Chapter 42: Familiar Magic
A swift figure flashed past. Tifa grabbed the teetering Ouka with precision, using the momentum to retreat rapidly. At the same time, she shouted to Yamato Mikoto, who was still dazed on the other side, "Go!"
Mikoto froze for a moment. She hadn't expected other adventurers to actually come to their rescue in such a desperate situation.
With no time to think, she turned and ran back without hesitation, rushing toward her comrades who were lying on the ground, heavily injured and their status unknown.
Even at a time like this, she didn't forget a single one of her family members.
In the distance, Riveria and her group, having just arrived, stopped in their tracks.
Ryu, hiding in the shadows on the other side, also slowly lowered the wooden sword she had half-drawn.
"That magic..."
Riveria frowned deeply.
She felt an indescribable familiarity from the sound magic that had just knocked back the Blazing Axe Mitachurl.
But because the power didn't match the terrifying force of the person in her memories, and because the distance was too great for her to hear Aiden's short chant, she couldn't be sure of her guess for a moment.
"That damn brat!"
When he saw that it was Aiden's team saving people, Bete spat unhappily.
He could tell at a glance that the Blazing Axe Mitachurl was definitely not a Level 1 monster that would appear on the Upper Floors. It was a bona fide Level 2 Enhanced Species, or perhaps even approaching Level 3.
For the Loki Familia, a monster of this level was nothing. But for those rookies who had just arrived in Orario not long ago and were still Level 1, it was no different from an irresistible calamity.
Although he cursed, the werewolf with a sharp tongue but a soft heart was subconsciously preparing to step forward.
"Wait, Bete."
However, Riveria reached out and stopped him.
"Going over now wouldn't be saving them; it would be kill-stealing."
"Are you kidding me, Riveria?"
Bete looked at the High Elf in disbelief, turning back to glare at her. "Are your eyes going bad? Can't you see what kind of monster that is?"
Not only Bete, but Tiona, Lefiya, and the others also wore expressions of confusion.
Only Ais kept her golden eyes fixed on the white-haired boy who was slowly drawing his longsword and walking step by step toward the Blazing Axe Mitachurl. A thoughtful look appeared in her eyes.
"That look... I'm not mistaken."
Riveria's brows were still slightly furrowed, but her tone was certain. "That boy regards the monster as 'prey.' Interfering now would only be annoying."
Hearing this, Bete suddenly realized that the white-haired boy's face showed no sign of gravity or fear. Instead, he wore a smile of... excitement.
"Arrogant bastard."
Bete cursed and kicked a small stone at his feet, but ultimately, he didn't take another step forward.
Riveria was right. Aiden didn't look like he needed help.
If they rushed in rashly, it would be an unreasonable act of stealing his prey.
On the other side, Ryu also frowned tight.
Although her discernment couldn't match the First-Class Adventurers of the Loki Familia, she could clearly sense the monster's power. It far exceeded the level that should exist on the Upper Floors.
Despite the fog, her adventurer's sharp vision allowed her to recognize Aiden.
She didn't understand where Aiden got the confidence to challenge a monster so far above his own level.
Still, she gripped the hilt of her sword, ready to intervene and save them at any moment.
This wasn't just for the "justice" she thought she had long discarded, but also for the innocent and lovely Goddess of Justice, Focalors, who made her feel an unconscious closeness.
If Aiden and his team died here, that goddess would surely be heartbroken, just like... Goddess Astraea once was.
"Are you all okay?"
Robin and Hyacine also arrived, helping Yamato Mikoto gather her companions.
Trembling, Mikoto poured all the potions she had onto her companions' wounds. But the meager potency was like a drop in the bucket for such fatal injuries—shattered bones and damaged internal organs.
Unless they had a Panacea worth over 500,000 Valis, it was impossible to save their lives.
But how could a mere Takemikazuchi Familia, struggling just to stay fed, afford such an exorbitant potion?
Ouka, Chigusa, and Mikoto all showed expressions of deep sorrow and despair.
With these injuries, they couldn't last until they returned to the surface.
Coupled with the Blazing Axe Mitachurl eyeing them like a tiger, their hearts went cold.
"It's okay. I'll save them."
Just as they were sinking into despair, Hyacine's gentle yet firm voice rang out.
She offered a word of comfort, then began to chant softly.
"Listen, the whispers woven at the break of dawn—Spirits gentle as ever in the cracks of memory, please descend once more for me, for us, as cleansing rain, and hold up the clear sky!"
Accompanying the mantra that was as warm as the morning sun, a small pink Pegasus appeared within a magic circle, nuzzling affectionately against Hyacine's cheek.
As Little Ica appeared, a gentle green wind filled with the breath of life blew past, enveloping Ouka and all the members of the Takemikazuchi Familia.
To their shocked gazes, the wounds deep enough to show bone, the broken bones, and even the damaged internal organs began to recover at a speed visible to the naked eye.
"Healing magic... and of that level."
In the distance, Riveria looked surprised again.
Even in all of Orario, mages possessing high-tier healing magic were few and far between. In any Familia, they would be cherished like treasures.
Meanwhile, in the center of the battlefield, Aiden had officially engaged the Blazing Axe Mitachurl.
In just the first clash, Aiden gauged the opponent's level.
It surpassed the Kairagi, but hadn't quite reached Level 3. According to adventurer stats, its Strength and Endurance were at least S-rank.
The gap in ability scores was massive. Aiden's blade struck the opponent's body, struggling to leave even a white mark.
If not for his balanced growth in all attributes and the super-strong combat intuition honed by Alfia, he wouldn't even have the qualification to circle around this opponent.
After dodging another heavy sweep of the giant axe in a sorry state, Robin's magical support arrived instantly. A sound wave accurately bombarded the Mitachurl's knee, hindering its pursuit.
Seizing this opportunity, Aiden immediately pulled back to create distance.
"I'm sorry for dragging you into this," Yamato Mikoto said, seeing this scene. A look of resolve flashed in her eyes.
She held her katana, having made the decision to sacrifice herself. "I'll hold it off. You take my companions and run!"