【Eagle Eye lv5】
Movents that were difficult for Russell to track did not seem that hard in Rozelite’s eyes. Speaking of which, this was one of the skills that Russell had previously obtained through 【Insatiable】 by devouring enemies.
Since he found it useless, he simply shoved it all into Rozelite.
Russell raised his hand, attempting to fire another Mana Cannon.
But almost the mont the cannonball left his hand, the giant centipede had already darted away, swerving midair as it lunged straight toward him.
【Repelling Lightning lv5】
Lightning burst forth like a barrier, repelling the charging centipede. But this skill could hardly deal damage—its effect was rely knockback. The centipede simply twisted in midair and imdiately withdrew, once again keeping its distance from Russell, waiting for another opportunity.
Russell was not afraid of a battle of attrition. Back in the labyrinth, he had fought many speed-type enemies. When he couldn’t outmatch them, he relied on his bottomless mana bar to drag them down. Eventually, they always wore out.
But clearly, there was a better solution this ti.
“Looks like we need to work together,” Russell said.
“Work together? Mr. Sli, what do you need to do?!”
Rozelite’s voice brimd with excitent.
“Use your eyes to keep a firm watch on this thing, and then, through 【ntal Integration】, tell when to attack,” Russell said.
“Rember, aim for the head if possible. Keep the body intact.”
【ntal Integration】 combined with 【Symbiosis】 allowed them to converse ntally to a certain degree. But this communication carried a slight delay and required total concentration to maintain, which could beco a fatal weakness in a rapidly changing battle.
Still, it was their only option now.
“...No, Mr. Sli. I have a better way.”
Rozelite gave her proposal, leaving Russell stunned.
“Are you sure? That thing is poisonous.”
“I have 【Poison Resistance】 now. Plus, with the antidotes we have left, it shouldn’t be a problem.”
“...Alright.”
Rozelite took a deep breath, suppressing her instinctive fear of the monstrous centipede.
She slid her single-handed sword back into its sheath, leaving her hands empty. Facing the beast glaring down at her from the wall, she crouched slightly.
The centipede’s compound eyes flickered, its sickle-like legs rasping more violently against the stone.
The next mont, its massive body shot out from the rock wall, a streak of dim tallic light, rushing straight at Rozelite.
She did not dodge.
Thunk!
The hard, icy shell slamd into her chest. The crushing impact forced a muffled groan from her, and her feet plowed two deep furrows into the slick fungal mat.
Countless scythe-legs coiled around her instantly, like living chains of steel, binding her tightly from shoulders to waist.
Without hesitation, the centipede’s grotesque mandibles split wide open, revealing rows of jagged fangs. With a gust of rancid breath, it snapped down at her head!
Rozelite opened her mouth as well, as if to bite back—
—if one ignored the blue tendrils unfurling from between her lips.
A blinding point of light rapidly condensed in the depths of her mouth.
【Mana Cannon v8】
BOOM!!!
The violently compressed mana erupted at near point-blank range, bursting straight into the centipede’s gaping maw.
The enclosed space reverberated with a dull explosion.
There was no dazzling flash; all the destructive power poured inward.
The centipede’s head blew apart instantly.
The crushing force binding her body tightened for a second, then dissipated entirely.
Rozelite raised her hand to wipe away the saliva splattered on her face and gagged twice despite her ntal preparation. It was still utterly revolting.
“Well done,” Russell’s voice echoed in her mind.
“A little reckless, though.”
“Really? Did I help you, Mr. Sli?”
“Of course you did. Rozelite is the best.”
A tentacle extended from Russell’s back, gently ruffling her hair.
Her eyes narrowed happily as she enjoyed the praise.
“So easy to please.”
While coaxing Rozelite, Russell did not stay idle. Several tentacles began devouring the centipede’s massive remains.
Soon, with the activation of 【Insatiable】, the body dissolved into glowing motes and vanished.
Russell did not bother with experience points; he had no need for the minor stat increases from leveling. He passed them all to Rozelite.
As for skills...
【Bind lv4 → lv5↑】
【Impact lv3 → lv4↑】
【Venom lv4 → lv4↑】
【Hardening lv2 → lv3↑】
【tallization lv0 → lv3↑】
New skills were acquired.
In addition, there were 【Poison Resistance】 and 【Rapid Movent】, useless for Russell, so he shoved them into Rozelite as well.
Now, Rozelite’s 【Poison Resistance】 reached lv4, while 【Rapid Movent】 rose to lv3.
Russell extended a tentacle.
“Rozelite, try holding it.”
“Hm?”
Rozelite grasped it, just as before.
【Hardening lv3】
The tentacle instantly stiffened as the skill activated.
“Now try crushing it,” Russell said.
“Crush it?”
Rozelite hesitated.
“Wouldn’t that hurt you, Mr. Sli?”
“No. A sli’s body doesn’t really have weak points. These tentacles are just extensions of my form—breaking one off ans nothing. Besides, I’ve got 【Regeneration】. Don’t worry, just squeeze.”
“...Alright.”
“Slowly, build your strength bit by bit.”
Rozelite tightened her grip. Even at full strength, the hardened tentacle did not budge.
But then she activated 【Mana Reinforcent】, and her strength spiked drastically.
The tentacle shattered instantly under the sudden increase, falling as fragnts of pale blue crystal that quickly lost their rigidity and turned back into soft, water-like sli.
“How much strength did that take?”
Russell asked.
“About half?”
Rozelite answered uncertainly.
“Fifty percent, huh…”
Russell nodded to himself. 【Regeneration v7】 activated, restoring the broken tentacle.
Next, he cast two skills at once.
【Hardening lv3】
【tallization lv3】
The pale blue tentacle visibly changed. Rozelite thought it looked slightly darker, with a distinct tallic sheen.
“Try again,” Russell said.
This ti, Rozelite imdiately noticed the difference. Where half her strength was enough before, now even her full force only dented it slightly, leaving handprints without crushing it outright.
“Then what about this…”
【Mana Reinforcent lv4】
With three skills stacked, Rozelite felt like she was squeezing a lump of solid tal. The tentacle, deceptively soft in appearance, refused to yield.
“No good, Mr. Sli,” Rozelite sighed, shaking out her sore wrist.
“I used everything I had, but it won’t budge.”
“Is that so? Good.”
Russell nodded lightly.
It seed this reinforcent path had real potential.
They would keep developing it.
The only pity was that the centipede did not carry 【Symbiosis】—which left Russell sowhat disappointed.
The two continued forward, soon reaching the passage leading to the next floor.
Only one level remained.
If they could not raise 【Symbiosis】 on the final floor, they would have to return and hunt for another target.
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