**Side: Prim**
Two days have already passed since we began our assault on the 13th Level. This level is ridiculously vast, not just compared to other levels, but even to other labyrinths. We’ve been exploring for two full days, and we’ve only managed to map a little over half of it. The massive floating island we could see on the first day of our descent is no longer visible.
We can see several floating islands, and we’ve landed on some of them. Some islands are entirely Safe Areas, while others are densely populated with monsters. The underwater areas are also quite something. As expected, passages crisscross in every direction, just like on the 12th Level, but I never imagined they would actually extend to the seabed, let alone form what could be called underwater cities.
Parts of these underwater cities were Safe Areas, but the majority were inhabited by Sahagins and Sirens, which made things troublesome in their own way. There was land above water too. It was an archipelago, similar to the 7th Level of the Solpreza Labyrinth, but while some islands had distinct environments, others had mixed ones, making for a surprising variety. However, the monsters inhabiting them were largely the same across all islands. This was understandable, as besides Demi-humans, all monsters were A-rank, with the lowest being M-rank. Even the Demi-humans were just swarms of Anomalies or Catastrophe Species, which was truly baffling.
However, thanks to this, we’ve all leveled up, and Mana and I were able to evolve into Element Classes. Everyone else is over level 90, so they should be able to evolve within a few days of staying here. Mina and the others also plan to evolve into Element Classes before advancing into Abaricia. But it’s difficult this time, and we’ve also been commissioned to explore other labyrinths, so it will be a while before we can return here.
“This is quite troublesome. What do we do?”
“What do you mean, what do we do? We have no choice but to press on. It’s troublesome, but that’s a fact.”
We are currently on a small island where our campsite is located within a Safe Area, gazing at the level once more. This small island is connected by three sea routes and four underwater passages. Yesterday evening, we landed here via one of the underwater passages. We can see or predict where the sea routes lead. We have no idea about the remaining three underwater passages except that they probably connect to unexplored areas. After all, some of the underwater passages, depending on the location, extend all the way to the seabed. I never imagined we would end up traveling on Beast Carriages on the seabed.
If I’m being honest, the same goes for the underwater areas. We’ve all swum before, so we have a rough idea of what it’s like underwater. But the bottom of the sea was completely beyond our imagination, so it was quite a shock.
“The sea route leads to that island over there. It’s marked as unexplored, but it’s easy to predict what lies beyond.”
“Well, it’s at the edge of the map. But I’m curious about what kind of island it is, and it doesn’t seem that big, so let’s head there first.”
“It will help fill out the map, and it eliminates one option.”
“Once we dive into the sea, it will be difficult to assess the situation above. I agree with exploring what we can see first.”
Since we’re also conducting an investigation, we’ll explore the sea route first. I think that’s the best course of action, and since no one objected, we’ll explore that island today and then head back into the sea.
After eating breakfast, we proceeded along the sea route and landed on the island in question. As expected, the island was small and was located at the southwestern edge of the map. This finally allowed us to estimate the extent of this level, not completely, but to some degree.
“Even with a rough estimate, this is at least half the size of the Philia Continent.”
“We’ve encountered vast levels before, but nothing quite this size.”
“Yes. I’ve never heard of a labyrinth this large.”
Half the size of the Philia Continent is equivalent to the Amister Heavenly Empire, including the former Retisencia territory. I’ve never heard of such a vast labyrinth, and frankly, one shouldn’t exist. This truly shows how exceptional the Krater Labyrinth is.
“It’s certainly exceptional, but that’s for later. For now…!”
“Right!”
As Yamato said, now is not the time for such deliberations. This island, though small, is of considerable size, and more importantly, it was inhabited by a Dragoon Catastrophe Species!
“Its rank is O-C, and its species name is Fafnir…!”
“It’s hard to tell its element, but just being a Catastrophe Species makes it troublesome!”
Totally! For Dragoons, you can generally determine their base element by their coloration, but that doesn’t mean they can’t use other elements. Rather, rare species and above can use at least one element other than their base one. For reference, the Demise Species Nidhogg, which made its nest on Enigma Island, had a jet-black body, so I believe its base element was darkness. Besides that, we only confirmed that its breaths contained fire attributes. My father-in-law defeated it so quickly that we know nothing else about it.
As for the Fafnir before us, its body color is a dull yellow? Brownish? In any case, it seems its base element is earth. The problem is what other elements it might use, and we’ll have to figure that out through combat.
“I don’t think it’s all elements, but close to it.”
“Then we should just assume it’s all elements! If we’re not careful and try to figure it out while fighting, we won’t know what kind of damage we’ll sustain!”
Indeed. An O-C rank, excluding the Demise Species O-A rank, is the highest Monster Rank. And if it’s a Dragoon, it could be even more powerful than some Demise Species. We can’t hold back against such a monster, and above all, fighting while investigating is impossible. Therefore, it’s better to defeat it quickly and use MARS for investigation. MARS cannot be used against monsters of A-rank or higher, but that’s for combat training. Apparently, it can be used to investigate a monster’s appearance or abilities.
“Agatholam, please!”
“Understood.”
Mako generated her Engraving Divine Artifact and simultaneously activated Meteorite Light Sphere, trapping Fafnir. Meteorite Light Sphere, which can immobilize even A-rank monsters and defeat them instantly, deals significant damage even to Demise Species when activated with Agatholam. In fact, Fafnir’s left wing was torn to shreds by Meteorite Light Sphere.
“Blau Solaris, let’s go!”
“Acknowledged.”
Yamato then separated Blau Solaris into six short swords and unleashed Ice Edge Javelin, destroying its right foreleg and right hindleg. I then donned my Crimson Flame Wings and unleashed Seraphim Striker, which Mana amplified with Starling Piaster, creating a spear imbued with the power of crimson flames and a summoned beast.
This is the Layered Magic of Mana and I, Geiravol. I named it after one of the Valkyries that Mako taught me about. However, I’m still not used to using Geiravol, and unfortunately, I could only pierce its left foreleg instead of its body, Fafnir’s body.
“Ludia!”
“Got it!”
“Athena!”
“Yes!”
Furthermore, Lydia and Ludia’s Layered Magic, Extreme Disaster, inflicted frostbite and burns simultaneously on its left wing, left hindleg, and head, while Yamato and Athena’s Dragon Resonance Magic, Granbite Eruption, brought it crashing to the ground with its fangs.
“Mina-san!”
“Yes!”
Then, Mina and Flam’s Layered Magic, Multistorm Blade, severed Fafnir’s head, bringing the battle to an end.
“The preemptive strike worked, and thanks to Mako, we defeated it more easily than I expected.”
“Using the Engraving Divine Artifact also played a big role.”
Indeed. Fafnir couldn’t even attack us, but that was because Mako’s Meteorite Light Sphere immobilized it, allowing us to focus on attacking without reservation. While Mana and I, and Lydia and Ludia have used our Layered Magic several times, we’d never used it against an opponent of this caliber before. In particular, Lydia and Ludia’s Extreme Disaster is very delicate; if the two of them don’t use magic with the exact same amount of Mana, the balance will be broken, and not only will the magic fail to form, but its effects will disappear even during activation. Adjusting such minute Mana control during combat is an unbelievable feat, practically impossible. Yet, Lydia and Ludia, perhaps because they are twins, manage it without much difficulty, which is amazing. I heard that Extreme Disaster uses fire and ice magic of equal power, utilizing a force called annihilation or something similar. I believe it’s the same as Mercury, an A-rank Engraving Magic, but I didn’t understand it at all.
“That’s part of it, but it also helps that we have four Element Classes now, so our overall firepower is vastly different.”
“Yeah, that’s definitely true.”
Ah, yes, Athena is right. That’s also a factor. Even Ancient Classes have proven capable of fighting Demise Species, but Element Classes possess a higher level of Mana and attack power than Ancient Classes. So, even against an O-rank Catastrophe Species, we can achieve one-sided battles like this if we play it right.
“It’s good that we defeated it, but as materials, especially leather, it’s a bit questionable.”
“Ah, yeah, that’s true.”
“It can’t be helped, but I wish we could do better next time.”
“That’s if we have the luxury, right?”
Despite defeating Fafnir almost unilaterally, it’s hard to say if it’s usable as material. It’s a colossus over 100 meters long, but both its wings are tattered. It has only about two intact claws left on its forelegs and hindlegs combined. Its head is severely frostbitten and burned, making its eyeballs, fangs, and tongue unusable. Still, prolonging the battle could have led to unforeseen consequences, and against a high-ranking monster like an O-C rank, we might have sustained injuries that wouldn’t be easily healed. Between materials and life, the latter is obviously more important.
However, Mana and I have evolved into Element Classes, and Lydia and Ludia might be able to evolve upon successfully clearing the Krater Labyrinth. Of course, Mina, Flam, Athena, and Eos also have the potential, and even if they don’t evolve this time, it’s possible in the future. If everyone can evolve, we’ll be able to fight more stably than now, and we’ll be able to fight Fafnir while considering the materials. This is my hopeful speculation, so I don’t know for sure, but the Mana of Element Classes surpasses that of Ancient Classes, and the degree of physical and magical enhancement through reinforcement magic is even greater. So, I don’t think my assumption is entirely wrong.
“Storage complete. There doesn’t seem to be anything else here. Shall we return to the Safe Area and rest?”
“With an O-C rank monster appearing so suddenly, I agree with resting.”
“Me too. I know we need to stay vigilant ahead, but we had to go all out from the start.”
I feel the same way. This level is already filled with powerful monsters, and now one as high as O-C rank has appeared. There’s no denying the possibility of them inhabiting areas ahead. So, it’s safer, both mentally and magically, to rest a bit before moving on.
Since no one objected, we decided to return to a Safe Area and take a 30-minute break.
