Earth Dungeon 85.1

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Chapter 85.1. Water Emperor

It could be called a vast expanse of water, resembling a lake. The water was crystal clear, allowing one to see to the bottom. Normally, this place was calm because the inhabitants of this location, like monuments, awaited something.

However, at that moment, the peaceful appearance had changed. The water's surface was turbulent, and the clear water had turned deep red. The sound of screams echoed.

"Warriors, crush them! Kill the swordsman!"

A being with a 3-meter-tall, heavily armored body, adorned with intricate and eerie designs that evoked a sense of complexity, commanded the others with a dignified voice.

It wasn't human. Beneath that splendid helmet, there was a fish-like face. With shark-like teeth bared in an expression of anger, it brandished a twisted spear imbued with magical light.

Sahagin Emperor, a monster bearing the title of Emperor. This always composed and mighty creature commanded its followers.

Through the [Legion Genesis] skill, it had created 100 Sahagin armed with long spears, 24 Sahagin Warriors equipped with scale mail, and 11 Sahagin Magicians skilled in water magic.

"Gyaa!"

As if there was no resistance from the water up to their knees, the Sahagin Warriors, wielding spears the size and thickness of small logs, advanced with the Sahagin in front of them, charging as commanded by the Emperor.

The water's surface rippled as the group of Sahagin advanced. Ahead of them, a young girl holding a hazy dagger, riding on a jet-black tiger with a beautiful crystal-like sparkle, was waiting without any signs of agitation.

As Sahagins attempted to spear her in a group, the tiger she rode on splashed water and leaped backward.

Sahagins, trying to chase the enemies who had created distance, were targeted by a compressed, laser-like breath from behind – [Water Breath]. It passed through their bodies, cutting them in half, and they fell into the water, staining it red.

"An Azure Dragon is quite formidable, isn't it? Stronger than a tank, perhaps?"

Further behind the girls, there was a crystalline and transparent Azure Dragon with a massive body. On top of its head stood a man dressed in black.

"Chi."

Azure Dragon made a cute squeaking sound like a rat and exhaled another breath. The laser-like breath continued to mow down the Warriors and Sahagin one after another, but the Sahagin Emperor wasn't just observing silently.

[Aquan's Shield]

The water's surface wriggled like a living creature, and it moved to intercept and absorb the breath, much like a slime. The breath pierced through the wall, but its power was diminished, becoming as powerful as a water gun.

The water, filled with abundant mana, negated all enemy magic. Sahagin Emperor relieved that the breath had been blocked, suddenly saw a young girl on a jet-black tiger diving into the artificially created water. She extended her blade and swung it with a whooshing sound.

[Circle Blade]

Silver threads raced through the air, cutting down the Sahagin one by one. Frustrated by the collapse of their front lines, the Emperor utilized mana.

[Legion Genesis]

A magic circle appeared, and the water's surface frothed as new Sahagins were created. Sahagin Emperor's [Legion Genesis] skill allowed it to continuously create 100 Sahagin, enabling it to overwhelm the enemy with sheer numbers.

"With the [Legion Genesis] skill, it seems like an infinite supply of small fry. Easier than stomping turtles repeatedly to get to 99, right?"

The young girl on the jet-black tiger continued to defeat many Sahagins as she swung her sword. Sahagins possessed the [Water Stride] skill, allowing them to move through the water without resistance. Their speed was unmatched by terrestrial animals.

[Accelerator]

However, they couldn't catch the jet-black tiger dashing around in battle, and the girl on its back, with her extraordinary sword skills, steadily defeated the Sahagin.

"Magicians, use magic to immobilize the girl. Immobilize her!"

Sahagin Magicians waiting in the rear received orders, but their words were interrupted. Magic spears from the sky were flying in, piercing the Emperor's subordinates one after another. High-speed spears of fire, ice, shadow, and mana each weaved complex trajectories, avoiding the Sahagin's [Magic Dispel] and attacking.

"When did they start using magic?!"

The Water Emperor Wall still held its power, blocking the magician's line of sight. Yet, they were surprised and shaken by the magical spears appearing beyond the wall.

[Aqua Needle Field]

From beyond the wall, a powerful surge of mana was felt, and slender, needle-like water spikes formed beneath the feet of Sahagin Emperor's subordinates, piercing them.

Sahagin Emperor realized that Azure Dragon had used magic beyond the wall, but it couldn't comprehend how. The Water Emperor Wall was a mass of water mana, and even if you tried to cast magic remotely, it should block the flow of mana, making it impossible to cast.

"How on earth did they do this?!"

With narrowed eyes, it activated [Mana Sense] to investigate the enemy's secret. Then it noticed it – the enemy's mana was passing underneath the water's surface, beyond the Water Emperor Wall's apparent range. It puzzled Sahagin Emperor because the area beneath the water's surface should still be within the Wall's scope.

"Iron pipes? Clever trick!"

Beneath the water's surface, iron pipes extended from the other side to this side. The question of when these were installed came to mind, but it was evident that the enemy had anticipated the Sahagin Emperor's Water Emperor Wall.