"Are you sure you haven't forgotten anything?" ［Grey］
"Nope～! All my potions are in my storage ring! My equipment too!" ［Yuna］
"Hmm... How about your snacks? I'm sure you made some yesterday. Can I have some? I feel like eating something sweet right now." ［Grey］
"So you knew, huh... I thought I was being secretive though,.." ［Yuna］
"You do know you can't fool my eyes, don't you? Ahh～..." ［Grey］
The young man chuckled and opened his mouth soon after. There was no use hiding it anymore. The young lady simply gave up and took a few sweets out of her storage, ranging from candies all the way to cakes, pretty as can be.
She took some candies, jam contained inside, and fed them to Grey. A burst of flavor then flooded the young man's mouth, his tongue caressed by sweetness and his lips soon breaking to a smile, humming quietly soon after.
"Do you like it?" ［Yuna］
"Yeah, I love it. It seems like you've improved in making candies again." ［Grey］
"Fufufu! I practice a lot, after all. One day, I'm sure I'm gonna surpass you in cooking and baking. Just you wait and see, Grey." ［Yuna］
"Hahaha. I'll be waiting, then." ［Grey］
The young man chuckled once more, enjoying the sweet burst of flavor in his mouth, all the while patting his beloved's head gently. She may be a little silly and childish at times, but that very part of her is one of the reasons he continues to fall for her.
Two figures continued to traverse into the dark yet massive corridors, eyes peering towards what lay in front of them and steps silent as can be. Their Armament Rings have been readily equipped, and ready for battle, only a call away.
It has been over a week since New Year's Day passed, and now, it was the final day of the Labyrinth of Thunder. The torchstones are already starting to glow dim and the monsters are spawning less frequently. It was their final chance to defeat the Boss.
And in doing so, Grey and Yuna couldn't be any more confident. They have been fighting against the Sovereign Arflus for a month already, battling in the line between life and death in order to make themselves even stronger.
It was hard and hellish, wounds suffered from time to time as well. And every time they get stronger, they take off some of their buffs and simply make things much harder for themselves. The more they push themselves, the stronger they get.
As a result...
-----------------------------------
【Salferine】
【Name】Grey Silverdrake
【Race】Human
【Sex】Male
【Age】19
【Status】Healthy
【Mana Capacity】15,282 【Mana Quality】S
【Combat Power】42,900 【Threat Level】Disaster
【Attribute】Wind 【Magic Proficiency】Superior (96%)
【Class】Brawler 【Weapon Proficiency】Superior (95%)
【Physical Enhancement】96%
【Ability】『Divine Eyes (Divine)』
『Divine Mind (Divine)』
『Subspace (Divine)』
『Wind Magic - Bellowing Heavens』
『Brawling Arts - Spectral Echoes』
-----------------------------------
【Salferine】
【Name】Yuna
【Race】Elf
【Sex】Female
【Age】18
【Status】Healthy
【Mana Capacity】9,746 【Mana Quality】S
【Combat Power】26,082 【Threat Level】Disaster
【Attribute】Ice 【Magic Proficiency】Superior (92%)
【Class】Assassin 【Weapon Proficiency】Superior (93%)
【Physical Enhancement】94%
【Ability】『Nihility (5☆)』
『Ice Magic - Winter Forest』
『Assassination Arts - Phantom Stream』
-----------------------------------
... The two have grown insanely powerful... Too powerful, actually.
If previously, Grey was simply included in the top 3 strongest, now, just relying on combat power alone, he is undoubtedly at the pinnacle of power, the most powerful person there is right now, and also the youngest to achieve such a status.
If Grey's abilities were ro be considered, there would be no other person in the world that could match him other than Catastrophe-Class monsters and Ancient beasts that have been around for millennia. He was in a league above any other.
Yuna was not too shabby either. From the top 10, she now moves to the top 4, only following behind Disaster-Class Rankers whose combat powers are about 40,000. A few more months of training and it wouldn't be hard to surpass them.
"Hmmn... We've been going here everyday, but the Boss Room Doors feel strangely different today, don't they?" ［Yuna］
"Probably because you're feeling nostalgic already. It happens a lot," ［Grey］
"Maybe so... It feels a little lonely, actually..." ［Yuna］
"Hahaha. You're probably the only one who'll ever say that." ［Grey］
The familiars have also grown quite a lot. First of all, Polaris is now at the middle of Disaster-Class at a combat power of about 35 thousand, Sirius is now at about 24 thousand, and the other familiars are at the higher ends of Calamity-Class.
But perhaps the ones showing most growth and potential are the contracted spirits. It may be because of how weak they were, but they have been leaping over the ranks ever since they entered the Labyrinth of Thunder.
From E-rank, they are now at the higher ends of B-rank, and are now classified as "Greater Spirits" rather than "Middle Spirits". Their sub-ranks have also gone from "Fighter" at E-rank, "Warrior" at D-rank, "Champion" at C-rank, and finally "Knight" upon becoming Greater Spirits.
They have also gained two other things after reaching B-rank. First was a secondary attribute which made them dual-attribute, and the other, surprisingly, was gender. It was still confusing why such entails, but it is what it is.
"Ah, right... Everyone, can you come out for a little bit?" ［Grey］
"Yes, Master." ［Markab］ "Yesss～!" ［Scheat］
"Since you guys can't go freely yet, can you join with the others and ask them to raid the treasure rooms we have yet to take? There should still be a lot left." ［Grey］
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"Would there be a lot of treasures there as well, Master?" ［Alpheratz］
"Yeah. I don't know if you'll like them, but there are a lot of interesting things inside the treasure chests. Though, you ought to be careful. There are also quite a lot of traps hidden here and there." ［Grey］
"My～... How exciting～..." ［Alpheratz］
The spirits' personalities have also become more refined, each of them different from one another. Markab was tough and stiff, Scheat was cheerful and playful, Alpheratz was curious and soft-spoken, and Algenib was quiet and gentle.
Markab is the only male of the spirits, now gaining the null attribute as his secondary attribute. His body has turned semi-humanoid, bits of skin exposed and some rocks covering it as well. If anything was strange, it was that he only has an upper body, the lower half only made of a large, floating rock.
As for Scheat, she gained the lightning attribute, and now looks something like some sort of flaming gorgon. She has red flames for hair and red skin, bits of which are always bursting in flames. Her lower body is that of a red snake, keeping parts of her when she was still a Middle Spirit.
From a walking bush with flowers, Alpheratz has now become a being made of green vines. She was the most feminine-looking one, complete with a vine dress and hair, long sleeves, a tiara or flowers, and a fair face the color of mint green. Flowers were blooming all over her body. She has also gained the water attribute.
Algenib's secondary attribute was wind, and from a cute snowman, she has now become a cold beauty, truly resembling a snow spirit. Like Alpheratz, she also wears a dress made of ice and snow, and a crown of ice over her head. She also has thin wings made of ice, making her look like a snow fairy.
"Oh right, and Scheat, please don't go with Vega and Canopus." ［Grey］
"Fufufu! Isn't it fine? Just let them have fun." ［Yuna］
"Dear, it's exactly because of them having fun that I'm worried. You do know what they did last time, right?" ［Grey］
"Last time... Hmm... Ah, right... That..." ［Yuna］
And it's exactly because of Scheat's playful nature that she gets along very well with Vega and Canopus, the latter two dragging the young spirit to their Shenanigans. Just the other day, they burned whole corridors whilst laughing like maniacs.
"Umm... Then, Scheat... Be moderate, today, okay? Don't cause too much trouble. I know you look at them, but you shouldn't always follow them, you know?" ［Yuna］
"Okayー Ah, no! Not today, Mistress! Second Sister and Second Brother said they'll show me something fun today!" ［Scheat］
"Something fun, huh... Markab, Algenib, can you watch over Scheat for us? I'm a little worried." ［Grey］
"Understood, Master." ［Markab］
Now, not just Canopus and Vega, but Grey and Yuna also now have to watch over Scheat. The number of troublemakers has increased yet again. One could only imagine how chaotic it would be if they start teasing Procyon.
Thankfully, Narkab and Algenib were quite reliable. Though Algenib doesn't speak much anymore, she still understands the assignment properly and performs them with excellence. She gets along with Sirius very much.
"What about me, Master?" ［Alpheratz］
"You, Alpheratz... You can just do anything you want. Just make sure to be careful when you play around with the treasures." ［Grey］
"Okay. I'll keep that in mind, Master." ［Alpheratz］
As for Alpheratz, there really was no need to worry for her. She simply does what she wants and satisfies her curiosity. She was not the type to cause trouble, and resembles Yuna very much when she experiments with the things she finds interesting.
With all said and done, the spirits were soon sent away, turning into their spiritual forms and simply phasing through the walls as if it was nobody's business. It didn't take too long before they joined the familiars, acting out their orders soon after.
Meanwhile, Grey and Yuna stood in silence, not making a single sound, a massive door still standing before them. It was familiar, yet strangely enough, also quite a bit curious. The Labyrinth has yet to close, and yet they're missing it already.
"Then, shall we also finish our business, Milady?" ［Grey］
"Un!" ［Yuna］
There was no time to waste. As soon as the spirits were up and away, Grey and Yuna headed towards the massive door and together, they placed their hands over the doors, opening it as they slowly ran their mana through.
CLACK CLANK THUNK THUD CREEEAAAAKKKKKKKKK
With a bit of mana and a little push, the doors opened slowly but surely, heavy and resonant mechanical sounds echoing in the air. The winds flowed inside the stagnant and mostly empty Boss Room, a single figure waiting for them.
It was the Sovereign Arflus they were all so familiar with, now looking at them with calm and determined eyes. It was already used to their presence, and already knew they would be coming at such a time, simply waiting for them to step inside.
The cracks and wounds it got from yesterday's battle was now healed and its mind is now raring for a battle. There were swords in its hands, made entirely of lightning and crackling time and time again. It was ready to slice them down.
Normal Sovereign Arflus has no such swords, but after battling and learning over and over again, it has acquired some new tricks. One of which was condensing lightning into a false, solid form in the shape of a sword. Deadly ones, at that.
"Looks like it's ready to battle as well." ［Grey］
"Fufufu! How exciting!" ［Yuna］
Smiles on their faces, Grey and Yuna rushed forth towards the enemy, and in kind, the Sovereign Arflus also did the same. Craters were left on their wakes, and blurs flashed all over the place, a loud clash thundering all throughout soon after.
BOOOOOOOOMMMMMM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM
The first clash echoed, and a couple more followed, fists and blades clashing time and time again, shockwaves bursting forth and tremors running all over the ground, craters formed in the walls and floor every time it echoed.
Grey clenched his fist and landed the first blow, seven echoes following soon after, the sound of shattering glass echoing all throughout the place as cracks spread all over the core of the Sovereign Arflus, pained pulsing clearly.
Yet despite the screaming pain, the Sovereign Arflus didn't even flinch a little. Rather, it continued to swing its swords, a flash of yellow streaking all over the place and its blades cruised through the air, bolts of lightning lashing out.
Unfortunately for it, it was completely hopeless. Grey didn't even need to use his "Eyes of Destiny", his body simply reacting just as quickly as the Sovereign Arflus slashed. All he did was use wind magic, maneuvering himself in impossible ways.
CRACKLE CRACKLE CRACKLE CRACKLE BOOOOOOMMMMMM
The thunder continued to echo and the clash continued to ensue. The Sovereign Arflus swings its six blades, an arc of lightning flashing towards Grey. The young man was able to dodge it with ease, however...The Sovereign Arflus was quite clever..
Before Grey even dodged, ir already bolted towards where he'll be running off to and lying in wait for an ambush. As soon as Grey dodged, it immediately raised its blades and poured a copious amount of mana inside it.
CRACKLE CRACKLE CRACKLE CRACKLE CRACKLE
The lightning which was once yellow has now turned a bright bluish-white color, pure lightning coiling all throughout its blades and making deafening sparks. They were all fused into one, creating a massive blade unlike any other.
"Heh. Cunning bastard." ［Grey］
It didn't take long before Grey noticed, however, it was already too late to dodge. All he could do was cover himself in a barrier, coating his body like a thin yet durable armor, blasted away as soon as the attack connected.
Shockwaves rang all throughout the air as Grey was blasted away, a large crater forming on the wall as his body was slammed against it. He didn't receive a single wound, but it did cause one hell of a headache.
"You bastard... You sure pack a punch..." ［Grey］
Had it not been for the Divine Amulet hanging by his neck, Grey could have received a heavy wound already. It was quite a pain fighting without his usual buffa, but if he doesn't do such, he wouldn't get stronger either.
The young man didn't even have the time to stand up and clean himself, when the Sovereign Arflus once again rushed towards him. Its six blades are now back, all pointed towards him and slashing awayー or at least, it should have.
SHAK SHAK SHAK SHAK SHAK SHAK SHAK SHAK SHAK
However, before it could even get in range, a rain of blades had greeted it warmly, numbering in the thousands, if not, tens of thousands. They all poured down on the unsuspecting enemy, its whole body riddled with damage.
Before long, its blades could do longer hold up against the downpour of blades and they broke quite spectacularly. The blades soon passed through its defense, leaving small but numerous cracks on the core.
"You haven't forgotten about me yet, have you?" ［Yuna］
Such an attack was orchestrated by none other than Yuna, her body appearing out of the blue, as if she just popped out of existence. But truth is, she has been there the whole time, slashing away as she created the perfect trap.
Grey already knew the enemy was lying to ambush him, and so, to use that very opportunity, he jumped towards the angle which lined up perfectly with Yuna's trap. Him being flung away was a part of the plan... Except the little headache...
FLASSSHHHHHH CRACKL CRACKL CRACKLE
Yet despite all the injuries, the Sovereign Arflus didn't lose its momentum. It created yet another batch of swords, bigger and seemingly heavier than before, vanishing into thin air as soon as it gripped it tightly.
It jumped towards the air and threw a heavy downpour of lightning bolts towards Grey, chasing him away. They were ones which were made to be homing, chasing the young man, a cacophony of thunder and explosion ringing in the air.
With Grey now busy dealing with the lightning bolts, the Sovereign Arflus gripped its blade rightly once more and quickly rushed towards the Yuna, spinning like a tornado of gold and black, lightning running rampant all over the place.
SHAK SHAK SHAK SHAK SHAK SHAK
Yet much like the time before, rather than cutting down its foe, it was the Sovereign Arflus which was cut instead. Another torrent of blades greeted it warmly and landed several heavy slashes towards it, breaking its swords once again.
Yuna didn't just create a trap before her, but all around her. It would have been fine if the enemy rushed up front where the trap had already been activated. However, it decided to rush from above, suffering heavy injuries as Yuna flicked her fingers.
The young lady didn't just waste the opportunity either. As soon as the enemy was entrapped in her grasp, she took out the "Divine Staff", pouring mana into it as she activated the stored spells dwelling inside them.
《Endless Frost: Khione!》 ［Yuna］
A spear of blue, black, and white manifested out of thin air and rushed towards the Sovereign Arflus, bringing with it a devastating touch of frost and the invitation of death. Piercing the core with much impact.
There wasn't just one spear. As soon as Yuan activated the Divine Staff, 12 more spears followed after it and rushed towards the Sovereign Arflusmat breakneck speeds, turning moisture in the air to snow and freezing the surroundings,
BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM
The first spear connected and a couple more followed. The Sovereign Arflus tried to defend itself, swinging its claws wildly and whipping its tail viciously, however, it was futile. Over half of the spears still pierced it painfully.
It was made of lightning, but even it was unsafe from Yuna's frost, its solid parts now blue and white as it swallowed it slowly but surely. A loud crash echoed in the air, a massive figure falling from the sky and having a rather pathetic descent.
Fortunately for it, there was a rather large gap in its and Yuna's combat powers. Had they been equal, then it wouldn't have been able to stand any more. It was fortunate that Yuna didn't use any of her broken buffs much like Grey.
CRACKLE CRACKLE CRACKLE CRACKLE
Yet just as it stood up, crackles and thunders echoed in the air once more. It turned its head to find a young man rushing towards it, its lightning bolts still chasing him and exploding from time to time, shockwaves ringing in the air.
"Hey, I've got a gift for you." ［Grey］
Said the young man as he leaped to the air, letting the lightning bolts clash with the Sovereign Arflus. Yet the latter did not flinch. Not only was it homing, even if it did hit it, it wouldn't take any damage whatsoeverー Or so it thought...
FWOOSH BOOM BOOM BOOK BOOM BOOM
... However, each and every single bolt clashed against it without any mercy, loud and resonant explosions reverberating in the air. Gray and black pillars of smoke rose into the air. a hellscape with raging flames painted in the room.
"It's a nice gift, isn't it?" ［Grey］
They were just illusions, both the Grey who leaped and the bolts of lightning were illusions. The real Grey was actually behind the bolts, and the bolts themselves were a fife magic spell Grey casted, veiled as lightning bolts.
Lightning may have no effect against it, but the same couldn't be said using other attributes. The explosive firepower of the flames were just perfect, dealing quite a bit of damage and further cracking the already damaged core.
It was already in fast and nimble form, but despite that, it still fails to dodge all the attacks Grey and Yuna bring towards it. There was no use trying to outsmart them. Brute force and might was the only way to go.
WHOONG WHOOOONG WHOOOOONGGG BOOOOOOMMMMMM
Its core pulsed and soon exploded, a massive shockwave of lightning and thunder ringing all throughout the place as a massive crater was carved yet again, deep and gaping gashes left on the ground as light swallowed the whole room.
Thankfully enough, since it was such a widespread attack, a simple barrier was more than enough to counter the explosion. Whilst Yuna simply used "Phaseless", letting the attack run past her and leaving her unscathed.
The light soon faded away and what was revealed was a large and terrifying figure which was quite resemblant to its original form. There were only a few minorー no, actually, quite a lot of differences.
"Hahaha... What is this, a Second Boss Phase...?" ［Grey］
There are now six massive greatswords in its hands, its back tentacles now wielding shields, and its tail is now equipped with a heavy and massive spiked mace. Be it slashing, thrusting, smashing, defending, or ranged attacks. It was fully capable.
ROOOOOAAAAAAAAARRRRR CRACKLE CRACKLE CRACKLE
It didn't just end there either. As soon as it transformed, it then called out an army of lightning soldiers, each wielding weapons and shields in their hands. All were at least at the level of an S-rank, powerful as can be.
Though, it was not without consequences. It had used most of its mana in making such a decision, a large crack appearing on its core. It was already set to die, and greatly determined to take Grey and Yuna long with it.
『Grey... Isn this extremely bad...?』 ［Yuna］
『Bad...? It's the worst, My Dear.』 ［Grey］
It was still Disaster-Class, but with all the tricks it learned and all the strategies it could come up with, it may as well stand toe to toe against a Catastrophe-Class monster. It was a real predator, that's for sure.
However, rather than fear, terror, anxiety, or dread, what Grey and Yuna felt were excitement and elation. They are both raring to go, wanting to clash with their strongest opponent yet, smiles blooming on their faces.
"Alright! Let's start the final round, shall we?!" ［Grey］
CHAPTER 443 END