My Magical Girl System

Chapter 200: Corrosive Toad King

They burst through the burning webs, the flames licking at their heels as they stumbled into a vast, open chamber. The ceiling soared high above them, lost in shadow, and the walls were lined with jagged crimson crystals that pulsed with a slow, rhythmic light. The red glow was stronger here, casting everything in a blood-tinged hue.

The team slowed, their breathing heavy, weapons still raised.

Sarah’s eyes swept the chamber. "This place is huge..."

Lisa pointed toward the far wall. "Look at those crystals. They’re embedded in the walls, like they’re growing out of the stone itself."

Andrey’s Ki senses stretched outward, probing the chamber. The crystals pulsed in unison, as if the chamber itself was alive.

Sein stepped forward, flames flickering around her fists. "It’s too quiet."

A deep, guttural croak echoed from the far end of the chamber.

The sound was low, vibrating through the stone floor and up through their boots. It was followed by another, then another, each one louder than the last. The crimson crystals pulsed brighter in response.

From the shadows at the far end of the chamber, a massive shape began to move.

It rose slowly, unfolding from a crouch that had kept it hidden in the darkness. Its body was enormous, easily the size of a small house, covered in warty, mottled skin that oozed a faint, corrosive mist. Its eyes were massive, unblinking orbs that glowed with the same red light as the crystals. Its mouth opened wide, revealing rows of jagged teeth and a long, forked tongue that flicked out, tasting the air.

[Corrosive Toad King – Mid-Boss]

The creature let out another deep croak, and the ground beneath them trembled.

A holographic screen materialized in front of the team, glowing with urgent red text.

System: Warning! Mid-Boss encountered: Corrosive Toad King. Threat Level: A-. Recommended approach: coordinated assault with focus on mobility and sustained damage. Avoid prolonged proximity—corrosive aura is active.

The Corrosive Toad King opened its mouth wide and let out a deafening croak that shook the chamber. The crystals on the walls flared brightly, and from the ground beneath the toad, a wave of corrosive mist spread outward, creeping toward the team.

Lisa’s barrier flared to life. "Aegis of Dawn!" The mint-green dome expanded, pushing back the mist, but the corrosion ate at the barrier’s edges.

Hope raised her greatsword, golden light blazing. "I’ll draw its attention! Sein, flank it! Andrey, aim for the crystals!"

Sein was already moving, flames roaring around her body as she sprinted toward the toad’s left flank. "Crimson Charge!"

She slammed into the toad’s side, flames exploding on impact. The creature let out a pained croak, its massive body shifting. A thick tongue lashed out, forcing Sein to dodge.

Sarah floated higher, pink energy swirling. "Heartstorm Apocalypse!" A torrent of pink hearts rained down on the toad, staggering it.

Andrey used Phantom Step to appear near the nearest crystal cluster. He raised his staff and struck it with a Ki-enhanced blow. The crystal cracked, its pulse flickering, and a web of fractures spread across its surface.

The toad let out a guttural roar, its attention snapping toward Andrey.

Hope intercepted it, her greatsword carving a deep gash across its side. "Focus on me, you overgrown frog!"

The Corrosive Toad King’s massive head snapped toward Hope, its unblinking red eyes locking onto her. With a guttural roar, it lunged, its massive body moving faster than its size suggested. Its tongue shot out like a whip, aimed directly at Hope’s chest.

Hope’s greatsword swung in a wide arc, deflecting the tongue at the last second. The impact sent sparks flying and forced her to brace her feet against the stone floor. "You’re not as slow as you look!"

The toad croaked in response, its corrosive mist thickening around its body. It opened its maw wide, and a stream of concentrated acid sprayed toward Hope.

"Golden Aegis!" Hope shouted, raising her greatsword. A shimmering golden barrier formed in front of her, deflecting the acid. The liquid sizzled against the barrier, eating away at the edges, but it held.

Sein used the opening to launch another attack. "Crimson Impact!" Her fist slammed into the toad’s side, flames erupting on impact. The creature staggered, its attention momentarily diverted from Hope.

Hope swung her greatsword in a wide arc, carving a shallow gash across the toad’s leg. "It’s tough! My attacks are barely scratching it!"

Sein launched herself at the toad’s flank, flames roaring around her fist. "Crimson Impact!" Her punch connected with a loud explosion of fire, but the toad’s thick, warty skin absorbed most of the impact. It barely flinched.

Sarah fired Pink Rain from above, pink projectiles slamming into the toad’s back. "It’s not doing much! Its hide is way too thick!"

Lisa reinforced the barrier around the team, but the corrosive mist was eating away at it faster than she could reinforce it. "The aura is getting stronger! I can’t keep the barrier up for much longer!"

The toad opened its mouth wide and released a wave of corrosive mist that spread across the chamber. The team was forced to retreat, their movements slowing as the acid in the air burned their lungs and skin. Even with Lisa’s barrier, the aura was overwhelming.

Andrey stepped back, his eyes scanning the chamber. His gaze landed on the crimson crystals embedded in the walls. They pulsed with the same rhythm as the toad’s heartbeat, and every time the toad attacked, the crystals flared brighter.

His eyes narrowed.

"Guys! The crystals on the walls—they’re connected to the toad’s power! Every time it attacks, the crystals glow brighter. If we destroy them, we might weaken it!"

Sein dodged another tongue strike, flames flickering around her fists. "Are you sure?!"

Andrey’s voice was firm. "I’m sure. Focus on the crystals! I’ll draw its attention!"

The team acknowledged his words with a nod. Sarah unleashed a concentrated Pink Nova at the nearest crystal cluster, the pink beam shattering the first crystal into pieces.

Sein followed up, her flames roaring as she burned through a cluster on the opposite wall. "Crimson Cataclysm!"

The crystals exploded in a shower of red shards, and the toad let out a pained croak, its body trembling. The corrosive mist around it flickered, thinning slightly, and its movements grew slower. The glowing aura around it dimmed, its power fading as more crystals shattered.

Hope’s eyes lit up. "It’s working!"