CHAPTER 78: LET ME DO IT

Rationally considering, the thing that Reiger most needs to do right now is, without a doubt, to confront and attack Udaeus.

Even though Udaeus is a floor boss of Level 6 classification, with Reiger’s current strength that could even surpass Ais’s, he also has the capability to battle it alone.

In the original story, Ais defeated Udaeus by herself, although it was a fight that could be described as perilous, Ais ultimately won. Therefore, there’s no reason for Reiger, whose strength now surpasses Ais, to fear this floor boss of the 37th level.

At worst, taking Ais and retreating, avoiding this battle, is something Reiger could easily do; he couldn’t possibly lack this confidence.

However, this is only considering it from a rational perspective.

But if we consider it from an emotional perspective, that’s a different story altogether.

If Reiger knew nothing, not knowing the wishes in Ais’s heart, not understanding why this girl so desperately craves for great power, he wouldn’t need to consider so much and could just take action directly.

Regrettably, Reiger knows the original story, and he knows what tragic wishes and sorrows are hidden in the heart of Ais Wallenstein, the female swordsman.

This makes it utterly impossible for Reiger to make up his mind to intervene in this battle.

Of course, monsters certainly won’t consider these human emotions.

"Roarrrrrrrr—!"

With a wail-like roar, Udaeus smashed its fist into the ground.

This punch could not reach Ais.

At this time, Ais has already distanced herself from Udaeus, and unless the floor boss pulled its lower half from the ground to pursue her, its fist simply could not touch Ais at this distance.

But, when they saw Udaeus punch the ground, not just Ais, but Reiger’s expression also changed slightly.

"Boom!"

The ground shattered, and sharp, earth spike-like piles shot up from the broken soil.

These piles, akin to rock spears and bone spears, were pitch-black and matched Udaeus’s body color as they surged from the ground, extending their way towards Ais’s location.

"Here it comes!"

Seeing this scene, both Reiger and Ais’s minds tensed up.

Anyone who had faced Udaeus before, or who was familiar with information about Udaeus, would know that this floor boss of the 37th level had two special abilities.

Some might wonder why this massive floor boss doesn’t pull its lower body out of the ground and is always situated in that spot.

They do not realize that Udaeus actually has no lower body.

It is like a large tree that has extended its roots deep underground, with an upper body just as people see it, possessing a huge form capable of exerting incredible strength, while its lower body is an expanse of skeletal components stemming from its pelvis.

These skeletal components are scattered underneath the vast chamber’s floor, permeating the entire chamber.

In other words, the chamber that Ais is currently in is essentially Udaeus’s lower body.

The piles that resemble rock spears and bone spears are parts of Udaeus’s body.

Whenever it wishes, it can make the parts buried underground burst forth, attacking throughout the chamber it resides in, and even block the entrances, not allowing any enemy to escape from here.

This is one of Udaeus’s special abilities, summoning piles to attack the enemy or to use as a shield against attacks, thus being considered both an offensive and defensive weapon.

Thanks to this ability, Udaeus is capable of a rare, wide-area attack among the four major floor bosses. It doesn’t fear battling groups of high-level adventurers, even if they number in the dozens.

Not only this, Udaeus’s other ability also greatly diminishes the advantage of greater numbers before it.

"Roarrrrrrrr—!"

The giant skeleton monster let out a roar, causing the surrounding earth to continue cracking and breaking.

However, this time what emerged from the earth was not piles, but smaller skeleton monsters.

They were shaped like miniatures of Udaeus, about the size of a human but entirely white: Skeleton People—Earthborn.

Earthborn are monsters that move within the 37th level, with a classification rating of Level 4.

Udaeus’s other ability is precisely the summoning of Earthborn to serve as soldiers and fight on its behalf.

Thus, at this moment, regardless of whether they were the piles or the soldiers, they all moved towards Ais on the roaring command of Udaeus.

"Hmm...!"

Ais wanted to dodge, to distance herself from the enemy, but the pain surging through her body once again tormented her, preventing her from being able to use her speed.

Just as Ais was about to be hit by a violently erupting pile, Reiger’s voice rang out.

"[The relentless sun of the sky, all is to evade thine body]."

"[Blossom, the Laurel Wreath Armor]."

"[Lamu]!"

Accompanied by the chanting of magic, a deep green film of light appeared, enveloping Ais.

Ais’s speed surged dramatically, allowing her instantly to dart away, dodging the earth spike-like piles piercing towards her.

Before Ais could even react, Reiger’s voice was heard again.

"[Drops of healing, tears of light, Permanent Holy Sanctuary, call the medic melody here]."

This was a new incantation and also one that Ais had just heard recently.

The difference was, previously, Ais heard this magic chanted by the [Battlefield Saintess] from the Dian Cecht familia, with a devoted and solemn voice. Now, however, what Ais heard was a man’s voice.

"[The Melody of Three Hundred Sixty and Five, the law of healing magic shall rescue all things.]"

"[Then, let it come, break apart the evil.]"

"[Bury the wounds, send off the sickness.]"

"[The curse goes to the other side, send forth the pivot of light.]"

"[In the name of the gods—be healed by me.]"

"[Diya Flatel]!"

The highest-level healing magic was activated, and pure white particles of light descended from the sky, rolling out from a white magic array and falling upon Ais.

At this moment, Ais clearly felt the pain and soreness coursing through her body alleviate at an astonishing rate.

Instantly, Ais involuntarily turned her head to look toward the entrance to the chamber.

There, Reiger stood atop a pure white magic array, gazing at Ais.

From Reiger’s eyes, Ais read a message.

"At least, let me provide this level of support."

Reiger didn’t prepare to rush out anymore but chose to support Ais in his way.

Feeling her body gradually recover and her injuries healing, with even the soreness throughout her body easing, Ais clenched her sword tightly.

"Thank you, Reiger."

Ais whispered softly and then lifted her head, her eyes revealing an astonishing fighting spirit.

Immediately, Ais initiated a charge.

"Boom boom boom boom boom—!"

Each of the earthborn creatures charging toward Ais trembled and burst into pieces collectively.

Wrapped in wind, Ais rushed into the horde of monsters, sweeping through like a tempest, her saber slashing out dozens of times in an instant, exploding all the earthborn in her path.

"Roarooooo—!"

Udaeus seemed enraged by this and immediately summoned stalagmites, dark bone spears that broke through the ground and skyrocketed, shooting straight at Ais.

Ais dared not be careless, her steps in motion, her figure flashing repeatedly, evading the stalagmites aimed at her with amazing speed by relying on nimble footwork and tactical positioning.

"Phew!"

Seeing Ais approach, the strange fire burning in Udaeus’s eye sockets flared, its thick, bony arms swung with a gust, crashing towards Ais.

Ais was about to dodge but suddenly realized she had no escape.

The stalagmites shot out by Udaeus, though varied in length and width, were essentially a part of Udaeus’s body and didn’t disappear.

Now, Udaeus had launched a multitude of stalagmites, and even though none had hit Ais and all had missed the mark, they stood like sword mountains on the ground, the smaller ones standing like pointed spears while the larger ones loomed like pillars, occupying much of the chamber’s space.

Ais had indeed dodged the shooting stalagmites, but their presence in her path also meant she lost footing there.

That is, Ais’s space to maneuver was being compressed.

Thus, under the pressure of the sword mountains, Ais had little space left for flashing and dodging, leaving her with no way to avoid the direct arm strike from Udaeus.

"Bang bang bang bang bang—!"

The muscular bony arm, rampant without distinction of friend or foe, swept fiercely, and before hitting Ais, it first shattered the sword mountains and the earthborn, roaring towards her.

The ferocity of this strike far surpassed any blow Udaeus had previously delivered.

Ais, relying solely on her instincts and experience, realized she couldn’t take this hit.

Otherwise, even with the protection of [Wind Spirit Swift Walk] and [Lamu’s] shield, a direct hit would either kill her or leave her severely injured.

"Wind!"

In her moment of crisis, Ais increased the output of [Wind Spirit Swift Walk].

A massive gust instantly enveloped Ais’s body, and with a single step on her soles, it sent her soaring into the air.

"Boom!"

Udaeus’s ferocious strike hit nothing but the ground, raising a cloud of dust and debris.

Ais, carried by the wind, remained aloft, gliding toward Udaeus as if in flight.

The empowerment of [Wind Spirit Swift Walk] was nearly all-encompassing, offering support in all aspects except long-range attacks.

It not only strengthened attack power and protected the user’s body but also enhanced speed, armed the weapon, and provided the ability for short-distance flight.

Ais took advantage of this feature of [Wind Spirit Swift Walk], riding the whirlwind, and charged at Udaeus from mid-air.

"Roarooooo—!"

The flame in Udaeus’s eye sockets burned even more fiercely, and both bony arms were raised to meet Ais.

"Rumble rumble..."

Inside the massive chamber, shaking and quaking began incessantly.

With only one spectator, Ais and the formidable enemy she had chosen engaged in a true battle to the death.