Shizue drew her longsword, and flames immediately covered it.
She swung the longsword, sending several fire blades toward the dazed giant black bear.
In an instant, the black bear turned to ash and vanished from the land.
Eren and the others were stunned, only coming to their senses after a long while.
"This person is so powerful," Eren said, swallowing hard.
"At least A-rank strength!" Kabaru nodded in agreement.
Shizue sheathed her sword and came before the three.
"Are you all alright?"
"We're fine."
"Thank you for saving us," Eren hurriedly bowed in gratitude.
Shizue looked at the three and gave a brief explanation of the situation.
After hearing Shizue's account, Eren and the others finally understood that Shizue was sent by Fiz to bring them back.
A B-rank mission was not something E-rank adventurers could handle.
However, once Shizue discovered that the three possessed B-rank strength, she understood why they dared to take on this mission.
For the sake of their safety, Shizue ended up joining this unreliable team in a daze.
The three were quite skilled at gathering information and had already learned the sequence of events.
They were now preparing to head to the plains to investigate the true identity of the culprit... Noon.
Draco slowly climbed out of bed.
"As expected of a succubus, she's too much to handle."
After resting for half a day, his stamina had finally recovered to its maximum.
Looking at the bloodstains on the sheets, Draco shook his head.
After getting dressed and pushing open the door, he had the maids change the sheets.
After eating the lunch Shuna personally made, Draco went to his usual office.
Now that the number of people in Nazarick had increased, the matters needing attention also began to multiply.
He was currently very short on talent capable of taking on major responsibilities.
Albedo walked in carrying a cup of tea.
"Master, what is troubling you?"
"Please do tell us, so that we may share your burdens."
Draco looked up at Albedo and took the teacup from her hand.
After taking a small sip, "I'm short-handed. If only Demiurge or Sebas were here, or even that penguin Eclair."
"Sigh!"
Draco let out a helpless sigh.
At this moment, everything in Nazarick seemed to be going well, but Draco knew.
There were still too many things that hadn't been perfected.
The guild's source of wealth, the defensive measures for floors one through eight, and the current food supply which was falling short of demand.
Furthermore, the guild's current combat power was too low.
Dealing with ordinary Demon Lords was fine, but it was somewhat insufficient against those who were slightly more powerful.
Albedo walked behind Draco and gently massaged his shoulders.
"Master, you could try a magic cooldown scroll."
Draco was taken aback, "What is that?"
"It is a type of magic scroll developed by Titus Annaeus Secundus, the Chief Librarian of the Great Tomb of Nazarick, who manages the Ancient Library on the Tenth Floor."
(What a long name...)
"It can reduce the cooldown time of magic, and it's said to be quite rare."
Draco was somewhat excited upon hearing this, "Do you have this scroll?"
"I don't, but Shalltear might. After all, it's a magic item for enhancing combat power; she should have some on her at all times."
Without hesitation, Draco immediately used magic transmission.
(Shalltear, do you have any magic cooldown scrolls on you?)
(I do, my Lord!)
(Come see me immediately.)
(By your command!)
...While Draco waited anxiously, Shalltear quickly arrived at the office.
Looking at the ten magic scrolls placed on the table, Draco's heart couldn't help but throb violently.
"Shalltear, I need these scrolls of yours now, is that alright?"
"Of course, it is my honor!"
"Then let's go. It seems quite a few companions will be coming today."
As he spoke, he led the two of them toward the arena on the Sixth Floor.
Draco had only glanced at these scrolls earlier, and the system's appraisal function had provided a description.
「magic cooldown scroll: Can clear the cooldown time of ordinary and special skills. Ineffective against Forbidden Curses and Super-Tier Magic.」
Seeing this description, Draco knew that this scroll would work.
Although his 「Designated Summoning」 was very special, it definitely did not belong to Forbidden Curses or Super-Tier Magic.
Inside the arena, Draco began to chant the incantation.
The scroll in his hand turned into a white light and entered Draco's body.
The dimmed skills in the skill bar returned to normal.
The magic circle slowly expanded again, flashing with a brilliant red light.
A burly figure slowly appeared before everyone's eyes.
"Cocytus!" x3
From its appearance, it was a 2.5-meter-long, light blue, giant upright insect that looked like a fusion of a mantis and an ant.
Numerous sharp, icicle-like spikes grew on its back.
The part corresponding to the mouth had the massive mandibles characteristic of insects.
It had four arms; two arms held silver halberds, while the remaining two arms held a mace and a greatsword.
Its entire exoskeleton was as solid as diamond.
The personality it was endowed with was that of a warrior, and its attack power was the strongest among all the floor Guardians.
Draco quickly stepped forward and completed the contract signing.
The settings were not modified.
The next moment, Cocytus's four eyes regained their luster, flickering with a faint blue light.
"Fifth Floor Guardian of the Great Tomb of Nazarick, Cocytus, greets the supreme being."
Looking at this fellow with a powerful aura, Draco smiled and nodded.
"Welcome, Cocytus!"
"At your summons, I shall arrive swiftly!"
Draco opened Cocytus's character panel.
[Name]: Cocytus
[Title]: Ruler of the Glaciers
[Attributes]:???
[Racial Level]: Insect Fighter Lv10, Vermin Lord Lv10, Others
[Job Level]: Sword Master Lv10, Asura Lv5, Knight of Niflheim Lv5, Others
[Total Level]: Lv100 (Racial Level 30 + Job Level 70)
[Special Attributes]: Toxic Saliva, Frost Breath, Total Resistance to Cold, Exoskeleton Fire Resistance, Magic Nullification, Physical Nullification... [Skills]: Frost Aura, Wind Slash, Rakshasa, Kulikara Sword, Acala Strike, Razor Edge, Acala Heart Mantra, Frostfire Strike... [Weapons]: God Slaying Blade, Decapitating Fang, and 19 other weapons... Cocytus's attributes are insane; he is a literal Weapon Master.
Furthermore, he has a hidden skill: he knows the effects of all weapons and items within Nazarick.
"Rise, Cocytus."
"Step aside for now, I need to continue the summoning."
"As you command!"
Draco's eyes were full of fanaticism as he crushed another scroll.
The light of the magic circle lit up once more...