Spirits, like elves, are a race with a strong affinity for magic.
However, unlike elves, spirits are extremely rare and even more mysterious. They are capable of summoning wind and rain, turning stone into gold, and so on.
Just as orcs are divided into various tribes, spirits are also divided into different branches such as fire spirits, earth spirits, water spirits, lightning spirits, light spirits and darkness spirits. Among them, the earth spirits, who are skilled in processing gold, silver, and jewellery, are the most integrated into human society.
Fire spirits, also known as fire lizards, fire dragons, or salamanders, create protective clothing that offers strong defense against flames and high temperatures, while also providing protection against cold.
Similarly, water spirits' protective clothing is not only water-resistant but also effective in eliminating high temperatures, making it very useful for avoiding heat.
The protective clothing made by these "divine fragments," the spirits, may not be universally powerful, but they excel in specific attributes.
Line and Lefiya were discussing fervently, with Lefiya, being an elf, clearly holding spirits in high regard.
Eiji remained silent.
Pretending that he could understand.
He was a complete country bumpkin, with almost no knowledge of this world. In such a situation, to avoid appearing too ignorant, he could only choose to keep quiet and pretend to be an expert.
"Are you ready?"
Eiji put on the fire dragon armour, made sure everything was in order, and looked at the other two.
"No problem."
Line had already changed her clothes.
"Ah... wait a moment!"
Lefiya hurriedly put on her undergarments, as she had been so engrossed in the conversation that she forgot to change.
Two minutes later.
"Pay attention, follow me closely."
The three of them, dressed in fiery red armour and cloaks shimmering with phosphorescence, stood ready.
Eiji held the middle floor map he had bought from the guild, reminded the other two, and after exchanging glances and confirming that everyone was ready, they nodded.
"Let's go!"
***
Everything in sight was covered in gray rock. The surrounding walls, floor, and ceiling were all made of stone, and the air was damp throughout the space.
Unlike the foggy grasslands of the 12th floor, this level was completely a cave-like terrain, resembling the interior of a mountain range.
Emerging from the passage connecting the two floors, what greeted them was a seemingly endless rocky path with no turns or forks. The distance between the walls, ceiling, and floor was very narrow.
Additionally, in the corners of the walls, there were holes resembling wells, likely traps, making people wary of approaching.
"The characteristic of the 13th floor is that the passages connecting the rock chambers are very long. To ensure a stable battle, we must quickly reach the next rock chamber."
Eiji glanced at the map, then put it away, gripping his katana tightly.
"Let's go!"
The two behind him remained silent, aware of the danger here, where a single misstep could be fatal.
They followed closely behind Eiji, all three tense, running swiftly along the passage.
Although the passage was long and quite narrow, it had few forks and turns, allowing them to proceed to the next level by simply moving straight ahead, as long as they avoided falling into the vertical holes in the corners.
But the dungeon's passages are never short of monsters.
"Grrr..."
Two dark figures appeared ahead in the damp corridor, causing the trio to halt.
Their rough skin was charcoal black, their bodies dog-like but as large as half a human's height, their limbs close to the ground as they moved, with only their eyes glowing a sinister red.
"Hellhounds!"
Line's expression was serious, her hand involuntarily tightening on the short knife at her waist.
Hellhounds, monsters that start appearing from the 13th floor, are judged by the guild to be a threat level of Level 2.
"Should we get closer?"
She looked towards Eiji at the front of the group.
Determining the optimal distance to engage monsters is the responsibility of the vanguard.
The two hellhounds' ferocious faces twisted violently, emitting menacing roars.
Then they both raised their hindquarters, lowering their front bodies as much as possible.
Next, scorching flames condensed in their mouths, gradually forming high-temperature fireballs.
Bang!
Without warning, Eiji kicked off the ground, dashing forward like a cheetah.
"At least give a heads up!"
Lefiya was helpless but had to quickly follow.
Straight ahead.
The distance of tens of meters was covered in an instant.
Eiji's body speed had greatly improved after receiving the blessing, allowing him to easily cross the distance and reach right in front of the two hellhounds.
Whoosh—!
The blade sliced through the air, cutting across the first hellhound's mouth, splitting its head in two, the accumulating flames dying in its throat.
Boom!
But at the same time, the other hellhound had finished charging, spitting out a fireball the size of a basketball directly at Eiji!
Eiji quickly lifted the hem of his cloak, blocking in front of him, and crouched down.
The scorching heat instantly assaulted his body. Although the temperature rose sharply, the fire dragon armour almost completely blocked the flames. Despite the continuous stinging pain, his body remained almost unharmed.
"Growl!"
The hellhound roared, then opened its bloody maw, lunging to bite Eiji.
Crunch!
Eiji proactively met it, thrusting the katana's blade into the hellhound's mouth.
However, the hellhound reacted swiftly, biting down on the blade. No matter how Eiji pushed the hilt, its teeth didn't budge, using astonishing bite force to prevent the blade from advancing further.
Thud!
Eiji suddenly released one hand, drawing a short sword from his waist, and in a moment of the hellhound's unpreparedness, stabbed it into its throat, causing it to die in resentment.
"So impressive, you actually defeated two hellhounds alone?"
Lefiya approached him with a look of amazement, her eyes sparkling.
"Be careful, more monsters are coming!"
Line quickly warned.
Squeak squeak!
Ahead, after the hellhounds' demise, three rabbit-like monsters appeared from the depths of the passage.
Their size was similar to that of a dwarf, with yellow and white fur and fluffy tails. They stood on their hind legs, with sharp horns on their foreheads.
Unicorn rabbits.
Although individually not as strong as hellhounds, their nuisance level is no less, also a threat level of Level 2!
Because they often move in groups, and the key is—
Bang!
The three unicorn rabbits simultaneously smashed the wall rocks, retrieving natural weapons—small stone axes.
Unicorn rabbits are very adept at using the dungeon's natural arsenal in combat. When they launch a group attack, their offensive power is truly not to be underestimated.
"Behind us too!"
Line turned to look, her expression tense.
From the direction they came, two more hellhounds appeared, their mouths wide open, flames condensing, clearly starting to accumulate magic.
This is the 13th floor.
***
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