Chapter 154: Pharaoh's Trap (2)
"Fuck it!" Kali cursed, turning around and wielding both her daggers. "If we can't escape, then we can only fight!"
Aster heard her loud and clear, but couldn't help but think how reckless her idea was. From the mana he could feel, he could tell that the pharaoh was multiple times his level, even above the limit for the 5th floor's monsters!
With that much of a gap in strength, it would be a miracle if they could even damage it.
'Furthermore, my buff is on cooldown. I can't muster strength beyond what my body could achieve!'
If he could still use the Frostfire Legacy, then he had a good chance of freezing the enemy and gaining enough time to think of a method to escape. However, right now, it was sealed—literally. If he removes the seal, then one of the two spirits of the legacy would immediately take over his body, and, most likely, never return control to him.
Aster glanced behind him, at all the girls together with him, and sighed. 'In the worst case scenario, I...'
He tightened his grip on his sword and straightened his expression. Fear still gripped his heart, but his mind was calm. He would fight with everyone until the very end!
[Not only did you trespass into my chambers, you even dared to point your weapons at me?]
The pharaoh's voice echoed once more, causing another splitting headache to assault everyone.
"Great Weaken Defense!"
"Intermediate Heal!"
And as if matching her timing, Lory and Cassy let out their spells, landing right at the boss monster. However...
"No effect?!"
The spells practically "bounced off" of her skin, completely ineffective!
As if to retaliate, the enemy leaned forward, and swiped her hand across, as if trying to catch them all in one swoop. Liz stepped forward immediately and showed her skills.
"Knight's Challenge! Shield of Valor!"
The taunt, as expected, had no effect. But the Shield of Valor did protect her for a moment, before shattering from the palm strike.
"Agh!"
Liz flew across the dome and slammed against the wall to the side. Seeing how she stopped moving, Aster concluded that she had lost consciousness.
"Cassy, and everyone else! Move to where Liz is! Leave this side to me!"
If they would die either way, then Aster didn't want to die after the girls. He'd rather be the first to go!
"But of course, I have no plans of dying without a fight!"
The cooldown of Physical Enchant had yet to conclude, so he couldn't use it. However, he still has Mana Slash—an attack that even worked on the Spectral Warden with physical and magical immunity!
Aster ran as fast as he could, careful not to trip on the uneven ground. The Pharaoh watched him closely, before raising a palm, and slamming it downward, as if she were swatting a pesky mosquito.
"MANA SLASSSHHHH!"
But Aster's sword was filled with practically all his remaining mana, as he swung it upward, intercepting the palm.
*BOOOOM!*
The two attacks met, and a powerful explosion occurred. Aster was thrown back from the impact, rolling unsightly on the ground. His back slammed against the wall, stopping him in place; however, his head was bleeding from the impact of the previous attack.
"Ugh..."
He could only groan as he raised his sight, checking the pharaoh's state.
[You... injured me?]
The pharaoh murmured as she stared at her hand, which quickly regenerated, returning to its pristine state. However, she couldn't deny that she was injured by Aster's attack.
Her red eyes stared at him, but instead of anger, they were overflowing with interest and anticipation.
[You... And that seal... A primordial human? No, humans can't live for over several hundred years...]
"Kuh!"
With the time he was given, Aster managed to pull himself to his feet. He glanced at the girls, and they seemed to be preparing for another attack. Liz looked like she got hit quite solidly, but other than broken armor, she looked fine.
[This won't do...]
The pharaoh groaned, shaking her head.
[You, the man who managed to injure a half-god like me, and your party are fated to achieve great things... As such, I can't kill you here.]
"... Huh?"
Aster thought he had lost his mind, but the Pharaoh's words continued—her tone was extremely serious.
[However, I am allowed to give you a trial. Survive, and you shall see the answer to the problems you're facing.]
Taking advantage of the enemy standing still and talking, the girls moved. Kali was the fastest, moving up to the enemy's face and using Assassinate on the mask's eyes. However, her daggers merely ricocheted, her hands turning numb from the rebound.
Liz moved to the left foot and slammed her mace down on its pinky using Holy Smite. However, her attack didn't seem to have any effect at all. Lastly, Tina sent a Void Palm at the monster's leg, but the same as with Liz, there was no visible effect. They didn't even count as bothersome flies, as the Pharaoh didn't bother swatting them away!
Suddenly, the entire room started to glow with a golden light.
Aster, Cassy, Kali, Tina, Liz, and Lory. All six suddenly lifted off the floor, as if gravity had disappeared. No matter how they tried to move, it was futile. Everyone was confused. Fear and panic filled their expressions as they tried to figure out a way to regain control of their bodies. However, they didn't have enough time.
[Administrator Code Activate: Nefra Eigen Solstice.]
Her voice softened as she began to speak, as if talking to the dungeon itself.
[With the power vested in me by the Dungeon Master, I hereby transport you all to a random floor. Survive and visit me again, and I will grant one wish for each of you.]
"..."
Aster listened to her words attentively, making sure to remember every keyword she said. Her name, the terms "Administrator" and "Dungeon Master," and lastly, the promise of granting a wish.
Suddenly, the bright golden light increased in intensity, causing everyone to close their eyes in reflex.
[Good luck, young hero who'll save the world.]
After that last word, Aster's consciousness was cut off.
He wasn't sure how much time passed, but when he regained consciousness, he noticed that the sky was dark.
"..."
Such a phenomenon quickly told him one thing. That is:
"This isn't the fifth floor or any floor up to the 10th..."
The first to 10th floor, the "Tutorial" floors, were all in eternal daylight. As such, he was sure that he was currently on a floor above the tenth.
*JIGGLE!*
"...!"
And just as he was looking around, trying to find clues as to what floor he was sent to, he heard a jiggly sound coming from nearby. He carefully treads forward, peeking through a thick bush, and checking the scene ahead. But what he saw left him speechless—at the same time, he figured out what floor he was on. Experience new tales on m v|l e'-NovelBin.net
The enemy before him, was a Mega Ruby Slime, a Field Boss unique to the 25th floor.
"Haha," he laughed dryly. "What trial? Just fucking kill me."