"New Species and the Magic Sword"
Drake's perception abilities were weakened within the Dungeon.
No one understood the Dungeon's sentience better than Drake; he'd felt its boundless malice since entering.
The Dungeon's unique materials disrupted both magnetic fields and magical flows.
Therefore, Drake could only pinpoint monsters' locations when they approached or were about to attack.
This time, Drake detected the anomaly because Fal sensed a unique energy.
Through their contract, Drake received Fal's perception.
"Filth!"
That was Fal's only description of the aura, as if encountering something utterly vile. This was the first time Drake had sensed disgust and anger from Fal.
Considering the original story, Drake knew what had provoked Fal's rage.
New species monsters, originating from a corrupted god's fragment—a Fallen Sprite.
According to Uranus, residing in the Babel Tower, Fallen Sprites were sprites who entered the Dungeon millennia ago and were consumed by monsters.
This consumption inverted their existence; these once-noble fragments became monsters driven by primal desires: consumption, possession, and indulgence.
Fal, a fire salamander, one of the four elemental sprites, was, according to Hephaestus, a being similar to a sprite.
If Drake guessed correctly, the sprites in the DanMachi world were also lifeforms born from the world's fundamental elemental forces, making them akin to Fal.
Fal's reaction to the aura of a corrupted kindred spirit wasn't surprising.
Fallen Sprites, like the Dungeon itself, could create monsters. However, the magic stones within these monsters weren't the usual deep purple but a murky green.
This time, the Fallen Sprite had spawned enormous worm-like monsters.
Even using only physical strength, Drake's speed was exceptional; he quickly reached the entrance to the 51st floor.
While the Loki Familia's most significant loss in the original story's encounter with these new species monsters was a few top-tier pieces of equipment, this expedition would likely end here.
This expedition with the Loki Familia wasn't primarily about the spoils; Drake's main goal was deep-level experience.
He needed to achieve the feats required for further level-ups, which necessitated venturing into the deep levels.
Therefore, he couldn't turn back here; even if he couldn't reach the fifty-ninth floor, where the Fallen Sprite resided, he couldn't fail at the fiftieth.
Drake saw Raul and others guarding the entrance.
Raul, besides Finn and the original members who founded the Loki Familia with Loki, was the most senior member.
However, the Level 4 Raul hadn't awakened a single magic spell or skill; even the gods marveled at this, giving him the title 〈High Novice〉.
Despite his blank stat sheet, Raul was an elite member, even Finn acknowledged this.
Crucially, Raul was down-to-earth and easy to get along with; Drake had spoken with him a few times.
Seeing Drake approach, Raul said, "Drake, why aren't you resting at camp? What are you doing here?"
Drake looked at the dark entrance. "Be careful; something's coming out."
Raul waved his hand. "Impossible; I've been watching this entire—"
Drake grabbed Raul's shoulder, pulling him back, and loudly warned the others, "Retreat!"
Raul saw purple liquid land where he'd been standing, corroding the ground.
He gasped; if Drake hadn't pulled him away, the consequences would have been dire.
The others, heeding Drake's warning, instinctively dodged, avoiding the dangerous liquid.
No one doubted Drake anymore; they braced themselves, awaiting the attacker's reveal.
It was a gigantic worm, nearly ten meters long, green but covered in chaotic patterns. Unlike ordinary worms, this creature had two sizable legs at its front.
Its mouth was a gaping hole; the corrosive liquid had come from there.
And there wasn't just one; countless worms crawled out of the hole.
"Dangerous!"
An adventurer raised his shield, protecting a comrade from the falling liquid.
The liquid corroded the shield; the adventurer was horrified to see it dissolving rapidly.
He dropped the half-destroyed shield, and the remaining half quickly disintegrated.
Drake wasn't surprised; the worm's bodily fluids could corrode even Tiona's 120 million valis double-bladed Urga, forged from hardened steel; a regular shield stood no chance.
Drake loudly warned, "Everyone retreat! This monster's fluids corrode equipment; only ranged attacks will work!"
Raul said, "No, if we don't stop them here, it'll be dangerous if they reach the camp!"
Drake smiled, revealing his cloak. "That's why I came here; leave this to me!"
Raul wanted to object; he didn't know Drake's level, but it seemed impossible for someone without a title to stop these monsters.
Then, he saw what Drake had at his waist.
"That's… a magic sword?"
Drake nodded. "Yes, my creation. Let's test its power against this creature."
Raul wanted to say that even a magic sword wouldn't help.
Magic swords are merely inferior substitutes for magic, equivalent to short spells; their power is no match for the spells cast by mages after long chants.
But the worm monsters were approaching; he could only trust Drake.
Drake wielded his first creation, a short sword he named Dragon's Roar.
Sensing Drake's intent, the sword's blade glowed.
"Roar!"
Drake felt the need to add some flair, so he commanded the sword.
As Drake spoke, flames erupted, a massive firestorm engulfing the entrance.
Not only Raul but Finn and the others were stunned.
Riveria exclaimed, "That power is almost equal to my full-power magic!"
Finn's expression was strange. "Drake said it was his masterpiece, but I never imagined it would be this…"
Gareth continued, "Impressive, isn't it? Only the legendary one could compare to such a magic sword!"
The others understood Gareth's reference: Crozzo's magic sword, the legendary weapon said to burn the sea.
They'd previously dismissed it as hyperbole, but today, they realized it might be true.
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