"This is it... The problem every adventurer faces after leveling up."
Charlie moved his body slightly, only to feel that every movement was filled with unnatural stiffness. As usual, the sudden surge of power after leveling up made his body uncoordinated.
"I need to get used to this power and make sure I can control it completely. Otherwise, moving and fighting that monster will be even harder than before."
However, Charlie was also aware that he didn't have time. The Juggernaut wouldn't give him a chance to familiarize himself with his new power.
"There's no other choice, I can only adapt in the battle itself, even though it's extremely dangerous."
While trying to regain his balance and feel the limits of his new power, Charlie observed Aishia who was still fighting fiercely against the Juggernaut in the air.
*WHOOSH!* *WHOOSH!* *WHOOSH!*
Although the Juggernaut seemed immune to most Spirit Arts attacks, Aishia skillfully used Terminus Est, forcing the Juggernaut to constantly evade.
Charlie: "😐"
He had to admit that Aishia's fighting talent was very high, perhaps even more gifted than his own.
"The Chain Attack Development Abilities rose to rank G. My attack power should have doubled, right?"
Chain Attack was a Development Abilities that increased the power of attacks launched continuously within a short period. At rank I, the increase was onefold of the base power, rank H increased it by one and a half times. If the pattern continued, then rank G should provide a twofold increase in attack power.
Of course, as the name suggested, the effect of increased attack power only occurred when consecutive attacks were launched every second without interruption. Otherwise, Chain Attack wouldn't work.
"Since the monster's weakness is most likely physical attacks or holy attribute—considering it keeps avoiding Terminus Est and is immune to most Spirit Arts—then I can't fully rely on Spirit Arts to deliver powerful attacks."
"That means Wezaemon's ultimate technique, Sky Clear, won't be effective against the Juggernaut."
Understanding this, Charlie had to rely on his newly increased physical strength thanks to leveling up and the Strong Body Development Abilities.
Formulating a plan in his mind, Charlie immediately executed it without delay.
"Then, let's begin."
*WHOOSH!*
His figure shot into the air with incredible speed, he flew vertically upwards like a cannonball being fired. His newly acquired Level 5 power gave him a much greater boost than before.
Clenching his right fist, Charlie aimed himself directly at the Juggernaut's body, which was only composed of bones and a hard shell.
*BAM!*
Charlie's hard punch struck the Juggernaut's chest with shocking force. The monster was knocked back several hundred meters in the air by the impact.
"Still not enough, huh..."
His Six Eyes quickly scanned the Juggernaut's body. Charlie found no significant damage to the monster.
"Even though my rough estimate was that punch had around two or three tons of force. That monster is tough."
That was his raw strength at the moment, even without giving himself buffs like Physical Enchant.
"How are you doing, Charlie? Don't push yourself, I can buy you more time."
Aishia approached when she saw Charlie. Worry was clearly evident in her usually flat tone.
"Thank you for stalling, Aishia. Rest assured, I'm fine. We don't have time to talk."
"GROOOAAARRR!!!"
Grabbing Terminus Est that Aishia offered, Charlie's gaze was fixed on the Juggernaut, which was now flying back towards them with an angry roar.
"At Level 4, my flying speed was Mach 2, let's test how fast I am at Level 5!"
*BOOM!*
*WHOOSH!*
A deafening sonic boom shattered the air as Charlie shot forward, quickly surpassing the speed of sound towards the Juggernaut.
*WHOOSH!*
However, the euphoria of his new speed was short-lived; instead of hitting the Juggernaut, Charlie crashed hard into the Dungeon wall.
*DUAAAGH!*
The terrifying sound of impact shook the entire area. If it weren't for the Armor of Fafnir, the accident would have broken many bones in his body and possibly damaged his internal organs.
"Cough... Cough... Tsk, missed, huh..." Charlie grumbled while coughing lightly, feeling pain all over his body.
"Sure enough, controlling flying speed beyond the speed of sound is extremely difficult. Moreover, I just leveled up, my body needs to adapt to the sudden surge of power."
Recalling the incredible sensation of speed he had just experienced, Charlie roughly estimated his speed at that moment.
"Wow, that must have been around Mach 12! That's already in the extreme hypersonic category, approaching the early-stage ballistic speed of a space rocket! Even the speed of the most advanced supersonic fighter jets only ranges from Mach 2 to Mach 3."
"I might not be The Strongest in Danmachi World yet, but I'm definitely The Fastest!"
Thus, Charlie decided his speed would be the foundation for defeating the Juggernaut.
"Aishia! Stop that monster's movement!"
"Understood."
Despite fighting fiercely against the Juggernaut, Aishia didn't question anything Charlie planned and obeyed without the slightest hesitation.
Knowing that the Juggernaut was immune to magic-based attacks, Aishia used Spirit Arts to create solid ice chains instead of golden chains made of pure magic essence.
*CLINK-CLANK!* *CLINK-CLANK!* *JANGLE!*
"GROOOAAARRR—"
The Juggernaut roared as it saw ice chains beginning to appear around it.
*WHOOSH!* *WHOOSH!* *WHOOSH!*
The Juggernaut agilely maneuvered in the air. However, the number of ice chains increased rapidly. Starting from just a few, it quickly grew to dozens, then hundreds of interconnected ice chains.
*CLINK-CLANK!* *CLINK-CLANK!* *JANGLE!*
In the end, even though the Juggernaut brutally shattered dozens of ice chains at once with its sharp claws, it couldn't avoid them all. Hundreds of ice chains wrapped around its body simultaneously, binding its legs, arms, and even its hard tail.
"GRRRRRRR..."
*CLINK-CLANK!* *CLINK-CLANK!* *JANGLE!*
Although the Juggernaut continued to thrash and break the chains, Aishia kept producing new ice chains from the air, ensuring the Juggernaut remained trapped in the cold ice net.
Now, the Juggernaut and Aishia were locked in a tense stalemate. The Juggernaut was bound by hundreds of constantly regenerating ice chains, while Aishia maintained her grip, buying Charlie the precious time he desperately needed.
"Perfect! Hold it like that, Aishia!"
*WHOOSH!*
Clutching Terminus Est tightly with both hands, Charlie's figure flashed through the air. He utilized his hypersonic speed, lunging towards the Juggernaut, which was bound and still in the air.
*BAM!*
However, just like his first attempt, Charlie failed to hit his target again. A speed of Mach 12 proved incredibly difficult to control. He sped past the side of the Juggernaut, only feeling a strong gust of wind.
"Once more."
*WHOOSH!*
Charlie didn't give up. He quickly turned around, trying to control his immense momentum. He charged at the Juggernaut again, swinging Terminus Est in the hope of hitting the motionless monster.
*BAM!*
He missed again. His sword only sliced through empty air.
Thus, trial and error began!