NOVEL WEB Chapter 129: Survived
The explosion that occurred was definitely enough to wipe out both of the humans' lives. That is, if the explosion even connected to them in the first place.
Aria has always stored a trump card for herself, letting it be kept secret for until when she had to use it no matter what. It was the absolute defense skill that she possessed, [Armor Break]. This skill would render her unable to fight for a whole day until her powers would be returned, and she would be very vulnerable right after using it.
However, rather than having to face the hellish explosion, it was better to shield both of them using this unparalleled solution in exchange for her power to fight. This dungeon would be ceased and deemed over since the machine would disappear. Aria was also simultaneously betting on the fact that she thought the dungeon would be able to supply her without enough experience points in order to propel her to the next level, which would make her regain all of her status points back and return to normal.
This trump card was definitely a special one that only her could possess, which was what made her gain the confidence that she branded herself with to this situation.
Nonetheless, in case something really bad happens, she also had another convenient thing by her side, and that was the System Shop that she hadn't touched because everything was too useless and pricy for the her of the past. System points turned out to be hard to get after the first massive boosts that was given to her. She did not know what specific quest would give her the points, but she suspected that there was deliberate planning for her to receive the points early and deprive her of them later on.
Aria personally had never used the shop's features because she was unwilling and it was unnecessary, but there was one item that intrigued her to the highest heavens inside of the shop. They were unlocked after she reached the third stage, and this was the first time Aria actually felt like she wished to use something inside of the shop.
It was potions. When she first came to this world, she had asked for potions because she was used to using them in the past, only to be disappointed by the fact that potions were no longer produced. There were various types of potions, ranging from healing to dangerous, harmful potions. As for what the System shop had at this very moment, it was the basic types.
There was a potion for HP, MP, and fatigue relief. It was specified that the potions would only restore 500 HP, 100 MP, and the fatigue they meant would only be a diverter for the actual feelings you would be bearing. In other words, the fatigue would not disappear completely, but you will be given time to operate without fatigue for the duration that the potion was in use.
Naturally, it was quite the appealing potion that would save people from massive trouble. It was the most expensive out of the three, and it would only work for a maximum of two minutes. However, in an arduous battle, two minutes could fetch you and outstanding chance in overturning the tables.
Out of the many items, these were the things that she found would actually contribute to her battles without making her suffer a loss. The others still had extreme prices, making her wonder what would make her gain the System Points that she longed for so that she could finally purchase other things.
She guessed that it was the System's deliberate planning again, so that she would finally start rapidly obtaining them after reaching a certain stage or level. Until that time comes, Aria could do nothing but randomly venture through dungeons and progress in the Tower in hopes of finally getting a load of those points.
In today's case, after using the [Armor Break], she would use the HP and MP potions straight away. She bought five items for each of them, and was prepared to waste them all if it was needed. Aria also did not know whether the potions would work for Alena, who was currently being shielded by the skill as well.
In truth, Aria was not entirely certain that her skill would also connect to Alena, but there were no other choices but to take the risk. She embraced Alena tightly in her hands and prayed for the best.
And the best did happen. The skill absorbed the full force of the impact for both Aria and Alena. Only, that wasn't the end.
Despite having taken the brunt damage of the explosion's first impact, naturally the destruction's engagement would not just end there. Consecutive explosions of the surrounding dungeons were made.
To this situation, Aria channeled her spirits' power with whatever mana they had left, and even drank potions for herself to help create barriers that would be enough to fend off the impacts. Dianthe, Rallaka, and Igna. They all worked together with Aria to form whatever protection they could use to fight off the explosions.
Alena was also shielded, and because she was at a loss at this maddening situation, she found herself unable to operate her mind clearly and just hid herself by Aria. This was a rather natural reaction, as she was still just a child, and the deafening sound that was the explosions was more than enough to trigger a deathly fear within anyone.
Aria continued protecting herself and the child. Each second, a new explosion would trigger, and a part of the dungeon's wall would be destroyed as a result of it. Blown away to ashes and smithereens. Aria moved from her first position and was currently stationed in the corner of the room in order to avoid the largest brunt of explosions. Of course, some sparks still got to her and caused her barriers to break and having to make new ones, but it was better than the worst case scenario.
It was a tense one minute that felt like forever for Aria. Shielding against the catastrophe that was the machine's explosion.
However, as if the System congratulated her for not only beating the dungeon, but also surviving the ordeal, it presented her with a reward that she wished for to happen.
She leveled up and stepped into Level 31.
Not only was the dungeon over, the Rock Whale that she had injured was also proclaimed dead. It was the prime absorber for the explosion's damage.
Aria's eyes sparkled with delight as she felt her power return to her. Although the chains of explosions hadn't completely ended yet, the machine was declared as destroyed when the largest explosion came to play. Naturally , the System was able to issue the new of her victory and present Aria with the rewards she deserved.
With that, the dungeon's end was also confirmed, so the gate presented her with the option to leave the heck out of this damned disaster.
Upon seeing the gate open, Aria did not care about anything else and charged straight through the open gate, desperate to get out of this pinch situation in fear for her life.
She jumped out of the gate and returned to reality, falling face front to the ground. Her body rolled on the ground until Aria stopped the momentum.
"..That was close.. That seriously wasn't good for my heart. Holy.." Aria laid down on the ground, not caring for anything other than her excessively beating heart. The pumps were so fast and hard that she thought her organ was going to come out of her chest. It got to the point where her entire body began to feel like jelly because of the adrenaline loss.
Alena was right beside her, also exhausted and fearful from the rollercoaster of emotions she had just went through. Although she wasn't actually in charge of defending and just did the bare minimum to keep herself safe, she was still able to hear and feel the explosions surging in her environment. This kind of event had a high chance of becoming traumatic.
She took a loot of deep breaths in and out, not able to calm herself down despite many tries. Then, she finally looked at Gin, who looked back at her with a pair of opportunistic eyes.
"..What are you looking at, foxy?" Aria questioned, raising her brow. She shut her eyes and placed her hand on top of her chest, feeling the heartbeats gradually recede with time. Relief washed over her entire body, thanking her lucky stars for having beaten that damned dungeon.
Right. Back in her time, there was also not only fighting to do, but also solving things and complicated traps. However, all of those traps would be made by nature and would have no involvement of artificial creation. The dungeons she had to face, on the other hand, were clearly constructed or generated by an unknown thing that made it hard to predict and beat without proper knowledge and information.