Live Dungeon!

Chapter 237: Shield Magic

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What unfolded was less a battle with monsters and more a sheer massacre. High-level Attackers lined up, unleashing their skills in a barrage of fatal strikes, accompanied by clouds of dust and the monsters’ dying screams.

“<<Meteor Stream>>!”

Among them, Alma, the Black Mage wielding the Black Staff, switched from the fire-based skills she had been using just now to her usual <<Meteor Stream>>. The sky beyond the Shield filled with a swarm of tiny meteors, their destructive power reshaping the terrain. With Alma’s intensified focus, the meteor count was greater than ever.

Even though the meteors’ sizes had been tempered, so as to avoid disrupting the other Explorers’ skills, any ordinary monster struck by them would die instantly. To the monsters, the scene of a deadly rain descending upon them was nothing short of a nightmare.

Adding to the chaos, a volley of ranged skills from a hundred Attackers battered the battlefield. Not even a Devourer Dragon would be able to withstand such an assault. Ordinary monsters, regardless of their numbers, had no means of survival and fell in droves.

The citizens, witnessing the monsters being effortlessly slaughtered by the Explorers’ skills, cheered with exhilaration. Having faced the terror of being chased by these creatures in the Royal Capital, they were now relieved by this extraordinary spectacle.

In stark contrast, Christia and the nobles watched in silence. Even the melee Attackers behind them, while readying for deployment, internally acknowledged that the ranged Attackers alone would suffice.

Within minutes, the onslaught ceased, leaving only mangled remains beyond the Shield perimeter. No monsters were seen alive, and the ground was pockmarked with countless small craters, as if pierced by thousands of forks.

One peculiar sight stood out — a mound of monster corpses piled high. It was very likely that Orbis had taken refuge there, but now every monster lay dead.

“Check for any survivors. Frontline units, move forward while staying alert for an ambush from Orbis.”

While the exhausted ranged Attackers drank Blue Potions, the melee Attackers and Tanks ventured beyond the Shield to confirm the absence of any stragglers. Though only monster carcasses were visible, the Explorers proceeded cautiously.

“Time for me to borrow it again.”

“Just don’t lend it to someone else this time.”

“Don’t worry, the most I’ll do is share it.”

Alma, with a refreshed look as she sipped from a vial of Blue Potion, handed the Black Staff to Tsutomu, who gazed at the mound of monster corpses as he advanced to the frontline.

“Hahaha… That was some impressive power.”

As Tsutomu caught up with the rest of Absolute Helix at the front, Orbis emerged from the pile of corpses, his body drenched in monster blood, his black hair gleaming.

The Explorers who had fought Orbis earlier remained on guard, watching him closely as he approached with a smile and clenched fists. Leon, carrying some skill dumplings, was the first to strike, but Orbis stopped his sword effortlessly with one arm.

“I’ve grown accustomed to your speed.”

“Tch,” Leon clicked his tongue and retreated swiftly. 

That was the signal for the nearby Tanks to charge at Orbis. Utilizing their durability, they engaged Orbis, aiming to buy time for the Attackers to find an opening.

Orbis sent several Tanks flying with a single punch and forced the surrounding Explorers back with a powerful spinning kick. He then crouched, and his calves bulged as if they were about to explode.

Seeing this, Xeno, Daryl, and the other Tanks rushed forward to intercept him, but Orbis kicked them aside and leaped straight toward the Shield.

“Did any of you all find the earlier spectacle… strange?”

With a shoulder slam, he cracked the Shield that Brooklyn had just reinforced. The citizens, who had been observing the battle as if on a zoo visit, screamed in panic. Christia nocked an arrow while keeping an eye on the Attackers behind her.

“Those blessed with Divine Favor can wield immense power. Such individuals are chosen by God. But the attacks you just witnessed were launched by ordinary Explorers. That kind of power is far too great for mere humans to possess.”

Leon charged at Orbis only to be swatted away as if brushing off a fly. Orbis then turned his gaze to the gathered citizens.

“Even someone like you, cowering from monsters moments ago, could wield such power with time. You, or your son, could attain it. Anyone can. Good people, bad people alike.”

The head of House Babenberg quickly raised a new Shield, absorbing the force of Orbis’s blow, causing it to ripple like rubber.

“Right now, most Explorers remain confined to the Dungeon City. But what if those with such power come to the Royal Capital? Who could stop them? A few could be managed by the nobles, but ten or a hundred? That would be a different story. If we don’t curb the influence of the God’s Dungeon now, Explorers will inevitably take over the Royal Capital.”

Even as attacks from the pursuing Explorers struck him, Orbis did not retaliate. He continued addressing the citizens.

“Explorers bear no responsibility for their power. They will eventually repeat the crimes committed in Dungeon City here in the Royal Capital. It’s not a distant future. To prevent this, we must reduce the number of Explorers and allow only those with Divine Favor to enter God’s Dungeon. Someone must rectify this abnormal situation.”

“……”

The citizens listened with fearful eyes, but they seemed unconvinced. The Royal Capital was peaceful, and the true threat had been Orbis himself. Few felt any sympathy or agreement with his words.

Seeing their lack of understanding, Orbis looked down in disappointment and shook off the Explorers attacking him.

“Can you not understand? Then I shall fight alone. But remember my words when the Explorers’ havoc begins. Then, and only then, will you realize who speaks the truth.”

Having said his piece, Orbis turned his back on the crowd and faced the Explorers, fists clenched with visible intent to kill. Garm took the brunt of Orbis’ punch with his tower shield, but was sent flying, bouncing across the ground before finally coming to a stop.

However, there were many other Ranks who could withstand Orbis’s attacks, and they surrounded him, with weapons and shields at the ready.

“ORA!!”

“<<ROCK SPLITTER BLADE>>!”

While Orbis focused on knocking away the Tanks, Amira, wielding her greatsword, slashed at him. Amy used Amira’s greatsword as a springboard, leaping over Orbis and striking his back with her twin blades.

“Thirty <<Medics>> coming right up! <<Heals>> will be ready soon, too!”

“Got it!”

Eunice, holding the Black Staff with her tail, skillfully crafted skill dumplings with both hands. Leon distributed these dumplings to the Explorers battling Orbis, creating an almost restaurant-like atmosphere.

“<<High Heal>>. <<Heal>>. <<Medic>>. <<Protect>>.”

Meanwhile, Tsutomu used his quickshot skills at maximum speed, preventing Orbis from absorbing any while healing the surrounding Explorers. With the monsters gone, Tsutomu no longer needed to manage aggro and unleashed a barrage of support skills, significantly boosting everyone’s recovery rate.

Other White Mages tended to the Tanks who had been knocked away, ensuring that Orbis could not absorb their healing spells.

“…<<High Heal>>.”

Among the White Mages, Stephanie stood out, utilizing her quickshot skill with the same precision as Tsutomu, though she lacked the Black Staff and thus had less healing power.

Her gaze, however, was not on Orbis but fixated on Eunice with clear hostility. Though not enough to disrupt her supporting flow, her intense focus on Eunice made her surrounding Clan members uneasy.

“<<Blessing of Recovery>>.”

Channelers, often considered inferior to White Mages in God’s Dungeon, were rare in top clans like Golden Tune or Scarlet Devil Squad. However, Ealdred Crow, known for its diverse talents, had a few, as well as Absolute Helix’s very own Korinna. Unlike White Mages, Channelers’ skills could not be absorbed by enemies, allowing them to support and heal without hindrance from Orbis’s actions.

As the Healers kept the Explorers in fighting shape, Orbis’ gaze fell on the dumpling skills Leon was distributing.

“Ah, I see… So that’s the secret.”

Orbis, noticing the growing number of wounds on his arms, quickly assessed Eunice’s nature and devised a plan on the spot. As he knocked away a Tank, he deftly snatched a dumpling <<Heal>> from his pocket.

If crushed, the <<Heal>> spell inside would restore anyone’s health. Orbis tried to crush the dumpling skill between his fingers to heal himself.

“…?”

But as soon as he did, the green gas within dissipated entirely. His eyes widened in surprise, and he staggered as attackers struck his chest.

“Hmph, too bad! That one was empty! Serves you right!” Eunice taunted, sticking out her tongue while continuing to produce more skill dumplings.

Eunice was not just the originator of the dumpling-style skill theory; she was also its most practiced user in real combat. Her proficiency with it surpassed even Tsutomu’s, allowing her to keep track of the dozens of orbs she produced and nullify the <<Heal>> spell within the one Orbis had taken.

“What a troll.”

“Still an angel compared to you!”

Tsutomu and Eunice exchanged lighthearted jabs while sharing the Black Staff, ensuring their support and healing remained unaffected by Orbis. With no monsters around to disrupt them, the Tanks and Attackers battered by Orbis quickly recovered.

“EAT THIS!”

“<<Wicked Flame>>!”

More robust Attackers from the Scarlet Devil Squad and Ealdred Crow’s elite units joined the fray. This time, many besides Leon could hold their own against Orbis, making it difficult for him to charge recklessly as he had before.

Orbis raised his fist, attempting to break the stalemate, but a scarlet bolt struck his shoulder, singeing the flesh and producing smoke. He looked at the smoldering wound, then turned his gaze toward the direction the arrow came from.

“Oh, you’ve decided to finally show yourself. But why? Meena seems to still be alive…”

“……”

Standing there was Weiss, his black robe billowing in the wind, holding a scarlet crossbow with a blank expression. Directed by Christia to eliminate Orbis, Weiss glared menacingly at Orbis’s taunt.

Leon, with his golden-furred wolf ears perked, approached swiftly and slipped a set of skill dumplings into Weiss’ robe pocket.

“Weiss, that guy is as strong as Bruno. Be careful.”

“…Mm-hm.”

Weiss responded curtly to Leon, and then he proceeded to draw out a longsword. As he pointed it downward, the blade turned a fiery red, imbued with the aura of <<Phoenix Soul>>. Without delay, Weiss joined the other Explorers in attacking Orbis.

“I sure don’t want to be hit by that.”

Orbis deftly dodged Weiss’ scarlet blade, at the same time using his legs like spears to send other Explorers flying. As soon as he found himself one-on-one with Weiss, Orbis aimed a punch directly at Weiss’ longsword, shattering the weapon into pieces.

“Without a weapon, you can’t invoke your skills, can you?”

Weiss, being a Swordfighter, could not use his skills without a weapon in hand. Orbis had made it his strategy to break the Explorers’ weapons, nullifying their skills and forcing a pure contest of strength.

“<<Phoenix Flame>>.”

However, Weiss possessed a unique skill beyond that of a typical Swordfighter. Flames erupted from his body, enveloping Orbis in an attempt to keep him at bay. Yet Orbis ignored the searing heat and lunged at Weiss.

“RAH!”

At that moment, Amira, in <<Dragon Form>>, intercepted Orbis’s grasp with her greatsword, deflecting his hand upwards. Though her perfect strike could not sever his hand, it created an opening. Other Attackers seized the chance to launch their assaults on Orbis’ body.

Despite Orbis’ strategies, the Explorers’ numerical advantage was overwhelming. While it was tough to injure the robust Orbis, the relentless attacks from dozens of Explorers began to take their toll. With the Healers’ support, the Explorers fought in peak condition.

As time passed, Orbis’s once-impenetrable defenses started to falter. His arms became tattered, his leg muscles torn and bleeding. Meanwhile, the Explorers, bolstered by constant healing, remained largely unscathed.

“Hahaha… It seems I’ve met my match…” Orbis chuckled dryly, facing the seemingly indestructible force of Explorers.

The corpses of monsters littered the surroundings, and Meena was subdued by Christia. With no monsters in sight, whether it be on the ground or in the sky, Orbis stood alone.

Weiss aimed his crossbow and shot a bolt at Orbis’s face. Orbis raised his arms to block it, creating an opening. Weiss slipped in, wielding his warhammer wrapped in a red aura.

“Ngh…!”

Orbis staggered from Weiss’ powerful blow. The other Explorers seized the moment, launching a coordinated assault. Orbis managed to lift his arms to shield himself from the close-range Attackers.

“……”

But underneath Orbis’ raised arms, Weiss stood with his scarlet blade poised.

The blade aimed for a fatal swipe at Orbis’s neck, an attack he could not defend against.

As the red blade neared his throat, a solid sound echoed as it struck… something.

“…!?”

The swing of Weiss’ blade had been blocked by a transparent, solid layer in the air, protecting Orbis at the critical moment.

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