“Roar!”
A deafening roar echoed from the depths of the mine.
The force of the sound sent loose rocks tumbling from the already unstable walls.
Along with the roar came a violent surge of magic power.
Isaac reacted instantly.
The sound of heavy knight armor scraping filled the air, a gust of wind following as his massive form appeared at Anna’s side.
“Prepare for battle. Melee Adventurers, don’t engage head-on. Mages, use Control magic.”
Anna issued the orders crisply, and the Adventurers quickly responded, taking up their positions.
The next moment, a massive figure slowly emerged within the mine, nearly filling the entrance.
By the light, Krexia could finally see part of the unknown Magic Beast’s form inside the mine.
What met her gaze was a hide covered in brown bristling fur, with bulging muscles underneath, making the entire body look extremely robust.
It was so tall that it dwarfed even the Mutated Hobgoblin, making the previously spacious mine cave seem cramped.
She could barely see its head.
That oppressive magical pressure was radiating from its body.
“Is this really Fourth Rank?”
Krexia stared at the enormous silhouette and the abnormal magic power, a question rising in her mind.
She’d never seen a Fifth Rank Magic Beast before and didn’t know their true strength, but the magic power and state of this creature was obviously not something a normal Fourth Rank Magic Beast should have.
It seemed even more dangerous than the Greater Goblin.
“Boom!”
As the Magic Beast’s power reached a critical point, the rock walls at the entrance exploded, smoke and dust blasting into the air with a thunderous crash.
Everyone nearby felt the violent tremor in that instant.
The melee Adventurers who saw this scene were starting to wonder if following along for the excitement was a wise choice.
Facing a Greater Goblin one-on-one was already a fight for your life.
Now, fighting this thing—it was almost suicidal.
[Elemental Series: Third Rank Control – Stagnant Swamp]
Unwilling to wait for the smoke to clear, Krexia raised her Magic Wand and cast a Control spell.
In her senses, these Magic Beasts—especially those mutated by the Witch’s Power—were like glaring ice pops stabbed into a leather pouch at close range!
Since that was the case, she had no intention of letting the enemy make the first move.
After all, killing this thing meant earning 100 Coins!
Krexia was highly motivated to hunt these monsters.
As her magic activated, the ground beneath the Magic Beast turned into a muddy swamp, and its massive weight caused it to sink rapidly.
“Roar!”
It bellowed again, magic power boiling from its body like steam from a pot.
The swamp began to bubble and churn violently.
It was just like when she’d fought the Greater Goblin, but this time, the reaction was even more intense.
So intense she might not have time to chain a Fourth Rank spell.
“Bang!”
As expected, it broke free from the swamp in less than five seconds.
Through the smoke, a massive shadow charged toward Isaac with crushing force.
Behind, the Mages had only just finished their incantations.
One after another, colorful Control spells shot toward the Magic Beast.
Isaac gripped his greatsword, his expression hidden, but his tense posture showed his resolve.
With the Magic Beast’s charge, the lingering smoke scattered, revealing its true form in the daylight.
A five-meter-tall giant with a monstrous bull’s head, hulking muscles, and white steam of magic swirling around its body—like a mobile fortress barreling toward them.
Enormous, twisted bull horns glowed with unnatural purple light, dense magic power gathering around them and stirring a primal sense of dread.
Its legs, thicker than an elephant’s, stomped the ground, causing heavy tremors.
The bulging muscles testified to its power—far beyond that of the Greater Goblin from the previous day.
At the first glance, Krexia recognized its species.
Minotauros.
Also called Beef Minotaur or Minotaur, a Magic Beast recorded in the Monster Guide.
Typically inhabiting plains or mountains, though some preferred the dark, damp conditions of dungeons.
This type of Magic Beast had a notable trait: immense strength.
It was considered a mid-tier Magic Beast.
Against this creature, a Greater Goblin of the same tier would stand no chance.
Now, after receiving the Witch’s Power, its strength must have far surpassed any Goblin.
She hadn’t expected a creature so insensitive to magic would become so obsessed with it after mutation.
As the Magic Beast emerged, Anna withdrew her Magicite, then took advantage of the moment while the Minotauros was restrained by other Mages’ Control spells.
She placed her hand on Isaac’s back.
Immediately, his body radiated with Holy Light.
[Fourth Rank Divine Spell: Sacred Blessing]
A unique Divine Art of the Holy Light Church, its boost far surpassed ordinary support magic of the same rank.
Empowered by the spell, Isaac gathered his strength in his arms, clearly preparing to take the Minotauros’s first charge head-on.
“Anna, fall back.”
He gave a terse warning, then charged toward the Minotauros.
Under the massive bull’s head, its bloodshot eyes blazed with madness.
Seeing the little tin can in front of it unafraid, its aura intensified.
It raised a crude battle axe and swung down at Isaac.
“Clang!”
Steel met steel.
A shrill crash of metal rang out, sparks flying in every direction.
With the Divine Art’s blessing, Isaac was not instantly overpowered by the Minotauros’s strength.
They locked weapons in a test of force.
The sight shocked Krexia.
A human could match a strength-type Magic Beast in brute force?
Where did this humanoid monster come from?
Seeing its attack fail, the Minotauros raised its other massive, hammer-like fist and slammed down toward Isaac.
At the same time, the enormous bull horns on its head began to glow with a twisted magic power, steam gathering around them.
(1/2)