Roy toyed with the enhanced mermaid's magic stone. It was crystal clear, oval-shaped, and smooth like jade.
A magic stone preserved in such perfect condition was worth a fortune. If the Guild didn't offer at least a million valis, Roy wouldn't even consider selling it. He stored it in his spatial ring.
"Roy~"
Seeing him defeat her ferocious "kin," Mari excitedly moved to rush over.
Roy was about to approach her when he suddenly froze and shouted, "Wait—don't come any closer!"
Mari stopped at the cave entrance, confusion written on her face.
Something was wrong with this cavern.
Roy's expression tightened as he scanned his surroundings nervously.
At first, he thought the enhanced mermaid had been the only threat. But after killing her, the sense of danger not only remained—it intensified.
His skin prickled faintly.
Carefully, Roy moved toward the cave entrance, eyes fixed on every corner, not daring to relax for even a moment. As he drew closer, he silently prayed nothing would happen.
Then he noticed it—
On the lake's previously still surface, a massive shadow moved beneath the water.
From the moment it appeared, the entire lake began to churn, bubbles rising as if it were boiling.
The shadow was split into two distinct sections—an unmistakable outline that made Roy's scalp tingle.
"Don't tell me…?"
Boom!!
The calm lake exploded upward.
A colossal two-headed dragon over twenty meters long emerged before Roy.
Its entire body was snow-white, enormous and dignified beneath chalk-like scales. Where its neck met its torso, it branched into two long dragon necks. Each massive scale shimmered like crystal. At the end were two enormous dragon heads—one with azure eyes, the other with crimson.
There was no reason in their gaze—only instinctual ferocity and overwhelming destructive intent.
The Floor Boss of the Water Capital—Amphisbaina.
Roy's brows furrowed deeply. "Impossible."
Before the expedition, he had specifically confirmed the floor boss information at the Guild. Both Goliath and Amphisbaina had already been defeated.
Amphisbaina's respawn time was roughly one month. It shouldn't have appeared yet.
Suddenly, realization struck him.
If the adventurers who returned from the 25th floor had been controlled by the enhanced mermaid, then the information they reported would naturally have been false.
"…!"
Roy cursed under his breath.
That madwoman's goal wasn't just to help Ryuu regain her sense of justice—she also intended to eliminate him?
But his thoughts were abruptly cut off.
Amphisbaina's terrifying pressure filled the cavern, its cold eyes locking onto Roy.
A bead of sweat slid down his temple.
There was no point thinking about anything else now.
The only thing that mattered was surviving.
Amphisbaina was Lv. 5. In its specialized environment, its threat level could rival Lv. 6.
"ROOOOAAARRRR—!!"
The azure-eyed dragon head opened its massive maw. Pale blue flames gathered within, distorting the surrounding air.
With a deafening roar, it unleashed a torrent of azure fire.
Boom!
The terrifying breath passed over Roy's head and struck the wall above the cave entrance.
Under the scorching blue flames, the wall melted like wax. Thick molten rock flowed downward, sealing the cavern's only exit.
"Roy—!"
Mari screamed in panic, trying to rush forward, only to be blocked by the sealed passage. Roy could see the despair on her face.
Roy's expression darkened.
As expected of a floor boss—the strongest monster of its level.
Its first move had been lethal: block the escape route and kill all intruders.
Blue flames still leaked from between Amphisbaina's fangs.
Its dragon liver produced a special combustible fluid that, when ignited with magic, became a deadly flame. Once it touched the body, it spread instantly and was nearly impossible to extinguish—even healing magic couldn't properly mend the wounds.
Boom!
Amphisbaina opened its monstrous jaws again, unleashing another torrent of blue fire.
The blazing storm rushed forward. The beautiful yet terrifying flames skimmed across the lake's surface, generating massive clouds of steam.
Without hesitation, Roy drew the Spirit Holy Sword from his ring. Holding back now would mean death.
Burn the Heavens!
Magical energy surged wildly into the Spirit Holy Sword. Roy aimed at Amphisbaina as crimson flames erupted and crashed forward.
Boom!!
The two torrents of fire collided in the center of the cavern.
Crimson and azure flames clashed violently, scorching heatwaves spreading outward.
The walls glowed red-hot.
Temperature and humidity soared. The cavern felt like a giant steamer.
!
The shockwave blasted Roy off his feet, slamming him into the wall. His back struck it like red-hot iron, sizzling audibly.
The scent of burning flesh filled the air.
Pain flashed across Roy's face as a low groan escaped his throat.
His skin burned. Sweat poured from his body, sticky and suffocating, hindering his movement and strength. His overall abilities dropped.
Struggling to his feet, strips of skin tore from his back, leaving it bloodied.
In their first clash, he had lost.
The Spirit Holy Sword was powerful—but its wielder was only Lv. 3. Directly opposing a Lv. 5's flame cannon was far from easy.
Before Roy could steady himself, another wave of blue fire surged toward him.
Amphisbaina's icy eyes were merciless—focused solely on killing the intruder.
"Guardian!"
Roy raised the Steel Armguard, activating its special effect. An invisible shield enveloped him.
The blue flames engulfed him and the surrounding area, melting even the walls. Roy felt the blistering heat—
But it did not directly harm him.
The Steel Armguard held firm. Even against azure flames, it could endure for four to five seconds.
Roy repeatedly activated its effect. At the same time, his other hand swept across his spatial ring, pulling out bottle after bottle of potions.
Low-grade health potion.
Low-grade stamina potion.
Low-grade mind potion.
Panacea—
There was no time to distinguish. He poured them into his mouth one after another.
Various colored glows shimmered across his body.
Gradually, his condition visibly improved—but at a steep cost.
The Steel Armguard's durability dropped below 5%.
The epic-grade equipment lost its glow entirely.
The final barrier protecting Roy vanished.