The Runic Alchemist

Damian was just about to relay his simple plan when he sensed all the Highswords approaching. Mindseer also moved near him and informed him of their arrival. What did they want now?

Five minutes later, all three sections of the third-rankers had gathered around them—some flying, others walking. Damian stepped forward and asked,@@novelbin@@

"What?"

"Calm your horses, brat! We're here to help," Silverspell said, making an unpleasant face at him.

"We're here to offer assistance in case you need it," Runefather added. "I know you can handle it, but think about all the kids you have. It's better to have a failsafe, don't you think?"

Damian didn't want them so close to him, but he couldn't refuse outright either.

"Stand at a distance. If we can do it without needing help, don't interfere," he replied.

Some of them eyed him warily, but eventually, they all nodded.

Damian walked back to his group, where Reize and the others had gathered, everyone ready to fight.

"Why are they still following us? What do they want?" Alex asked, sensing that the Highswords had a different agenda beyond just saving them.

"Yeah.. Runefather and Bloodedge should be in the academy by now," Kamisen added.

"There seems to be some kind of deal between him and them," Karl said, glancing at Damian.

"A few of their people went missing," Damian replied simply. "I promised to find them with one of my runic creations. Needless to say, they have trust issues."

"So, you did make a deal?" Alex asked.

"Yes. And it's between me and them," Damian answered, shutting everyone up.

The emperor-ranked monster was waiting for them near the keypoint. Unlike all the other keypoints— which were in open forests or on the ground—this one was inside a massive cave carved into a high stone mountain.

A massive lizard-like creature with bright green, scaly skin and dark red spikes along its back released bursts of fire, letting out deep roars as if inviting challengers. Its hands were relatively small compared to its size, but its massive thighs and legs more than compensated. Other than stomping, breathing fire, and possibly using the spikes on its back, Damian assumed the creature had no other means of attack.

As far as emperor-ranked monsters went, this one was practically a baby. Toph, however, was glaring at it, even letting out trumpeting sounds as if he wanted to fight it. Given their size difference, the sight was more amusing than intimidating.

After a few seconds of silence, during which everyone observed the towering monster in the distance, Damian spoke.

"The Highswords think we can't handle this monster without someone getting injured or dying. That could be the case—if we don't work together. But this is just the beginning. If we truly want to level up and progress as far as possible in this dungeon, we will have to face even more terrifying monsters ahead. Alone, or in your small groups, it's a daunting task. But together, the monster will have no choice but to fall."

Damian looked at each of their faces—Alex, Kamisen, Karl, Sam, Lucian, Maelor, and everyone else present—before continuing.

"So… will you fight with me? Or is this the limit of your ambition?" Your next journey awaits at My Virtual Library Empire

Many of them smirked. Some stared intently at the lizard monster, but all replied in unison,

"Fight!"

Damian smiled.

"I'll handle the fire breath and the spikes—if it can use them. Sam, Lucian, your team will protect our backs; the monsters from the forest shouldn't interfere. Alex, Kamisen, Karl—you three need to deal as much damage as possible, but watch out for its size and giant legs. Evrin, Grace, your team needs to find the best positions to launch spells. Keep attacking until it's on its back. The rest of you, keep your distance and attack as best as you can. Focus on staying safe—keep moving and changing positions so it can't reach you."

They all nodded, and Damian led them into battle against the biggest monster of their lives. He instructed Mindseer not to interfere unless absolutely necessary. She agreed.

As they neared the mountain the lizard was guarding, Damian brought out Dreamlight.

Reize frowned. "Why do we need Dreamlight?"

"Are you worried it'll get damaged?" Damian teased.

Her expression was comical as she tried her best to lie, but it was clear she didn't want a single scratch on her beloved ship.

"It's for you," Damian explained. "Take Lumi and whoever else you need and use Dreamlight's attacking spells. We never tested them in battle. You already know what to do, right?"

She nodded. "I'll do my best."

"Don't get too close."

"I know." She smiled.

Clearing the path toward the lizard, they eliminated the monsters in the way. Eventually, Sam and Lucian's team split up to cover potential attack points. Damian, already sensing the lurking threats, pointed them out so they only had to reach in time.

The rest of the group moved in from different directions. The lizard roared, finally noticing them.

Damian had three mana containers open, all connected to him with mana threads. He only truly needed one, but the extras were there just in case.

Predictably, the first thing the massive lizard did upon seeing the group was open its smelly mouth wide and spit fire in a sweeping arc.

Damian was already prepared. He immediately activated a massive air shield runic circle, effortlessly blocked the flames mid-air.

Encouraged, the spellswords and melee fighters near its massive legs began their attack, striking in quick succession.

Above them, Dreamlight zoomed past, shooting small bursts of yellow lasers straight into the lizard's face. Since it was a runic spell-imbued plate, the mechanism required only a steady mana supply to fire powerful laser bursts at short intervals. Unlike a continuous beam, the concentrated bursts struck with precision and intensity and were less taxing on steel plates.

The lizard roared in frustration, trying to swat Dreamlight away. But Reize had learned how to maneuver it well, keeping the ship at a safe distance while staying out of reach.

The lasers had already made the monster bleed. Its thick scales were no match for a pure, powerful beam of energy.