Chapter 6: Into the Depths of the Mine (Part 2)

Part 2

The group pushed forward into the eighth floor, and the moment they crossed the threshold, the atmosphere changed drastically.

The air was thick with static electricity, and a constant wind pushed against them with every step.

The buzzing of currents echoed through the chamber, amplifying the tension in the air.

—This doesn't look good… —Haruto muttered, raising an arm to shield himself from the dust kicked up by the gusts.

Thalindra, gauntlets locked in place, glanced upward. Her sharp eyes caught movement among the shadows near the ceiling… just as a piercing screech shattered the silence.

Winged figures descended at high speed, their movements wild and unpredictable.

—Wind Harpies! —Yuna shouted, drawing her bow—. At least a dozen!

A quick flash on Haruto's panel was followed by Olivia's crisp voice:

—Alert! Enemies detected: Wind Harpies. Level 23. Primary ability: Cutting Cyclone.

The creatures, covered in shimmering silver feathers, spiraled downward, their shrill cries stabbing into the mind.

—They're fast —Thalindra warned, dropping into a defensive stance as sparks danced around her gauntlets—. Don't spread out. If they split us up, we're finished.

One of the harpies dove straight at Haruto, claws glowing with wind energy.

—Watch out! —Yuna called out, but Haruto had already rolled aside, narrowly avoiding the strike.

—They're way too fast! —he gasped, quickly summoning his twin pistols and trying to track their erratic flight paths.

From the center of the formation, Melodia lifted her violin.

Her magical attire shimmered softly as she began to play a calm but resolute tune.

—Symphony of Protection.

A glowing barrier formed around the group, reducing the impact of the incoming attacks.

—Nice one, Melodia —Yuna nodded, loosing a wind-infused arrow. Though dodged, the projectile exploded into a mini vortex, destabilizing one of the harpies.

—My turn! —shouted Thalindra, seizing the opening.

With a powerful leap, she charged at the staggered harpy, her gauntlets burning with a vivid flame.

—Fire Fist!

The punch connected squarely with the creature's chest, which burst into a cloud of burning feathers.

—One down! —she called, grinning as she rejoined the group.

—Still plenty more. Don't let your guard down —Yuna warned, loosing another arrow with deadly precision.

Haruto, drenched in sweat, kept firing bursts of wind shots, doing his best to keep the harpies at bay as they darted through the air at impossible speeds.

—You won't beat me in the skies! —Yuna yelled, sending a precise shot that dropped another harpy. Its body vanished with a final screech.

But then, the creatures suddenly pulled back, retreating into the ceiling shadows where the wind blew even more violently.

Visibility dropped instantly.

—Don't let them escape! —Thalindra roared, slamming her gauntlets together—. If they regroup, they'll change tactics — and we'll be in trouble.

But it was already too late.

The harpies vanished into the currents.

The wind intensified, whipping around them like invisible blades. Even breathing became difficult.

—Stay alert. The gusts are getting stronger… —Yuna warned, her calm voice tinged with urgency.

—I can't see anything, Kizu! —Kizuna whined, fluttering helplessly, her tiny wings flapping wildly as she tried to navigate the chaos.

—Don't tell me what to do! —Haruto snapped, dismissing his pistols with a rough motion and drawing his katana.

The gesture, brimming with frustration, froze the group in uncomfortable silence.

Everyone stared at him — especially Thalindra, who stepped forward, eyes sharp.

—What's your problem, human? —she asked, her tone firm and confrontational—. You looking to fight?

—Enough already! —Kizuna shouted, arms crossed mid-air—. You're supposed to be a team, Kizu!

But instead of calming down, the tension only grew.

Yuna turned to Kizuna; her gaze sharp as a blade.

—Who said you could lecture us?

—What is wrong with all of you?! —Kizuna cried, her wings flapping frantically—. You're all acting like you're about to explode!

In a flash, Haruto lunged at Thalindra.

His katana gleamed as it clashed against the dwarf's gauntlets.

—Don't act tough just because you've got heavy gloves on!

Thalindra sneered. Her muscles tensed as she absorbed the blow.

—You've got a long way to go, human.

With a brutal shove, she sent him flying several meters back.

Haruto hit the ground hard, dazed.

Meanwhile, Yuna's eyes glowed unnaturally.

She raised her bow and began chanting, her voice pulsing with dangerous intensity.

—Wind that guides the leaves... multiply my arrows... Skyfall Arrow!

The ceiling above filled with a deafening hum.

A rain of magical arrows began to descend toward everyone.

—Yuna, stop! —Kizuna screamed, horrified.

Before the first arrow could strike, a burst of violet light flashed across the chamber.

Olivia materialized in humanoid form, resembling Kizuna, her expression composed.

With a firm gesture, she raised her hand.

—Cybernetic Shield!

A radiant barrier enveloped the group.

The arrows bounced harmlessly off the shield and vanished, leaving behind an eerie, heavy silence.

Haruto gasped, clutching his chest.

—M-My mana... —he whispered, his breath ragged—. What's happening to us...?

Olivia turned to him, visibly alarmed.

—Warning! The harpies are using magic to manipulate the group's emotional state. They've hidden their influence within the wind currents.

Melodia, who had remained silent until now, stepped forward, her wand glowing softly.

—Then allow me to calm the air... literally —she said with a refined sigh—. Hymn of Harmony.

She began to play a gentle melody. The notes shimmered like waves of light.

Gradually, the magical particles in the air faded. The wind died down.

And so did the tension. The group exhaled in relief.

—Better? —Melodia asked, offering a subtle smile.

Thalindra lowered her arms and nodded with respect.

—Much better.

Yuna, ashamed, looked down.

—I'm sorry… I lost control.

—That was… weird —Haruto admitted—. Thanks for stepping in.

—What matters now is focus —Yuna said, her voice steady—. The harpies are regrouping. We need to finish this before they come back.

Everyone nodded, now with renewed determination.

—Now I'm really pissed off —Haruto growled, pulling two mana gems from his pocket.

Without hesitation, he crushed them between his fingers.

A blue light surged around him, replenishing his energy.

—Get ready —he said, stepping to the front—. I'm flipping the script on this fight.

Olivia began to fade, her voice drifting playfully as she disappeared.

—Notice: I've used too many resources. Entering cooldown mode… Time for a nap.

—Thanks, Olivia. We owe you one —Haruto whispered.

Taking a deep breath, he raised one hand.

Frosty energy began to swirl around him like a growing storm.

—I'm gonna copy Melodia's style and enhance my next technique. Cover me.

The group stared, wide-eyed.

Even Melodia raised a brow, clearly amused.

—You sure you can handle that?

—Just watch.

He closed his eyes for a second… then snapped them open.

—Blizzard!

A roaring wind echoed through the chamber.

A snowstorm burst from his hand, shifting the entire climate in seconds.

All warmth vanished, replaced by a frigid gale that cut like crystal blades.

The harpies shrieked above, unable to maintain flight.

One by one, they fell, their bodies dissolving into clouds of frost.

—Ha! —Haruto lowered his hand, panting, as he watched the frozen remnants of his spell—. That'll teach them not to mess with us.

—Wow… —Melodia looked over the snow-covered battlefield, a mix of awe and playful critique in her tone—. Not bad... for someone with no style.

Haruto gave her a crooked smile while crushing more mana gems to recharge.

—I know, but sometimes it just feels good to go full spectacle.

The group exchanged glances… and then burst into brief laughter. Even surrounded by ice and chaos, they felt stronger — more connected.

Haruto's panel flickered, clearly strained. Olivia had been pushing the system hard.

Level Up: (+2)

Current Level: 25

Drops Acquired:

Mana Gems x5

Bronze Coins x30

Harpy Feathers x10

New Skills Unlocked:

Wind of Hate, Fly (Wind Element)

—Thanks for the help, Olivia, Haruto thought.

In the corner of his vision, Olivia appeared lying on a tiny lavender pillow, smiling proudly.

Haruto let out a small chuckle.

—Always so smug.

Thalindra and Haruto stepped toward each other and exchanged a subtle nod — a mutual apology.

They both knew the earlier clash had been driven by the harpies' influence.

Yuna sat on a nearby rock, surrounded by the gently falling snow.

Her gaze was lowered, lost in thought.

"We're doing okay… but something's missing."

The harpies had made it clear… Despite their strength, there were weaknesses they couldn't afford to ignore.

"We need real support. We can't rely solely on Melodia."

She looked down at her hands. She'd used her wind powers for backup but they hadn't been enough to counter the emotional manipulation.

"Estelaris… the largest guild. Maybe we'll find what we need there."

She closed her eyes. The cold wind brushed against her face, but her mind felt sharper. A new resolve was beginning to form.

A warm hand touched her shoulder.

When she opened her eyes, she met Haruto's calm gaze.

—You okay? —he asked gently.

—I... I'm not sure... maybe.

Haruto interrupted her with a soft smile.

—We know it was emotional magic. You don't have to carry the weight alone.

Yuna gave him a faint smile.

—Thanks, Haruto.

It was subtle, but the relief on her face was real.

Haruto took a step back and turned to the others.

—We'd better keep moving. Just one floor left before the boss.

—After this, I vote for hot springs… or a beach. Anything but another ice dungeon —he added, adjusting his sword.

—Always thinking about slacking off —Melodia muttered, though she couldn't suppress a smile.

—Obviously! Every good manga needs a hot springs or beach episode —Haruto declared, striking a dramatic pose as if adjusting imaginary glasses.

A moment of silence followed.

—Manga? —Melodia tilted her head, a mix of confusion and mockery in her tone.

—Please don't encourage him —Yuna mumbled without turning, though a small smile curved her lips.

Haruto raised a finger to the sky with flair.

—One day, you'll all understand my greatness! But for now… duty calls.

Yuna resumed walking; her focus locked on the path to the next floor.

—Save the rest plans for later. First, we get out of here.

The group nodded and began their descent to the ninth floor.

The air grew heavier, darker.

The dungeon itself seemed to anticipate their arrival.

But despite the pressure, a spark of optimism still burned bright.

They had come this far.

They were ready for whatever came next.