Isagi hated bosses that were always jumping around the most.
The two-headed lizard before him was exactly that.
Perhaps because it had transitioned to a new phase, its already unpredictable, frenzied movement patterns became even more twisted and impossible to understand.
While bouncing around like a pinball, the two large mouths—one in front and one in back—continued to spray crimson, corrosive ichor.
Fuck!
What a mad dog!!
However, Isagi also discovered the key: although both heads of the lizard were spraying ichor, there was an absolute "safe spot," and that was—
"Lefiya, come here!"
"Yes, Mr. Isagi... Eek!"
Accompanied by the Elf girl's small cry of surprise.
Isagi hoisted her slender, soft body onto his shoulder in one go, then used the Shinobi Prosthetic's grappling hook to swiftly zip directly onto the two-headed lizard's back!
He then plunged his greatsword straight down. Amidst the two-headed lizard's incredibly violent shrieks, the two of them secured their position, preventing themselves from being easily thrown off.
Immediately after, Isagi shouted to Lefiya.
"Can you cast magic?"
"N-No problem!!"
The Elf girl currently felt like a small boat swaying in a storm, but even so, her body was held firmly on his shoulder by the boy's large hand. So, focusing her mind and raising her staff was still possible...
"Noble warriors... Archers of the forest... Take up your bows... Respond to the voice of your brethren..."
The intermittent chant flowed from her lips; Lefiya concentrated fully, gathering all her attention into the staff before her.
Then.
Blazing arrows took shape once again.
Because the distance was so close, almost the instant they were fired, several streaks of crimson flame exploded directly upon the two-headed lizard's broad back.
[Fusillade Firebolt]!
As everyone knows, if there is only one target within the range of an Area of Effect spell, it counts as a single-target spell.
The immense impact severed the two-headed lizard at the waist in the blink of an eye.
And the moment the magic took form, Isagi had already used the grappling hook to pull himself and Lefiya toward the other side of the cavern.
"Ugh!"
She felt the world spin, followed by the impact of a sudden fall.
When Lefiya slowly came to, she climbed up from Isagi's embrace. The boy simply stood up skillfully from the crater he had smashed into the ground, taking a sip from his Healing Gourd in the process.
He even asked Lefiya if she wanted some.
However, the Elf girl shook her head. Because she had been protected so well, she was completely uninjured, only feeling a bit dizzy.
The battle was over.
The magic stone inside the two-headed lizard had been blasted out directly by the strike just now. Its flesh seemed to have vanished completely, leaving a giant, irregular cavity within its body.
And as the magic stone separated from the body.
Its colossal body began to turn into ash. Before long, only two drop items remained.
Lefiya immediately trotted over. She picked up the magic stone first, followed by a lizard skin material that looked like it was for making armor again. Finally, there was that irregular pale stone (quest item) they had obtained before.
After Isagi took it, he found that it could be pieced together with the two pieces collected previously, though it was still missing a corner.
It seemed there were four pieces in total.
This thing's use was to open the Fog Gate boss on the 4th Floor.
While raising his ability scores in the Dungeon earlier, Isagi had attempted to visit the Fog Gate on the 4th Floor, intending to see what the boss inside looked like.
But after entering, he discovered a stone statue with a recess inside. It was obviously meant for this quest item called the "Saintess's Emblem".
Now they were one short of the set.
As for where to find the remaining piece, Isagi already had a target in mind.
After the two-headed lizard was dealt with, the chamber slowly began to revert to its ordinary appearance. The blood pools, the sea of rotting flowers, and the severed limbs of various monsters all sank into the Dungeon's "interior," and the Fog Gate gradually dissipated.
Finally, it turned into a common, gloomy cavern.
"Miss Filvis, are you alright!"
Only now.
Did Lefiya greet the Elf girl in the distance.
"I'm sorry, your companions..."
The group of adventurers who entered earlier had all been wiped out. The situation just now was chaotic, but Isagi had tested the Fog Gate's "mechanics" before.
In short.
After entering, no one can leave. However, if he "died" and resurrected at the save point outside the Fog Gate, and did not re-enter, the Fog Gate would open, allowing others still inside to leave.
It's just that since he wasn't there, the boss would disappear shortly after and "reset" its state, returning to full health the next time he entered.
But at this moment, with only himself and the two Elf girls remaining in the chamber, those adventurers from before were definitely dead.
"Those guys aren't my companions!"
"Eh?!"
"They... They..."
Facing Lefiya, who had run up close and was looking at her with concern, Filvis turned her head away, stammering, not daring to meet her kin's gaze at all.
In the end, she could only lie.
"That group was a bunch of thugs. I chased them into the Dungeon and ended up here... It's... It's good that they died. They weren't good people anyway."
"So that's how it is."
"Mm."
She said guiltily.
Elves are a race that considers themselves noble, possessing a rather paranoid arrogance and a dual obsession with cleanliness of both mind and body. Even for Filvis, who had given up on herself and considered herself filthy...
When facing a kin, especially a young one like Lefiya who was always brimming with enthusiasm and cheerful smiles...
Her frozen heart would also be touched by warmth.
And also...
She had seen Isagi and Lefiya fighting side by side just now. Filvis was somewhat envious, because currently, she was all alone.
"By the way, Miss Filvis doesn't have anything else to do right now, right? Then do you want to form a party and adventure with us?!"
"Eh?!"
Lefiya's sudden, direct invitation made the usually cold-faced Elf girl freeze in place.
"Sorry, was that too sudden? Excuse me, I am..."
"I will."
Filvis hesitated for a moment, but eventually nodded.
Because...
She didn't want to return to the city for the time being either.
If she went back, she would have to take those dirty bandits to meet the Dark Familia again. Although it was the deity's will, she, who had long lost her place in this world, had nowhere else to go.
So, even if it was just for a moment of rest and relaxation, Filvis looked at Lefiya, who was always smiling cheerfully before her.
And at Isagi in the distance, who was stretching his body and preparing to light a bonfire to eat and rest.
The two-person adventure party reminded her of the times she explored the Dungeon with her Familia companions.
And with Filvis joining the party.
Lefiya secretly turned back and winked at Isagi.
The Elf girl naturally had her own little schemes. She had just seen her kin's defensive magic, which was strong enough to withstand the crimson rot sprayed by the monster.
Lefiya was naturally thinking that if she could learn it, future battles with Isagi would become much easier.
And the boy wouldn't always have to protect her; she could protect him too!
Hehe.
___
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