Is it wrong to try to meet someone in a dungeon?

Seeing the lake freeze instantly, turning into an endless "ice field," the four dragon eyes stared in astonishment.

Teammates Sakura and others were the same.

This wasn't a pre-arranged plan, nor was it an instruction from anyone. It was simply because they needed a "foothold" to rush towards the floor boss (the big guy) and kill it. That was all Welf was thinking.

So he used the "magic sword" that could freeze everything and unleashed an extra-large cannon shot.

This is the most correct approach when dealing with a two-headed dragon.

Generally, defeating "Amphispina" must be done on one of the many "islands" between the waterways—that is, in a specific large chamber where there is a "foothold". Large groups of adventurers will choose an ideal battlefield on the 25th, 26th or 27th floor and set up an ambush to lure the floor master there.

"That's pretty good!"

Aisha smiled and cheered.

The "island" problem that she was particularly worried about when she was attacking the floor owner has now been resolved.

"Roar!!"

The third to take action was the Labyrinth King, "Amphispina".

Unwilling to let adventurers run rampant, it twisted its two necks and spewed out a dreamlike, raging flame—the Burning Azure Flame.

Cracks appeared on the frozen water surface, which gradually melted under the burning flames.

But this will only turn a whole "ice field" into multiple "islands".

This is the ideal terrain condition that a level 2 adventurer (Aisha) desires when slaying the two-headed dragon.

"Come forth, mighty overlord!"

To give a final summary of the preliminary battle, the Amazonian heroine began "parallel chanting".

He was planning to make the enemy focus on him before Haruhime completed her "level-up".

The fox-girl was engaged in a massive incantation and was unable to spare any attention. In order to completely block the attacks against her, Aisha jumped onto the icy "island" first and charged towards the floor master.

"Roar! Roar!"

"──────!!"

The Amazons exuded an undeniable "magic," willingly acting as "bait" and becoming targets in the eyes of the dragons.

The right head roared urgently, while the left head responded by spewing out azure flames.

Aisha narrowly escaped, her face contorted by the murderous heat, as she drew a huge arc around the floor master.

While dodging the enemy's fiery torrents, she smoothly wove incantations, giving the monster a "magic" attack instead of a show of force.

"【Hel Caios】!"

The broadsword slammed heavily onto the glacier, and the slashing wave surged forward like a shark's dorsal fin.

Faced with this attack, the other dragon head of the floor owner quickly moved.

"Haa ...

In contrast to its left head, which radiates blue flames, its right head spews out "red mist."

The dense fog released with a sweeping motion enveloped the dragon like a protective shield. Then, the "magic" greatsword rapidly approached.

The moment the two came into contact, the speed of the "magic" noticeably decreased.

The slicing wave swayed like a mirage, shrinking in size, barely breaking through the fog.

The sword energy struck the floor master's body, producing a satisfying "clang!"

The dragon scales were completely unharmed.

"Varied……!"

"The power of 'magic' has been reduced!?"

This sight took both life and cherry blossoms by surprise.

In response to their panicked reaction, Aisha immediately replied:

"It's the 'Red Mist' of 'Amphispina'! It will cause any magic that comes into contact with it to dissipate!"

That's another kind of "breath" possessed by dragons with two necks.

If the azure flames are the "spear" that sweeps away prey, then this red mist is the "shield" that defends against enemy artillery fire.

The effect was as everyone could see. Even the killing moves that second-level adventurers usually used to annihilate any kind of monster in the "lower levels" were rendered ineffective.

Aisha roared angrily:

"To kill 'Amphispina,' the only way is to get close and beat it to a pulp!"

The reason why the two-headed dragon was defeated in the large cave with countless "islands" is because of this.

Logically speaking, engaging in a water battle with an excessively large water dragon would be tantamount to suicide. However, since the key to the floor master's strategy, "magic," is sealed by the red mist, the adventurers have no choice but to fight in close combat.

Moreover, the weapon cannot reach the "magic stone" hidden in the center of the dragon's body, making it impossible to kill it with a single blow.

"Continuously firing 'magic' could create holes in the mist or disperse it, but it's not worth it! At least, Lily, we couldn't do that!"

While Lily was terrified by the terrifying power of the real person, she added the information she knew about the floor master.

The red mist is not invincible. Each time it counters "magic," its density decreases.

However, once the fog thins, a thicker fog barrier will be erected on the right side of the dragon's head.

The mist emanating from Amphispina, which prides itself on its overwhelming size, is virtually inexhaustible. If a firepower exchange were to occur, the mages' mental energy would be depleted first, or they would be burned to death by the azure flames.

"Amphispina's" "Double Breath" truly embodies the function of combining offense and defense.

"Judging from that, the Demon Sword (this one) won't be very effective either...!"

After listening to Aisha and the others' explanation, Welf looked down at the "Crozo's Demon Sword" he was holding in his right hand and put on a sarcastic smile.

"Grow bigger—the Magic Mallet!"

At this moment, Chun Ji was ready.

She conjured five fox tails through "chanting link" and filled them with "level-up magic".

"For Lady Welf, Lady Sakura, Lady Mikoto, Lady Chigusa, and Lady Daphne!"

Lily shouted immediately.

The two-headed dragon's potential is Lv.5. A direct hit would kill a Lv.2 adventurer instantly. Therefore, "strengthening" the midfield and center-back positions is imperative. Conversely, Lv.4 Aisha, the defender himself, and the healer Cassandra are excluded. The dwarves make quick and accurate judgments.

Lily took on the role of commander, issuing orders in place of Aisha who was on the front lines, and Haruhime obeyed.

"Let's dance!"

The tail of a beast of light that grew from her waist detached from Haruhime's body and transformed into a ball of light.

The [Melting Hammer], now imbued with nine layers of additional magic, flew to Welf and the others, possessing them as if it were a vessel.

The light of "Level Upgrade" shone continuously.

The number is four.

Chunji left behind a trail of light, panting heavily as she pressed her hand to her chest, and took out a magic potion (a mental energy recovery potion).

(If I use up five at once, I'll collapse. But if I leave just one...!)

Since her battle with the "Enhanced Giant (Moss Titan)," Haruhime has learned a thing or two.

Once she uses up all of [Ninefold] at once, she will become a fragile burden due to mental exhaustion.

This is a measure to prevent that phenomenon. As long as one of the [Ninefold] spells remains unactivated and in a "standby" state of "magic," the spiritual power of one tail can be preserved to prevent fainting. If one can take this opportunity to recover and replenish the consumed energy, there is a way to cast "Level Ascension" again. The tail that remains can also be used as an emergency measure in times of crisis.

Now, I absolutely cannot fall.

Chunji was aware of this.

She abandoned modesty or humility. In the current situation, her own strength was indispensable. In order to defeat the floor master whose strength was far inferior to hers, she had to constantly bring the light of "leveling up" to support Ming and the others.

So she thought to herself: I'm sorry.

Haruhime met the eyes of Chigusa, the only one who did not receive the grace of the Light of Ascension, and apologized to her.

—I'm so sorry, Chigusa!

--It's okay.

"I can still fight," she said.

When Haruhime saw the girl she had known since childhood smile gently through her right eye, which peeked out from under her swaying bangs, Haruhime's eyes welled up with tears.

Chigusa held a bow and arrow in her hand. Her position was center back.

The fox-girl, wagging her tail, kept her eyes glued to the battlefield, unwilling to look away for even a moment, while simultaneously trying to respond.

"I really didn't want to use it, but... it seems I can't hold back anymore."

As Haruhime was casting her magic, Daphne watched the frenzied two-headed dragon unleash its power and gave a dry laugh.

She sang very reluctantly and helplessly.

"【The relentlessly pursuing sun (radiance). All things are escaping your grasp—Bloom, armor of the laurel tree!】"

A short poem to be sung.

Daphne deftly twirled the baton-shaped dagger, wielding that "magic".

"【La Muller】."

A deep green light membrane covered the girl's entire body. This was a "protective magic" akin to an enchantment.

The effect is a slight increase in "Durability" and a significant boost to "Agility".

This is because the incantation reminds Daphne of a certain god she dislikes using—even in war games where the survival of factions is at stake—her only magic.

"Ughh ...

The adventurers, who had undergone "level-up" and become pseudo-Lv.3, rushed out.

Abilities greatly increased. All buffs, including Daphne's "magic," are now fully applied.

That completes the preparation.

We're finally moving from the preliminary battles to the main event.

Sakura and the others shouted and jumped from the lake shore onto the "island," charging towards the floor master.

The boots, firmly planted on the surface of the ice, unleash their power and leap into the air.

Welf, Life, and Sakura leaped forward using the acceleration of Lv.3, jumping from one "island" to the next, and then scattered in three directions as they approached the main floor.

Their plan was to surround the enemy together with Aisha, who had already circled around to the enemy's rear, thus diverting their attention.

Unexpectedly...

"Ooh o ...

"Haa ...

「!?」

The two heads, emitting a double roar, nearly knocked down all three at once.

The right dragon head slammed down with tremendous force, and Welf narrowly dodged; the left dragon head swept across, and Life and Cherry leaped aside to avoid it. A swift sweep that grazed just below the soles of his shoes knocked down the adventurers with its residual force, and a vertical slash that followed cleaved the giant ice island into a V-shape.

Numerous water droplets shot into the air. Welf and the others barely managed to land on a small "island," with countless splashes of water hitting them.

"So fast!!"

"No, more importantly...!"

"No flaws!"

Welf, Fate, and Cherry Blossom all cried out in trembling.

The two rapidly twisting necks each possess independent consciousness. Whether flanking or setting up an encirclement, the two viewpoints eliminate blind spots. Moreover, the strong necks, woven from dragon muscles, are long and enormous, with extraordinary attack speed, capable of engaging (or protecting) enemies from all directions.

“──!?”

Without giving them a moment to breathe, the right dragon head shot out fiercely, closing in on their lives.

It wasn't even a flaw, just a slight lapse in concentration. However, even with a level 3 ability (status), it wasn't enough to completely evade this enormous threat.

This Dragon Head Hammer move is enough to render someone incapable of fighting.

"Be careful!"