Stalactites hanging from the ceiling overlapped like a dense array of upside-down sword points.
A heavy sense of oppression came from the passage ahead.
"Thud. Thud."
Loud impacts sounded from up ahead. As if flaunting its mighty horns, the monster first poked its head out of the darkness.
Over two meters tall, its copper-red fur blended with its muscles, showing off its powerful physique.
It had the body of a man and the head of a bull. In both hands, it held a natural weapon the size of an adult—a massive battle-axe. Its nostrils flared, puffing out clouds of white breath, and its scarlet eyes fixed on the two people before it.
"Minotaur."
Looking at the monster before her, Lefiya tightened her grip on her staff and spoke.
"So this is a Minotaur? This is my first time seeing one."
Liber, standing in front of her, stared at the hulking monster in surprise.
The Minotaur, also known as the bull-headed man, had thick fur that gave it exceptional resistance to both fire and ice. Its tremendous strength allowed it to wield natural weapons with ease.
Among monsters found on the 1st through 18th Floors, it was undoubtedly the strongest one-on-one opponent apart from a Dungeon Lord. Even a Level 2 adventurer fighting one alone could be killed head-on.
"Roar!"
A deafening bellow rang out from up ahead.
The Minotaur stepped forward, crushing the rock beneath its foot. It gripped its stone axe tightly and swung without mercy.
"Whoosh!"
Liber ducked slightly, and the mighty strike missed.
"Grr!"
The Minotaur howled as Liber cleanly severed the hands gripping the axe. The huge stone weapon crashed to the ground.
Liber bent low and charged, quick as a hare and swift as the wind.
As he closed in on the blood-splattering Minotaur, he