As soon as the fire wolves charged towards them, Vesta, Lamperouge, Archibald, and Rachel braced themselves for the attack.
Archibald [Burst of Sound], to move at the speed of sound.
He effortlessly sliced through one of the fire wolves with one swift motion of his sword.
Meanwhile, another batch of wolves came their way.
Archibald wasn't done yet.
"Come oh great lightning and heed my command, I call before me the power of the Imperial Prince of Lightning. Manifest 『Lightning Ball!!』" (Archibald)
He used an Azure-class (2nd rank) lightning spell.
It sent five spheres of lightning hurtling towards the fire wolves.
CRASH!!
Upon impact, the spheres electrocuted them and left them incapacitated.
『Lightning Threads of Intersection!!』 (Lamperogue)
Lamperouge's control over his mana allowed him to create a trap for the fire wolves.
He shot his arms outwards, and several threads of lightning burst from his fingers and attached themselves to the walls.
Lamperouge continued to weave the threads until they ensnared the twelve fire wolves.
With a tight grip on the threads through mana control, all the ensnared fire wolves were shredded to bits and pieces of flesh.
"Alright! My turn!" (Rachel)
Rachel's swordsmanship was unmatched.
She unsheathed her sword, <
One of the [Dragon King Swords].
She deftly spun it from the hilt and used 『Sword Saint Arts, Attack Form 2: Clean Sweep!』.
It only took a swing of her sword to send a thin cutting wave outwards.
This wave cut through the air like a silent missile.
And in one go, fifteen fire wolves were snithe in half.
Vesta relied on his brute strength.
As expected of a Martial Magus.
He used his fists and legs to attack the fire wolves.
His punches and kicks were strong enough to generate strong wind currents, leaving the fire wolves flying like rag dolls.
"Wow.." (Lutessa)
Lirien took aim with her bow, steadying her stance as she pulled the string taut.
With a deep breath, she let go, and a brilliant light arrow materialized in front of her.
It shot upwards with incredible speed, splitting into countless mini-arrows that rained down upon the pack of fire wolves.
Each shot struck home, tearing through flesh and fur with ease.
"These fire wolves don't seem to end!" (Lirien)
One of the fire wolves snarled and leapt towards Vesta.
Fortunately, Rumia was faster.
She whipped her stave out, conjuring a sudden gust of wind that knocked the creature off balance.
"Thanks Rumia!" (Vesta)
Vesta spun around, his muscles rippling as he delivered a devastating punch to the wolf's midsection.
It crumpled to the ground, defeated.
Myne stood back from the fray, her eyes narrowed as she surveyed the scene.
With a flick of her wrist, she summoned forth a barrage of iron projectiles, each one as sharp as a razor.
They flew towards the fire wolves with deadly accuracy, striking their targets with lethal precision.
"I'll do my best to support you guys with low cost spells." (Myne)
She focused on precision over power.
"Ready Rogue?!" (Archibald)
"Always..." (Lamperogue)
Archibald and Lamperouge moved in tandem, their swords a blur of motion as they unleashed 『Black Moon Arts • Executionerʼs Wheel』.
The blades spun around like a whirling dervish, slicing through dozens of fire wolves before returning to their owners' outstretched hands.
<
<
But even with all their combined strength, there were still too many fire wolves to handle.
Vesta saw this and made a decision. "Everyone, get back!" he shouted. "I'll take care of this!"
"Got it!" (Rachel)
Without waiting for a response, he clasped his hands together and began to generate a bright blue sphere of energy.
The air around him crackled with power, and then he let out a mighty roar. "Magic Cannon!"
The energy ball exploded outward.
It engulfed the pack of fire wolves in a wave of devastating force.
The ground shook beneath their feet as the blast obliterated the remaining creatures in a dazzling display of power.
Vesta stood panting, his body heaving with exertion.
"That should take care of them," he said, looking over at his allies with a determined expression. "Let's keep moving."
[ That move looks oddly familiar.
I can't remember the name, but it was from a Shonen manga.
Oh yeah! Dragon Sphere X, it was Rokuʼs go-to move... ] (Archibald)
Archibald leaned heavily against one of the pillars.
"Phew.." (Archibald)
Lutessa approached them, her face creased with concern.
"Are you all right?" she asked, her voice gentle.
"No need to worry, we're fine..." (Lamperogue)
Lutessa still offered to replenish their stamina with a revamp spell.
Myne's expression hardened, "No, Lutessa. It won't be necessary. That battle wasn't enough to weaken them," she said, her tone assertive as she glanced over at the others.
Her words were mirrored by Rachel, who added with a soft chuckle, "I agree. Your healing spells will be much more useful in the long run. Better save your mana for when we really need it."
Lamperogue nodded in agreement and turned to Lutessa once more.
"She's right, Lutessa. You have the best healing spells we've seen," he said, his face plain. "We'll be fine. Don't waste your energy."
Rumia frowned, "I hope we don't need her healing spells anytime soon," she muttered, rubbing her arms as if trying to shake off a sudden chill.
Lirien, still dazzled by Vesta's impressive display of magic, commented excitedly, "That [Magic Cannon] of yours, Vesta, was truly something else!"
Vesta adjusted his hair with pride, remarking that it was one of his best shots yet.
Rachel rolled her eyes playfully, "It would've helped if you had used it during our spar," she teased, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
Vesta chuckled in response, "You're lucky I didn't, or the entire forest would have been decimated."
"Ha! Like you have a shot against me?!" (Rachel)
Suddenly, Lutessa exclaimed in terror, causing Archibald's heart to leap in shock.
He rushed to her side, his eyes wide with concern. "
"What's wrong?" he asked, his voice urgent.
Lutessa pointed to a pile of skulls and rusted armor, eerily piled up against the wall.
Rachel identified them immediately as belonging to past adventurers who had attempted the labyrinth and failed.
"They didn't even make it past the first floor?" (Rumia)
"Apparently..." (Lirien)
The hairs on the back of Archibald's neck rose as he realized their precarious situation.
[ Dungeon raids were never like this in Elden Annulus...
Well at least there we could always try again next friday.
Can't say the same about this place. ] (Archibald)
"The further we progress into the labyrinth, the more perilous it will become." (Myne)
---
Outside the Great Labyrinth of Silas.
Elzed, the twelfth progenitor, stood outside the imposing labyrinth with his subordinates - Rubik, Taro, and Nermel.
Having recently arrived on the island, he had already caught wind of the news that adventurers had been exploring the labyrinth.
Still, he knew none of them would survive.
He believed every other race was weak.
To him, it wasn't an opinion.
It was a fact.
He turned to Rubik, who had been nervous ever since they arrived.
"What are you waiting for?" Elzed said, his eyes narrowing. "Is this not the entrance to the labyrinth?"
Rubik stuttered out an apology.
Elzed shook his head in irritation.
"No matter. Let's get moving. It should only take some minutes to acquire the crimson star." (Elzed)
However, Elzed and Rubik soon detected something unusual from within the labyrinth.
"I can sense the presence of six individuals in the labyrinth.." (Rubik)
"There are eight you simpleton.." (Elzed)
His [Spatial Magic] allowed him to ascertain the correct value.
Elzed placed his arm out.
Accessing his spatial awareness he gained complete information on the labyrinth:
—He could determine its size and number of floors, as well as the exact location of the philosopher's stone.—
Taro and Nermel nodded in agreement.
None of them were aware of the shocking truth - they would soon be in combat with the very same people they had bonded with the day prior.
"Maybe this mundane task will prove entertaining.." (Elzed)
Elzed walked forward proudly, the wind ruffling his long coat as they headed into the labyrinth.
They would come out on top.
Elzed wasn't one to fail.