Suddenly, it opened its mouth wide, and within, a dark-colored magic circle lit up!
---------------------------------
"That is... she actually possesses such high intelligence? Damn it!"
"Did she use the clash and explosions between Fron and when she was defending to cover up chanting and magical fluctuations? How despicable!"
"Be careful, Ais!"
Everyone's eyes widened as they stared at the magic circle right next to Ais, their gazes filled with utter despair!
"No!"
Lefiya's scream sent chills through everyone's limbs. Ais was facing an enormous crisis, a carefully orchestrated trap by the enemy, an unavoidable and deadly snare!
"『Magic Dominator』!"
"[Will-o-Wisp--!]"
Boom--
"[Will-o-Wisp--!!]"
Boom, boom--
"[Will-o-Wisp--!!!]"
Boom, boom, boom--
The invisible chaotic magical shells exploded in an instant inside the enemy's mouth, forcing her body to arch backward uncontrollably.
"Gu?" At that moment, space and time seemed to freeze!
"Fron?"
"Fron, nicely done!"
"As expected of you!"
"Go, Ais!"
"We're counting on you, Ais!"
Their faces, once frozen in shock and despair, transformed instantly into joy.
And after burning away the last of his strength, spirit, and mana meant for escape, Fron collapsed backward in midair, a faint smile on his lips as he closed his eyes.
His lips trembled, a faint murmur reaching the girl's ears.
"I'm counting on you, Ais."
--!
The girl turned back in shock, eyes lighting up with joy at the words. In the next moment, her golden eyes grew sharp, widening, as the storm around her raged even fiercer.
It was the pitch-black color of vengeance.
"[Tempest (Lil Rafaga)--!!!!!!!!!!]"
Squelch!!!
A storm of blades tore apart the enemy's garments, shredding flesh without mercy.
Ais' silver rapier, tightly wrapped in condensed winds, unleashed a breathtaking silver strike -- a brilliance that severed the fallen spirit's itself!
"-------------"
The next instant!
The enemy's true body was pierced through by the silver rapier gleaming with the light of hope.
From top to bottom, the swordswoman, transformed into the flash of the wind, pierced through both the enemy's upper body and the massive plant's lower body -- impaling the very embodiment of "death."
The silver rapier that cleaved the body, the raging storm that shattered the giant frame, and the girl's furious roar -- obeying the young man's words: "Shout out the name of the technique."
"BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM--"
In the next moment, the enemy's massive body erupted in a deafening explosion, its berserk mana and shattered magic stone obliterating everything.
The mushroom cloud that soared into the sky, the shockwave sweeping across the entire floor, ravaged everything. Watching the terrifying enemy turn to ash in an instant, everyone stared blankly, murmuring in disbelief.
The raging storm refused to settle, quaking the dungeon floor itself.
Shielding themselves with their arms against the oncoming pressure, the supporters and adventurers alike lifted their eyes toward the blurred figure within the smoke.
The dust drifted away, and the figure grew clearer.
Until finally, the golden hair, shimmering with magical light, appeared. And when those golden eyes turned back suddenly, the cheers lodged in everyone's throats erupted at once!
"We won!?"
"We won!!!!"
The joyous shouts of Tiona and Tione soared into the skies!
Dragging their battered, bloodied bodies, the companions charged toward the the golden haired girl.
The smoke cleared.
The golden-haired girl supported the unconscious young man, her delicate face blooming into a smile, as if brightening the entire floor.
"Ais!"
"Fron!"
Their companions swarmed around them like mad, strength flaring up from who knows where despite their wounds.
Watching the young adventurers gathered together, Finn, holding his charred blackened right arm, smiled toward his old comrade coughing up blood.
"How's it going, Gareth? Still alive?"
"Hah, just a little hole in my gut. No big deal. Not like I'm dead yet."
The old dwarf scoffed, though blood still trickled from his lips.
"Hmph, still pushing yourself at your age."
Seeing the old veteran like that, Bete's face twisted as he unleashed his sharp tongue.
"What? Jealous? Didn't you say all I had going for me was brute strength? What happened to all that cockiness now?"
"Tch." Glancing at his trembling body, Bete was struck speechless.
Farther back, Lefiya and Alicia were casting healing magic on Riveria, whose form had just become clear.
It seemed she had taken the brunt of the enemy's magical barrage and its backlash -- her injuries were far more serious than expected.
"Lady Riveria, are you all right!?"
"Cough, cough… Don't worry, Lefiya. It's just magical rebound. With emergency treatment, I'll still be able to move."
Sweeping her gaze over the faces filled with genuine joy, Tsubaki also smiled.
"The Loki Familia, huh? You really are amazing. I'm impressed!"
...
The entire 59th floor echoed with the Loki Familias' victorious cheers.
Across the battlefield, broken weapons and shattered armor lay scattered -- silent proof of the great adventure that had just taken place, a glorious achievement of the [Loki Familia].
...
"Bete, carry the unconscious Fron."
"Hah--? Why's it always me carrying him? This is the third damn time!"
"Come on now, you should understand. Among all of us, you're the fastest. And you're already familiar with this right? Might as well do it again."
"Finn!!!!!"
"Hahaha, let's go, everyone! We'll return to the 50th floor as fast as we can!"
"Yes!"
"Of course, if you still have the strength, you can also pick up the drop items. We can't waste potential loot."
That little joke brightened the whole team's spirits even more.
But unlike the cheerful atmosphere, Ais pressed her lips together, her mind focused solely on Fron.
"Ais, don't worry. Fron's strong. He'll be fine." Alicia gently comforted her, telling her not to worry.
"Mm, I understand."
"Everyone still needs you. As for taking care of Fron, leave that to us supporters."
"Mm."
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T/N: Second bonus chapter for crossing 400 power stones; next two bonus chapter on crossing 450 power stones~