As I cautiously stepped into the circular altar, I was met by the structure that had been hidden from view by the crystal pillars outside.
“What the…?”
My party members gasped as they recognized the structure.
Wooooooo…!
A pair of bluish flames flickered to life beside a peculiar magic circle engraved on the ground a little behind. Above that magic circle, a massive hexagonal structure made of light radiated a clear presence.
It looked like something had cut through the fabric of space.
Large and small shards of crystal floated around the hexagonal structure, spinning in orbit, while an ethereal blue glow resembling magical energy shimmered as if dancing on water within the structure.
“…It’s a teleportation gate.”
A teleportation gate.
Functionally, it was no different from stairs connecting one floor to another, but instead of walking down, it magically whisked users to a different layer.
This was my first time seeing one in person.
While it might be common in deep dungeons, the chance of encountering one in mid-level dungeons was only about 1%, and they never appeared in low-level dungeons.
‘…Seriously, entering here has been quite the experience.’
It wasn’t exactly a terrible thing, but it wasn’t a good one either.
There was a high chance of discovering rare magical tools in the layers accessed through a teleportation gate, but generally, it also meant the difficulty was significantly higher than usual staircases.
…Well, I didn’t need to worry about whether to enter or not just yet. I could save that concern for after taking down the guardian monster protecting the gate.
“Tsk, looks like we have another monster relying on luminescent crystals. This one seems pretty dangerous too.”
The mid-boss monster guarding the 11th floor. Upon spotting it, Reed clicked his tongue and muttered.
It was small in size but looked far riskier than a golem, so we had to be cautious.
And it certainly did look that way.
The human-like monster, smaller than even a gargoyle, had a pair of arms and legs. Its appearance reminded me of a very familiar class.
If I had to name it… maybe I should call it the ‘Crystal Knight’?
It wielded a crystal shield in its left hand and a crystal sword in its right, and despite being a monster, it was fully equipped like a knight in armor with a helmet and full plate.
If the material weren’t crystal, it would be easy to mistake it for a knight in full armor.
And.
“Definitely… stronger than any troll or golem. …Considering the four Silver Wings met their end here.”
Around the creature’s feet lay the crumpled corpses of four members from the 1st reconnaissance team, all riddled with deposits of crystal spikes as if they were trash.
This indicated that they had been slaughtered by this thing right here. Except for that Max guy. Even if it was exaggerated, it meant this monster was at least stronger than a troll or golem.
Four Silver Wings might be a bit weak against it, but they could deal with trolls no problem and manage with golems too.
At the very least, there’s no way four of them would be wiped out all at once.
Looking at those four corpses from Silver Wings, it was clear the Crystal Knight was indeed a formidable foe, stronger than a crystal golem.
Well, it was just a mid-boss from a mid-level dungeon. No way it could be stronger than Ganaagl or Ariane.
Clang.
As I took a few more steps forward, the Crystal Knight, which had been standing still, seemed to notice us and walked up to the magic circle where the teleportation gate stood.
“It’s coming!”
“All units, combat position!”
Reed nocked an arrow engraved with various runes, while Arine raised her shield and drew her axe.
I summoned the crystal spear I had prepped, and Friede crouched down, ready to spring out with her great sword gripped tightly.
And then.
“…….”
The Crystal Knight, hoisting a corpse on its wide one-handed sword as if it were a spear, scanned us and swung its blade dramatically.
The body stuck on the sword flew towards us, splattering blood and guts as it came.
The ghastly image of a severed head flailing with half of its limbs was unsettling, even for my standards.
‘That monster, despite being mute, acts even worse than a troll.’
The speed of the body flying through the air made it evident that it wasn’t an attack but rather a provocation.
Clicking my tongue at its malevolence, I channeled the powers of Ice Heart and Overpower into my spear.
Shshshsh!
The crystal spear, brimming with immense power, twisted and writhed, emitting a final groan.
Before the spear handle could fully crumple under my grip, I stepped forward and twisted my waist to launch the disintegrating spear like a projectile.
Eisenstein Spear Technique:
Howling Wind’s Spear.
Woosh!
With a thunderous crack that echoed throughout the 11th floor, a whirling spear of destruction raced toward the Crystal Knight like a bolt of lightning.
Thus began our battle.
◆◆
The Howling Wind’s Spear, capable of taking down trolls in a single strike. The Crystal Knight’s response was strikingly agile.
Hastily gathering magic, it spread energy through its feet, causing the once-smooth floor to ripple and rise, forming as many as seven crystal pillars.
Thick pillars wider than a person’s waist.
Up until the moment I was about to throw my spear, it surely planned to block with its shield—but once I launched the spear, it realized that the attack could splinter the shield.
That realization was correct.
Boom!
Shattered crystal fragments burst forth with a deafening sound.
The spear obliterated six crystal pillars, finally fizzling out against the seventh. The two forces collided mercilessly, destroying each other.
“…Blocked it. Yeah, this one is definitely different from a troll.”
As the broken crystal pillars began to subside, the Knight leaped over the remaining fragments and charged at us like a monster-hunting knight.
“How dare you!”
The clash of crystal sword and dark iron great sword sparked like fireworks.
As soon as my spear was intercepted, Friede emerged, swinging her great sword at it.
With a sweeping blow, the spinning attack knocked the Crystal Knight back slightly, which staggered a bit before immediately retaliating with its crystal sword.
“Just this is nothing!”
The ferociously swung great sword deflected the crystal sword three times.
However, it seemed the shield was challenging to deflect with the sword, as the Knight lunged forward, utilizing its shield, and Friede was forced back along with her great sword.
Gooooonnn…!
As the opportunity presented itself, the Crystal Knight immediately projected magic energy onto the ground.
The ground shimmered with a blue glow, rippling as it churned out a cluster of crystal shards.
Thirty pointed spikes, resembling the ice spear magic, formed the same shape that had impaled the bodies of the 1st reconnaissance team.
Indeed, that technique had wiped them out. Defensive measures or magical barriers would be ineffective, and there were simply too many to counter with weapons.
Swish!
The next moment, the floating crystal spikes showered down on Friede like hail. Friede’s eyes gleamed with a golden light.
“Yaaaahhh!”
The dark iron storm clashed with the spikes, scattering blue shards like a fountain.
Perhaps due to the magical energy scattering everywhere, it was a dazzling sight like fireworks.
Just as Friede began to crush the hundred spikes, the Crystal Knight, looking for an opening, dove behind her and lunged forward with its crystal sword.
Thud!
I arrived at Friede’s side at that moment.
“Are you too focused on one side? You’re not just facing one opponent!”
With my left arm raised like a shield, I parried the crystal sword, while simultaneously swinging my sword to scratch the crystal shield and carving deep cut marks. A strike that could have split it in two with just a fraction more strength.
Crash!
Although it might’ve healed as it was doing so now, it was still a clean hit.
The Crystal Knight attempted to shove me away with its shield, seemingly trying to push me back.
“That won’t work—”
Light as a feather, Friede couldn’t help but be pushed back with her great sword due to the shield bash.
“Try that on someone who will take it!”
But I wasn’t Friede. I glared at the Knight, shoving my fist into its oncoming shield—the same fist that had punctured the helmet of a man!
Boom!
An explosive sound erupted. The crystal shield, resembling a turtle’s shell, shattered into countless pieces.
“Whaaaaaa…?”
The Knight could hardly believe its eyes. It let out a pained groan.
Not missing that fleeting moment, I reached out and firmly grasped its wrist.
“Gotcha.”
“You’ll pay for this!”
As I yanked it, the Knight’s left arm extended painfully. Friede’s descending great sword sank into that arm like a guillotine.
Slash!
In an instant, the creature lost its arm and swiftly leaped back to dodge my thrust.
“Quick, huh? That regeneration is annoying.”
I clicked my tongue, surprised to see its severed arm already starting to heal.
A wry smile crept across my face.
“Hah. Surely it won’t keep regenerating until it depletes the crystals on this altar?”
“Let’s hope not. That would take ages.”
There has to be a limit to how shameless this could get. Beastfolk—no, even beast-man regeneration isn’t that ridiculous.
“Grrrrrr!”
While I sighed at the ominous thought, the Knight, now fully restored, charged at us, yelling defiantly.
With over thirty ice spikes ready to launch.
“…Changed your weapon, I see?”
“Looks like you’re trying to copy me.”
Not only that. It had doubled the blade length as it restored its sword, leaving the shield undone. Just like Friede’s dark iron great sword.
Since the shield was bound to get broken, it decided to go all out in terms of offense?
Whatever the reason, it didn’t change the fact that this presented a problem.
“Grrrrrrr!”
At that moment, the Crystal Knight leaped into the air, firing spikes toward us.
Then it spun in the air, gathering all that momentum to bring its great sword crashing down.
Where have I seen that move before?
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