Perfect Duo

While some lights were operable, the remaining lights were dead. Next to Alice and the group was a huge hole which stretched many floors above. Their only option was to take the stairs up. Several minutes later, the group had managed to reach the first floor of the plaza.

"How are we going to get over this?" One of the civilians asked impatiently. He simply wanted to get out of here as soon as possible. Noticing the huge hole between them and the entrance, Alice requested Elizabeth, one of the employees to find another exit within the building.

Elizabeth nodded and led the group down a floor, where only staff and employees were allowed. Just as they were about to reach the exit, they heard a huge roar echo throughout the building.

People within the group halted in fear, as they were unable to move due to the pressure. Feeling it's presence, Ricardo and Alice realized this monster was unlike the previous monster.

"Go, get going all of you!" Alice frantically replied, and hurriedly opened the exit door. Recovering from their stupor, the people ran out of the building as fast as possible. Before closing the door, Lawrence and his secretary slightly bowed in gratitude.

"Here is my card. Have your CEO meet me once this is over. By CEO, I meant the young lad. Well then, I wish you both luck." As soon as the duo left, the doors shut tight, and the footsteps were getting close.

"You better hurry as well, I will meet you where Indra is." Not listening to Ricardo, Alice shook her head in denial and brandished a small dagger from her left leather case attached to her leg.

"Definitely not leaving you here. That monster is at the same realm as we are in. By far the strongest monster I have seen so far." Ricardo knew of Alice's stubborn nature all too well. Convincing her was the hardest battle he had ever fought.

"Stop being such an idiot! I don't want anything to happen to you either. I am strong and I've been getting stronger!" Ricardo raised his voice at Alice.

"So, you do feel that way about me don't you?" Hearing Alice, Ricardo looked at her in disbelief.

'Which part of what I said did she not understand?' He looked at Alice confusingly.

"You fool, you are someone whom I care for as well. Remember the promise we made when we were young? That we would share our troubles and happiness together? Isn't that why you saved me and isn't that why we're friends?" Ricardo remained silent as he reminisced the promise he made with Alice when they were young.

When no one was there for Alice, Ricardo offered his hand to her. Something which Alice never failed to forget. An event which seemed like it happened yesterday. A friend whom she is so grateful towards.

From that day onwards, they relied on each other's backs and Ricardo realized how foolish it was to think he could do everything by himself. No. Together with Alice, they were the perfect team. If Ricardo was the tank, then Alice was the support. Not just a regular support, but one of the best healers ever.

Together armed with his strong animafication and Alice's powers, they were the duo unparalleled strength with Emperor's realm/

"Well, you better not leave me here once the monster gets here."

"Oh, we most certainly shall find out who the real coward here is." Alice playfully stuck her tongue out when she heard Ricardo's sarcastic remarks.

Soon, the footsteps gradually got louder and came to a halt.

'Boom'

The walls shattered revealing a humanoid figure within the dust and debris. As the dust cleared, the humanoid figure revealed itself as it released its pressure onto Ricardo and Alice. Getting into their respective battle stances and noticed the creature across them.

"Heal Circular Shield!" Alice brought forth a circular shield which surrounded her in multiple layers. With extreme defense, the aura collided against the shield, but was unable to penetrate through. Aware of her abilities, Ricardo eyes remained fixated on his prey.

Its face took form of a lizard, while the body was covered with purple scales and resembling an armor which portrayed its high defensive capabilities. Its eyes were in silver color and the claws and legs were sturdy yet slim. Its sharp teeth dripped with saliva, making it look all the more menacing and dangerous.

Smirking in anticipation, Ricardo flared his aura as he too began to transform. Towering over two meters, Ricardo's fur turned brown, and his hands turned into paws. His brown hair became longer and dripped down till his knees.

His teeth turned sharper and longer, making him a half man and a half beast. With his muscles inflated and reaching the same height as the demonic creature, the creature naturally saw him as a predator. Both eyes each other with extreme hostility.

What was the outcome of two predators being at one place? Simply, it was to kill each other till one remains standing. Alice smiled as she noticed how far Ricardo had come with his animafication abilities. Despite his mysterious origins, she knew how much effort he put into transforming. The amount of physical and mana training he went through was colossal. His potential was monstrous, and Alice simply took pride in it.

"As always, going straight for the kill aren't you?" Alice chuckled as she replied from within her shield.

"I just don't see the fun in torturing my opponents. I crave for an amazing battle, not a torturous one. Let's hope this guy here will excite me. Bring it on you bastard!" The creature snarled as it rushed towards Ricardo, whipping its tail at high speeds towards him.

With the tail just a few inches away from him, Ricardo side stepped to the left as he grabbed onto the tail and spun the creature around with full force and threw it across the wall. The creature flew and crashed into several walls, before falling to the ground.

Ricardo sweated a little when he realized his arms go numb. Had he not caught the tail at an appropriate angle, it would have done more damage than just numbing his arms. It was then the duo realized how strong and fast this monster was.

"Ricardo are you alright?" Ricardo nodded as he let out a blood thirsty smile. He had been craving for such a battle. As if he had read Alice's mind, Ricardo said,

"Don't use your buff stat on me Alice. Not just yet. Let's see what else this monster has to offer us." Alice took a step back and remained within the barrier. Just like Ricardo had predicted, the creature stood up unscathed and rushed towards him. His concentration went up several notches as he engaged in a flurry of kicks and punches against it. Even the slightest mistake would cost him a lot in this battle, and he wasn't willing to put his or Alice's life at risk.

Shockwaves collided, as the multiple debris flew within the huge empty room. Several layers of Alice's shield were destroyed. However, she restored her shield back to its former state and observed the battle. To her naked eyes, she was not able to observe the battle at all. However, she had a feeling that the fight wasn't going to end anytime soon.

Ricardo continued to punch and kick with his paws, yet the monster was simply too fast as it dodged his attacks. He too, dodged the monster's attacks without getting injured, and yet despite the dodges, he knew he wouldn't be able to keep this up for too long. He need to use one of his strongest attacks within his arsenal.

"Banshee cry!" Ricardo stepped back as he roared with all his might towards it. With his voiced amplified to the extreme levels, the creature screamed in pain as green blood spilt out of its ears. Letting its guard down for a split second, Ricardo took this chance and gathered mana around his right paw. Slowly, grey energy began to coalesce around his arm.

"It's time for you to go to hell, Wolf Shattering Punch!" Ricardo arrived in front of the monster within a flash and punched its abdomen with all his might. Unable to dodge, the creature screamed in pain as its scales shattered around its abdomen, sending it flying farther out of the room.

When the dust settled, the monster showed no signs of getting up. Placing his right arm down, Ricardo noticed his bruised knuckle as he saw the blood dripping down from his forearm. Alice smiled as she slowly deactivated her barrier yet keeping herself on guard if the monster woke up. Aware of his powers, she knew no one within the Emperor's realm apart from Richard stood up again after the Wolf Shattering Fist.

"Looks like it's finally over huh?" Alice smiled as she walked towards Ricardo and began healing his bruise. Within seconds, the wound disappeared without any traces of injury.

"Well, after taking my amazing fist head on, I don't think it ever stood-" Just when he thought it was over, he turned around when he noticed a signature several rooms away spike up several levels. Feeling the pressure, Alice activated her shield, only to shatter completely this time. Unable to contain the pressure, Ricardo stepped in front of Alice as he shielded her from the suffocating aura.

"Alice, hurry and set up a stronger barrier. Looks like it just went all psycho!" Alice nodded as she immediately set up a stronger barrier. This time however, it was in golden color instead of green. She heaved a sigh of relief as she wiped the sweat from her forehead.

"It's gotten stronger Ricardo. I'm going to boost your attack, speed and defense. Stat Buff!" Placing her hands in front of him and soon, Ricardo felt tremendous energy flowing within him. Alice cursed herself for not bringing her staff to the business summit. With her formal attire, bringing her staff would've brought about suspicious looks. With her staff, her healing and support abilities all would rise drastically.

'Now is it not the time to worry about such matters. I need to help Ricardo, even if it cost all my mana and my life, to beat this monster.'

"Al-Alice!" Ricardo brought her out of her thoughts as she stared at him.

"Don't worry, that's why we're a team. Trust me and I- no, we will beat this together." Seeing his confidence, Alice smiled and said, "That I know for sure."