Final Battle ④

Continuing from the perspective of the Water Dragon, Iena

"What is this... these things?"

I wasn't told they'd be this strong.

The remnants of the nightmare we fought were far stronger than I imagined.

They show no fear of the incoming flood, instead stretching threads across the ground and walls, clinging to them, and launching attacks from their positions.

Even the current fails to dislodge their threads.

And once caught in those threads, movement becomes impossible.

As a result, my subordinates fall one by one.

Each one is comparable to a lower-tier dragon.

And there are dozens of them.

How dare a mere monster achieve such power?

Monsters do not grow strong easily.

That is only natural—monsters are meant to be defeated by humanity.

The system’s foundation lies in refining humanity, then harvesting the energy generated by that refinement.

Monsters exist as sacrificial vessels for this process.

Occasionally, humanity may be defeated and perish at the hands of monsters—but monsters must not become strong enough to annihilate humanity.

Thus, the experience points and proficiency gains available to monsters are deliberately reduced compared to those of humanity.

Except for reincarnated beings who have taken on the form of monsters—such as Shiro, one of the masterminds behind this current event—those constraints did not apply.

Otherwise, it would be impossible for a monster born only a few years ago to surpass beings like us, who have endured across countless years.

Perhaps, then, the same exemption applied to these remnants of a nightmare, these subordinates in question.

Yet to amass power to this degree is far from ordinary.

But...

"Think you can stop me with the strength of a mere lower-tier dragon?"

She strikes the water.

The threads cling to ground and wall, unable to be torn loose?

Then simply wash away the ground and wall itself.

Submerge everything. Flood it completely.

Once submerged, resistance becomes impossible.

Inject my water into their bodies, burst them from within.

Through the mouth, if they have one.

Through their respiratory system, if they breathe.

As living beings, they cannot prevent my water's infiltration.

Even so, I am said to be among the most cruel of ancient dragons.

The remnants of nightmares realize their disadvantage and retreat.

Think you can escape?

Over half the upper level is already submerged.

And collapse has begun as well.

At this rate, the upper level itself will collapse—only a matter of time before the water accumulated in the middle layer cascades down.

Water and magma.

Extreme temperature differential.

A dreadful premonition presses heavily.

The collapse of the upper level—this likely signifies the complete collapse of the entire Elro Maze.

If that occurs, will you seriously attempt to excavate it?

Regardless of Dustin’s intentions, I will fulfill my duty.

Danger sense activates.

Twist sharply.

The blade passes through the spot where my neck had been a moment ago.

No time to assess it leisurely.

I slam my water toward the blade’s wielder.

Yet the water freezes instantly.

““Tch!””

Our simultaneous grunts echo.

Water versus ice.

The outcome is clear: the water is freezing solid.

The water present here freezes rapidly.

I immediately shift my lower body into humanoid form and leap from the water.

Immediately afterward, the water freezes completely.

Had I remained there, I would have been frozen solid by now.

Floating midair, avoiding contact with the ice, I lock eyes with the emerging opponent.

A少女 wielding a greatsword.

Sophia Kelen.

One of Ariel’s designated elite combatants.

Ariel, it seems, has no choice but to deploy one of her trump cards so soon in this situation.

“Thought I’d finish you off just now. But you’re still standing.”

“Thinking I’d be taken down by something like that? How undervalued.”

Words exchanged while maintaining strict vigilance over each other’s movements.

Meanwhile, fresh water pours in from above, freezing instantly.

The ice acts as a support structure, delaying the collapse of the upper layer.

Ah… I see.

Dustin had anticipated this outcome.

Now that it has come to pass, acceptance is clear.

Should Ariel be involved, and the Elro Great Labyrinth collapse, there is no choice but to intervene.

Dustin claimed the system core housing the goddess Sarial would remain intact—but no guarantee exists.

To halt this situation, either Ariel herself or this Sophia must be deployed.

Thus, my designated match is this Sophia.

Victory seems unlikely.

I am gradually, yet certainly, freezing the water filling the upper layer, even as we face one another.

The disparity in strength is now evident.

I am entirely outmatched.

Yet, managing an undertaking of this scale inevitably incurs cost.

From this, my optimal course becomes clear.

“Let’s settle this quickly!”

"Say no more. Let us dance."

Buying time.

The seabed and upper layer are already connected, regardless of my actions. Water is pouring in.

To prevent further collapse of the upper layer, Sophia must continue freezing it.

Perhaps only freezing the entire upper layer will stop it.

Focus on defense. Induce exhaustion in the opponent.

Even if victory is unattainable.

Pin down Sophia as a combat asset here.

Exhaust her.

That is the purpose.

"Let us dance! Forever and ever!"

"Stop being so annoying!"

I will keep you company until I am spent?

Residual nightmare

Status average: 3,000

Just keep coming.

May not be as strong as expected, but Melazofis, having undergone identical training and accumulated extensive experience in combat against others, reaches approximately 5,000 experience points. Even the so-called monster reverse bonus, which Iena-san mentioned might not exist, is still active—thus, this is still a considerable effort.