Level Eater-Chapter 231

A super-sized monster.

That alone would be threatening enough, but it also uses a powerful skill that can petrify not just living things but even non-living objects.

This can be seen from how the white powder that falls even petrifies the water's surface.

And to make matters worse, it was incorporating the petrified water surface to grow its already fifty-meter-tall body even larger.

"So it eats and absorbs petrified objects... I'd rather not let it use that skill too much."

"Even if we attack and wear down its body, it can just petrify stuff around it and eat it to recover, right?"

"I think so. And below that monster, there's an endless supply of dungeon-produced water overflowing... If we don't do something about the petrification skill, this place with abundant recovery resources is too troublesome."

"But if we try to get within Dad's [Level Eater] range, the petrification would go 'whoosh' and be dangerous, right?"

"What a bothersome one."

"Peewee"

"Neigh"

As if agreeing with Nana's words, both Cardina and Jeanne made their sounds.

While nodding internally in agreement, Tatsuro tries to think of several possible approaches to organize the information.

The quickest method would be, as Athena said, to hit it with [Level Eater] to prevent it from using skills.

But as Athena also pointed out, the range of that petrification powder is quite wide, making it dangerous to approach.

Though the opponent is literally a mountain-like immobile monster, using [Level Eater] from outside its range would be difficult.

The next idea that comes to mind is trying to shoot magic bullets with multiple layers of defensive coating stacked like mille-feuille, similar to before.

This could also work by applying defensive coating to oneself and approaching until within [Level Eater] range.

So as a test, he created a magic bullet with Cardina and built up ten layers of defensive coating before firing it.

But this petrification skill seems to spread like an infection when there are petrified objects nearby, even affecting adjacent objects.

While this infection is stopped around the fifth layer, Leah, who was observing through far-seeing glasses, explained that if the petrification skill is applied to already petrified objects, the infection becomes stronger and can erode deeper.

(The remaining option is...)

Finally, the safest strategy: retreat.

Because the opponent is troublesome even with increased levels, it's been hard to secure SP, but they've managed to earn quite a bit so far.

And between the treasure vault and what they've gained along the way, they've more than enough spoils.

There wouldn't really be a problem if they turned back now.

(But still. We managed to shortcut to this layer while at path level 7. This kind of opportunity probably won't come again, and I want to try clearing it if possible...)

However, it might be better than losing something precious due to greed.

For Tatsuro, Ai and Cardina and the others are more precious than any treasure.

As Tatsuro's feelings began leaning toward retreat while looking down dejectedly.

(Wait... That water surface is... —This might work!)

Tatsuro starts formulating a strategy while considering the items he currently has.

"Cardina. There's something I want to check. Could you help me?"

"Peeweee!!"

Nothing makes Cardina happier than being relied on by Tatsuro, and she enthusiastically agrees.

"And Ai, I need your help too."

"Of course, leave it to me!"

Just as happy as Cardina, or perhaps even more so, to be relied on by Tatsuro, Ai responded with a bright smile.

"Then, could you attack that thing as close to the water surface as possible? The power just needs to be moderate."

"Near the water surface, right? Okay, got it. I'll give it a try."

Though not quite understanding why, Ai took out her whip, thinking it was fine since Tatsuro said so, to deliver an attack of moderate power by her standards.

Then she began releasing yellow-green spirit energy from the triangular prism at the tip, which gradually took the form of a boar.

"Okay. I'm ready on my end."

"Then, Jeanne. Could you lower our altitude until we're just above the water's surface?"

"Neigh!"

Jeanne, who had been dealing with the rock rain, let out a cry and lowered their altitude until they were just above the water's surface.

"Alright. Now then, Ai. Go for it!"

"Here we go! ———Teryaaa!!"

With a shout, Ai poured spirit energy into her whip while swinging it down from above, shooting the tip far ahead.

Then, after building up moderate momentum, she pulls back the whip, but the yellow-green spirit energy boar constructed at the tip separates and continues straight ahead.

It kicks through the air with its four legs, running as if along the water surface, increasing its speed as it attempts to pierce the rock mountain monster.

"AAAAAAAAA!"

But of course, it wouldn't quietly accept this, releasing petrification powder toward the spirit beast boar, turning the water surface to stone along with it.

Then it dragged the petrified parts into its body, increasing its volume once again.

But during this time, Tatsuro had finished thoroughly investigating what he wanted to know with Cardina.

"Just as I thought! This might work."

"Oh ho. And what might that be?"

"This time I'm thinking of a two-pronged strategy. First, I want everyone except me and Ai to draw its attention from the air."

"That's fine, but what about you and Father?"

"Ai and I are going to do a bit of diving."

"'Diving?'"

"Peewee?"

"Neigh?"

Since it didn't seem to get across in one word, Tatsuro went on to explain in more detail.

"First, what caught my attention was the dungeon's characteristics. For example, even if we store a lot of this water in the [Infinite Item Field] like this, it returns instantly, right?"

"Yeah. If it didn't, stages like deep sea would be easy since we could just store all the water in the 'Infinite Item Field.'"

"Right. It's like there's some force constantly working to maintain the environment. So I investigated what happens to the water volume when the surface is petrified. Turns out new water is supplied from the edges, and if you're more than 6 meters below the surface, you can escape the range even if it tries to directly petrify the water surface."

"Ah! So while everyone else draws its attention to the sky, you and I will approach from below 6 meters and hit it with [Level Eater]. Is that it?"

"Yeah, that's right. And we have tools for breathing underwater, equipment to maintain visibility, and suits to stay dry."

"Indeed. Even if something unexpected happens, given your abilities and information-sharing capabilities, you two should be able to handle it. And if we can deal with the petrification skill, our attacks should start landing too."

Thus, the two-pronged strategy by Tatsuro and Ai, and the other members was decided.

First, Tatsuro and Ai put on the items they had obtained as drops from the sea dog.

They put on wetsuits over their coats and armor, equipped goggles and snorkels, and draped water camouflage robes over their shoulders just in case.

And in one hand Tatsuro held his staff, while Ai held her jeweled sword, and they held each other's hands with their free hands.

"Everyone should drink recovery potions just in case. We're quite exhausted after all."

He takes out recovery potions that they had obtained in large quantities but hadn't used once, distributing them for everyone to drink.

This way, Cardina, and the others should be able to draw attention quite flashily.

After completing all preparations thoroughly, Tatsuro and Ai dove into the water.

After seeing them off, Cardina and the others ascended high into the sky, opposite from the water's surface.

"Now then, let's make this flashy!"

"Peewee!"

"Neiiigh!"

"Yes!"

"Roger that~!"

The group, now able to perform at full power again thanks to the recovery potions, steeled themselves and began their respective attacks from a position higher than the rock mountain monster, which had now grown to nearly 65 meters.

Cardina fired magic bullets one after another, while Jeanne fired what could be called dragon horn spear wind blades—adding Athena's concept to the [Dragon Horn Spear Blade].

Following suit, Nana unleashed dragon claw curse raids with status-lowering curse magic imbued in her 'Dragon Claw Raid,' Leah aimed her rocket launcher firing burst shells that scattered magic bullets over a wide area, and Athena unleashed lightning wind slashes mixing lightning and wind with her scythe strikes.

They drew attention with attacks powerful enough to annihilate most monsters, launching them with enough spirit to take down several at once.

And this successfully worked, with the monster remaining fixated on the sky without even noticing the reduced number of opponents.

Meanwhile, underwater, Tatsuro and Ai had begun to adapt to the unfamiliar breathing method using magical snorkels and were steadily progressing toward the monster from about 10 meters depth.

Swordfish were frequently encountered along the way, but either due to the water camouflage working or by chance, except for individuals that happened to come toward them, Tatsuro's water magic carried the two peacefully without engaging in combat.

After traveling a long distance underwater, the two finally saw the huge rock face before their eyes.

{Including the height from the water bottom, this thing must be easily over 100 meters tall.}

{Big means strong. We knew that from Jeanne, but when it's an enemy, you really feel it.}

Communicating through thought-speak while cutting off the water magic, they slowly swim closer using their own limbs.

{Alright. This distance should be perfect. Let's get this over with quickly.}

{Leave the guard duty to me during that time.}

{Yeah, counting on you.}

Tatsuro deploys Secom-kun who had been absorbed into his coat just in case, and takes a deep breath from his snorkel.

Then he removes it and activates [Level Eater], landing the black sphere at point-blank range.

---------------

Level: 94

Skills: [Breath of Petrification Lv.14], [Stone Eating Lv.5], [Giant Rock Thorn Lv.7]

[Giant Rock Sword Lv.9], [Scatter Shot Rock Stone Lv.5], [Super Steel Body Lv.3]

---------------

(———Huh!?)

While the giant ray was shocking, this monster went even beyond that.

As a result, Tatsuro barely manages to hold back the breath that almost escapes from his lungs.

(Skill level 14, I knew it was high but... this is quite dangerous. The others are fairly high too, better take them all quickly.)

Tatsuro hurriedly begins absorbing the most troublesome [Breath of Petrification] first.

Then after taking the skills for raining rocks and rock thorns... as he starts running out of breath, he once swallows the black sphere to use as sustenance before resupplying oxygen and restarting [Level Eater].

---------------

Level: 85

Skills: [Breath of Petrification Lv.0], [Stone Eating Lv.0], [Giant Rock Thorn Lv.0]

[Giant Rock Sword Lv.0], [Scatter Shot Rock Stone Lv.0], [Super Steel Body Lv.0]

---------------

Since this time the enemy is huge and seems dangerous, he takes a bit of its level as well.

Then after swallowing the black sphere, he successfully obtained a total of (214) SP from this monster.

{Alright! Now both the petrification skill and other skills are gone!}

{Great! Then let's join up with Cardina and the others and finish it off!}

{Yeah!}

And so Tatsuro and Ai hurried toward where Cardina and the others waited, riding the current created by water magic.