Chapter 97: Howling Mine

The atmosphere at the entrance to the Howling Mine was thick enough to be felt.

Independent players and small groups who had been leveling nearby or preparing to enter the dungeon had already retreated to a safe distance. They watched the two groups with expressions of awe, curiosity, and even a hint of schadenfreude.

On one side stood Dragon Sovereign Guild’s Elite Team 1.

Twenty players stood in a tight formation, all well-equipped and clad in uniform armor or robes bearing the guild’s distinctive dragon insignia. Most of them were Level 8 or 9.

Their leader, Wildland Dragonfang, had already reached Level 10.

He wielded a two-handed greatsword that shimmered with a faint blue light, its imposing presence matching the aura radiating from his body.

They were the sharpest blade under Damien’s command—the current peak of Dragon Sovereign’s combat power and reputation.

On the opposite side stood the Abyss Squad.

Only three people. Yet despite their overwhelming numerical disadvantage, the aura they gave off was no less intense. If anything, it was sharper.

Aiden stood at the front, the Devouring Soul Blade concealed within its sheath. Only the faint glow of the Abyss Squad badge on his chest was visible.

Beside him stood Silas, as sturdy as a mountain. His newly equipped [Immovable Mountain Heavy Armor] reflected the cold metallic light of the dungeon entrance, making his already imposing figure appear even more formidable.

Luna stood quietly behind them. The faint glow of her [Moonlight Meditation Robe] gave her an almost ethereal appearance amid the darkness.

Both teams had the same objective.

Clear the Howling Mine.

It was currently recognized as the highest-difficulty team dungeon available, with monsters ranging from Level 10 to Level 12.

And this meeting was no coincidence.

Aiden had deliberately chosen this time. Through black-market channels, he had learned in advance that Dragon Sovereign’s Elite Team 1 planned to challenge the dungeon today.

What he wanted was a head-to-head competition. A confrontation without gunfire or bloodshed.

A battle of strength, efficiency, and reputation.

"Hmph. Seeking death." Wildland Dragonfang swept his gaze over Aiden and the others before letting out a cold snort.

"Three people dare to enter the Howling Mine and compete with us for speed? What a joke."

The elite team members behind him immediately broke into mocking laughter.

None of them took the Abyss Squad seriously. Twenty against three. A complete team composition against a three-man squad.

And with the enormous resources Dragon Sovereign had invested into its elite members, they had every reason to be confident.

Aiden ignored their mockery completely.

His expression didn’t change. He simply turned toward Silas and Luna.

"Follow the plan. Efficiency first."

"Understood!" Silas let out a low roar, his fighting spirit surging.

Luna nodded firmly and tightened her grip around her staff.

Almost simultaneously, both teams stepped through the light curtains on opposite sides of the dungeon entrance.

[You have entered the dungeon: Howling Mine (Team Mode)]

Cold, damp air rushed toward them, carrying the smell of ore dust, decay, and something faintly rotten.

The interior of the mine was vast and complicated, filled with winding tunnels and countless branching paths.

From deep within the darkness came the eerie sounds of digging.

Clang!

Clang!

Clang!

Occasionally, faint wails echoed through the tunnels.

The moment both teams entered, it was as though an invisible wall separated them.

Neither side could see the other’s progress.

Neither could hear the other’s movements.

But everyone understood.

The silent race had begun.

A race concerning strength, efficiency, and dignity.

---

Dragon Sovereign Elite Team 1

"Team One, push forward!"

"Team Two, cover the flanks!"

"Mages, prepare area attacks!"

Wildland Dragonfang issued orders without hesitation.

He was clearly experienced in dungeon clearing.

The twenty-man team immediately moved like a well-oiled war machine.

Frontline warriors advanced steadily, maintaining aggro.

Mages and archers unleashed continuous firepower from the rear.

Healers kept their restoration skills ready, their healing light constantly flickering across the battlefield.

They adopted the safest and most traditional strategy.

A methodical flat push.

With their overwhelming numbers and complete class composition, they steadily cleared the swarms of Level 10 Mine Zombies and Crazy Miners filling the tunnels.

Their progress wasn’t slow.

But every step was cautious.

They avoided unnecessary risks, conserved resources, and maintained a formation designed to prevent casualties.

It was a strategy that prioritized stability above everything else.

---

Abyss Squad

Their strategy was completely different.

"Thirty-five meters ahead. Seven Mine Zombies."

Aiden’s Thermal Perception swept through the darkness like a radar.

"Two more hiding behind the mine cart."

Silas immediately reacted.

"Received!"

He didn’t raise his shield and advance cautiously.

He charged.

[Charge]!

BOOM!

Silas’s heavily armored body shot forward like a human tank.

His massive frame slammed directly into the group of monsters.

-101!

[Crush]

Two zombies at the front were sent flying from the impact.

At the same time, the [Taunt Arm Crossbow] mounted behind the shield on Silas’s left arm flashed.

Whoosh!

The energy bolt tore through the darkness and struck a distant Crazy Miner that was preparing to throw a chunk of ore.

Its aggro instantly locked onto Silas.

The monsters swarmed him.

Clang! Clang! Bang!

Their attacks crashed against his armor like a violent rainstorm.

Yet the damage was pitiful.

The defensive power of the rare [Immovable Mountain Heavy Armor] combined with the shield generated by [Immovable] made Silas an almost immovable fortress.

His HP barely moved.

And that was all Aiden needed.

The instant Silas drew every monster’s attention, Aiden moved.

His figure blurred.

The Devouring Soul Blade left its sheath.

A streak of dark-golden light flashed through the dim tunnel.

Aiden didn’t attack the monsters head-on.

Instead, he slipped around their flanks and appeared behind them.

His movements were precise.

Efficient.

Almost surgical.

The blade struck cervical joints, exposed weaknesses, and energy cores with frightening accuracy.

-88!

-95!

[Weakness]

-120!

[Elemental Annihilation]

Every strike was enhanced by the Soul Trait Slightly Sharp, allowing the Devouring Soul Blade to cut through defenses with even greater efficiency.

When an enemy tried to retreat or attack from a distance, Aiden occasionally raised his hand.

[Pressure Shot]!

A compressed blast of force tore through the darkness and slammed into the target before it could react.