Gathering Wives with a System Chapter 497 Mini Boss, Thorn Tyrant

Spells, projectiles, compressed energy, and warped space converged from four directions simultaneously. The very air seemed to constrict under the combined might of their assault.

At that precise moment, Eleanor's blade changed its trajectory.

An unseen, potent Elemental Aura encased her weapon. The space surrounding the sword began to twist and warp, as if reality itself recoiled from its edge.

Then, she unleashed her swing.

And everything was violently severed.

The incoming attacks were… simply sliced apart. Missiles fractured mid-flight. Beams of energy splintered as if struck by something sharper than light itself. Even the spatial distortions, meticulously woven into the assault by Elyndra, were cleanly bisected.

For a fleeting second, absolute silence descended.

'Did she just cut through our attacks?' X-019's mind reeled in shock.

Elyndra's expression turned rigid, and Belia instinctively recoiled. They had witnessed countless abilities and innumerable high-level techniques before, yet this was the first time they encountered anything like it.

Even their combat instincts, honed through countless battles, struggled to immediately comprehend what had just transpired before their eyes.

A palpable sense of wariness settled upon them.

Sera, however, displayed no such reaction. Her expression remained serene, as if such an extraordinary display was something she had already anticipated.

Then, the ground began to tremble ominuously.

A deep, resonating roar echoed across the battlefield, carrying a palpable weight that pressed heavily against their chests. The vibrations spread outward, causing the very terrain beneath their feet to shake.

Moments later, colossal forms began to emerge from the distant haze.

Stone Giants.

Dozens of them descended upon the area.

Their massive bodies moved with surprising velocity, each thundering step leaving cracks in the earth. Among them, one towered significantly above the rest. Its physique was more robust, its movements sharper, and the aura it exuded carried an unmistakable air of dominance.

It wielded an enormous stone club, and unlike the others, its eyes blazed with clear sentience.

'How did monsters appear here? Didn't you erect a dome to repel them?' X-019 exclaimed, his voice sharp with utter disbelief.

'I—'

Belia's words died in her throat. His eyes widened as the horrifying realization dawned upon him.

'The dome… it was cut.'

The instant he uttered those words, all eyes turned towards Eleanor. They finally grasped the full extent of her preparations, which had culminated in her final, devastating attack.

She hadn't merely cut their incoming attacks.

She had severed absolutely everything.

Including the invisible dome that had shielded this battlefield, concealing it from the notice of the lurking monsters.

With the dome breached, the clamor of their intense battle, the concentration of formidable auras, and the residual energy lingering in the atmosphere had all propagated outward.

And the monsters had responded to the call.

'We are leaving,' Eleanor declared.

She moved instantly, gathering Sera into her arms with a single, fluid motion.

Then, she ran directly towards the encroaching horde of Stone Giants.

At first glance, it appeared an act of sheer recklessness. Charging into a swarm of monsters was the absolute last action anyone would rationally consider. However, the moment she entered their effective range, her movements transformed into something terrifyingly precise.

She was actively predicting and evading the Stone Giants' movements before they even began their attacks.

Each step she took was perfectly synchronized with the Stone Giants' attack patterns. As one swung its massive limb, she was already repositioning herself out of its reach. When another advanced, she strategically placed herself to obstruct the path behind her.

'Don't let them escape!' X-019 bellowed.

The Florathi team attempted to follow Eleanor's lead, but their momentum was instantly compromised. Stone Giants converged upon them from multiple directions. Eleanor executed a feint, drawing the monsters' aggro, and then artfully dodged, causing their heavy attacks to sweep towards the pursuing Florathi.

Elyndra raised her hand, her eyes narrowing with intense concentration as she manipulated the surrounding space.

The area around Eleanor began to warp and distort. Invisible threads of force extended outwards, attempting to seize and pull her back.

For a brief moment, it seemed as though her efforts might succeed.

Then, the leader of the Stone Giants reacted.

It moved with immediate, instinctual precision, as if directly perceiving the disturbance within the fabric of space itself. The monstrous entity clearly identified the most significant threat in its immediate vicinity.

Its colossal body lunged forward, and in the very next instant, it charged.

Each earth-shattering step it took reverberated through the ground. The distance between itself and Elyndra rapidly dwindled to nothing.

Elyndra's concentration shattered.

She was left with no choice but to immediately cancel her ability and dodge. The giant's club slammed into the ground precisely where she had been standing moments before, sending shards of debris flying in every conceivable direction.

The battlefield dissolved into utter chaos.

Stone Giants now surrounded the Florathi team, compelling them to adopt defensive postures. Their once-coordinated attacks became fragmented as each member frantically dealt with the immediate, overwhelming threats.

Meanwhile, Eleanor pressed onward.

Even while carrying Sera, her relentless pace remained unwavering. Her path weaved and twisted through the monstrous throng, perpetually just beyond their reach, always maintaining a precarious step ahead of the pursuing giants.

Eleanor's battle strategy left the Florathi utterly astonished. Despite their superior Intelligence stats, formidable Spirit abilities, and potent Titles, they would have required weeks of relentless combat to decipher the movement patterns of Stone Giants with such precision.

Yet, the Dungeon had only been accessible for a mere few days.

How could Eleanor possibly predict their attacks with such accuracy?

.

Far in the distance, Avery had already initiated her movements. She had clearly heard Eleanor's urgent call to evacuate the immediate vicinity.

"You are not leaving," Zahard's voice boomed, cutting through the ambient noise.

In the very next instant, crimson lightning surged forth from his body, spreading outwards in sharp, jagged arcs. The formidable energy coalesced into an impenetrable cage around the area, effectively sealing all possible escape routes.

Avery let out a soft chuckle.

"What is so amusing?" Zahard inquired, his tone laced with suspicion.

"This body is merely a temporary clone. Its predetermined time limit has now expired," she responded calmly.

Before Zahard could even begin to process her words or react, her physical form simply collapsed.

A deluge of water spilled onto the ground, instantly losing all semblance of shape or structure.

Zahard's eyes narrowed in disbelief.

Since when? At what precise moment had he actually been engaging with a clone?

He hadn't perceived any indication whatsoever. There had been no discernible shift in aura, nor any inconsistency in her demeanor or actions.

'As one would expect from a Spirit. Her immense strength resides in a completely different realm,' he mused internally, his grip tightening around his spear.

…

Emily's Point of View

Five minutes prior.

The formidable Crimson Sky Wyrm gradually reduced its speed as it approached the periphery of the [Ruins of Old].

The boundary leading into the [Grasslands] was unmistakable. The environmental terrain underwent a distinct transformation, the quality of the air felt palpably different, and most significantly, the types of monsters encountered began to shift.

"There are flying monsters approaching ahead," Alice announced, her sharp gaze meticulously scanning the distant horizon.

The wyrm gracefully descended.

The moment their feet touched the ground, Emily promptly dismissed it, storing the magnificent creature back into her Soul Space. The ethereal connection vanished instantly, plunging the surrounding area back into a profound quietude.

"So, this is the plan. We will bypass as many monsters as we possibly can and proceed directly towards a Mini Boss. Our primary objective is to defeat it before any other team can, allowing Emily to convert it into a summon. If we can achieve this, our probability of success will skyrocket to approximately ninety percent," Alice declared, turning to face the other two.

Emily gave a resolute nod.

She fully grasped the critical tactical advantage a Mini Boss summon would provide.

Mini Bosses operated on an entirely different echelon compared to ordinary dungeon spawned monsters. Typically, a full team consisting of ten Apex Overlords would be required to effectively manage one.

Currently, each team was limited to only six members.

Naturally, all six members were the absolute elite of their respective groups, thereby enabling them to achieve victory even without the full complement of ten Overlords. Nevertheless, the ensuing encounters would inherently carry greater risks. A single misstep could precipitate a complete party wipe.

If she could successfully tame such a potent monster…

The balance of power would decisively tip in their favor. The Mini Boss could be strategically deployed not only against rival teams but also against the ultimate Boss Monster, granting them an insurmountable advantage.

"Let's move out," Alice urged.

The trio advanced through the towering grasslands, their movements fluid and carefully controlled. The dense grass grew high enough to obstruct visibility, a condition they adeptly leveraged to their advantage.

They meticulously avoided any unnecessary combat whenever feasible. There was absolutely no logical reason to squander their precious energy reserves. This endeavor was not about accumulating experience points or grinding levels; all participants had already reached their maximum level cap utilizing EXP potions. This was, in essence, a high-stakes race against time, and eschewing monster battles was demonstrably the most prudent course of action.

"Are we heading in the correct direction?" Alice inquired.

"Yes," Averon confirmed with a nod. "Given my regular excursions into the Great Dungeon, I am aware of the exact locations of two Mini Bosses. I deliberately sold the information for only one of them. It's highly probable that all other teams will pursue that particular Mini Boss. Consequently, we can focus on hunting the second one in relative peace."

He gently pushed aside a thick clump of grass as they continued their forward momentum.

Averon had divulged the location of a Mini Boss prior to his allegiance with Isaac, his Subordinate.

At that time, revealing the location seemed like a sound decision. Other adventurers would undoubtedly discover it sooner or later on their own. Furthermore, since Averon's team lacked the requisite strength to overcome any Mini Boss, there was virtually no benefit to hoarding such valuable intel.

Naturally, Averon had diligently kept the location of the other Mini Boss a closely guarded secret. He had personally engaged this particular Mini Boss on multiple occasions and possessed intimate knowledge of some of its attack patterns. His intention was to defeat it himself, hence his decision to conceal its whereabouts.

"Can we realistically defeat a Mini Boss with merely the three of us? This is still classified as a Great Dungeon. Even with Emily's summoned creature, there remains a considerable likelihood that we might not succeed," Averon voiced his concerns after a brief pause. His tone, while not overtly panicked, conveyed a palpable sense of apprehension.

"Stop whining like a child," Alice retorted sharply, continuing her forward progress without even glancing back.

Averon faltered slightly, taking half a step back, visibly taken aback by her uncharacteristically acerbic remark. His expression shifted to one of bewilderment, a complex mixture of confusion and disbelief.

This marked his very first collaborative effort with Alice. Based on all the information he had previously gathered, she was reputed to be exceptionally kind, remarkably composed, and possessed a gentle demeanor in her speech. She was widely known and referred to as the Gentle Saintess—an individual who offered solace to others, provided encouragement, and extended compassion to all those in need. Therefore, he found himself utterly perplexed as to why she was employing such cutting and harsh words.

Her saintess image wasn't fabricated, after all. Had it been a mere act, she would have certainly behaved with more discretion, knowing full well they were under live broadcast.

Thus, it was revealed that this was her genuine disposition.

'Uncle Simraj's advice rings true. We must not judge individuals solely by their appearance,' Averon mused, a quiet exhalation escaping him as his hand tightened on his weapon.

Their journey continued.

The dense tall grass gradually receded, and the landscape underwent another transformation. The ground grew uneven, soft earth giving way to broken stone. The trio emerged from the [Grasslands] into a different sector of the [Ruins of Old].

However, this particular area presented a distinct scene.

Stone Giants were conspicuously absent. Instead, the ruins sprawled like the desolate remnants of a forgotten city left to ruin for countless years. Walls lay in heaps, structures stood precariously half-intact, and thick vegetation had claimed dominion over everything.

Verdant plants snaked across every surface, and within their midst, monstrous entities stirred.

Gigantic bees were suspended in the air between the fragmented structures. Their bodies were grotesquely distended, with vines entwined around them like constricting bonds. These plants had burrowed into their flesh, permeating their beings akin to a circulatory system.

The monsters were effectively marionettes, controlled by these parasitic vines, transforming them into semblance of the undead.

Alice's gaze momentarily settled upon them before she resumed her advance.

The group adopted a slower pace.

Their movements became markedly more cautious. Each footfall was deliberate, meticulously avoiding loose rubble and dense clusters of roots that might betray their presence through any disturbance.

Emily raised her hand subtly, and an undulation rippled through the adjacent air.

Lume materialized.

The Abyssal Trickster's essence seamlessly merged with the surrounding environment. A subtle distortion emanated outwards, warping light and sound around their forms.

Illusions were employed.

Their outlines wavered, their essences concealed as they navigated the ruins. While not a flawless concealment, it sufficed to diminish the likelihood of detection.

Engagements were skirted whenever feasible.

On several occasions, they were compelled to halt their progress entirely as swarms of vine-enslaved bees drifted perilously close. These creatures exhibited erratic flight patterns, at times freezing mid-air as if attuning to an unheard signal.

Each time, they patiently waited.

Subsequently, they resumed their movement.

Following several minutes of painstaking traversal, Averon decelerated and signaled with a slight raise of his hand.

'We are close now,' he conveyed in a hushed tone.

The trio took cover behind a crumbling section of wall, their eyes fixed on the vista ahead.

Dominating the heart of the ruined metropolis was a colossal mansion.

Or, at least, its skeletal remains.

While its fundamental structure remained standing, the walls were riddled with cracks, veiled in dense vines, and significantly consumed by rampant overgrowth. The entire edifice gave the impression of having been engulfed by some living entity.

And crowning its summit—

The Thorn Tyrant.

Its sheer immensity was staggering. Its upper torus ascended from the rooftop like a monstrous, unfurling bloom, its 'visage' uncannily resembling a gargantuan flower composed of thick, fleshy petals that exuded a faint, rhythmic pulse. Beneath this floral facade, its true corpus was ensconced within the mansion's interior.

The structure itself had become an imposing carapace for the monstrosity.

Tendrils extended outwards, sprawling across nearly half the city. They carpeted the ground, clung to walls, and permeated every available surface. Some were slender as whips, while others were as robust as ancient pillars.

Any contact with these roots would invariably alert the colossal boss.

They had achieved proximity through their meticulous movements, yet the immediate vicinity surrounding the mansion presented a stark contrast. The roots were excessively dense, packed in an impenetrable matrix. A clear path forward was nonexistent.

Aerial traversal was also unfeasible. The air currents generated by Alice's wings would undoubtedly betray their presence to the roots.

Only Emily possessed the capability for flight within this hazardous zone.

However, dispatching her solo into the fray would prove futile.

For the present, they maintained their concealed position.

They took a brief interval to re-evaluate their surroundings, ensuring no rival teams had infiltrated this sector. An eerie silence prevailed, broken only by the subtle, disquieting rustle of roots across the terrain.

'Are you two prepared?' Alice inquired.

Both Emily and Averon responded with affirming nods.

Alice released a slow breath, rolling her shoulders once to limber up.

Then, she drew forth her spear from her spatial ring.

The instant the weapon materialized in her grasp, her entire demeanor underwent a palpable shift.

Mana coalesced around her, compacting and solidifying. A low hum suffused the air as she infused the spear with Aura, the weapon seemingly augmenting in weight, sharpness, and definition.

She adjusted her hold.

Alice was now aware that she could harness Aura for her spear and arrows, demonstrating remarkable proficiency with thrown weaponry due to Isaac's past bestowal of SSS-rank Marksmanship comprehension upon her.

Her expression hardened as the memory surfaced: should they falter in this competition, Isaac would be compelled to serve another.

He had undertaken a significant risk, placing his trust in Alice and the others.

'I will not permit anyone to claim you,' she vowed internally, her grip on the spear intensifying.

She activated her abilities.

Golden flames erupted around the spear, flickering with potent energy.

Flame of Judgment.