The second floor of the "Sage's Playground" is not much different in difficulty from the first floor. The strength of the monsters is also similar, and it was a level that could be easily conquered. The real struggle came on the next third floor. There, monsters appeared with slightly different paths.
"Stay calm and aim carefully. Take them down one by one."
'Squeak squeak squeak squeak.'
Countless bats are flying in the room with a high ceiling. They are monsters called "Bad Bats" that bring various status ailments. While flying near the ceiling, the dozen or so bats emit ultrasonic waves that cause status ailments. They were troublesome enemies at first sight, but if you use magic or items to prevent status ailments in advance, they are not formidable opponents. It's just a matter of shooting them down one by one.
"Ugh... They're fast! I can't hit them at all!"
"Oh no! This is frustrating... Can't we defeat them all at once with an area attack?"
Electra and Ciel are casting offensive magic from below. However, the agile bats are difficult to hit. Frustrated by their attacks missing, the bats in the flock mockingly cry out. Both of them are visibly annoyed.
"Just stop it, you'll regret it."
"What's the matter? You're being so dramatic."
Ciel purses her lips in response to my reply and begins chanting a spell. A red magic circle expands around Ciel. It is the activation effect of a fire attribute magic. Despite my warning, it seems like she is ignoring the advice and trying to wipe them out with a powerful magic attack.
"Aeris, please create a small barrier. Electra, it's better if you come over here."
"Yes? Understood."
"What's going on?"
"You'll see if you wait. Look... they're coming."
"'Burn Cyclone!'"
A vortex of flames forms and engulfs the bats flying near the ceiling. The bats are instantly incinerated and turn to ashes. Indeed, she is quite skilled as a mage. The power is flawless.
'Squeeeek!?'
However, the other bats, witnessing their comrades being burned, become frantic and fly up and down. Just a moment ago, they were flying near the ceiling, but now they crash into the floor and walls, causing chaos.
"Kyaaa!?"
Ciel screams as the rampaging bats cling to her body. If we hadn't taken refuge inside the barrier created by Aeris, we would have ended up the same way.
"They panic when faced with wide-range magic attacks. That's why you shouldn't do something reckless like that."
"Q-quickly, say it first..."
The panicked bats settle down, and Ciel, who is in tatters, appears. Since Bad Bats are low-level monsters, the damage is not significant, but her hair and clothes are in a mess. She is covered in the remains of the bats she incinerated with her own fire magic, making her covered in ashes.
"Are you... alright?"
"Ugh... I'm soiled. My beautiful body is ruined..."
Did bats get inside her clothes? Ciel's clothes are half undone, and her panties are slipping down from under her skirt. With teary eyes, she glares at me as if she has just been violated.
"Is your 'beautiful body' still untouched by Leon?"
"Hey!? Isn't that the wrong question to ask first? Apologize first..."
"It's your fault for not listening to my advice. But... thanks to that, the numbers have decreased significantly."
Thanks to Ciel's sacrifice, the number of bats has been reduced to less than half. Since they look pitiful, I'll take care of the remaining ones.
"Anyway, I'll show you how it's done... Shadow Bullet."
I shoot shadow bullets from below and knock down the remaining bats one by one. The movements of the Bad Bats are fast but monotonous. If you're experienced, you can shoot them down without much difficulty.
"This is the end. It's over."
"Ohh... This is the power of 'Baskerville's Hellhound'...!"
Electra's eyes widen in astonishment.
"Ugh...then why don't you do it from the beginning?"
"If I defeat them all, it won't be a training for you guys, right?"
"Ciel-san, I'll heal you, so come over here."
After shooting down all the bats, the battle ended. Aeris treated Ciel, who was in a bad condition, and used purification magic to clean her body. Electra lacked experience despite her abilities, while Ciel was reckless. It was a battle that revealed their flaws.
"My body is clean now thanks to the purification magic...but I want to take a bath. I feel really dirty..."
"Just endure it. There's a resting area on the fifth floor. You can rest there, so hold on a little longer."
"A little longer...? But we're on the third floor. We still have a long way to go..."
Taking Ciel, who was slumping her shoulders, we continued to advance through the dungeon. The conquest of the tower has only just begun. Ciel's hardships will continue.
