After the barbecue party ended, Gilgamel and his team convened to strategize their next steps. As they deliberated, Collin spoke up, "What's our plan now? We've defeated all the Tier-1 abyssal creatures in the Colosseum, but we still haven't accumulated enough points individually."
The team had already hunted thirty abyssal creatures, distributing the points evenly among the members. Despite this success, each of them was still four points short of their goal.
"We need to find a new hunting ground," Magnus suggested nonchalantly.
Medelien rolled her eyes and replied, "Have you forgotten that we're trapped here by a Tier-2 abyssal creature?"
"Then deal with it so we can leave this place!" Magnus responded casually, seeming untroubled by the threat of the Tier-2 abyssal creature.
Exasperated, Medelien asked: "How can we defeat it when we don't even know its whereabouts?"
The group instantly fell into an uneasy silence.
They didn't understand why the ape didn't show itself even after the abyssal creatures in this place had been wiped out.
They even suspected that the ape was no longer in this place and had moved somewhere else.
Breaking the silence, Gilgamel suggested: "If we can't locate the ape's hiding place, our only option is to draw it out."
His teammates, puzzled at first, soon grasped his plan.
"Remember the last time the ape appeared?" Gilgamel prompted.
Medelien's eyes widened as the realization dawned on her. She exclaimed, "Of course! It was when we attempted to escape from the Colosseum."
The others nodded in understanding.
If the ape had truly departed from this place, then Gilgamel and his teammates would have a clear path to freedom. Yet, if it still lurked within this Colloseum, it would surely reveal itself as they made their audacious departure.
"Then, what are you waiting for? We can try it now!" Magnus exclaimed eagerly, rising from his seat.
Gilgamel shook his head and replied, "I understand your enthusiasm to battle a Tier-2 abyssal creature, but facing one is not a simple matter. We've just depleted our mana reserves in the previous battles with abyssal creatures. Let's rest today and proceed with the plan tomorrow."
The power of a Tier-2 abyssal creature is akin to that of a Second Circle Wizard, but there are distinct differences.
Unlike wizards, abyssal creatures rely solely on their battle instincts and magical capabilities, while wizards have a variety of resources at their disposal, such as magic spells, magic items, and potions.
That being said, despite their comparable strength, Tier-2 abyssal creatures are generally easier to overcome than Second Circle Wizards.
This could explain why the trial overseers chose to include these powerful creatures in the trial; they are more manageable opponents.
That may be why the elders in charge of this trial kept Tier-2 abyssal creatures in this trial; they are a solvable bunch.
However, confronting a Tier-2 abyssal creature requires more than just individual strength, likely prompting the elders to permit participants to team up.
Despite being passionate and strong-willed, Magnus is open to considering others' opinions. He heeded the advice of Gilgamel, the team leader, and chose to take a day of rest.
***
The following day, Gilgamel and his companions ventured back to the third floor of the Colosseum. Unlike their initial arrival, they encountered no assaults from abyssal creatures.
If it weren't for the appearance of the ape that attacked Gilgamel and his team that day, they might have thought that they had completely cleaned up this place.
Gilgamel took out his flying carpet and made it float in front of him.
Before getting on it, Gilgamel looked at his teammates and said with a solemn face: "Everyone, there is a high possibility of encountering the Tier-2 abyssal creature, and our battle with it is unavoidable. I hope you have mentally prepared yourselves for this a long time ago."
Magnus comforted Gilgamel by patting his shoulder gently and said, "You worry too much, Gilgamel. With the addition of Farad and me, this team is more than capable of taking on the Tier-2 abyssal creatures. Confidence is key."
Farad, always wearing a cold expression, chimed in, "Even without Magnus, I can lead us to victory against the Tier-2 abyssal creature."
Magnus couldn't help but sneer, "Says the one who collapses on the first day of the trial."
Farad swiftly retorted, "Says the magma wizard whose hands were frozen by the Ice Golem."
"Says someone who can't handle spicy food."
"Says someone who can't tolerate milk."
"Says someone who secretly yearns to stroke Gilgamel's dog's fur, but his pride gets in the way."
"Says someone who shamelessly covets Gilgamel's dog, only to be firmly rebuffed."
"Says someone..."
The banter continued, with Magnus and Farad exchanging sarcastic remarks about each other's weaknesses.
The other teammates, initially taken aback, eventually grew accustomed to the constant bickering. Fortunately, their disputes never escalated into physical altercations.
This was just a typical day for Magnus and Farad. Their daily arguments had become routine for the rest of the team.
"Let's go!"
Gilgamel exclaimed, leading his teammates towards the flying carpet.
Once everyone was onboard, Gilgamel invoked a magic spell, causing the carpet to fly into the cerulean sky at a moderate pace.
"Nothing happened..." Medelien murmured, her keen eyes scanning their surroundings for any signs of danger.
"Stay alert! We can't afford to repeat the mistakes like the last time," Collin cautioned.
As he gazed out into the centre of the Colosseum arena, his attention was abruptly drawn to a peculiar sight—a growing mass that seemed to be rapidly taking shape.
Incredulously, he observed the amorphous lump on the ground, only to witness it expanding before his very eyes.
"Gilgamel, can you-"
Before Collin could even articulate his request to Gilgamel to assess the strange lump and dispel his growing apprehension, a colossal ape burst forth from the earthy mass with a deafening roar, startling him and his companions.
"Be careful, down below!"
Along with Collin's warning, a forceful sonic wave unexpectedly hurtled toward them.
However, unlike their previous encounter, they were now expecting such sudden assaults.
Drawing on all his strength and focus, Gilgamel intensified his Telekinesis abilities to swiftly maneuver the flying carpet, successfully evading the oncoming attack. Thanks to his swift reflexes, the sonic wave dissipated harmlessly into the atmosphere.
Maintaining maximum velocity, Gilgamel skillfully steered the flying carpet through the air, skillfully dodging the relentless barrage of sonic waves unleashed by the colossal ape.
While skillfully maneuvering the flying carpet, Gilgamel took a moment to size up the giant ape and did an appraisal.
[Do you wish to consume 200 to appraise the target?]
'Yes!' Gilgamel answered silently.
Instantly, a panel displaying information about the gigantic ape appeared in front of him.
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Name: Mountain Ape
Race: Fantasy Beast (Abyssal Creature)
Level: 10
Bloodline: 6
Attribute: Earth, Sonic, Dark Element
Magical Ability:
1. Earth Armor [The ability to manipulate the earth element, creating sturdy armour to shield its body from harm.]
2. Burrowed [The ability to dive and move underground at will.]
3. Earth Spike [The ability to summon sharp and mighty spikes from the earth, using them to attack or defend itself.]
4. Earth Recovery [The passive ability that allows it to receive accelerated healing when it retreats underground, allowing it to mend its wounds and regenerate its strength.
5. Sonic Wave [The ability to produce a destructive sound attack.]
6. Deafening Roar [The ability to produce a powerful sound attack that disrupts its opponent's hearing, causing confusion and disorientation.]
7. Dark Command [The ability that allows its voice to possess the ability to influence and control abyssal creatures whose strength pales in comparison to its own.]
8. Censoric Wave [The passive ability that allows it to detect and interpret various sounds within its sensor range, providing it with invaluable information about its surroundings.]
Tips: Light-attribute attacks deal great damage to abyssal creatures.
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"Hisss!!!" Gilgamel was shocked and frightened by the amount of information his appraisal skill gave him about the gigantic ape.
It turned out this gigantic ape was a Mountain Ape.