parents, experts in close combat, had to sacrifice themselves during an attack by a high-ranking Second Stage mutant when she was too slow to escape.

Yenir’s face fell as he processed her words, unsure how to offer comfort.

Even though peace had reigned for years after the apocalypse, survivors still teetered on the edge of death. Ordinary people worked relentlessly just to survive, often finding themselves defenseless against mishaps—starvation or being devoured by zombies were all too common.

Awakeners, in their quest for strength and to defend the Safe Zone, lost many of their own every year. Even Third Stage warriors could fall.

The Middle-Aged Man nearby sighed, his face etched with bitterness as he replied:

“Lord Ye Lin, I made a deal with a Private Faction.”

“They helped boost my strength and provided resources—in exchange, I must serve them for life.”

“They even supplied me with a few Skill Books for creating gear.”

“So, I’m not truly combat-oriented. They only promoted me to Second Stage in order to manufacture higher-level equipment…”

As if haunted by bad memories, the Middle-Aged Man’s voice grew low:

“The pay they give is so meager—I’m barely surviving…”

“I have a family, and I don’t want my children to follow in my footsteps… That’s why I’m risking it all here.”

Yenir fell silent upon hearing this.

He already knew the Middle-Aged Man’s situation well.

Materials from low-tier mutants can be used to craft non-system gear. Although their effect is inferior, they’re highly sought after by low-tier awakeners. Men like the Middle-Aged Man, bound by contracts of servitude, are exploited to the utmost—essentially, they’re nothing more than workers disguised as awakeners, doomed never to rise.

No wonder the two were so desperate not to forfeit the rewards of this dungeon.

Breaking the silence, Yenir spoke softly, as if making a promise:

“Since I’ve pocketed your reward, I’ll do everything I can to get you out alive.”

Before the two could offer thanks, Yenir’s eyes suddenly narrowed, and he murmured under his breath:

“Incoming!”

“Roar! Roar!!”

In an instant, piercing shrieks erupted from the dark tunnel.

Within seconds, countless sets of blood-red eyes, like a pack of wolves, filled the entire view.

473 zombies! And two Stage One threats!

After rapidly scanning the enemy count, Yenir didn’t hesitate to activate the dagger at his waist.

Buzz.

With a rapid, high-frequency hum, the mentally controlled dagger shot out in a flash of silver light.

Gripping twin swords, Yenir—the only one in the team capable of melee combat—charged into battle.

Swords flashed through the air.

Amid the sounds of tearing flesh, Yenir darted through the horde like a phantom, his movements a blur.

His twin swords slashed through flesh with reckless abandon, painting the scene in streams of grim red.

Just as the two moved to help, they saw Yenir had already carved a path into the core of the horde.

Witnessing Yenir’s precise and efficient technique, the two were left momentarily stunned.

They had seen plenty of elite Second Stage awakeners in action—and even some Third Stage fighters.

While Yenir hadn’t demonstrated the overwhelming strength typical of other Third Stage warriors, his cold, grim sword flashes were, to them, nothing short of artistic.

In mere seconds, without even using any special abilities, Yenir casually slashed through the horde before directly engaging a two-headed wolf mutant.

“What an efficient fighting style…”

“Why do I feel like Lord Ye Lin isn’t even using any psychic power!?”

Relying on his advantage of strong mental energy, the Middle-Aged Man—who had been readying his rifle—eventually set it aside in a daze after several attempts.

Although having a Third Stage fighter meant he didn’t need to act himself, he knew that opponents like these posed little threat to such a combatant.

Still, watching Yenir dispatch enemies with raw physical might and extraordinary skill was utterly mesmerizing.

Is this what Third Stage combat really looks like?

Likewise, Li Ke—who had once worried that Yenir might not be as powerful as other Third Stage fighters—was left gaping in awe as she watched him cleave a Blood Wolf in a single stroke.

Her heart felt a slight reassurance.

Clang!!

After nailing the last mutant to the wall with a single strike, Yenir flicked the blood off his blade and advanced to the next level.

“Keep up!”