The Battle of Ais

Considering it rationally, there was no doubt the most crucial thing for Riezel to do at this moment was to go all out against Udaeus.

Even though Udaeus was a floor boss classified as Level 6, his strength now had surpassed even Ais's, which meant he could take on Udaeus entirely on his own.

In the original work, Ais also managed to defeat Udaeus on her own in a perilous battle. Since Riezel was now stronger than her, there was no reason for him to fear the floor boss of the 37th Floor.

At the very least, he could have retreated with her, avoiding this floor boss very easily. He surely had the confidence for that.

However, that was just a rational perspective.

If looked at from an emotional standpoint, it was a different story.

If Riezel didn't know anything, didn't know Ais's desires, didn't know why the girl craved such strong power in her heart, he could have just jumped into action without thinking too much.

Unfortunately, he knew the original work, knew what wishes and sorrows resided in Ais Wallenstein's heart.

This made it impossible for him to decisively join or interfere in her fight.

Of course, monsters like Udaeus didn't consider and care about human emotions.

*ROAAAARRRR—!!!*

Udaeus let out a roar, slamming its fist into the ground without mercy.

*BOOOM!*

Fortunately, this punch couldn't reach Ais.

At this moment, she had already distanced herself from Udaeus. Unless it pulled its lower body out of the ground to pursue her, at this distance, its fist couldn't touch her at all.

Yet, seeing Udaeus's fist smash into the ground, not only Ais but Riezel's expression also changed slightly.

*BANG!*

As the ground shattered, sharp spikes, resembling both rocks or bone spikes, emerged.

These spikes were pitch-black, matching Udaeus's body color. They shot up from the underground, piercing toward Ais's direction.

'Here it comes!'

Seeing this scene, both Riezel and Ais felt a momentary tension.

Anyone who had faced Udaeus before or paid attention to information about it would know that this floor boss had two special abilities.

Some might wonder why this massive floor boss didn't pull its lower body out of the ground and remained in that position.

What they didn't know was that Udaeus actually had no lower body.

It was like a tree with roots firmly planted underground. A massive tree with its upper body visible to others, capable of displaying incredible strength, while its lower body consisted of numerous bone components branching out from the pelvic area.

The spikes that looked like rock or bone spikes were, in fact, parts of Udaeus's body. The entire area Ais was in right now was, in essence, Udaeus's lower body spread across the vast underground cavern.

As long as it was willing, it could make its parts buried underground break through the surface, attacking the entire cavern it was in. It could even block the entrance, not letting anyone escape from this place.

This was one of Udaeus's special abilities, being able to summon upturned spikes to attack its enemies. It could also summon them to use as shields against enemy attacks, truly a dual-purpose weapon.

Thanks to this ability, Udaeus could unleash area attacks, a rarity among the floor bosses. Even facing a group of dozens of adventurers with high levels, it remained unfazed.

Not only that, another one of Udaeus's abilities significantly reduced the numerical advantage before it.

*ROAAAARRRR—!!!*

The massive skeleton monster roared, causing the ground all around to continuously crack and shatter.

However, this time, what emerged from the ground were not bone spikes but small skeleton monsters.

They were like shrunken versions of Udaeus, human-sized but entirely white skeletal beings known as Spartoi.

Spartoi were monsters that roamed the 37th Floor, classified as Level 4. Yet another ability of Udaeus precisely allowed it to summon countless Spartoi to fight as soldiers for itself.

As a result, at this moment, whether it was spikes or soldiers, all of them under Udaeus's roaring command charged toward Ais.

"Ugh...!"

Ais tried to dodge, attempting to create distance from the monsters, but the pain coursing through her head to toe once again tormented her body, making her speed impossible to unleash.

Just as she was about to be hit by the violently approaching spikes, Riezel's voice echoed.

"Follow blindly the sun in the sky, so that all will flee from thee."

"Blossom, Armor of Laurel."

"Raumure!"

Accompanied by the chanting of magic, a deep green light membrane appeared, enveloping Ais's body.

Her speed suddenly skyrocketed, swiftly dodging the incoming spikes.

Before she could fully react, Riezel's voice rang out again.

"Healing droplets, tears of light, eternal sanctuary."

This was a completely new chant, and it was only recently that Ais heard it.

Unlike before, when she heard Airmid chant this magic with a solemn and devout voice, this time she heard a man's voice.

"Compose a medicinal hymn-three hundred, sixty, and five. The melody of the healer's almanac saves all things."

"Come, destruction of evil."

"The burial of wounds, interment of disease."

"Curses be gone in the light of vitality."

"In the name of all that is holy - I heal you."

"Dia Fratel!"

The top-class healing magic was activated, and pure white particles of light descended from the sky, swirling out from a white magic circle, and landing on Ais's body.

At this moment, Ais could clearly feel the pain and soreness coursing through her entire body rapidly easing. She subconsciously turned her head and looked toward the entrance of the cavern.

There, Riezel stepped on a pure white magic circle, gazing at her.

Through his eyes, she understood what he wanted to convey.

—At least let me handle this bit of support.

Riezel chose not to rush out anymore but to support Ais in his own way from the back.

Feeling her body gradually recovering, injuries improving, and even the soreness under her skin easing, she tightened her grip on her sword.

"Thank you, Riezel..."

Ais whispered and quickly raised her head, her eyes revealing a powerful resolve.

Without hesitation, she charged forward.

*BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!*

Numerous Spartoi rushing toward Ais shuddered, collectively exploding.

With the wind enveloping her body, she charged into the midst of the monster horde, like a storm sweeping through.

*Swish!* *Swish!* *Swish!* *Swish!* *Swish!*

Her sword slashed dozens of times in an instant, exploding every Spartoi in her path.

*ROOOAAAAAARRRR—!!!*

Seemingly angered by this, Udaeus immediately summoned more spikes, shooting toward Ais without stopping.

She didn't dare to be careless; her footsteps and figure dodged in rapid succession, avoiding Udaeus's long-range attacks with astonishing speed and agility.

*Whoosh—*

Seeing Ais getting closer, flames flickered in Udaeus's eye sockets. Its thick bone arm, carrying a strong gust of wind, quickly swung toward her without mercy.

Just as Ais was about to dodge, she suddenly realized there was no escape.

The spikes shot out by Udaeus, varying in length and width, were essentially a part of its body and wouldn't disappear.

Because Udaeus had just shot out numerous spikes, even if they didn't hit her, they would all land on the ground, forming a mountain of spikes. Some were as small as pointed needles, standing upright, while others were as large as stone pillars, occupying a considerable space in the cavern.

Although Ais successfully dodged the shooting spikes, those on the ground deprived her of some of her foothold.

In other words, her movement space was restricted.

Under the pressure of countless spikes, she had little room to dodge, completely unable to avoid the oncoming arm attack from Udaeus.

*BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!*

Udaeus's massive arm, thick and robust, laced with a forceful gust, swept away anything in its path indiscriminately. Just before reaching Ais, it preemptively swung, shattering spikes, breaking the earth's surface, and thundering toward her at great speed.

The power of this attack surpassed anything Udaeus had unleashed before.

Ais, relying on instinct and experience, realized she couldn't withstand this kind of attack. Even with Ariel's protection and Raumure's defense, taking a direct hit would leave her undying but severely wounded.

"Tempest!"

In the face of crisis, Ais increased the output of Ariel.

*Whoosh—*

A massive gust of wind enveloped her body, and with a step on her foot, she soared into the air.

*BOOOOM!*

Udaeus's powerful arm attack missed, crashing into the ground, and sending a spray of soil and stones into the air.

Ais, riding the wind, remained suspended in midair and quickly flew toward Udaeus.

Ariel's enhancement was almost comprehensive, assisting in every aspect except long-range attacks. It not only enhanced attack power and protected the user's body but also increased speed, enhanced weapons, and provided short-range flying ability.

Ais took advantage of Ariel's features, whipping up a frenzy of wind as she charged toward Udaeus with powerful momentum.

*ROAAAARRRR—!!!*

The flames in Udaeus's eye sockets burned more fiercely as both of its bony arms rose to meet Ais.

*Rumble—*

In the vast cavern, vibrations and tremors incessantly shook the surroundings.

With only one spectator, Ais engaged in a true life-and-death battle against her chosen powerful opponent.