Whenever the stone statue tried to pull out its fist, the ground shook.

Sliding down the sand dune, I glanced at the monster’s arm. It looked like a giant bridge sticking vertically out of the ground. Lizardmen, caught in the shockwave, scattered around.

“Crack!”

I swung my arm without even looking.

Thud! A lizardman with an elbow to his face tumbled away. I immediately stabbed my sword into his torso.

Squelch. Edis’s voice rang in my ears.

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

“Can you handle the waves?”

It was similar to the 20th floor.

Endless waves of enemies. There was a limited amount of time we could hold out.

We had to find a way within that time.

Kugugung.

Leaving a crater behind, the stone statue’s fist began to rise in the air.

‘Is the attack pattern always going to be this simple?’

Shifting its weight by moving its feet, and hammering its fist down.

So far, there have been only two actions. The range was enormous, and the lizardmen were constantly interfering, but the chances of getting hit all at once were low. I carefully examined the surface of the rising stone statue.

‘It’s made of solid rock. The surface is flat. There aren’t many places to grab onto, other than that I don’t see anything worth noting.’

I looked back.

Priasis and the remaining two members were standing firm.

“We’ll move too.”

We immediately moved away.

As we climbed the hill, I saw another party engaged in combat with the lizardmen. They were shoulder to shoulder, constantly repelling the incoming enemies.

“What are we going to do?”

“It’s either go in or climb up.”

“…What?”

“Look over there.”

I pointed to the other side of the hill.

Eloka’s gaze followed my finger. Her eyes widened in surprise.

“The flames are narrowing. We can’t hold out much longer. This place will soon turn into a sea of fire.”

“There’s only one place to escape.”

“That’s right.”

“But how do we climb up? It doesn’t look easy.”

I looked at the stone statue.

Endless in size and height. The fist had risen to several hundred meters by now.

“We have to find the right angle.”

“Angle?”

“For now, we need to get away from it.”

Kiaaak.

Lizardmen who had broken through the defensive line in the distance were charging towards us.

I glanced at them and then turned. I ran towards the opposite side of the field.

“This is Party 1. I have a question. Is there a statue or something like a goddess nearby?”

“Forget about that. Focus on the front.”

It was Kishasha’s communication.

I looked to the west of the field.

All three parties were engaged in a fierce battle with dozens of lizardmen. Their claws flashed, and with each swing of their legs, lizardmen’s limbs and torsos were torn apart and flew through the air.

I concentrated my vision.

Lizardmen’s corpses were piled up like small mountains next to it.

Good.

The stone statue was moving from behind.

“From now on, run west into the desert. Run!”

I put all my strength into my steps.

My ankles sank into the sand, slowing me down. Still, I had to time it somehow.

Jenna, running alongside me, spoke.

“Oppa, what are you planning? Wouldn’t it be better to be near that monster if you want to avoid an attack? It might be easier to escape if we’re close!”

“Just running away won’t end it.”

“What? But…”

“Neryssa, take care of the kid.”

“Understood.”

Neryssa caught up with the lagging Priasis and increased her speed.

Velkist lowered his upper body and sprang forward.

Lizardmen were attacking from the right. Velkist, who had drawn his sword quickly, cut down two lizardmen like sheaves of wheat. I glanced behind me and shouted.

“Kid, take out the key.”

Priasis took out a dagger from her pocket.

It didn’t shine. It was flashy, but it was still just an ordinary dagger.

“That’s enough. hide it for now.”

The first step was complete.

Special items used for Pick Me Up missions are usually surrounded by light. The fact that the key didn’t react at all meant,

‘The key can’t be used yet.’

It was time to check the second item.

“Kishasha, it’s Han.”

The lizardman’s scream faintly reached me.

“Sorry, but I have a request. Would you mind putting your hand on that goddess statue?”

A moment later, her voice continued.

“Got it. You guys get away from there. I’m bringing the statue with me.”

“I’m not sure.”

“Alright, we’ll follow you!”

I chuckled and ended the communication.

Kishasha’s group, who had single-handedly slaughtered the lizardmen, was getting further away.

“Oppa, the monster is coming from behind!”

“I know.”

The ground shook heavily.

It was the aftermath of the monster taking a step after a step.

Swoosh.

The field was narrowing due to the flames.

Lizardmen kept appearing from nowhere and continued to swarm.

[Monster Wave!]

[Round 9.]

[Lizardman Lv.23] X 57

[Lizardman Rider Lv. 25] X 13

[Lizardman Shaman Lv. 26] X 6

“Fold the defense. Join me where I am.”

I turned my head to the side.

An arrow barely grazed my cheek.

Splat! Jenna shot. A lizardman with a pierced head fell flat.

“‘Annan (★★★)’ is in a bleeding state. Health decreases at regular intervals.”

“‘Gilbert (★★★)’ has returned to the goddess’s embrace! His valor will be remembered forever.”

‘They already reached their limit.’