Chapter 49 – The Clash of the Pillars.

The canyon leading to the Silver Abyss Dungeon (Level 26-28) was plunged into an awkward silence that morning.

The silver legionnaires guarding the barricades were far too busy scrubbing the remnants of rust from their armor joints and chewing on canned rations purchased from Diana's partner shops in the plaza.

When the Arcane Greed Faction crossed the limestone gate, no one dared raise a spear to bar them. The sentries merely pulled back the barricades with fearful glances, stamping the official entry permit.

Diana handed two silver coins at the registration window.

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[SILVER ABYSS ENTRY PAYMENT]

- High-Level Exploration License (Floors 1 and 2): -2 Silver Coins (200 Bronze).

[TEMPORARY POCKET BALANCE: 128 SILVER COINS (12,800 Bronze / 12.8 GOLD COINS)]

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The interior of the Silver Abyss was a monument of beauty and danger.

The dungeon's second floor opened into a colossal subterranean chasm of silvery crystal stalactites. Cascades of pure water streamed down the white rock bluffs, and the air was dense, saturated with energy from veins of pure arcane ores.

The squad advanced in tight formation: Kael on the vanguard with his 490 HP Volcanic Shield, Aurelia-Elysia at the rear with her staff and 410 MP, Rhea flanking with Agility 68, and Diana in the center with her Level 25+ Dragon Chestplate.

That was when the heavy sound of steel footsteps echoed through the stalactite hall.

***

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Second Floor - Meeting of Rivals

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Emerging from the shadows of a silver crystal pillar, four figures blocked the natural stone bridge connecting both sides of the chasm.

In the center of the bridge stood Lord Cassius (Level 32).

His breastplate had been degreased and cleaned with the oil purchased at Diana's workshop, and in his hands rested the colossal Silver Gravity Cleaver, a two-meter-long broad blade emitting a cold mist of physical weight.

Behind him stood three veteran Silver Legion officers, Level 26 to 28 warriors armed with shock spears and heavy crossbows.

Cassius stared at Diana, his gray eyes sparking with cold, calculated rage.

“You were ingenious with the rust powder and spoiled food, girl.” Cassius said, his deep voice echoing through the chasm. “But in here, in the high-risk zone of a lawless dungeon, there is no town hall to protect you. It is merely my steel against your flesh.”

Diana didn't back down a single centimeter. She adjusted her leather gloves, meeting the military leader's gaze with total serenity.

“I don't need a town hall, Cassius.” Diana said coldly. “I have my squad.”

—Heads up, Diana.

The System's voice echoed in her mind, the interface floating in black gold in the corner of her vision with a tone of maximum combat alert.

—Cassius has 1,400 HP and Strength 68. He's ready to kill. Don't give him an opening to land a direct blow on your chestplate.

“Combat formation!” Diana commanded.

***

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The Dance of Steel and Magic

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Cassius charged like a stone avalanche.

He swung a devastating downward strike with his Gravity Cleaver, activating his class skill: [Silver Gravity Slash]!

The air above the bridge warped under the weight of 68 Strength points.

Kael took a step forward, driving his Volcanic Steel Shield into the stone, activating [Unshakeable Stance] and [Iron Taunt] simultaneously!

BOOM!

The impact of Cassius's two-handed cleaver against Kael's shield generated a shockwave that shattered the crystal stalactites on the cavern ceiling.

Kael's mountain of 490 HP POINTS absorbed the Level 32 blow without the vanguard falling to his knees! The volcanic chestplate's passive reflected 20% of the direct impact back in red flames against Cassius's chest.

Cassius widened his gray eyes in shock. “The kid held my Strength 68 strike?!”

The three Level 26 to 28 Legion officers attempted to advance along the flanks to surround Kael.

Aurelia-Elysia raised her Mana Crystal Staff with her Dragon Silk Robe active.

TRIPLE PROTECTION BARRIER + AREA HEAL!

With cast time cut by -40% and 410 MP points, Aurelia-Elysia projected three protective domes over Kael and healed the vanguard's scratches the very second of impact.

Rhea turned into a silver shadow streak with Agility 68.

PHANTOM STEP!

Rhea vanished in midair and reappeared directly behind the back of the first Level 28 spear officer. With +30% stealth critical damage, her Dragon Silk and Shadow Daggers severed the officer's arm tendons, rendering the veteran's weapon useless in the blink of an eye.

CRUNCH! CRITICAL DAMAGE: 380!

***

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Diana's Dominion

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Cassius tried to spin his cleaver to deliver a second devastating slash and split the bridge in two.

Diana stepped forward. Her dark eyes lit up in brilliant silver-blue.

With Intelligence 87, the speed at which Diana chained four high-tier spells was unbelievable:

1. [MANA PRISON]: Transparent arcane chains wrapped around Cassius's body, sealing his cleaver's gravity for 4 full seconds!
2. [ARCANE STORM ORB]: An electric sphere exploded between the other two Legion officers, stunning both for 3 seconds!
3. [ARCANE ICE LANCE]: Diana drove a piercing ice projectile into Cassius's feet, freezing the stone and reducing the Level 32 warrior's mobility by 50%!
4. [GREED'S FLAME]: A plume of black fire enveloped Cassius's armor, burning his flesh and draining 5% of his MP per second!

BOOM!

The Level 32 military commander was shoved three steps back by the combined blast of ice, electricity, and black flames, his armor smoking with arcane energy.

***

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The Tactical Standoff

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Both sides retreated three steps simultaneously, adjusting combat positions on the stone bridge.

Silence descended over the stalactite cave.

Cassius panted heavily, the black flames of Greed's Flame dying out on his chestplate, his MP reduced by nearly half from the drain. Beside him, one of his officers lay down with tendons sliced by Rhea, and the other two recovered from the electric stun, spears shaking.

On the other side, Kael held the Volcanic Shield steady with 490 HP, Aurelia-Elysia kept 410 MP worth of barriers active, Rhea was concealed in Agility 68 shadows ready for another strike, and Diana held a double charged Arcane Arrow with her remaining 450 MP.

Cassius looked at Diana.

His experienced military mind calculated the tactical equation in seconds:

With his 1,400 HP points and Strength 68, if he dragged the fight into a twenty-minute battle of total attrition, he would eventually shatter Kael's shield and win.

BUT THE COST WOULD BE TERRIBLE.

Diana would kill his three veteran officers in less than three minutes. Diana's Intelligence 87 magic would drain all his remaining MP, and he himself would walk out of that fight severely wounded, HP dropped to critical levels, vulnerable to the Level 28 mutant monsters of the Abyss's depths.

It was a Pyrrhic victory with a net negative outcome.

Diana, on the other side, calculated the exact same result. She knew that killing a 1,400 HP Juggernaut would burn through all her healing potions and stamina, stalling the floor's exploration.

Cassius lowered his Gravity Cleaver slowly, resting the tip of the blade on the bridge's stone.

“Eighty-seven Intelligence at Level 25…” Cassius spoke, his voice raspy, free of his former mockery. “You are a tactical monster, Diana.”

Diana kept the Arcane Arrow primed in her hand, her gaze cold and intense.

“You keep the dungeon's east gallery, Cassius.” Diana declared in an imperious tone. “The Arcane Greed Faction takes the west gallery. If your officers cross into our hunting territory again, I won't use mana chains. I will use fire.”

Cassius stared at Diana for three seconds in total silence.

A dark, authentic respect was etched onto the military commander's face.

“East gallery for the Legion. West gallery for Greed.” Cassius nodded his head.

He gestured for his two officers to pick up their wounded companion, and the Silver Legion squad retreated in military order across the bridge, disappearing into the shadows of the eastern caves.

***

Diana dismissed the Arcane Arrow in the palm of her hand, letting out a breath of hot air.

Kael lowered his Volcanic Shield with a grin ear to ear, his chest puffed with pride. “We made the Commander of the Silver Legion back off in direct combat!”

Aurelia-Elysia let out a sigh of relief, leaning on her staff, while Rhea emerged from the shadows and placed her hand affectionately on Diana's shoulder.

“You were amazing, Diana.” Rhea smiled.

Diana looked at the Silver Abyss's west gallery opening before them, untouched, overflowing with veins of arcane ores and Level 26 to 28 monsters ready to be harvested.

The rivalry with the Silver Legion had been resolved on the foundation of mutual military respect. The Second Circle now knew that the Arcane Greed Faction bowed to no one.

Diana adjusted her Dragon Chestplate and pointed her dagger toward the depths of the silver cave.

“Forward.” Diana ordered with a ravenous smile. “That silver ore is all ours.”