The female-type monster, a higher-order entity of the worm-type monsters, possessed a physique not inferior to that of a Floor Boss, along with status parameters that far surpassed any ordinary worm monster. Once slain, it would detonate itself just like the worm monsters, splattering an unprecedentedly massive volume of dissolving fluid that would corrode everything in the surrounding area. Its hazardous nature was extremely high.
Leon remembered clearly that in the original work, after the Loki Familia's camp on the 50th floor was assaulted by the worm monsters, this female-type monster made a belated appearance. It once caused the entire Loki Familia to be severely constrained, even leaving them completely at a loss, until Ais, who was unaffected by the fear of the dissolving fluid, had to resolve it entirely on her own, leading her into a rather arduous and bitter struggle.
Thus, after unleashing a single spell at the swarm of worm monsters crawling up the rocky terrace, Leon did not swiftly charge up the terrace like the others to support the members in the camp. Instead, he remained stationed on the spot, preparing to use his maximum output of "Meteor Dance" to crush the female-type monster from a safe distance the exact moment it appeared, thereby preventing the massive amount of dissolving fluid accumulated within its body from threatening the safety of the entire expeditionary force.
However, Leon had not expected that the very instant the enemy appeared, it would shower pollen upon him just as he was preparing to activate his magic, instantly triggering a massive explosion on the spot that engulfed him completely.
Only at this moment did Leon realize in hindsight.
"These monsters are inherently abnormal in their sensitivity to magical power. With me preparing such a high-yield spell so conspicuously, how could it possibly fail to notice me immediately and launch an attack?"
It could only be said that Leon had still thought of things too simply.
"If it weren't for the Goliath Coat, I'd probably have been blown to pieces by now, wouldn't I?"
Looking at the dust- and dirt-covered combat attire on his body, Leon still felt somewhat lingering trepidation.
Thanks to this coat, Leon was able to withstand that earth-shattering explosion.
This suit of armor, fully capable of ranking among first-class armaments, possessed formidable defensive power against both physical and magical attacks. Furthermore, having undergone modifications via special techniques, it even gained shock-absorption properties that the original tough hide of the Goliath lacked. The cloak could also protect against fire and cold, which was precisely what kept Leon from being killed by that sudden massive explosion, allowing him to survive.
"I'll have to properly thank Loki when I go back."
With such thoughts turning over in his mind, Leon stimulated his mental energy and activated his magic, releasing a succession of meteors under a chantless state, causing them to orbit around himself, constantly dancing.
The powerful magical energy, just like before, caught the attention of the female-type monster without any surprise, causing it to neatly abandon Ais, whom it had batted away with a swipe of its hand, and draw closer toward Leon.
The countless warts beneath its lower body continuously writhed and crawled, and its multiple arms swung relentlessly. The brilliantly multicolored giant torso and the purplish-black massive abdomen surged forward with a soul-stirring pressure. That appearance truly reminded Leon of the 17th floor's Floor Boss, Goliath, whom he had once confronted entirely alone.
No, the female-type monster before his eyes was even more powerful and far more terrifying than the Goliath, causing Leon's heartbeat to begin accelerating.
"I must maintain my distance from it."
Just like during his battle against the Goliath back then, Leon first established this particular countermeasure.
The difference was that this time, the reason Leon did not dare let the female-type monster get close to him was due to his fear of the dissolving fluid inside its body.
The Goliath Coat on his body could withstand the female-type monster's explosive pollen, but it absolutely could not withstand that dissolving fluid which was potent enough to melt even first-class armaments.
Therefore, Leon had to maintain a certain degree of distance from it, or even a very remote distance. Otherwise, even if he managed to strike it down, he would be instantly corroded by the dissolving fluid spraying from its body upon its self-detonation, leaving not even a single bone behind.
"Take this."
Right then, Leon unhesitatingly launched the meteors dancing around his body, causing them to transform into streaks of flashing light, blanketing the sky as they boomed toward the female-type monster.
The reaction of the female-type monster could not be considered slow. Perceiving the approaching reaction of that powerful magical energy, it immediately swung its flat, manta-ray-like arms, swatting at the oncoming streaks of meteors at astonishing speed.
"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The violently shooting meteors were struck by the female-type monster and burst apart in response, dissolving into flurries of starlight.
"It won't be that easy!"
Seeing this, Leon immediately took control of the remaining meteors, causing them to swerve abruptly to evade the swinging flat arms, and bombarding the upper body of the female-type monster from above, setting off a succession of explosions.
The female-type monster let out a cry of pain. Following that, it locked its target entirely onto Leon. Its upper body suddenly leaned backward, and a horizontal crack opened across its seemingly featureless face, revealing a mouth.
"Pfft!"
In the next second, corrosive fluid shot out violently like a water cannon, carrying a foul stench with it.
The volume of that corrosive fluid and the speed of its discharge were simply worlds apart when compared to those worm monsters.
If the dissolving fluid spat by the worm monsters was a water gun, then the dissolving fluid spat by the female-type monster was a high-pressure water cannon.
Leon's pupils contracted. Without a second thought, his figure darted toward the distance, evading this incredibly raging stream of purplish-black water cannon.
"Boom!"
The purplish-black water cannon instantly grazed past the position Leon had occupied a second prior, landing on the ground and actually sweeping forward all the way, provoking a tremendous roar.
Everywhere the water cannon passed, an extraordinary sound of dissolution rang out. Every place touched by it instantly dissolved, turning into ditches that hissed with black smoke.
Trees collapsed row after row, and a large volume of black water vapor also shot up into the sky. Even the ground that had not been touched changed color in the blink of an eye, turning pitted and thoroughly disgusting, as if it had been poisoned.
The terrifying speed of dissolution and the horrific destructive power sent a chill down Leon's spine, reinforcing his determination that he absolutely must not be touched by it.
"Light of the Heavens, Sword of the Stars."
"Meteor Dance!"
The fully chanted star magic was unleashed. Countless meteors shot forth once more, either piercing straight toward the female-type monster or circling around to its flanks, above, and behind, launching an all-out bombardment against it from every direction.
The female-type monster swung its tentacles with all its might, trying to block the incoming bombardment while opening its mouth once again, intending to shoot more dissolving fluid.
"Swish!"
Right at this moment, a figure came riding the wind, the sharp blade in her hand slashing through the atmosphere.
"Splat!"
The female-type monster failed to react in time and was struck squarely in the mouth by this godspeed slash. The corrosive fluid brewing within its mouth exploded like blood, causing it to let out an inarticulate wail.
"Ais!"
Leon called out to her.
The blonde, golden-eyed female swordsman did not respond to him, however. Instead, she kicked against the air as if bursting through the atmosphere to rebound backward, holding her Desperate Sword high, poised to cleave off the female-type monster's entire head.
"Don't! Get back!"
Leon's face changed drastically as he shouted this warning.
Because he saw quite clearly that the female-type monster's four arms had already crossed in front of its chest, and with a violent swing, it scattered an immense volume of pollen that made one doubt their own eyes.
The massive volume of pollen showered toward the surroundings like light particles, enveloping it, and also enveloping the positions where Leon and Ais stood.
"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!"
A few seconds later, an incomparably horrific explosion occurred, causing flames and shockwaves to burst apart thoroughly.
In this moment, whether it was Leon or Ais, both were engulfed by this earth-shattering explosion, swallowed up by the oncoming blast of flames, disappearing completely into the sea of fire.
The massive explosion completely incinerated a corner of the gray forest, causing dense black smoke to rise straight toward the ceiling of the 50th floor.
Up on the rocky terrace, the members of the expeditionary force were also knocked to the ground by the hot wind and shockwaves. Even the group of first-class adventurers was blown to the point of swaying, unable to even stand firmly.
"Retreat! Retreat quickly!"
Finn issued his command once more, his voice raised to its absolute maximum.
"Take the bare minimum of supplies and evacuate this place immediately!"
Otherwise, if that female-type monster performed another large-scale pollen bombardment, then setting aside the first-class adventurers for a moment, the rest of the people would probably be unable to withstand the power of the explosion; even if they didn't die, they would lose a layer of skin.
The rocky terrace here was already very unsafe. The two successive bombardments from the female-type monster had filled this place with cracks, and coupled with the worm monsters' dissolving fluid from before which had left it riddled with pits, this place could collapse directly at any moment, burying them all.
With the crisis overhead, Finn could no longer care about so much; he only wanted to cover the retreat of his familia members.
"Captain! What about Miss Ais?!"
"And, and there's still Mr. Leon!"
Lefiya and Line both cried out with pale faces, looking completely frantic.
"Evacuate this place first before discussing anything else!"
A flicker of struggle flashed through Finn's eyes, followed by an expressionless command.
"Ais has magic to protect her, and Leon has his armor for protection. They should be fine for a short while."
Hearing this, the reactions of the others were nothing short of intense.
"Are you saying you want those two to hold the line for us?"
"Ca—Captain! This is—!"
Tiona immediately voiced her protest, and even Tione revealed a resistant expression.
"Letting a woman and a small-timer hold the line for us? You've got to be joking, Finn!"
Even Bete roared out in anger.
He prided himself on being a strong individual and had always looked down on the weak with extreme displeasure. Now, he was actually being asked to evacuate under the protection of a character he had always viewed as a small-timer; how could he accept that so easily?
"If anyone's holding the line, it's going to be me! Have Ais and that small-timer run along with you guys immediately!"
Saying that, Bete was about to charge out without another word.
"Don't make me say it a second time."
Finn stopped him with a tone that brooked no argument.
"Those two are the best candidates. If you want to go and hold them back, then feel free."
With that, Finn paid no further attention to the trio of Bete, Tiona, and Tione, guiding the mass of familia members as they began to retreat.
The members naturally could not accept this sort of thing either, but they did not dare to blatantly defy Finn's orders, not to mention that both Riveria and Gareth were following along without uttering a single word.
Both of them understood that it wasn't that Finn didn't want to step forward, but that as the leader of the familia, he had to ensure the safety of the members first.
Only by securing the safety of the members as quickly as possible could they figure out a way to support Leon and Ais.
"Damn it!"
Bete, Tiona, and Tione were filled with struggle, but in the end, they let out a curse and kept up with the main force.
Behind them, that female-type monster was still screaming, its shrieks unceasing to the ear.
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