108 Master of the Sea of Flames ②
Now, Body Coordinator.
[It's tough. The lack of stable footing is the worst part.]
For now, Body Coordinator, prioritize evasion.
[OK.]
Ideally, keep the fire dragon within sight at all times.
[Will handle it, but evasion takes priority.]
That works.
Even a slight reduction in the enemy's power through the Eye of Corruption could shift the odds.
Now, Magic Coordinator.
{Engage enemy attacks and clear minor threats—OK?}
OK.
Maximize communication level.
Information will be relayed in real time.
[{Understood}]
Synchronize at maximum level. Merge the three consciousnesses.
Under these conditions, even minor discrepancies are unacceptable.
But that is not a concern.
Three minds, yet all are me.
Disagreement with myself is impossible.
First, we must increase available platforms.
The current location is a small island.
Here, evasion is impossible.
Yet moving to another island is not feasible—the magma around us teems with monsters.
Attempting to leap across risks interception mid-air.
Ignoring my thoughts, the fire dragon roars.
As a signal, nearby monsters unleash fireballs in unison.
Jump upward.
The island serving as footing sinks into a sea of flames.
I am assaulted by additional fireballs, but counter with poison pellets.
Poison pellets possess minor physical attack capability.
The most effective countermeasure among my spells.
Launch threads to the ceiling and retract them immediately.
Ascend to the ceiling.
Begin rapid movement.
Simultaneously activate poison pellets and poison synthesis—overload both.
Poison pellets: precision strikes.
Poison synthesis: area saturation.
Poison generated by synthesis descends upon the monsters’ heads.
The monsters fell one after another, collapsing without resistance.
Yet the monster's fireball flies toward me.
Kick off the ceiling and fall toward the island.
The incoming fireball was intercepted by a poison projectile.
They land safely on the new island.
At that moment, they leapt again, fleeing to the ceiling.
A colossal fireball struck the island where I was located.
A fireball from the fire dragon.
Probably either the flame sphere acquired at skill level 5 of the fire dragon, or the great flame sphere acquired at skill level 7—either one.
If it were a large fireball, that would be acceptable. But in the case of a fireball, it would mean there is an even more powerful fireball attack available.
Either way, eating that would be fatal.
Dodging the relentless barrage of fireballs, countering with poisoned strikes.
Experience points have reached threshold. Individual, Zoa Eler, has advanced from Level 8 to Level 9.
[Various base ability values have increased.]
[Skill Proficiency Level Up Bonus Acquired]
[Proficiency has reached threshold. Skill 'Qi Combat Method LV3' upgraded to 'Qi Combat Method LV4']
[Skill Points Acquired]
Dangerous?
Molting has begun.
The process caused a brief lag in my movement.
The monster's fireball struck me directly.
Ugh.
It hit.
But I endured.
Good thing it was just a low-tier monster's fireball.
HP dropped significantly, but not fatal.
Never expected the molting from previous level-ups—something that had always saved me—would now cause damage.
Timing was poor.
I dart across the ceiling, land briefly, then rebound upward again.
Repeating.
The steadily improving skill of three-dimensional mobility proves effective.
Thanks to enhanced stats, movement on the ceiling is smoother now than during the eel battle.
Still slower than on the ground, but avoiding low-tier monsters' fireballs is manageable.
The issue is the three eels and the fire dragon's attacks.
These four cannot be taken.
A hit could result in immediate defeat.
Focus solely on evasion. Buy time.
Time is all I need. I win.
One eel arches backward sharply.
Fire breath approaches.
Not allowed.
Activate Heretic Magic.
Heretic Magic Level 5: Hypnosis.
The eel aiming fire breath at me redirects its attack, spewing flames at the adjacent eel.
No effect—fire resistance is active—but movement is impeded.
Hypnosis temporarily forces the target to obey the caster’s commands.
Eels can only be controlled for a brief moment, but even so, their attacks can be redirected this way.
The spell requires a complex ritual to activate, and consumes substantial MP depending on the target’s resistance.
Without mastery of magic, such a spell cannot be cast instantly during combat.
Additionally, it only works for a moment on eels—completely ineffective against fire dragons.
Evading all of the dragon’s attacks seems to be the only option left.
I retreat upward.
The fireball follows.
This endless game of cat and mouse continues.
I have moved far from my original position while fleeing and fighting.
But this game is nearly over.
Weak monsters are dropping out one by one.
The poison magic I've been maintaining since earlier—Poison Magic Level 6, Poison Mist—can no longer be sustained.
As its name suggests, Poison Mist generates fog laced with poison.
Poisons created through Poison Synthesis lose their toxicity instantly upon evaporation.
Poison Mist compensates for that weakness, dispersing poison across a wide area.
Its effect is negligible compared to something like Spider Venom.
Yet, prolonged exposure to the air within the mist gradually erodes the body.
Eventually, even weak monsters will be unable to endure it.
[Experience points reached threshold. Individual, Zoa Ere, leveled from LV9 to LV10.]
[Base stats have increased.]
[Skill Proficiency Level-Up Bonus acquired.]
[Mastery level reached threshold. Skill 'Poison Magic LV6' upgraded to 'Poison Magic LV7'.]
[Mastery level reached threshold. Skill 'Poison Enhancement LV6' upgraded to 'Poison Enhancement LV7'.]
[Skill Point acquired.]
[Condition met. Title 'Dragon Slayer' obtained.]
[Title 'Dragon Slayer' effect: Skill 'Life LV1' and 'Dragon Power LV1' acquired.]
[Skill 'Life LV1' integrated into 'Body Life LV1'.]
Now only the Eye of Corruption remains—fire dragon, weakened, and three eels.
How to prepare them?