Floating Islands: SSS Gacha Lord-Chapter 353 - Lessons in Lightning

Dullorak cast a magic spell, and right after that all the rain and storm around them froze as if time had stopped.

The effect spread and formed a cube-shaped area where the fierce rain and wind no longer passed through them but were pushed aside.

Even though they could have set up a Rank A Ethereal Tent to protect themselves, that would only waste time. So now they had a better space to discuss what they planned to do next.

Edrik prepared a small resting spot with sturdy camping chairs and a place to sit, while Dullorak began explaining what Atlas would be learning here with this challenge.

Dullorak stood before the others as he started his explanation.

"By nature Lightning is weak against the Earth element," he said as he explained the details. "Because this element can disrupt and ground the energy. That means if someone has strong mastery over Earth, it becomes the easiest way to handle the monsters we will face here. Especially since the monsters in this place are mostly above level two hundred. And the higher grades will be a real challenge if we cannot counter Lightning properly."

"Earth? Okay," Atlas repeated.

"Earth is the best, although we can also use other options. For example, Water can help because it spreads electricity and forces it to dissipate over a wide area, weakens single target lightning, and turns lightning speed into a drawback."

"We can also use Ice," he continued. "Ice does not naturally resist lightning, but it can slow the lightning user, force more predictable movement, and freeze the ground to limit lightning dash paths."

"We can even fight with the same element. Lightning against Lightning will cancel, clash, or override each other depending on mastery."

Next, Dullorak explained in more detail the strengths and weaknesses of each element, showing clearly that as someone who held mastery over many elements, or... more precisely many heads with their own mastery, he understood all of these concepts deeply and could explain them to Atlas with ease.

The next part of the lesson came when Dullorak asked the others to demonstrate how, even without the most effective counter element, they could still fight elemental monsters well as long as they truly understood their own strengths and the best fighting techniques they had.

Until, a few minutes later, Kurogasa returned to them just as something cut through the raging storm outside, crashing through the trees and appearing near their area.

Atlas quickly stood up when he saw something that looked like a large cat, with black fur glowing red, and strong lightning surging and bursting from its body. Combined with the violent storm outside, anyone hit by this creature’s attacks would be shocked badly and might lose their life with ease.

Edrik then spoke quietly. "This is a Thunderclaw Panther. This monster has high speed and a heavy burst of lightning. It is extremely dangerous in storms that boost its power."

At that moment Kurogasa, who had already joined them again, looked at Atlas and gave a small bow toward him. "Allow me to demonstrate the technique to handle this monster, my lord," he said.

Atlas swallowed hard and agreed.

This was seriously a monster with at least level two hundred fifteen. In its own habitat like this, strengthened by thick elemental energy around it, its attacks would multiply in force and become extremely fatal. And this was only one of them.

The monster roared loudly, moved at high speed, and slammed against the barrier. But only a strong vibration shook the air as the creature failed to break through it.

Atlas focused all his attention as Kurogasa darted out of the barrier and leaped into the air with perfect precision even though the storm and lightning filled the whole area.

The monster roared loudly, and the lightning spread in every direction from its roar.

The creature made a light jump, yet it moved at great speed, dashing off a tree and striking toward Kurogasa who floated in the air. But Kurogasa vanished.

Then something happened that normal eyes would have trouble believing.

The monster sped around, leaping, striking, and lunging through the area while Kurogasa’s shadow seemed to appear again and again, always attacked yet never hit even once.

Until several shadow chains shot up from the ground and locked the monster midair, stopping its movement in an instant. Then the creature was slammed down to the ground.

Kurogasa appeared from several directions at once and moved his hands quickly as the shadow chains kept binding the monster that could no longer move. It roared again and again as bursts of lightning exploded wildly from its body. One strike of that lightning whip would surely be painful beyond belief. This was a level two hundred fifteen monster.

The creature then seemed to charge its power when a large explosion erupted, and lightning flared out, consuming the shadow chains as blast after blast struck outward. The monster looked as if it was trying to unleash everything it had to break free.

Atlas swallowed hard as he saw how massive the damage from the monster truly was.

Until the explosions slowly faded, and Kurogasa stood on one foot suddenly on top of the creature whose body had gone limp and no longer moved.

Atlas remained silent as Dullorak then explained, "Kurogasa used the shadows to void most of the damage. Shadow is an excellent counter to Lightning, not in a simple rock paper scissors way. Shadow does not resist lightning, it breaks the rules of lightning. It disrupts the elemental flow, hides movement, bends timing, and creates blind spots that lightning cannot lock onto." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

"When the monster reached the tiny moment where its element stopped channeling right after releasing a major skill, Kurogasa cut into that opening with full precision and subdued it without taking any hit in return."

"What if he fights several of them at once?" Atlas asked.

At that moment Edrik, who stood near them, cleared his throat and gave a small bow toward Atlas. "Let me handle four of them, my lord."

"That is a level two hundred fifteen monster, are you sure? I still need you in Gacha Haven, Edrik, so do not push yourself just to show off."

"Yes, and let me do it with twenty monsters later, my lord." Serenith then threw her words in as well. "I will burn all my stamina and use full force of the fire element. I will crash that storm dry and see which one is stronger, lightning or fire, hehe," she said without any guilt.

Dullorak responded briefly, "Lightning is mostly a composite of fire and air, so naturally lightning tends to be stronger. It carries both heat and speed, and that mix gives it a sharper edge in direct clashes. But if we talk about mastery, then the element topic can be skipped completely. Mastery changes everything."

Dullorak explained everything with great detail, yet Atlas truly wanted to see how Edrik would handle four of the same monsters at the same time.

Because a few minutes later those monsters really appeared and moved toward them.

"Now, they are yours, Edrik," Atlas said with a faint smile, truly wanting to see how Edrik would utilize his Ancient Element in this battle.