C223
The thunder of cannons echoed incessantly, and flames dyed the sky red.
Countless monsters emerged from the ground or leaped onto the deck from dimensional rifts above the aircraft.
Taonier's air fleet advanced deeper into the forest while fending off the monster attacks.
"Kyaaak!"
Two goblins with reddish skin lunged at me from both sides, armed with daggers.
I sidestepped, and the dagger blades whizzed through the air. I moved my Bifröst sword slightly.
"Kiiak!"
The split bodies of the goblins rolled across the deck.
I had already dispatched dozens of monsters.
But this wasn't even worth mentioning.
The same went for the other members of Group 1.
'Alright.'
Though the Lucette and other aircraft had some casualties and damage, they hadn't suffered critical damage. We could hold out even if the monsters kept coming for hours.
[Current Evolution Status: 008/100]
However, the rule of this mission was a timely attack.
We had to find and fulfill the mission conditions within the set time.
Otherwise… we'd probably all die.
<Suspicious clouds! Let's plow through them!>
Crack!
The Lucette rammed into the harpies blocking the way, advancing swiftly.
Ahead of us, massive trees intertwined like coiled serpents, and above them, purple clouds writhed sinisterly.
<We'll break through!>
As the Lucette entered the sea of clouds, the entire airship was enveloped in a thick white mist.
[You have entered the Abyss of Chaos (Phase 1).]
[A debuff has been applied to the entire team.]
[Debuff applied - All hero stats decrease by 5%.]
I felt my body a bit heavier.
I frowned.
A curse?
<What's this?>
Edith whispered through the private channel.
"It's a stat decrease. Don't worry. The 5% doesn't matter."
It seems there's a penalty for venturing further into the field.
In this place, at the edge of the forest, a 5% decrease in all stats was applied to all heroes.
There's still a long way to go to the core.
If my calculations are correct, the debuffs will intensify as we move further in.
"Ignore it and keep going."
<Understood.>
After ending the communication with me, Edith issued orders through the command channel.
The Lucette, along with the fleet, formed a wedge formation and pushed through the clouds.
Although everything became blurry, there wasn't really any obstruction in visibility.
"Kiiiiiak!"
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
The fleet, enduring a massive bombardment, fired in all directions.
The bodies of the monsters, turned into minced meat, kept falling.
[Current Evolution Status: 011/100]
As I cleared the deck of monsters, I surveyed Phase 1's surroundings.
If there was an item here, it would surely be marked. But even with thorough observation to search meticulously, I found nothing noteworthy.
'Will it be in the next area?'
Taonier's fleet pierced through the sea of clouds at the forest's edge.
And then, the color of the mist around us changed to an intense red.
[You have entered the Abyss of Chaos (Phase 2).]
[A debuff has been applied to the entire team.]
[Debuff applied - All hero stats decrease by 10%, abnormal poisoning status.]
An irritating air invaded my lungs.
It was like inhaling fire.
"Brother, poison…!"
An abnormal poisoning status.
I exhaled heavily.
It seems the entire air was contaminated.
"Katio."
"Leave it to me."
Katio closed his eyes and crossed his hands.
Threads of magic emanated from his fingers, creating a transparent barrier.
It was a unique air purification spell of mages.
Finally, my breathing calmed.
"We're fine now. But it seems the other groups have no solution."
"It's not such a strong poison. If they consume antidotes in time, they can survive."
If it were a deadly poison, we would have had to escape immediately, but this abnormal status was a lower level of poisoning.
"Edith, there should be emergency antidotes in the airship's storage. Distribute them among the members on the deck."
<Understood! But… should we keep advancing? It seems to be getting worse...>
"No matter, we have to continue."
I looked down.
A chimera was spewing flames from its mouth.
The burning flames warmed the underside of the Lucette.
"Kiiiiak!"
Thud!
An arrow from Jenna lodged into the chimera's throat.
[Current Evolution Status: 011/100]
A debuff decreasing all stats by 10% and an abnormal poisoning status.
The level of debuffs had doubled.
Soon the casualties would begin.
[Rakil (★★★) has returned to the goddess's embrace. His fighting spirit will be remembered forever.]
The first hero had fallen.
He died after battling the monsters clinging to the deck.
[Danger!]
[An additional dark dimensional portal will be created.]
"They're starting to be too many," Belkist muttered as he cut down a troll.
Indeed, the monsters leaping from the dimensional portals had become noticeably more numerous.
Now, flying monsters capable of breaching our defensive net also began to appear.
<Don't worry. We can still hold out. Maintain formation.>
Zap!
The electric barrier increased in power.
<If things continue like this…>
"And the goddess statue?"
<It doesn't seem to be here.>
"Then let's advance to the next sector. We don't have time to hesitate."
I looked to the right.
[Current Evolution Status: 017/100]
Already at 17%.
The pace at which the core absorbed the monsters was accelerating.
[You have entered the Abyss of Chaos (Phase 3).]
The core was drawing near.
Taonier's fleet traversed the second sector of the forest, a zone of reddish mist.
'This debuff is...'
[A debuff has been applied to the entire team.]
[Debuff applied - All hero statistics decrease by 50%, abnormal state of deadly poison.]
[The Abyssal Jaws have started to move.]
Boom!
The forest floor shook, and a giant mouth emerged.
'This is bad.'
I brought a hand to my ear.
"Retreat from here! Return to the second sector!"
<Understood!>
Beep!
A siren sounded.
It was an emergency signal.
The fleet, which had just entered the third sector, desperately turned its bow.
'A 50% reduction in all statistics and deadly poison.'
<Aaaaah!>
I grabbed onto the railing.
The Lucette ascended quickly because it was right above.
Crack!
A giant mouth over a hundred meters closed.
If the Lucette hadn't ascended, we would have been devoured.
The Abyssal Jaws.
A very rare trap monster, known as the nightmare of aircraft.
It swallows everything that passes overhead.
'This is crap...'
We couldn't operate under these conditions.
With hero statistics halved and the abnormal state of deadly poison, Taonier's fleet wouldn't last ten minutes.
[You have returned to the Abyss of Chaos (Phase 2).]
[The debuff has been alleviated.]
The fleet returned to the second sector.
[Current evolution status: 023 / 100]
Evolution continued to increase.
'Should we go through this?'
Edith's voice sounded discouraged.
I crossed my arms.
"Wait. I'm thinking."
The worsening of the debuff was too abrupt.
A jump from 10% to 50% is too extreme.
'There's something in the third sector.'
I looked around the deck.
After the second assault, we had a bit of a breather.
Belkist was cleaning the blood off his sword, and Kishasha was stretching.
Elsewhere, Katio maintained his air purification spell, and Jenna was deep in thought alone.
"Speaking of the place before."
"I suddenly felt very heavy."
"But we have to go, right?"
"That's why I'm asking, did anyone see anything there?"
As I spoke, I glanced at Jenna.
Jenna looked at me and blinked.
"Now that you mention it, brother, I think I saw a strange light. I'm not sure. It was hard to see through the mist."
"Where did you see it?"
"It was inside the monster's mouth. It was shining white. Do you remember the light we saw when we started the mission? It was similar."
I leaned against a pillar.
'A white light.'
There was no time to think deeply.
I made a decision in ten seconds.
"Edith."
<Yes.>
"Your main unit will stay waiting in area 2. We will go to area 3."
<Only Group 1 and the Lucette are going there? Isn't it dangerous, even for your group?>
I shook my head.
Outside of the mission, I might hesitate, but within the mission, a moment of hesitation can determine success or failure.
[Current evolution status: 027 / 100]
There was no time for delays.
"Just wait. I'll dispel the curse and come back."
I cut off communication with Edith and entered the control cabin.
"Let's depart now."
"Isn't it...?"
"Yes, that's right. We're going into the abyssal jaws."
"But that's...!"
I frowned.
The mechanic, with a semi-tearful expression, placed his hands on the helm.
And the Lucette changed its direction again.
[You have entered the Abyss of Chaos (Phase 3).]
[A debuff has been applied to the entire team.]
[Debuff applied - All hero statistics decrease by 50%, abnormal state of deadly poison.]
This time, only Group 1 received the debuff.
The other aircraft were in the second sector, so it was natural.
I looked back and saw that the third assault of the monsters was underway.
'I feel heavy.'
Even without moving, I could feel the effect of the debuff.
I opened the status menu and saw my statistics clearly halved.
'This is serious.'
I spoke aloud.
"Listen. We need to clear a path for the main force to advance. We must eliminate this debuff as quickly as possible."
"How?"
"We will enter the light Jenna saw."
"But she could have been wrong!"
I searched around again, but I didn't see any outstanding objects.
If she was wrong...
"Then, we'll think about that when the time comes."
[The Abyssal Jaws have started to move.]
Boom.
The earth began to tremble.
"You can flee after finishing your work. Rejoin the main force in the second sector."
<No need to say it, I was already going to do that!>
"I'm glad."
I let my sword Bifröst drop and looked at my team members.
"We'll jump at the signal."
"......"
Though it was an almost absurd order, no one questioned it.
"Well, this is really impressive. Every fifth level is a challenge."
"We should be used to it by now, shouldn't we?"
I smiled weakly.
Then I looked down.
Bang!
The earth split, revealing a dark mouth.
"Big brother, there!"
I looked to where Jenna was pointing.
Inside the abyssal jaws, I saw a whirlwind shining white.
"That's the answer."
Roar.
The abyss opened its mouth even wider to swallow us.
<AAAAH! Here it comes!>
The Lucette shook violently.
"Now."
Without hesitation, I leaped over the railing.
I felt a floating sensation as I began to fall.
[Group 1 has entered the Abyss Arena.]
The whirlwind of light enveloped me.
"......"
I opened my eyes.
I heard a crunch beneath my feet.
The ground was covered in fine sand, and the sky was filled with endless darkness.
'I can see clearly ahead.'
It seemed like Group 1 members had also arrived safely, each exploring the field in their own way.
'This place...'
We were surrounded by tall steel walls.
I remembered the combat arena from level 20, as if I were in a coliseum.
'It's not just an impression.'
It was identical to level 20.
Only the enemies were different.
In the coliseum stands, a prince watched us from his throne.
And on the battlefield below...
[Danger!]
[Beast King]
[Kiadni Vikshabi Lv.???]
[Danger!]
[Blind Saint]
[Riane Terarisa Lv.???]
<They've arrived.>
"Hahaha! I thought I would die waiting!"
Both stood, side by side.