The blue tempest swirled around Sistem, rising and then spreading outwards, scattering all the Purple Bubbles and Poison Mist released by the Purple Abyss Demon Octopus.
Four massive purple tentacles circled behind Sistem and stabbed toward her.
Sistem formed a Wind Barrier behind her.
“Ka-ka—“
The tentacles pierced the Wind Barrier in unison but were blocked, unable to go further and reach Sistem’s body.
Facing four more tentacles attacking from the front, Sistem advanced instead of retreating.
The blue Wind Element surrounded her, granting her unmatched agility.
Dodging between the four encircling tentacles, Sistem slipped through and rose into the air, widening the distance again.
“Sylph’s Invisible Wings, tear apart the Stardust Veil, let the Falling Sky’s Wind Shard be reforged as a blade at my side!”
The storm surged again, condensing into a blue, tangible Wind Giant.
At that moment, the four tentacles behind finally shredded the Wind Barrier completely.
Though Sistem was no longer there, all eight tentacles of the Purple Abyss Demon Octopus were now fully unleashed.
A massive splash rose from the lake as the monster finally emerged completely from the water.
Its huge purple body writhed across the lake’s surface, creating towering waves, while two more tentacles lashed at Sistem at lightning speed.
However, the Wind Giant swung its giant sword in a wide arc, severing the two tentacles aimed at Sistem.
Earlier, the Wind Giant had been entangled only because of a surprise attack.
Now, with Sistem on alert, she could fully control the Wind Giant to evade the tentacles.
Purple-black blood, thick as oil, sprayed from the tentacle stumps.
Even the severed tentacles were still alive, writhing mid-air before falling onto the lake, where they continued to squirm, trailing long bodies and spewing Purple Bubbles from their suckers.
The Purple Abyss Demon Octopus’s blood was also filled with toxins.
The blood that spurted from the wounds, as if guided by the octopus, sprayed toward the Wind Giant.
But the Wind Giant was a body of pure elements, immune to such toxins.
Realizing its attack was ineffective, the Purple Abyss Demon Octopus extended two more tentacles, stirring the waters.
Sistem stared at the lake.
Gradually, the water darkened and began to swirl, then suddenly, a purple water tornado rose, surging toward her.
“Trying to use a Water Tornado against me?”
Even though the Water Tornado was formed by the octopus using Water Element and tentacle agitation, ordinary Wind Element could still weaken it.
High above, Sistem waved both hands, sending a blue whirlwind at the Water Tornado, gradually weakening it, and lessening its terrifying suction.
But then, a trace of purple flashed within the Water Tornado.
The two tentacles severed earlier by the Wind Giant had been hidden within, rising with the tornado to appear before Sistem.
The two severed tentacles lunged at her.
“What!?”
Sistem hadn’t expected the Purple Abyss Demon Octopus to hide its severed tentacles inside the Water Tornado.
As they pounced, she panicked for an instant.
She knew that such tentacled monsters could move severed limbs for a short time after amputation, but didn’t expect the octopus to exploit this and send its own severed tentacles upward.
These two stumps still had life and magic, along with the octopus’s toxins and suction.
If they touched her, even if Sistem immediately shredded them with magic, the poison would still cling to her skin, causing her to fall from the sky.
Sistem quickly controlled the Wind Giant to shield herself.
The blue shield blocked the attacking tentacle, but the tentacle still punched through, piercing the Wind Giant’s arm.
The Wind Giant trembled, on the verge of collapse, unable to move further.
Sistem had no choice but to summon another Wind Barrier to block the other tentacle.
The tentacle slammed into the Wind Barrier, then fell limply to the ground.
Though the barrier remained unbroken, the purple blood spraying from the tentacle stump, guided by the limb, splattered toward Sistem.
“Tch…”
Even though Sistem dodged quickly to the side, some blood still splashed onto her left arm.
The purple began to spread along her arm.
Suddenly, a Golden Light flared on her body.
When the light faded, the poisonous purple was completely gone, leaving her arm unblemished.
“You guys are too slow.”
Sistem immediately felt refreshed.
Looking down, she saw it was Alice and the others.
Sistem descended from the sky.
“Darkness has escaped. Before fleeing, she took control of this Purple Abyss Demon Octopus.”
“Be careful, this octopus should be LV.70. Chloe and Field, focus on defense. Alice and I will handle the attack.”
As Sistem moved to join Alice and the others, she gave a quick rundown of the situation.
She glanced at Liakade, sleeping in Field’s arms, and thought to herself that Liakade’s prediction had been right.
Even if Darkness was heavily injured, she still had plenty of means to stay alive.
If Sistem tried to pursue and kill her completely, Darkness could still trade her life with a suicide attack or similar tactic.
Now that Alice and the others had arrived, Sistem couldn’t carry everyone away alone, so she had no choice but to face the Purple Abyss Demon Octopus head-on.
But since Alice was here, there was no need to run anymore.
“Roar—”
The Purple Abyss Demon Octopus bellowed, six tentacles lashing at Alice and the others.
A massive earthen wall rose from the ground.
The tentacles punched through instantly, but behind the wall, the Wind Giant and Field stood ready for the octopus.
The blue greatsword and Field’s blade swung together at the tentacles.
Though Field’s level was low and couldn’t deal significant damage, wind fueled fire.
When the Wind Giant severed the tentacles, burning flames surged along them, leaving the severed limbs writhing on the ground until they became blackened husks.
The scent of roasting flesh filled the air.
“Grilled squid? It does smell a bit like that.”
Field twitched her nose, sniffing the air.
“Don’t joke around, this thing’s level isn’t low—stay alert.”
Alice pressed her hands together.
Golden Light shimmered over Field, cleansing the poison she had accidentally picked up.
“But…it really does smell kind of similar.”
Purple Bubbles rose from the other side, clinging to the octopus’s tentacles.
This time, Sistem was prepared.
A tempest raced toward the octopus, blowing all the bubbles back at it.
“These bubbles are toxic. It’s best not to break them. If you do…”
Sistem warned everyone.
Though Alice could purify Poison Mist, and she herself could blow it away, doing so consumed more energy than simply blowing the bubbles aside.
It was better to save magic where possible.