We decided to make camp for the night on a small floating island that was entirely a Safe Area, about an hour after defeating the Gryphon Caesar.
Given that we encountered two pure O-rank monsters, everyone was quite wound up, making for a difficult night…
So, it’s understandable that our departure the next day was delayed until nearly noon.
As for today’s exploration results, it seems that 70% of the monsters inhabiting the floating islands are A-rank, with the remaining 30% being a roughly equal mix of P-rank and M-rank. Overall, I don’t think it even reaches 1%, but there also seem to be O-rank monsters present.
Thanks to that, we were able to defeat another Gryphon Caesar, much to the delight of Flam, Ludia, Mako, and myself.
The other O-rank monsters we defeated were the Orihalcon Colossus and Vritra, both C-rank within the O-rank category. The Orihalcon Colossus was particularly welcome, as our stock of Divine Metal is running low.
The problem is Vritra. It appears to be a Catastrophe Species Dragoon of the lightning element, distinct from the earth-element Dragoon Catastrophe Species, Fafnir.
Therefore, while the materials are one thing, its Magic Stone will have to be presented to the Celestial Emperor’s Family.
“First Fafnir, and now Vritra. You don’t think there are other elemental Dragoons among the Catastrophe Species, do you?”
“I can’t deny that possibility, but if there are, won’t we just have to defeat them?”
“Well, yes.”
Mako seems to have something on her mind, but as Athena said, if they’re there, we’ll have no choice but to fight them or flee.
“I’m not against that either. But setting that aside, what do you think that is?”
“What do you mean, ‘what is it’? It’s the Guardian’s Chamber, isn’t it?”
“That’s what I thought.”
That evening, we arrived at our destination, the Great Floating Island. This island was more than three times larger than any floating island we had encountered before.
The area of the floating islands was comparable to the Ogasawara Islands, and the small floating island with the Safe Area was about the same size or smaller than Minami Torishima.
As Mana had discovered, this Great Floating Island has a Safe Area in its central part, which is the Guardian’s Chamber.
However, the biggest problem is that almost the entire Great Floating Island is a lake.
“A floating island made of water? Should I say it’s close to the waterfall volcano on the 2nd Level?”
“Considering what we’ve seen on this level and the 12th Level, I wasn’t surprised, but I never imagined there would be something similar above the sky.”
I couldn’t agree more.
From below, the Great Floating Island looked like any other floating island, and with its small mountains, it appeared to be a normal island even when viewed from another floating island.
Yet, upon approaching, I never would have imagined that everything except the central island would be a lake.
The water passage means we likely won’t need a boat, but I don’t think I’m wrong for thinking, “Water, right to the very end?”
“Let’s head to the Safe Area for now. Since the Guardian’s Chamber is there, we’ll camp here for today and tackle the Guardian tomorrow.”
“Understood.”
“We encountered an O-rank monster again today, so I’d like to rest quickly.”
I completely agreed with that sentiment.
However, there are likely monsters inhabiting the Great Floating Island, and the possibility of them being O-rank monsters isn’t low.
Since it’s almost entirely a lake, the most likely candidate would be a water-element Dragoon.
Ah, if Catastrophe Species Dragoons of each element inhabit floating islands, then islands like this wouldn’t be out of place.
“What’s wrong, Yamato?”
“Ah, sorry. No, it’s just… we defeated the earth and lightning Dragoons, right?”
“Yes, we were able to defeat both without injury because our preemptive attacks succeeded. If we had fought them head-on, it would have been troublesome.”
Both Fafnir and Vritra were large enough that we could easily spot them approaching us.
That’s why our preemptive attacks were successful. However, if a water-element Dragoon inhabits this Great Floating Island, we might be caught off guard this time.
The water’s transparency is low, and unlike the sea, this lake doesn’t seem to have any hidden passages for diving.
Furthermore, there are several small islands floating around, some with forests and mountains, so we need to consider the possibility of flying monsters attacking us.
“That possibility certainly exists.”
“Rather than that, it feels like the Great Floating Island might exist as a habitat for water-element Dragoons, just as Yamato-san is thinking.”
“It’s not just the size of the island, but this lake also seems quite deep.”
I was relieved that everyone else agreed.
However, even with our opinions aligned, we have no choice but to move forward.
The presence of the Guardian’s Chamber means there is a Guardian, and this 13th Level is the Deepest Layer.
After all, we came here to conquer this Krater Labyrinth.
But given the time, we’ll camp in that Safe Area tonight and face the Guardian tomorrow.
Side: Mako
Well, we successfully arrived at the Safe Area with the Guardian’s Chamber and confirmed the Guardian, which was good, but I never expected the Guardian to be *that*.
Yes, as predicted, the lake of this Great Floating Island was inhabited by the water-element Dragoon Catastrophe Species, Cuelebre.
I certainly didn’t anticipate two attacks, one right after entering the Great Floating Island and another just before the Safe Area, but thanks to that, we obtained two Cuelebre Magic Stones, and I’m happy we get to use one.
However, the problem now is the Guardian we’re scheduled to fight tomorrow.
“So, what do we do?”
“What do we do? We came here to conquer it, so we have no choice but to fight, don’t we?”
“There’s also the precedent of aquatic species.”
“The problem is that the Guardian is Leviathan, isn’t it?”
The Guardian of this Krater Labyrinth is the O-A rank monster, Leviathan.
Yes, as the O-A rank indicates, it’s a Demise Species.
However, the Leviathan on Helios Orb appears to be a Pliosaurus Demise Species, not a serpent.
Still, we and the Hunter’s Guild had anticipated that the Guardian might be a Demise Species, and there’s precedent for aquatic species.
What surprised us was Leviathan’s appearance and species.
Pliosaurus is an S-N rank monster and looks almost identical to Earth’s plesiosaurs.
While Pliosaurs don’t have necks as long as the higher-ranking Plesiosaurus or the rare Elasmosaurus, their necks are thicker and their bodies are thinner, giving them a visual resemblance to Eastern dragons.
The sharp claws growing from their fins might also contribute to the dragon-like appearance.
“It’s comparable in size to Cetus, let alone Nidhogg. Though it is thinner than them.”
“Even so, cutting it down won’t be possible without Blau Solaris.”
Leviathan’s neck and body are so thick that even Elément Class’s braiding wouldn’t be able to cut through them.
As Mana said, it seems impossible unless it’s Blau Solaris’s mythical-tier spell, Maha Jalgu.
“If it’s just about defeating it, we can use Maha Jalgu, but you all want to fight it, right? Especially Prim and Mana.”
“Of course.”
“I’ve never fought a Demise Species directly before, so this is my chance.”
Ah, yes, Mana-sama actually had no experience fighting Demise Species.
Originally, she was scheduled to fight during the Hanuman subjugation battle in Gagun Great Forest, but she discovered her pregnancy with Saki just before that, so she understandably withdrew from the front lines.
After Saki’s birth, Asuka and Maoh stepped up, and since it was also an opportunity for me and Yamato-kun to test our Engraving Divine Artifacts, she accompanied us but never fought directly.
So, this is her chance to fight a Demise Species.
“Our levels have also risen, and we might be able to evolve, so if possible, we’d like to fight.”
“Yeah.”
Lydia and Ludia are also level 97, so it’s possible they could evolve if they defeat Leviathan.
“Then I’ll prepare Blau Solaris and Agatholam, but perhaps we should reserve mythical-tier spells for emergencies.”
“Yes. But keep them ready to activate at any time.”
“Of course.”
Agatholam’s mythical-tier spell, Dian Kecht, is a spell that summons a rain of light, which I feel would be less effective against Leviathan.
While it could be defeated with a mythical-tier spell, it would likely take time. Of course, we’ll keep it on standby for immediate activation, but for speed, Blau Solaris’s Maha Jalgu is superior, so I’ll leave that to Yamato-kun.
For now, our preparations against Leviathan are complete, so let’s get some good rest today in preparation for tomorrow.
For the past few days, even though we’ve been camping in Safe Areas, we’ve had to be constantly on edge while moving, so everyone is exhausted.
We had to be vigilant not only on land and in the air but also underwater. Moreover, most of the monsters inhabiting these areas were M-rank or higher, and many were large species. The underwater passages were also destroyed several times.
Fortunately, we were never thrown into the water, but if we don’t account for such situations, even Elément Class users could die without being able to do anything.
We still haven’t managed to create a spell for underwater breathing, but given the existence of underwater corridor levels, it’s almost essential.
I should try to see if I can create a magical item similar to an oxygen tank when we get back.
“So, today, let’s rest well in preparation for tomorrow.”
“Yes. I’d like to investigate this lake, but since there were two Cuelebre, it’s not impossible for there to be more. It would definitely interfere with tomorrow’s fight with the Guardian, so we should just stay put today.”
“Yes. Let’s recharge our energy and prepare for the Leviathan subjugation.”
I agree with that.
Getting injured by carelessly engaging the lake monsters would be foolish.
Even if I sustained major injuries, even losing limbs, I could probably heal myself, but I don’t want to waste any unnecessary Magic Power before the decisive battle. More importantly, this will actually be my first Guardian battle, so I’m a little excited.
I didn’t expect the Guardian to be Leviathan, though.
However, Leviathan is large, so we can expect a considerable amount of materials.
Even after dedicating a portion of them, including the Magic Stone, to the Celestial Emperor’s Family and the Phantom King’s Family, there will still be a substantial amount left.
What to use them for, however, is something I’m honestly pondering.
I’ve also accumulated quite a bit of leather material from other Demise Species, so perhaps it’s time to remade the Crest Defender Coat.
I’ll discuss this with everyone later.
