Captain Shell.

Every movement was restricted by the sand around us.

We had no idea what patch of sand may hold a crab just ready to tunnel up and attack, so every step was filled with caution. The beach brought back memories of the past. While we were quite far from the sea in the Capital. I still remembered my adventures all along the coastline, looking for information. The difference in culture was genuinely astounding. A single bit of ocean could bridge two entirely different people. It was one of the greatest lessons I learned in my time.

I hoped my language skills wouldn't become too rusty with time. I had spent decades learning every language of major countries I came across, all with the hope of learning how to heal a cripple.

It was indeed a shame I didn't have water or light affinity. Even with the minor affinity I had, my knowledge of the body would allow me to become a very competent healer.

Of course, fire and earth could come in handy in other ways. Still, they simply weren't worth weakening my core with the lesser elemental abilities with a clear limit.

Instead of the path that pure neutral magic might be able to take me. It was indeed a significant risk, but one I was more than willing to take.

It was never too late to switch back to utilizing the minor affinities I had.

At that point, I would have to accept my fate and focus on improving others' strengths. For now, the simple Crabs and Turtleloids were practice enough.

The first ambush was very nearly a huge success. A crab that was only slightly smaller than the seventh-floor Boss targeted Yerin, surprisingly enough.

I think we all figured I would be the prime target for the creatures of the Dungeon. I was the only one not wearing a single piece of shiny armor that the others were sporting. I guess we underestimated their intuition as mindless dungeon beasts.

Its giant pincer emerged from the sand with a snap. It struck forward towards the backline, where Yerin was stationed. Not only did it choose the weakest member of the troop, but it also let everyone else past before striking out at Yerin.

It was quite a shock. Nevertheless, We had all made our preparations for such an ambush. Mine striking first.

Half of the mana bolts I had gathered around me went shooting off to attack the Crab before it could deal any real damage.

The bolts ripped through the Crabs claws with ease, having far less armor than the Elder Crab, and even he couldn't handle the same attacks.

With a cry, it tried to return to the ground. Yerin had managed to react by that point. So before it could return to the safety of the sand. He managed to stab through the front of the crustacean.

Unfortunately for the rest of us, that single snap seemed to be the call to action for the rest of the creatures who were lying in wait around the dungeon floor hidden from sight.

Like that, we were suddenly under assault by three more crabs, with two Turtles coming up from the water simultaneously, striking with great force.

I managed to deal with two of the Crabs as soon as they came up. Splitting the bolts I had leftover, I sent them straight into the abdomen of the beasts. Causing them to crash lifelessly to the ground, their targets Leader and Striker were none the worse for wear as they prepared to take on the Turtles.

They had unfurled on the floor after the sisters had managed to deflect their attacks.

The Turtles on this floor had grown a little. They had followed in the footsteps of their commander, the Boss of the floor. Each one was equipped with one of a few weapons.

Of the two that had decided to attack us, One sported a double-bladed ax, while the other had a simple Hammer. Either would be able to do quite a bit of damage if we allowed it to strike a clean blow.

That was nobody's intention. Both sisters reacted immediately to strike down the Turtles, which left Scout dealing with the other Crab with great skill. Dismantling the creature before it had any chance to retaliate.

I was curious about who trained the Silver Bees. The brother had a wildly different skill set than the sisters, but he was no less competent.

He was indeed the most valuable member of the squad. With the sisters alone, I could see the team performing above average. However, with someone of Scout's skill level, with sufficient growth, it was no wonder that they managed to rise through the Dungeon. He was worth twice anyone else on this delve thus far.

His combat abilities also weren't lacking compared to an average person who focused on reconnaissance skills. Typically they would only be tagging along, looking for danger and treasure on the deeper floors, but this man was no glass cannon.

He had taken quite a few hits over the last few floors, along with everyone else in the team.

Except for me, of course.

The sisters were having difficulties dealing with the armed Turtles. Their weakness was mitigated by the weapons they could now wield for both offense and defense.

It wasn't until Scout finished with the Crab and he began assisting the other two that the tables truly started to turn. When Yerin joined the fray as well, it was a foregone conclusion. The Turtles soon fell to the combined assault of the Silver Bees.

The rest of the floor was a similar slog, just with different makeups of the enemy. There were long moments of peace before another creature decided to attack Yerin once again. They never changed their target, even as it proved a deadly mistake each time they decided to move from their hiding holes.

Our efficiency continued to rise as we broke through ambush after ambush. It was almost a surprise when we got to the end of the cave. The structure looming over us broke us out of the rhythm of the attacks.

The cave system came to an end. With it, the first connection view of Floors in the Dungeon. The first time seeing another floor of the Dungeon in the distance was something to behold.

A giant lighthouse lit up the sky in the distance, the stormy waves breaking against the large rock outcropping below the tower.

The cave opened up to the beach along the stormy sea.

The only thing blocking the way out of the cave was a simple cabin.

A cabin that wouldn't look out of place in the outer rings of the Capital. It was the home of the Boss of the eighth floor. The first creature that would have near-total physical resistance.

Captain Shell, the leader of this little band of Turteloids.

A boss that had killed more people than anything else in the first ten floors of the Dungeon.

I was surprised that the Silver Bees were so confident about taking him down, with the sole source being a random mage that they had dragged along. I knew I could beat him by myself if I had to, but there was no way for the Silver Bees to know that.

We approached the cabin cautiously. Leader had been speaking of the danger we were about to face constantly since we came in sight of the cabin.

"So that's where the fucker lives."

I was surprised to hear the vitriol in Yerins voice. Obviously, his father had left him with a few horror stories about the invincible Captain Shell

We all knew that there would be no ambushes when in sight of the Boss of the floor. That rule held through for every floor until the forty-third. So we had time to regroup and recover before taking on the Boss.

"Is everybody ready? There is a real threat from this Boss. This will be the most dangerous and the last encounter we will have today. I hope to see everyone come out alive. Mage, we are placing our trust in you to deal with the major damage. Do not let us down."

"Of course, I won't leader, but if we succeed without any casualties, I hope for us all to make proper introductions. After all, it never hurts having more friends."

The two sisters looked at each other with that, once again seeming to decide without talking. Making the decision without consulting Scout.

It was interesting how their family dynamic worked. I had no idea if Scout was happy with that setup. Still, looking at him, he seems undisturbed and just continued to stare at the cabin, no emotions being seen in his still form.

"Very well, we can agree to that. First, let's make it through this Boss."

With a nod from the group, we strode forward to take on the Captain.

As we got within earshot, the door slammed open, and a massive shape ducked out through the opening. Captain Shell was nearly twice as big as any of the other Turtleloids we had come across so far. The prime example of the giant Turtles that would become so commonplace on the ninth and tenth floor.

None of them would have the same strength or defense as the Captain, however. They also wouldn't share his penchant for weaponry. The giant anchor tore through the wooden cabin behind him as he strode out.

With a single roar, his massive form began to charge towards us.

Yerin once again proved his bravery by stepping to the front. Shield in hand, ready to take the first strike.

The battle had begun.