That evening, when Lynn returned to Eina's cottage, the soft glow of the interior lights stood in stark contrast to the clamor and bloodshed of the plaza outside. He had just set down his teacup when Eina pushed the door open. Her face was etched with fatigue, and dark circles shadowed her eyes; she had clearly just finished a grueling shift at the Guild.
"Lynn, are you alright?"
Eina scanned him instantly. Only after confirming he had no visible wounds did she breathe a sigh of relief, her expression turning apologetic. "I'm sorry. I got delayed handling the aftermath."
"I'm fine. You, on the other hand, look like you're about to fall apart," Lynn said, quickly pouring her a cup of hot tea.
Eina gave a weary smile, sank into the sofa, and rubbed her temples. "Hah, tell me about it. The Guild suffered heavy losses in this riot, and..." She paused, her expression turning grave. "The injured messenger—he's awake."
Lynn's eyes shifted slightly, signaling her to continue.
"Based on his testimony and the preliminary investigation by our researchers, this monster rampage wasn't entirely an accident." Eina lowered her voice, a hint of anger surfacing. "The Mana Crystal beneath the Clock Tower was sabotaged. That crystal is a key device used to stabilize the monsters in the Dungeon; once damaged, the monsters become abnormally violent."
"So, the man in the black robe?" Lynn raised an eyebrow, the image of the figure he encountered in the alley flashing through his mind.
Eina nodded. "Exactly. The messenger said he saw the figure who attacked him—wearing a hooded black robe and moving with incredible agility. Moreover... the weapon they used carried an ominous mana, very similar to the chaotic energy felt from the Silverback. It's almost certain that person is the culprit."
She sighed again. "What's worse is that a portion of the monsters within the Dungeon were also affected and have become unusually active. While the city is temporarily safe, the Dungeon is going to be quite a mess for a while."
"I don't think a feat of this scale was the work of just one person," Lynn mused, stroking his chin thoughtfully.
"The Guild thinks so too; it might be a coordinated team effort. Lynn, you must be careful. Although the Guild has dispatched a large number of adventurers to clear the Dungeon, this kind of deliberate sabotage is deeply unsettling." Eina looked at him with worry.
Lynn smiled and stood up. "Don't worry. I'm the type who gets more energized when things are chaotic." He walked over to Eina and leaned down to look at her, his eyes losing their usual playfulness and gaining a touch of sincerity. "Eina, I want to go take a look. I feel like this isn't that simple. Perhaps... I can discover something."
Eina was taken aback and immediately frowned. "Lynn, that's too dangerous! Anyone capable of pulling this off isn't just an ordinary adventurer. Besides, you're only Level 2..."
"What's wrong with Level 2? I've officially graduated from being a rookie," Lynn shrugged with confidence. "Besides, this business involves me to some extent. I've already chased that black-robed figure once."
Hearing this, Eina's face grew paler, but she knew Lynn's temperament. Once he made a decision, few could stop him. She hesitated repeatedly before finally nodding, though her voice was heavy with warnings. "Fine. But promise me, don't go too deep. Report any findings to the Guild immediately. Remember: do not go too deep!"
Lynn gave a relaxed smile. "I know, Eina."
Later that night, Lynn went straight to the roof of the cottage. The night sky hung low, studded with brilliant stars, and the lights of Orario flickered below like a flowing river of stars. He reached out his hand and gave a soft call.
"Ranni, care for a chat?" he said softly.
The space rippled like the surface of water, and a slender figure slowly materialized under the starlight.
"My Lord, I am pleased to see you." Ranni's voice was cool and carried a hint of weariness, but her deep gaze locked onto Lynn with unmistakable joy.
"I'm glad to see you too."
Lynn recounted the events of the Monster Fair riot and the information Eina had given him in detail—from the Silverback's rampage and the appearance of the giant man-eating plant to the sabotage of the Mana Crystal and the "underground" clue mentioned by the messenger.
Ranni listened quietly, her four arms crossed over her chest and her head tilted slightly as she fell into deep thought. After a long while, she spoke.
"The sabotage of the Mana Crystal leading to a monster rampage... and the appearance of a deep-floor monster catalyzed by cursed mana. It is indeed suspicious." Her gaze drifted toward the distance, as if piercing through the night sky to see into an endless void.
"Do you suspect a faction from the Lands Between?" Lynn asked.
Ranni withdrew her gaze and looked at him. "The possibility cannot be ruled out. Though you were cast here after becoming the Lord of Frenzied Flame, the embers of the chaotic fire and the causality you carry may attract remnants of the old days, whether intentional or not."
She paused, then added, "However, it is also possible that this world itself harbors hidden dark forces that are beginning to surface because of your arrival or some other catalyst. Either way, it means trouble."
Lynn grinned. "Trouble is just something meant to be solved, isn't it?"
A hint of an imperceptible curve appeared at the corner of Ranni's mouth. "You are always thus. In that case, I cannot very well let you face this trouble alone."
She extended a hand, her fingertip tapping the air. An obscure rune flashed into existence and then merged into Lynn's forehead. He felt a refreshing coolness wash through his mind as new knowledge and power surged into his consciousness.
"This is the latest sorcery I have finished analyzing: Carian Slicer."
Ranni's voice carried a touch of authority. "This sorcery allows you to condense mana into a sharp Glintstone blade for close-quarters combat in an instant. It possesses greater penetration than ordinary swings and is particularly effective against monsters with hardened shells. Furthermore, its mana consumption is extremely low, allowing it to serve as a reliable emergency measure should your reserves run low."
Feeling the newly acquired magic in his mind, excitement flashed in Lynn's eyes. "Thanks, Ranni!" he said sincerely.
Ranni gave a slight nod, her figure becoming ethereal once more. "Go, my Lord. Find the truth you seek."
As Ranni's figure completely dissipated, Lynn clenched his fist. The new magical power within him made him eager to test it. "Carian Slicer... good stuff."
He took one last look at the Orario night sky and turned, his figure leaping silently from the roof like a bat. It was time to sleep; tomorrow promised to be busy.
The next morning, in front of the Guild's main entrance.
Lynn arrived early. As expected, the atmosphere was much tenser than usual. Though adventurers were still joking, there was a sharp edge of alertness in their eyes. The entrance was plastered with new quest notices, all targeting the "abnormally active" monsters in the Dungeon.
Eina, sporting two dark circles under her eyes, was busy directing the hall. Seeing Lynn, she immediately walked over with a look of resignation.
"Lynn, you came after all."
"Of course. I've already submitted my assistance application to the Guild." Lynn waved a form in his hand.
Eina took it and saw Lynn's name, his Level 2 rank, and the text "Assisting in the investigation of the Monster Fair riot." She sighed and stowed the form. "I've already placed you in the Special Operations Group. You have permission to enter and exit the Dungeon freely, but... please, be careful. These monsters are different. Several adventurer parties have already run into trouble in the deep floors."
"Don't worry, I'm hard to kill." Lynn patted his chest and pointed to the bustling crowd. "By the way, where are Bell and Goddess Hestia? I don't see them."
Eina shook her head. "Goddess Hestia is feeling unwell, and Bell is staying with her. They aren't coming to the Guild today. However, he was very worried about you yesterday and kept asking how you were."
Lynn nodded, thinking that Bell certainly had a stubborn streak of his own.
"By the way, Eina." Lynn suddenly lowered his voice and leaned in close. "Have you heard any strange rumors in Orario lately? For instance... regarding fire, or odd religious activities?"
Eina was startled by his sudden proximity, her cheeks flushing slightly. She took a step back and looked at him in confusion. "Fire? Religious activities? Do you mean... a cult?"
Lynn shrugged. "Something like that. People who worship... more fanatical deities, and whose behavior is a bit extreme."
Eina thought for a moment before shaking her head. "The Guild hasn't received any reports of that nature yet. Though Orario has all kinds of gods, everyone generally follows the rules. However, there are indeed strange ruins and legends in the deep floors of the Dungeon. Some adventurers come back acting quite eccentric..."
"Fair enough." Lynn nodded thoughtfully. It seemed no new ones had popped up since his last cleanup. He patted Eina's shoulder. "I'm heading to the Dungeon then. You should get some rest too; don't work yourself to death."
Eina watched Lynn walk away, an unsettling feeling lingering in her heart. She rubbed her brow and looked at the Special Operations list again. Level 2... is he really going to be alright?
Lynn didn't pay any mind to Eina's worries. Carrying the Carian Knight's Shield on his back, with Moonveil at his waist and the Bloodhound's Fang in hand, he strode into the Dungeon entrance. He found a secluded spot and teleported directly to the 18th-floor mine Site of Grace.
When he stepped onto the open expanse of the 18th floor, the air was thick with the dampness of rock and the metallic scent of minerals. This was a vital base for adventurers, featuring supply points and simple temporary camps. Lynn intended to find a place to restock his supplies, but a familiar commotion reached his ears.
"You stupid wolf! Don't you have eyes?!"
"Hah? You're the flat-chested one in the way! You dare bark at me while blocking the road?!"
Lynn's lip twitched. I'm running into them here?
He looked toward the source and, sure enough, near a supply point, Tiona and Bete were at each other's throats. Tiona had her hands on her hips, her chest indeed "flat as a pancake," and her cheeks were puffed out in anger. Bete looked utterly impatient, his wolf ears twitching—clearly on the verge of exploding.
"Bete, Tiona, quiet down." Tione rubbed her forehead in exasperation, trying to mediate. Beside her, Lefiya was flushed, her eyes darting between the brawling pair and Aiz, seemingly wanting to say something but not daring to.
Aiz stood to the side, her long golden hair fluttering in the Dungeon breeze. Her face was smudged with dust and monster blood, but her golden eyes remained clear. She watched the farce quietly, seemingly used to it.
"Mr. Lynn!"
Tiona's sharp eyes spotted him instantly. She stopped arguing with Bete and waved excitedly like a little girl seeing an old friend. Her expression shifted so fast it was as if the anger from a moment ago had never existed.
"Oh? You're here too?" Lynn walked over, nodding to Tione and Aiz.
Bete huffed, crossing his arms and looking away, though he didn't continue his tirade against Tiona. Aiz walked up to Lynn, her gaze lingering on the Moonveil at his waist for a second before she met his eyes. "Lynn, are you here for the investigation too?"
Lynn nodded. "The Guild found some clues pointing toward the Dungeon."
Lefiya, who had been standing quietly behind Aiz, took half a step forward and looked at Lynn with a bit of nerves. Her impression of him was complex—gratitude for their teamwork against the man-eating plant mixed with a subtle wariness regarding Aiz's special attention toward him.
"We were dispatched to investigate as well," Tione said. "The activity of deep-floor monsters has become abnormally frequent. Moreover, the behavior of some monsters is... well, different than usual."
"Chaotic mana, with corrosive cursed energy," Lynn added.
Tione was stunned for a moment, then nodded. "Exactly. You're very observant. The deep-floor monster we just subjugated had that exact aura, and its defenses were abnormally resilient."
"In that case..." Aiz finally spoke, her voice cool yet carrying an indisputable firmness. "Lynn, come with us."
At those words, Bete's wolf ears shot straight up. "What?! Aiz, are you crazy? He's only Level 2! Going to the deep floors is suicide!" Bete's eyes were wide, his tone agitated. Though he acknowledged Lynn's skill, the gap in levels was an insurmountable chasm in his mind.
"His strength cannot be measured by his level." Aiz glanced at Bete, her tone flat, but her trust was clearly visible.
Lefiya added softly, "Mr. Lynn's magic is very powerful. And he is very experienced with the weaknesses of those types of monsters." She remembered Lynn's precise judgment of the man-eating plant in the plaza.
Tiona practically jumped up. "Yeah, yeah! Mr. Lynn is super strong! He's the one who handled that plant last time!"
Tione looked at Aiz, then at Lynn, weighing the options. She trusted Aiz's judgment, and Lynn had indeed shown power far beyond his level. Finally, she sighed. "Fine, if Aiz says so. However, we still have to vote."
"Vote?!" Bete looked like he was about to blow a fuse.
"Minority follows the majority, Bete," Tione said calmly.
The result was obvious. Tiona and Lefiya raised their hands in support without hesitation, Tione remained neutral, and Aiz's stance already counted as a vote. Bete eventually gave a disgruntled huff, signifying his reluctant acceptance.
"Well then, I shall humbly accept," Lynn shrugged with a relaxed smile.
Once the team finished their rest, they quickly advanced toward the deeper floors. On the 19th floor, they encountered a massive stone door. It was ancient and mottled, its surface covered in obscure runes, radiating a mysterious aura that felt completely out of place in the Dungeon.
"What is this?" Tiona touched the stone door out of curiosity but pulled her hand back when the weak mana flowing through it startled her.
Lefiya frowned, carefully identifying the runes. "Don't you think this door looks a bit familiar?"
"It's a trial instance," Lynn said flatly.
"A trial instance?" Aiz repeated, her interest piqued.
"Could this be a trap?" Bete said cautiously. He felt a sinister air coming from the door.
Lynn ignored Bete's skepticism. He walked to the stone door, reached out, and pushed it open gently.
Creeeeeak—
The heavy stone door emitted a teeth-gritting groan as it swung inward. Beyond the door was not a corridor as they expected, but a swirling, deep blue teleportation vortex radiating a profound, mysterious light.
"Whoa! Is this a portal?!" Tiona's eyes sparkled, and she looked ready to charge right in.
"Don't be reckless!" Tione was quick, grabbing her sister.
Bete's expression was grim. He looked at Lynn. "Are you sure about this? This thing doesn't look like something naturally formed in the Dungeon."
Lynn didn't answer. He just looked at the swirling vortex, a playful smile playing on his lips. "Whether it's a trap or not, how will we know if we don't go in?"
Before his voice had even faded, his body blurred, and he stepped directly into the vortex.
Aiz didn't hesitate for a single second. She trusted Lynn. The moment he stepped in, she followed, her slender figure vanishing into the blue light like a streak of gold.
"Miss Aiz!" Lefiya cried out. Ignoring her fear, she rushed in after them. The Tione and Tiona sisters shared a look; though uneasy, they had to follow seeing Aiz and Lefiya enter.
"Dammit! You reckless bunch!" Bete cursed in frustration, but he had no choice. He couldn't leave his companions in such a bizarre place. Cursing under his breath, he dove into the deep vortex.
After a bout of dizzying vertigo, Lynn's feet returned to solid ground. However, the sight before him gave him the illusion of being back "home."
It was a scorching rock cavern. Red lava flowed all around, the air was thick with the scent of sulfur, and the blistering heat was so intense it felt as if every breath carried sparks. Above were jagged rocks with flickers of fire light peeking through the cracks, illuminating the massive, shadowy structures deeper in the cave.
"Whoa... where are we?! It's so hot!" Tiona's voice was full of wonder. She looked around curiously, completely unaware of the danger.
Lefiya was pale, clutching her wand tightly with a deep frown. "The mana suppression is so strong... I feel like my output is being severely limited. It's... it's just like when we were at Stormveil Castle! It feels like I'm at the peak of Level 2 again."
Lynn nodded. Correct. This was the rule of the Elden Ring instances—Miyazaki's "kindness."
"This... isn't the Dungeon!" Bete's voice carried a note of disbelief. He looked at the fiery environment and the oppressive mana; it was fundamentally different from the Dungeon.
Aiz didn't speak, but her grip tightened on her sword. Her golden eyes scanned the surroundings alertly. While the environment was alien, her warrior's instinct smelled danger.
Just then, several massive Magma Slugs emerged from the glowing red lava pools ahead. Their bodies were covered in charred rock shells, and their heads split open to reveal yellowed teeth. Their crimson eyes locked onto the intruders.
Hiss—!
The slugs let out a piercing shriek and opened their mouths to spit balls of fire that smelled of burning charcoal toward the group.
"Yah-ha!" Tiona shouted excitedly. Instead of retreating, she charged forward like a headless fly. She clenched her fists and, with raw brute force, punched one of the slugs in the head.
With a dull thud, the slug was sent flying, but Tiona hissed and pulled her hand back, blowing on it. "Hot, hot, hot! What are these things? They're like red-hot stones!" Her fist was already scorched red.
"Idiot!" Bete cursed. He moved like a blur, nimbly dodging a fireball from a Magma Slug before raising a leg clad in a metal boot and delivering a heavy kick to the slug's body.
Clang!
The hard metal boot struck the slug with a heavy sound. The kick knocked the slug off course. Bete followed up with another powerful kick to the side, flipping the creature over, and then slammed his boot down on it.
CRACK!
The sound of shattering bone echoed as the slug's body collapsed under Bete's weight. It twitched a few times before falling still.
Lynn watched the scene, a faint smirk crossing his face. Bete might have a foul mouth, but he definitely has the skill and experience.
"Don't touch them directly. Their surface temperature is the same as magma," Lynn said flatly. He drew Moonveil, the blade reflecting the red lava light with a cold chill.
Without a single wasted motion, he raised the katana slightly, and a blue magical energy condensed on the edge. Moving like the wind, Lynn sidestepped a fireball and thrust the blade out like a bolt of lightning, precisely piercing the head of another Magma Slug.
Pssh—!
Unlike the physical attacks of Tiona and Bete, the Glintstone blade sliced through the slug's toughened shell like a knife through butter. Combined with the corrosive magical attribute, it severed the head instantly. The slug's massive body twitched and then slumped to the ground.
"These monsters are just trash mobs. They aren't hard to handle."
"Dammit! I wanted to practice my punches!" Tiona pouted, swinging her fists fruitlessly.
"Magic... right!" Lefiya realized her role. She raised her wand, and emerald light gathered in her hand. "Arcus Ray!"
Streaks of emerald light rained down on the Magma Slugs, hitting their heads and joints with precision. Each hit from the magical arrows made the slugs shriek in pain, and black smoke rose from their charred shells.
With everyone's cooperation, the slugs were quickly cleared, their charred bodies cooling and no longer emitting heat.
"These bugs were too weak," Tiona said, clapping her hands with a look of dissatisfaction.
"Don't let your guard down." Lynn scanned the area. There were deeper passages beyond the lava pools, and he caught a different scent.
Sure enough, just as they thought the danger had passed, several strange figures dressed in white cloth robes and carrying large curved swords emerged from the right-side tunnel. They wore eerie masks, and an oppressive mana aura radiated from them. These were the Fire Monks of the Volcano!
The monks didn't hesitate for a second upon seeing Lynn's party and immediately entered combat stances. Their flaming greatswords erupted in brilliant fire, and several Black Flame orbs gathered in their hands. They hurled them at the group with a piercing whistle, instantly sealing off their retreat.
"Are these... monsters too?!" Bete was momentarily stunned. Though experienced, humanoid monsters were rare in the Dungeon, and these didn't look like ordinary adventurers.
"Of course they're monsters," Lynn replied, his eyes sharpening. He was all too familiar with these Fire Monks; he had been schooled by them more than a few times in the Lands Between.
The monk leader—a burlier figure with a more hideous mask—gave a low command. The other monks fanned out in a crescent formation, brandishing flaming halberds and hurling more Black Flames to surround the party.
"Tiona, Bete, draw their fire from the front!" Lynn issued orders rapidly with an air of command. "Aiz, Tione, flank them for a surprise attack—their backs and sides are their weaknesses! Lefiya, use magic to suppress the leader; his fire mana is the strongest!"
Though surprised by Lynn's commanding tone, Aiz and Tione executed the orders almost instinctively. Tiona and Bete followed suit without argument, each taking on a Fire Monk. Lefiya raised her wand, focusing her golden arrows on the leader rather than firing randomly.
Lynn moved like a shadow, weaving through the edge of the battlefield. Seeing an opening, he lunged into the fray. Moonveil's blade deflected a monk's flaming sword with a deft parry, and then blue mana surged through the blade.
"Transient Moonlight!"
A crescent wave of light slashed through the monk. The monk tried to block, but the magic-infused strike shattered his halberd and sliced across his chest.
"Ugh!" The monk let out a muffled groan, stumbled, and fell dead.
Lynn didn't stop. With a light step, he used Bloodhound's Step to reappear beside another monk who was in the middle of casting. The monk tried to form a Black Flame orb, but Lynn's blade severed his casting motion.
"Aiz!" Lynn shouted, signaling to Aiz, who had already reached the monk's rear.
Aiz understood immediately, a sharp light flashing in her golden eyes. Her saber flickered like a venomous snake, precisely piercing the neck of the monk whose casting Lynn had interrupted.
Splurt!
The monk's body stiffened and then crashed down.
Lynn and Aiz worked in perfect harmony, moving through the monks like a pair of phantoms. Every strike was precise and lethal.
On the other side, Tiona and Bete were in a heated struggle. Though Tiona was a bit disheveled by the fire, her Amazonian constitution allowed her to tank several hits. She dodged a halberd sweep and delivered a brutal uppercut to a monk's chin.
Crack! The monk was sent back, his mask knocked askew.
Bete was a force of pure physical suppression. Relying on his resilient body and metal boots, he tanked the monk's attacks and used his superior speed and power to corner his opponent.
"Die, trash!" Bete roared, kicking a monk into the air before lunging forward to crush the creature's skull with a stomp.
However, during the intense fight, Bete was grazed by a Black Flame orb on his arm. He groaned, a charred mark appearing on his wolf fur, and the searing pain made his expression turn sour.
Lynn glanced over and tossed a potion from his waist. "Catch. Don't try to tank it; that isn't ordinary fire."
Bete caught the potion by reflex. Looking at the vial radiating a gentle light, his expression was complex. "...Thanks," he muttered awkwardly, then downed the potion. The liquid sent a wave of coolness through his body, and the searing pain in his arm instantly vanished.
With the combined efforts of Lynn and Aiz, the monk leader was nearly spent after being drained by Lefiya's magic. Lynn seized the opening, used Bloodhound's Step to blink beside the leader, and ended him with a flash of Moonveil.
With the leader down, the remaining monks were quickly cleared. The volcanic cavern returned to a brief silence, leaving only the smell of char and the scars of battle.
Lynn walked to where the leader had fallen and picked up a charred parchment scroll.
[Obtained Fire Monk's Log x1]
He flipped it open; it was written in an ancient script. A look of realization passed through Lynn's eyes.
"What does it say?" Aiz walked over, her golden eyes filled with curiosity.
"Something... very interesting," Lynn closed the log. "These monks were guarding this place on the orders of an envoy, waiting for the 'Awakening of the Black Flame.'"
"Awakening of the Black Flame?" Tione frowned. As an experienced adventurer, she was wary of any term that sounded so ominous.
"Yeah. Let's go. Since we're here, we might as well see what this 'Black Flame' is."
Lynn stowed the log away, a flash of excitement in his eyes. He began walking toward the deeper reaches of the cavern, his shadow stretching in the firelight. Volcano Manor and the origin of the Black Flame?
Aiz followed immediately, and Lefiya bit her lip before joining them. "Dammit! We're being led by the nose by this kid again!" Bete grumbled as he followed, though he didn't turn back.
As they ventured further, the cavern grew wider, and the sulfurous scent became more suffocating. At the end of a long corridor was a vast circular hall, the firelight painting everything in an ominous red. In the center of the hall, a pitch-black altar pulsed like a heartbeat. Above the altar, a globule of profound Black Flame hovered silently, swallowing the light around it and radiating a heart-stopping pressure. This was no ordinary fire; it was a sinister flame carrying the aura of rot and despair.
A tall, bloated figure stood with his back to them. His broad shoulders looked even more swollen in the firelight. He wore a white robe stitched together from countless pieces of human skin—the edges of the robe were still twitching slightly, emitting a foul stench. He held a slender, cold-glinting rapier, pointing it toward the Black Flame on the altar as if performing an ancient ritual.
"His clothes... are human skin?" Lefiya's voice trembled. No one would feel comfortable seeing those "leather" clothes for the first time.
"Godskin Noble..." Lynn whispered the name, a complex light in his eyes.
The bloated figure seemed to sense the visitors. He slowly turned, revealing a face covered by a white skin mask. The mask had only two empty eye sockets, yet it felt as if they could pierce one's soul. His raspy voice echoed through the hall, carrying a hint of indisputable arrogance.
"Outlanders, this place is not for your prying eyes. The covenant shall not be broken."
Bete clenched his fists, watching the strange creature warily. Tiona was curious but knew better than to speak out of turn. Aiz's sword was half-drawn, her golden eyes locked on the Godskin Noble, ready to strike.
"Oh? A covenant?" Lynn raised an eyebrow, a playful smile on his face. "What covenant? One that involves making a mess of the Dungeon?"
The Godskin Noble's hollow sockets turned to Lynn, his voice carrying a hint of mockery. "Are you looking for the traitor? The one spat upon by the Black Flame?"
"Traitor?" Lynn's heart skipped a beat. The man in the black robe? He narrowed his eyes. "It seems you know something. Tell me, where did this 'traitor' go?"
The Godskin Noble let out a cold laugh, his bloated body shivering as if suppressing a manic glee. "He? He has already offered his sacrifice. And you... you shall soon be the same."
Before his voice had even faded, the Godskin Noble swung his rapier. The Black Flame on the altar erupted like a detonated explosive, sweeping toward them in a massive wave of fire. The Black Flame carried a suffocating corrosiveness; wherever it passed, the rock sizzled and emitted a charred stench.
"Scatter!" Lynn barked. Moonveil was out in an instant, blue mana gathering on the blade. "Transient Moonlight!"
He moved like a phantom, charging toward the Black Flame, his Glintstone blade leaving afterimages as he tried to cut through the fire. However, the Black Flame was not a solid object; it was only temporarily split before quickly reforming.
Aiz reacted the fastest. She pushed off the ground, dodging the first wave of fire like a golden arrow. Her saber shimmered as she followed Lynn, searching for an opening in the Godskin Noble's guard.
Tiona and Bete chose to tank it. Tiona roared, crossing her arms in front of her; her Amazonian skin turned charred under the Black Flame's heat, but she endured the impact, though the force pushed her back several steps. Bete was in worse shape; he shielded his head with his arms, and the leather armor that had survived years in the Dungeon began to emit black smoke under the fire's erosion. He let out a groan, his expression turning feral.
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Danmachi: My Primary God is Hidetaka Miyazaki? (Simulpub – Ongoing)
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