Ali and Giel groaned as the spikes in their flesh disappeared and Hailey rushed over, scrambling to stop the blood flow.

Sandra sighed, her breath heavy from the fighting.

The Demon King looked nervous, his tail swishing behind him like a whip, “No, no… Oh no”

Ali glared at the demon, her voice tired and softened by pain “what... are you complaining about… we beat it didn't we?”

The demon didn't respond he just stared at the pile of rubble that had been the boss

“No… it’s”

It was only at that moment that keen realized he hadn't gotten any experia. Nor had any loot dropped.

Another long second passed before the crystal rubble began to rumble. It rose back into the air Along with portions of the ground and the party watched in horror as the elemental reformed, bigger than before, with a hallow of quarts and chunks of its body formed of dark stone, contrasting heavily with its glimmering appearance.

Another phase.

The creature didn't even hesitate, before firing its spine attack, this time the spikes of crystals moving so fast that none of them had a chance of reacting in time.

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None but the Demon King that was. The demon was suddenly in front of Kenn main volley of spikes halting mid-air and crushing in on themselves, the few that made it through were knocked away as the demon blinked in front of each student his metallic talons flashing through the air like swatting flies, the crystals left as little more than splitters on impact.

The Demon King's crimson eyes were wide, his breath catching, the first look of fear Kenn had seen on the demon’s face in the short time he had known him. It wasn't the expression of fear for oneself. No, it was fear for them.

That scared Kenn more than anything.

The fear mutated to anger as the demon growled “A greater crystal elemental!!! Here?! This is a C- ranked dungeon. You cant do this!”

A voice echoed from within the crystal, feminine and harsh

“What I place within my depths is none of your choice, demon. You of all beings have dared to enter my domain not only once but twice, here I shall end you, feast upon you and your underlings as well. I will be revered not just for your death but for my new power.” the voice of the dungeon, for that was all it could be, spoke determinedly

“Sorry, but I promised these brats That i wouldn't let any harm come to them. So, I’ll have to decline”

“It was not a request.”

Kenn felt himself lift off the ground, backwards he floated until her found himself placed at the back wall where they’d entered. The others were the same the party standing in a line against the wall, like children as the adults spoke.

“I didn't think it was.” the demon hissed, his voice taking on a strange echo “Stay behind me kids.”

A weight filled the room, Kenn’s body forced to kneel under it, as the Demon’s aura flared.

The Demon King held his arm out to the side, and in his grip appeared a sword as long as Kenn was tall and a fourth as wide. Kenn’s mana told him instinctively that it was a claymore, the blade shone a deep red, the handle, and guard onyx. The pommel was shaped like a pyramid and inlaid with gold filigree in a spiral pattern.

The entire weapon was covered top to bottom in enchantment runes and radiated the same level of aura as the Demon King himself, its very presence was crushing.

The combined power of them made Kenn feel as if the planet would break under their pressure.

For first Kenn truly believed the man in front of him possessed the power to destroy the world.

“Don't worry guys” the demon smirked back at them “This’ll be quick.”