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"So, the battle will take place on the twenty-seventh floor after all?" Mellie remarked, gazing at the vast lake before them.
Due to the unique terrain, the Floor Boss of the twenty-seventh floor, Amphisbaena, possessed a peculiar characteristic: its location was unpredictable.
Among the four known Irregulars, Goliath on the seventeenth floor and Udaeus on the thirty-seventh floor resided in fixed chambers, their positions unchanging.
However, the other two, Amphisbaena on the twenty-seventh floor and Balor on the forty-ninth floor, were different.
Their movements were dictated by their respective environments.
The forty-ninth floor was a vast wilderness, known as the "Great Wilderness."
Due to its expansive nature, there were no fixed chambers.
Therefore, Balor, the Irregular of the forty-ninth floor, roamed freely throughout the entire level.
This environmental influence was even more pronounced in Amphisbaena's case.
The twenty-fifth, twenty-sixth, and twenty-seventh floors were interconnected, linked by a massive waterfall.
Amphisbaena, the two-headed dragon Irregular, resided within these waters.
Therefore, it could appear on any of these three floors.
As they progressed through the dungeon, the Freya Familia, tasked with clearing the path, not only fought monsters but also remained vigilant for any sign of Amphisbaena.
They hadn't encountered the Irregular on the first two floors of the Water Labyrinth.
Therefore, it could only be on the twenty-seventh floor.
The twenty-seventh floor, the deepest level of the Water Labyrinth, was dominated by a vast lake.
This lake constantly absorbed the cascading water from the waterfall, channeling it to other areas.
Thus, if they were to fight Amphisbaena on the twenty-seventh floor, they would inevitably face it underwater.
According to the intel they received from Finn, Amphisbaena's potential Level underwater was a staggering Level 6.
It was comparable to Udaeus on the thirty-seventh floor.
"If we're fighting here, we need to lure Amphisbaena out of the lake. Otherwise, this battle will be impossible," Mellie pointed out.
Mika and the others nodded in agreement.
Fighting Amphisbaena underwater was suicidal.
"Fortunately, we've made ample preparations for Amphisbaena. We won't be caught off guard," Mika said, his hand clenching into a fist as he gazed at the distant lake surface.
"This will be your battleground. We will clear out the surrounding monsters to prevent any interference."
"Begin your preparations. The official subjugation will commence in ten minutes."
"May your blades be sharp and your spirits strong!" Finn declared.
Mika and the others nodded silently, their expressions focused as they entered battle mode.
Finn and the others smiled and retreated, leaving the stage to Mika and his companions.
"I'll take charge of the strategy for this battle!" Mellie declared.
"As a mage, it's difficult for me to directly damage Amphisbaena. You all know that, right?"
Shakti, Alise, and the others nodded in agreement.
According to the intel they had gathered, Amphisbaena, besides its formidable physical strength, possessed two unique abilities.
The first was a fiery breath attack, similar to a dragon's breath.
This attack wasn't magical but physical in nature.
Amphisbaena utilized an internal "fuel" to generate this powerful blast of fire.
The second was a dense fog it exhaled.
Within the range of this fog, the power of magic was significantly weakened.
Coupled with its body covered in incredibly tough white dragon scales, magic was largely ineffective against it.
Furthermore, like all Irregulars, Amphisbaena possessed incredible regenerative abilities.
For a mage, encountering Amphisbaena was a nightmare scenario.
"Then you should lead, Mellie. I have full confidence in your strategic abilities," Shakti said with a serious expression.
Alise and the others nodded their agreement.
Mellie's strategic prowess had been proven time and again in their battles against the dark factions.
"Leave it to me!"
"Actually, before this expedition even began, I've been researching Amphisbaena and formulating a battle plan."
"Now, it's time to put my strategy to the test."
Looking at Mellie's confident smile, Shakti and the others realized something.
Given the strength of the Yahweh Familia's three members, they must have already considered taking on Amphisbaena long ago.
"First things first, Mika, are you ready?"
"I'm ready."
All eyes turned to Mika as Mellie addressed him. He looked completely different from before.
During their journey, they had all carried large backpacks filled with supplies.
Each of the fifteen adventurers had one.
Although Mika had been wearing his armor, he hadn't been as heavily armed as he was now.
Two long spears were crossed on his back, and a medium-sized shield hung beside them.
Five short spears were strapped to his waist.
His entire body, including his head, was encased in armor.
Not a single inch of skin was exposed.
"Mika, what's all this?" Alise asked, puzzled by his appearance.
"I'll be entering the water to lure Amphisbaena out."
"You're going into the water?!" Everyone except Mellie and Airmid exclaimed in shock.
This wasn't just any ordinary lake.
Countless monsters lurked within its depths.
Moreover, it was Amphisbaena's territory.
"Don't worry, I'm fully prepared," Mika reassured them with a smile.
"Indeed, we've been planning this for a long time. Please, trust us," Airmid added with a serious expression.
Seeing their confidence, the others refrained from further questioning.
However, Ryuu, looking at the fully prepared Mika, asked, "Are you really going into the water like that?"
"That's right," Mika chuckled.
"But shouldn't you be wearing a 'Water Nymph's Veil'?" Ryuu asked, surprised.
---
The Water Nymph's Veil.
It was similar to the Salamander Wool Mika and his companions had worn in the middle floors.
As the name suggested, it was a protective garment crafted by Water Nymphs.
Its primary function was to allow adventurers to breathe underwater for extended periods while also enhancing their swimming speed.
In a dungeon environment like the Water Labyrinth, venturing without a Water Nymph's Veil was incredibly dangerous.
Of course, even with the Veil, danger still lurked.
"Don't worry, I'm not some clueless newbie adventurer." Mika reassured Ryuu, his hand resting on his armor. "I am wearing a Water Nymph's Veil. It's just not readily apparent."
"Did you integrate the Water Nymph's Veil into your armor?" Tsubaki inquired, observing Mika's gesture.
"Exactly!"
"This armor was specifically designed for this type of environment. By incorporating the Water Nymph's Veil and utilizing my smithing skills, I enhanced its effectiveness."
"This is the core technology behind the 'Sea King's Garb.'"
"How extravagant!" Tsubaki exclaimed in admiration. "If this armor is specifically designed for aquatic environments, then you must have other sets for different specialized environments, right?"
"Indeed. I am a smith, after all, though I only craft for myself," Mika replied with a grin.
Alise and Gojouno exchanged glances, their eyes widening slightly.
They now had an even greater appreciation for the Yahweh Familia's wealth.
"Since we're all prepared, let's begin!" Mellie declared, seeing that no one had any further objections.
"Airmid!"
"Understood!"
Without needing further instructions, Airmid knew her role.
She raised her staff high and began chanting:
"Healing's drops, light's tears, the eternal sanctuary, call forth the light's symphony."
"Three hundred sixty-five melodies, the calendar of healing shall mend all."
"Then, descend, banish all evil."
"Seal the wounds, soothe the pain, cast curses to the other side, deliver the light's cardinal."
"In the name of the divine, I shall heal."
"Dia Fratel!"
As Airmid finished her chant, a brilliant light enveloped everyone present.
Mika, Mellie, Alise, Gojouno, Ryuu, Shakti, and Tsubaki, who stood near Airmid, as well as Finn, Riveria, Gareth, Ottar, Allen, Hedin, and Hogni, who stood further back, all felt a wave of warmth wash over them.
"This is..."
Even Riveria was astonished by the potent magic that enveloped them, continuously working its wonders.
"Our stamina is rapidly recovering. Mika mentioned this spell also has detoxification and purification effects. If the other effects are of the same magnitude..."
Finn's face was filled with excitement as he felt the changes within his body.
"Without a doubt, Airmid will play a crucial role in our expedition."
Even Ottar looked at Airmid with respect.
The effect was even more pronounced for Alise and the others standing near Mika.
Their stamina depletion during the journey had been far greater than Finn and his companions due to the significant difference in their levels.
Therefore, they felt the restorative effects of Airmid's magic even more acutely.
"I feel like my stamina is completely restored!"
"This is incredible!"
Alise, overwhelmed by the sensation, rushed over to Airmid. "I wish I could always be on your team!"
"Don't even think about poaching her!" Mika exclaimed, giving Alise a playful kick, sending her stumbling back towards Gojouno.
"It seems we underestimated you, Yahweh Familia."
"I never imagined all three of you would be so exceptionally talented. We won't question Mellie's commands any further. Please, give it your all!" Shakti declared, her eyes filled with admiration.
How wonderful it would be if all three of them were members of the Ganesha Familia!
Seeing the awe in their eyes, Mika, his face hidden behind his helmet, couldn't help but smirk.
"Continue with your preparations. I'll go scout the waters."
With that, Mika turned towards the lake.
"Good luck, Mika!"
"Be careful, Mika!"
"Stay safe, Mika!"
Waving in response to their well wishes, Mika plunged into the water with a splash.
...
As Mika submerged, a sensation completely different from the surface world enveloped him.
A feeling of constriction.
He immediately activated his modified "Water Breathing" technique, taught to him by Yahweh.
The constricting sensation vanished instantly, replaced by a feeling of fluidity and freedom.
It was as if he had returned home.
Coupled with the Sea King's Garb, which incorporated the Water Nymph's Veil, Mika's strength wasn't diminished underwater; instead, it was amplified.
"It seems our preparations were thorough."
Mika smiled and began searching for Amphisbaena.
He activated his Stealth skill.
This was one of the reasons Mellie had allowed him to enter the water alone.
The most challenging aspect underwater wasn't finding Amphisbaena but avoiding detection by other aquatic monsters.
If discovered, Mika would be forced to engage in combat.
And if he killed any monsters, the scent of blood would attract more, putting him at risk.
However, with Stealth activated, even if he brushed against a monster, it wouldn't notice him.
As Mika navigated the murky depths, he soon found his target.
After all, Amphisbaena was an Irregular.
One of the defining characteristics of Irregulars was their immense size.
Compared to other monsters, they were incredibly conspicuous.
There was no mistaking them.
"Target acquired!"
Spotting the two-headed dragon Amphisbaena swimming freely about a hundred meters away, Mika smiled.
"Phase one, reconnaissance, complete. Now for phase two, drawing out the enemy."
He reached behind his back and drew a short spear.
Aiming at Amphisbaena, he channeled his Nen through his hand and into the spear.
"Operation: Subjugation of Amphisbaena, commence!"
With this declaration, Mika hurled the short spear towards Amphisbaena.
...
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