Floating Islands: SSS Gacha Lord-Chapter 358 - Terramagnetic Burstfield

The storm on this island was absolutely insane. So relentless that Dullorak hadn’t lowered the protection barrier for even a second, just so they could stay outside the tent without being hammered by the endless downpour, howling tornadoes, and constant strikes of lightning.

Because of this, he always made time to send out his multiple heads to hunt monsters. He insisted it was necessary to keep an eye on his Animus levels, which risked being drained completely if he kept using that skill over long periods.

But now, a new day had dawned, and they were ready to move on from their current position. Krythalis had managed to map the island more thoroughly, and now they had a clearer idea of the path they’d take. This came with the very real chance of running into hordes of monsters along the way.

Even worse. They were deliberately avoiding the weaker monster hordes, despite the fact they were actually on this journey to hunt stronger ones.

Once the entire team was ready again, they fell into formation. Everburn took the lead at the very front. His versatility made him the best choice to act as a temporary tank. Dullorak stayed near the front too, tasked with keeping the group "dry" as they crossed the storm-ridden terrain of the island.

Kurogasa moved to the rear alongside Serenith, while Atlas stayed in the middle with Edrik and Krythalis.

Honestly, if you looked at their setup through the lens of a typical expedition, the roles within Atlas’s team were anything but ideal.

Like... they didn’t even have a proper tank. Sure, Everburn and Dullorak were both versatile with their abilities, but Dullorak’s primary role was Mage. And Everburn, no one even knew what his main role was anymore. He was only considered versatile because he could restructure his bones, making him capable of absorbing heavy hits, launching at high speeds, flying, and casting offensive magic from above.

On top of that, they had two Assassins. Why two? Usually, expeditions only needed one Assassin at most, typically for scouting.

Then there were two aerial fighters as well. And of course, Atlas himself—arguably the most unpredictable member of them all. He wielded a spear, yet could also unleash massive area spells with devastating, massacre-level destruction.

**

Everyone in the expedition halted their steps all at once. Atlas too, doing it instinctively as his detection skills flared all at once. Dozens of monsters were approaching from all directions. And this, this might be the largest number they’d faced so far under the harsh conditions of this island.

"I didn’t expect them to be this sensitive," Krythalis muttered shortly after. "They shouldn’t have been able to get this close. But something unfamiliar seems to have sharpened their senses. It’s drawing them toward us."

Right now, they were standing under a torrential, raging storm. Even normal vision couldn’t penetrate the sheets of water crashing down on them. Though technically it was rain, it felt more like being submerged in a flooding river pouring from the sky, drowning everything in sight. On top of that, the massive winds kept pulling at their bodies like invisible hands trying to rip them off the ground, while bolts of lightning lashed out unpredictably from all directions.

So yeah... Imagine the most brutal environment possible in the lower lands, then multiply it. That’s what they were dealing with now.

"There are 43 monsters," Kurogasa said sharply.

Atlas gave a slow nod. They would stick to the plan: split up, eliminate the monsters quickly, and avoid triggering any large-scale explosions that could lure in even more.

It wasn’t like Atlas needed to say it out loud. He just ran the strategy through his mind again, though he knew the veteran lords standing with him had already memorized every detail.

That was the advantage of fighting alongside these elite subordinates. Every single one of them knew exactly what to do.

Then came a thunderous roar, one that clearly didn’t belong to the storm. It wasn’t lightning this time. The monsters were getting closer, their cries cutting through the chaos from a distance. And in a place like this, where visibility was painfully limited, that was a serious threat.

Fortunately, Atlas had trained himself under far harsher conditions than this. So yes. He was ready!

He summoned his spear, and instantly the Earth Element surged across his body like armor. This was still his alternate Earth Spear, after all.

Gritting his teeth, he braced himself to wield his new elemental powers in this battle.

Everyone shot forward in a flash. And Atlas too, launched into motion just as golden lightning exploded across his body and arced outward in every direction. In the next heartbeat, he was a streak of light cutting through the storm, charging toward their enemies.

In no time, he found himself face-to-face with three monsters at once.

They moved fast. Ridiculously fast. But Atlas had trained against these exact creatures before, and had already beaten them. This time, it would be even easier.

[Epic - Earthward Aegis (Active Skill) activated!]

[Forms a magnetic-earth barrier that reshapes itself instantly to block incoming attacks. It pulls nearby earth particles into its structure, strengthening itself with every interception.]

One of the rewards Atlas had gained since unlocking the advanced form of Earth was that several of his elemental abilities had upgraded. And now, with the added Magnetic Earth integration, they’d evolved even further.

The monsters faltered as they tried to attack, thrown off by the sudden resistance. The barrier knocked them slightly back, breaking their momentum.

Atlas clenched his teeth tighter, gripped his spear, and with a sweeping strike, he tore through the cluster of monsters surrounding him.

[Epic - Terramagnetic Burstfield (Active Skill) activated.]

[Releases a magnetic-earth wave from the spear’s impact point. The field expands outward, pulling enemies slightly toward the center before reversing polarity and pushing them back with an explosive earth surge.]

Atlas could feel it. The raw power, the crushing impact, the sheer force behind every strike delivered through this element. He had already mastered skills like Stonepierce Fang and Bedrock Smash, but now, with Magnetic Earth, each blow carried a propulsion and pressure far greater than anything he’d ever unleashed before.

And this... this was just the surface. He hadn’t even begun to fully explore its depth. He knew this was only the beginning.

He slammed his spear into the ground with a thunderous crash, sending tremors rippling outward in all directions.

He drove an overhead strike, followed by a sweeping arc. Each motion packed with full, unrestrained force. It had never felt this powerful or destructive before, especially considering he wasn’t even using his main spear!

He moved like a storm. Attacking, dodging, combining his high-speed mobility with the Lightning element, and then striking again with devastating Magnetic Earth attacks. His Blood element surged alongside it, turning his movements into something relentless, something terrifying. He fought like an Undead gaining strength with every kill.

The three monsters didn’t stand a chance.

Once he was done, Atlas quickly returned to formation, just as the others regrouped as well.

"We move now. Fast," Krythalis said sharply.

They moved swiftly, their bodies still cloaked in a thin layer of protective barrier that shielded them from the relentless storm. The energy shimmered faintly around them, barely visible but strong enough to keep the chaos of wind and rain at bay.

Krythalis directed his insect army ahead of them, using it to guide Everburn through the terrain. Left, right, leaping between trees, avoiding areas where tall, powerful monsters were starting to gather.

Honestly, if an ordinary Rank-2 had tried to explore this island, they wouldn’t have lasted even an hour. What looked manageable now was only possible because everyone here was a seasoned veteran. Fighters who had survived decades, even centuries, of brutal combat.

"If I may, my lord," Edrik spoke up amidst their rapid movement.

"Yes, of course," Atlas replied, already sensing that Edrik had a suggestion in mind.

"That Magnetic Earth. It seemed to have a slight delay when integrating into your defenses."

"You mean it would be more efficient if I had the physical form of the element already condensed with my Mana before battle? Like... carrying a bag of earth crystals on my back?"

"Yes, my lord. Preparing it pre-battle could improve your response time."

"Got it. I see the concept." He gave a slow nod of understanding.

Monsters were closing in again from all directions. There was no avoiding it this time. Atlas sharpened his focus. The numbers were far greater now, hundreds, easily. But to him, that only meant one thing: more battles, more growth, and more levels to gain. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

Without a word, the entire team stopped at once, then exploded outward. Each member launched in a different direction. There was no point sticking strictly to team roles anymore. It didn’t matter. They moved like solo fighters who just happened to be part of the same squad.

At the very least, this approach would let them cut through these weaker monsters much faster.

Because soon enough... The real battle would be waiting for them up ahead.