The group arrived at the third floor, where the atmosphere grew oppressive.
The dim glow of the fluorescent moss barely illuminated the path, while creaks and scraping noises echoed along the stone walls. The air, thick with dust, made it hard to breathe.
—Stay alert. —Thalindra warned, examining the uneven ground.
Haruto felt a faint tremor beneath his feet.
—What kind of enemies are here?
—Burrowing Lizards. —Thalindra answered seriously—. They move underground and attack by surprise. They're not very durable, but in groups, they can be dangerous.
—Olivia, any data? —Haruto asked while activating his status panel.
—Burrowing Lizards. Level 10. Primary ability: "Rapid Digging." —Olivia announced in her mechanical tone.
Thalindra took her stance.
—If we provoke them properly, they'll come to me. Feel for the vibrations in the ground.
—Understood. —Haruto adjusted his grip on his katana.
A stronger tremor rippled through the floor. Cracks suddenly split open, and three lizards emerged with menacing roars. Their scales shimmered faintly under the light, and their razor-sharp claws looked ready to tear through flesh.
—Here they come! —Melodía shouted, positioning herself behind Yuna while raising her baton.
Thalindra stepped forward, standing firm and ready.
—Provoke!
A fiery aura surrounded her, drawing the lizards' attention.
—They're faster than they look! —Haruto exclaimed, watching as Thalindra blocked their strikes with her gauntlets.
—A little help would be nice! —the dwarf grunted, bracing herself after taking multiple hits.
Yuna and Haruto struck, but their swords clashed against an invisible barrier, forcing them back.
—They're resistant to physical attacks! —Thalindra clicked her tongue in frustration.
—Then let's try something else. —Haruto conjured small spheres of violet energy and hurled them—. Thalindra, fall back!
She leaped back just in time. The spheres impacted, releasing a purple smoke that engulfed the lizards.
—Poison Spore! —Kizuna cheered—. That Mytharan hydra ability is perfect, Kizu! Haruto-kyun, nice work!
The lizards writhed, their scales turning purple. But then, the ground rumbled violently. The lights flickered.
Something else was emerging.
A much larger lizard burst from the earth, its body covered in crystals that faintly reflected the dungeon's dim glow. Its heavy footsteps echoed with imposing weight.
—Warning! Ascended enemy detected: Crystalline Burrowing Lizard. Level 15. Primary ability: "Crystal Slash." —Olivia announced.
—Fall back! —Thalindra ordered, retreating as she saw the Ascended analyzing them with unnerving intelligence.
The lizard raised its claw. A pulse of energy swept through the air, dispersing the poison from its allies, instantly restoring them.
Haruto clenched his teeth.
—Any plan?
Sweat dripped down his forehead as the Ascended watched them, its eyes gleaming with menace.
At that moment, Melodía dismissed her wand and arcane attire.
The group turned to her, bewildered.
But she didn't hesitate.
Her posture radiated confidence.
—Let Thalindra handle this. —Melodía said firmly.
Yuna raised an eyebrow, intrigued, but after a brief pause, she nodded. She knew that the tight space limited Haruto's abilities and that her arrows would be useless against the lizard's crystalline hide.
If Melodía had a plan, it was time to trust her.
—I didn't want to use more mana than necessary, but it looks like there's no choice. —Melodía sighed, her eyes shining with determination.
—Don't worry, I've got your back. —Yuna replied, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
—Mode Shift: Symphonic Muse.
A new arcane attire manifested around her. Her shorter dress, adorned with golden accents, enhanced her ethereal presence. Silk gloves and elegant stockings complemented her transformation, while a violin of pure magic materialized in her hands.
With a fluid motion, she began to play a majestic melody. Ethereal notes floated in the air, resonating throughout the cavern.
—Hymn of Valor!
A comforting light enveloped the group, filling them with renewed vigor. The oppressive atmosphere dissipated, replaced by a vibrant energy.
Thalindra smirked fiercely, adjusting her gauntlets.
—That's more than enough. —She raised her gaze toward the Ascended—. Now let me show you how dwarves fight.
She clashed her fists together, causing a metallic boom that reverberated through the cavern.
—Come to me, Rune of Fire!
Her gauntlets ignited in intense flames, illuminating the dark surroundings. The fire danced with her energy, ready to unleash its fury.
—We'll take care of the small ones. —Yuna interjected, casting a firm glance at Haruto while drawing her sword.
As Thalindra charged toward the Ascended, Olivia emitted a notification in Haruto's panel.
New Skill Acquired!
Kizuna Link with Yuna Unlocked.
Wind Attribute Skill Acquired: "Wind Slash."
Haruto grinned. He glanced at Yuna, who was already in position, and unsheathed his katana.
—Perfect. Let's put it to use.
He channeled his energy, feeling the wind wrap around his weapon.
Thalindra didn't wait. She twisted her torso and launched a direct punch.
BOOM!
Her fist struck the crystalline body of the Ascended, triggering a fiery explosion that lit up the cavern. The enemy roared and staggered, but it didn't fall.
The group split up.
Thalindra kept the Ascended occupied, while Haruto and Yuna focused on the lesser lizards, coordinating their attacks to keep them at bay.
From the rear, Melodía continued playing. Her golden notes floated in the air, fortifying the group's morale and keeping them synchronized.
—Not to pressure you, Haruto, but… why not activate your Musashi Mode? —Yuna asked, dodging an attack with agility.
Haruto blocked a strike from another lizard and answered seriously:
—If I use it, it'll tear my body apart. I have no control over it. It doesn't work like Thalindra's or Melodía's modes.
Yuna nodded, understanding the difference.
Melodía, without missing a note on her violin, smiled calmly.
—Don't worry, Haruto. We don't need it right now. Just keep coordinating with us.
The lizards attacked in sync.
The Ascended, meanwhile, continued its ferocious battle against Thalindra.
The dwarf, unfazed, delivered another flaming punch.
The impact echoed throughout the cavern.
Both fighters were at a stalemate, neither willing to back down.
Haruto raised his hand, channeling mana.
—Binding Root!
Magical vines erupted from the ground, entangling the lizards' legs and immobilizing them.
Haruto and Yuna seized the opening, channeling wind magic into their blades.
—This is the end! —they shouted in unison.
Both unleashed a combined "Wind Slash," sending cutting gusts slicing through the air. The impact kicked up a dense cloud of dust.
As the dust began to settle, Haruto and Yuna smiled, confident in their victory.
But as they looked closer, they noticed several holes in the ground where the lizards had been.
—Where did they go? —Haruto frowned.
A rumbling quake shook the floor.
Suddenly, sharp rocks burst from the ground, shooting out in all directions.
The group was hit and thrown back, crashing onto the ground with force.
—If it weren't for the level difference, that attack would have killed us. —Yuna pressed a hand against her aching side.
Melodía slowly got up, dusting off her dress. Without missing a beat, she shifted the tone of her melody.
A softer, more soothing tune began to resonate through the cavern.
—Hymn of Vitality!
The ethereal notes floated through the air, wrapping the group in a warm energy. Minor wounds healed, and a magical barrier formed around them, providing constant protection.
—It's not as effective as a water elf's healing, but it's better than nothing. —Melodía remarked, never taking her eyes off her violin.
Yuna nodded, still on alert.
—We definitely need a support in the party. —she murmured to herself.
Haruto remained still for a few seconds, his mind working rapidly to find a strategy. He knew that relying solely on his sword wouldn't be enough.
"We need to change our approach."
He stood up, determination sparking in his eyes.
His katana dematerialized, and in its place, he summoned his twin pistols.
Yuna watched him calmly, though her eyes reflected a hint of concern.
—Be careful, Haruto. If you shoot with too much power, you might cause a cave-in.
—I know, but I have a plan.
Confirmation!
Wind-element projectiles adjusted to 10%.
Melodía looked at him, surprised.
Yuna, however, understood his strategy immediately. Their connection was so deep that words were unnecessary.
—Against the Wind!
In front of the lizards, tornado-like gusts formed, trapping them in place.
—Now, Haruto-Kyun! —Kizuna shouted enthusiastically.
Haruto raised his pistols and fired.
The wind-infused bullets flew fast and relentlessly, striking the lizards repeatedly. Their magic shields weakened, until they finally shattered with a burst.
—It's your turn, Yuna!
Yuna's sword shone brilliantly.
—Tempest Waltz!
In the blink of an eye, her figure vanished into the wind.
When she reappeared, she was already behind the lizards.
A cutting wind gust ripped through them.
They collapsed to the ground, defeated.
The group stood in silence for a moment as the atmosphere settled.
—Beautiful teamwork. —Melodía commented with a soft smile, maintaining her calm melody on the violin.
In the distance, Thalindra was still locked in combat with the Ascended.
Her movements radiated fierce determination.
—I see you're done with the little ones. Guess it's time for me to handle the big guy.
Thalindra grinned confidently, adjusted her stance, and advanced once more.
With a mighty strike to the ground, Thalindra roared:
—Earthquake!
The ground beneath the Ascended Lizard shook violently. Its massive body lost balance, staggering and leaving itself exposed.
Thalindra smirked fiercely.
She clashed her gauntlets together, unleashing an aura of fiery energy.
—Come to me, Fire Rune and Earth Rune!
Her gauntlets transformed, their surface now resembling molten magma.
—Molten Boxing!
She charged at the enemy, unleashing a barrage of devastating punches.
Each impact thundered through the cavern, leaving behind a trail of fire and heat.
Finally, with a rising uppercut charged with pure force, the Ascended was launched into the air.
Upon crashing back down, its body disintegrated into a cloud of shimmering dust.
Thalindra raised her right gauntlet in a victorious pose, as an imaginary boxing ring bell rang in her mind.
She grinned with pride.
—Didn't even break a sweat.
She turned toward the rest of the group.
They watched her, a mix of awe and relief on their faces.
Haruto's panel glowed, displaying new information.
Level Up: (+1)
New Level: (21)
Note: No drops or skills obtained due to level difference.
Haruto sighed, closing the panel.
—We keep progressing without many rewards. —he said with a resigned smile, glancing at the next corridor.
—Your reward is having an amazing teammate like me, Kizu! —Kizuna declared, filling the air with laughter.
—No, no. You're mistaken. The true reward is the privilege of listening to my music. —Melodía smiled grandly, adjusting her posture with elegance.
—Both of you are wrong. —Thalindra interjected, crossing her arms confidently—. Your real reward is witnessing my incredible moves.
Yuna couldn't hold back and burst into laughter.
—Our reward is teamwork. —she said sincerely, looking at each of them.
Haruto watched them for a moment, letting her words sink in.
He had never thought he'd trust a team like this, but here they were. Moving forward together. Growing with each step.
The next floors would be tougher.
But with this team, one thing was certain—laughter and unity would never be missing.