Chapter 96

Just what was that man's purpose for coming out? Due to his premature exit, I couldn't properly appraise him, so I ended up not knowing his true identity.

The liquid flowing through the tentacles of Fal-Faashi had become darker, and the corners of the porcelain-like, expressionless face seemed to rise slightly.

"Even without an Adam's apple, he's a male?"

"Is that what you're focusing on!?"

"Is that all you have to say about the suspicious guy from before!?"

"It's just a different color from Fel-Faashi! Besides, he lacks an Adam's apple and other things!"

That's right.

"We can deal with the man after we defeat him."

"Put the Adam's apple on hold for now!"

It seemed they had switched their focus, and Galahad and the others turned to face the enemy with serious expressions.

"Homura's [Dispel Barrier] is level 1. It might be too much to ask."

Eagle seems to know more about my skills than I do, which is a bit troubling.

"He mentioned something about six attributes, so it should be fine!"

My equipment consists of two white staves. The third equipment, the 'White Staff,' has been significantly weakened, but its effect compensates for the reduced power of [Holy Magic], ensuring normal healing. I cast [Dispel Barrier] with the weakened second staff while charging [Light Eagle] and [Shadow Crow] with the first staff, aiming to release them simultaneously at the suspicious man who was inside the barrier.

I aim to hit the gaps between Fal-Faashi's floating feet. However, should I attack the barrier itself that covers Fal-Faashi in a dome?

I tried to appraise the barrier the man had set up, and a semi-transparent window opened, displaying some information. Due to the level, much of the information was hidden. The fact that information is "hidden" is a sign that my [Appraisal] skill has improved.

The 'Durability' bar displayed in the semi-transparent window seems to be like an HP bar. Although the values are hidden, I can see it gradually decrease each time I cast a spell, which is reassuring. I tried casting it on the visible light curtain, but it only reduced by a small amount, making it inefficient.

Multiple tentacles of Fal-Faashi come from various directions, weaving through the gaps between the floating feet.

Galahad and Eagle handle the defense, while Camilla takes care of the healing. Although I have the 'White Staff,' it's difficult to think separately. If all three staves cast the same spell or follow a pre-planned strategy, it might work, but mixing in instant healing judgments always causes a lag.

If the other two staves were more familiar, it would be easier... I wish I could have leveled up [Dispel Barrier]!

"Octopus tentacles!"

"It's troublesome that we can only deal damage when they attack."

They are still dealing damage while defending.

The feet, which move at a considerable speed, deliver attacks that would knock me back if I were hit. Galahad holds his ground, while Eagle steps aside to avoid and deflect the attacks to prevent them from reaching the backline.

In addition to the feet, magic attacks come in the form of bubbles, flowers, and water droplets. They look fancy but have troublesome effects like status ailments, HP drain, and MP drain. I've already been hit by the drain effects.

Fal-Faashi let out a sound like a cricket's chirp and collapsed.

"Well, it seems that breaking a few of the tentacles with darker suction cups paralyzes it."

"Almost got crushed!"

The two continued to attack the head that protruded from the barrier while exchanging words. Perhaps nothing has changed with Fel-Faashi. When the paralysis wore off, Fal-Faashi got up, shaking, and its severed legs regenerated.

The legs, which seemed to be filled with liquid, moved with white bubbles. However, when cut, no liquid flowed out, and they disappeared as if melting when the main body's legs regenerated.

"Prepare for a full attack!"

The regenerated legs formed a spinning top-like shape and rotated like a tornado. The tornado created a wind pressure damage with status ailments across the field, and then it separated and began to snake around Fal-Faashi irregularly.

"This tornado won't disappear. We need to defeat it before it splits into four."

"Without the barrier, we could cast spells directly at the head."

"Alright, I'll dispel it!"

I diligently worked on dispelling the barrier.

With a sound like a bell ringing, the barrier shattered.

"Got it!"

"Good!"

"Thank you!"

The three responded, and Camilla cast a spell while Galahad and Eagle charged up the writhing legs.

...Was it stress?

"Camilla, do you think it's hotter here than when we first came?"

I cast a spell at the head while dodging the legs and asked Camilla.

The two tanks have gone to attack.

I switched my main staff to a sword and began to handle the legs.

"Yes? Yes, it has gradually gotten hotter, but I didn't notice because it changed gradually. At first, Galahad's breath was white."

Galahad has a high body temperature. I've learned more unnecessary information.

"By the way, the man said something strange. Something about raising the temperature."

"I think it might be the reason the droplets aren't forming."

"If there's a mechanism, it's not the enemy's body but this room."

We wouldn't have time to deal with a boss who has set up a mechanism and is rubbing us.

"I'll go around the room. Are the legs manageable?"

"They're manageable. They're faster than Fel-Faashi but not unmanageable. It's better to take them down gradually while dodging and healing."

Seeing Camilla nod, I started running. I could hear her telling the two to hold off on big moves.

If there's something, it should be in the corner of the room. The floor, which seems to be smooth like wet limestone, has no hiding places due to the writhing legs and is not soil that can be dug. It has a slight red tinge.

The legs aim randomly, but I cast a few spells to draw their attention while running around the perimeter.

I quickly found something suspicious. If I hadn't known, I would have only focused on the boss after checking the obstacles in the field. This palm-sized object would have gone unnoticed.

A stone that looks like a fire opal, with a vivid orange color, as if flames are flickering inside.

I thought it was a waste but decided to break them as soon as I found them. I broke five, and with each one, the color of the floor faded. It seems to be a floor heating system. What a luxury.

"Sorry to keep you waiting!"

"The floor color has changed."

"Yes, but the temperature hasn't dropped yet. [Frost Flower]"

I cast [Frost Flower] with [Area Magic] to spread it across the room, not just on Fal-Faashi. This spell should have a cooling effect on the surroundings.

The boss room quickly turned into a fantastical place with ice flowers blooming everywhere.

"Ah, it's cold!!"

It seems to have affected at least one person. Looking at Fal-Faashi, the white bubbles inside the legs were gone. ...Were they boiling all this time?

"Is it okay?"

"Either way, this is as far as I can think."

"Both of you, you can take a break now!"

"Alright! Let's try it!!"

Before I could ask what, a white light sword, more than twice Galahad's height, appeared in his raised hand, and I knew the answer.

"[Great Sword of Judgment]!"

A massive light sword, about five meters long, was brought down on Fal-Faashi, and light overflowed the moment it touched.

"Wow! That's quite refreshing!"

Galahad and Eagle slid back from the collapsing Fal-Faashi.

"Quite a show!"

"The question is whether it will go down or not!"

"It's fine, it's not treated as a physical attack, so it won't get back up!"

"It seems to be on the verge of death. What kind of skill is this designed for?"

I don't want to think about the scary possibilities. If Galahad's replica can do this, what about my sword? No, the skill is the same.

"The power is proportional to the appearance. I'm not in a state to cast it yet."

"Is it the accumulated damage? What about Homura?"

"I haven't accumulated enough yet!"

"Can I cast it then? It's a bit painful to use it on a nearly dead opponent."

"Let's see if this skill works without [Physical Effect]."

With that, I held the sword in the eight-phase stance and activated the skill.

"[Sword of Judgment]!"

The activated skill enveloped the sword in white light and enlarged it. This is the same as Galahad's [Great Sword of Judgment].

I slashed down and then up, leaving trails of light.

It seems [Sword of Judgment] performs two attacks.

《You have obtained the solo first defeat title [Crimson Illusionist]》

《You have obtained the solo first defeat reward [Illusion Magic Stone]》

《Announcement: The dungeon's 40th floor rare boss [Illusionary Fal-Faashi] has been defeated solo》

《You have obtained 5 pieces of Fal-Faashi's facial skin》

《You have obtained 5 pieces of Fal-Faashi's silk》

《You have obtained Fal-Faashi's shoes》

《You have obtained Fal-Faashi's magic stone》

《You have obtained Fal-Faashi's droplets》

《You have obtained a +4 Ring of Spirit》

《You have obtained [Seed of Illusion]》

Wait.

Shoes!?

"Here it is!!"

"I didn't get any. It took a while."

"Bringing the rare boss's droplets will cause a commotion, but the opponent shouldn't complain."

The [Crimson Illusionist] title restores 10% of the damage dealt as MP. With [Attack Recovery - Magic] and active potions, and [MP Natural Recovery] while moving, my MP is already in an unusual state.

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・Increase・

Title

[Crimson Illusionist]

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Homura Lv.36

Rank C

Clan Zodiac

Job Magic Swordsman, Alchemist (Assassin)

HP 1278

MP 1666

STR 75

VIT 40

INT 146

MID 50

DEX 47

AGI 82

LUK 74

NPCP [Galahad][－]

PET [Bahamut]

Title

■General

[Communicator][Circulating Power][Mystery Solver]

[Economic Leader][Lone Adventurer][Nine Lives]

[Sage][Elegant One][World Soarer]

[Pain Liberation][Overcoming Labyrinth Slayer]

[Prepared Defense][Feeder][Environment Changer]

[Fire Suppression][Bond Holder][Jet Black Explorer]

[Unwavering One][Crimson Illusionist]

■Blessings of the Gods

[Asha's Favor][Val's Favor]

[Dul's Favor][Rusha's Favor]

[Fal's Favor][Tasha's Favor]

[Verna's Favor][Vers' Favor]

■Titles from the Gods

[Asha's Guide]

[Dul's Fruit][Dul's Land][Dul's Fingertip]

[Rusha's Gem][Rusha's Eye][Rusha's Preparation]

[Fal's Water Lily]

[Tasha's Host][Tasha