The Failing Connection

Data's fingers flew across the keyboard as he struggled to reestablish communication with the adventurers trapped on Floor 20. The signal was weak, unstable—current connection: 25%.

"Damn it," he muttered, his brows furrowing as he typed furiously. Red warning messages flickered on his screen: SIGNAL INTERRUPTED. CONNECTION LOST. ERROR 503. The flickering glow of the monitors reflected in his glasses, his heartbeat drumming in his ears.

"I can't reach past the other floors either. The signal is barely passing through… What the hell is causing this?"

He attempted to contact adventurers on different floors, but the interference was overwhelming, distorting every transmission into static-filled noise. It was like trying to send a signal through a storm.

Then, Techno's voice crackled through the comms, barely audible. "Data! The Dungeon Gate is still surrounded by that Electric Surge Field! That's why the signal is so slow!"

Data clenched his fists, his jaw tightening. "So that's it… If this keeps up, we'll lose all access to the lower floors. Current connection: 30%..."

He exhaled sharply. "I have to focus on stabilizing at least Floor 20. If I can do that, I might be able to extract them before it's too late."

The Elemental Mirror General's Trick

Back in the dungeon, Ford's party was locked in battle against the Elemental Mirror General. Its polished surface shimmered ominously, shifting like liquid metal as it studied its opponents. The air crackled with arcane energy.

Then, without warning, its form twisted, morphing into a mage-like figure. Its voice rang out, cold and mechanical.

"Burning Will."

A massive surge of flames ignited, swirling into a raging inferno that hurtled toward Jazz.

Ford's eyes widened. "Prius! Now!"

Prius didn't hesitate. "Buff Exchange: Will!"

A golden wave pulsed outward, engulfing the party. In an instant, Ford's life force converted into fatigue, his health draining rapidly. His vision blurred, his limbs trembling from the sudden exhaustion.

"Now heal me!" Ford commanded through gritted teeth.

Prius swiftly cast a healing spell, golden light washing over Ford and reversing the effect, restoring his vitality. Without wasting a second, Ford activated another skill. "Defense Switch!"

In a flash, Jazz and Ford swapped positions. The moment the spell took effect, the flames that had been racing toward Jazz collided with Ford's shield instead. The impact sent a fiery shockwave rippling outward, but Ford stood firm, his arms bracing against the force. The heat licked at his skin, but his armor held.

Jazz gasped for breath. "That was way too close."

Without hesitation, she pulled out a fatigue potion and downed it in one gulp. A cool energy rushed through her, revitalizing her exhausted body.

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The Warchief's Presence

While Ford's party battled the Mirror General, Hanzo and the others turned their focus toward a different, looming threat—the Chieftain Warchief.

Hanzo rolled his shoulders, his sharp eyes locked onto the towering beast. Its sheer size alone was intimidating, but its aura was suffocating.

"This thing won't wait for us to finish our fight. We need to hold it back," Hanzo said, his tone edged with urgency.

Patty, despite his injury, clenched his teeth. "We don't have much of a choice. Let's stall it as long as we can."

From his perch above the battlefield, Raven watched with cold amusement. A smirk played on his lips as he idly tapped his fingers against the stone he sat on.

"If any of you try to run or pull a stunt like that mage," his voice cut through the chaos like a blade, "I will slice your remaining body into pieces."

A suffocating silence fell over the battlefield. The adventurers had no choice but to fight.

Then—

BOOM. BOOM. BOOM.

The ground trembled as the Warchief charged forward, its four massive feet pounding the earth like war drums. Shockwaves rippled outward. The air vibrated with its sheer force, and Hanzo felt the tremors crawl up his legs.

"Incoming!" he shouted.

The Priest reacted instantly, raising his staff. A golden glow enveloped the party.

**Guardian Spell—**a powerful defensive enchantment that could negate one attack for 30 seconds. However, casting it drained nearly half of the Priest's stamina.

The Knight stepped forward, slamming his shield into the ground. "Over here, monster!" Activating Taunt, he locked the Warchief's attention onto himself while reinforcing his defenses.

The beast let out a guttural roar and slammed into the first Knight with terrifying force.

CRACK!

The impact sent the armored warrior skidding across the battlefield, his health bar dropping to nearly half.

Without hesitation, the Warchief activated Undying Strength. Its HP slowly converted into raw damage until it reached 50%. Veins bulged beneath its thick hide, glowing with unnatural energy.

Then, with deadly precision, the Warchief charged at the second Knight, both axes raised high.

SLASH!

A devastating double strike tore through his armor. **His HP dropped to 1—**the only reason he survived was the Guardian Spell absorbing the killing blow.

Hanzo gritted his teeth. "We can't hold this thing for long!"

With a sharp breath, he formed a series of hand signs. Frost gathered at his fingertips. "Ice Shuriken!"

A spinning blade of ice shot toward the Warchief, exploding into a thick layer of frost.

For normal monsters, this spell would freeze them for five seconds. Against a floor boss, it lasted only two.

Hanzo barely had time to exhale before—

"ARRRGH!"

The Warchief let out a furious roar, its sheer brute strength shattering the ice instantly.

Hanzo's heart pounded. "You've gotta be kidding me..."

The Mirror General's Final Trick

Prius quickly buffed Ford with Elemental Fire. Flames surged around Ford's weapon as he activated his next move.

"Berserk!" Ford roared, his muscles swelling with raw power.

Spinning his sword at high speed, he launched himself at the Mirror General. "Whirlwind Slice!"

Like a fiery tornado, Ford slashed through the Mirror General's form, sending shards of reflective energy scattering through the air. The boss screeched, its surface cracking under the assault.

Then, just as it seemed about to fall, the Mirror General's body pulsed with ominous energy.

"Double Mirror—Switch!"

A blinding light engulfed the chamber.

Suddenly—the Chieftain Warchief vanished from its spot—only to reappear in the Mirror General's place.

At the same time, a second Warchief emerged from the shadows. The Mirror General had fully transformed into another Warchief.

Ford and Hanzo exchanged stunned glances.

"…This is bad."

Data's current connection: 50%.