29 (29) Updated Dungeon Rating

"Barrage... Release"

Small, fiery red orbs started to form out of the gemstone, they formed motionless, but then exponentially accelerated forward. The first few orbs were deflected away by Lysine with ease, however the rate at which the fiery bullets were fired kept increasing faster and faster. What once was a slow and steady pace, turned quickly into a rapid barrage similar to that of a gatling gun.

Since Lysine could no longer deflect each and every incoming projectile, she turned to flee, zigzagging left and right whilst she tried to distance herself. It was lucky that these projectiles weren't a homing spell, however the Appraiser seemed experienced, aiming ahead of Lysine and often firing the orbs off in an irregular manner. This wasn't predicting her movements, this was just spraying the entire area, giving her space to run.

Lysine was slowly forced towards the back corner, but that was where Kraton was hiding. She couldn't expose Kraton and besides, she'll get revived later anyway. Although it was dying was unpleasant, it was her best course of action to attack mercilessly even if she would die faster.

Lysine propelled herself left, before skidding to a stop and facing the Appraiser. The man was quite far from her now, giving her more time to react to the projectiles. She briefly calculated the general direction and coverage before tensing her tail.

*Slam*

A veil of sand erupted into the air, Lysine had used her tail to slam down, sending the dust and debris into the air. It was fortunate that she hadn't made Kraton clean the room yet, otherwise she wouldn't be able to produce a makeshift smokescreen.

In the blanket of dust, Lysine leapt up and forwards, using her large wings to increase her velocity. *Woosh* Under the sudden airflow created by her wings, the particles of sand were pushed away, causing a micro-sandstorm that swept through the room, even reaching the Appraiser.

Blinded by the sand, the man could only see the faint shadow of Lysine before it disappeared before his eyes. He couldn't track the sudden flight of Lysine, and since the room was dimly illuminated, with only glowing stones in the walls, the man couldn't locate her shadow either. He waved his left hand, dispelling the scarlet glow, then ccovering his eyes to protect from the sand. The staff in his right hand glowed blue, preventing any more debris from scratching his vulnerable skin. However the sand still surrounded the blue shield, with every small impact, the shield would glow in that place, highlighting the shape of the shield. The dust, combined with the translucent blue glow completely blinded the man from Lysine's whereabouts.

*Ping* Lysine had made her way behind the man, slashing her dagger at his back, however the shield perfectly defended against the stike. Feeling the impact on the shield, the man spun round, yet Lysine had already vanished back into the dust. *Ping* the sound came behind him again, but once more, Lysine was not there. The dust was already clearing away, so Lysine couldn't keep doing this.

*Ping* The noise rang a third time, but it sounded duller, as well as this, the shield glowed dimmer than when it did with the impacts before. Lysine had used her full strength with these three attacks, two of these successful backstabs would have taken out a level 4 Knight with average armour, this clearly showed how effective the Appraiser's shield was.

*Crack* Sensing the reduced durability of the shield, Lysine stabbed, lunging forwards instead of darting and slashing across. If this attack failed, then she would have no way to escape after the collision. The point of the curved dagger impaled into the shield, like a needle piercing through glass. The stab continued forward, aiming at the man's spine.

Cracks appeared around the point where the shield was pierced, and then it shattered silently and dissipated. The dagger made contact with the man, ripping the silky robes and plunging into his flesh.

Lysine was suddenly thrown back, the man was encompassed within a bright, dazzling light. As the light vanished, the man was standing, leaning heavily on his staff and panting. A red line smeared the the fabric on his back, soaking the expensive material with a crimson stain. The man caught his breath and faced Lysine, he raised his staff and it let loose a brilliant light dyed with tones of red, yellow and white. The light formed rays; sharp, long blades which sprang forward like spears. They all flew towards the same location, towards Lysine's sprawled figure by the wall.

A flash, like lightning, entered Lysine's view, and then she too turned into light.

<Boss Lysine has been killed>

When the room finally turned back to it's original appearance, the man wiped his forehead and collapsed down onto the ground, resting his back on the floor. Moments later he took out his notepad and wrote a few more things before leaving the dungeon. He quickly went to the town hall and submitted his report.

______________________________________

Appraiser's report on Ophid Crypt:

...

Boss: Lamia; Level: 7

Speed: fast. Power: moderately high Stamina: has defensive capabilities. Combat Level: 8

Notes: ̶c̶a̶u̶t̶i̶o̶u̶s̶ Intelligent, adaptable, can use wings. Shown skills: Primitive backstab,

Drops: Scales, fish, 'to be added by others'

Dungeon rating: Level 6, 3-star

______________________________________

Seeing the man leave, Kraton creapt out of the shadows, his limbs felt stiff from crouching for so long, but at least he wasn't found. When Lysine respawned, Kraont went up to her with a small smile on his face.

"How was it?" He chuckled.

Lysine rolled her eyes, she estimated that the Appraiser was around level 15, but to have mastered a life-saving skill, that man really was strong compared to the players which she had often fought against. This encounter only made her even more serious in becoming stronger - with her Naga family of course.

Lysine didn't have much time to rest, as only 15 minutes later did the doors open again. The human raider's sure were enthusiastic to be beaten to pulp.

By the end of the day, Lysine was thoroughly exhausted, it appeared that the Appraiser's report had already been publicised, and so instead of the previous level 3 to 5's, the average human level had risen to 7 to 8. However, there seemed to be less parties in total entering the Boss room. This was due to all the level 6 parties just grinding away in the third floor, level 4 and 5 in the second floor and the beginner players in the first floor. It didn't change too much though, as higher levelled-players meant more experience and knowledge.

"I'm going up," Lysine finally had time to rest, and she decided to accompany the Nagas upstairs.

"Oh, one more thing," a smirk formed on her lips, a shiver ran down Kraton's spine.

"Go clean the room, you have until I come back."