#223
223. Mission type, multiple (3)
Gunfire exploded incessantly, and flames colored the sky red.
Countless monsters flew up from the ground or jumped towards the deck from the dimensional hole above the airship.
Taoneer’s airship fleet was advancing deep into the forest while enduring monster attacks.
“Kyaaaak!”
Two red-skinned goblins charged from both sides holding daggers.
As I took a step to the side, the dagger blade grazed the air. I lightly lowered the bifrost.
“Kick!”
The torn upper and lower bodies of the goblins were scattered on the deck.
Only dozens of monsters I’ve already dealt with.
But this isn’t even the point.
The same goes for the other members of Party 1.
‘are you okay.’
The Lucette, as well as other airships, did not suffer any critical damage, although there were some injured or damaged parts. At this pace, you can hold out even if they swarm for hours.
[Current Evolution: 008 / 100]
However, the rule for this mission is Time Attack.
You must find and fulfill the mission conditions within the specified time.
If you fail… … maybe we’ll be annihilated
<Suspicious clouds! Break through!>
Kwajik!
The Lucette advanced quickly, ramming the harpies in its way with its bow.
Ahead were huge trees tangled like coiled snakes, and purple clouds wriggling ominously above them.
<Breakthrough!>
As the Lucette enters the sea of clouds,
The entire airship was enveloped in a hazy haze.
[You have entered the depths of chaos (Step 1)!]
[The debuff is applied to the entire raid!]
[Applied Debuff – Decreases all stats of the hero by 5%]
I felt that my body was subtly heavy.
I narrowed my brows.
is it a curse
<This… … what is it?>
Edith whispered on her personal channel.
“It’s a decrease in stats. You don’t have to worry about it. 5% doesn’t matter.”
There seems to be a penalty when you go deep into the field.
In this place on the outskirts of the forest, a 5% reduction in stats was being applied to all heroes.
There is still quite a distance to Al.
As I expected, the deeper you go, the worse the debuff will be.
“Ignore it and move on.”
<Okay.>
After cutting off communication with me, Edith immediately issued an order through the command channel.
The fleet, including the Lucette, changed into a wedge formation and advanced through the clouds.
It was white all around, but it didn’t interfere with my vision in particular.
“Kiaaaaagh!”
pop! Puffup! Puff puff puff!
The fleet, which had withstood one major attack, scattered artillery fire to the left and right.
The monsters that became meat from the volley fire continued to fall downward.
[Current evolution: 011/100]
I looked around the first stage area while clearing out the monsters on the deck.
If an object exists here, there will definitely be a mark. However, even after using the mind’s eye to search through it, there was no noticeable result.
‘Is it in the next area?’
The Taonier fleet broke through the sea of clouds outside the forest.
And, the color of the surrounding fog changed to reddish.
[You have entered the depths of chaos (step 2)!]
[The debuff is applied to the entire raid!]
[Applied debuff – 10% decrease in all stats of the hero, status ailment poisoning]
Acrid air seeped into his lungs.
A bitterness like inhaling fire.
“Brother, poison…!”
Intoxication status ailment.
I let out a breath.
It seems that the whole air is polluted.
“Katio.”
“Leave it to me.”
Katio closed his eyes and crossed his hands left and right.
Threads of magic spread from the fingertips, creating a transparent barrier.
It was magician’s unique air purification magic.
Breathing finally subsided.
“We’re fine. But the other party doesn’t seem to have a way!”
“It’s not that severe of a poison. If you take the potion in time, you can survive for a long time.”
If it was deadly poison, he would have had to escape right away, but this abnormal status was poisoning several levels lower than that.
“Edith, there should be an emergency antidote in the onboard storage. Supply it to the members on deck.”
<Okay! But should we move on? It seems to be getting worse… … .>
“Whether or not, I have to go.”
I looked under the railing.
Flames spewed from the chimera’s mouth.
Red flames heated the bottom of the Lucette.
“Kiaaaagh!”
puck!
Zena’s arrow lodged in the fire-breathing Chimera’s throat.
[Current evolution: 011/100]
Addicted to 10% reduction in all stats.
The number of debuffs more than doubled.
One by one, deaths will begin to appear.
[‘Laquil (★★★)’ has returned to the arms of the goddess! His fighting spirit will be remembered forever.]
The first death on the hero’s side surfaced.
They fell to their deaths together while dealing with monsters clinging to the deck.
[Danger!]
[An additional dark portal is created!]
“It’s getting more and more.”
Belquist muttered as he was cutting down a troll.
As the saying goes, the number of monsters jumping out of the dimensional gate has noticeably increased.
Now, there are flying monsters that penetrate the fire net and enter the inside.
<Don’t panic. I can still hold on. As usual! Stay in shape!>
Jigsaw Jigsaw!
The current barrier increased the output.
<Han, at this rate… … .>
“What about the goddess statue?”
<I don’t think it’s here!>
“Then go to the next section. There’s no time to fumble around.”
I looked to the right of my sight.
[Current Evolution: 017 / 100]
17% already.
The speed at which eggs devour monsters is accelerating.
[You have entered the depths of chaos (step 3)!]
Al is getting closer.
The Taoneer fleet broke through the forest’s 2nd sector, the reddish fog area.
‘This debuff… … .’
[The debuff is applied to the entire raid!]
[Applied debuff – 50% decrease in all stats of the hero, deadly status ailments]
[‘The Maw of the Abyss’ begins its activity!]
Aaaaaang!
One side of the forest stirred, and a huge mouth popped out.
‘… … Damn it.’
I put my hand over my ear.
“Take it out now! Go back to District 2!”
<Ah, okay!>
Beep profit!
A loud siren rang out.
A beep to signal an emergency.
The fleet rushing into the entrance of District 3 hurriedly turned its bow.
‘Deadly poison for 50% decrease in stats?’
<Wowaaaaaagh!>
I grabbed the railing.
It was because the Lucette surged upwards.
Kwajik!
The huge mouth that stretched over a hundred meters closed.
If the Lucette hadn’t soared, we would have been eaten.
Maw of the Abyss.
As a very rare trap-type monster, it was called the Nightmare of Airships.
It eats everything that passes over it.
‘doggish… … .’
I can’t work at all here.
If the hero’s stats were reduced by half, and if the deadly poison status ailed them, the Taoneir fleet would not be able to hold out for even 10 minutes.
[You have entered the depths of chaos (step 2)!]
[The debuff is relieved!]
The fleet returns to Area 2.
[Current evolution: 023/100]
Evolution continues to rise.
<… … Should I break through there?>
Edith’s voice is weak.
I crossed my arms.
“Wait. I’m thinking about it.”
The aggravation level of the debuff is too steep.
Jumping from 10% to 50% all of a sudden. Isn’t five times too much?
‘There’s something in Area 3.’
I looked back on the deck.
After the second offensive, I had some time to spare.
Belquist was wiping the blood off the blade, and Kishasha was loosening her shoulders.
On the other side, Katio, who maintains the air purification magic,
I saw Jenna, who was thinking about something by herself.
“The same place as before.”
“My body suddenly felt heavy.”
“But… you have to go.”
“So I ask, has anyone seen anything there?”
I looked at Jenna as I spoke.
Jenna looked at me and blinked.
“Come to think of it, brother, I think I saw a strange light. I’m not sure. I couldn’t see well because of the fog.”
“Where did you see it?”
“It was inside the monster’s mouth. Should I say it was sparkling white? It’s there when we go on a mission. It’s similar to the color of the light at that time.”
I leaned my back against the pillar.
‘White light.’
There was no time to think deeply.
Having come to a conclusion in 10 seconds, I opened my mouth.
“Edith.”
<Yes.>
“Your main unit is waiting in District 2. We only go to District 3.”
<You’re saying that only Party 1 and the Lucette go there? Wouldn’t it be dangerous in a place like that, even with one party? Looking for more ways… … .>
I shook my head.
I don’t know if it’s outside the mission, but if it’s inside the mission, a moment’s hesitation determines success or failure.
[Current Evolution: 027/100]
There was no time to be late.
“Wait. I will come after removing the curse.”
After cutting off communication with Edith, I entered the cockpit.
“Go right away.”
“no way…….”
“Yes, no way. We go into the mouth of the anglerfish.”
“No, that’s a bit…!”
I furrowed my eyebrows.
The mechanic put his hands on the steering wheel with a half-crying face.
And the Lucette turned again.
[You have entered the depths of chaos (step 3)!]
[The debuff is applied to the entire party!]
[Applied debuff – 50% decrease in all stats of the hero, deadly status ailments]
Only 1 party is affected by the debuff this time.
It was only natural that the other airships were in Area 2.
Looking back, the monsters’ third offensive was continuing.
‘My body is heavy.’
I could feel the debuff effect even without moving.
When I opened the status window, the stats that were cut in half caught my eye.
‘That’s great.’
I opened my mouth.
“Listen carefully. We must clear the way for the main force to enter. We must dispel this debuff as soon as possible.”
“Way?”
“I have to go into the light that Jenna saw.”
“I may have seen it wrong!”
I went in and looked around again, but the object was nowhere to be seen.
If I’m mistaken… … .
“Think about it then.”
[‘The Maw of the Abyss’ begins its activity!]
Kurung.
The ground started shaking.
“You can jump out after work. Join the main force in District 2.”
<It will happen even if you don’t say anything!>
“Then I’m glad.”
I hung down the Bifrost and looked around at the members.
“On the signal, jump down.”
“…”
It was a ridiculous order in a way, but there were no members who refuted it.
“Huh, really. Every 5th floor is amazing.”
“Isn’t it time to get used to it?”
I chuckled.
And I looked down.
bang!
The ground cracked and a black mouth protruded.
There are countless teeth sprouting from the inside of the mouth.
“Brother, over there!”
I looked where Jenna was pointing.
Inside the anglerfish’s mouth, I saw a whitish whirlpool.
“That’s correct.”
oh oh oh
The preta opened its mouth even wider to devour us.
<Aaaaaaaa! It’s coming!>
The Lucette rattled.
“now.”
There is no hesitation.
I lightly jumped over the railing.
The body started to fall along with the feeling of buoyancy.
[‘Party 1’ enters the ‘Arena of the Abyss’!]
A whirlwind of light engulfed me.
“…”
I opened my eyes.
There was a rustling sound under my feet.
The floor was covered with fine sand,
The sky was filled with endless darkness.
‘I can see the front clearly.’
The members of the first party seemed to have arrived safely,
Each was looking at the field.
‘Here… … .’
It is blocked on all sides by high steel walls.
It was a place reminiscent of the circular arena that was the stage on the 20th floor.
‘Isn’t that enough to remind you?’
It looks exactly like the 20th floor.
It’s just that the enemy in front of you is different.
The bleachers above the arena,
The prince sitting on the throne is looking down at us.
And on the battlefield below… … .
[Danger!]
[Beast King]
[Kiadni Bikshabi Lv.???]
[Danger!]
[Blind Saint]
[Leane Terra Lisa Lv.???]
<You’re here.>
“Ha ha ha! I thought I would die waiting!”
Two people stood side by side.
