The Colossus Grazer roared again, and the entire battlefield shook.
The gigantic rhino-like Boss Monster charged through the ruined ground while violent winds spiraled around its body. Every movement carried enormous pressure. Its current size already rivaled a six-floor building, yet it was still growing larger with every attack that landed on it.
The most terrifying thing was not its speed or even the winds.
It was the way the monster absorbed attacks.
Flames, mana blasts, sword aura, elemental strikes. Everything that hit its thick skin was partially devoured. The energy was converted into strength and size. Since the battle began, the Boss Monster had already tripled in size, and its defense had become absurdly difficult to break.
The awakeners were exhausted.
Several teams were desperately dodging while trying to maintain formation. Every step from the Colossus Grazer released a Mana Wind strong enough to throw people away like leaves during a storm.
Two members from Lord Sisyphus’ team had already been blown across the battlefield earlier. They had barely returned in time before the Boss Monster almost crushed the rest of their teammates during a charge.
No one could relax.
Right now, all surviving teams were cooperating to deplete the Boss Monster’s HP. None of them trusted each other, but they had no choice.
Too many teams were already gone.
Lord Isaac’s team and Lord Bella’s team were missing entirely. Lord Qizhal’s team had ambushed Lord Tella’s group earlier and eliminated them, though they paid a heavy price in return and lost three members themselves.
Fortunately for them, the remaining members of Lord Qizhal’s team specialized in Beast Taming and summoning. Their summons were still valuable during large-scale battles like this.
Still, the losses were enormous.
Three entire teams were missing, while another had lost half its members already. Only four teams still had most of their strength remaining.
That was the only reason this fragile alliance existed.
The Florathi team stood at the center of the battlefield, leading the assault against the Boss Monster.
Zahard’s expression no longer carried the calm confidence he showed at the beginning of the Dungeon. His armor was damaged, blood stained one side of his face, and his breathing had become heavier after repeatedly clashing against the Colossus Grazer head-on.
Yet despite all of that, the Boss Monster was still becoming stronger.
Zahard gritted his teeth as he slashed another wave of wind apart.
The most effective solution would have been a one-hit kill attack.
He could do it.
But there were problems.
First, preparing such an attack required time and enormous mana, and would leave him unable to fight anymore for the day. Second, while he prepared it, the Boss Monster would simply kill him first.
If the other teams fully cooperated and held the monster back, then the second problem could be solved.
Unfortunately, Zahard trusted none of them.
He could clearly see they were holding back their strength.
On another side of the battlefield, Lord Fafnir’s team and Lord Hass’ team were fighting together. Lord Sisyphus’ group had also joined them after realizing they had a numerical advantage.
Their attacks still targeted the Boss Monster, but Zahard knew very well they would immediately interfere if Florathi attempted to secure the final hit.
Meanwhile, the leaders of Lord Fafnir’s and Lord Hass’ teams occasionally glanced around the battlefield with wary expressions.
They possessed information the others did not.
The Mistborn team had already been defeated.
Even more shocking, Emily had apparently tamed the Mini Boss.
That information came directly from Serisa before she exited the Dungeon.
Because of that, both teams were deliberately preserving strength. They knew Lord Isaac’s team would eventually arrive.
And once Emily appeared with a Mini Boss on her side, the situation would become far more dangerous than the current Boss battle.
Another violent roar interrupted everyone’s thoughts.
Zahard suddenly appeared above the Boss Monster and unleashed a massive slash infused with mana. The attack tore across the Colossus Grazer’s shoulder and exploded violently.
Blood sprayed.
The Boss Monster staggered for the first time.
A deep wound opened across its body, but instead of weakening, the monster’s aura became even more violent.
Its already massive body swelled again.
The winds intensified instantly.
Tornadoes erupted across the battlefield while countless sharp wind blades launched in every direction without pause.
Several awakeners were forced backward.
Everyone’s expression changed.
The Boss Monster had entered the Second Stage.
"Kill it quickly before it adjusts to its new strength!" Zahard roared.
The battlefield exploded into chaos again.
Everyone unleashed attacks at once.
Flames collided against violent winds. Summons rushed forward. Defensive barriers shattered repeatedly under the pressure.
At that moment, Elyndra from the Florathi team suddenly narrowed her eyes.
She sensed a fluctuation in space behind the battlefield.
Without hesitation, she launched an attack toward empty air.
The space distorted.
A hidden group suddenly appeared.
Lord Isaac’s team emerged from concealment.
"I apologize, my liege. It seems this is the limit of how long I can hide everyone," Lume said calmly.
The Abyssal Trickster’s body looked unstable after maintaining concealment for so long.
Emily nodded lightly. "Don’t worry. You’ve done enough."
The appearance of Lord Isaac’s team alarmed everyone briefly, but most of the awakeners quickly returned their focus toward the Boss Monster.
Only Lord Fafnir’s and Lord Hass’ teams reacted differently.
The moment Emily appeared, both teams abruptly redirected their attacks.
Their targets changed from the Boss Monster to Emily herself.
Mana attacks surged toward her from multiple directions.
Emily simply raised her hand.
The ground shook.
One summon after another emerged around her. Massive beasts, monstrous creatures, and powerful Overlord summons appeared instantly, forming a defensive wall around the team.
Then the Mini Boss appeared.
The Thorn Tyrant emerged from the earth with its gigantic body covered in twisted vines and dark roots.
The moment it appeared, it immediately started burrowing roots underground.
For a brief second, the battlefield became silent.
Even the ongoing Boss battle seemed to pause.
The pressure from the Mini Boss was enormous.
"Attack them!" Zahard shouted immediately.
He understood the danger instantly.
Emily already possessed far too many powerful summons. If the Mini Boss fully joined the battle, she could potentially suppress several teams alone.
At that moment, one of Lord Qizhal’s summons activated a skill.
The aggro of the Boss Monster shifted.
The Colossus Grazer’s furious gaze locked onto the Thorn Tyrant.
Then it charged.
The gigantic monster accelerated with terrifying speed despite its size. The battlefield trembled violently beneath its feet.
The Thorn Tyrant was still trying to bury its roots into the ground. In that state, it could not move properly to dodge.
It raised enormous vines to defend itself.
But everyone knew it was meaningless.
No matter how strong the Mini Boss was, taking a direct charge from the Colossus Grazer in its current state would crush it completely.
Yet the Thorn Tyrant did not retreat.
It continued burying its roots calmly.
At least, that was how it appeared from the outside.
Internally, the Thorn Tyrant was nearly crying.
Its entire body trembled while staring at the massive rhino charging directly toward it like a natural disaster. If it could sweat, it would already be drowning in it.
Still, from everyone else’s perspective, the Mini Boss looked fearless.
That only made the other teams more vigilant.