Easy Battle(1)

--- Akira ---

As we stepped into the floor boss room, the atmosphere changed immediately.

Unlike the oppressive aura of previous boss rooms, this one was almost... serene.

The entire environment mirrored the tranquil lakes of the 22nd Floor. The floor itself shimmered like liquid water, each step creating ripples, giving the illusion we were walking on the surface of a peaceful lake.

"How is this possible?" I murmured, the sound of our steps soft and liquid, even though the ground felt solid beneath us.

This level of detail for an 'easy' floor?

Something's not right.

"This is different," I continued, my voice hushed with awe. "The terrain has never changed like this before."

Asuna glanced around, her expression one of cautious curiosity.

Still...

"Let's be careful."

We advanced further into the room, the stillness almost hypnotic.

Then I saw it—the 22nd Floor Boss.

[Naiad, the Lake Spirit]

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True to its name, the creature stood gracefully, its body seemingly composed of the water and plants from the lake outside. Its eyes were a soft aquamarine, almost reflecting the tranquility of the 22nd Floor itself. Above its head, its name hovered in green text, indicating it wasn't a threat to us, given our high levels.

That's good enough.

When we stood barely a few meters from it, the Boss turned its gaze toward us.

Surprisingly, it did not rage, nor did it show any sign of being alarmed. Instead, its eyes studied us with a calmness that belied its nature as a monster. For a moment, Asuna's blade wavered, almost unsure.

That won't do, Asuna.

"Don't be fooled," I whispered, shaking my head. "No matter how beautiful or peaceful a creature looks... In the end, it's just a monster."

To prove my point, I sprang into action, activating my skill [Burst Speed]. This skill allowed me to make an instantaneous, lightning-fast movement, designed to catch opponents off guard.

In an instant, the Boss was within my striking range.

With [Fighting Spirit] active, which enhanced my STR, I aimed my spear with [Threefold Piercer] at Naiad's stomach, intending to strike before it could react.

But I failed.

Naiad's response was immediate. It emitted an eerie, high-pitched wail that echoed through the entire room, sending a shiver down my spine and cold sweat to pour down my back, as the Status Effects [Dizziness] and [Reduced Hearing] were applied onto me.

Even so, I still managed to maintain my grip on my spear.

As it closed in, the area I aimed at was suddenly covered in a layer of ice, forming a protective shell.

The moment my spear struck it, there was a resounding clang. The force of the impact shattered the ice, but it had absorbed enough of the blow to prevent any real damage to Naiad.

Because of the debuffs and this unexpected situation, I didn't have any time to continue the skill, as Naiad lunged at me, its jaws open wide.

Do you want to eat me now, you fucker!?

"Switch!" I shouted, knowing I was in a disadvantageous position.

Asuna darted forward, her blade flashing as she activated her new skill, [Streak]. Her movements were fluid, targeting Naiad with a diagonal slash aimed at its throat.

It responded by forming more ice along its body, deflecting Asuna's attack in the same manner.

Asuna's strikes forced Naiad back, but it quickly retaliated, slashing at her with its ice-covered claws. She evaded the blow, her movements a blur as she regrouped with me.

Given her AGI, it's not a surprise.

"It can form ice to defend itself, and its cry gives [Dizziness] and [Reduced Hearing] for around 5 seconds. What a tricky opponent." I noted aloud, my eyes narrowing as I assessed the situation.

Asuna nodded, her resolve strengthening as she readied her rapier.

"I saw it too. But the most important thing is that we have to bypass that automatic defense."

Indeed. The debuffs were manageable, but not the ice covering its body before we could strike it, as it made us unable to deal any damage.

I took a deep breath, considering our options. "If it was us a few weeks ago, perhaps this would've spelled trouble. But right now..."

We can easily outmatch this Boss.

Of course, that's only if there are no more surprises waiting for us. I can't be sure of that until we start chipping at its health.

Which will happen... now.

"Since it seems to be my natural enemy, I'll leave the role of destroying the ice up to you," I said, glancing at Asuna.

Even though I could close in with [Burst Step], my AGI was not high enough. Before I could strike it, the Boss can always use that cry, which is a really bad situation for me.

For Asuna, instead, it's the best situation.

As long as you don't give the boss any time to use that ability, it's a much easier job.

She nodded, a confident smile on her face. "Consider it a job already done." Without wasting a second, she dashed towards Naiad while activating her second new skill, [Triangular].

With blinding speed, she slashed in a triangular pattern, each strike forming a precise point of the shape. Each time her rapier met the ice, it shattered, but Naiad's defenses reformed almost instantly. Undeterred, Asuna pressed on.

Normally, this wouldn't have been possible, but...

Her post-motion was even lower now, thanks to her [One-Handed Sword] skill reaching level 50, which gave her the effect [Cooldown Reduction I].

She transitioned into chaining her skills, starting with [Oblique]—a swift, angled strike—followed by [Linear], a powerful thrust straight forward.

The relentless barrage kept Naiad on the defensive, the ice shattering and reforming, until...

I saw an opportunity.

Now!

I activated [Burst Step] without a second thought, closing the distance between us in an instant.

My skill [Threefold Piercer] came to life, my spear flashing as I struck at Naiad's exposed limb.

...

I smirked.

Its health had finally gone down.

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Author's Note:

Suggestions of any kind are strongly accepted on how I should depict HP bars, because this failed attempt of mine in this chapter is just sad.

Anyway, on my discord, I have added the statuses channel, which will have ALL the statuses I have made about any character from any Trial. Soon, they will be updated to fit even other characters like Delta from the 2nd Trial.

I am also planning to add another channel which will have all of Akira's statuses from day one to current, separated by Trial. 

What do you think, is it a good idea?

In any case, just join my discord.