Conquering The Game's World

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Monster Information:

Steaming Monkeys (E-D Rank)

Size: 1.2 meters

Description: They are aggressive, desert-dwelling primates that emit scalding steam from their bodies to defend territory. Covered in coarse, sand-colored fur, they attack in packs using heat-charged punches and sudden steam bursts to overwhelm foes. They are agile climbers and they often ambush from rocky ledges or ruined desert structures. Though not very intelligent, they're dangerous in numbers and especially vulnerable to cold-based attacks.

***

For Alicia, these Steaming Monkeys are nothing more than a horde of points. Even a D-Rank Steaming Monkey would suffer very high damage from her attacks.

"Okay, girls! Hasten up with the harvest! There's another small tribe of Steaming Monkeys a little ahead." Alicia said with a clap.

"Yay!" The girls in her team cheered enthusiastically. The only boy lowered his head shyly. Alicia just glanced and ignored him.

'This boy's personality is too weak. Even weaker than these girls.'

She thought so, but didn't care, because it was none of her business.

At this moment, her mind was more focused on her bet with Luis.

'Although our speed of collecting points is good. I can't be careless! Luis might come up with another weird trick and pull an enormous gap anytime.'

She had experienced this kind of thing many times and was used to it. That's why, since entering the dungeon, she had been trying to be as efficient as possible.

When she flew again towards the next tribe and caught them with the repeated tactics. Just then, she caught sight of something.

Alicia's eyes widened as a shimmering oasis appeared in the distance.

"Is that real… or just a mirage?" she wondered.

Still cautious, she quickly sent a message to her team and took flight toward it. As the oasis drew closer, the reflection of water grew clearer.

"It's real! Not an illusion!" She exclaimed, slight excitement breaking through her usually calm tone.

The water sparkled, clear and pure. It's too perfect!

'It's still a dungeon. Better not drink from this,' she reminded herself.

Just then, something glinting near the spring caught her attention.

"Huh...? Is that… a golden slate?" she murmured, narrowing her eyes.

Embedded beside the spring, the golden object was stuck to what looked like a red rock protruding from the sand. Suspicion immediately crept in.

'That's way too convenient... It's definitely a trap.'

Without approaching, Alicia raised her hand and fired an Ice Shard directly at the rock.

The moment it struck, a deep, earth-rumbling roar echoed across the dunes.

Sand exploded into the air as the "rock" sank beneath the surface, and in the next instant, a massive creature burst forth, towering over her.

Alicia's breath caught.

Towering before her was a Desert Centipede, over fourteen meters long.

Its body was covered in deep red, armour-like scales that shimmered like bloodied steel under the sun. Dozens of sharp, clawed legs dug into the sand with sickening ease, carrying its immense body in terrifyingly smooth motions. Its head was broad, plated like a helmet, with black mandibles twitching and grinding, ready to tear into anything that moved.

Its slitted eyes locked onto Alicia, glowing with primal hunger.

It let out another screeching roar that echoed across the dunes, shaking the very ground beneath her feet.

'That red rock... was its scale all along!'

The Desert Centipede lunged, its massive body tearing through the sand like a storm. Sand and water sprayed as it surged toward Alicia, its mandibles wide open with a shrieking roar.

Alicia shot into the air using her Flight skill, black hair whipping in the wind, her blue eyes narrowed and focused. She extended a hand. "Ice Shards!"

A flurry of jagged ice bullets rained down, striking the centipede's armoured scales. They shattered on impact, but the force slowed its charge. The beast shrieked again, turning its head sharply and leaping at her with frightening speed.

She spun midair, flipping back and landing lightly on a palm tree trunk near the oasis edge.

'It's fast... but I'm faster.'

The sandy ground below started to freeze.

"Ice Field."

A widespread frost consumed the sand, slowing the creature's movement as it slithered across the newly slick terrain.

The centipede snarled and burrowed under, diving into the frozen sand. Alicia's eyes widened.

"Tch! Ice Cage!"

Thick spires of ice shot up around her defensively, but the beast erupted from beneath, smashing through the cage by sweeping its tail.

Alicia leapt to the side just in time, sliding across the icy ground. She gritted her teeth and drew her sword. The blade was glowing faintly blue.

"Neoxyis Style—Stage One: Invisible Blade!"

She vanished for a split second, appearing right above the centipede's head. Her blade slashed down in a fluid, almost invisible arc. The strike left a clean, gleaming line along the monster's armoured forehead.

The beast screeched and recoiled. Its shell cracked but held firm.

Alicia didn't let up.

"Ice Blades!"

Dozens of sharp, floating blades formed behind her and launched in waves.

"Ice Bind!"

Chains of ice coiled up from the ground, gripping the centipede's legs and anchoring part of its body in place.

It thrashed, digging its claws deep, trying to tear through the frozen restraints.

"Ice Bird!"

A glowing blue bird of pure ice burst from Alicia's palm, soaring in a spiral before crashing into the creature's side, detonating into a freezing explosion.

Steam hissed off its scorched scales. It roared and lunged again, too close this time.

Alicia dropped low, twisted her body, and used martial footwork to slide beneath its belly.

Her free hand pressed to the ground.

"Ice Spear!"

From beneath the monster, a towering spike of jagged ice erupted, impaling through its lower abdomen and lifting part of its body into the air. The beast screamed, tail flailing violently.

Alicia took a deep breath, her sword raised one final time.

Time to end this.

With a sharp exhale, she leapt forward—

"Neoxyis Style—Invisible Blade: Rapid Strike!"

She flashed past the centipede, almost unseen. Then landed softly behind it.

The centipede froze. A moment later, a deep gash ripped open across its body, icy energy spreading from the wound like frostbite.

It gave one last shriek before collapsing, half frozen, half torn, the oasis trembling in silence.

Alicia stood still, blade pointed downward, blue eyes cold and unshaken.

"You shouldn't have hidden, pretending to be a rock."

With a sassy look, Alicia collected the golden slate and left to meet with her team.

'This time... I'll win, Luis~'