After Liyakade and the others advanced for a while in the narrow, dim cave, they arrived at a spacious circular area.
Following the Light Sphere released by Alice, they saw that the stone walls here were very different from before.
Here, the stone walls showed clear signs of stacking, obviously not formed naturally, but carved by human hands.
The ground beneath their feet was also no longer uneven like before, but instead, unnaturally flat.
It seems there really is treasure hidden in this place.
Seeing such an unusual scene, Field could sense that something truly existed here.
Be careful, there might be some powerful monster here.
Liyakade cautioned Alice and Field as she carefully explored forward.
Liyakade moved ahead step by step, silently counting the distance in her mind.
According to her memory, as long as she walked to a certain spot, she would directly trigger the Dark Armor Shadow Demon ahead.
This should be… right here.
As Liyakade lightly stepped onto this part of the floor, a crimson light suddenly flashed in the darkness.
Alice! Light up the surrounding area!
The moment Liyakade saw the crimson light, she realized the Dark Armor Shadow Demon had awakened.
She immediately ordered Alice to illuminate the area, so the three of them could see the demon’s actions more clearly and also limit its range of movement.
Yes!
Alice responded, immediately extending her palm and condensing several Light Spheres, sending them quickly to the stone walls around them.
When the spheres touched the walls, they stopped, hanging above the stone and emitting dazzling light.
It was as if several electric bulbs had been lit in the area, making the whole space much brighter.
After Alice lit up the area, the three of them could see the appearance of the Dark Armor Shadow Demon.
A short distance away, a set of blue-black armor about three meters tall stood.
The armor was filled with some pitch-black, unknown substance.
Inside the helmet, crimson eyes glowed from within, fierce and terrifying.
It bent slightly, stretching its pitch-black arm into the shadow at its feet, and then slowly pulled a black spear about two meters long out of the darkness, aiming it at the three of them.
This was another ability of Shadow Magic.
It could store items in shadows like a Storage Ring, and not just weapons or equipment—even living things could be stored in its own shadow.
Of course, Alice could also temporarily cut off the user’s connection to their shadow using light elements, but she couldn’t erase things already stored within the shadow.
Ka ka—
The sound of armor scraping, mixed with the demon’s mournful howl, stabbed at their eardrums.
The blue-black helmet seemed to open its mouth, but it was still pitch-black inside.
After a burst of chaotic noise, the Dark Armor Shadow Demon raised its spear and charged at Liyakade, the closest target.
Just right.
Liyakade, who bore the brunt of the attack, showed no trace of fear.
On the contrary, the fact that she was the demon’s first target was exactly what she wanted.
Wind elements gathered in Liyakade’s hands.
Behind her, Alice and Field seemed to feel a rush of wind as the air quickly formed an invisible spear in Liyakade’s grip.
The difference in size between them and the demon didn’t make Liyakade hesitate at all.
She raised the spear and faced the charging Dark Armor Shadow Demon head-on.
This move was something she’d secretly learned from Sistem’s Storm Spear.
Liyakade thought, if you could condense wind elements into a solid form and throw them, why not keep them in your hand to use as a weapon?
Hey, Liyakade, are you sure that thing will work?
However, Field clearly doubted Liyakade’s actions.
I don’t know, but it’s worth a try. Field, cover me from the side.
Fine.
Seeing Liyakade determined to try, Field followed her lead.
The three-meter-tall Dark Armor Shadow Demon raised its black spear, slamming the tip down heavily at Liyakade.
Liyakade braced the Storm Spear with both hands, blocking upward.
Bang—
A heavy crash sounded.
The demon’s spear was knocked aside, but the Storm Spear also shattered completely.
Guess it can only be used once or twice.
Liyakade muttered, then kicked the demon in the abdomen.
With the force of the wind element, the already unsteady demon staggered backward.
At that moment, Field rushed forward as well.
Her right hand gripped her sword, flames burning along the blade.
She quickly slashed a cross in front of the demon.
Under the combined assault of fire and steel, the armor sizzled and sparks flew.
At the same time, the demon’s massive body fell to the ground, weakened by the blows from both Liyakade and Field.
However, after the demon fell, it didn’t hit the ground, but instead sank smoothly into the shadow below.
Field, watch out!
The instant she saw the demon disappear, Liyakade shouted a warning.
Once the Dark Armor Shadow Demon sank into the shadow, it didn’t need to adjust its posture at all.
In a game, this would be like a quick get-up or canceling the after-attack delay, making it easy to catch an opponent off guard.
That was exactly what happened now.
Just as Field had knocked the demon down, a huge black hand reached out from the shadow, grabbing for Field’s ankle.
This was the danger of Shadow Magic.
Where there was light, there would also be darkness and shadow.
Even though Alice had compressed most of the shadows, there would always be a shadow beneath someone’s feet.
The demon’s hand emerged from Field’s own shadow to attack her.
However, thanks to Liyakade’s warning, Field reacted quickly.
She slashed at her ankle with her sword.
Without the armor’s protection, the demon’s wrist was cut off as easily as a hot knife through butter.
Black, oil-like liquid sprayed from the wound.
Field quickly leapt back, avoiding further attacks.
Alice, your turn!
Liyakade ordered Alice to use Light Aura again.
A circle of light swept over Field’s shadow, and the Dark Armor Shadow Demon screeched in agony, forced to crawl out of the shadow.
Now, the armor seemed stained with a layer of gray and white, and the demon, supporting itself with its remaining hand and black spear, trembled on the ground.
Then, Liyakade and Field attacked together.
Liyakade condensed another Storm Spear and stabbed it at the demon’s chest, while Field’s sword slashed toward its neck.
Psh—
A fierce gust of wind blew past, tossing Liyakade and Field’s hair.
The Storm Spear pierced the demon’s chest, opening a huge hole, and Field’s sword severed its head.
The black substance within the armor melted away like tar, leaving only an empty shell on the ground.
That the Dark Armor Shadow Demon was defeated so easily was not surprising.
After all, it was only LV.20, while both Liyakade and Field were more than 20 levels higher, and even Alice surpassed it by several levels.
Moreover, its innate abilities were restrained by Alice’s powers, so its quick defeat was expected.
This is a Shadow Ring.
Liyakade picked up a ring from the pool of black sludge and handed it to Alice.
It offers slight resistance to Shadow Magic.
You take it.
Eh?
For me?
But I’m a light element, already strong against Shadow Magic.
Wouldn’t it be a waste to give it to me?
Alice hesitated, a little embarrassed that Liyakade gave her the loot without hesitation.
It’s fine.
Alice, you’re the lowest level among us.
Even if you have a natural advantage, it can’t fully make up for the level gap.
Liyakade thought for a moment, then gently took Alice’s wrist and slipped the ring onto her slender, white finger.
She spoke her thoughts aloud.
There’s still a Demon Race member hiding in the Royal City.
That person seems to use Shadow Magic too.
If they come after you, with this ring, you can resist a little more.
Then I’ll accept it.
Thank you, Miss Liakade!
Since Liyakade insisted, and had already put the ring on her, Alice gladly accepted.
Then this is mine.
Liyakade picked up the black spear lying on the ground.
From her earlier tests, she realized that the Storm Spear could only be used once or twice, making it unreliable for her preference for close combat.
A solid weapon was still necessary.
This Shadow Spear wasn’t bad.
Even though its equipment level was only LV.20, she could add wind element protection to its surface, boosting both its attack power and durability.
However, that meant there was nothing left for Field.
The armor was too large for a normal human, and the demon didn’t drop any other accessories.
But Field didn’t seem to mind the distribution of loot at all.
Looks like you really do know a lot about the Nasca Labyrinth, Liyakade.
Seeing that everything turned out as Liyakade predicted, Field’s admiration for her grew even more.
Of course.
I never lie.
Liyakade lifted her small, white head proudly.
Geez, just a few words of praise and you get all puffed up.
Field reached into Liyakade’s long white hair and gave it a vigorous ruffle.
Hey!
My hair’s getting messy!
Haha, that’s what you get for being so smug.
I’ll fix it for you later.
Amidst laughter, Liyakade and her companions left the area.
After returning to the intersection, they entered the third floor through another wide passage.
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