Vol. 5 - Ch. 281 - Journey resumed and the 20th floor

Chapter 281 - Journey Resumed and The 20th FloorWe spent much more time on the first floor of «Rokumori Thunder Forest» than expected but girls group had their fun so it wasn't bad.

"Let's go, we don't have much time so we're gonna speed up. Ester, we're going to use ‹Carriage›."

"Roger! Summoning ‹Thunder Javelin›!"

Ester spiritedly said the line ‹Summon› which was quite rare for her to do so and took out ‹Thunder Javelin› from the ‹Magic Bag›.

As much as I wanted to retort that it's not ‹Summoning›, it would have been boorish of me to say that. Ester was unusually in high spirits ever since I helped out Lana in logging earlier.

Ester being in such high spirited mode was a sight I don't usually see.

"Our main goal this time is to farm all sorts of materials of ‹Electric Bear-cum-Squirrel› on the lowest floor, and it would be counterproductive to clear each floor one by one. So we're going to blitz through our way with ‹Thunder Javelin›. Ah, but we're going to fight the guardian field boss on the 20th floor though. We’ll at least want to be able to use teleportation circles from tomorrow. Oh, and if the wandering boss tries to come out of the way, let's show it the Eden's might."

"Alright. I don't have any problems."

"Hn, ok."

"So it's an all-you-can-fight boss buffet! Though, it's a pity I can't fight other monsters."

"Well, it depends on your luck if you're keen on fighting normal monsters; we might find some while going through hidden doors."

Rika, Karua and Lana nodded in order when I reiterated our plan for today.

We're saving ourselves from engaging in fights with small fries monsters, just like Lana said, but there is no harm trying if we have time. It would be then Lana's turn to shine.

The selling price of ‹Electric Bear-cum-Squirrel› materials this time was ridiculously high. Well, it was the fruit of Rina's hard work.

It was through her efforts that the final price was agreed on to pay with QP than Mir for the surplus materials but conversely speaking, it was very much welcome since QP were hard to save up either way.

To be honest, I want to rack in as much QP as possible, since I have lots of things planned for later where that much amount will be needed.

It would be going against divine providence to not earn as much as possible when the chance is given! I must thank Rina properly next time.

Though, I do not plan to sell them in abundance either, else materials price drops dur to hitting a saturation point just like Emperor Goblin material.

Besides, I need that much to show our might. Hearing “You have gotten so much materials, just how are you going to sell?” gave a nice ring than “I'm going to buy everything you have brought.” after all.

We can just use the leftovers for ourselves if there would be any left. (It might give Dean headache, but it should be fine)

Anyway, we quickly got in the ‹Thunder Javelin› and embarked for our destination.

Ester was in charge of operating it, while I gave directions from the assistant seat like usual. Lana and other members were inside the carriage.

"Monsters from intermediate grade are really something. They managed to stay alive even after an attack."

"Such a situation for longer may create a ‘train’ situation. Use ‹Overdrive› to flee away if it happens."

"Alright. I will keep note of the situation. And Zephyr-dono, healing please."

"Sure so, ‹Aura Heal›!"

"Thank you very much."

"Don't mind. Oh, and it's left from the next road."

I healed Ester while guiding her for the route.

Practically all of the monsters in this dungeon were composed of electric type monsters. And among them was a squirrel type monster, ‹Electric Squirrel›, which has low HP but releases electric shock after its defeat.

It was the so-called on-death-activate skill.

There were also traps like lightning attacks or flying attacks. Though, a lot of them were evaded with the swift speed of ‹Thunder Javelin› whenever they activated but some still managed to pass the damage.

Ester was taking a bit damage due to all these reasons, and that's why I was in charge of healing her. Such points are to be carefully considered. The carriage might be strong, but it wasn't devoid of weak points.

Running the carriage without being careful about it will not only make the wearer unable to battl later, but the damage will not be limited to the HP barrier anymore than.

Healing was the only thing I had needed in the game, but a mistake might result in the carriage being broken. I am not even sure what might happen of the people inside the carriage in that situation. I have to be mindful of it.

Well, I'm not going to make a blunder of that sort.

The carriage dashed through as I was lost in my thoughts, and soon we had arrived at the 10th floor.

"Is it fine to ignore the boss, Zephyr-dono?"

"Yes. We just have to activate the teleportation circle, and that will be enough for now. We will have more chances later to fight here. Dash through!"

"Very well!"

I gave instructions to Ester, who ran the carriage towards the 11th floor entrance, taking the shortest distance.

‹Volt-down Martes›, a Martes Melampus type monster and also the guardian boss of the 10th floor, appeared as soon as the gate was within our sight and tried to mount an attack on us from the sidelines.

"Ester! Activate Overdrive!"

"‹Overdrive›!"

Overdrive was a ‹Vehicle› category skill that granted a super-speed dash to blast through the path. It was one of the most used skills since it was more effective at shaking off the ‘train’ than attacking.

And thus, the speed of ‹Thunder Javelin› became faster than ever and left ‹Volt-down Martes› behind to eat dust.

"Nyuuuuuu!!"

"We will come again to play another time~ see ya~"

I shook my hand towards ‹Volt-down Martes› who had been left behind and entered the 11th floor.

Bosses were unable to chase after enemies who entered another stratum.

"That was fast."

"I know right. Next is the 20th floor. I guess it's time to pass the information since we will have to defeat the boss of the 20th floor." Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ Nʘvᴇl(F)ire.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

I opened the window so that people inside could also hear and then described the boss's characteristics and strategy.

"20th floor boss is ‹Electro-Charged Fox›, also called ‹Electro Fox›. It is 2 meters tall, with lightning weaving across its body. It has six tails, and each can release lightning from the tip. So be careful about your movement since even the backside is not a safe place, else you get shot down by the lightning."

"Long-distance attack......"

Rika grimaced.

Well, she isn't good with long-distance attacks after all. Or should I say her weak point? She didn't have a forte against long-distance attacks since they couldn't be parried or countered with her defense skills.

"Rika, you pulled some distance and attracted its aggro. Boss's lightning attack trail can be traced with the eye, so you should be able to handle it."

It was just like guns. ‹Dungeon Activity› was a game, so there were no attacks that were faster than your eyes.

My ‹Shine Lightning› was the same, and it wasn't as quick as lightning either. That being said, just because it's doable doesn't make the tricky part any less tricky.

I also tried explaining Rika to try offsetting the attack from a distance since it wasn't possible to explain the timing of the boss's attack verbally. Another reason was also because Rika's defence skill could generate more hatred by offsetting the attacks.

Conversely speaking, she would be defenceless against the lightning attack by staying near the boss.

"Another reason is that the boss will focus on long-distance attacks if Rika stays far from it. It will also make it easy for nearby members to attack, so I hope you do your best."

"I understand."

"And I, Zephyr? How should I attack if I can't attack from behind?"

"Karua you go for a hit-and-run tactic on its side. Try to aim for timing just as it's done with the attack, and be careful of lightning attacks."

"Hn, alright."

"Ester, I'm leaving the opposite side from Karua to you."

"Very well."

A hit-and-run tactic for the close-combat-oriented members.

Our focus would be on dealing damage from the sidelines, and they should be able to withstand a frontal attack by carrying shields like me.

And so, I will be in charge of attacking from the front side.

"What about me, Zephyr?!"

"Lana, I'm leaving you in charge of supporting members with ‹Sacred Barrier›. Protect members if they get paralysed status. Rest is as usual."

"Leave it to me!"

I could always rely on Lana when she's brimming with confidence.

Her skin also looked more lustrous than before. She sure is filled with vigour.

We arrived at the 20th floor while I was explaining the strategy.

Around one hour had passed for us to arrive here from the first floor. I'm glad I have ‹Thunder Javelin.

Its name, Thunder Javelin, wasn't just to show off. It blitzed through the lightning forest like a spear, true to its name!

Well, even Lulu, who had come up with its name, shouldn't have thought it would happen.

We stopped the carriage when the exit of the 20th floor was within our sight and turned towards the floor boss after getting our preparation ready.