Reincarnated as a failed hero?! Watch me Defy Fate! - Chapter 100

Chapter 100: Ghost or Monster?

or Both?

Chapter 100: Ghost or Monster?

or Both?

As we stepped onto the 31st floor, an overwhelming mental pressure washed over us.

The atmosphere here was different-heavy, suffocating, as if unseen forces were pressing down on our minds.

It was because the monsters on this floor were astral beings, transparent entities that specialized in mental attacks and troublesome debuffs.

“H-HIIIIKHH!

These are ghosts!!” Marius screamed in terror.

Not long ago, he had been terrified of giant insects, and now he was cowering before spectral foes.

His reaction sent waves of laughter through the team.

“Marius, you’re a tank!

How can you be afraid of so many things?” Leopold teased.

“That’s right, Milly would laugh at you if she saw this.” I continued to teasing Marius.

Marius turned red, his pride wounded.

“I-It’s not that I’m scared!

I just don’t like the way they float!

It’s unnatural!!” “Marius oh c’mon bro!” Julius added with a smirk.

“They’re just ghost-like dungeon monsters.

There’s no need to be scared.

Besides, ghosts aren’t even real!” Marius, realizing the logic in Julius’ words, straightened up, though his expression was still uncertain.

“Ugh, so they’re just dungeon monsters?

Damn it!

How dare they try to scare me!” I suppressed a chuckle and turned serious.

“Alright, everyone.

Stay focused.

Get into formation.” I ordered my team, Julius’ team, and the six other teams accompanying us to prepare for battle.

This floor would not be easy, so we had to be cautious.

“Lyra, cast a mental protection buff on everyone.” Without hesitation, Lyra raised her staff and began chanting.

A soft, golden light spread across the area as she cast [Support Magic: Area Mental Barrier].

It enveloped us, forming a protective layer that would shield our minds from the monsters’ mental attacks.

With our defenses in place, we were ready.

Just as I was about to charge at the approaching astral monsters, Amelia suddenly stepped forward, stopping us all in our tracks.

“Leave floors 31 to 40 to me, Naoki, and everyone else,” Amelia declared, her voice filled with confidence.

“These are astral monsters, and divine magic is highly effective against them.

Instead of fighting, I suggest you and the others focus on solving the puzzles on each floor and unlocking the dungeon’s next gate.

Let me and my team handle the battles.” A murmur of dissent rippled through the students.

Some protested, arguing that as a royal princess of Braveheart, Amelia should not be burdened with such an arduous task.

I, too, hesitated.

“Amelia, that’s too much responsibility.

You’ll exhaust yourself.” Before I could say more, Julius and Luna stepped forward, standing beside Amelia.

“I’ll help Amelia with this,” Julius stated firmly.

“My swordsmanship incorporates light-element magic, which is also highly effective against astral creatures.” “Me too,” Luna added, gripping the hilt of her glowing swords.

“These blades were gifted to me by the Magic King of the Grand Kingdom Solara.

They carry light attributes, making my attacks effective against these monsters.” I looked at them, considering their proposal.

I could see the determination in their eyes.

They truly believed this was the best strategy.

After a brief moment, I nodded.

“Alright.

I’ll leave the extermination of the astral monsters to the three of you.

But don’t overdo it.

If things get dangerous, fall back immediately.” Amelia, Julius, and Luna exchanged confident glances before giving me a reassuring nod.

…

We advanced steadily, cutting through the spectral monsters that roamed these cursed floors.

The deeper we descended, the more twisted and unnatural the dungeon became.

Walls shimmered like illusions, shifting between solid stone and endless darkness, as if we were walking between dimensions.

Yet, despite the eerie surroundings, our progress remained smooth-thanks to Amelia, Julius, and Luna, whose divine and light-based abilities rendered the Wraith Specters almost powerless.

These Wraith Specters were nothing more than tormented spirits, their forms wreathed in shifting shadows.

Their hatred and resentment were palpable, leaking into the air like a miasma of despair.

The Wraith Specters have skills, Shadow Grasp €“ Drains the target’s life force upon contact.

Ethereal Shift €“ Can teleport within a 10-meter radius.

Even though they were fearsome creatures, Amelia’s [Divine Magic: Exorcism Strike] magic and Julius’ [Starlight Swordsmanship] made short work of them.

Luna’s enchanted blade with her [Solarblade Swordsmanship] cut through the specters like they were slicing through smoke.

By the time we reached floors 35-37, the enemies changed.

The Phantom Stalker-a sinister entity that thrived in the shadows-emerged, watching us from the abyss.

These beings did not attack openly.

Instead, they hunted us, lurking just outside the edges of our perception.

The Phantom Stalker have skills like [Silent Pursuit], a skill that make the user cannot be detected by search magic.

[Phantom Claw] a skill that slash with ignoring the armor.

“Be careful,” I warned the others.

“They don’t attack directly.

They stalk, wait, and strike when we least expect it.” Just as I finished speaking, a sharp astral claw nearly grazed my neck.

“Tch!” I dodged, slashing my katana through the Phantom Stalker behind me.

But my blade katana right through its ethereal body.

“They’re hard to hit!” Termina shouted as she loosed an arrow, only for it to phase through the creature.

“Not for long!” Julius stepped forward, his blade glowing.

[Starlight Swordsmanship: Radiant Edge!] A surge of light enveloped his sword as he bisected the Phantom Stalker in one clean strike.

The monster let out a ghostly wail before fading into nothingness.

“See?

They’re just shadows,” he said confidently.

We continued fighting until the Phantom Stalkers were no more.

Then, on floors 38-39, we encountered the true horrors of this dungeon.

The Doom Apparitions.

These creatures were wraiths of despair, their forms twisted beyond recognition.

They had no mouths, yet their voiceless screams of agony and suffering filled the air.

Their mere presence drained our will to fight, making us sluggish and weak.

They had a skill called [Illusion Veil], creating illusions of itself to deceive enemies.

The Doom Apparitions also have [Mind Break] €“ A mental attack that causes stun or temporary insanity.

The moment we engaged them, our minds were flooded with hallucinations.

Julius staggered, gripping his head.

“What…

is this?!” “It’s an illusion!

Focus!” I shouted.

Amelia stepped forward, her knuckle glowing with radiant energy.

“Enough of this…

BEGONE!” [Divine Magic: Holy Sunlight!] A blinding pillar of divine light erupted from her staff, banishing the illusions instantly.

The Doom Apparitions screamed as their twisted souls were annihilated.

With that, we had conquered floor 39.

…

Exhausted, we set up camp.

Amelia collapsed in my arms.

“I…

need a moment…” I held her close, whispering, “You fought well, Amelia.

You’ve proven that you belong on the battlefield.” She smiled, looking up at me.

“Then…

let me fight by your side when the demons come.” I nodded.

“Of course.” She then asked, “What will you do after the exam?” “I’m heading straight for the Hero Trial.

Patriarch and Serena already waiting for me in battlefield.

I should being a true hero and help them to beat the demons!” Her eyes widened.

“I see..Then I’ll go too!

I want to support you on the trial…” I gently shook my head.

“The trial must be done alone.

No outside help.” She frowned but didn’t argue.

Instead, she hugged me tightly.

At that moment, Lyra approached, looking slightly jealous.

“Hahaha..Lyra, are you jealous?” Amelia teased.

Lyra huffed, looking away.

“No.

I have no reason to be.

I just a low noble from Waterfall family if compared to Amelia-sama, the Princess of Braveheart Kingdom.” “Ohh be honest with your feelings Lyra.

I don’t mind sharing Naoki with you.” Amelia giggled and pulled Lyra into our embrace.

“Umm this is too embarrassing Naoki-sama, Amelia-sama..doing this in front of other friends…” Lyra’s face turned red.

I don’t care about what Lyra said, I just want to rest for a while by hugging those who make me comfortable.

Now, I was holding both Amelia and Lyra in my arms.

“This…

feels nice,” I admitted in my heart.

Envi sounded annoyed in my mind, she said “Nao you bastard, doing this on purpose makes me so jealous!

Watch out, I’ll tease them again using your body hahaha.” I don’t care about what he said now, but if he really does that later, I’ll stop him.

Stop that flirtatious system from teasing the girls.

Marius blushed and looked away.

Leopold laughed.

Luna remained indifferent.

Termina smirked and turned to Julius.

“Umm Julius..you want a hug?” Julius stammered.

“I-I am a man of pride!

I don’t need-!” His face turned completely red.

We all laughed.

…

Moving to Floor 40.

After fully recovering, we proceeded to floor 40.

I stood before the group and delivered an important announcement.

“This floor marks the minimum passing requirement.

To graduate, you must accumulate 200,000 points by defeating the mini-boss and conquering this level!” The teams erupted in excitement, their determination reigniting.

They exchanged words of encouragement, ready to face the challenge ahead.

Five of the team leaders who had been following me stepped forward.

They expressed their gratitude for my leadership and support throughout the expedition.

I simply raised my hand.

“Save your thanks for after we defeat the mini-boss.” With that, we descended deeper into the dungeon.

Here, something felt different.

Time itself slowed down-three times slower than normal.

The air was thick, filled with an ominous energy.

We had finally reached the domain of the mini-boss, then i check it’s status: Abyssal Warden (Level 58).

This mini-boss The guardian of the 40th-floor gate.

A terrifying creature, its form flickered between human and a mass of dark mist.

Two piercing, glowing blue eyes shone through the shadows, exuding an overwhelming sense of dread.

This would be our tough battle yet.

And we had no choice but to win.

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