Within the Dungeon, around the twenty-fifth floor, adventurers referred to this region as the "Water City of Labyrinths." Vast waterfalls and waterways stretched endlessly across the area.
Without proper preparation, adventurers could not pass through safely.
Countless aquatic monsters lay in wait here, not to mention the roaming Floor Boss.
The two-headed dragon—Amphisbaena.
According to the Guild's estimates, this Floor Boss possessed combat power comparable to Level 5. If it fought upon the water's surface, its strength would rise to Level 6.
After all, this environment was the monster's home ground. If humans were weakened, wasn't that the same as the monster growing stronger?
But today, the twenty-seventh floor seemed a little different.
Boom—
A massive wave surged upward as the twin-headed dragon roared and charged toward the small figure in the distance.
This adventurer could actually walk on water?
And... instead of luring the dragon onto land to defeat it, she was confronting it head-on atop the water itself.
What kind of person would do something like that?
Did she not know this was when the Floor Boss was at its strongest?
"If you can use water, then I'll use water against you too!"
Elise lightly tapped the water's surface with her toe, and ripples spread outward from beneath her foot.
"I might as well practice my dancing while I'm at it. Sylvia taught it to me, after all. I can't let myself get rusty."
Spirit—Water!
From the Sacred Demon Sword flowed the power to command water. A refined current wrapped around the blade, shimmering with seven-colored light.
If one looked closely, they would notice that the water encasing the sword was constantly moving—and at incredible speed.
Like a chainsaw.
Or a water cutter.
If I had two swords and stuck something on my head, would I be cosplaying as Chainsaw Man?
"At this rate, the Nobel Prize will be mine!"
Just kidding.
Her preparatory stance was complete. The lighting effects were already in her grasp. The audience was ready as well... though whether the two-headed dragon counted as one or two spectators was debatable. Still, it was better than none.
"Time for me to begin my dance!"
Eastern sword dance.
Western ballet.
What would happen if the two were combined? She would test it on Amphisbaena.
Under the Floor Boss' control, waves surged toward Elise, transforming from modest swells into towering walls over ten meters high.
"I already said I'm about to dance. Why won't you give me the chance?"
Even as she spoke, Elise stepped lightly across the water with ballet footwork, spinning gracefully.
Water and wind gathered at that instant, forming a colossal waterspout that collided directly with the tidal wave summoned by Amphisbaena.
Boom—
The next moment, the tidal wave and the vortex seemed to cancel each other out, vanishing almost simultaneously.
The two-headed dragon turned its gaze toward the center of the waterspout. Breath attack gathered in its jaws, ready to fire—but...
The water's surface was empty.
Realizing this, the dragon immediately looked left and right, searching for its target. Yet it could not find the small figure anywhere.
Not until a shadow fell from above and blocked its vision did Amphisbaena finally understand.
The sky!
Using the impact of the waterspout and the cover of flowing water, she had moved directly above the dragon.
"This is... the sword technique that descends from the heavens!"
Spirit—Brilliant Elemental Slash!
This was the move Elise had once used against the Sacred Queen. Back then, she wielded only four elements, but bolstered by faith, its power had become terrifying.
Now, Est commanded seven elements of the six Elemental Lords. Though it lacked the amplification of faith, its might was by no means inferior.
Roar—
Sensing the threat of the Sacred Demon Sword, Amphisbaena opened both mouths wide and unleashed a powerful double breath.
But it was useless.
The radiant blade cleaved straight through the twin assault and, in a single flash, severed one of the dragon's heads beneath the water.
The remaining head seemed to falter in fear, sinking into the depths with a low growl.
"Eh? Trying to run?"
How could Elise possibly let it escape after noticing that?
"You haven't paid the entrance fee for my dance performance yet!"
"Hand over your magic stone already!"
Just as Elise prepared to pursue, a violent fluctuation rippled from beneath the water.
Within her perception, something shot upward from below at incredible speed.
"Hey!"
Unfazed, Elise leapt into the air. Her legs extended forward and back into a perfect straight line—a flawless split worthy of ballet.
She narrowly avoided Amphisbaena's sudden strike.
Midair split, kid.
Didn't expect that, did you?
But just as Elise was about to descend back onto the water's surface, a massive dragon head burst through the water, jaws wide as it lunged to devour her.
Judging by the angle, it intended to swallow her whole. Even if it missed slightly, it could still bite off half her body.
To an ordinary adventurer, this was almost a death sentence. Except in special circumstances, humans could not fly.
No matter how high you jumped, you would eventually fall back down—unless you possessed unique talents or skills.
Fortunately, Elise did not fall within that category.
Starlight flickered across her body, suspending her midair.
Seeing this, Amphisbaena instantly changed tactics, shifting from biting back to breath attack once more.
Blue flames swept across the sky in an instant, engulfing Elise entirely.
Without special defensive measures, such an attack would result in severe burns at best... and at worst, not even ashes would remain.
Was Elise's defense strong?
Very strong.
At the very least, it would take an attack on the level of a Level 6 Ottar to break through her defense.
Ottar had once again become a unit of measurement.
Barrier of the Stars.
This was Elise's protective ability. It functioned like a thin membranous shield with a certain elasticity. Normally it was nearly transparent. Only when amplified did it reveal a starry glow.
At critical moments, it always ensured Elise's safety.
If the holy light Elise cast upon herself was to prevent others from peeking at her, then this barrier was to prevent others from touching her. Sexual assault was absolutely impossible.
The body of a Saintess was not something just anyone could touch. Up until now, only a few individuals—and one goddess—had ever made direct contact with Elise herself.
Sylvia. Laetitia. Est. Ren. Astraea.
And that was all. Only those Elise acknowledged were allowed.
If someone attempted to force their way through, the barrier would even unleash a violent shockwave to repel the offender.
In order to protect certain people, Elise had also used this ability on others.
The chief goddess Astraea was naturally one of them.
The second had been Grandma Norn, whom she had helped before.
I wonder what Lady Astraea is doing right now...?
Just as Elise prepared to break through the flames and slay Amphisbaena, an alarm suddenly rang out.
First, Grandma Norn's barrier suffered a violent impact.
And then came...
Astraea's alert?