As Fron activated his unique skill, his previously chaotic thoughts were forcibly gathered and focused in an instant.
At the same time, the flow, control, and release of mana throughout his entire body suddenly rose to the very limits of what he could endure. Under the precise control brought by Concentration, his whole being operated at maximum efficiency while minimizing consumption to the greatest extent.
The final result… was that the potency of the healing spell increased by almost two-fold.
...
The battlefield on the 13th underground floor had reached a fever pitch. Whether it was Fron's side or the "Barca Monster," whichever side exposed a weakness first would fall into disadvantage and quickly be defeated.
Anyone with eyes could tell, this was an extremely dangerous battle, one where a single mistake would determine victory or defeat.
Compared to the fierce fighting of Fron, Amid, Finn, and the others, the situation with the Elf Mage group and the Sword Princess breaking through from the 18th floor toward the surface was much stranger.
"The terrain here is terrible. We need to move to a different place to engage. This spot gives the monsters too much advantage. Everyone, regroup quickly!"
"Understood!"
The mage girl Elfy, Lefiya's roommate, was hastily urged by her companions. She responded in a fluster and stood up in a panic.
"Vanguard, form up! Be careful, its glare is coming!"
Passing through the dim and damp tunnel and just stepping into the vast hall ahead, Riveria, commanding the group, immediately issued a swift and decisive command.
Just as they had anticipated, the rugged and narrow terrain was not favorable for a monster who would fight an entire unit alone; it needed open space to maximize its abilities.
Likewise, the magic unit's firepower required the same conditions.
Perhaps by coincidence, or perhaps because both sides silently understood each other's needs, both Riveria and the monster Revis chose this hall as their battlefield.
In the hall on the 15th floor of the artificial labyrinth, the members of the Loki Familia set up their formation.
To face the powerful prey drawn out according to plan, that red-haired woman, Finn and Fron, who had both fought her before ensured that Level 3 and above combatants had been stationed here in advance.
After charging into the artificial labyrinth, Riveria left the necessary reinforcements at this location to stand guard in this terrain-favored zone.
Protected by the vanguard, the elf mage unit, members of the Loki Familia, stood in formation at the rear, raising their staves while chanting their spells with tense expressions.
At the same time, Ais, responsible for holding the rear and acting as bait, was the last to rush into the hall.
Just as everyone finished their preparations and focused their attention on the entrance, they didn't have to wait long, almost as if the opponent were following the exact script Finn and Fron had predicted, the red-haired woman appeared.
"You really know how to run, Aria."
"..."
Having just regrouped with her allies, Ais stopped inside the hall and slowly turned around, looking up. In that moment, her gaze seemed sharp enough to cut through the air.
Riveria's eyes were solemn as she observed this existence she had encountered once before, a new species neither human and monster: a creature.
Her impression was that the opponent's presence was more condensed and weighty, meaning her strength had grown even further.
"A top-tier Level 7?"
The thought flashed across Riveria's mind and almost froze her ability to think!
This wasn't a Level 7 like the Floor Boss on the 49th floor, she was a monster with reasoning power and was specialized in fighting human opponents similar to 'The King' Ottar.
Once they engaged something like this, the threat level was immeasurable. Only by using targeted tactics to surround and suppress her would there be even a slight chance of victory.
If that failed, then...
At that thought, Riveria glanced at Ais from the corner of her eye.
If it was Ais, perhaps her skill might be the key to breaking the deadlock.
Revis didn't care at all about the hostility of the Loki Familia; her target was only Ais.
Holding the scarlet cursed great sword forged by Barca, Revis stood still, emanating her usual aura of apathy, while her gaze remained fixed only on Ais.
As for Riveria, renowned as the strongest mage in the city and known as the Nine Hell, Revis only gave her a brief glance, before ignoring the adventurers who had formed up.
Noticing her disregard for Riveria, the elves unit nearly exploded in outrage.
That was their royal princess!!!
"L–Lady Riveria!!!"
"Stay calm. She's provoking us, don't fall into her trap. When the battle starts, Ais and I will suppress her head-on."
The pre-battle preparations had long been completed and roles assigned.
The strategy against Revis placed the Sword Princess at the front, while Riveria supported from the rear with overwhelming firepower from outside the melee zone.
Immediately afterward, the Elf Mage group would unleash their magical bombardment.
At the same time, Riveria maintained the magic circle she had kept in "standby mode", the one used during labyrinth exploration to monitor Revis, fixing it at a five-meter radius centered precisely in the middle.
After the first wave of bombardment, if the opponent still had the strength to continue, she would unleash a devastating wide-area annihilation spell, destroying everything exactly as the name implied.
Never forget: magic is a miraculous force that transcends level boundaries.
Even an ordinary mage, once they master magic, can unleash firepower equal to the peak of their level. If they're a bit talented, they can exceed their level by one tier.
And for elven royalty? One could only imagine how terrifying Riveria's offensive power was.
In the silent hall, the elves completed their chants. A few shield-bearers formed up at the front, waiting in position.
Facing this Level 7 monster, just having the courage to stand before her was already a test of their spirit and bravery.
At this moment, their faces were drenched in sweat, but to protect their comrades, they gritted their teeth and endured.
Gunpowder-like tension filled the hall, only a spark was needed to ignite this powder keg.
The suffocating atmosphere made even the flow of blood feel like it was stopping.
"...?" Revis tilted her head, looking surprised.
She stared coldly at her target, Ais.
Aside from that, she did nothing.
"Why aren't you attacking? What, where did your previous courage go?"
She stared intently at Ais, yet Ais hadn't raised her weapon. More importantly, Ais had no real fighting intent.
Analyzing Ais' state, Revis quickly pieced together the situation.
Combined with their earlier actions, she slowly came to understand.
"So, you're stalling for time, huh-"