Floating Islands: SSS Gacha Lord-Chapter 92 - Dancing in the Dark

Atlas focused intently, honing in on every subtle shift in the elemental particles swirling around him. The monsters were closing in, their chaotic movements sending ripples through the particles, signaling multiple attackers from different directions.

He remained motionless, spinning his spear once to center himself as he adjusted his stance to meet the unseen threats. His mind was sharp and calm, a stark contrast to the early days of his training, when panic would overtake him in moments like this.

Suddenly, an attack came from behind!

His instincts jolted him into action, but the speed of the strike overwhelmed him. The blow landed hard, forcing him to stumble forward.

Before he could recover, another attack came from the front. Atlas spun his spear instinctively, sweeping out in a wide arc. Direct hit!

The weapon’s momentum carried him to the side, but another crushing impact hit him squarely, throwing him off balance.

He lashed out with his spear in a sweeping motion, trying to keep the attackers at bay.

Three monsters!

From their height and movements, he recognized them as Lava Hounds.

Atlas gritted his teeth. He wasn’t allowed to use active skills in this session, but his passive abilities were still in play. He made a quick decision. Water Element.

With a surge of focus, hundreds of faint water elemental particles in the area were drawn toward him, wrapping around his body and spear like a flowing shield.

He leapt forward, thrusting his spear toward one of the hounds.

The recoil of the impact told him he had landed a solid hit. Without hesitating, he launched into another quick maneuver, jumping high and delivering a powerful overhead strike that slammed into the target.

But another attack came from his right side! He shifted his stance, parrying the strike with his spear in a sweeping motion.

Behind!

A sudden blow struck the back of his head, sending him sprawling to the ground. He rolled to one side, barely avoiding another attack.

Damn it! They’re overwhelming me from all sides!

As he scrambled to recover, Atlas sensed another presence. No, multiple ones. Lava Beetles. They were swarming closer.

Atlas swiftly moved away from his previous position, knowing the monsters were converging there.

I’ve fought these things hundreds of times!

He clenched his spear tightly. He understood their movements, their attack patterns, and the most effective ways to kill them.

But the true challenge wasn’t the monsters, it was the void of sensation. He had only his instincts and the shifting patterns of elemental particles to guide him.

The monsters followed, closing in!

Atlas suddenly halted and swept his spear in a rapid arc behind him. Four Lava Hounds!

Without missing a beat, he swept higher, catching the air above, then spun his spear in a wide circle around him.

Five Lava Beetles!

He smirked, planting his feet firmly on the ground.

I’ve got them now!

Visualizing the monsters’ positions in his mind, he started to piece together the chaotic movements of the elemental particles. The scene unfolded in slow motion in his mind’s eye.

Attack!

Atlas lunged forward, sweeping his spear in a wide arc. A spin attack followed, striking high.

Left side!

He brought his spear down in an overhand strike. Feedback through the weapon confirmed the hit.

He took a few steps back as more monsters closed in.

Overhead strike! Feedback. Another hit!

He spun his spear, attacking in a circular motion. Direct hits. Three of them!

He felt the feedback weakening. These monsters were faltering!

Planting his feet firmly, Atlas thrust his spear forward with precision. The strike landed clean, the feedback resonating through the shaft of the weapon.

One down!

[You have killed Lava Beetle Lv. 53]

[You received 1,233 Exp]

[Exp: 4,223/179,665]

The troops stood at a distance, watching Atlas battle with a mix of awe and disbelief painted across their faces.

"Watching the Lord fight like he’s in perfect control... even in total darkness... it’s honestly incredible."

"Yeah, makes me wonder if I should start taking training that seriously too."

"Are you kidding? The Lord can’t even see what’s around him. He’s just swinging blindly and hoping to land a hit."

"Are you dumb?" another snapped. "You think he’s hitting those monsters by luck? You think random attacks can kill beasts like that?"

"Edrik said the Lord is using elemental particles to guide him in the battle," someone else chimed in. "But still... keeping that kind of focus while blind, without knowing whether your strikes will land or kill. That’s just insane."

"Yeah, but that’s the only way to get stronger," one nodded. "It’s just a matter of whether we’ve got the guts to go through with it."

"Our turn will come soon! And if the Lord can do it, then we’ve got no excuse! Hahaha!"

Their laughter echoed across the field. But then, one by one, they began to feel a strange chill prickling down their spines. A heavy pressure settled over them, like the air itself had turned to ice.

They turned slowly, and there he was. Edrik.

He stood behind them, arms crossed, wearing that calm, thin smile that somehow felt more terrifying than a full-blown glare. His eyes were locked on them with unnerving focus.

"Don’t worry," he said quietly, almost kindly. "Your turn will come soon."

A collective shiver passed through the group.

"D-did I say something wrong?" one muttered, already regretting his words.

"Yes," Edrik replied with a slight tilt of his head. "You said you wanted to train like the Lord."

Another man swallowed hard, his throat clicking audibly.

"...I was joking."

Atlas allowed a faint smile to cross his lips. He was beginning to understand the flow of this battle, and surprisingly, he was starting to enjoy it.

His confidence grew with each movement, and he began to move with greater agility and precision.

It wasn’t that he could defeat the monsters easily, far from it. He needed to strike their weak points multiple times before delivering a finishing blow.

But this was a routine he had repeated countless times. He had grown so accustomed to it that even battles lasting nearly the entire day felt natural to him. Killing these monsters had become part of his daily life.

One of the Lava Beetles, weakened and retreating, caught his attention. At the same time, a Lava Hound blocked his path directly ahead.

Atlas reacted instantly. Leaping forward, he used the Lava Hound as a stepping stone, launching himself high into the air. With a swift overhead strike, he slammed his spear into the retreating Lava Beetle, driving it into the ground with a resounding impact.

Still airborne, Atlas spun mid-flight, redirecting his momentum. Using the spin to power his next maneuver, he twisted back toward the Lava Hound and delivered another devastating strike, his spear connecting with a precise, powerful blow.

[You have killed Lava Beetle Lv. 51]

[You received 978 Exp]

[Exp: 5,201/179,665]

[You have killed Lava Hound Lv. 49]

[You received 759 Exp]

[Exp: 5,960/179,665]

He had done it. It took time to adjust, but Atlas successfully cleared the first wave of monsters.

The set of skills and talents he possessed had been crucial to his survival and stamina, allowing him to endure the relentless assault and volcanic terrain with greater resilience.

[Epic - Lifebound Shield (Passive, Defensive) Lv. 1]

Creates a natural barrier that absorbs a portion of incoming damage and converts it into health regeneration over time.

[Epic - Inferno Fortitude (Passive) Lv. 2]

Provides enhanced endurance and stamina, allowing him to thrive in harsh volcanic environments.

These abilities gave him a distinct edge, enabling him to not only withstand the prolonged battle but also recover and adapt as the fight continued.

One week.

Then, two weeks passed.