'Holy hell.'

Argo watched in stunned silence, at a complete loss for words. He thought their previous exchange was the peak of their performance. But he was sorely mistaken. Argo was witnessing a battle between two powerful figures; a level that he wasn't even remotely close to. It left him bewildered, and disappointed in himself at the same time.

'Is this really how far I am from being truly strong?' Argo thought decrepitly, realizing the true gulf between the top and bottom. If he ever hoped of clearing the quest would he have to reach such similar levels?

Just when he thought he had gained enough power, the need to gain more only persisted. If such beings existed on the First Floor, he was only a speck of dust. Sure he had survived a small-scale skirmish with a weakened demigod. A feat not many others on his level could achieve. But if anyone nearing Frye's level had been there instead of him, maybe things could've turned out much more differently.

Frye descended upon his former companion in a roaring mantle of crimson, nearly white flames. It looked like an ancient wyvern was unleashing its devastating might on an onyx mountain. Blows containing blistering heat and devastating force crashed against an insurmountable barrier. The aftershocks produced from the onslaught of Frye's attacks shook the entire square.

The house was set ablaze by the blistering heat, disintegrating into ash at an eye-catching rate. Wherever his spear swept left a maelstrom of flame that burned with righteousness. Argo was dumbstruck by his formidable combat technique. He seamlessly melded staggering blows characteristic of a broadsword with fluid thrusts reminiscent of a spear. It made for a domineering style that excelled in both raw power and swiftness.

Argo wondered how he was able to wield such a heavy-looking weapon with such deftness. It's blade was bound to be much heavier then a spear tip, yet Frye was spinning it around like it didn't matter to him.

Dueling within the burning crucible were two figures; a hulking man wielding an onyx tower shield, and a crimson-haired hero brandishing a divine sword-spear. Frye's spear bombarded the shield with pulverizing blows, the blade glowing with an incandescent heat. The fire around him roared like a divine beast, adding an incendiary force to his devastating attacks. The armor granted to him by Sarine was glowing with a blistering yellow light.

Metal clashed against metal in a deafening crescendo. His opponent remained poised, unyielding like a mountain. Each strike only seemed to contribute to the tremendous energy building up within his shield's metal. He would expertly block or divert the attacks that threatened to skewer his body. As expected of a seasoned tanker, he was able to ensure minimal damage to himself with the least amount of effort. With calculated precision, he would apply force or move at an angle that would strengthen his indomitable stance.

Soot and sweat stained their faces, the fire around them personifications of their fierce wills. Just being in their general vicinity was causing Argo to shiver. He surmised Frye's strength nearly tipped into a Rank 1 which was astonishing. Bridging the realm between stats was difficult, but not impossible. Equipment, traits, and skills could all play a role in allowing one to surpass the confines of their physical abilities. But when it came to rank, an individual's natural order, it was nearly impossible for a lower ranked to confront a higher one.

Which meant, 'So the Pirate King must be at this level, or maybe even stronger.' Argo's expression darkened as he made the tenuous connecting. Sully the barkeep had phrased his words in a manner that portrayed the Pirate King as the most powerful person on the floor. While Argo didn't consult other information-brokers, his words did carry some merit. Which meant, if Frye, the person before him wasn't considered the strongest, what did that say about the so-called sovereign of the seas?

'A Rank 0 somehow reaching the power of an early Rank 1," he finished sulkily. Argo wasn't aware of what the power of a peak Rank 0 was, but he could make an educated guess it was slightly less weaker then what Frye was currently showcasing. Call it intuition, but such a display of power couldn't be something an average Rank 0 could achieve. Even if all of their stats were A+.

"Back up, you'll get caught up in it," A voice warned, a hand grasping his shoulder. He had been so lost in thought, he nearly neglected to gauge his surroundings. Argo recognized the women to be who Frye referred to as Sarine. Her emerald eyes glinted dangerously, her expression contorting into a frown.

With a disgruntled look, she dragged Argo next to the bespectacled youth. Argo could vaguely hear her mutter about not wanting to babysit under her breath.

Despite the blistering heat and loud explosions, the guy from earlier remained blissfully asleep. Whether it was the result of the enchantment's potency, or the youth's willpower, Argo found the sight comedic despite the circumstances.

Argo was somewhat tempted to knock him awake. If he had more mana-related contraptions, they could prove to be invaluable in their current situation. But judging by Sarine's actions, he most likely didn't have anything else.

"That's Link, and I'm Sarine," Sarine briefly introduced, a touch of annoyance in her tone. She didn't seem to pleased sitting at the backlines. Gesturing to the two monsters engaged in intense battle, "Frye, and-." Her expression stiffened, a flash of anguish crossing her face. It disappeared as quickly as it came, but her voice was tinged with melancholy.

"Gael."

Argo read between the lines, deducing Gael was a former member of their group. The sturdy tank capable of withstanding any attack was now facing blows from his own allies; a cruel twist of fate in which he was forced to attack the people he was supposed to protect.

He could only attempt to sympathize with her feelings; he most likely wouldn't take it well if Aria or Faye would be reduced to such a state. And he had only known them for about a month, he couldn't fathom a comrade you've been with for years turning on you.

"Argo," he replied bluntly.

Sarine nodded in acknowledgement, brushing a lock of golden hair out of her face. The golden circle that hovered behind her had dissipated, but he felt her being still exuded a faint light. He wasn't sure if it was a result of a skill or her Inherent. But the circle looked responsible for the potent spells from earlier.

Argo quickly turned his attention to his mana reserves. He had never wished for a larger core then ever before, feeling whenever he needed mana he always lacked it. It would always slip through his fingers when he needed it the most. He was tempted to take advantage of the gains of a Tower-Blessed. Without a doubt, if he was aided with the blessings of mana he wouldn't be in such a tight spot.

He quickly discarded such thoughts. It would be his absolute last resort if his current reserves weren't enough. Showcasing his uniqueness in front of such people may cause some issues. Garnering attention he didn't wish to have.

"I can only keep it going for another minute, if he's not weak enough by then..." Argo left the latter part of his sentence unsaid. He was sure Sarine and Frye had grasped the crux of the matter from their brief exchanges.

"I'll thank you plenty if this ends up going well," she replied half-committedly. Sarine's emerald eyes scrutinized the battle with a heavy expression, exacerberated with the slight trembling of her arms. She was more scared of losing this man then Argo thought. Perhaps they had experienced a lot together as comrades, climbing to such a level of strength demanded teamwork.

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A sudden shift in the air prompted Argo's heart to soar. "Watch-."

Before the words could fully leave his mouth, a powerful shield materialized in front of the trio. A transparent dome enshrouded them in its protective grasp, a myriad of colors flashing across its surface. It exuded an astounding energy and sense of protection. Multiple levels above his own [Greater Hex Barrier]. It's potency easily dwarfed the contraption produced by Link by miles- the energy radiated at a whole different realm.

Before he could carefully examine it, the world was lit up by an incandescent white light. Temporarily blinded, Argo felt the sturdy dome shake under an intense pressure. Despite its insulation abilities, the temperature in the air had reached a boiling point. Argo feared for the outside, 'If it's getting this hot in here, what's it like out there?'

After a couple of seconds, the light died down. Argo blinked the spots out of his eyes, the overbearing whiteness slowly rescinding.

The stone covered in soot from before had been scorched black, reminiscent of an ashen wasteland. Like the surface of a volcano, it was littered in black ash overlaid with an intense heat. In defiance against the cool night were tangible heat waves and fires covered the collapsing central square. Argo would've been disintegrated on the spot if not for Sarine's potent defensive spell.

Standing in the midst of the desolate black plain, Frye stood with a slightly weary expression. The exhaustion had reached a tipping point for this valiant hero. The potent enchantment of sleep seemed to have taken a heavy toll on him. The armor projection had dissipated in a whirl of light. The previous inferno aura had dimmed by a large margin, leaving only the weak sputtering of flames. And despite it all, he maintained a confident facade while staring down his former comrade.

Gael faced him with a similar tired expression. His chest heaving with deep breaths like he just ran a marathon. His shield was marred with multiple new craters and tears, speaking volumes about it's craftsmanship or material. Argo was amazed by the durability of the metal. It was able to withstand the full force of a top tier Rank 0 maybe even more then that.

They were both reaching their physical limits. The next few seconds would decide the outcome of the fight, and if all of Argo's hard work would go up in smoke. He consciously tightened his hold over the sword's enchantment.

Gael's shield was glowing with a familiar incandescent heat, likely absorbing the draconic flames produced by Frye. Unlike earlier, wisps of fire were peeling off the metal. It was like the violent flames were fighting within the metal in a bid to release themselves. Without a doubt, the counter-attack this time would be volumes more powerful then his earlier one.

Argo prayed the remaining mana in his core would be enough for the [Serene Night] to plunge Gael into an eternal sleep. The two shared a tense stare-down, neither one moving. It was like they were sharing an unspoken conversation, words were unnecessary between the two.

Over the sizzling of burning stones, Argo overheard Frye speak.

"Rest, brother. I will find a cure for you, I promise."

Like the last nail in the coffin, Gael's figure slumped. The pent-up energy dissipated swiftly, like a blown-out candle. The massive shield clattered to the floor in a heap. It's wielder sinking into an eternal rest. For a split second, it looked like he had revealed a small smile. Like he had regained control for a fleeting moment.

Frye watched his comrade sink to the floor with a pensive expression. He didn't move for a moment, his thoughts a mystery. He looked very lonely standing there. Were such situations commonplace among adventurers? Would Argo have to learn to cope with such tragedy as if it were common?

The translucent dome around them dissipated, letting the blistering heat flow in.

The silvery light from Selene's Sword dimmed drastically, returning to its usual metallic luster. Argo sighed in relief, feeling completely drained as he sheathed the sword on his back. He was relieved his efforts weren't in vain, he had managed to temporarily save a powerful adventurer.

He wasn't looking for compensation or acting out of a goodwill; but for a much more pathetic reason. It was to absolve himself of the guilt of starting all of this in the first place. Maybe, just maybe, if he saved someone of great strength could it make-up for his actions. Argo was truly disappointed in himself, at heart he was still just a guilty coward.

Frye walked over to them, turning to Argo. "Thank you for your help, I was wrong about you."

Letting out a small laugh, he turned to Sarine. "He's much stronger then I realized, I pity the monsters that could never seem to breach his defenses. If you would, take him and Link back to our quarters for now."

Sarine nodded, her eyes misty. She walked over to Gael's sleeping form, utilizing a form of magic to levitate his body in the air. She proceeded to use the same magic to drag Link with her too, with a distinct different in softness. Link was unceremoniously dragged across the ash covered floor, while Gael remained suspended comfortably in the air.

"Argo, I've never seen you before. Are you a newcomer to the First Floor?" Frye inquired, dusting his shoulders. He seemed very calm about the whole situation leaving Argo unnerved. Maybe this was a rationale befitting a seasoned veteran.

Argo nodded, "Yes, I got here about two weeks ago. I've been cropped up with something for the better half of another week."

Frye let out a sigh, leaning on his spear. In stark contrast to his heroic demeanor from before, he seemed much more laidback now. "That sword on your back, where did you get it? If you don't mind me asking."

Before Argo could respond, a voice called out to him from afar.

"Argo! What the hell happened here?!"

He froze, turning to the owner of the voice.

'Speak of the devil,' Argo inwardly complained. 'Should've known she would come when everything was said and done.'

Long dark brown hair framing azure eyes, and a boisterous disposition; it was without a doubt her. Aria stomped toward the duo with an unhappy expression, palpable frustration lingering around her. Faye trailed from behind, with her characteristic face of indifference. While it looked cold as usual, Argo could detect faint traces of disbelief.

Only when Aria arrived before them did she take notice of the figure next to Argo. "Ah! Captain?!"

"Aria! You're okay!" Frye said brightly, happiness making its way to his face. Argo was nearly blinded by his smile.

He once again lampooned about his current status, 'Shouldn't this guy be the hero?'

'And what is happening right now?' He added silently, slightly confused. Aria was familiar with Frye? Captain?

'Do all powerful figures know each other?'

"Looks like you've met Captain! He's the leader of a party I'm a member of," Aria stated wriggling her eyebrows. It took all of Argo's self restraint not to jab her with his hands.

Argo's eyes twitched, "Red Cohort?"

Aria had a mischievous smile plastered on her face that infuriated him to no end. But that did explain a lot of things. Red Cohort stood as one of the most powerful groups in the First Floor. It made sense based on their shocking display of power. And Aria did mention she was a part of it during their journey to the surface.

Before he could continue, Frye responded. "Aria, I'm glad to see you're alright. But as you can see, things are bad right now. Gael is also not doing too well."

Aria's expression crumbled, "What happened to Gael?"

"Argo helped us greatly, and I'll brief you later." He said briefly, turning to Faye with a silent smile.

Faye introduced herself bluntly, "Faye."

Argo wondered if she was rubbing off on him. He had spoken similarly to Sarine, but he wasn't sure if it was because of his anxiousness at the time or Faye's attitudes. He could only silently shrug as he watched their conversation.

"Faye," Frye echoed before nodding in acknowledgement. "Frye of Red Cohort, but we can leave such pleasantries for later."

He glanced at Aria, who was busily examining Argo's sword. He had to swat her away like an annoying fly.

"Come on! I didn't get a good chance to look at it! With all the demigod, and climbing up the steps and all," she lampooned. "Just let me get a good look!"

"Go bother someone else," Argo retorted while trying to create some distance between them. She acted like an annoying toddler, which was a disconcerting contrast with her mature looks.

"Demigod?"

Aria froze like a bucket of cold water was poured on her head. She robotically tilted her head to the side in a bid to avoid Frye's questioning gaze. "Yeah, something like that," she muttered under her breath, while she whistled unconvincingly.

Argo massaged his temples, while Faye shook her head in exasperation. He deduced Faye had told her earlier about keeping their little journey from the depths a secret. It was sensitive information that could create waves on the floor if got out. It wasn't everyday a Grade A Weapon was found, much less encountering a demigod servient to an Outer God.

"Anyhow, we should make sure there are no more corrupted roaming the streets." Frye decided to ignore Aria's antics in favor of the bigger picture.

As much as Argo wanted to jump into a bed and sleep for eternity, he had to agree with Frye. The extent of the city's damage was largely unknown, and there could still be people running for their lives. He also felt his respect grow for the guy; despite being physically drained and mentally exhausted from dueling his comrade, he still put the civilians ahead of himself.

"The fighting has largely died down, and clean-up efforts are underway." Faye reported, her eyes looking in to the distant night. She was probably looking through the lenses of her shadow summon. "I can help scout the area, and lead us towards any stragglers."

Frye smiled, "If you would be so kind."