Fortunately, Ryu escaped, otherwise...
The moment this thought arose, a sense of foreboding suddenly rose in Noah's heart.
The next second..
With an explosion even more terrifying than when the Magic swords went berserk, a figure was thrown into the sky and then fell back down in a sorry state. That was Ryu, who should have left just seconds ago. Now, her cloak was stained with flames, and even her blonde hair was slightly charred.
In particular, the location where she landed was exactly within the magic circle!
"Noah! They have other ambushes in the forest! Lots of suicide bombers!"
Before Ryu could even cry out, Noah released the electric arcs binding him and quickly moved closer to her. This enhancement magic is extremely powerful for frontline troops who need to break into enemy territory, but the arcs of electricity will also destroy everything around them, friend or foe.
But even earlier and faster than him came Valletta's commands.
"Noah! Watch how I'll torture you to death! Guys, get your weapons ready!!"
In an instant, several times more members of Evilus emerged from all directions. At the same time, the magic circle beneath Noah's feet shone brightly, and the crimson light transformed into countless invisible spider silks that bound him and Ryu.
As Noah, ignoring the strange sensation in his body, picked up Ryu and tried to rush out, three or four members of Evilus blocked their way, and then...
Boom!!
The towering flames and the shockwave from the explosion shook the ground, forcefully pushing Noah back into the magic circle.
Damn, that's ruthless!
Seeing that more members of Evilus were closing in, Noah had no choice but to retreat. Even if he could tank that kind of massive explosion, the girl in his arms couldn't! The problem was that, surrounded, Noah's room for maneuver was becoming increasingly limited.
The speed and determination with which Evilus used self destruction to stop him were so astonishing that even Noah was taken aback. It was as if they saw the direction he was facing and immediately self destructed. By the time Noah rushed over, it was too late.
To protect the elf in his arms and the three children, he had no choice but to retreat again. Given Evilus's self destruction rate, Noah wouldn't even have needed to draw his sword, they would all be dead.
However, Noah could sense that his abilities were being almost completely reduced by Valletta's magic, nearly returning to the level he had before receiving the Falna. Ryu was in an even worse state, almost turning into an ordinary person. At first Noah only needed to carry her, but now he was completely holding her.
There's no time to hesitate! No matter what, I might be able to fight my way out, but I might not be able to protect these little ones in my arms!
"Use that move you used before!"
That move before? Which move?
Ryu looked up in a daze, and only understood after seeing Noah's gaze.
"Um, but is it really possible?"
Ignoring Ryu's terrified gaze, Noah grabbed the elf by the back of the neck, and threw her away! "Go ahead! I've chosen you!"
"Noah! I hate you!!"
The height that she usually paid no attention to was now a bit frightening to Ryu, because she had lost all her abilities and had been passively thrown into the air. But when she saw Valletta looking up in astonishment, Ryu closed her eyes in despair and screamed at the top of her lungs.
"Luminous Wind!!"
Feeling the lingering magical energy emanating from the air, Valletta's expression changed drastically.
What's going on? Isn't her mind be dead after her magic circle?
But the situation didn't allow Valletta much time to think. She had witnessed the artillery magic of Gale before and did not believe she could withstand it head on!
Without hesitation, she leaped backward and something appear in the sky...
Countless bolts of lightning were reflected in Valletta's eyes.
"Let's see if you'll die!!"
The slash...no, it should have been a massive shockwave generated by unleashing all of his mana. By sacrificing efficiency and precision, they gain an extremely wide range and ultimate destructive power!
Everything is over. I have absolutely no chance of dodging this attack! Realizing this, Valletta's face contorted as she flung the half broken claymore in her hand toward Ryu in mid air!
Even if I die, you won't get away with it!
As soon as those words came to mind, Valletta was engulfed by a torrential downpour of lightning. At the same time, the cursed claymore also pierced through Ryu's combat clothes and deeply penetrated her abdomen.
...
In the 18th floor of the Dungeon, where there is no distinction between sunshine and rain, and no seasons, a deafening roar suddenly resounded. Like a massive thunderstorm that only occurs during the height of summer, it suddenly descends, with uncontrollable arcs of lightning sweeping and spreading in all directions. Whether it was rocks, giant trees, or crystal, everything was instantly annihilated, and countless monsters were turned to dust before they could even escape.
A scorching area, formed from the shockwave, swept across the place, turning everything in sight white with its light. The entire floor seemed to be subjected to a massive bombardment.
The dramatic change in the atmosphere lasted for more than twenty seconds before the thunderstorm disappeared completely. The 18th floor was eerily silent after the loud noise, as if even the monsters were holding their breath in fear. Only the large, scorched plains that suddenly appeared in the forest, and the flames still burning in the surrounding forests, remained.
"She should be... dead, right?"
Enduring the stinging and swelling sensation that spread throughout his body, Noah looked at the charred remains in front of him that could barely be identified as human. This was Noah's first enemy since he came into this world. She was ruthless, insidious, shameless, and intelligent. It was a pity that she died like this. However, an enemy is an enemy, and Noah only ever enjoys his own pleasures as long as they do not harm others.
Now, he needs to refocus his attention to Ryu.
"Hey! What's wrong? Are you dead?"
Before the thunderstorm swept across, Noah quickly unfolded the cloak wrapped around his waist, shielding Ryu and the three children beneath him. The protective cloak, seemingly blessed with the power of Salamander wool and made of precious materials, clearly could not withstand his power and was now tattered.
The children were still unconscious. It's unclear whether the drug was too strong or if they were dazed after waking up, but they appear to be unharmed from the outside. The key is Ryu...
"Um, I... I'm not called 'Hey!' Call me Ryu!"
With her attention elsewhere, Ryu leaned weakly against Noah's chest, clutching her abdomen, her waist length blonde hair now stained with blood. The claymore fragments pierced through the combat suit and embedded themselves in the fair skin, from which blood was gushing out.
Perhaps it was the weakness, but Noah felt a dryness and itchiness in his throat upon seeing the blood.
No! Now is not the time for this to happen!
"Okay, Ryu. How's your wound? Do you want me to help you pull it out?"
Ryu, who had been feeling a bit listless, was suddenly jolted awake by this and glared at Noah resentfully.
"I won't die!"
Before Noah could make a move, Ryu grabbed the broken sword herself and pulled it out with a sickening squelch. At this moment, Ryu displayed the temperament of an adventurer. Despite her deep wounds, apart from her face turning paler and sweat dripping from her forehead, her expression remained calm and unwavering.
"At this moment, the song of the distant forest, the melody of life from the past, bestow upon those who seek you healing mercy...Noah Heal!"
It would be so nice to have healing magic. I really want one too... That way I can heal my opponent and fight them again, instead of just killing them.
Noah sighed with emotion.
Oh, if that special bloodline in my body that seems to be able to obtain magic through bodily fluids also counts... Even though there are no obvious traits yet, I can sense that my bloodline should be basically activated now. The problem is, apart from my enhanced ability to seduce women, nothing else seems out of the ordinary.
However, under Noah's somewhat envious gaze, after the emerald light shone brightly, there was no sign of Ryu's abdominal wound healing.
"How could this be?!"
Compared to the surprised Ryu, Noah rested his chin on his finger, looking like a scholar. "It must be an incurable curse. That's amazing. Even healing magic can't work. I really want to ask the people who developed these curses for their knowledge."
Ryu had seen that kind of expression, like a child squeezing, pulling, stomping, and tearing a toy to see what reaction it would produce, far too often when Lyra was researching all sorts of weapons and items. Sometimes she would stand aside and observe as well.
"Hey! Why are you acting like this has nothing to do with you?!"
This only made Noah tilt his head in confusion. "Of course, the wounds in your stomach, not mine, so why should I be in a hurry?"
These words, so cold-blooded, made Ryu's eyes widen, and she was almost driven mad with anger. However, before she could get angry, Noah reached through her knees with one hand, grabbed her shoulder with the other, picked her up, and then leaped into the air. As for the three children? They were simply swept away with a flick of his cloak, the tattered holes providing just the right amount of ventilation.
Is this a princess carry?
The wind whistled past her ears, and Ryu instinctively wrapped her arms around Noah's neck, looking up at the boy's face. Reaching this height was easy for Ryu, but being held in someone's arms was a completely different experience. The sound of a heartbeat traveled through his armor to her ears. Even though her wounds were still bleeding, Ryu felt her face flush, her head spin, and her heart race...
Hmm, is this just an illusion caused by too much blood loss?
In the west part of the Great Lake of the 18th Floor, there is an island connected to the mainland by a bridge made of tall logs. At the end, atop a cliff at least two hundred meters high, lies a town. Although it is called a town, it is only surrounded by walls made of nearby rock crystals, and all the buildings are stacked on the cliff like building blocks. An archway made of wooden pillars and flags reads Rivira.
This town was originally a large-scale relay base set up by the Guild to more effectively explore unknown floors, but it had to be canceled due to monster invasions and huge defense costs. But later a group of profit driven and greedy adventurers took over and turned it into a black market that even the Guild could not control.
Besides grimoires and other precious treasures of equal value, it is said that even forbidden potions like status unlocking potions, which require divine blood to forcibly unlock abilities locked by gods, can be purchased.
At this moment, commotion was breaking out in the town of Rivira, with adventurers carrying huge packs. When they saw Noah leap across the lake and run straight up the cliff, they all raised their weapons.
"Who is it!"