An exhausting exploration(corrected)

"I need support!"

"As if I could provide it!"

'BAAM!'

The expedition had arrived at the 27th floor, after a long hike and they were almost at the entrance to the next floor, but to do this, they had to cross a rocky path, which split the lake in half and that's where the problems began.

A huge group of monsters began to attack the members of the expedition, blocking their continuation and the enemies that were facing Mark's group were giant crabs with a carapace that looked like it was made of metal.

'Clank'

"Shit-"

Striking with his sword, Mark managed to pierce a good portion of the crab's shell, but not enough to kill it, allowing the monster to strike it with its club-like claw.

"Gha!" -Hit in the stomach, Mark was thrown away, falling near the water.

Coughing, he tried to get back up, when he sensed something approaching him, so he rolled away.

'stab'

Where he stood just now was a trident, being held by a humanoid monster with webbed hands and scales covering its body.

Rising to his feet, with water dripping from his clothes, he threw 'flashbangs' blinding the monster and then sprinted towards it. Once close enough, he placed his hand on the monster's body and summoned an 'electric dart' piercing the monster fish.

'Heavy breathing'

From Mark's eyes one could see the fatigue, these last few floors, had tested his stamina and because of the battle that had been going on for so long already, he was reaching his limit. If it wasn't for his tiredness, he wouldn't have been hit by that monster.

"Mark are you okay?!" -Alicia hurriedly approached him, but he could see that she too was tired.

She had gone from just using her bow, to using her magic as well, but it seemed like she was about to reach her limit, because of the dark circles under her eyes. Elfy who was next to her was also in no better shape.

"How's the situation?" -Approaching them, Cruz also had several injuries, being the main fighter.

"Elfy and I are about to finish the Falna." -Alicia replied wearily.

"My reserves are also about to run out, and my sword has found a new scabbard."

Following where he was pointing, a crab monster continued to clash against its fellow creatures as it tried to remove the sword stuck in its head, failing due to its lack of mobility.

"At least this gave us a chance to catch our breath he-heee." -Elfy barely had the strength to laugh.

[Host I detect a fragment that is fast approaching.]

'Not good.' -Usually he would be happy to find out the location of a new fragment, but if it was approaching, it meant only one thing.

'Splashing noise.'

From the center of the lake sprang two dragon heads, covered in pearly white scales, and it was only by the size of the head and part of the neck that one could tell how big the monster was. The head, which had blue eyes, shifted its gaze to the adventurers and, opened its mouth releasing a blue flame.

Seeing the flame approaching, Mark's instincts screamed at him to move. If the flames worked like those of the Earth, the temperature they possessed would be hotter than the flame of the dragon he fought.

In the meantime, the flames flew over the water, causing it to evaporate, creating a path. When the flames had almost reached the expedition members, they were stopped by a barrier.

"Leave the boss to us, you guys take care of the rest." -Hearing Finn's voice, everyone resumed fighting.

'thump' 'thump'

Mark's heart beat wildly as chills ran through his body. The monster that had appeared was Amphisbaena, the only boss that could move freely through the floors, even if it was limited to Water City. It possessed a level 5 strength, reaching almost level 6, it wasn't something Mark could deal with his strength. Only the flames, had managed to light up the entire area.

'Deep breath'

" What are we waiting for? I have a sword to retrieve." -Trying to contain his feelings, he spoke to the others who were still petrified.

"...I'll give you a hand." -Recovering faster, Cruz was the first to recover and charge the monsters with his spear.

"Fufufu, I can't rely on Riveria all the time." -Even though she was still pale, Alicia showed a confident smile, and began to recite the spell.

"A-as if I were afraid!" -Elfy joined her as well.

'Looks like it's my turn, but I have to say that this place is hell.' -Looking at the number of monsters and adventurers fighting as the blood began to dye the water, the image of hell was what came to Mark's mind, not knowing that Deep Floors would be worse.

Using the path left by Cruz, he began to run, dodging the claws of the crabs or he blinded them. He had tried 'electric dart' but it didn't have enough power to pierce their armor, it was only useful for stunning them.

"There's my big boy." -After running through a deadly obstacle course, he managed to get to the monster who had his sword, but it was so agitated that it wouldn't let Mark get close.

'Booom!' 'Booom!'

Seeing the chaos it was dissecting, Mark had to stop its movements first, and he had the right skill for the situation.

"Intent!" -As he activated the skill, his eyes momentarily glowed red, releasing a bloodlust, which momentarily paralyzed the monster, allowing Mark to climb on top of his head and grab his sword.

Recovering from Mark's skill, the crab tried to fling him away, but this time he would keep his grip tight.

"Your external defense is good, but what about your internal?" -Showing a vindictive smile, he turned the Falna inside the sword into electricity, which covered the blade.

'CRRIII!'

As the blade was embedded in the monster's body, electricity spread in its inside, burning wherever it went.

'Boom'

Having no strength left, the monster fell to the ground dying, but it was no time to relax. Running towards the other crabs, he adopted the same strategy, he would jump and increase the weight of his sword, then he would pierce the electric blade into the monster's skull, killing them one by one.

After what seemed like an eternity, his group managed to kill the monsters that were closest to them, but even the other adventurers, seemed to be done, with only a few killing the last monsters.

The main group also seemed to have killed the boss while carrying the giant stone.

'Guide, isn't this the same situation as Goliath?'

[Exactly, the fragment is in solid form, only when the magic stone is present.]

'But unlike Goliath, the boss isn't surrounded by a barrier, so what would happen if it was taken away?''

[Maybe the entire Water City is the barrier, in case I'm wrong, the next floor is safe and I can help you absorb it, though it will be difficult to explain the disappearance of the stone.]

'Hmm.' -Hearing his words, Mark's expression became complex. -'Haaa, in case I make up some excuse.'

"Those who can help, help those who are injured. Healers take care of the most injured people, we're almost at the resting point!"

Now that the situation had calmed down, everyone had begun to head out while helping those in need. Mark and Cruz were also carrying Elfy and Alicia on their backs respectively, as they were suffering mind down.

"My head hurts." -Elfy complained on his back.

"See the positive side, at least you don't wake up in a different place."

"Why, did this happen to you?" -She asked curiously.

"Too many times already." -Sighing Mark said.

"Hehe sounds like... a... interesting... story."

'quiet breaths'

Turning to look at her, Mark could see her sleeping peacefully.

'What a world.' -He couldn't help but think back to the Guide's words. If he were on his planet, the girl on his back should only have school as a concern, but here she had to fight against voracious monsters.

[Host the shard returned to its ethereal form]

The moment the magic stone passed through the entrance, he received notification from the Guide.

'It looks like you were right about the barrier being Water City.'

Although he wanted to absorb the shard right away, he knew it wasn't a good time. Besides now he knew where it was, once he was strong enough, he could come again and get the fragment without having to make excuses with others.

After a strenuous walk, the expedition finally arrived at the 28th floor. It was not very different from the 18th, looking slightly more bare and dark, but it still had its charm.

When they arrived, they quickly set up the various tents, while the wounded or those who were unwell were left at the medical tent, where they would be treated, and it was there that they left Elfy and Alicia.

Separating from Cruz, he headed over to Tsubaki to receive a quick repair to his armor.

"Oh it's pretty beat up, and look at the chest it's all bent, did you get hit by a blue crab?" -She asked as she picked up the armor.

"Nothing escapes your expert eye."

"Thanks for the compliment, as for the armor, I can't do a full repair, at best I can fix something, but it won't be the best for aesthetics." -Tsubaki said, massaging her chin.

"As long as it plays the role of protecting me, I don't care."

"Hehehe, you and I do speak the same language. I'm going to fix it up and you go rest, you have dark circles under your eyes." -She said laughing.

Mark had neither the will nor the strength to reply, he was so tired he just wanted to rest. Walking towards his tent, the moment he put his head down, he fell asleep immediately. At first, he thought he could have trained in the various rest areas, but it seemed he had underestimated the explorations.