SSS Awakening: I Can Create Skills By Will-Chapter 73: When the Dungeon Fights Back

Arthur’s movements grew faster, sharper, more direct.

And little by little, the fights became harder.

The pressure from constant battles built up, not just physically but mentally. The goblins attacked in larger numbers, their coordination slightly improved, their aggression more intense.

Arthur could feel it.

The dungeon was changing.

Still, he did not stop.

"I still have strength," he muttered, tightening his grip on his dagger. "So I keep going."

The clearing of camps became increasingly intense. Even the smaller camps now held more goblins than they should. The numbers alone made stealth less effective.

Eventually, Arthur stopped trying to remain hidden as he faced them head on.

When a horde charged him, he did not retreat. His Intent Step carried him straight into their ranks. His blade flashed repeatedly, cutting down enemies with precise and ruthless efficiency.

The battles became louder and brutal.

Goblins rushed him from all sides, yet he continued moving, flowing through them like a storm. His execution grew cleaner with every encounter, and his control over intent became more natural.

Only after every enemy fell did he finally pause.

Then he harvested the cores.

Then he collected the loot.

Then he moved again.

But even as he fought, Arthur noticed something else.

The mana in the air felt heavier.

Thicker.

There was a strange weight to it, a faint corruption that clung to the surroundings like invisible mist. His Sovereign’s Perception detected the irregular flow clearly.

He frowned.

"The mana... it’s changing."

The distortion felt unstable, almost tainted. It confirmed what he was already experiencing.

The dungeon was mutating.

It was producing more monsters than it should.

And the rate kept increasing.

Arthur exhaled slowly, his expression calm but serious.

"So that’s how it is."

Instead of fear, a quiet determination settled in him.

If the dungeon pushed harder, he would push back even harder.

Arthur was not the only one noticing the change.

Deep within the dungeon, the explorers continued their advance, but the situation had grown far more dangerous than expected.

They still encountered the remains of recently killed goblins, the same clean cuts and missing cores, yet that did not reduce their burden.

The respawns filled the gaps quickly.

Stragglers attacked from unexpected directions. Groups of goblins ambushed them repeatedly, forcing constant battles.

The pressure mounted with every step.

"Left side!" one explorer shouted.

A group of goblins rushed from behind ruined structures. Weapons clashed, spells flared, and the formation struggled to hold.

Kael stood at the front, his sword steady.

"Hold your positions!" he commanded. "Don’t break formation!"

His voice carried authority that cut through the chaos. He moved decisively, intercepting incoming attacks and directing his team with clear precision.

"Archers, suppress the rear. Support, stay close to the wounded. No one moves alone."

His leadership kept the group together even as the situation worsened. Sweat covered their faces, and exhaustion weighed on their movements, yet they followed his orders without hesitation.

The dungeon no longer felt like a simple mission.

It felt like a battlefield.

And still, the signs of that unknown hunter appeared everywhere. Fresh corpses. Clean executions. Empty camps.

The contrast frustrated them.

They were struggling to survive, while someone else carved through the dungeon alone.

Kael gripped his sword tightly.

"Whoever you are..." he murmured, "what are you doing in here?"

But there was no answer.

Meanwhile, outside the dungeon, the situation had already caused alarm.

Word spread quickly about the abnormal changes within the gate. Reports confirmed increased monster activity, unstable mana flow, and signs of rapid mutation.

What had been labeled a simple mission was no longer simple.

Reinforcements gathered near the entrance.

Armed explorers moved in organized groups, checking equipment and reviewing instructions. The atmosphere was tense, filled with urgency and unspoken fear.

Among them stood Captain Ryn.

His expression remained firm as he coordinated the squads, issuing orders and reviewing preparations. Though calm on the surface, the seriousness in his eyes revealed the weight of the situation.

"We move in teams," he said firmly. "Priority is rescue. Avoid unnecessary engagement unless required."

The dungeon gate pulsed behind him, releasing waves of dense mana.

Soon, the crowd parted.

The commander had arrived.

She stood before the gate with quiet authority, her presence alone silencing the restless voices around her. Her posture was straight, her gaze steady, and an overwhelming pressure seemed to radiate from her without effort.

Strength.

Grace.

Control. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Yet beneath that power was unmistakable concern.

Her eyes moved across the gathered Bronze Squad members, studying each of them carefully. They were experienced, yet still young compared to higher ranked explorers.

And she cared about every one of them.

"This mission has changed," she said, her voice calm but firm.

The surrounding air seemed to grow heavier as she spoke.

"The dungeon is mutating at an accelerated rate. The situation inside is unstable, and many new explorers are still within."

Her gaze sharpened.

"I do not expect deaths."

The words were simple, yet they carried immense weight.

"You will act quickly. You will act together. And you will bring them back."

A brief silence followed.

Then she continued, her tone softer but no less commanding.

"You are not being sent to fight for glory. You are being sent to protect lives. Remember that."

Her presence inspired confidence, and at the same time, it reminded them of their responsibility.

Captain Ryn stepped forward and bowed slightly. "We understand."

Plans were finalized quickly. Using detailed maps of the dungeon, they divided routes and established search patterns to locate survivors efficiently.

Though they were Bronze Squad members, they were highly experienced. Even with the mutation entering its later stages, they possessed enough skill and coordination to handle an E rank dungeon.

At least, that was the hope.

The commander watched as they completed their preparations.

Her expression softened briefly.

"Return safely," she said.

Then she gave the signal.

The reinforcement teams entered the dungeon one after another, disappearing into the glowing gate. Captain Ryn led the operation, entrusted with the lives of both his squad and the explorers inside.

The commander remained outside, overseeing everything.

But her eyes never left the gate.