Chapter 70 - Deep Floors 02.

Chapter Size: 2452 Words.]

Third Person POV

32th Floor, Dungeon.

...

...

He continued on to the thirty-second floor, staying alert as he explored the dark and mysterious corridors. With each step, the presence of monsters became more intense on each floor. Through his life detection spell, he could see the corridors filled with them in the darkness of this place. Lucius advanced cautiously, relying on his skills and spells to face the imminent dangers.

On the 32nd floor, darkness was the theme of the place, a companion shadow that enveloped every passage when Lucius chose not to summon his Flame Atronach. The environment was marked by a sinister silence, broken only by the subtle murmurs of the numerous monsters gathered in considerable groups, ranging from 20 to 40 creatures. A small impending horde that required caution.

Lucius, aware of the imminent danger, advanced with cunning. Suddenly, shadows began to materialize in the center of the room, revealing the presence of monsters that detected him through the magic emitted by his Magelight. Without hesitation, the wizard was ready to respond with agile movements and summon his new magic.

*Lightning*

*Lightning*

*Lightning*

*Lightning*

*Lightning*

*Lightning*

*Lightning*

*Lightning*

*Lightning*

*Lightning*

In the instant the monsters rushed toward him, Lucius acted quickly. A series of lightning traps, skillfully positioned when he saw the first movements of the monsters, began to explode in sequence, illuminating the corridor with bursts and electric sparks. The sound of thunder roared, echoing throughout the floor, alerting the monsters that something was wrong; no monster that fell into the trap survived.

But Lucius didn't stop there. Again, strategically distributed lightning traps created an impenetrable electrical barrier for the monsters approaching after the initial attack. The corridor became a flickering battlefield, with the crackles and bursts of lightning cutting through the air. Lucius, firm in his position, used the intermittent lighting to monitor the movements of the next hordes.

As the monsters advanced, the corridor lit up with flashes of electric light, revealing an impressive spectacle of dancing lightning. The horde of monsters, composed of Violas, parasitized Power Bulls, Grand Treants, Worm Wells, Spartoi, Barbarians, Lizardman Elites, Obsidian Soldiers, Skull Sheeps, Loup Garous, and Furry Ones, was hit by a devastating series of lightning traps.

The lightning danced frantically, burning skins, bones, and scales. The corridor filled with the spectacle of thunderclaps, accompanied by the agonizing screams of the monsters. The pulsating and shimmering electricity hit the horde, creating a chaotic scene of destruction.

Violas and Power Bulls were struck by lightning when the traps exploded, burning their skins and destroying them to death. Grand Treants, even though immobile, trembled under the intensity of the rays, while Worm Wells tried to dodge but were caught by the traps in their path without being able to react.

Spartoi, Barbarians, and Lizardman Elites, considered dangerous warrior monsters, were enveloped by lightning, their agile movements and combat abilities proving useless against the electric force. The Obsidian Soldiers, with their solidified lava bodies, were also affected, their defenses diminished by electricity. Skull Sheeps, Loup Garous, and Furry Ones, each with their unique characteristics, succumbed to the thunderstorm.

Seeing that the electrical traps kept the monsters at bay and were very effective, Lucius kept a smile on his face. "This is really useful, and to think that all the monsters on this floor are coming here..." He continued to summon more traps, filling the corridor with purple runic circles with a myriad of lightning ready to explode. The spectacle of light and thunder continued, turning the battle into an electric symphony echoing through the dark corridors of the 32nd floor.

The corridor, once shrouded in darkness and sinister shadows, became an electrified battlefield. The scent of burning flesh permeated the air, and the sounds of monsters being electrocuted echoed through the corridors, creating a symphony of magical destruction. Lucius watched, always maintaining the rhythm of placing more traps to replace the previous ones, especially when the entire floor was converging in his direction. He witnessed the spectacle of the electrical energy wave sweeping the enemies in front of him.

While the monsters attempted to advance through the electrified corridor, Lucius didn't just keep throwing more traps. Using his newly acquired spatial ability, he swiftly swept all the magic stones from the floor, storing them in his small dimensional arsenal along with his belongings, adding the soultrap effect to them.

It was only after dozens of minutes that the onslaught subsided. With the battle won and the 32nd floor explored, Lucius decided to continue his journey. The goal was to reach the 37th floor, facing new challenges and gaining more experience along the way.

Lucius could hardly believe how he cleared the entire floor using only traps from his new spell, so effective without needing to leave a single corridor—just deploying magical traps. Now, having explored the altar on the 32nd floor and renewed his strength, he decided to test his new spells on the growing challenges of the dungeon. With confidence in his newly acquired abilities, he advanced to the 33rd floor, where the darkness seemed dense and pulsating.

Upon entering a wide corridor, Lucius noticed subtle movements in the shadows, as expected. Without hesitation, he activated his [Lightning Trap/Rank 3] spell again. An invisible magic circle was drawn on the floor before him, ready to discharge its electricity on any intruder.

The experience gained on the previous floors allowed Lucius to adapt quickly to the new nuances of the 33rd floor. He faced groups until the floor was cleared before advancing into the darkness of the 34th floor.

The 34th floor posed a different challenge, requiring not only the power of his spells but also his cunning and strategy. This floor featured a series of intricate and challenging chambers, each with traps and puzzles. Lucius, now familiar with creating magical traps, used his skills to overcome the obstacles.

The constant sound of traps being activated echoed through the corridors again as Lucius advanced, dodging physical traps and deactivating magical ones with precision. He faced clever creatures, such as Goblin Trapmasters, who tried to surprise him with cunning ambushes, proving that the deeper you are in the dungeon, the smarter the monsters become.

On the 35th floor, Lucius found an area filled with magical illusions challenging his perception. Illusory creatures appeared and disappeared, confusing the mage's senses. Using the spell he had become specialized in through thousands of deaths on the previous floors, [Lightning Trap/Rank 3], he strategically created magic circles to reveal the hidden creatures, zapping them before they could hide again.

Each floor presented a new set of challenges, but Lucius, with his adaptive ability and his new arsenal of spells, persistently pressed on, achieving a solo raid that no one else could at level 2.

Upon reaching the 37th floor, Lucius felt something new, something arising within him, similar to when he was on the intermediate floors and developed the charged attack ability. Lately, he had been focused on Riveria's notes and began to comprehend a new concept that manifested as an ability, among his existing ones, a new one emerged.

---Abilities---

• Blessing of ?????? (Negates Any Mana Cost)

• Charged Magic (Hold Magic for 2 Times its Cooldown and Release 4x Stronger Attack)

• Mana Zone (???????????)

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"This...?!"

In addition to already interacting with the magical threads present on the 27th floor, it was when he entered the deep floors that he began to get a better sense of these abilities. On the 32nd floor, while Lucius faced hordes of monsters using his electrical traps, he began to notice a subtle change in the magical currents around him. The magical energy seemed denser, as if waiting to be accessed and shaped like he had never seen before. Confident in his abilities, Lucius decided to investigate this sensation.

As he focused his attention on the magical currents, Lucius noticed that his ability to sense mana was improving at that moment. He began to perceive subtle patterns in how magical energy flowed through the environment, fueling the spells around him. It was a glimpse of the hidden potential that Riveria mentioned in her notes.

Facing the monsters and manipulating his traps, Lucius experienced a deeper affinity with the ambient mana. He felt as if he could extend his magical awareness beyond the limits of his internal magic pool, touching the vastness of the surrounding magical energy.

This gradual understanding of "Mana Zone" began to crystallize in his mind during encounters on the 32nd floor. The sensation of manipulating atmospheric mana to strengthen his spells became an intriguing and challenging idea.

As Lucius progressed through the corridors and faced the challenges of the 32nd floor, he continued to explore this new magical perception. Upon entering the 34th floor, he reached a crucial moment in his journey. With deep concentration and firm intent, he consciously attempted to invoke the "Mana Zone" he had felt bubbling beneath the surface of magical reality.

On the 35th floor, facing two battles, Lucius channeled his magic in a unique way. He felt the magical currents around him responding to his call, converging to create a magical zone around him. The atmosphere responded, and the "Mana Zone" manifested, transforming the ambient magical energy into a resource accessible to Lucius.

Feeling the intensification of his magical power, Lucius understood that he had successfully unlocked the "Mana Zone." Now, he could draw mana from the atmosphere to strengthen his spells and cast magic that was previously beyond his capability.

"But the skill is still incomplete... I need to enhance my knowledge..." He said, looking at the skill identified as ?????? in its effect; he could even summon magical particles, but the ability was still incomplete.

Determined to further refine this newly discovered ability, Lucius continued his journey into the deeper floors of the dungeon. Each encounter, a chance to be empowered by the "Mana Zone," offered opportunities for him to explore and expand the limits of his newly awakened skill.

"Hey, there's someone ahead of us!" Lucius heard a voice in the corridor as he faced a new group with his traps. This put him on high alert; these dungeon corridors were dangerous, and although it wasn't very rare to encounter a group here, it would certainly be a group full of level 3 and 4 adventurers, something that could be dangerous for him at the moment.

So he tightened his grip on his sword and placed many traps on the ground before facing the approaching group. The corridor ahead was illuminated with a group of raiders, including dwarves, humans, and even some elves, appearing before him. Lucius sighed when he saw who they were.

"Hm?! I wonder what a level 2 mage is doing alone in the intermediate floors..." A playful voice sounded from the group, with a person stepping out and appearing between Lucius and the others.

This was Tsubaki Collbrande, a half-dwarf and half-human commander of the most powerful weapon supply family in Orario, the Hephaestus Familia. Lucius already had some history with them, to the point that he was nicknamed an enemy of the family. Still, he sighed; Tsubaki didn't seem like someone who would attack him.

"I see... The Hephaestus Familia is returning from a raid..." Lucius commented.

"And you're doing yours... But I'm really surprised, a level 2 on these floors. I heard of your exploits in Rivira, but seeing you here in person is truly remarkable."

"Who is he, Captain Tsubaki?" Someone from the group asked, everyone was stunned seeing someone solitary on these dark floors.

"He is Lucius Drakenar, someone many of you consider an enemy of our family, but as you can see, he's not just anyone. I would be careful if any of you plan to face him..." She said with the same playful smile.

"..." Lucius remained silent.

"And those things on the ground... Very clever, he placed a bunch of traps on the floor... I don't know how he can do that, but even for me, it's dangerous to be caught by all of them..." She started laughing; the traps were invisible, but surely a level 5 adventurer would detect them.

"I'm alone on these floors; I have to be wary if a group of adventurers attacks me..." Lucius replied honestly; he couldn't afford to falter here.

"Understandable, clever, that helps with survival. Anyway, this sword in your hand... Welf made it, didn't he?" She had an even more playful tone.

"Yes, he crafted it." Lucius responded calmly.

"Hehehehe. Interesting. Anyway, let's take a detour around the area. The mage here filled the place with traps, something I can't blame him for." She said and left through the side of the room with her familia still looking at Lucius cautiously.

After everyone left, Lucius sighed and continued his path after undoing his traps.

As he advanced through the dark corridors of the same floor, now that he saw he was alone, he began to notice a change in the architecture around him in an area. The dense darkness gave way to a majestic landscape, and Lucius found himself before an imposing structure.

Before him stretched the Colosseum, a grandiose construction that evoked the majesty of ancient Greek arenas, something created by the dungeon itself. Tall and elaborate columns supported a series of impressive arches, creating an atmosphere that blended architectural grandeur with the feeling of an imminent battlefield.

As Lucius approached, the resonant sounds of growls echoed through the passages, whispering about formidable challenges awaiting within the Colosseum. The mage, now equipped with his newly discovered "Mana Zone," felt the magical intensity emanating from the structure as well; the place was entirely magical.

The open gates of the Colosseum revealed a stunning sight. Monsters of various shapes and sizes faced off in brutal confrontations, creating a spectacle both terrifying and fascinating. Violas, Power Bulls, Grand Treants, Worm Wells, Spartoi, Barbarians, Lizardman Elites, Obsidian Soldiers, Skull Sheeps, Loup Garous, and Peludas, each contributing to the cacophony of roars, grunts, and magical sounds.

Lucius realized that the Colosseum was not just a physical arena; it was a magical proving ground. Monsters employed various magical abilities, challenging each other in duels of brute strength and magic. The atmosphere was imbued with the magical energy released by the clashes, providing Lucius with a unique opportunity to test his "Mana Zone" in a challenging environment.

He walked up to the place, knowing that these monsters couldn't leave the structure, but as he approached, the system issued a new challenge for him.

[Enter the Colosseum and survive for specified times without leaving.]

[10 minutes – 1 million points.]

[50 minutes – 5 million points.]

[100 minutes – 10 million points.]

"So many points!" Lucius almost couldn't believe his eyes.

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