NOVEL WEB Chapter 727: Battle against Andrey (4)
Cecile was completely taken aback by the severity of the battle. They're somehow coasting through the waves after waves of attacks, while also matching their rhythm to deliver their offensive, however it was clear a slip and it might cost someone their dear life.
And all of this was for her cause. The fact that they'd engage in this fearsome battle to help her was the sore spot for her.
(Well, it's not as bad as Nestirad though. And we probably wouldn't even need to use soldier's roar.)
"...Didn't you want to become strong, and take revenge for Mihai-san, Cecile? Then it's more so that we must keep pressing."
Allen's remark scratched the painful memories for Cecile, causing her to hang short on her breath.
Everyone had their reason why they wanted to fight. And for Cecile, the reason was that she must take revenge for her big brother Mihai whom she had idolized so much. But she needed to become stronger to achieve that wish. And Allen's words just worked to flame up that amber of desire.
"You're right... I need to become strong. Sorry, but indeed, let's push ourselves more."
"Of course, leave it to us. We still have enough time left as well."
(Earth's soothing dispel the debuffs, and Wrath of the Earth deals tremendous damage at an enormous range. The consumption of spiritual power shouldn't be few.)
Their campaign was just 20 minutes apart before they're to deported out of the dungeon. But, it appeared Andrey might not be able to last until then as his fuel consumption ran severely low than anyone else.
—*Burst*
A light bubble, that had been floating in the air, burst apart, and Leon appeared once again, now standing atop the debris. The God A «Gaisei Tenjaku» in his hand shining brightly under the effect of awakening skill «Endless Enmity».
«What the hell? What are you, a reincarnation machine?!»
«For I am Immortal of course, someone that could never be defeated. Haaa! Infinite Heaven Piercing!»
The strike once again square struck Andrey, pulverizing the inner carapace, and bringing down that 300 meter colossal body to its knees.
Andrey forsake the idea of correcting his stance, and respond by channeling his spiritual power into his forelegs.
«Gaaahhh! Wrath of the Earth!!»
(Huh, is he focusing on offense rather than healing? Merus, is his defense resistance down yet?)
«It appears his earth resistance is fixed. But I did manage to bring down light attribute resistance.»
The battle continued, and Allen promptly asked for an update of their plan.
"Cecile!! Do it!!"
Once the plan was laid out, Allen immediately signalled Cecile, while the muddy stream once again swooped at him.
"Got it! Petite Meteor!!"
Promptly, a giant magic circle appeared above the Earth Labyrinth. Petite Meteor—having upgraded to a spell from extra skill, the magic exhibited fire and earth elements.
«Huh... ah, crap!! E-Earth's Healing!»
(Hehe, finally realised the folly? But a pity, he will still need four seconds before the healing process even begins. And that's enough time for our plan.)
Meanwhile, Andrey had just fired off his big technique, and unsurprisingly, he lagged behind in taking immediate measures for healing and defense.
A giant rock, featuring an enormous size than even his own 300 meter tall body, appeared above Andrey's head, burning brightly in the crimson flames. The meteor struck Andrey, and squashed him under its might, turning him into a light bubble.
«Team Allen has defeated Andrey. Cecil's level has increased by 10.»
"We did it! My level has risen!!"
Within a moment, a log appeared in Allen's grimoire as he was swallowed into a muddy stream, notifying the subjugation of Andrey, and in tandem, Cecile's delighted squeal filled the air.
She was rejoicing, having finally taken down that fearsome fore with everyone's effort.
"Yeah, now you're indeed level 99."
(We only have 17 minutes left huh. Leon really did make the situation. Thankfully, we had enough leeway. —No wait, we have just taken down a demi-god class opponent, but where's my level up?!)
It appeared there was still no level up for him. At the same time, recent situations indicate it was impossible even by defeating a demi-god class or even god class opponent. To be precise, it appeared the inability to gain experience was limited to enemies with fixed level-ups, but the same didn't apply to Iron Golem. He was normally acquiring the experience points by defeating them.
'How to make progress then?' Allen found himself at a door of confusion regarding his current state, and delved deeper into the vortex of brainstorming. Albeit, the someone wasn't taking a liking to his air-headed moment.
"Yay, finally!! Hey, show me that grimoire. —Woah! I really did it! I'm also level 99!!"
[Name] - Cecile Granvelle
[Age] - 17
[Blessing 1] - Magic God (Exceptional)
[Blessing 2] - Space-Time God (Grand)
[Job] - Magic Emperor
[Level] 99
[Strength] 6752 + 12000 (Blesing)
[Mana] - 9174 + 12000
[Spiritual Power] - 21174
[Attack] - 6047 + 6000
[Endurance] - 6059 + 12000
[Agility] 9025 + 12000
[Intelligence] 9214 + 12000
[Luck] 8815 + 12000
[Blessing - 1] All Stats +30,000, -50% Cooldown, Spell Damage x2
[Blessing - 2] All Stats +10,000, Quick Chant x1.5, Spell Area Expansion x1.5
[Divine Technique] Mana Store, Enhanced Intelligence, Ancient Magic (Incomplete)
[Skill] Magus Emperor (7), Fire (7), Wind (7), Thunder (7), Dark (7), Abyss (2), Petite Meteorite (5), Gravity (7), Divine Technique Activation, Karate (7)
Note 1: Cecile is equipped with the same equipments from last entry as a measure against Andrey
Note 2: Also, unequipped with training staff and spiritual recovery ring.
Having returned to level 1 in both skill and levels, albeit due to moving up in Extra Mode, they'd spent three days hunting Iron Golems. And since each campaign was 24 hours long, the three days hunting nearly lasted for 10 days.
Plus, she also had been using training staff (strong) to increase the skill levelling speed by 10%, and along with help of blessings that reduced skills cooldown, while also increasing spell casting rate, she had managed to reach level 7 in her skills just in time.
Cecile was brimming with emotion as she saw her growth in the grimoire, meanwhile the other members also started to gather around, raising a cheer.
"That fella was really strong despite not being the last boss of the final floor, don't you agree guys? Then again, after Nestirad fight, he wasn't that frustrating as well."
"I also think so. Nes—...err, Leon-sama was a terrific opponent."
Luck murmured his impression, and he was followed by Sophia as she reminisce their battle with God S summoned beast Leon.
«I must say that auto resurrecting passive skills is one-of-a-kind. Personally, it's no weaker than awakening skills.»
Merus chimed in with his impression as he descended down, and walked toward Allen.
(Yeah, he's right on point. Besides, the cooldown is a mere 1 minute too. One has to defeat him twice within the time-frame to make it possible. It's a pity that cooldown is strictly set, so no buff or skill can further shorten it down. At least, the effect surpasses all, so no complaining.)
It was a commonplace rule. With strong skill comes a long cooldown. Extra skill couldn't even be used more than one time a day. And there were many skills that had 1 hour cooldown.
(And in his case, all the skills are creating a perfect synergy with each other. It's like an additional plus on original power. Atleast, anyone only specialising in their stats and healing can't hope to challenge him.)
«...Is that so? I guess, I should rejoice to be able to acquire a monumental power. —But putting that aside, there is some movement.»
Despite the apparent victory, Leon hadn't removed his vigilance, and when he pointed out the situation, everyone was startled and turned in a pointed direction—the large rock left behind in the aftermath of Cecile's spell.
*Fissure*
A crack ran through the large rock from the top to bottom, and split into two parts.
"Hey, there's still something!"
"Get behind me, everyone!"
With Allen at helm, the group creeped toward the large rock, and noticed something squirming.
(Hmm? A... green turtle?.)
The squirming something was apparently a baby sea-turtle, trying to move around in the sandpit.
«Squeak... how dare you do this to me!»
"Wow, he looks cute, but he definitely has one heck of a mouth..."
"It seems Allen-sama has become used to such situations."
All the tension left their bodies when the members found out the squirming thing was none other than now-weakened Andrey.
«Hmph. Anyway, here, take the «Earthen Hold». A reward to defeat me."
Andrey grumbled and divided between the rubbish scattered around.
Beside the Andrey was a necklace entirely made of orichalcum, and at its tip end was a key-shape ornament.
(A necklace? Hmm, it didn't look like the orichalcum chain with a key that Andrey had shown on his neck.)
"Merus, appraisal."
«Understood.»
Immediately, Merus casted the «Appraisal» and soon a log appeared in Grimoire, informing Allen of the necklace's effect.
—«Earthen Hold»
1. Endurance +10000
2. +30% Physical Resistance
3. Allow to access to Earth Labyrinth's gate with no restriction.
«It looks like a cry, but overall, it's a mana tool and can be equipped in a necklace slot.»
Allen quickly checked out the remaining time from the mini clay doll, and affirmed the remaining time.
"Nice, we still have 12 minutes to check out. Let's open the gate quickly."
Allen remarked, hopped on the back of Kuwatoro along with the rest of the members, and with the activation of «Flying» skill, they rushed for the exit door.
*Rumble*
A deep voice reverberated across when Allen inserted the key part of the necklace in the keyhole of the giant door, baring a passageway before their eyes.
"It really opened. Wait, why are you using it though, Allen!"
"Take it easy, this is a permanent item with unlimited use. It's not going to disappear."
"Ah... I guess then."
Earth Labyrinth had two categories of keys; one was used exclusively for the doors, while the second was used to open the treasure chests, atelier, and ore veins. The door use key typically disappears at the use, but this time, it didn't.
(So unlimited use, and can be equipped in an equipment slot huh? It sounds more and more like the necklace of Earth's Hammer.)
Beyond the door lay a long passageway, and at the end of it was the stairs to 81st floor.
The team walked down the passageway, and found themselves a door on the left, and another on the right; from their experience, one should be atelier, and another had to be orichalcum vein.
*Creak*
Allen tried to see if doors could be unlocked with a key and pushed open the door to the atelier, and it appeared there was no restriction on them.
*Creak*
He tried the one on the opposite side, and it, too, had no restriction.
That said, he was also quite curious about Cecil and Sophia's reaction; both seemed to be at their edge whenever a door was opened.
And naturally, the key didn't disappear. Going through the details, Allen concluded his verification.
(So, this key can be used for both the important doors, and general doors. It's my first time finding one.)
"It's like we have found our 'open sesame' spell for Earth's Labyrinth, allowing us to open anything that's locked."