Asfi stared ahead.
The scene of adventurers being besieged by monsters that she had anticipated did not appear. What met her eyes was a lightning barrier standing firmly on the ground.
In the very center of the barrier, a tall figure stood at the edge of the pool, golden lightning flickering in his palm.
Amidst the deafening roars, huge splashes erupted on the surface of the pool.
Lightning permeated the area, and golden currents engulfed the monsters. Neither the giant water snakes nearly ten meters long nor the defense-specialized Crystal Giant Turtles were spared.
And at the moment they died, besides dropping magic stones and materials, white glows shot out from these monsters and fell onto the figure in the center.
"Captain, what are those white lights?"
Lulune stared for two seconds and couldn't help but ask.
"I don't know."
Asfi gave a high-quality answer.
As the famous "Perseus," Asfi, who publicly claimed to be Level 2, was actually a Level 4 adventurer.
Along her journey, the number of monsters that had died by her hand was at least five figures, and she had even participated in the subjugation of Floor Bosses over a dozen times.
But looking back, Asfi had never seen a similar white light after killing a monster.
Clearly, this was not a normal situation.
"It seems to be an effect of the Barrier."
Just then, Lulune noticed a new clue.
The scale of the Lightning Barrier was extremely massive, but compared to the pools of the 27th Floor, it was still far smaller.
Through observation, Lulune noticed that the monsters emitting white light had, without exception, died within the Barrier.
Meanwhile, the monsters caught in the lightning's aftermath that died outside the Barrier merely dropped ordinary Magic Stones.
"Could this Barrier be a recovery-type Barrier? One that constantly restores Mind and Mana by killing enemies?"
"It's possible."
Asfi withdrew her gaze.
Although she hadn't seen his face and didn't know his identity,
maintaining a Barrier while using magic to blast fish like this meant his mana capacity was clearly abnormal.
The possibility of restoring Mind and Mana through kills was very real.
As for what the specific effect was, Asfi did not continue her deep analysis.
"Lulune, it's time to go."
Since they had figured out why the monster count was low, there was no need to stay here and keep peeping.
Besides there being no benefit, if they were exposed, it would cause a dispute, which would be a hassle to handle.
Lulune agreed with this as well.
However, just as she and Asfi were preparing to head back the way they came, an inexplicable chill suddenly enveloped them both.
In the next instant, a roar echoed from the distance.
Unlike the previous explosions, this roar was much heavier and grander, causing the entire ground to tremble.
"Eh? What's going on?!"
Lulune became a bit nervous.
"This vibration... wait! No way?!"
Unlike Lulune, Asfi was more familiar with this vibration.
Seemingly guessing something, her gaze turned toward the depths of the pool, toward the massive waterfall falling from the heavens above.
With the center as the dividing line, the surging currents slowly dispersed to both sides, and a twenty-meter-tall two-headed serpent monster walked out, radiating a terrifying aura.
"Wait... wait a minute! This isn't right!"
Lulune also noticed the two-headed serpent monster and let out a sharp shriek on the spot.
"Captain, didn't you say before that Amphisbaena still had over a week before it respawned!"
"Don't ask me, I don't know either."
Asfi put on a mask of pain.
If she had to list which of the many Labyrinth Kings she least wanted to encounter, Amphisbaena would be at the top.
The reason was simple: she couldn't reach the deeper Labyrinth Kings, and she could defeat the ones on the upper floors.
But as the Labyrinth King of the City of Water Maze, Amphisbaena's strength was stuck exactly at a level she couldn't beat.
Even worse, Amphisbaena was the only one among the existing Labyrinth Kings that would leave its territory and move around.
From the 25th to the 27th Floor, three entire floors were its range of activity; trying to run would be a huge trouble.
"Lulune, go meet up with Falgar and take them to the 28th Floor to take refuge."
"Then what about you, Captain?"
"I'll stay behind to cover the rear, along with that person."
Asfi pointed at the figure not far away.
Even though the Labyrinth King had suddenly appeared, the other party still showed no panic, standing motionless in place.
This situation meant they were either scared witless or had absolute confidence.
Considering the person's performance just now, Asfi felt the latter possibility was more likely.
Lulune had thought of this as well.
"Captain! Be careful!"
Without playing out a melodramatic scene of staying together through life and death, Lulune left a word of caution and ran into the tunnel.
After watching the Chienthrope girl leave, Asfi looked forward again, hesitated, and then stopped at the edge of the Barrier.
The other person's identity was still unclear, and whether he had the ability to handle a Labyrinth King alone was also an unknown.
Before the fighting actually started, she decided to keep her distance and observe; it was best not to expose herself if possible.
However, the moment Asfi finished her combat plan, a voice suddenly came from ahead.
"Aren't you coming in?"
"?!"
"You don't really think I didn't notice, do you? I noticed the moment you two arrived."
Lynn turned around, his eyes looking straight at where Asfi was standing: "Come out."
"...Actually, I was just passing by."
Asfi took off her helmet with some embarrassment.
There was no longer any need to keep hiding.
Being discovered was one thing, but more importantly, after seeing his face, she recognized the man's identity.
Hestia Familia Captain, Lynn.
The monster who broke through to Level 3 in just over a month.
"ROOOAAAARRRR——!!!"
A massive roar sounded. Asfi, who was about to say something more, straightened her expression and looked ahead.
"Lynn, you didn't run but stayed here instead. Are you planning to challenge Amphisbaena?"
"I suppose so."
"Do you have a battle plan?"
"I do. Move aside a bit and let me throw a slash."
"Huh?"
"Don't 'huh' me, go stand over there."
Lynn signaled for Asfi to go behind him.
To be honest, he hadn't expected Amphisbaena to suddenly refresh either; this was a completely unexpected situation.
Unlike the last time when he had the assistance of Aiz and the others, this time it was just him and Asfi here.
Looking at the lineup, it could be said to be an overwhelming gap.
But even so, Lynn still didn't panic.
"This is a good chance to test the strengthening effect of a Floor Boss."
Lynn took a deep breath, his left hand gripping the scabbard and his right hand on the hilt, leaning forward slightly in a drawing stance.
Compared to the last time he faced Amphisbaena, not only had his adventurer level increased from Level 2 to Level 3, but he had also gained a lot of power from the other Lynn's.
"State of Selflessness."
Mental power materialized, strengthening his arms.
"Current Propulsion."
Golden electric light flickered between the scabbard and the blade.
"Dismantle."
Invisible blades were constantly generated and compressed onto the edge.
In just an instant, Lynn revealed all his trump cards except for Domain Expansion, and his aura climbed to its peak.
"ROOOAAAARRRR——!!!"
Seemingly sensing the threat from Lynn, Amphisbaena, who had just stepped into the Barrier, let out a roar, and its left head opened its mouth to spit out a blast of pale blue flame.
"Watch out!"
Asfi warned from behind.
But in the next second, she realized her warning was redundant.
The pale blue flames were sliced apart, and the pool, which seemed endless at a glance, was split in two.
The lightning sword qi surged forward with unstoppable momentum, passing right between Amphisbaena's two heads.
Squelch—!
The roaring stopped abruptly. Under Asfi's disbelieving gaze, Amphisbaena was split into two halves, crashing into the pool to the left and right with a massive splash.
"Alright, let's continue the topic from before."
Lynn returned his weapon to its scabbard and turned to look at Asfi as if nothing had happened.
"You just said you were passing by?"
"Uh, yes."
"Passing by with subordinates and a stealth helmet, hiding in a corner watching me use magic and analyzing the effects?"
"..."
...