Chapter 7

- Aaron!

Hearing my name, I digressed from a rather interesting book, and looked inquiringly at Jeanne who came up.

- How long will you be idle? she asked with a menacing squint.

- I'll just finish reading a few pages, and go on to train.

- I know you ... I got completely lazy after breaking through to a solid red core. Quickly follow me, otherwise you will be left without lunch!

- Tch, I'm going, I'm going.

After four weeks of being an adventurer, due to the frequent use of spells, I was able to break through to a solid red core. After that, a month passed, and I started skipping workouts, because of laziness, which I still can't beat. We still have parity, but I'm trying my best!

I also got the skill "Earth spikes", which creates spikes from the ground .. which is quite logical. And the radius of influence depends on the infused mana. In addition, the most important achievement was the first level! I was given as many as three skill points for it, which I have saved for now.

Walking towards the clearing, I played with the shapes of the fireball hanging in the air, turning it into a star, then into a square, then into a triangle. I could convert it to things that didn't have a lot of detail, it was pretty easy. In this way, I tried to increase my control over fire, which also helped to pump the mana core.

- Here we are!

Several people turned to us, stopping their training.

- Well, finally, we already thought that Aaron would not come to training again! Zack exclaimed.

- I'm sorry, I just got carried away reading - I answered embarrassedly, trying not to look in the direction of Henry, who would definitely say a couple of affectionate things to me.

- Nothing, the main thing is that you came! Let's continue! – still he exclaimed energetically.

Under Zach's supervision, I began practicing holds, stances, and exercises that train the necessary muscles for sword fighting. In magic, I could train myself, and I wanted to improve my possession of melee weapons in order to remove the weakness of spellcasters in close combat.

After training, we took a break, after which Zak announced that we were going to a new A-class dungeon located near uncharted territory. Zak was close to AA-rank and broke through to the light orange stage of the core, I to B-rank, and Zhanna to A-rank and a solid orange core, so we should have had enough strength. Yes, and for cleaning this dungeon they gave more money, so after collecting things, we hit the road.

***

- As far as I know, Minotaurs live in this dungeon, they are physically stronger than people, and they specialize in close combat, so we focus on evasion and long-range attacks - Alan informed us when we entered the dark dungeon.

Having habitually filled our eyes with mana, which allowed us to see better and increase our reaction speed, we slowly began to move forward.

You have received the quest to clear the Bullseye Dungeon!

Kill an A-rank dungeon boss

Reward: 3 Skill Points.

"So the reward is given out the first time you complete a higher-ranked dungeon, I understand."

- Aaron, as soon as you see the target, use "Earth spikes", Alan start shooting stunned opponents, Henry and Jeanne will fight in pairs - quietly ordered Zak.

- Everything is clear - Henry answered for everyone.

A few minutes later, we reached a slightly lit tunnel, at the end of which we saw a trio of monsters with a hairy body resembling a human, a bull's head and three meters tall. They had no weapons, and at least clothes.

Separating ourselves, we slowly began to approach the opponents, and when one of the Minotaurs twitched, I immediately set to work.

- Earth spikes!

Thorns began to grow from the ground towards the monsters. The closest one did not have time to react, and was strung on several spikes.

- Wind wind you are mighty, you drive flocks of clouds, bless my bow with your strength, wind arrows!

- RRRRARRRARRR!!! both Minotaurs roared, running in our direction.

Zach immediately stood in front of one of them, and Henry and Jeanne in front of the second.

- Ground bullets!

Alan and I actively attacked the two monsters from a distance while the others fought them in close combat. In less than a few minutes, one after the other, both Minotaurs fell dead.

- Phew... what a tenacious cow... - Jeanne complained, shaking off the blood from the rapier.

- Basically, it's a bull.

- I don't care Alan.

Our archer fell silent, and we quickly came into battle formation, feeling the ground tremble.

"Looks like the roar has attracted the others…" I thought, peering intently into the darkness, from where the monsters crawled out after a few seconds.

- Earth spikes!

***

We continued to destroy the hordes of Minotaurs, already fairly tired and having received a few injuries. Everything was relatively normal with Alan and me, but Jeanne and Henry received some pretty strong blows, but this only slightly weakened them, Zak remained intact.

- Finally, they ran out!... - Zhanna settled down to the ground with a sigh.

- I agree.. when we get back I'll have to go to the healers. Henry said sullenly.

"The core has already begun to crack, soon it will turn light red," I thought with satisfaction, glancing towards the tunnel where the Minotaurs had come from.

- Only the Boss is left, he will most likely be A-class or AA-class, in the latter case it will be difficult ...

- This is great news, as soon as we deal with Bossam he will be able to rest, and they will give us decent money, so go ahead guys!

The people slowly got up, and with reluctance we wandered towards the last enemy.

***

Arriving in the "room" of the Boss, a five-meter Minotaur appeared before us, dressed in armor and in whose hands was a huge ax. When the monster saw us, it didn't mindlessly attack, but just continued to stare, making me nervous.

- This one is smarter than the others, so be...

Before Alan had time to finish, the Minotaur moved and threw a short blade in our direction, which he had previously held behind his back. The speed of the blade was so high that I didn't even have time to react, fortunately Jeanne stood right in front of me.

- Air cannon! (I decided to remove the chants, but know that they are.)

The blade lost speed from the wind, and only slightly touched Jeanne's shoulder.

- Fight! Zak shouted as he ran towards the Minotaur and attacked him with fiery crescents. Henry ran after him, and then Jeanne, quickly bandaging her wound.

- Wind arrow!

- Ground Bullet!

Alan and I started to shoot the Boss whenever possible, while the others tried to break through the thick skin of the monster, which was too strong even for Henry's attacks. Zack was somehow able to inflict wounds, so the others began to distract the Minotaur, giving Zack an opportunity. At one point, the monster turned around abruptly, waving its fist towards Jeanne.

- Kh..! The girl flew off to the side, slamming into the wall.

- Zhanna!, - I shouted in concern, running to my friend - Hold on ..

Putting her on the ground, I began to provide first aid so that she would not die from blood loss. I almost vomited when I saw her unnaturally twisted left arm, but I restrained myself.

- Let's!

Looking back in the direction of the fight, I saw how Alan hit the eye of the Minotaur, and at the same moment, Zack's sword pierced his head, and Henry cut the monster's neck, and he began to fall.

Boom!

- They won...kh..!

Looking towards Alan, my eyes widened at the sight of the fiery sword sticking out of his chest...