"Mmn～♪ Mmm～♪ Hmm～♪ Hmmn～♪" ［Yuna］
"My, how excited you are... That's not the face of someone who's going to fight a Disaster-Class monster, you know?" ［Grey］
"Fufufu! It's been a long time since we fought a strong opponent after all!" ［Yuna］
"A long time... It's been barely 4 months, you know?" ［Grey］
"Oh, really? It felt much longer than that... Well! It doesn't matter! I'm just excited to fight a strong opponent again! I wonder how powerful it is!" ［Yuna］
The young lady proclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement and her hums drifting in the air. She took her steps, skipping from time to time, marching towards the large and domineering doors laid out a couple dozen meters away from them.
A new day has arrived and the Labyrinth was still dim and gloomy as ever. Lightning continued to course the lightning veins and tremors continued to spread as large and ferocious monsters took their steps, loud cries echoing from time to time.
Grey and Yuna had just finished their breakfast and the two are now heading out for some intense exercise, and by that, it meant that they are going to fight the Boss of the Labyrinth, wanting to test out their strengths once more.
However, compared to before with the Bloodwing Chromius, Grey and Yuna are now going in all by themselves. Otherwise, things would be too easy and they wouldn't be able to grow. After all, the harder the challenge is, the better the rewards are.
"Ohh～! It really looks intimidating, huh..." ［Yuna］
"Well, it's a Boss Room, after all." ［Grey］
It didn't take long before Grey and Yuna reached the Boss Room, and as per usual, there were massive and heavy doors greeting them up front. It was made of heavy metals, geometric lines carved throughout and electricity running through those lines.
There were also the usual carvings and runes engraved through them. It was both pretty and intimidating, deserving to be adorned before facing a great, grand, and fate-defying challenge. It was a beautiful sight to behold.
"Right, Yuna, here, wear these... And stand still for a moment." ［Grey］
"Un!" ［Yuna］
Of course, before facing such a great challenge, preparations come first. Grey soon casted the most powerful barrier magic on Yuna and made sure she was in her best condition using holy magic, adding a couple buffs while he was at it.
They didn't have time to use it before because of how conspicuous it was, but now was the perfect time for it. Yuna now wore the "Wings of the Executioner" they got from the Bloodwing Chromius, crimson wings sprouting behind her.
They were not only beautiful, but extremely useful and deadly as well. Yuna may be fast, but against an opponent over 20 times stronger than her, there was no harm in being careful. It will allow her to evade attacks and think up new strategies as well.
Finally, Yuna took out a honey-colored potion. It was the very same "Fairy's Blessing" she had made before, boosting her mana output by 50% while also quadrupling her mana recovery rate. It also has a sweet taste
With the buffs and her soon activating her "Authority" at "Triple", the once 20-fold gap has now been shortened to only 5 times left. It was still dangerous, but with her skills and abilities, it shouldn't be as difficult as before.
"Grey, won't you be having some too? They taste sweet!" ［Yuna］
"I appreciate it, but I'm afraid I'll have to decline... Otherwise, I won't be able to grow as fast. It's already hard to improve as it is." ［Grey］
Yuna also made a lot of "Fairy's Blessing" after they left Xeros, but Grey had politely declined the offer. He was grateful to the young lady, but if he accepted it, he wouldn't be able to grow much. Buffs were a no-go for him.
"Mou... It took a lot of effort to make these, you know?" ［Yuna］
"Hahaha. I know, and I appreciate the effort, but I still need to grow stronger if I want to conquer all the Labyrinths... And... Well, you know... I wouldn't want to look uncool in front of my fiancée, now do I?" ［Grey］
"Uuu... Making it with a face like... That's unfair..." ［Yuna］
"Like you have room to talk, My Dear." ［Grey］
The young lady was a little upset, but it didn't take much to cheer her up. Grey simply said a couple sweet and sappy lines and her heart immediately started racing as if there was no tomorrow, face slightly flushed.
"Then, since you won't take my potions... Have this instead..." ［Yuna］
Her cheeks were burning red, and with a loving look in her eyes, Yuna leaned close to Grey and tiptoed towards him. She pressed her soft and plump lips against her beloved's cheeks, kissing him ever so gently.
"That's a good luck charm. You must absolutely be safe, okay?" ［Yuna］
"... Hahaha. Of course! I wouldn't want to die before marrying my dear fiancée, after all. That would be quite unfortunate, no?" ［Grey］
"Mou... Don't say such stupid things, you dummy. Even if we already get married, you must still keep yourself safe. That's an order!" ［Yuna］
The air was sweet, the mood was sappy, and the Labyrinth had turned pink. Hearts and flowers were adrift in the air, only subtle sounds of heartbeats pulsing ever so harmoniously, hearts beating lovingly as two figures laughed ever so gently.
Yes, it's normal for adventurers to have their hearts race whilst challenging bosses, but it would be because of the dangers and worries. Yet these two youths were flirty as can be, unfazed in the face of danger and death... Just get married already...
All the flirting and shenanigans aside, Grey and Yuna then continued on with their preparations and before long, they were more than ready. They soon stood before the doors, eyes lingering quietly as they scaled the massive structure before them.
"Then, here goes nothing..." ［Grey］
CLACK CLACK THUD CREEEAAAKKKKKK
Heavy, metallic, and mechanical sounds echoed in the air. Grey poured mana into the doors opened ever so slowly. There was thrill and tension, the expansive and massive room unveiled slowly but surely, creaks continuing to echo.
It was a hexagonal room, a large pillar protruding from the ground up and creating arcs in the ceiling, soon converting towards the center. The walls were still dark and bricky with a ton of carvings etched on them, looking quite dungeon-like.
Of course, there were still lightning veins coursing all throughout the Boss Room, all running through the bricks and pulsing momentarily at random intervals. They also converged at the center of the floor, a massive figure waiting in the middle.
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"Hooh～! So that's a Disaster-Class Arflus, huh... Pretty intimidating..." ［Grey］
"It doesn't have wings, but it looks pretty fast." ［Yuna］
"Well, it belongs to the lightning-attribute, after all. It should be fast." ［Grey］
A large body towering over a dozen meters tall, its lower body resembling that of a snake's, reaching lengths over 20 meters. It was a figure made mostly of electricity, crackles and explosions resounding all throughout the air.
Apart from the fact that most of its body was electricity, there were also fragments of rock-like substances stuck throughout its body like glue, and a brilliant core gleaming deep within its chest, pulsing quietly as the sands of time trickled down the hourglass.
It was equipped with a large maw, sharp and pointy horns protruding atop its beast-like head. It had six arms and a myriad of tentacles sprouting out from its back. No matter how you look at it, it was a fearsome monster through and through.
《Appraisal》 ［Grey］
-----------------------------------
【Monster】
【Species】Sovereign Arflus
【Status】Healthy
【Type】Elemental
【Ability】...
【Mana Capacity】154,077 【Mana Quality】S
【Combat Power】48,371 【Threat Level】Disaster
【Attribute】Lightning
-----------------------------------
And as one would expect from a Labyrinth Boss, its stats were just as broken as the ones before. It was just a few steps from Catastrophe-Class and is already powerful enough to lay waste on any kingdom it comes across to.
Thankfully, it was contained only inside the Boss Room. Otherwise, all civilizations would have ceased to exist in Merusia. And it's also because it's in the Boss Room that Grey and Yuna don't need to hold themselves back.
A smile blooming on his face, Grey soon shared his vision with Yuna and the view of the whole room in all angles flashed before her eyes. She sensed and detected every little thing, vision crystal clear, perfect as can be,
"Then, would you do me the pleasure, Milady?" ［Grey］
"Fufufu! No need to say any more!" ［Yuna］
CRACK CRACK BOOOOOOMMMMMM
There was not a single second to waste. As soon as Grey gave the slightest nod, Yuna then made her move and bolted towards the enemy, her daggers appearing in her hands with a flick of her fingers.
The enemy didn't just stay still either. As soon as Yuna dashed forth, it also rushed forth, leaving trails of lightning and thunder behind it, only a golden flash of light to be seen as it cruised forth like an arrow, claws extending out and about.
BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM
The first clash ensued and a few more followed. Yuna's daggers slashed and the Sovereign Arflus' claws parried it one after another. With each clash came a loud and thunderous boom, shockwaves sweeping away the dust in the air.
Yuna was fast but the Sovereign Arflus was faster. However, there was no need to worry. With every slash it made, the young lady was easily able to get away with a single flap of her wings, getting away even before the claws could even reach her.
《Icicle Shogun!》 ［Yuna］
As soon as she leaped away, she then extended her arms out and brought forth a torrent of icicles, darting away at breakneck speeds, it started by the dozen, but soon enough, hundreds fired at the same time, leaving not a single gap.
However, much like how Yuna evades the Sovereign Arflus' every attack, the latter also parried her attacks with the tentacles extending from its back. They lashed out like heavy and deadly whips, breaking the icicles as they flailed around.
The enemy also didn't just sit around and be attacked. It also unleashed a few bolts of its out, lightning and thunder resounding all throughout the room and heading the young lady's way. Booms resounded once more as they hit the walls and the floor.
CRACKLE CRACKLE CRACKLE WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH
Icicles of frost rushed forth and bolts of lightning countered them. Rays of blue and yellow clashed throughout the whole room, explosions ringing out with every clash. It was a never-ending cacophony, a rain of destruction pouring down.
BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM
Yuna's wings weren't just mere decoration either. As soon as she launches a volley of terrifying icicles, she then lets the wings burst, feathers turned into sharp projectiles raining down upon the enemy without showing any mercy.
Now, the enemy has to defend against a copious amount of deadly projectiles. All its whole vision was obstructed with explosions, shockwaves ringing one after another. Yuna uses the opportunity to pounce towards it and brandish her daggers once more.
SWISH SWISH SLASH CLANG CLANG CLANG CLANG
And whenever the two figures were close enough, they engaged in close-quarters combat, clashing ever so furiously, blades and claws exchanging deadly blows. It was a fierce dance, harm falling for the young lady at any moment.
The tail lashed out, the tentacles whipped, and six arms shot out like a gatling gun. Yuna narrowly dodged the attacks with Grey's eyes, landing her counterattacks as soon as she got the opportunity, yet leaving but mere scratches to the core.
She brandished her dagger and at the same time, blasted a fury of icicles towards the enemy. All rushed forth towards the core, prompting the enemy to defend itself. It was the perfect opportunity to widen the distance and fire another volley of blue and white.
《Icicle Rain!》 ［Yuna］
She then leaped towards the air and reached her hands out once more. A shower of icicles soon rained down upon the enemy, peppering it from above and upfront. Yet despite all the attacks, not a single one landed, all crushed by the tentacles.
Well, they weren't entirely useless either. Other than the fact that the icicles served to test the waters, it also served to distract the enemy, hiding Yuna's presence. The moment the enemy realized she was present, she was already in front of her.
The enemy tried to strike her with its massive claws, but with a quick maneuvering with her wings, she evaded without much problems, closing in ever further. She then gripped her daggers tightly, pouring mana as much as she could.
《Death's Grasp!》 ［Yuna］
The daggers were brandished, the eyes of the Grim Reaper locked onto the enemy. She brandished her daggers and the hands of death reached out, cleaving a large and deep gash on the enemy's chestー or so she wanted to.
After all, the Sovereign Arflus was mostly made of electricity. Yuna's daggers simply swam through its body, missing the core and leaking but a tiny bit of sparks, crackles resounding in the air. Yuna did a bit of damage, but not as much as she wanted to.
There wasn't even a time to get frustrated. As soon as Yuna's surprise attack failed, the Sovereign Arflus' tail lashed out like a whip and shot out towards the former. Yuna was able to dodge, but it was still far from over.
WHOOOOONNNNNGGGGGGG FWOOOOSSSSHHHHHHHH
The Sovereign Arflus opened its mouth and fired a deafening beam of lightning from it. A flash of gold and white rushed forth towards Yuna, swallowing up her whole body before she could even flap her wings. The room was painted yellow,
The lights soon died down, and the bolts of lightning quickly settled down. A large crater was carved in the walls from the beam of lightning, some fragments quickly disintegrated. Silence soon swallowed the air.
"Ahhh... That was a close one..." ［Yuna］
Fortunately enough, Yuna was able to activate her "Phaseless" just at the right time. The beam simply passed through her and crashed towards the walls. Has she been even a second too late, she would have been in harm's way.
"Seems quite tough for you, Milady. Are you alright?" ［Grey］
"Uuu... I thought I had it... This is too unfair...!" ［Yuna］
"Hahaha. It's not called a Boss for nothing, after aー !!!" ［Grey］
Gray couldn't even finish his words when the Sovereign Arflus suddenly rushed at them. It bore its claws against the two, raising its hands and letting its tentacles run wild. Unfortunately for it, it was up against Grey.
Before the enemy could even reach them, he already foresaw its attacks and acted accordingly. He flung away the enemy's claws with his gauntlets, then using wind magic maneuver skillfully to close the distance between them.
BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM
As soon as he was in range, he launched his strikes and successfully connected to the core. The echoes followed and more strikes bore down towards the enemy, blasting it quite a distance away, a couple small cracks appearing on its core.
Its tentacles didn't do much damage either, all cut off by the sharp and bellowing winds surrounding Grey and Yuna. Not a single hair of him nor Yuna was hurt, his sharp and cold eyes soon falling towards the impudent enemy.
"Hey, don't you know it's rude to interrupt people talking?" ［Grey］
Remarked Grey, staying calm as can be. However, the same couldn't be said for the enemy. It was mow wary and enraged at the young man, gathering a copious amount of mana towards its core, a loud boom thundering soon after.
A massive field of electricity was created and mana formed into spheres. Spheres which soon became bolts and bolts which became spears. Such spears rushed out at breakneck speeds, aiming for Grey and Yuna's neck.
"Really... How rude... 《Gale Waltz》." ［Grey］
Meanwhile, Grey also released his own torrent, a rush of howling winds forming into blades and bolting towards the enemy. Grey had activated his "Bellowing Heavens", making the blades vibrate at supersonic speeds.
The blades clashed with the bolts and shockwaves ran rampant in the air. Some of the blades passed through and rushed towards the enemy, soon either broken by the tentacles, or in reverse, cutting the tentacles ever so effortlessly.
Grey wasn't just just done with a single attack either as soon as the enemy's mind was occupied by the torrent of blades, he used "Multitask" and activated yet another spell. The winds bellowed once more, a large spear forming in the air.
《Southern Wind: Notus》 ［Grey］
Grey waved his hand and the spear burst forth. As the curtain of blades was slowly lifted up, the spear was soon revealed. The winds lashed out as it plunged towards the Sovereign Arflus, the latter barely noticed its approach.
As soon as it did, it used its all to stop the spear. It sacrificed its tentacles, and used all its arms. It concentrated all its attack into one spot, breaking the spear using brute force, the sound of breaking glass echoing as he broke it.
However, it was not without cost. It lost 2 arms and all its tentacles in the process. It could still regenerate them, but it cost it a lot of mana. Had Grey inflicted "Vein Breaker" beforehand, it would have cost more.
Fortunately for it, Grey had sworn not to use such a broken spell for now. They are training, after all. Unless they intend to finish off the enemy, it is best to prolong the battle as much as possible and gain experience from it. Danger was the best teacher.
"Ah, sorry about that, Yuna... I acted without consulting you." ［Grey］
"No, it's okay... I'm still far from beating that thing anyway. I'm not the only one training, after all.." ［Yuna］
"Hahaha. I guess you're right." ［Grey］
Grey and Yuna were talking as casual as can be, but the same couldn't be said for the Sovereign Arflus. It is now completely wary of the young man, watching its every step and making such it doesn't do anything rash.
It may have received damage, but it wasn't something a bit of mana couldn't fix. It was needless to rush things and regret it afterwards. It has now labeled not just Grey, but Yuna as well, as dangerous people which it needed to be careful against.
"Grey, it seems like it's trying to do something funny." ［Yuna］
"Something funny...? Could it be..." ［Grey］
Its alertness and caution has reached the highest level, its eyes peering towards the two and dyed with hostility. Grey and Yuna are now irredeemable targets in its eyes. Ones that it needed to eliminate no matter what the cost.
RUUUMMMMBBBLLLLEEEEE CRACKLE CRACKLE CRACKLE
The ground shook and the air started to tremble. Bolts of lightning lashed all over the place, making the lightning veins explode and the cracks run through the walls. The once dim glow is now glowing brighter than ever.
Its tentacles shrank back towards its back, its six arms have become much slimmer, its tail has become shorter, its skull has become more aerodynamic, and its whole body has shrunk over ten sizes, now measuring only about 2 meters tall.
It was a transformation Grey had seen already back against the Vulcan Destroyer in the Labyrinth of Flames, and the one before them wasn't any different. It doesn't only make its frame smaller, it tweaked its stats quite drastically as well. For example....
FWOOSSHHHH WHOOSH WHOOSH
... It has now become so fast, it took Grey and Yuna a quick moment to realize that it has already gone behind the young man. Its fists were already clenched, then pulling it quite a ways back for a heavy punchー No, not just a punch, but....
BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM
... A quick and skillful series of punches, accompanied by some claws every once in a while. There were also bolts of lightning lashing out, golden and thunderous spears and bolts flying all throughout the place as if they owned the place.
Grey was able to react in time, but now, he got engaged in a close-quarters battle with the Sovereign Arflus. They clashed again and again, the enemy completely dead set on killing the young... It was a fatal mistake...
"A different form, huh... Fufufu! This is fun!" ［Yuna］
It was all because of such a fact that the Sovereign Arflus didn't even notice Yuna's ice slowly creeping up its body. It was ice so cold, not even lightning could escape, slowly but surely engulfing the whole body of the enemy.
Well, it wasn't just its lower body. Yuna' frost and ice had already covered most of the Boss Room, her "Winter Forest" slowly taking over the place. She is now ready to join the fray, a bright and sweet smile blooming on her face.
"Then! How about we start the next round?!" ［Yuna］
The battle continues.
CHAPTER 439 END