Chapter 17: The Long Road to the Imperial Capital – 35
Near the depths of the mining dungeon.
As I walked at the forefront with my shield raised, a massive serpent with shimmering golden scales appeared before me. This was the “Orichalcum Viper,” an A-Rank monster known for its formidable hardness and high magical defense.
Naturally, more than ten of them slithered toward us from the depths, but honestly, they lacked the intimidation factor. Compared to something like the “Chaos Flare Dragon,” they were no more threatening than a worm crawling along the ground.
“It looks like they won’t stand a chance against you, Soushi-san, so we’ll take care of this,” Freinir said confidently.
With that, after Freinir unleashed her “Divine Halo,” Sfenia and Shizuna cast their spells, and the front-line fighters went on the offensive, swiftly annihilating the creatures. It was easy to see why she was called the War Goddess.
The drops were, as expected, ingots of Orichalcum. Although the actual demand for them was low, they were a rare metal, worth more than an equivalent amount of gold. However, if we started seriously collecting them, their rarity would likely diminish.
We continued to push forward, dispatching Orichalcum Vipers and Orichalcum Golems along the way. Just as I began to feel the strain on my Item Box, a heavy metallic door loomed before us.
“Looks like we’ve reached the boss room. Apparently, no one wants to fight it because it’s not worth the effort for its strength, but you’re going to take it on, right, Soushi-san?”
“Yeah, since we’re here, we might as well.”
The boss room was an expansive space, roughly the size of a soccer field.
From the swirling black mist emerged a colossal monster resembling a rhinoceros, its entire body encased in metal. It was as large as a dump truck, and the horn at its snout twisted like a drill.
Its name was “Orichalcum Horn,” but the pitch-black exterior was clearly not the color of Orichalcum.
“It seems to be a Rare Boss,” I noted.
“Looks like your skills are in top form, Soushi-san. If that’s the case, we might be able to expect some treasure,” Freinir replied.
“Let’s wrap this up quickly.”
Karma cheerfully readied her great sword, while Larni infused her blade with fire magic.
“Alright, Freinir, use ‘Divine Light.’ I’ll take the front as usual, so leave the rest to you.”
“Yes, Soushi-sama!”
“Understood!”
I stepped forward, raising my “Immovable Fortress Wall.”
The “Rare Metal Horn” appeared to be a boss that excelled in charging attacks. It should be a good match for me.
As I activated “Provoke,” the Rare Metal Horn’s crimson eyes locked onto me.
In that instant, its massive form surged forward. A high-level “Swift Run” charge from such a giant was a deadly surprise.
I barely managed to raise my shield in time. However, due to my unstable stance, my body was pushed back over ten meters. The impact was stronger than a hit from the tail of a “Prism Dragon.” This was undoubtedly an A-Rank Rare Boss.
The Rare Metal Horn didn’t stop its advance, repeatedly thrusting its drill-like horn against my “Immovable Fortress Wall.”
“Here comes ‘Divine Light!'”
Freinir shouted, and a rain of fiery spears fell upon the weakened Rare Metal Horn, while pillars of flame erupted from the ground.
Kiiiiiinnnng!
With a metallic scream, the Rare Metal Horn was assaulted by Larni, Karma, Mariane, and Sakurahime. They aimed for its four legs, but even Karma’s “Beast King’s Fang” couldn’t sever them in a single strike.
Kiiiaaaah!
The horn of the Rare Metal Horn glowed with a sharp light. A sign of a dangerous attack. I swung my mace at that horn.
I was a moment too late. The light intensified, and a thunderous roar echoed as a jolt of electricity surged through me. It seemed the horn unleashed a powerful electric shock.
However, in the end, it only left me slightly numb. It was indeed a fierce electric shock, but for me, it was nothing more than that, thanks to my resistance skills and accessories.
“Soushi-sama!?”
“I’m fine!”
I swung my mace again. The Rare Metal Horn’s prized horn shattered like liquid under the overwhelming force.
Kieeeh!?
The Rare Metal Horn let out a scream and staggered back.
Seizing the opportunity, Larni and the others launched another assault. It seemed the electric shock had concentrated on my mace, leaving the other members unharmed.
“I got it!”
Karma delivered a powerful blow, severing one of its hind legs.
With a cry, the massive creature tilted precariously. Desperately, it scraped the ground with its front legs, trying to evade our attacks. But we didn’t let up, focusing our strikes on it.
As fiery spears and beams of light pierced its back, it staggered forward, and I brought my mace crashing down onto its head, bringing the brief but intense battle to a close.
“The fight was over in an instant, but it felt like quite a formidable foe,” I remarked.
“Indeed. It’s rare for you to be pushed back like that, Soushi-san. A normal party could easily be wiped out by that initial charge,” Shizuna and Sfenia agreed.
As they said, if we hadn’t known about that charge or the electric attack, it could have easily been the end for us.
Thanks to my abnormal defense and our party’s numbers, we managed to overpower it, but for an average party, encountering such a monster would likely lead to immediate surrender.
After a short wait, a treasure chest appeared.
As expected of an A-Rank Rare Boss, it was a golden chest. When Larni wagged her tail excitedly at me, I gave her permission, and she danced over to open it.
Inside was a black sphere, about the size of a large watermelon.
Its surface had no sheen at all, absorbing light as if it were a void. It was a sphere that momentarily gave the illusion of having a hole in it.
“This is called the ‘Abyss Metal Sphere.’ It is said to be unyielding, unmelting, and impervious, and it is the heaviest metal… but this is likely the first time this material has ever been discovered in history,” Mariane explained after her appraisal.
When I tried to lift it, I found it surprisingly heavy, comparable to my “Immovable Fortress Wall,” despite its watermelon size. It must be a metal denser than Dark Metal.
“This sphere seems like it was made just for you, Soushi,” Larni remarked.
“Oh, I see what you mean. You’re quite sharp, Larni.”
Larni and Karma exchanged knowing glances, and I understood what they were implying.
However, if this was indeed a newly discovered material, it felt like it should be presented to the Imperial Family. For now, I should consult with the Grand Master about it.