It's been about an hour since they left that last illusion. Something to note was that when it ended they woke up in a new area. Unlike the island, they were on before they now stood in an unlit cave. Even with Yue's fire magic to light the way it was difficult to see, this was because the cave was full to the brim with a special fog.
"...You gotta be kidding me. I guess this is another of those damned liberators collaborations." The dense fog held magical properties. Even with sensory skills and innate tracking, it was impossible to maneuver through it with certainty. Now Ivan didn't mind just walking around in the fog like an idiot, but there was a good chance that in the fog hid enemies that lay in ambush. That he wasn't willing to risk.
"What's wrong, Father?" Felis tilted her head with that question. She had heard his frustration loud and clear. Though she was uncertain what was causing him trouble, she wanted to try her best to alleviate his concerns.
"What do you mean what's wrong? All of this fog is gonna make it harder for us to get out of here. The only thing I guess we could do is stay attached to make sure we don't get lost." With that suggestion, Ivan pulled a chain out of his Treasure Trove.
"I don't get what you mean… This fog is hardly anything to worry about… Hm…" Felis on the other hand still held a pensive look on her face. She held a finger to her chin before humming aloud for the others to hear. Likely suggesting she was trying her best to understand what he meant.
That's when it hit Ivan. Before he had noted her similarities with beastmen, sure he only referred to physical features however it seemed it was closer than that. If she wasn't lying or misjudging her capabilities, then she was capable of guiding through the fog just like the beastmen back at Verbergen.
"Are you certain, Felis?" Ivan asked with faint excitement. His new plan was to attach the chain to her and stick by closely to make it to the next area. As for Yue, she seemed content with just sitting on his shoulders if it meant less hassle.
"Of course~! Who the hell do you think I am?" She puffed out her chest proudly. A fist to it as she closed her eyes and let out a 'hmph.' Ivan decided to play along with the act, clapping in a congratulatory manner.
"As expected of my daughter~!" Without another moment of hesitation, Ivan equipped a belt to Felis' waist. After which he simply latched the chain to one of the loops before melding them together with alchemy.
"All right, let's go." Felis took the lead role in stride. It was a bit annoying to be yanked on from the waist but Ivan ignored the matter. If it had been Canis then perhaps the trip through the fog would've been laxer. Even with Ivan's warnings, Felis rushed through the fog with almost no caution.
And as he expected an enemy appeared.
"A little girl…" Ivan said cautiously as he observed the small lithe figure that appeared in front of them. She wore a large ragged t-shirt that reached just right below her waist. Her long black flowing hair touched the back of her legs. Without uncertainty, Ivan aimed one of his gauntlets forward.
He wasn't foolish enough to believe that some little girl would be down here, forget the immense water pressure one would have to endure just to reach the dungeon, everything after that would be enough to kill a majority of adventurers in the world.
The girl's figure started shaking. A faint song left her lips as the cracks of her bones became audible. She crouched low to the floor before getting on all fours, the long black hair completely covering her facial features as she turned to look up at them.
Why the hell a liberator knew of such a prominent horror figure Ivan didn't know, but what he did know was that he wasn't going to let this monster take another 'step' closer.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Being utmost cautious he fired more than one. Not showing a pint of remorse as he heaved a relieved sigh when all that remained of the creepy icon were scraps of the shirt she wore. From there the predictable loop continued.
Felis led them swiftly through the fog however even with her navigation the path was long and full of enemies. Headless axemen, flying goblins, statues that moved when no one was looking, all manners of horror Ivan recognized from his world appeared in this dungeon. Though in his mind it could all be a coincidence that the people of this world feared the same things like people in his world.
That seemed to be the case as the statues were something that got Yue real good. It was when she got close to one to inspect the immaculately sculpted artistry that it attacked. Ivan and Felis had each taken a seat for a break, eyes closed as they spent their time breathing. Yue turned to them to make sure nothing was sneaking upon them, that's when the statue started moving.
Ivan and Felis woke up to the sound of her screaming. However, when they opened their eyes none of the statues remained. Only the faint smell of burning permeated the air. When the two questioned the vampire queen they were met by a silent stare.
Though after a few seconds Ivan was able to connect the dots.
Their journey continued. The fog got even denser. And in that fog, they heard the clinking of armor. The group each prepared their defenses for the approaching foe. And approach them it did. A single knight emerged from the fog, spear in hand as he charged at the group with impressive skill.
Ivan met the spear with his right hand, red sparks flying as its tip disintegrated. It was better to melt it rather than blowing it up as there was the risk of shrapnel getting lodged into the girls that stood nearby.
Even without the tip of his spear, the knight continued attacking with the polearm. Not leaving a single moment for breathing, the knight's attacks flurried like a storm. From the side, Felis finished him off with a swipe of her claws.
Ivan observed the knight's armor, it was hollow and yet didn't possess a core. It could have been a golem controlled like the ones in Miledi's dungeon, the only problem is that there didn't seem to be a point of connection anywhere. With Mildei it was understandable the range of her control as the whole maze looped around her in a box, meaning the distance was almost always the same as she shifted the rooms using gravity magic.
CLINK CLINK CLINK
His thoughts came to an end as the same clinking noise returned, only this time in great numbers. Each knight held a different weapon. And if to be presumed from the former knight, they must all be masters in their respective weapons as well.
WHOOOSH!
Rather than charge in like the other knight, they dove back into the fog and circled the group. Using the density as a cover to launch unreadable attacks. Though Felis was capable of sensing them through the fog, it would be two knights that targeted her to specifically keep her occupied.
Ivan and Yue moved in to help Felis before they were ambushed from both sides, each having two knights lunge at them with sharp and deadly tools. Neglecting to dodge, Ivan allowed the swordsman to come in contact with his gauntlet, taking the moment of contact to place his left hand on the swordsman's chest.
BANG!
The metal armor the swordsman wore shot spikes out of its back that came in immediate contact with the knight that stood behind it. They had originally planned on backing up the swordsman after the initial attack but now were incapable of movement due to the former knight's body keeping it locked.
With swift movements, Ivan finished the two off with his right arm.
As for Yue, she simply melted the suits of armor to each other using fire magic. It was an effective maneuver as the knights formed together into an amalgamation that was incapable of neither attacking nor moving.
Felis was the last to remain with her enemies, her eyes had caught the scene of Yue using fire magic. So within seconds she copied the magic and coated her claws with it. Flaming claws bisected the suits of armor with no resistance.
i"That was a great warm-up ~!" Ivan immediately engaged in the conversation. The other two nodded as Felis approached them with the chain at hand. For that fight, she had temporarily removed the belt, as the situation meant she'd be at a disadvantage if she were linked to the others.
Yue and Ivan didn't mind that as they waited in place without moving. The safest option would be to wait for Felis who could see and move through the fog to come to get them instead of them wandering around with the potential to get lost.
"Alright, let's continue." Having been relinked they continued the path Felis had led them down. Eventually, the fog receded to reveal a magic circle painted into the ground. The area was very odd, as there was no indication of this being the end at all. Instead what continued onward was just an area that looped back into the fog.
Likely in place to trick people who made it through by complete accident back into the fog.
The three looked at each other before approaching the magic circle. It was reminiscent of the magic circle Oscar had in his hideout but Ivan declared that it would be unwise to trust something like this after everything this dungeon made them go through.
Though Ivan was pretty certain this was just a transportation circle that took them to the next area…
"Oh, I guess it was normal…" The group stood at the foot of the magic looking around the area before concluding that the circle was unguarded. Once again this was likely a tactic so wanderers didn't stay in the area long, as if there were enemies they'd pay more attention to the surroundings.
"Listen, you two. We have no idea what awaits us on the other side of this circle. It could be that slime angle thing like we've been fearing, it may even be some large boss-type enemy that guards the ancient magic. Or hell, if we're lucky it'll just be the ancient magic and we can go home… I'm not too hopeful on that last one but there's always the possibility."
Yue and Felis nodded, taking Ivan's hand before jumping onto the magic circle.
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Once again, I starve. I don't know what imma eat today... Hm, perhaps an oven pizza. I haven't had one for a while and it happens to be in my freezer already so that seems fine. As for later in the day..... I have zero idea. Oh wait! There's the chicken breasts I have in the fridge. And I got some potatoes so I could make wedges in the oven. Have you guys every tried Yukon Gold Potatoes? They're so good!
Aside from my food rambling, I wanna thank you all for reading~ It truly means a lot to me the support you all have been giving me. With that, I want to wish you all a great evening, and see you later~!
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