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"A Miasmic Swamp, huh?" I wondered. "So this is like a place with high Miasma Density?"
"More or less." My dad nodded. "They form when there's a Monster that absorbs Miasma too much. Coincidentally, there's three around here which we've detected. They're like… mini dungeons in a way? Yeah let's put it that way."
"They're usually composed of a few monsters, maybe a hundred, or two hundred small fries." Shade said. "The ruler of Miasmic Swamps are powerful Swamp Rulers, usually ranging from Tier 5 to Tier 7."
"W-What?! Tier 7?!" Luck cried. "T-That's impossible… And two hundred monsters?! T-That's also impossible!"
"Hey, don't get cold feet now, brat." Aquarina said with a creepy smile.
"Geh…" Luck trembled; his fluffy tail was completely stiff.
"Scared already?" My uncle laughed. "These are rare, but dangerous. If we let them be, they'll corrupt the entire Savannah. This beautiful place is living in harmony with nature, monsters, beasts, and miasma all live in a harmonious, yet wild place. However, these overly mutated assholes are ruining everything, letting their power out to create a horrendous Miasma that sucks all life around them, and they expand endlessly too unless their boss is defeated."
"Elise said that in the past, she had stopped the expansion of dozens of these." Said Shade. "Making this place much healthier as a result, now that she's not here anymore, this responsibility is yours to take, young Luck. You, with the assistance of Aquarina and her friends, will defeat the Miasmic Swamp Rulers, stop the expansion of Miasma, and heal the Savannah. That should be enough to earn their recognition."
"T-Their?" Luck wondered.
"Weren't you listening, brat?" Asked my father. "The wolves! The wolves led by the Gray Fenrir! They're the big bosses around here. And they guard Elise's grave and her inheritance terrifyingly. They won't let you grab a single thing if you don't earn their recognition. Even now, they're watching."
"Ah…!" Luck and everyone else, including me, finally realized that dozens of wolves were glancing at us from very far away, their glowing red eyes sharply analyzing our movements.
Well, I noticed this beforehand, actually. The moment we entered, they already started following us around, simply and calmly glaring at us. They probably recognized our parents, so they haven't done anything.
"Alright, if that's all there is to it, then let's get it done right away." I nodded. "Shouldn't take more than a few hours, I give you three at most?"
"Yeah, nothing much." Aquarina nodded, beginning to stretch a bit.
"Let's do this then!" Zack said, filled with energy.
"D-Don't be too reckless though, okay?" Mist said from behind.
"Well, I know I have you for healing, so I can be a bit reckless, can I?" Zack giggled.
"Geez…" Mist blushed a bit.
"Don't get scared, beast boy, you've got us." Celeste smiled, though her smile seemed a bit scary.
"My golems can protect you!" Celica smiled.
"T-Thanks, everyone…" Luck sighed. "I guess there's no helping it… Somehow, I'll have to push through."
"We'll begin taking down the small fry, don't worry." I smiled.
Like that, he'll be able to get some quick levels and grow stronger to be prepared to deal at least some more damage against the powerful Boss of the Miasmic Swamp.
They should be strong but nothing too crazy either, not as strong as the powerful Demon Lord Servants we've fought, such as Raghidonte or that Parasite guy.
"Then enough chit-chat, let's do this!" Aquarina led our party, holding my hand with a smile. "But first, a good luck kissy~" She started giving my kisses in my cheeks and then lips. "Mooch, mooch, mooch~"
"Hahaha, okay, okay, enough kissies for now." I giggled, giving her a head pat. "Let's go!"
"Nn!" Aquarina seemed filled with confidence once she kissed me all over.
"Gulp…" Luck swallowed saliva, gritting his teeth. "L-Let's do it!" He was trembling all over.
We handed him over some armor and a spear, his weapon of preference, for fighting. He couldn't simply transform to fight all the time; it was a big waste of Mana after all. The armor and the spear were made out of Tier 5 Monster Materials, so they were hardy enough.
Once we made our way in front of the swamp, we were quickly greeted with many friends. Dozens after dozens of monstrous, mutated creatures. From large wolves to giant bears, to cats, all of them looking terribly horrifying.
Their mutated bodies due to the high quantities of Miasma resembled chimeric malformations, extra limbs, jaws, head, eyes, all across their bodies. It felt as if they were living in agony, forever trapped in these monstrous aberrant forms, and forced to protect the territory of the Miasmic Swamp Ruler.
The path was rather straightforward, a long road leading to the depths of a big path of trees in the middle of this open area. Monsters kept coming out of the swamp the more noise we made. The idea was to just bring them all out, kill them, and get to the boss.
I guess this is why my dad called this a "Mini Dungeon" as it worked similarly, but without all the annoying fuss.
Ding!
[A large group of Tier 5: Rank 1 Miasmic Mutant Chimeras are beginning to notice your group's presence…]
[To protect their Ruler, they won't fear giving up their lives just to stop you!]
[The Miasmic Swamp further boosts their strength, increasing their Physical and Magical Power by +100%, and their HP Regeneration Speed by +300%!]
"GRRRRRHHHHH…!"
"SHAAAAAHHH!"
"ROOOOAARRRR!"
The group of chimeras charged in without waiting any longer. Dozens of wolf, bear, and giant cat-shaped chimeras of all shapes and sizes attacked. Their giant claws unleashed powerful slashing blows that released darkness and miasmic energy everywhere, generating countless explosions from the get-go!
CLASH! CLASH! CLASH! CLASH! CLAAASH!
Taking advantage that there was the sunlight above us shining brightly, I channeled the prowess of Heavenly Sun into my body, further enhancing my stats through the roof. Flames surged from my body, as my very hair resembled a blazing fire.
Swinging my sword, I unleashed a powerful slash of flames, intercepting the chimera's attacks and blowing up anything in front of us!
SLAAAASH!
BOOOOOOOMMMM…!
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