Chapter 33: Arriving at Floor 18

Once out of the area where Ardi's assault took placed we began moving even faster.

Using our map we found a well-established path and began high-tailing it towards floor 15.

But that doesn't mean we didn't keep our wits about us.

We were on the lookout for monsters, weapons drawn and at the ready. We also kept a close eye out for Evilus members as well, just in case those shit bags we killed had some friends skulking around.

But thankfully we didn't see any other people as we moved through the tunnels.

We also didn't encounter many monster hordes either.

Thus after taking a few rests we reached the 15th floor within a few hours, ahead of schedule.

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Coming out of the tunnel we were in we didn't stop to take in the scenery.

Instead we continued moving forward.

But came to a halt when both walls on either sides of our group cracked open, and a horde of minotaur's came out.

20 in total.

'Just our luck.' I thought. Encountering a horde of one of the strongest monsters on the middle floors now.

I guess the dungeon was just messing with us before we didn't encounter any monster hordes on our way to this floor. But it looks like playtime is over.

"Rarghhh!!!!"

The minotaur's shouted in unison.

As they did so I noticed Ardi collapsing to her knees.

Normally she probably wouldn't be affected, but given the trauma she's just went through her mental fortitude isn't strong enough to resist the minotaur's intimidating shout as I like to call it.

"Rogue, Ryner, Millhiore, protect Ardi and watch our rear. Everyone else, start slicing up minotaur's. We're busting through." I said.

"Right!" Everyone shouted.

After they did so we sprung into action.

Rushing forward I got within range of a minotaur.

Once I did so it swung its left fist at me and I leaned back and dodged it, feeling a small but powerful gust of wind as I did so.

Just as described minotaur's pack a powerful punch. So I definitely need to make sure I don't get hit by it.

Taking my spear I jammed it straight up into the underside of the minotaur's chin all the way through its head. As the light died in its eyes it turned into dust.

Once it did so I moved to another minotaur and used my speed to get behind it.

The moment I did so I slashed its back several times and also its heels. This caused the beast to fall to its knees.

When it did so I moved back around to the front and used my spear to cut open its throat. As blood gushed out the monster turned into dust.

The second after this happened I took in the entire battlefield to check on the others.

Dodging a punch aimed at her head, Ryuu cut into the arms of the minotaur she is facing.

The beast cried out in pain and tried to stomp on her. But at the last second she jumped back and then stabbed her sword through the beasts chest, shattering its magic crystal. Because when it turned into dust one did not hit the ground.

Dodging a punch aimed at his gut Gaul got in close to the minotaur he is facing and punched it several times in the stomach instead.

As the monster fell to its knees Gaul delivered a round-house kick to its head knocking it into the ground, and making an audible "pop" echo through the area. Telling me he broke the things neck.

Her axe in hand Leonmitcehlli severed the arm of the minotaur she is fighting. As blood spurted from the wound she payed it no mind and used her weapon to cleave off the beasts head.

"Ok, keep pushing forward!" I shouted.

I then ran up to a nearby minotaur and side-stepped a punch, using my spear to slash open a wound along its left arm. Ignoring the beasts wails of pain I created several more slashes along its body before it finally turned into dust.

The others also cut down the numbers until only two remained.

"Now, push forward!" I cried.

As I did so the others and I started running, the remaining two minotaur chasing us as we did so.

Rounding a corner we ended up in a wide-area.

"Ok, let's take our pursuers out." I said.

Since I was waiting until we had a bit more room to do so.

Stopping in our tracks we turned to face the minotaur's.

"Ryner, you're up." I told my best friend.

He nodded.

{What I seek is thunder, Izuch!}

[Izuchi]

As Ryner cast his spell several bolts of electricity appeared in the shape of snakes. Once they did so they moved toward the two minotaur's and sunk their fangs into their flesh. Ripping the two beasts apart and frying their bodies as they did so.

The entire thing only took three minutes.

"Nice, looks like someone's been practicing." Leonmitchelli said.

"Of course." Ryner mused. "I am the only mage we've got right now after all. So if I half-ass it then you guys and I will die, and I don't want that." He explained.

Ah Ryner, I can always count on him.

He's been studying magic non-stop and ever since he hit level two and obtained the Mage developmental ability his skills have even further improved.

What makes it even scarier is that he's had no formal training in magic whatsoever.

Athena calls him a natural.

Which is rare for human mages.

Needless to say I know he's going to be one of the top mages in Orario one day, and I'm glad he's in our familia and no one else's.

"Ok, praise later, running now." I said.

Everyone nodded.

Once they did so we continued moving our asses.

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Sliding down the smooth rock stairway in front of me I landed on my feet.

My guard up even more than usually.

Because after another day of non-stop traveling we have reached the end of the 17th floor.

Which was not easy.

Especially we encountered both minotaur's and ligerfang's at the same time.

We had to pull out all the stops to get out of that situation, and even then we didn't come out unscathed.

Feeling a pain in my left side I moved my hands to it, trying not to focus on my wounds.

A ligerfang got the drop on me, and raked its claws through the left side of my chest.

Thankfully the wounds were shallow and with a potion my life isn't in any danger. But the pain hasn't gone away since the wound is still healing.

Even so I am not about to stop pressing when we are so close to our goal.

Especially since we have reached the Wall of Grief two days of ahead of when the Goliath monster rex is next supposed to spawn.

Looking behind me I focused on the massive crystal wall that is supposed to house and unleash a terrifying monster.

It's beautiful.

But as with many beautiful things, it's also deadly.

Turning away from the wall I watched as the others slid down the path one-by-one.

As soon as they did so we moved forward, Ryuu coming up to support me with her body. Despite the fact I don't need it.

She's been doing this ever since I got injured, namely because she was facing the ligerfang that managed to injure me.

It got away from her.

Ever since she's been clingy to me.

Despite me telling her I don't need it.

She won't budge.

I guess we're going to need to have a proper talk once we are properly safe.

Which should be in a few moments.

Our group quickly moved across the expansive monster rex cavern, reaching the other end without incident.

Getting inside of the tunnel we followed the light until we reached the other side.

The moment we did so we found ourselves with a view of trees, and a massive crystal hanging high in the air in the center of the floor.

"Guys, we did it." I said.

We have reached the 18th floor, Rivira.

And despite the circumstances about how we've done so, it feels good to be here.

Really good in fact.

We took a moment to take it all in before we started moving again.

Since now we are in a relatively safe place once more.