Dungeon Floor 12, Misty Grasslands.
Eiji recognized one of the Amazons.
As a Level 3, Aisha had appeared during the previous incident when Phryne had cornered Eiji. She was one of the executive-level fighters of Ishtar Familia and had been overwhelmed when the girls of Loki Familia swarmed her.
Later, Ishtar paid a ransom of one billion valis to retrieve over a dozen Amazons, including Phryne and Aisha, bringing the matter to a close.
Who would have thought she'd show up again now? Truly, once on shore, one prays no more.
"Haha! To be remembered by the famous Handsome Aurora is truly an honor!" Aisha laughed heartily, a large dao resting on her shoulder, her body clad in provocative purple gauze reminiscent of a dancer.
"Should I take this to mean Ishtar Familia and Kali Familia are in cahoots?" Eiji narrowed his eyes.
Kali Familia and Ishtar Familia working together? That sounded like a bombshell of information.
"Well, you'll find out when you meet Lady Ishtar," Aisha replied with a nonchalant smile.
Ho.
So it wasn't just these Amazons—Ishtar herself wanted to have a "chat" with him.
But Freya didn't get along with her. Would she be upset if something happened between him and Ishtar?
"Not to look down on you, but what can a bunch of rotten potatoes and stinking eggs like you possibly accomplish?" Eiji scanned his surroundings.
Aside from the two from Kali Familia, the rest were just ordinary upper-class adventurers, hardly worth noting.
Even those two meant nothing in his eyes.
"Hmph, I admit you're strong. We've heard the rumors about you!" Argana crossed her arms, heaving a seismic wave, her expression turning sly.
"But you're too arrogant. There are things in this world that defy all reason!"
"Sharay!" Aisha suddenly shouted.
Abruptly, a wave of noise assaulted Eiji, unsettling his mind.
He frowned slightly.
His opponents, meanwhile, wore expressions of smug satisfaction.
"We know all about your ability to fight above your level. If we're not mistaken, it relies on extraordinary swordsmanship and terrifying magic!" Argana declared confidently. "With that fearsome magic, you even defeated a corrupted spirit's avatar. But try using it now!"
Eiji silently activated his Absolute GodSpeed ability.
They must be referring to his Infinite Spiral Acceleration technique. Even in dire situations, pulling out that move had allowed him to instantly defeat a Level 7 corrupted spirit's avatar.
But there was no issue here!
It worked just fine!
Why were they acting so assured?
Eiji's frown deepened as he realized something was amiss.
After a moment's thought, his expression abruptly changed.
"What did you do?"
"Hahaha! It's too late to beg for mercy now!" Argana crowed in delight at his sudden panic.
"This girl from Ishtar Familia has a rare curse ability. Once her curse hits, the target can no longer use magic!"
In the crowd, an Amazonian girl no older than fifteen or sixteen flashed a proud smile.
Curses were far rarer than magic, and her curse could seal all magic—making her the natural enemy of any mage!
Thanks to this cursed ability, even though she was only Level 2, Ishtar held her in high regard. She was one of Ishtar's hidden trump cards!
"Hmph, even so, you still can't stop me from escaping if I want to!"
Eiji wore an unwilling expression, stubbornly retorting.
"That... remains to be seen!"
Bache suddenly spoke up.
Immediately after, Eiji faintly heard a melodious chant.
"Grow—thy power, thy deeds, countless treasures, countless desires. When the bell tolls, pray for glory and fantasy."
The rhythmic incantation echoed through the air.
"Grow—this body that feasts upon divine offerings, bathed in golden radiance. The hammer returns to earth, bestowing blessings."
Golden particles emerged from the mist.
"Grow—Mallet of Plenty!"
A dazzling golden light erupted from behind the fog.
Then, in an instant, it enveloped Argana's body.
"Such marvelous power!"
Argana savored the golden mana coursing through her, letting out a pleasured moan.
What the hell is this?
Some kind of special magic?
Eiji silently speculated.
"Come! Once I defeat you, I'll get to enjoy the finest man in the world!"
Argana bounced excitedly a couple of times before kicking off the ground.
BOOM!
A deafening explosion erupted.
In that instant, Argana's explosive power surpassed Eiji's expectations—her speed was now on par with his!
Eiji swung his blade.
"CLANG!"
But Argana's fist smashed straight into the edge of his sword.
Eiji's expression twisted in shock.
His body was sent flying uncontrollably, crashing dozens of meters away.
"Incredible! This magic is absolutely broken!"
Argana barely glanced at her bloodied right hand, instead staring in awe at the mist behind her, as if gazing at someone.
"You... reached Level 7? How...?"
Eiji staggered to his feet, staring at Argana in disbelief.
There was magic that could instantly boost someone's strength by an entire level?
This is straight-up cheating!
"Once you join us, you'll get to enjoy this power too!"
Argana roared, charging forward again.
In the blink of an eye, she closed the distance and drove her fist into his stomach.
Eiji didn't even react in time. His eyes bulged, then rolled back as he collapsed unconscious, landing with a thud on the soft ground.
"Phew, without magic, swordsmanship really is nothing!"
Argana retracted her fist.
Technique alone wasn't enough to bridge the gap between levels. The only reason he had been able to fight above his rank until now was because of that special magic. Once it was sealed, he couldn't even last two moves against a Level 7.
She licked her lips, then laid Eiji down and boldly tore off her own chest wrap.
"Wait! Lady Ishtar said she gets first dibs!"
Aisha rushed over, stopping her from going further.
"What does your goddess's command have to do with me?"
Argana carelessly stripped off her shorts and stood stark naked in the mist.
"Lady Kali said the same thing."
Bache approached and likewise blocked her movements.
"Hmm..."
Argana suddenly paused.
Come to think of it, hadn't Goddess Kali said something before their departure?
Her mind had been entirely focused on bedding the beautiful youth, so she hadn't paid attention.
"Tch, fine. I'll wait until after the goddess has had her turn."
With visible reluctance, Argana had no choice but to put her clothes back on.
Damn it!
Is that all the backbone you have?
If you don't even have the courage to defy the goddess, how can you claim to love me!
Eiji secretly opened his eyes, filled with frustration at her lack of resolve!