Floating Islands: SSS Gacha Lord-Chapter 356 - Crystal Cuts Deeper

[Triggering an Advanced Element from Earth...]

[Process failed. Insufficient comprehension.]

Atlas was caught in a dire situation, his breath ragged, when he suddenly felt a powerful surge of Earth energy, racing in from a distance with tremendous speed.

Several sharp shards of crystalized earth came shooting through the air like a storm of knives, pelting the monsters attacking him. Each shard glinted like a jewel, but hit with the force of a blade.

He narrowed his eyes, watching the sudden onslaught unfold.

Within seconds, the three monsters collapsed. Bodies torn apart, impaled, and shredded as though they were nothing more than paper.

Atlas slumped down again, catching his breath, just as Dullorak approached. Yes, with a new form this time. His head now bore a reptilian shape, complete with a crystalline frill.

"Keh keh keh keh... what pathetic little creatures," the voice came out sharp and arrogant.

It was another of Dullorak’s many personalities. Atlas accepted his help as the man pulled him up.

The reptilian head tilted slightly, its voice smug and proud. "My lord, do you see now? How my Lumencryst, the Crystal Earth Light element, tore these foolish beasts to shreds? They didn’t even know they’d died until their guts hit the ground."

"Yes, that was incredible," Atlas said with a small laugh. "I really hope I can use a similar element someday."

With that, they made their way back toward the shelter, where the others were waiting.

Lumencryst?

Atlas heard the name of yet another element, and he could see with his own eyes just how terrifyingly effective it was in real combat.

So even with that reptilian-shaped head, this version of Dullorak had access to the Light element? Interesting.

"Tell me, Dullorak," Atlas said, still catching his breath, "is it possible for me to control Earth with that kind of precision too, even if I’m only using the basic element? Your spell attacks... They were unbelievably sharp and powerful. Just imagine, raining strikes like that across a battlefield... it’d leave holes through every enemy out there."

"Keh keh keh keh..." the reptilian head let out a proud, gravelly chuckle before responding. "What you saw. That was Crystal, the advanced form of Earth. Now, when you blend it with Light, it becomes Lumencryst. This combination gives the attacks not only cutting force, but also speed, control, and the power to disrupt enemy elements." 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

He leaned closer, his tone even more arrogant now.

"These strikes don’t just pierce flesh. They slice through elemental defenses too. Anything trying to resist with magic? Cracked, broken, and shattered. Keh keh keh keh keh!"

Atlas nodded slowly, absorbing the explanation. Crystal... an advanced element of Earth.

And if Crystal could already do that. What kind of power would he unlock if he learned to wield it with Light, just like that?

**

After rejoining the others, Atlas brought up the topic of the Advanced Element he had nearly triggered. Right before it failed, and Dullorak arrived to save him just in time.

In serious moments like these, Dullorak always chose to speak through his Archmage Eldros head.

"My lord, you were very close," he said.

"But as I’ve told you before. Revealing the nature of what lies ahead would rob you of the understanding you were meant to earn. I could guide your hand and bring you to that power with ease... yet doing so would only blunt the blade you are meant to sharpen yourself."

Atlas gave a small nod, understanding the reasoning. "Got it. You want me to figure this out on my own. So I fully grasp the process from start to finish. That way, I won’t just be able to use it. I’ll be able to master it. And later, apply the same to other elements as well."

Dullorak went on to explain further.

The core message was clear: he and Kurogasa were only here to guide Atlas. Just enough to make sure he stayed on the right path. The real breakthroughs had to come from Atlas himself.

By unlocking each ability and affinity through personal struggle and discovery, every step he took would become deeply connected to him. Shaped by his understanding and experience. His mastery would be grounded, not just in knowledge, but in intuition and ownership.

Not that he expected to be spoon-fed. But with mentors like Dullorak and Kurogasa, armed with their unmatched knowledge and precision. Atlas knew he couldn’t ask for anything more.

They continued their discussion, shifting focus to the results of Krythalis’s scouting over the past few days. The core finding was simple: So far, he hadn’t been able to locate the monster they were searching for. Or more precisely, he hadn’t seen them directly.

"There are several zones scattered across this island," the beastkin reported. "In those areas, the concentration of lightning elements is... chaotic and violent. Anyone who approaches is struck down before they can even initiate a proper fight. The energy there is so densely packed... we’ll need someone who can neutralize or suppress that surge if we’re going to get close."

"That should be where the monsters reside," Dullorak responded quietly.

Serenith, standing among them, chimed in with a sparkle in her eyes. "Then let me strike from above! I’ll unleash my biggest explosion. The absolute strongest one I have. I’m sure that’ll bring the monster down in one shot!" she giggled at the thought.

"Lady Sera," Dullorak replied. "I do not doubt the sheer destructive power you can summon. But the elemental concentration in those zones is too extreme. It would suppress much of your explosion’s strength before it even reached the target. And if we fail to kill the monster with that strike... all we will have done is announce our presence, and waste the opportunity."

"Ahh, what a boring answer," she said, pouting with a playful smirk. "You always ruin the fun," she giggled again.

The discussion then shifted toward planning their strategy for attacking the suspected zone.

"I can use my skill to shield us and help neutralize the lightning element," Dullorak offered, "but with my current strength, I won’t be able to contribute much in terms of damage output during the actual fight."

Edrik stepped forward, bowing slightly toward Atlas. "There’s one concern, my lord. If we can’t eliminate the target quickly, we may be forced to use instant teleportation items to escape. We’ll only have a narrow window."

His concern was clear. Would their combined firepower be enough to take down a monster of this level? It wasn’t unreasonable to doubt. The threat they were facing now was far beyond the norm.

"If this proves too risky for us to handle alone, we can retreat for now and call in reinforcements," he added, already considering contingency plans.

Morganna, Raze, and the others could be summoned if more strength was required. Even Tessa could potentially assist using her unique ability. But Atlas suspected that, for a monster of this level, not even Tessa’s system-based abilities would be enough. At least not without a cost too great to bear.

"We’ll give it two more days," Atlas said firmly, making his decision. "Until then, Krythalis will continue gathering more data."

But even as he spoke, a quiet resolve formed within him. If what they truly needed was more raw firepower. Then so be it.

Let’s see...

Would two days be enough for Atlas to forge that change?