C140: End of the Abyss P22
Overall Word count = 1114 on 9/6/2024.
Alt Title teaser: Unexpected Discovery
The group moves rapidly through the 59th floor and soon enough reaches the 60th staircase. The entire process took about an hour since they are no longer in a maze but the floor is very long and wide. The staircase was partially hidden but only because of the wilting plant life.
Of course the group was surprised by a surviving group of Violas that were mostly immobile from trying to set their roots but it is quickly growing weaker so Axel quickly branded the plant monster and then stored it in his noble phantasm.
He was planning to set up a wildlife exhibit from all the monsters he could collect from now on. Maybe if the situation calls for it, he can unleash a monster tide upon some sort of enemy in the future.
There was no problem with corrupting the Viola they found, his mana overpowered the core and it was simply tamed. A near instant procedure like how it was in Celebrimbor's memories. The first time with Araba was an exception as Axel misunderstood how to use the ability due to being wary of how the dungeon would react.
The previous situation with the 58th floor was the result of his confusion and amateurism with magic from another world.
Other than the 1 viola, the dungeon has not given them any surprises before they entered the 60th floor which was another large jungle floor like the last one.
A brief test shows that the floor still belongs to the dungeon so the group now knows that they are back on 'level 1'. The group retains their quick speed but is wary of any monsters that might pop up…even if they are weak.
That is valuable money and potential resources if they drop items. Especially for their group where for some reason the drop item rate is quite high. Some of the group theorized that it has to do with them weakening the core or vice versa having extra mana flow through the monster's body which causes those parts to properly break off when they die.
Axel gets the feeling he is being watched, he looks around into the dense forest but doesnt notice any outright strangeness.
The group had encountered a few simple goblins along their way and they heard the sounds of fighting from a distance. At the same time that the group hears the sounds, something moves in the forest and Axel finally notices that there is some sort of humanoid chameleon monster running in the direction that.
It is running on all 4s through the jungle, climbing up a tree, swinging through the vines, its speed comparable to a top tier level 4 adventurer. Axel can notice some semblance of panic on the monster's face but Axel has never witnessed such a thing before.
So out of curiosity to understand the situation he spares the beast an immediate death via rock to the face. Truly magnanimous behavior from Axel.
The group unknowingly (except for Axel) follows the creature as they approach the source of the noise. The group is forced to pause in their step as they go wide eyed at the situation.
A random group of monsters is being attacked by a black minotaur that seems to have gone mad as it has glowing red eyes. Now different monsters fighting each other might be a rare occasion as it gives rise to strengthened species. But the situation is even weirder than the group expected once they got within earshot of the monsters.
"Calm yourself Asterius, What has gotten into you? Ah" A lizardman with a sword in each hand barely dodges as the minotaur waves it's double edged ax at him. A Fomorie (same thing as default balor) once again moves to try grappling the giant while a Peluda (snake like dragon monster) injects its venom into the minotaur again.
The minotaur struggles against their efforts and eventually throws them off but it is on it's last legs and panting hard. The various bite marks and blood on it's body indicates that the fight has been going on for some time now.
The minotaur rises, grabs it's greataxe with much struggle but it still does so one handed. It has it's arms spread, showing off it's might with a resounding roar that shakes the very ground.
The other monsters tremble in fear, as a sizable group of them are shuffling away while the Lizardman, a Gargoyle, the Fomorie and Peluda continue to take up combat formations of their own.
It is a strange scene to witness a hippogriff, a harpy, war shadow and almiraj and a few other small monsters all huddling together like innocent children while others fight.
Seeing their behavior, the others in Axel's group are all confounded so Axel can only move forward and resolve the situation to get some answers.
As the minotaur, supposedly named Asterius, finishes it's mighty roar, only to come face to face with Axel who chops down on its head, holding back just enough to knock it out instead of killing.
The minotaur does the flop face first and now it's the monsters turn to be confused into silence as they didn't even know where Axel came from.
Axel himself lands on the ground as he turns around with a smirk, rubbing his chin as he says, "So who would like to volunteer to explain the situation?" The monsters pale in fright as the implication of his words is that he heard them speaking.
They don't know who Axel is yet but their fears only are amplified as the chameleon monster comes rushing out of the forest whilst shouting out, "Everyone, run away, the adventurer Ouranos warned us about is on this floor"
All the currently conscious monsters feel light headed as they realize that the most dangerous predator has appeared before them.
"Oh, Ouranos, you naughty boy. Well I guess this one has automatically volunteered. Come here and let's have a…chat" Axel waves his hand and the chameleon finds himself standing before Axel before his hand lands on the lizard's shoulder, forcing him down onto a chair that manifests out of nowhere.
The chameleon takes on a sickly bleached color as its neck is locked in looking at Axel, who by the way takes a seat opposite of the lizardfolk.
While the situation is settled in the dungeon, the city of Orario falls under an oppressive mood as a mist surrounds the city only to reveal a giant 'structure' suddenly overshadowing the city.
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Alt Title: Unexpected Discovery, Intelligent Beasts, Threat