"Hey, are you crazy...", The cat-people was so frightened he fell to the ground, his body trembling uncontrollably, already scared to the point of incontinence.
The arrowhead nearly touched the cat-people's skull; now, at the center of his forehead, a drop of blood began to slowly flow.
And in the next moment, his head was stomped into the ground.
"Gai's gone, trash," The masked man grabbed the collar of the unconscious cat-man and dragged him along like garbage.
This guy, known as the [Slave Cat], had heard that [Gale] had leveled up to Lv.5, and was so terrified he nearly had a mental breakdown, irrationally fleeing deeper into the dungeon, only to be found by the masked man.
Thinking he might still be of some use, he was picked up and brought back.
But now, it seemed that aside from having a little skill in beast taming, he really was just a piece of trash.
The idea to release the enhanced species was also [Slave Cat]'s.
His exact words were, ("Based on my understanding of [Gale], as long as she realizes this incident might be something I planned, that foolish elf will definitely lose control and impulsively rush into the dungeon to find me.")
Considering the deep hatred between [Gale] and [Slave Cat], this man being the main culprit behind the destruction of the Astraea Familia, the masked man chose to believe him.
So, they came up with this plan, intending to use these enhanced species to lure out [Gale], and then take the opportunity to eliminate her, completely removing this troublesome person.
However, [Gale] did not act as expected. She remained completely calm, showing no impulsiveness at all.
No one knew whether it was because [Gale] had changed due to some reason, becoming more steady and mature; or whether [Slave Cat] had misunderstood her from the beginning.
The masked man stomped on [Slave Cat]'s head, nearly unable to suppress the urge to crush this trash's skull on the spot.
Now, there was only one enhanced species left unreleased.
"This is the last gift. I hope you like it, 'my' 'hero'," She snapped her fingers. With that action, something deep beneath the 19th floor began to wriggle.
———
"Shirou, what's wrong?", Chloe looked at Emiya and asked with concern.
"Nothing," Emiya lowered his longbow. In fact, from such a distance, he couldn't see anything, but instinctively he sensed a trace of malice, so he had casually fired an arrow.
"Let's return to the 18th floor," Emiya said.
———
Rivira town in the 18th floor safe zone was destroyed for the 300th time.
And this time, the "culprit" was a monster even the well-informed veteran adventurers like Bors hadn't expected, [Enhanced Species Green Dragon].
That a Green Dragon would come to the 18th floor wasn't entirely impossible.
As a rare species, Green Dragons mostly originate from the 24th floor, but sometimes appear on the 20th or 21st floors due to abnormal situations. So breaking into the 18th floor wasn't out of the question.
However, ordinary Green Dragons, even though they're Lv.4 and the strongest dragon-type monsters, are still less destructive than the Labyrinth's solitary king, Goliath.
As long as preparations were sufficient, with Rivira's strength, it wouldn't be impossible to handle.
Moreover, among the adventurers stationed here were the Lv.4 [Black Fist] and the extremely powerful [Thousand Elf].
But this time, what appeared was something entirely different.
This enhanced Green Dragon burst directly out of the ground in the 18th floor wilderness. Vines and thorns entwining its dragon body spread rapidly, like a vast black "forest," sweeping toward Rivira.
It looked like it would devour the entire safe zone. The vines spread like tentacles in all directions, destroying building after building, forming an apocalyptic scene.
The adventurers in town immediately made a decision, this was not something they could fight; escape was the best option.
They gave up the town once again, hastily packed their belongings, and fled toward the upper floors.
Even in their rush, the retreat was orderly, with no accidents like crowding or trampling. No one hesitated over possessions. Whatever they could carry, they took; what they couldn't, they abandoned.
Regardless of their combat strength, the adventurers of Rivira were professionals in "survival."
Only two stayed behind, Lunoire and Haruhime.
Lunoire chose to stay because Emiya's group was still on the 19th floor, they couldn't let the path back be blocked.
Also, at this time, with Haruhime's support, Lunoire's level had temporarily risen to Lv.5, making her the only one in the town capable of confronting the Green Dragon.
Lefiya and Mikoto had also wanted to stay and help Lunoire, but were forcefully driven away by her to go with Bors and others to bring reinforcements from the surface.
Although Lefiya's magical firepower was the perfect counter to such a large monster, with Emiya's group yet to return, Lunoire alone couldn't guarantee the safety of two fragile mages in such a dangerous battle.
As for Haruhime, her agility was far inferior to the other adventurers. In such a retreat, she would only slow them down.
Besides, by staying, she could provide crucial magical support to Lunoire, allowing her to unleash the power of Lv.5.
Lunoire stood in the ruins, carrying Haruhime on her back, facing the incoming Green Dragon's vines. Her brows furrowed tightly.
Countless vines emerged from the ground, walls, and collapsed buildings, writhing and coiling like giant pythons, closing in threateningly.
"Little fox, hold tight!", Lunoire gave a low shout, her legs pushing off the ground with force as she dashed forward.
Vines surged in from all directions like a tide, trying to surround them.
Lunoire's gaze was as sharp as a blade. Her fists swung through the air, fist winds tearing through incoming vines, smashing them into countless fragments.
"Lunoire-nee, watch your left!", Haruhime on her back shouted urgently.
Without hesitation, Lunoire twisted and punched to the left. With a blast, she shattered the approaching vine into pieces.
But in the next second, more vines slithered in like venomous snakes, seemingly endless.
Lunoire took a deep breath and leapt. Haruhime clung tightly to her shoulders, trying to maintain balance.
With the power of the [Uchide no Kozuchi], Lunoire's punches were greatly strengthened. The forceful winds alone from her fists were enough to shatter thick vines. However, the vines kept coming endlessly from every direction.
Dark green vines and thorns surged like a tide, pouring out from the massive Green Dragon's body, nearly unstoppable.
Such a massive monster was a terrible match for a [Pugilist] specialized in close combat and human battles.
Moreover, with Haruhime on her back, Lunoire couldn't move at full capacity, she could only dodge and block continuously. The battle was locked in stalemate.
Physically, there wasn't a problem. The Green Dragon's huge and bloated body made it slower. As long as Lunoire kept a certain distance, the vines weren't a big threat.
For Lunoire, temporarily boosted to Lv.5, as long as she wasn't caught by the dragon, the vines couldn't harm her.
But her real concern wasn't herself, it was Haruhime on her back.
She could block the vines, but Haruhime couldn't. Any mistake might let the vines injure Haruhime.
Until Emiya's group returned, she had to protect Haruhime, the [Uchide no Kozuchi] might still be needed later in the battle.
BOOM!
Lunoire punched again, breaking a vicious thorn heading toward her. But immediately, more vines came from behind.
At that moment, Haruhime activated a magic sword, fortunately, Emiya had left them plenty before going to the 19th floor.
But now, their stock of magic swords was being quickly depleted.
The sword in Haruhime's hand glowed with a cold blue light. In an instant, cold air spread from the blade, freezing the surrounding vines and temporarily halting their attack.
Seeing this, Lunoire seized the brief opening and quickly charged toward the edge of the wilderness.
Her speed was extreme. Punch after punch shattered the blocking vines.
However, the Green Dragon wasn't a plant-type monster rooted in the ground. Its main body, the dragon torso, though slow, pursued relentlessly, as if it had a will of its own, locked tightly onto Lunoire and Haruhime.
"Damn it, why is it chasing us so persistently?", Lunoire cursed under her breath, continuing to accelerate and widen the gap between them.
She guessed the Green Dragon recognized her as the only current threat, so no matter how she moved, it kept following.
What slightly relieved Lunoire was that no other monsters on the plain joined the attack.
Because any monster that tried to approach was swept up, crushed, and devoured by the Green Dragon's vines.
"Lunoire-nee, the magic swords are almost used up!", Haruhime shouted anxiously.
Hearing this, Lunoire's gaze sharpened, but quickly, her expression turned calm.
"No need to save them. Throw the last magic swords."
Lunoire shouted, "They're back!"
In the next moment, a red light tore through the air. The sound of the magic spear piercing the sky drowned out all other noises.
Like a crimson spear wreathed in blood-colored flames, it flew through the air. Wherever it passed, all vines were pierced and shredded. The immense force seemed to tear all obstacles into fragments.
[Gáe Bolg: Thorn of Bramble]—Anya Version.
This move worked by concentrating Anya's curse-type magic [Remiste Felis] entirely into the spear, turning it into a powerful throwing weapon.
The force contained terrifying speed and immense destructive power. The curse effect clung to the spear, once it hit, it drastically weakened the target's overall ability.
The crimson spear pierced through the Green Dragon's vines and struck its body directly.
With a deafening explosion, blood-colored flames spread along the vines, enveloping the Green Dragon's body in flames.
The dragon howled in pain, its massive body writhing violently in the crimson fire.
However, as it twisted, it shed a third of its body like withered leaves. Though Anya's curse magic worked, it hadn't hit the core.
The shed parts fell to the ground, and the dragon's main body began rapidly regenerating. New vines poured out, it kept growing, seemingly unhurt.
Anya's eyes widened in disbelief, "It can do that?"
Rare species, Green Dragon. Despite the "green" in its name, it wasn't a plant-type, but a true dragon.
It was called "Green Dragon" because it often appeared alongside the rare plant "Gem Tree," acting as its guardian.
But now, the dragon before the adventurers clearly exceeded normal parameters, its form was more twisted than even twin hellhounds.
This Green Dragon had completely fused with a giant tree. The line between dragon and tree was almost gone.
Its ferocious dragon head could still barely be recognized, but its massive, bizarre body had fully mutated. Branches and dragon scales intertwined; vines and thorns coiled thickly.
Thick vines extended from its back, swaying like living tentacles. Its entire body was covered in coldly gleaming thorns, curved like daggers, exuding danger and venom.
"Firebird that's not fire, Green Dragon that's not a tree. What the heck are the cats running into today, nya?", Anya couldn't help shouting.
"Haruhime, how long until [Uchide no Kozuchi] can activate again?", Emiya asked, eyes fixed on the regenerating Green Dragon.
"Ri-right now!"
"Use [Uchide no Kozuchi] on me," Emiya gave the order without hesitation.
Although there were three Lv.4 adventurers present, against this massive monster with great regeneration, ordinary tactics wouldn't be enough.
What was needed against such a foe was one-hit-kill-level burst power, to shatter its endless regeneration and solid defenses in one blow.
Lefiya couldn't stay under the dragon's pursuit and had gone with Lunoire to get reinforcements. So the only one with such overwhelming burst power now was Emiya.
Therefore, the best strategy was to cast [Uchide no Kozuchi] on him.
"Yes!", Haruhime nodded, took a deep breath, and began chanting.
Though she had already used up much of her spirit from earlier battles, her forehead starting to throb, Haruhime gritted her teeth and finished the chant, activating [Uchide no Kozuchi].
[—Grow larger, in strength and action, countless treasures and countless wishes. When the bell tolls, may glory and fantasy be granted.]
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