Floating Islands: SSS Gacha System - Chapter 364

Chapter 364: Chapter 364 – Lightning from the Empress’s Head
The hunt continued, just as planned, because Atlas still had another half month available before needing to follow the next agenda while Luna and the others carried out their mission to level up everyone in their forces.

So they could wait… and even after three more days passed, Krythalis still could not locate where their next target might be hiding.

Should they start searching for a new floating island instead? That might be better than staying here without any clear answer. They might be wasting their time… or maybe not.

In truth, every single day Atlas and the others kept trying to hunt down any monster on this island. Their high levels also helped Atlas level up faster, making it a win-win situation in a way.

Although, for the current Lord Battle Event, Atlas was not in a rush to build the Storm Generator. Since he was not participating in the defense category.

But… no. There was still hope. They would follow the plan for the next four days, if possible.

During this time, Atlas also continued training to perfect his new ultimate ability, the one he knew could deliver incredible destructive damage to an enemy… but also inflicted brutal damage on himself.

He sat with Dullorak at that moment, listening to his explanations and any possible solutions they could use to handle this problem.

“Terra Pulse Annihilation,” Dullorak began, “should actually have a higher grade, my lord. But this is normal, because you triggered the skill’s activation in your own way. You can continue training to refine the technique, and maybe even evolve it into a Unique-grade ability. That would make it truly incredible.”

Atlas listened quietly as the man explained.

“As for handling the drawback of this skill… Maybe we can craft stronger gloves to reduce the harm your arms take when you use it.”

“Baldric can help with that,” Atlas said.

“However, that would create another problem, because you would become dependent on a single pair of gloves that might not always be effective. But you can also train your Stonehide skill and focus it on your arms alone.”

Dullorak continued explaining that Atlas could train another skill to balance out the drawback of Terra Pulse Annihilation. So for now he needed to find a way to reduce its negative effects. Either strengthen Stonehide, or discover an entirely new skill later on.

Having his arms torn apart every time he used the skill was definitely not a good plan.

“It is very normal, especially since you did not unlock this skill from a specific class. The skill is incomplete. But you have done a very perfect job opening this path. I am certain you can evolve it into something far more powerful with your Magnetic Earth.”

Atlas continued his daily training to fill the waiting time.

There was one thing he could now do much better, and it was because he had formed a deep connection with his spear. Since he had poured so much mana into it during battle, he could now control the spear itself.

Atlas could guide the spear from a distance and use it to strike enemies.

He could throw the spear while combining it with the Bedrock Smash skill, then call it back using Magnetic Earth. It was an incredible upgrade.

In addition, because Atlas now had access to Magnetic Step, he could fight much more freely in the air.

He could combine all his mobility skills and his items to move far more easily, making him much more dangerous in battle.

Magnetic Earth did not only unlock a new type of element for him, but also enhanced everything he already had with his Water and Lightning abilities.

The seventh day of the deadline Atlas had set for himself arrived.

There was still no progress from Krythalis. He had not found any sign of where the next field boss might be hiding. Things were becoming truly urgent. They still needed two more cores, yet at this rate they would not have enough time to finish the mission.

“Should we retreat for now?” he said, then turned to Edrik. “What about another island option?”

Edrik bowed slightly. “My lord, based on the scouting reports, visiting another island is not possible. Other lords are present there, and that would interfere with our plans because of the risk of confrontation.”

Atlas nodded slowly, thinking hard again. He knew the risk would be severe and heavy. Was he pushing himself too far, or was this still within a reasonable reach?

“How many percent chance do we have to win if we go with plan B?”

Edrik bowed again. “My lord, as long as we have a good escape mechanism, we can always attempt that plan. If the situation becomes uncontrollable, we can withdraw immediately and resume the hunt another time.”

“Got it.”

Atlas finally made his decision!

**

They were waiting at the edge of the island when something approached from a distance. It was Luna’s silver carriage, gliding toward them.

When the carriage came close enough, its door opened, and the group jumped out together, descending toward the island while Dullorak helped them float gently as they landed.

Luna, Ember, Tessa, and Elyndra were the ones who had come this time.

The actual reason Atlas had asked Elyndra to join the expedition led by Luna and the others was because her healing ability would be extremely useful in supporting the thousands of people they were handling.

They needed strong and fast support for a force that large, so Elyndra was the ideal choice. But since Luna said she did not mind making a short trip here, she had brought Elyndra along.

“The hunting is going well, even a little better than planned,” Luna said.

“That is truly wonderful to hear.”

“It is because Tessa has been handling coordination and managing everything smoothly.”

Tessa gave a small smile in response. “I only did my part.”

After their brief conversation, they walked deeper into the island and began discussing in detail what they would do next.

After Atlas explained the plan briefly to Luna and the others, the first one to react was Ember.

“That is seriously insane,” she said. “You want to lure the monsters into one spot, with the possibility that high-level monsters in large numbers might come straight at you? Atlas, you are completely crazy.”

“We have calculated everything. As long as we can deal with each monster quickly, and also finish the field boss fast, then we can handle it. As long as we have an escape mechanism.”

“But still!” Ember fired back.

Tessa responded next. “I can help neutralize their lightning element.”

“No,” Atlas replied. “Their levels average above two hundred. I think you would pay too heavy a price for doing that.”

Tessa nodded quietly, because Atlas understood the risk clearly.

So the reason Atlas invited Luna this time was simply because he needed her ability to boost him and some of his people through her system abilities.

And since Elyndra was here as well, she could help ensure they carried out this plan safely.

“Rank-A Item, Party Recall Crystal,” Atlas continued. “With this item, we can escape easily if the situation becomes uncontrollable. It only works for me and my subordinates, Luna. So you can leave once we begin the plan. ”

“That is still crazy!” Ember insisted again.

**

A few hours later they had reached the location. It was an open field positioned higher than the surrounding land. Four massive earth stones stood firmly around the small area.

The concept was simple. Dullorak would use his ability to channel the exact element they needed to lure their targets.

It worked like a resonance. When the elemental concentration aligned with the monsters connected to it, those monsters would sense it and come.

The hope was that high-level monsters would appear. Even though strong monsters were not always the field bosses they wanted, this method would still help draw out the monster they needed.

Once all preparations were finished, Luna applied her ability to Atlas. And once again, he stood within the Demonic Reaper form.

Luna also applied her ability to Serenith and Krythalis, the two with the highest damage output for this mission.

Afterward Luna summoned her silver carriage once again, and she, Ember, and Tessa boarded it. The carriage had a special ability that allowed it to resist elemental environments, so they could safely leave the island using it.

“Bye Atlas… I will be waiting for good news from you,” Ember said, waving her hand.

The silver carriage then lifted and departed from the area.

Atlas took a slow breath, then summoned his spear and faced the others. “Ready?”

They all responded in their own ways.

Atlas nodded and turned toward Dullorak. “Let’s do it,” he said.

Dullorak was now using the woman’s head again. An Empress Zethra. A woman with a firm expression and a golden circlet across her brow. This head possessed Lightning Affinity far stronger than any lightning attack Atlas could produce.

Dullorak smiled widely with that overly eager expression. A face far too excited.

“Let us prepare a grand feast tonight,” he… or she… declared in a booming, ringing voice. Then the body shot into the air with incredible speed.

“Ha ha ha ha!” Dullorak laughed with manic joy, followed by repeated lightning strikes crashing down from the sky.

Atlas tightened his grip on his spear. He had no reason to hesitate when all his elite subordinates were telling him they were ready to go!