Two boats crossed the silver water.
Shaaaaaa.
Our boat was in the lead, and the Armin Adventurer Group followed in our footsteps. After discussing it, we had decided on a destination: the island where someone from the Hektz clan had sent a ransom demand through the Ghostbusters forums.
The reason I chose that island as my first destination was simple.
There is no reason not to go after acquiring such elitist slaves.
Things were completely different now that the Armin Adventurer Group was with us. Furthermore, the greatest priority of the adventurers trapped on that island was survival. They would be willing to do anything if it meant returning to the city.
And anyway, we would have to explore that island at some point in the future.
Basement One Plant was a very peculiar plant. That's how I felt in the library and even on the tree island we were on not long ago, but the difficulty level of each area seemed to rise continuously, showing no signs of approaching any type of ceiling.
Even on Tree Island, we started to see some rank four monsters where we were.
We hadn't even reached the middle of the tree, so there was a chance of encountering a rank one monster if we climbed to the top. Therefore, we needed to increase our numbers. It was very likely that we would have to completely empty each island to get even a clue on how to escape.
«Auyen, how long until we reach our destination?»
«If the directions your navigator gave us are exact, we will arrive in about nine hours, Captain».
«I see.»
With the time I had until we reached the island, I thought about how to divide our new members into groups and what formations we would use.
Three hours into my brainstorm, a voice called me. «Lord! The Adventure Group ship! It's sinking».
Suddenly we had a problem on our hands, which had arisen out of nowhere.
However, unexpected problems were normal for an adventurer.
«Erwen! Tell me what's going on there!»
«Something in the water is pulling the boat down!»
«Is it a monster?»
«I couldn't tell you! The things that came out of the ocean looked like human hands...» Erwen took another look from her spot on the top and shouted, «It's huge!».
«Is it as big as the giant we saw on the island?»
«Yes!»
Wait, was it really that guy?
If it was him, this was quite ironic. We hadn't been able to find a trace of that bastard when we went looking for him after the rainy season, but now, suddenly we found him in the middle of the ocean.
«Captain! It will take some time to get around the ship!»
«I understand, so spin as fast as possible. And Erwen! Can you support them from here?»
«I'll try!»
Following my orders, Erwen began shooting arrows from the copa.
[Erwen Fornacci di Tersia has launched Concentrated Fire.]
At one point, he stopped and held his position, and the energy building up in his arrowhead grew stronger and stronger with each passing second. However, unfortunately for us, he did not have a chance to fully charge his attack before...
«E-Eh...?»
«The ship is flying...!»
The Adventurer's Group ship, which had been half submerged in silver water, was suddenly thrown out of the ocean with two huge hands grabbing it from both sides like a sandwich. It was an incredible sight, but for some reason, I could vividly imagine what was going to happen next.
Wait... Are you going to release it?
I was not sure.
Be that as it may, perhaps coming to the same conclusion as me, Erwen released her bowstring as soon as she finished charging her attack.
Pyooo!
The spirit-imbuilt arrow pierced the air with a sonic boom.
Boom!
Then, with perfect precision, he sank into one of the wrists of the hands holding the ship.
Uraaaaaah!
The creature hidden beneath the surface of the ocean screamed, and the powerful sound echoed through the hull of the ship until it emerged from the ocean.
Boom!
The creature dropped the ship by surprise, and the ship tilted into the air and fell directly into the ocean. But did they used to invest a lot in their boats? Despite finding himself in a situation where any normal ship would have started to sink, the Adventurer's Group straightened up like a gyroscope and landed upright in the water.
I assume we have solved the immediate problem...
Of course, it was too early to rest on our laurels. This giant did not seem to be one of those who flee after being pricked by a single arrow. A second attack was destined to come.
«Emily! Let's do the dive maneuver we talked about!»
«Understood! I'll prepare on this side, so you go ahead!»
Since we had already practiced and prepared for such a situation just in case, we did not need to waste time agreeing.
I immediately got off the bow of the boat and jumped high into the air.
[You have launched Transcendence.]
[You have launched gigantization.]
Just before falling into the water, I launched Transcendent Gigantization.
Bang!
A cannonball-like roar echoed as my body came into contact with the ocean, and large jets of water shot into the air.
Yes, that was a good dive.
The moment I dove in, my armor-clad barbarian body began to sink rapidly, and the darkness of the deep ocean swallowed me whole.
Of course, that was only for a brief moment.
Swoosh!
Dozens of orbs of light summoned by Versyl rushed after me to illuminate my surroundings.
Well, even with that, it was still pretty dark down here.
What can I see?
The ocean in the Records Archives was different from a normal ocean. Just the silver color of the water was a huge departure from the usual blue. No, honestly, it was hard to call this water. Some experiments I did a while ago revealed that Elemental Barbarian (Water) mode did not work on him. Whatever this silver thing was, it was something with water-like properties.
[Versyl Gowland has cast the rank seven Oxygen Tank spell.]
One thing that was a relief was that Dungeon and Stone's signature snorkeling spell still worked in this strange ocean. Well, in a way, it would be weirder if it didn't work. Unlike Erwen's Aquatic Breathing ability, this was more about «providing oxygen» than anything else. In fact, in the game, this spell could also be used to counteract gaseous-type poisons...
Boom!
That's when my feet hit the ground.
I imagined it after seeing the giant rise above the water, but the ocean was not that deep.
Step.
The silhouette of the burly figure in the distance became sharper as he ran towards her.
Hypramajent.
It looked the same as the one he had seen briefly on the island: two arms and two legs, a long neck, and a head attached at the top. His overall proportions did not differ too much from those of a human... but his skin was rotten and twisted by worms, and strange warts also grew all over his body. Not to mention the fact that he didn't have any of the facial features of a normal person, like eyes, ears, or nose, just a huge mouth full of sharp, fearsome teeth.
That was his head.
Back then, I hadn't been able to see him in the dark.
Although I used Transcendence and gigantization to make myself enormous, I only reached his thighs. Oh, is this guy also using gigantization right now?
But still, this was too much.
In the case of Chaos Lord Riakis, I hadn't been too surprised since he moved on all fours, but the sight of something so huge walking on two legs was quite disturbing.
But hey, is this the first time you've seen a barbarian or something?
Strangely, he seemed as surprised to see me as I was to see him. He stood looking in my direction as if stunned.
Step.
I came out of the bottom of the ocean, which crumbled like mud as I passed through it, and struck his Achilles tendon with my hammer.
Boom!
Damn, even though he had used Swing, he didn't move at all. This guy was tougher than I expected. Still, it wasn't a big deal. As expected, I managed to attract his aggressiveness.
Uraaaaaah!
He no longer seemed interested in the ships on the surface of the ocean above us, now completely locked into the new enemy that poses a threat to him. He let out a zombie moan before slapping his palms.
Why is it so fast?
I wouldn't have been surprised if we were on land, but personally, the speed at which I could dodge had a limit with the water slowing me down. All I could do was raise my shield and defend myself from the attack.
Boom!
The ground broke and buried me up to my waist, but I didn't take as much damage. Although I had the feeling that if they hit me a few more times, my hips would probably break.
I guess his Strength is quite medium despite his size.
Of course, by «average» I meant other rank two monsters. That single blow easily brought him up to par with the ogres, who were considered the most physically damaging at rank three.
The main problem is his skills...
According to the boss's records, this guy had three skills, including gigantization.
However, it definitely has more than that.
Even most rank three monsters had around six active abilities. I also didn't know anything about this guy's passive abilities.
What passive abilities do you have?
It would be nice if it was something a shield barbarian could use.
[Hipramajent has released the rank three space-time skill Select Target.]
Boom!
He kicked me like a ball and sent me flying. That being said, I didn't get that high. Continuing with the ball analogy, I was more like a ball full of sand than a soccer ball.
Hit.
My body landed after tracing an arc through the water. At that moment, support came from above.
[Versyl Gowland has cast the rank four Soul Profile detection spell.]
The first step was the Soul Contour.
This spell was especially useful on the sixth floor, which had an ocean as a map. Once this spell was cast, you could see figures hidden beneath the depths of the water even from the surface.
That's why he could now clearly see the silhouette of the guy in front of him.
Uraaaaaah!
Like something through the lens of an infrared camera, the giant's body glowed with a range of colors. As soon as the target became visible, a flurry of ranged attacks fell on him from above.
[Sharlot Emblut has cast the rank four Spiral Needle attack spell].
[Myul Armin has released Weakened Soul.]
[Garton Cultner has launched Stone Cannon...]
I had never seen many of these abilities in person, so I assumed that most of them probably came from the Armin Adventurer Group.
Well, we don't have many long rangers.
Erwen and Versyl were the only ones on our team capable of ranged attacks. It happened that everyone else preferred melee. We would have to work to remedy that.
Uraaaaaah!
The giant let out another eerie scream as attacks rained down on him from above. I couldn't help but swallow when I saw him. I never expected to end up in a water battle like this when we hadn't even practiced fighting with the Adventurer Group yet.
Still, we have no choice but to try.
So I gathered my courage and prepared to officially begin the raid.
Uraaaaaah!
Then suddenly, the giant moved at an incredible speed for a creature its size. I twisted my neck to look at him, staring into space as I fully extended his long running paws.
Boom, boom, boom!
-in a completely opposite direction to where I was.
***
He... ran away...?
At first, I thought maybe he was putting distance between us to prepare a skill. However, no matter how long I waited there, he showed no signs of returning.
...What the hell?
I had no idea what had just happened. Considering my threat level, not even a rank two monster should have been able to attack me. Sure, monsters like Goblins that were running out of power or felt like their lives were in danger would sometimes give up a battle and try to flee, but...
He hadn't even given it a solid blow...
What was wrong with that bastard? Was he a coward dressed as a giant?
Well, since I arrived at Basement One, I had been having experiences that seemed to defy logic virtually every day.
...First things first, let's get to the surface.
After wrapping myself in the special adventurer rope the ship had sent me, I pulled it three times and was pulled out of the water.
«Lord! He's fine?»
When I left the sea and returned to the deck, Erwen ran to my side as she wiped me with the towel Amelia had given me.
«Don't worry. I'm not hurt».
«What a strange monster...».
«We'll talk later about the guy who ran away. How are the others? How much damage did they receive?»
«Oh well, I... We didn't really have time to ask....»
Since the ships were not very far from each other, I turned off the gigantization and approached to see how they were doing.
«Mr. Baron? You're OK?!»
«Yes I'm fine. And you?»
«We are all fine too. However... with the boat in these conditions, it will be difficult for us to continue sailing without completing some repairs.»
«You can get on our boat, so don't worry.»
«Ah... thanks.» The members of the Adventurer Group boarded our ship, and we continued sailing. Although our boat was considered medium in size, it felt a bit cramped with twenty-seven people on board.
...What will I do when even more people come up?
I would definitely need a second boat when that time came.
While I was deep in thought, Myul Armin approached me and bowed. «Your Honor, I am truly grateful. If we were alone in this ocean... I don't even want to imagine it».
It seemed that this incident had left a great impression on Myul.
«Haha, there's no need for that. We are allies.»
While I laughed out loud on the outside, on the inside I thought, I think he could follow me even if I lowered his share now.
Hmm, well, now wasn't the right time. Depending on what happened later, you might review our agreement...
«Lord! Giants! There is a swarm of giants coming towards us!»
«...Eh?» I quickly headed to the bow when I heard the news from the top. Even without having to use gigantization, I could see the group of giant monsters rapidly approaching on the horizon. Maybe it was because the ocean wasn't that deep, but their fish-like heads were peeking out of the water...
Would they be dressed up as the Poképet dragon or something?
Anyway, I decided to count the heads floating on the water.
One, two, three, four, five, six...
There were seven of them, and among them was the one that escaped us before. He was the only one who was illuminated by the Soul Contour.
Did you run away to call your friends?
I never expected these giants to live in packs. I saved that information for later, quickly revived, and yelled at my crew.
Uraaaaaah!
«Auyen! Pour all the mana stones we have into the propulsion system».
We had to get out of here immediately.