Chapter 408 - 340: Hydra

Chapter 408: Chapter 340: Hydra

"The Elite Expedition Squad isn’t that stupid, of course. No matter how eager for quick results they are, they’re not going to rush to their deaths."

Seeing Zelir’s doubtful expression, Adrian waved his hand.

"A fully grown Nine-headed Dragon Snake is one of the strongest, even among all Demons with a [Cruelty] rating."

"Eight different types of attacks that coordinate with each other, and a regenerative head capable of healing the others."

"Forget about Middle Level Professionals. Even Upper Level Professionals would have a real headache dealing with it..."

"What’s more, they say the Nine-headed Dragon Snake has the potential to evolve even further."

"After eons of development, once the concentration of its bloodline reaches a certain threshold, it can undergo a cataclysmic transformation!"

"At that time, the Nine-headed Dragon Snake will leapfrog from the [Cruelty] rating, possibly skipping the [Bloody] rating entirely, and become a [Catastrophe]-rated..."

Adrian spoke slowly, his tone grave.

"Hydra!"

The moment he spoke the name, the squad members fell silent.

Even the other Adventurers nearby, who had been secretly listening in, wore expressions of reverence.

[Simple], [Difficulty], [Challenge], [Cruelty], [Bloody], [Catastrophe], [Nightmare]!

The evolved form of the Nine-headed Dragon Snake was a Hydra, with a [Catastrophe] rating!

’That’s just one step away from the legendary apex, [Nightmare], isn’t it?’

’A Hydra... even stronger than the Master of the Shadow Forest Sea, the evolved form of the Abyssal Evil Vine!’

’Thinking of it that way, doesn’t an expedition squad composed of Middle Level Professionals seem even more ridiculous...?’

’They don’t stand a chance, no matter how you look at it, do they?’

"But!"

Adrian’s voice rose as he abruptly changed the subject.

"We have confirmation from other Adventurers who scouted the area. The Nine-headed Dragon Snake guarding the entrance to the third level is a juvenile!"

"A juvenile?" Valles exclaimed from the side.

"Yes, or rather, an individual that hasn’t fully matured!"

Adrian explained.

"Creatures like the Nine-headed Dragon Snake have boundless potential, but they also require a very long time to mature."

"A few years at the shortest, several decades at the longest. They must undergo repeated cycles of hibernation and molting to reach their ultimate form."

"Its ultimate form..." Marcus mused.

’No wonder they’re recruiting Middle Level Professionals to fight a Nine-headed Dragon Snake. So it’s just a juvenile.’

"So, we’re very Lucky."

Adrian continued.

"The Nine-headed Dragon Snake we’re facing has, at most, three heads that have developed a Special Ability. The rest are just ordinary heads that can only bite and ram."

"I see," Zelir said, nodding slightly.

’Only three heads with a Special Ability, and it’s a juvenile Nine-headed Dragon Snake. Its physical strength must not be fully developed yet.’

’In that case, Middle Level Professionals really do have a fighting chance.’

"Of course, we can’t get too optimistic..."

Adrian poured himself a mug of ale and gulped it down.

"Even a juvenile Nine-headed Dragon Snake is a huge pain to deal with... That’s why the Middle Level Professionals who join the expedition have to be carefully screened."

"Besides me, the Elite Expedition Squad has recruited a combat-oriented Middle Level Mage and a Middle Level Mage from the Empowerment Magic System."

"I came to you thinking that, even though you’re a Junior Mage and can’t take on a primary combat role..."

"...the combat experience you’d gain from a battle of this Level would be invaluable... and you’d get a cut of the reward, too."

"So..."

As he spoke, Adrian suddenly trailed off.

’Wait a second...’

’What’s this Magic Wave coming from Zelir...?’

He stared at Zelir with wide eyes, as if he were seeing something impossible.

After a long moment, Adrian finally spoke, his voice filled with disbelief.

"Zelir... you?"

"You advanced to Middle Level Mage?"

Adrian’s words made Redia look over as well.

’A Middle Level Mage?’

’If I remember correctly, the last time we met in the Central Courtyard Garden of the first-level ruins, Zelir was still a Junior Mage, wasn’t he?’

’As an Advanced Middle Level Warrior, I had completely outclassed him.’

’It’s only been a few days, and Zelir is already Middle Level?’

"Yes, I had a breakthrough a few days ago," Zelir admitted calmly with a slight nod.

"How is that possible..."

Adrian still couldn’t quite believe it.

He placed his palm on Zelir’s shoulder and felt for a moment, finally forced to accept the reality.

The Magic Wave emanating from Zelir was now more subtle and stable than before.

But beneath that calm surface, a vast Power lay dormant.

’He really is a Middle Level Mage!’

’But... how could that be possible?’

Adrian felt his entire worldview had been shattered.

’Doesn’t it take years of Meditation for a Mage to advance?’

’But Zelir is exploring the ruins. How much time could he possibly have for Meditation?’

’How in the world did he manage it?’

"You’ve really opened my eyes..."

Adrian shook his head, his tone complex.

He even felt as if a future legend was standing right before him.

"I thought you were a genius on par with Kane Rodri, Zelir, but now... it looks like you’re even better than him!"

"A sixteen-year-old Middle Level Mage! Good heavens, it’s unbelievable!"

"If I remember correctly, Kane Rodri was eighteen when he became a Middle Level Mage!"

"Your rate of progress is terrifyingly fast..."