Free Web NovelChapter 14: Infernal Crimson Lion King
The deeper Dan Moriarty ventured into the mine, the more completely the natural light faded, giving way to an encompassing darkness that pressed in from all sides. A profound silence settled, broken only by the echoing sound of water droplets somewhere far off in the depths of the mine.
Then, a wave of comments came in.
[StoneGiantKing: Hmph. At least the brat possesses enough brains to stop using large scale attacks recklessly.]
[NineTailEmpress: He noticed the issue quickly. Not bad.]
[DrunkenSwordImmortal: A sword cultivator who cannot control collateral damage is nothing more than a fool waving sharp metal around.]
[GoldenFeatherPrincess: The way he walks calmly through the mine is rather charming.]
Dan Moriarty, moving with a focused intent, pushed the live stream comments to the back of his mind. His immediate attention was fixed solely on the path ahead.
The further he proceeded into the mine, the more a growing sense of unease solidified into a distinct certainty that something was profoundly wrong here. Evidence of this disturbance began to manifest unmistakably along the mine walls, as deep claw marks were seen on the walls, the marks too large to be made by the flame lions he just slain.
"This aura..." Dan Moriarty murmured. He narrowed his eyes to better perceive the faint energy that permeated the deeper sections of the tunnel.
"The flame lions are definitely not the source of this aura," he concluded, the pieces falling into place with clarity.
Then—
A faint, sharp sound, utterly out of place in the mine, reached his ears.
CLANG!
It was the unmistakable ring of metal striking against stone, a sound of human intervention, or perhaps, human struggle, that cut through the silence.
Another sound followed almost immediately, closer and more desperate.
"Help! Someone, please help!"
A human voice. Raw with terror and pleading, it echoed down the tunnel, filled with a desperate hope that someone, anyone, might be near.
Dan Moriarty’s eyes sharpened instantly, his earlier posture dissolved, replaced by a tense readiness, his hand instinctively tightening on the hilt of his sword.
Without a moment of hesitation, his pace accelerated. His figure blurred into a streak within the tunnels, toward the source of the plea.
Soon, the passage ahead abruptly widened, no longer a cramped tunnel but opening out into a massive space deep beneath the mine. The sudden expansion of the area was disorienting, and the sheer scale of it was breathtaking.
And what greeted him within this vast space caused even Dan Moriarty’s typically impassive expression to shift slightly, a rare flicker of surprise and grim understanding crossing his features. The reality before him was far grander and more perilous than he had anticipated.
The cavern was truly enormous, sprawling out in every direction, almost resembling an entire underground world unto itself, hidden from the surface. Evidence of past mining operations lay scattered across the floor.
And at the very heart of it all, utterly dominating the space with its immense presence, stood a gigantic beast. It was the source of the overwhelming aura.
Its body resembled a lion, yet far larger and infinitely more terrifying than the previous six. Crimson flames continuously leaked from the gaps between its scales, while its breathing alone distorted the surrounding air. Massive horns curved backward from its head, giving it an almost demonic appearance.
[Name: Infernal Crimson Lion King]
[Level: 18]
[Grade: Elite Boss]
[Skills:] freewёbn૦νeɭ.com
[Infernal Flame Domain Lv.18] – Creates a blazing territory that continuously burns nearby enemies.
[Crimson Roar Lv.18] – Releases a destructive roar capable of stunning targets and shattering stone.
[Magma Breath Lv.18] – Fires concentrated molten flames capable of melting armor and flesh alike.
Then, the very moment Dan Moriarty appeared at the cavern entrance, casting a new presence onto the scene, the enormous beast slowly turned its massive head toward him.
Then it roared.
ROOOOOOAR!!!
With its roar, the entire underground space trembled violently. Several of the trapped miners cried out, nearly collapsing in fear, their legs giving way beneath them as the roar tore through their very being.
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[DrunkenSwordImmortal: Hahaha! Finally, something worthy of being cut down!]
[StoneGiantKing: If the brat survives this, I may acknowledge him slightly.]
[GoldenFeatherPrincess: Be careful, little one.]
Responding to the immense display of power, Dan Moriarty slowly raised the Thousand Heavens Rainfall Divine Sword. The blade caught the ambient glow of beast, and then, as if drawn by his will, streaks of brilliant lightning began to dance along its edge once more, illuminating the space with a series of flashes.
"So this is the true source of the earlier disturbance..." Dan Moriarty muttered as his gaze locked onto the monstrous lion in front of him. "It seems I misunderstood. The tremors were not caused by my sword attack after all."
