The Lone Healer-Chapter 120: Knives in the Dark, Part Nine

After that last fight, and one more that happened after, Neve arrived at the iron gates leading into the town’s public square with this status:

Level 58

MP: 1100/1100 (+300)

EXP: 410/580

AP: 3690

IP: 30

WST: 16516

---

Endurance: 40

Speed: 30

Precision: 24

Strength: 5

Arcane: 80

She was close to gaining another level but knew that wasn’t necessarily a good thing, as it meant that the gap between Lia and Erin would be that much wider. As it was, Erin would be dealing with an 18-level gap going into this fight.

The part that made Neve especially nervous was that unlike the vast majority of their enemies so far, Lia was obviously going to be the dextrous, quick, and agile type.

In a world where one bad hit was all it took for even the highest-level players to die, that was the most dangerous kind of enemy one could come across.

And yet, Neve did not turn away. She did not falter, as she stood before the gates. She just quietly took stock of what she had, the tools in her possession, and got ready for the battle ahead.

Because, underneath whatever Neve may have been feeling was the underlying truth that Thomas and his group were just three floors away from escaping.

She couldn’t afford to be afraid. To hesitate.

If Lia wanted to see bloodlust, Neve would give it to her as best as she could.

"Four healing potions," Neve said, listing off the items in her inventory as Erin stood beside her, listening. Some of these were potions Ahlakan had made a while ago, some of these were potions she made after a brief return to the safe zone. "That disease curing potion. One Potion of Bestial Rage, this thing will increase the damage you deal but also the damage you take for 1 minute. Two potions of Swift Feet. These will increase our Speed by 15, and the speed of all Techniques by 10% for 1 minute too."

"Is that woman truly so strong as to merit us using all of these things?" Erin asked as she held one of the Swift Feet potions in her hands. "She didn’t seem too intimidating before."

"The System is going to go out of its way to make her stronger than us."

"Lovely."

She gave Erin the potion of Bestial Rage and took one of the Swift Feet potions for herself, putting it in her Inventory.

As she did that, she went over all of her spells, trying to think of ways she might want to use them.

[As far as my elemental spells go, I think it’s probably best if I focus primarily on spamming {Waterball}. If I’m right and she ends up being the speedy, hit-and-run style of enemy, using {Iceball} will probably not reduce her Speed enough to matter. In that case, making sure that when she goes in for attacks, there’s a high chance that she’ll miss is probably better. Additionally, I can absolutely see her being the type to use stuff like throwing knives. In that case, I’ll definitely want to use {Hard Target}. Finally, my timing is going to have to be on point to make good use of {Equivalent Exchange}. If I’m too slow, I could just end up getting myself killed.]

On that note, Neve brought out her sword and walked up to the gates. Seeing this, Erin slithered up with her.

This was it. The 4th Floor’s boss fight. Naturally, Neve was antsy. There was a voice in her head asking if, perhaps, she should have spent more time farming, grinding out skills, or leveling up. But, Thomas’s image flashing before her eyes was enough to dispel any of those notions.

[I have to do this. They might get away if I don’t,] she told herself. [That said, I still haven’t seen this place’s Floor Quest. Granted, it’s not like I explored every single part of it or whatever, but still. I wonder how you’re supposed to start it. Oh well.]

"Tamira," Neve whispered.

"Yes?" The snake replied in her thoughts.

[Can I come back and do the Floor Quest later?]

"Yep," Tamira told her. "But, just remember that if enough time passes, the enemies you’ve beaten will respawn. Including the boss!"

Neve paused.

[How much time, exactly?]

"We’re still deciding on it, but for now, the time is set to 1 week!"

That made Neve’s eyes widen.

[... Wait, but, Thomas only just now got to the 8th Floor, right?]

"Indeed..."

[So, you’re telling me that if I can reach the 7th floor in the span of one week, all of the enemies that Thomas and his group killed will be dead when I arrive? Including the boss?]

"Yep!"

That was all of the motivation Neve needed.

She pushed the gates open.

A statue up ahead, depicting a woman local to this world with a crown of thorns, holding up a star, welcomed her.

The red moon became brighter. The dark sky surrounding it became illuminated as the moon’s rays spread like a crimson shell was wrapping itself around the entirety of the world.

Lia appeared, dropping in from the sky and landing right in front of that statue.

She held two black and red daggers as she strut forward, walking toward Neve with a grin on her face.

Level 68

MP: 200/200

"My, oh my... I’m glad you didn’t keep me waiting." She stopped a couple of meters in front of Neve and Erin, holding up a dagger in their direction. "Would you like to beg for your life? I’d enjoy it quite a bit, you know..."

Neve was having none of this.

[Let’s just get this over with.]

She aimed her staff at the woman and launched a {Waterball}.

Lia leaned out of the way casually. The sphere of water crashed into the statue behind her.

MP: 1090/1100

"Very well~"

With that, the fight began.

Lia disappeared.

Neve’s eyes widened. She felt chills go down her spine. Instinctively, the healer ducked. A pair of black and red daggers thrust into the air from behind her, where her chest had been.

"Erin!"

Neve ran forward, trying to put her summon between herself and the enemy. Lia, however, just side-stepped the lamia and lunged at Neve.

[She’s just going to ignore Erin? Does the concept of "aggro" not apply to her?]

If that was the case, then things were about to get complicated. Up until now, Neve had relied on the aggro game mechanic to avoid getting into too much trouble, as her enemies would usually go after whoever was closest to them, or whoever had attacked them last.

If Lia wasn’t affected by that mechanic, then Neve’s life would be threatened through every second of this fight.

She needed to run.

Neve sprinted away, as fast as she could. Which, of course, wasn’t very fast at all.

Lia caught up and Neve rolled forward, avoiding a pair of horizontal slashes. The healer cast {Waterball} at her opponent three times, but Lia moved out of the way effortlessly.

MP: 1060/1100

Erin caught up and managed to distract her for just a moment, swinging her claws at the enemy’s neck, but Lia just jumped away and resumed her chase.

"Cat and mouse? Is that the game we’ll be playing? How fun!" Lia yelled out, laughing as she ran behind Neve.

[She’s still talking too. Even though the fight’s started. It almost feels like she’s not being affected by the System, outside of her high level.]

Neve looked back, casting {Waterball} again a couple of times. This time, Lia just allowed the spells to hit her, not bothering to move out of the way.

MP: 1040/1100

"Neve, you’re trying quite hard to get me wet, but I told you! That comes *after* you’re dead!"

[She’s not even taking this fight seriously... What the hell is going on? Whatever. Those two spells should have lowered her Precision by a few points. Hopefully, she’ll-]

A blade found Neve’s abdomen.

Lia had closed the gap between them and stabbed her in the stomach before she could react.

At that moment, Neve realized why she was being so nonchalant.

Lia was fast. Seriously fast. Even without taking a fight seriously, she could probably win easily.

She extracted her dagger from Neve’s body just as Erin reached her. Lia jumped back and Erin stood in front of her summoner as Neve fell to her knees.

Lia then brought that dagger to her lips and licked the blade clean.

"It’s been so long..." She muttered with a nostalgic tone.

"Neve," Erin whispered. "I think we might want to make use of those elixirs soon. Preferably, as soon as you summon me again."

"I agree..." Neve replied, coughing up some blood. "Before that, though..."

She raised her staff, marking herself and then Lia.

The lady in the bloodstained black and white cloth looked at her with curiosity, wondering what she was going to do.

And then, Neve triggered {Equivalent Exchange}.

MP: 1030/1100

MP: 1020/1100

MP: 1010/1100

"Ack!"

Lia hunched over, gritting her teeth and feeling pain surge from within.

But it just made her smile even wider.

"How are you attacking me? Ahh, is this what you did to that one enemy before? How curious..." She held her daggers up, giggling as the stab wound she’d inflicted on Neve appeared on her body. "This feels... Wonderful!"

Neve just stared at her, baffled.

[What?]

"Ah~ This sensation, it... Please, come, Neve! HURT ME MORE!"