Chapter 346: Firefly's True Nature
The silver mech crashed like a true falling star directly into the dense Crimson Mist.
The blinding white-hot flames ignited the red fog the instant they made contact.
It was like dropping a spark into an oil reservoir. A cascading, violent explosion immediately erupted around the Amphisbaena.
The Crimson Mist became fuel, intertwining with SAM's fire to form a self-immolating, raging sea of flames that completely swallowed the two-headed dragon.
Its proud shield transformed into a cage and an instrument of torture in that very moment.
And Firefly —or rather, SAM —tore through the curtain of fire with the pure, savage momentum of a brute.
She charged against the explosion's shockwave, letting the scorching waves of air batter her silver armor with ear-piercing sizzles.
That body was the ultimate weapon. That unyielding will burning with life force was the strongest shield.
At the end of her charge was the two-headed dragon's face, twisted in agony.
There was no technique to SAM's movements, only the most primal, furious release of power.
A fist enveloped in crimson flame smashed ruthlessly and without any flair into the side of the dragon's head.
The sound was heart-stoppingly dull, like a siege hammer striking ancient rock.
Under that punch, dragon scales harder than steel shattered like fragile glass, scattering in all directions.
Her fist sank deep into the flesh of the dragon's head.
Crimson flames burrowed frantically into the wound like living, venomous snakes.
Muscles charred and nerves snapped. The scalding dragon blood evaporated in the extreme heat before it could even spray.
It was no longer a majestic roar, but a shrill wail.
Both heads simultaneously threw themselves back, letting out a shriek that mixed agony and terror. Its massive body thrashed wildly, desperately trying to shake off the silver knight that clung to it like a festering curse.
But SAM's other hand had already dug into the scales of the dragon's neck. Her fingers sank deep, remaining perfectly still no matter how fiercely the two-headed dragon struggled.
Then came the second punch, and the third...
Punch after punch.
Firefly's fighting style was unspeakably brutal. Every strike concentrated the full power of her Complete Combustion state, accompanied by the sound of shattering scales and the stench of burnt flesh.
Under this relentless, savage barrage, the massive dragon's head was reduced to a mangled mess of flesh and blood.
The once-invincible Floor Boss now looked like a street thug being dragged and beaten across the pavement, only able to let out helpless, agonizing whines.
Witnessing this bloody spectacle, even Robin, who was directing the battle from the rear, subconsciously parted her lips. Only pure bewilderment remained in her lake-green eyes.
She let out a cute, meaningless little gasp, as if her brain had completely short-circuited.
"Eep..."
Cassandra Illion shuddered uncontrollably, frantically racking her brain to remember if she had ever offended Firefly.
On the other side, Tifa Lockhart , Daphne Lauros , and Jeanne d'Arc, who had rushed to the front, all halted their attacks.
They stared dumbfounded at the silver-white mech, watching it utterly pulverize a Floor Boss that even they found incredibly daunting.
Isn't... isn't this a little too overpowered?
Even with the level boost from Robin's Vox Harmonique, Opus Cosmique , Firefly was ultimately just a rookie adventurer who had only recently received a Falna.
Could a rookie really possess such an unreasonably savage fighting style and a battle will completely devoid of the concept of fear?
In the back, holding Little Ica and continuously casting healing winds over the group, Hyacine couldn't help but look at the man beside her, who remained perfectly composed. Her eyes, too, were filled with confusion.
"Is Darling Firefly... usually suppressing herself too much?"
To her, Firefly was always so quiet, delicate, and sweet.
This posture, seemingly intent on burning everything to ashes, made her worry if it was some sort of ultimate loss of control after extreme suppression.
However, Aiden just smiled.
"No, this is completely normal."
He spoke softly, yet his voice was clear enough for Hyacine to hear.
"After all, it's Firefly."
He turned his head, looking at Hyacine and the rest of his companions who were similarly stunned.
"You guys were all fooled by her harmless exterior. You completely missed it."
Aiden's gaze returned to the silver figure throwing punches amidst the flames, his eyes shining with something akin to admiration.
"Firefly's true nature is that of a warrior. Furthermore, she's a super soldier... one who charged in and out of the Swarm Battlefield , a place ten thousand times more terrifying than the Dungeon."
"From the very beginning, her fighting style has existed solely to pursue the most efficient slaughter."
"This battle stance is the real Firefly."
Under Firefly's frenzied assault, the Amphisbaena let out a deafening wail.
But this time, the roar held no pain; it was a summon.
As if answering the king's call, the entire burning lake boiled over the next instant.
Dozens of hideous serpent heads shot out of the water. They were the Aqua Serpents that inhabited this aquatic zone.
At the same time, high up near the distant ceiling, flocks of Harpies unleashed piercing screeches, diving down like dark storm clouds.
"Tch, summoning allies, huh?"
Robin's reaction was lightning fast. She immediately adjusted her tactical commands: "Tifa , Daphne, prioritize clearing these mobs."
"I'm going in too."
Aiden's gaze remained locked on the silver mech that was still burning its life force to madly assault the Floor Boss.
He knew better than anyone that Firefly was only in a burst mode triggered by her skill. This state couldn't last, not to mention the negative skill called Entropy Loss Syndrome plaguing her.
He couldn't let Firefly face this alone.
Before he even finished speaking, he charged out across the water, Godslayer: Surtr in hand.
Passing by an Aqua Serpent that happened to block his path, he didn't even slow down, merely swinging his sword in passing.
A cold gleam of the blade flashed, and the massive serpent head silently detached from its body, plunging into the lake.
On the other side, Tifa took action the moment she heard the command.
Ignoring the monsters in the water, she locked her eyes onto the menacing flock of Harpies in the sky.
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