388 Room 9

Already an hour in, and Robin Sol's mana reserves had barely tanked. However, her brows were covered in sweat, due to the humid and high temperature emitted from the sea of lava.

Having spent months training her ability to feel and perceive mana. Robin had already optimized her mana into thin strings of ongoing energy that would slowly seep into the mana orb. Seeing as it was simply triggered not by velocity, amount, quality but only due to a consistent and maintained connection.

As such, the half-elf barely felt any mana consumption at all. If anything, her natural regen was now faster than her output. Any other mage, on the other hand would've undoubtedly tanked out already.

Asai gazing towards Robin and the orb, couldn't help but wonder.

"Does this count as cheating? I'm sure this was supposed to be a team effort, with party members swapping and taking turns fuelling the boat."

"FISH!"

"Fish?" Asai's attention going elsewhere, he gazed out to where the men were all focusing upon. And indeed, within the flowing lava was a fish with seemingly thick, hardened skin, casually swimming about.

Seeing the dark-elves scramble into their rucksacks in search of harpoons or fishing equipment. The human couldn't help but ask.

"Is that even going to taste good? It's all grey, looks hard and tough, as if it's skin made of rocks."

Liego, drooling as he replied. "Of course! That's a Moon Fish, they're considered to be delicacies here in Ignis! You know, only nobles get to taste their flesh.

The outside may be rock hard, but once you crack it open and get to the soft sashimi inside, you'll find your taste buds overwhelmed by freshness and sweetness." 

Asai, noticing their harpoons to be quite small, as they attached metal chains upon their hilts. Once again couldn't help but ask.

"Isn't your harpoon too small?"

"Human, what do you know? It's the perfect size for them."

"Well, alright. One last question, is that Moon Fish supposed to be that fat?"

Gazing back out to the fish that was first, afar. Which had now swam increasingly closer, Liego now began to feel chills up his spine.

"N-no, they're supposed to be the size of dogs, not the size of boats! MEN DRAW WEAPONS, DRAW WEAPONS!"

[Moon Fish: Lvl 70]

"Level 70, I guess these monsters must be attuned to their levels and not ours, since they entered first?"

Before anyone was ready as they were fumbling around switching their fishing tools back for their weapons. The aquatic beast slammed its harden head into the boat, causing it to rock and sway.

"Robin, swap with me. You deal with the overgrown fish, whilst I'll give the mana orb some tender loving care."

Robin nodded, before swiftly pulling out her mithril daggers. Tools in which she would funnel her mana through to cast her skills. Applying a sharpened edge and bonus attack upon her magical properties.

[All in One]

Backflips, front flips, vaults and tornado-kicks. Robin's volleys flew out and held back the aquatic beast.

"Hey Saintess! I know you're busy, but there's more on the other side of the boat!" The two mages were firing skill after skill, but finding [Fire Ball] to be entirely useless, as if they were immune to it. And [Ice Shot] melting before dealing any meaningful damage. They could only gaze pleadingly towards the half-elf that appeared to be dancing. If it wasn't for her sharpened volleys that flew overhead consecutively.

As for Rosemi, Mizumi and Miku. They held their position, guarding Asai who was occupied feeding the boat with mana. Just in case, any of the aquatic beasts decided to jump on board, or tried to push anyone off board. Something they were correct in doing, as some of the more intelligent fish decided against headbutting the boat made of rock, and instead fired pellets of stones from their mouths. Formed of the numerous minerals and ores they had consumed down below. The projectiles slammed into Miku's guard.

However, thanks to their earlier acquisition.

[Miku: Lvl 85]

[HP: 100 MP:100]

[Skills unlocked:]

[Silva's Protection]

Grants immunity to hostile physical projectiles under [Unique] rank

The blue headed dhan remained unfazed, albeit slightly surprised that they could fire pellets from their mouths.

Mimi positioned herself in front of Rosemi and Mizumi, seeing as they weren't blessed by the goddess of wind, Silva. However, even when pellets managed to fly past her literal body-shield. Rosemi made quick work of the flying projectiles with her heightened perceptive ability and precise-swordsmanship.

Slicing and dicing the ores and minerals apart, and covering the boat's platform.

Mizumi, tried to use her wit. Utilizing [Sealing Square] a red circle appeared around the entire boat, and whilst it did successfully halt the attacks. The circle was quickly converged upon their position as the boat continued to carry everyone forward. Seeing such a result, and that her red arena didn't follow her position. She had no choice but to cancel the skill, wasting the heavy mana cost and placing it on cooldown.

Due to having only one usable eye, Mizumi was perhaps the only one struggling to handle the situation well. Within her blind spots, pellets would slam into her shoulder and legs. Dealing entirely blunt damage, like punches, she felt increasingly annoyed.

[Death Call] !

[Psychic Phantom] !

Liego and the others, seeing the little girl struggle whilst they hid behind their shields, started to feel sorry for the girl. About to drag her into their little group huddle, she froze as she suddenly used telekinesis to yank the large fish over head, slicing it in two as she performed a flip of her own, before vanishing.

Within his mind, if he was graced with the fortune to survive this long ordeal. He would force all of his party members to all write a report, outlining specifically how powerful these humans were. A warning, or intelligence for his monarch, in hopes that they wouldn't step on their tail.

As such, they all suddenly became pro-friendship and alliance, over war with the humans.

Also, the two halves of the fish fell upon the boat. Something they were eager to bite their teeth into, amidst all the chaos and hostile projectiles.