107 Lord of the Sea of Flames①

Hehe.

Now that I've realized even eels aren't worth fighting, there's nothing in this mid-tier that can beat me!

Ah, Mother excluded.

I couldn't possibly win against her.

Still, eels were genuinely strong here in the mid-tier, and I don't think there are any monsters left in this tier that could challenge me.

Lower tiers might be different, but in the mid-tier, terrain is the greatest enemy—monster strength itself isn't that high.

There are plenty of catfish-class monsters, but eel-class ones are rare.

In fact, eels are the only ones left.

So if I can take down eels, I'm untouchable in this tier.

Therefore, I've decided to actively hunt in the magma lake.

If I paralyze an eel, it's mine—most opponents are defeated the moment they're paralyzed.

The inability to use spider silk meant I needed a new restraint method. Paralyzing the Eye of Corruption was the correct choice.

Speaking of Eyes of Corruption—my level has increased, so I’ve gained additional skill points. But this time, I’ve decided to save them rather than acquire a new Eye.

The remaining selection of Eyes has become increasingly questionable.

One might be the Eye of Annihilation, capable of self-destruction.

Another is the Eye of Petrification, producing inedible body parts in bulk.

The Heretic Magic Eyes are no longer worth acquiring since I’ve already learned Heretic Magic.

Thus, I’m currently saving points to unlock higher-tier skills.

I’ve already decided which skill I’ll acquire next.

Ah… I’m looking forward to obtaining this one.

Kufufu.

Marching forward with high spirits.

But after the first eel, no more monsters attack.

They’re all hiding beneath the magma.

Hmm.

Perhaps I overdid it a bit?

Eels in this layer are boss-class monsters. To defeat one so easily with a spider.

Yes.

If I were a monster living in this layer, I’d definitely avoid interfering.

Ah—.

Did I just make a mistake?

Once they retreat into the magma, we can’t reach them from here.

Well, can’t be helped.

I want to gain experience and level up, but they have their own lives too.

If they attack, I won’t spare them. But if they’re hiding, I’ll let them be.

You should be grateful.

That’s what I was thinking as I moved forward—until danger detection triggered.

Trace the source using other sensory inputs.

Target identified.

Giant fish silhouette detected beneath the magma, approximately 100 meters below, 30 meters beneath the surface.

No good.

Clearly larger than an eel.

A monster with a length roughly double that of an eel is present.

This is… not looking good.

Body management, magic management, defensive preparation.

[Not running?]

{The ground's unstable. Wouldn't running be better?}

Yeah, I’d love to run too—but they don’t seem inclined to let me.

Somehow, that monster’s got a skill that’s locking down my escape route. Other creatures are positioning themselves accordingly.

I should assume they don’t want me to escape.

[Bad situation?]

It’s bad.

{Given the positioning, that monster seems to have decent intelligence?}

Probably.

And slowly, from the magma ahead of me, it emerged.

‘Elrogenesora LV17

Status

HP: 2331/2331 (Green) (Details)

MP: 1894/1894 (Blue) (Details)

SP: 2119/2119 (Yellow) (Details)

: 2315/2315 (Red) +264 (Details)

Average Attack: 1999 (Details)

Average Defense: 1876 (Details)

Average Magic: 1551 (Details)

Average Resistance: 1528 (Details)

Average Speed: 1657 (Details)

Skills

"Fire Dragon LV9" "Rage Scale LV2" "HP Regeneration LV2" "MP Recovery Speed LV1" "MP Consumption Reduction LV1" "SP Recovery Speed LV3" "SP Consumption Reduction LV3" "Fire Attack LV5" "Fire Enhancement LV3" "Destruction Enhancement LV2" "Blunt Attack Enhancement LV4" "Coordination LV5" "Leadership LV7" "Accuracy LV10" "Evasion LV10" "Probability Correction LV8" "Presence Detection LV4" "Danger Detection LV7" "High-Speed Swimming LV7" "Gluttony LV8" "Blunt Resistance LV6" "Heat Immunity" "Life LV1" "Explosive Speed LV8" "Endurance LV9" "Strength LV1" "Durability LV1" "Mage LV4" "Guardian LV4" "Sprint LV5"

Skill Points: 11250

Titles

"Monster Slayer" "Slayer of Monsters" "Leader"

A dragon appeared there.

A creature with a form unmistakably dragon-like, far more so than an eel.

Judging by its skill composition, it was likely a further evolutionary stage of the eel.

This creature could no longer be called a fish.

A pure fire dragon.

Ah.

This one is bad.

It’s not as strong as the earth dragon or Mother, but still formidable.

Can I defeat it?

Reverse Scales is an upgraded version of Dragon Scales—its effect is simply stronger.

Previously, I hadn’t paid attention, but Dragon Scales interfere with magical spell formations, weakening their power.

Eel-scale levels were insufficient to interfere with my magic, even at its peak, but these fire dragon’s Reverse Scales might inhibit my spells.

The combo of accuracy and probability modifiers that tormented me before remains active.

And now, evasion has been added as well.

In addition, an abundance of fire-element attacks—my particular weakness.

The most problematic aspect was the skill of coordination and command.

My detection system registers the forms of monsters emerging one after another from within the magma.

Coordination and command exert their effect as their name implies.

Coordination increases coordination power. Commanding grants the effect of subjugating subordinates.

The skill granted by the title "Leader" is useful, but this title itself is unpredictable.

This title grants a minor boost to the status attributes listed beneath it.

Surrounded entirely by a horde of monsters.

The fire dragon leading it.

The battle between the spider and the swarm of fire dragons had begun.