Bab 101: [101] Mid-Game Boss
In the upper floors, it would be impossible to encounter such monsters that can predict an enemy's movements. Not only were their abilities enhanced, but their intelligence also saw a significant improvement. The monsters of the middle floors were far more dangerous than those up to the 12th floor.
In the original story, even Bell needed a team to explore the middle floors.
After the distant Almirajs threw their stone axes, the ones in front became even more frenzied instead of retreating.
Faced with the near and far attacks of the Almirajs, Aiden sincerely admired how much stronger the middle-level monsters were compared to those in the upper floors. He silently chanted Firestorm in his heart.
What Aiden didn't know was that a few Hellhounds had also entered the chamber, drawn by the sounds of battle, though they were blocked from sight by the Almirajs.
In an instant, three fiery tornadoes sprang to life, completely engulfing the somewhat narrow chamber. All the stone axes were blocked by the triple Firestorms.
Instead of falling to the ground, the stone axes that had been blocked continued to move forward with the tornadoes. The crimson flames swept through the chamber, causing countless Almirajs to scream in agony as they perished.
The sea of fire stirred up hot winds. If this were Hyrule in The Legend of Zelda, Aiden would only need a paraglider to soar into the sky.
However, the remaining Almirajs behind Aiden showed no signs of wavering and continued their assault.
"Bunnies are so cute; of course, dead bunnies are the good bunnies." Aiden said just as the remaining Almirajs leaped at him.
Seeing his enemies take to the air, Aiden seized the opportunity. He turned and strode forward, stepping on an Almiraj that hadn't leaped, crushing it underfoot. Using its body as leverage, Aiden jumped into the air, rising above the airborne Almirajs.
To conserve his magic power, Aiden didn't use a double jump. With Durandal in his right hand and Dragon Slayer in his left, he slashed with all his might. As he descended, most of the airborne Almirajs were cleaved in two.
Upon landing, Aiden didn't pause. The dark red and golden light of his swords flashed like lightning, slicing through the remaining Almirajs in seconds. If circumstances allowed, they were ready to be skinned and marinated.
"Yare yare daze, why are there so many materials? Do I look like someone interested in money?" After his warm-up exercise, Aiden shook his head, sighed at the abundance of materials and magic stones scattered around, and continued walking forward.
Clad in clothes woven by fire spirits, Aiden chose to walk straight through the flames.
However, just as he took his first step, several burning shadows burst through the fire.
The Hellhounds had leapt out.
The Hellhounds were on fire... literally. Their black fur, hit by the remnants of the Firestorm, was scorched in many places. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to describe them as fireballs. Yet, perhaps because they could also breathe fire, their bodies had some resistance to flames. Though not directly hit, the Hellhounds were engulfed in flames, teetering on the edge of death but still not succumbing.
The Hellhounds' crimson eyes, seared by the intense heat of the flames, grew even more frenzied. Their scorched vocal cords vibrated, producing a hideous howl.
*AOOOOOU!*
"Are you here to learn how to roast rabbits from me?" Aiden quipped as he deftly dodged the lunge of a Hellhound. He then thrust Durandal forward with precision, piercing the Hellhound's rear, skewering it completely with the golden blade.
"First, you need to skewer it properly." Aiden felt the fleeting resistance through his sword. Then, with his left hand, he thrust Dragon Slayer forward, impaling another Hellhound that had leaped at him.
"Once skewered, it's time to light the fire. Firestorm." The fiery tornado that burst forth this time directly hit the remaining Hellhounds, transforming the chamber into a true sea of flames.
"While turning them, brush on some sauce and oil." Aiden twisted his sword handles as if genuinely grilling skewers.
After playing around, Aiden sheathed his swords and walked through the inferno.
Not long after leaving the chamber, Aiden encountered two more Hellhounds in a narrow passage. Enhanced by Tempest, which kept his clothes clean, Aiden tried to mimic a game strategy by shouldering a charging Hellhound, intending to use its flames against the others.
Unfortunately, the experiment failed. As soon as Aiden hoisted the Hellhound onto his shoulder, it ceased its charge and struggled violently. In the end, Aiden used it as a projectile, hurling it forcefully at the other Hellhound.
Boom!
With Aiden's exceptional strength, the two Hellhounds collided like celestial bodies, resulting in a tremendous crash. Their bones shattered, and before Aiden could deliver a finishing blow, the Hellhounds had already turned to ashes from the impact.
"MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDAAA." Aiden echoed Dio Brando's classic taunt as he continued forward, drawn by the sounds ahead.
He heard a roar... a sound Aiden hadn't encountered in a month. It was reminiscent of his first encounter with an infant dragon, filling him with a sense of excitement.
Unlike the solitary roar of an infant dragon, this sound clearly didn't come from a single entity.
"Could it be Minotaurs? And more than one?" A joyful smile spread across Aiden's face. These monsters, which had shone as mid-game bosses in the original story, had long been anticipated by Aiden.
As the most iconic Level 2 monsters of the dungeon's middle floors, the power of Minotaurs was unquestionable. It was precisely this strength that made the high-ranking members of the Loki Familia in the original story so astonished when they witnessed the Level 1 Bell's desperate yet victorious fight against a Minotaur.
After arriving in Orario, Aiden had often fantasized about encountering such a monster on the upper floors, pulling off a dramatic last-minute comeback in front of an audience, and then making a stylish exit amidst their shocked faces.
Unfortunately, the fateful encounter with a Minotaur that Bell had in the upper floors was nothing short of destiny. Aiden's luck, however, hadn't been quite so fortunate.
But luckily, where Aiden missed out on Minotaurs, he found his fair share of young dragons.
Fueled by this anticipation, Aiden quickened his pace.
*Thud* *Thud* *Thud*
The Minotaurs, sensing something as well, began moving in Aiden's direction.
The monstrous bull-headed beasts, with their tall, crimson bodies, slowly came into view.
"Excuse me, Minotaur-san, how would you like to be cooked?" Aiden asked with a smile.
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Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone