Floor 27's boss arena shook like it remembered me.
Which, considering last time, it probably did.
Water surged between broken structures, the ruined city groaning as something massive moved underneath. The surface bulged, rippled...
Then exploded upward.
The Nightmare Kraken rose in full, tentacles unfurling like it owned the place.
I tightened my grip on my sword.
"Alright," I muttered, rolling my shoulders. "We're doing this properly this time. No shortcuts. No last-hit nonsense."
Behind us, Mikel's party stayed back.
Not interfering.
Just watching.
Which somehow felt worse than being judged out loud.
"Don't die," Zeke said casually from the back.
I didn't even turn. "Thanks. Very helpful."
The Kraken didn't wait for motivational speeches.
Tentacles slammed down...
And we moved.
Keiji stepped forward first, calm like always, one hand lifting as frost exploded outward. The incoming tentacle froze mid-swing, ice crawling fast, locking its movement in place.
