Chapter 65: The attack and defense of Azure Waterfall is decided!
Arthur pendragon
LV.4
Strength: I (0) → G (221)
Endurance: I (0) → G (205)
Dexterity: I (0) → G (213)
Agility: I (0) → G (217)
Magic Power: I (1) → F (346)
Miracle: E
Swordsman: F
Magic Conduction: I → H
——Magic——
——Skills——
…
"Better than nothing."
Arthur shook the parchment at the curious Fou, then habitually folded it and looked towards the main entrance of Twilight Manor.
The regular members were busily organizing supplies, with boxes of provisions tightly bound and carefully covered with waterproof tarps.
The supporters, responsible for carrying healing potions and daily necessities, stood in a line, meticulously checking their equipment.
The executives, led by Finn, listened to a continuous stream of reports, ensuring everything was foolproof.
Arthur leaped down from the high-altitude corridor, and in a few steps, arrived before everyone, raising his hand in greeting.
"Sorry to keep you all waiting. When do we depart?"
Finn raised his hand, signaling them to remain calm, then swept his gaze over Arthur, playfully teasing him.
"No hurry, let's reconfirm the supplies. What, have you already advanced to LV5?"
At his words, the other executives, also LV5, all turned their heads.
They knew they would eventually be caught up to by Arthur, but surely it wouldn't be this fast?
Arthur chuckled and shook his head: "How could that be? I haven't even reached the upper limit of LV4 yet."
Hearing his denial, Tiona patted her chest and let out a long sigh.
"Good, good, I thought Young Arthur was going to catch up to me."
Tione sighed softly, delivering a merciless jab to her silly younger sister.
"Don't forget this expedition will also bring improvements. And, your share of the expedition's profits must be used to pay off your debt."
Tiona: o(╥﹏╥)o
Bete irritably flicked his wolf tail, turned to Finn, and clicked his tongue.
"Hey, Finn! When we encounter the Floor Boss on the 37th Floor this time, leave it to me alone!"
Ais's delicate brows furrowed slightly, and she pressed her lips together, not uttering a word, but her eyes clearly revealed the same desire—
To solo the Floor Boss, accumulate Ability Scores, and challenge LV6!
Finn's gaze swept over everyone. As someone who had been through it, how could he not sense that restlessness?
He helplessly glanced at Arthur, clapped his hands, and emphasized.
"This is not the refresh time for Udaeus, so focus your attention on the expedition itself!"
"Our goal for this trip is still to break the record for the deepest unreached Floor!"
Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions turned serious, and they responded in unison.
Arthur scanned the assembled Familia army, his excitement practically overflowing from his eyes.
Unknown Floors I've never set foot on, here I come!
…Crimson King's Dividing Line…
Dungeon, 27th Floor.
Beneath the Great Azure Waterfall, the lake water churned, and a massive two-headed dragon surged through the waves.
Azure flames, like venomous snakes, spewed from its two mouths, scorching the thick tower shields held high by the vanguards.
At the cliff's summit, Finn's eyes were like torches, observing the entire situation, and he commanded loudly.
"Vanguards, retreat in three seconds! Mid-guards, charge ahead! Rear-guard Mages, don't stop chanting!"
"Yes!" x N
The mid-guard warriors roared as they lunged, their sharp blades heavily hacking at the two-headed dragon's scales, which were tougher than steel, producing a grating, ear-piercing sound that set teeth on edge!
Behind them, the Mages held their staves high, and magic projectiles of various colors whistled out!
However, as soon as they touched the strange red mist surrounding the two-headed dragon, they vanished without a sound, like mud oxen entering the sea.
"Roar—!"
The two-headed dragon roared in fury, its massive tail striking the lake with immense force, stirring up towering waves that made the vanguard's defensive line tremble precariously.
The executives, also standing on the cliff top, frowned at the sight.
"Finn, are we still waiting? The small fry clearly can't handle the Floor Boss!"
"The front line hasn't collapsed; this old man believes there's still a fight to be had."
"The opponent has the advantage of terrain, and its long-range attacks are fierce, plus it has the special ability to dispel magic. It is indeed tricky."
"Even Riveria says so? Then let's go, let's just kill Amphisbaena!"
"Don't cause trouble, you idiot! If the members can personally defeat Amphisbaena, perhaps some can advance!"
Listening to his companions' discussions, Finn lowered his head and pondered for a moment, then spoke calmly.
"No need to worry, after all—"
A mysterious smile played on his lips, and his gaze turned to a corner of the battlefield.
Those wise eyes, unique to the Pallum, precisely locked onto Arthur, who was slacking off in the battle formation.
"Our true trump card hasn't even made a move yet."
…
Beneath the giant waterfall cliff, Arthur once again coordinated with the Mages to launch an attack.
A series of crimson magic bullets shot out, but like the previous magic, they vanished into nothingness the moment they touched the strange red mist.
Seeing this, Arthur clicked his tongue in wonder.
He had been to the Water Labyrinth area before, but unfortunately, the Floor Boss hadn't refreshed at that time, so he had returned after lingering on the 24th Floor for several days.
And speaking of the two-headed dragon Amphisbaena, it was a mobile Floor Boss active on Floors 25 to 27.
In terms of Ability Scores alone, it was only at the standard LV5 level.
But if you factored in the Water Labyrinth's terrain advantage and its tricky magic-dispelling ability, its strength was enough to rival an LV6.
In contrast, the Loki Familia's second-string army was mostly composed of LV3 and LV4 adventurers.
With melee attacks blocked and magic ineffective, this tough bone, two levels above most of them, was indeed hard to chew.
"Roar—!"
The two-headed dragon roared again, its massive tail raised high, seemingly about to unleash another giant wave to strike the cliff.
The vanguards gritted their teeth, shields pressed together, desperately holding their defensive line.
The mid-guard warriors, on the other hand, retreated repeatedly, regrouping with the Mages, waiting for a gap in the monster's attacks to launch another Raid.
However, at this very moment, a cunning glint flashed in the two-headed dragon's beastly eyes!
The massive tail was merely a feint; it suddenly retracted, and its enormous body tensed up like a spring.
The next instant, it had leaped high, opening its gaping maw, and a stream of azure flames shot straight towards the rear-guard formation!
"Oh no!?"
"This bastard is playing dirty!"
"Rear-guards, get out of the way!"
The two-headed dragon had never shown any intention of coming ashore before, and this sudden change caught the second army off guard!
The vanguards turned back in horror, but could only watch helplessly as the deadly azure flames rushed towards the vulnerable rear-guard!
Simulated Overlord Heavenly Star.
A point of pitch-black appeared in mid-air without warning, instantly devouring all of the scorching azure flames, its surface subsequently glowing with a strange emerald green.
Immediately following, the cliffside earth and rocks were flung into the air by an invisible force, and the lake water surged upwards, the pitch-black light point swallowing everything, rapidly expanding at a visible speed!
"What the hell is that? My sword almost got sucked in!"
"Whose magic is that? Stop it quickly!"
"Anyone with less than D-rank Strength, retreat! The suction is getting more and more terrifying!"
While the second army was in doubt and alarm, Arthur manipulated the expanding Overlord Heavenly Star to slowly float upwards, avoiding the collateral damage, and at the same time, loudly commanded.
"What are you all staring at? The Floor Boss has come ashore, and its protective red mist has disappeared. Kill it!"
The second army members awoke as if from a dream, their gazes simultaneously fixed on the two-headed dragon.
Indeed, the red mist that had previously enveloped its body had largely dissipated, no longer forming a barrier!
Furthermore, the opponent had already left the water and landed, losing the natural protection of the lake.
The adventurers' eyes burst with brilliance, and ferocious smiles appeared on their faces.
Two-headed dragon: (σ; *Д*)σ
I report! The other side is cheating!