"There you are. Been looking for you all night." Hector called out after climbing up the stairs along the inner wall.
"Mmm. Are we moving off?" Ebony acknowledged.
He was ready to go any time.
"It's the middle of the night…Mark's gonna go over what he found out." Hector couldn't always keep up with Ebony's thought process. His body was already sore from the expedited travel plan.
"I see." Ebony stood up and let Hector lead the way.
"What were you doing?"
"Just observing the scenery."
"Isn't it just a plain old stinking forest? Damper and dimmer than usual."
"That's the scenery."
"As boring as usual huh?"
"A little, the forest seems dead. The monsters move without purpose, lifeless as well."
"...That wasn't what I meant."
Seeing Ebony cock his head like a clueless child, Hector gave up. He'll probably never fully understand Ebony.
That was fine.
Hector couldn't help but think that Ebony was a man that was as boring as he was interesting.
It had to be the side effect of a high tier meditation type skill. Not exactly a bad one.
He couldn't help but think Scarlet's presence was helping Ebony be more…fun to be around.
Ordina had been a little boring to him so far. None of them was really trying very hard except Mark being very alert.
The swim in the lake was a nice change but it wasn't all too difficult if you took into account the size or depth of it.
The other thing on his mind was when the huge pillar of flames just pierced the Issile from within. That had quite the 'firepower', Hector had 5 enhancements on for a Super Panch and only sent one of those Issiles across the lake.
That was usually enough to turn flesh to mush. There was the fact that he was underwater to take into account but the Issiles were still pretty impressive.
He was too busy looking around the camp to check what took Ebony and Scarlet so long.
To think they were taking the chance to flirt.
That was quite a smooth move. Hector decided to work on conjuration of elements to duplicate the effect if he ever found someone he fancied.
The party's chef had set up a fire instead of bringing her portable kitchen out. Likely to stay low profile, it was also chilly so the fire was nice to warm the body.
The people of the camp already noticed Scarlet's presence and most openly avoided them.
Clearly, not everyone had the same fear.
"Roasting a whole pig Xeng girl? Let us in on some, the few of you can't finish that." An unfamiliar voice travelled to their ears.
Hector could feel the overflowing vitality from where their party had a fire. Mildly heavy, rare to find in somewhere like this but commonplace in Tidal.
His cold and slightly glowing party member stepped past him in a flash and sat himself down beside Scarlet and in between her and the large wolfman.
They were still girs away and Ebony's footwork was like a ghost's and was as gentle as always.
Hector couldn't tell from Ebony's expression but his gaze at the wolfman was different from his usual indifference.
[Aura Beast Warrior Lvl 211]
Hector Appraised.
211 was high. There were so many more available dungeons for people of that level. He never heard of the Class but he wasn't much of an aura beast if he was scared by Ebony.
Hector did not think about whether Ebony knew the wolfman. He took one of his notebooks out and sketched Ebony's relaxed sitting pose and gaze.
'Ell. Why is it that every pose of his looks so cool? What's the word he called it? Swagger? Even Mallory! I should have listened to the royal etiquette lecture more attentively.'
❅❅❅
Ebony pushed himself in between the wolfman that asked to share and Scarlet who had been sitting on a log that was lying around.
There were many such logs throughout the camp.
She had been watching the fire as all the preparatory work was done already. The wolfmen might have relied on his stronger sense of smell to find them.
They weren't hidden so 'find' might not be accurate.
Ebony recognised the wolfman.
He was the one that Ebony had seen in Arcta together with a great water mage.
They were not acquainted and the wolfman didn't do anything that required him to be alert or hostile.
Ebony's body had moved before his mind could process.
The only thing about this wolfman and water mage was that they were very likely the reason that there was a 5-Headed Snow Serpent in the collection area of some herbs.
The two of them had asked about certain materials that could be found inside Hoarfrost Glade and the Frost Elves were nice enough to inform them.
They took something away that was supposedly what the serpent was protecting or claiming as its belongings. The serpent was probably not there at that point in time as there was no way they could survive the encounter.
Enraged, the serpent was sweeping through the area and brought its wrath onto Korben, Arcta's guardian. Although reality was that Korben was unharmed and the village had snake meat to feast on for weeks.
Hence, Ebony was unsure why he was getting defensive.
The wolfman and water mage didn't do any wrong.
Just picking something up in nature while misfortune befell his group instead. It was not unusual and he didn't blame them either.
Having a moment for his mind to catch up, he stopped staring. Placing Icicle down on the ground and decasting Frostblaze Augmentation.
"Take a seat." Ebony pointed to another log.
He didn't realise that he was not completely relaxed.
The moment he spoke, all the surrounding gravity mana was pulled and compressed onto the wolfman. His voice was imbued with all his overflowing mana and reverberated right into the wolfman's ears.
The wolfman was stunned by the already considerably high gravity in Ordina to increase so many times. He sunk into the ground but his legs stood strong. The increase in weight was a mere hindrance to a warrior of his strength.
The overflowing mana that hit at the same time was the problem. It made him sick.
He already had a weaker base Wisdom as a wolfman, not to mention he didn't put much into Wisdom.
The dizzying attack got stronger as his nose started to bleed.
'Hmm?' Ebony wondered why the wolfman didn't move.
"What's wrong?"
Looking up at the tall beastman's face to see his nose bleeding.
Then he realised he was using gravity and sound magic that he had been relentlessly practising the past month or so. He released it as soon as he noticed.
'Thank goodness I didn't subconsciously use Sonic Overlay on the sphere of compressed mana over his head. I need more training.' Ebony had a mental sigh or relief.
His usual Sheer Mana Compression training still had the old and simple spheres of mana where he compressed. One of the applications of sound magic that he tested was simply to cast Sonic Overlay on his spheres.
It was more destructive than he imagined. Physically and while he hasn't tested, probably mentally too.
He couldn't tell from the monsters' reaction as it could just be from the physical vibrations forcing themselves into their head. Monsters' high vitality allowed them to withstand the attack and the wolfman should also be strong enough but he wasn't sure if he would cause any mental damage that way.
As for putting all his overflowing mana together, it was just a little trick that he attempted to copy from Sister Jing. The overflowing mana quickly escapes his grasp and into the surroundings before he could use it for any magic. Odd.
"...I see I'm not welcomed. " The wolfman left and stopped the water mage from getting any closer.
While the water mage had a good memory, it wasn't easy to remember every passerby's face. He still had an impression of the human meditative ice hybrid in a village of Frost Elves.
"What happened to your nose?" They could still hear the duo from where they were.
"That was the temporary guard captain for this camp. Do you know him?" Mark, who brought more firewood asked.
Although they were not planning to stay here for long, it was always better to sow good relations rather than bad ones. Mark thought that Ebony was more sensible than that and can only hope it was for good reason. He wasn't around to see what happened but the wolfman's expression as he left was enough for Mark to see that it was not a happy one.
"Not really. He wanted to join and I asked him to take a seat. Might have accidentally cast a few compressed magic tricks on him and he left. It wasn't on purpose. Honest." Ebony told the truth.
"We don't have enough to share anyway." Scarlet who saw what happened had been more focused on controlling the fire. Cooking was never easy and using an open flame like that to roast a pig was not something she does every day.
There was also a pot of soup that was simmering beside the whole pig. She was controlling the heat such that the surroundings wouldn't be affected too much.
As for the smoke? There was smoke coming from other similar campfires, portable forges or from the burning of some plants from where the researchers were doing their incomprehensible tests.
No one had anything to say about there not being enough to share.
They knew Ebony ate a lot due to his high stamina consumption when he scouts and maps the area. As for Scarlet, she always ate by herself unlike when they were outside where she still ate with Ebony. Hector and Mark were quite the eater too but not as much Ebony.
"I don't know about the guard captain but that water mage, he's from the Truewater family. A descendant of a duke's lineage. He's likely the one in charge of leading the non-combatants through the lake." Mallory commented.
'A duke's lineage. Should be pretty impressive. Then again, there's a princess and prince in my party. Do they rename themselves after a few water mages appear?' Ebony mused. He didn't think it was so coincidental that a family name Truewater would have many talented water mages.
When the chef deemed the pig ready as they were drinking the weird mushroom soup that looked more dangerous than fighting anything else. The mushrooms were spotted red and white. Ebony who regained his sense of taste was willing to drink it even if it was poisonous. Fortunately, it was just a weird white mushroom that grew red spots when heated up. Just your typical mushroom.
"So, just like the eighth to twelfth floor, the thirteenth to eighteenth are swamps and forests like this. While it's still steadily expanding, the current highest floor is the twenty-second. Barely bordering as a large dungeon." Mark said as he was rethinking the importance of a chef on the field.
"Anything interesting to note?" Hector tore into the portion that Scarlet passed to him with his bare hands. As did Ebony, after making sure he removed his glove and washed his hands.
"With so many scholars around, it's clear that the plant life here is pretty diverse and perhaps another avenue for potion materials should it be deemed safe and effective." Mallory did not fall to such uncouth manners and the chef understood that and served a small plate of cuts from the ham or leg area as requested. Using her personal set of silverware.
She couldn't wrap her head around how little the healer ate. No wonder she was smaller in stature. It must also be how the smaller lady doesn't move her body much as a full support Class. All the flying on her barriers for movement practically meant the healer never exerts her body at all. Her stamina usage must be incredibly small.
While the others could understand Scarlet's explanation that consuming dungeon materials or ingredients always have minuscule essence of the dungeon itself that was hard to remove, it was impossible for the entire populace to just stop using one of the most sustainable sources of practically any natural material.
At the very least, demons do not scour the lands of Elva. The effects of consuming a little should have no observable effects on the body or mind.
Mark already gave up being surprised at how much food Scarlet was pulling out of her wonderful bag. 'And I thought I was beginning to be considered rich.
No one said anything about Scarlet coming out for another serving multiple times and that about three quarters of the whole thing was consumed by her and Ebony while Hector and Mark had most of the rest. Mallory ate so little Scarlet wondered if her food wasn't that good.
Mallory herself kept confirming that she was full and that she didn't expect a real meal in a dungeon anyway. Her comment of "a decent meal" was a challenge to Scarlet and it had spurred her to explore Mallory's taste buds.
The chat continued as they helped to clean up. It was mostly Mark and Hector talking with an input or two from Mallory.
"The swamps and forest are quite similar to the nearby Bubble Hills while the remaining floors seem to be a cold environment like that of Hoarfrost Glades. Not surprising with their proximity to Ordina."
"They have swamp golems that are similar to the mud golems. They are incredibly strong physically but weak to quite a few elements.
Issiles like those in the lake have variants that are hidden under some of the larger pools of water. That's one of the biggest dangers here since the pools of water are somewhat hard to differentiate from solid ground. We could be fighting as we fall into a swamp and get attacked by those Issiles.
The huge trees aren't always safe to be around as well as a serpent type called [Boomdart Fang]. Specialising in stealth and its venomous bite. Their fangs can pierce a Common ger-thick steel shield with considerable ease while their venom is lethal enough to kill a level 150 master warrior in minutes. As long as you catch sight of them, they're easy pickings. At least that's what they say.
Ordina is not really diverse as there are very few types of monsters for now so that's about it for the dangers of the next few floors."
"Levels?"
"Oh, an average of 5 levels higher every floor with this floor having 150s to 160s. So the eighteenth floor would have 175 to 185. If you're really planning to clear Ordina, the twenty-second floor or the highest level monster here would be around level 210."
None of the journeymen reacted to the number that was more than twice their own.
Mark's assessment was fair in that they would begin to have trouble against the monsters soon. People aren't the only ones with exponential growth in power with levels of both Class and Skills. Monsters also get that much stronger.
The only reason these four never felt it was that they were the irregular ones. One piece of evidence was that the Issile could take on Hector's Super Panch without much injury.
In Mark's opinion, their advantage wasn't just in their high tier skill, full set of skills that work together or good equipment. It was their magic. Ebony's ice magic and seemingly endless mana lets him weaken and freeze most monsters. Burning worked the same.
Most parties of warriors, archers and rogues just fight monsters with physical damage which were the monsters' greatest strength. At least for the monsters here in Ordina. Hence why mages were high in demand for any party. But mages were weak and easy to catch off guard. Mages without proper training usually just die young.
This party wasn't going to die young as long as they were not reckless.
"What do you say?" Hector looked at Ebony and Scarlet. He wasn't interested in his cousin's opinion.
"It's what we came back for." Scarlet answered.
"210 is just nice for another rise in natural potential." Ebony replied.
"Ordina only has a single monster on the last floor anyway. Quite common for them to push most of their essence into one being. Those from the 19th to 21st are probably many times weaker than creatures in Hoarfrost Glade." Mallory commented. It was an unfair comparison.
Mark would've warned against anyone else who looked down on the dangers of a dungeon, even one that was still weakened. He held his tongue when it came to his new party.
"We won't get any natural potential for killing anything at level 210. After 10 times or getting natural potential from something a hundred levels above us, the next accumulation is 125 levels above us or 225." Scarlet informed.
Once again, brand new information to Ebony. It was also new to Mark. The information was useless for most people but something to take note of for anyone that could surpass big level gaps.
None of them saw that as a reason not to try to clear the dungeon.
They rested for the night and made use of the latrine in the camp to clear their system. It had a bare semblance of hygiene but still better than pissing in the open.
At the crack of dawn.
The party already finished packing up and was ready to go. Mark was insistent on carrying all of his stuff by himself. The fire mage was not a weakling that couldn't carry his own weight. The good night's rest had been welcomed since he felt a little stuffy after the temperature went down so much.
Adjusting back to the usual state of his body, they moved off slowly.
None of them had ever explored this place and they didn't have a real scout. Ebony also didn't run off to scout and map the floor to be on the safe side. They stuck together for the time being.
A similar triangular formation with Mallory and Mark in the centre, Ebony with his Layered Ice Carapaces in front while Scarlet and Hector took the sides.
Leaving the camp's gates after being let through with a warning not to bring a group of monsters here in escape. The camp's safety was not to be compromised by some kids. The guards sighed because it had happened a few times despite the warnings. They could do nothing about it.
As if they had an agreement, Ordina didn't have many monsters or spawning nodes near the camp.
The ground was soft and moist, it was humid and the lighting was bad. Ebony could see why it was dangerous. It was easy to fall into a marsh when the water was the same colour as the soil.
He had to reduce gravity on himself to prevent him from sinking too deep into the muddy soil as he was the heaviest even when you excluded Icicle or his robe. Reinforced Mana Chassis has levelled some over the month he was in Teld City. Currently 155.
Mana had mass as well and the compressed mana that made up his body increased his mass whenever he was on a full mana pool. He did have a lot of spare lowered gravity rings which he passed out to his party, it didn't work as advertised because of the stronger gravity in Ordina but it was better than nothing.
It was a quick walk's speed for the others but an excruciatingly slow one for Ebony. Walking without Treading Stride was the reason he was even sinking into the ground.
Two hours into the trek and Ebony stopped the rest of the party behind him. His Vibrational Gravity Sense picked up the ripple on the ground over 40 metres to their right. Clearly, there was a body of water there and not the ground.
He didn't sense anything behind or around them so he took the initiative. Leaping right over in a single step and just standing on water while he conjured ice mana beneath his feet and froze the water body in a layer of ice. The algae were sometimes thick enough to stand on which made it harder to spot bodies of water unless one could sense water mana. This was the case here as well, ice spread over dozens of metres but he was freezing it too slowly as the giant eel in the waters didn't charge up to swallow him for once.
The mana within his body slowly bubbled into a simmering flame, controlling its output to be low enough that he just glowed brighter before flames started appearing on his body. He stopped his freezing tactic since it wouldn't work with his freezing speed, stepping aside to dodge the eruption of water that came right under where he stood.
The blast of water rose high and sprinkled the trees with water. It 'sprinkled' hard enough to break their thick branches.
Breaking the ice, the [Swamp Issile Lvl 154] menacingly swam near the surface.
The others didn't join in since there was only one.
Pumping more of his mana into Icicle with Chaotic Repulsive Membrane still on as always, he closed the distance and swung downwards. The violently vibrating mana was released and further repelled by his membrane everyone with superhuman hearing could hear Ebony's mana tear through the air and water. Those without good hearing would be able to see the soil and water separate.
The Swamp Issile slicked its body by swimming but still had its tail come into contact. It felt the hard smack like that of a slap that couldn't even cut into its skin. Taking the weak attack as a sign to charge. Flexing its soft body left and right, jerked its tail towards Ebony, sending a wave of greenish water at him.
Leaping out of the water and into the wave it created in preparation to swallow Ebony whole.
It probably misunderstood who the predator was from his first attack.
Its face hadn't even fully gone through its own wave of water before it was met with a piercing chill that went across its face and entire body that was straightened from its own leap. The chill spread across and into its body.
No time to think, its prey was right in front. It roared to scare the small prey but just when he was about to enter its mouth, he shifted his body to the side and followed up with a spin. The Swamp Issile wanted to wriggle and turn around but while its body stiffly shifted its sight didn't.
It only realised that its head had been disconnected from its body after it no longer registered light in its eyes. 'So he wasn't spinning' would've been what it thought were it to have the capability for thought.
'Hmm…It's actually working.' Ebony thought as he cut open the flesh of the Swamp Issile.
He had been attempting to copy Gen's snow that dug under the skin and into flesh with his frostblaze. It was how he even 'froze' ice. Although he attempted to make them spread more easily he focused on attacking the internals more.
Many monsters could ignore ice magic or just the cold in general if they have a good outer shell or thick hide. Ebony always had to cut deep into these types before Frost Injection or Frost Mist had any effect. Gen's method seemed pretty good to him and was what he tried over and over as he trained with Gen's ice army.
He would attempt to burrow his flames into anything it touches to freeze it inside out. The flesh and muscles of the Swamp Issile were frozen more than halfway through with just a slash of his repelled Frostblaze Cladding.
He was quite the lethal force with his current applications of Sonic Overlay, Chaotic Repulsive Membrane and Frostblaze Cladding. Just a tough exterior wasn't enough to defend themselves against him.