Chapter 492: Final Clearing (pt. IV)

BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM

Lightning arced and slithered across the corridors, glimmers of gold streaking across the large caverns and raining down upon the barren ground. They lashed out like whips and peppered their target, bellowing screams shaking the whole dungeon.

The Bloodfang King swung its heavy cleaver and deep gashes formed across the ground. It packed enough power to cleave towns clean in half, yet despite all that, it did nothing against the slithering chains rushing towards it.

The chains of lightning continued to zoom and boom, piercing even more of its body and dismembering its limbs, slowly breaking away its armor and laying it bare until all that was left was its monstrously massive mouth and its similarly massive cleaver.

WHOONG WHOONG WHOONG WHOONG WHOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMM

It pulled a flood of mana into its mouth and fired it soon after, a massive beam of death rushing towards the chains and destroying a couple of them. They shattered into brilliant pieces of amber light. Yet the Bloodfang King couldn't celebrate.

Just in time when all the chains disappeared, the ground below it glowed a golden light. Chains came from below and bound it to the ground with no ways to move, piercing its already charred limbs and letting it bellow once more.

However, there was no need to endure the pain any longer. Before a second passed, a familiar figure appeared before its blurry eyes. It couldn't see anything anymore, but a platinum glimmer registered before its eyes. The cold daggers of a bloody killer.

She landed soft as a feather and stabbed her bloodthirsty daggers deep on its head, blood splurting towards the ground and its pained groan ringing all throughout. Cold chills filled the air, a glacial blue magic sigil glowing below one of her feet.

⟨⟨Ice Lance!⟩⟩ ［Yuna］

Her cold and icy voice echoed clearer than the Bloodfang King's bellow, and as the frost finished gathering below her feet, a deadly lance of blue and white pierced through its massive head, boring a gaping hole through it and freezing it all over.

It still managed to flail its arms around in futile resistance, but just a couple of slashes from the young elf and its whole upper body was ripped apart. It let out a final groan as its flames of life slowly flickered away, devoured by Yuna's frost.

WOBBLE WOBBLE THUD THUD THUD CRASSHHHHH

What followed after was a series of thuds and crashes, its massive body welcomed by the ground. Once more, a dim glow shattered slowly but surely, leaving behind a couple of great items which it once wielded proudly.

There was a massive and heavy cleaver of black and gold, and there was its resistant and adamant armor of a similar tone. The deadly glint in the young lady's eyes vanished and all that was left were the glimmers of excitement.

"Grey! I got a new cleaver and armor! How much do you think these are worth?! Do you think these would look good on me?!" ［Yuna］

"Hahaha. I love your enthusiasm, Yuna, but I think we'll have to pass up on this one. The look and color scheme of the set is too sinister for you." ［Grey］

"After the massacre she did, I think it's more fitting if anything." ［Kris］

"Really? Should I try it out right now?" ［Yuna］

"Haah... Forget it. Suit yourself..." ［Grey］

It was as if she was a completely different person, the young lady going from a cold and deadly killer to an innocent elf beaming with a bright smile as she tried out her new armor, humming to herself as she fitted it to her dimensions.

Grey had almost forgotten, but Yuna always has the tendency to find new things cool like a teenage boy who is undergoing 8th grader syndrome. Be it names, armor, or swords. Everything sparkly looked cool in her eyes.

It didn't take long before Yuna finished fitting the armor, overlaying it with her usual adventurer clothing and wielding the massive cleaver by her side. And as one would expect, it fit her perfectlyー or well, almost perfectly.

Had she been in her battle mode and her eyes like that of a killer, it would have fit her perfectly like a glove. However, now that she looked bright, beaming, and adorable, making the atmosphere completely different. It was a complete misfit.

"So, what do you think? Does it fit me?" ［Yuna］

"Let's just say you look adorable. Let's leave it at that, yeah?" ［Grey］

"Booo～! You're no fun, Grey! Just answer me directly!" ［Yuna］

Grey and Yuna were still up in their usual shenanigans, but Kris and Aria already went ahead of them. They are now a couple dozen meters away facing the end of the impressive halls, a massive door laying in front of them.

It was ominous and gave off an eerie vibe, strange and unknown carvings engraved on every corner and gargantuan torches on both sides of the doors. Their flames danced in the tune of silence, making the atmosphere even more eerie than before.

Kris and Aria had seen a Boss Room Door before, but it was only in a D-rank dungeon they were asked to clear a couple years ago. Just by size alone, the one before them was already incomparable, even more so in majesty and grandeur.

It has been decided that Kris and Aria would be the ones taking on the Boss Monster and Grey and Yuna will only be there to support them whenever needed. The more they looked at the door, the hotter their adventurer blood boiled.

"Are you not gonna rest, Mister Kris, Miss Aria?" ［Grey］

"Hah, what are you talking about? All we did on this floor was follow along. We already rested plenty. If anything, I'm itching to move my shoulders again." ［Kris］

"I have to agree with Kris. Since Kris just recently reached S-rank, fighting an S-rank boss is a good way to test our strength." ［Aria］

"You're getting along surprisingly well, huh..." ［Grey］

"Fufufu! We may banter a lot, but we're still husband and wife, after all." ［Aria］

It was a rare occasion, Kris and Aria's opinions actually complementing each other. They both looked at the massive doors before them and heaved their sighs, pressing their hands upon the doors and filling it with their mana.

Their hands glowed upon contact and slowly but surely, their mana spread all over the door. The strange runes and carvings glowed a dim light and the torches flared up even more, dancing happily as they greeted the new challengers.

CLACK THUD CLANK CLANK CLANK CREEAAAAKKKKK

A series of familiar thuds echoed in the air and the heavy doors slowly opened with time. Their creaks echoed far and wide and as the light from the corridors seeped into the dark and eerie boss room, the torchstones started to light up.

What was once a dark and gloomy room was now swallowed up by the light, soon fading away to a brightness the eyes could handle comfortably. The lights unveiled such massive yet barren room, a single figure standing in the center.

It has a long pair of long arms equipped with sharp claws, a hunched back with a couple pairs of horns protruding from it, spikes running along its spine until its short tail, and three eyes of black and red etched into its head.

In its hands was a massive and heavy club, filled with numerous spikes and painted the color of darkness. It was just as long as its arms and carved on it were a handful of scratches, carved similarly as the scars all over the monster's body.

It was a Three-Eyed troll, a monster which is usually at the bottom of S-rank and also the pinnacle of all Troll-type monsters. They haven't fought yet, but judging from how hostile its eyes were and its scars, it has fought against people before.

⟨⟨Appraisal⟩⟩ ［Grey］

-----------------------------------

[Monster]

[Species]Three-Eyed Troll

[Status]Healthy

[Type]Warrior

[Ability]Regeneration

[Mana Capacity]17,099 [Mana Quality]A

[Combat Power]5,617 [Threat Level]S

[Attribute]Null

-----------------------------------

Surely enough, the monster itself wasn't the strongest amongst the multitude of S-class monsters, however, with its excellent regenerative abilities, it was one of the most troublesome to deal with. A massive pain in the ass.

With Kris' strength almost on par with it and Aria supporting him from behind, there isn't too much of a difference between the two parties. It's also their first time fighting against a hostile force of roughly equal footing. It was quite exciting, actually.

"Are you not summoning your familiars?" ［Yuna］

"I'm not sure... We'll first try whether we can defeat it on our own, and if ever things go south, only then we'll summon them." ［Kris］

"That sounds like a reckless plan." ［Grey］

"You're the last people I want to hear that from. Who was it who voluntarily plunged themselves to the 10th floor of the Labyrinths for their so-called 'training'? Compared to those madment, this is pretty tame." ［Kris］

"Hahaha. We can't say anything against that..." ［Grey］

As it seems, it looks like Kris and Aria are challenging the Boss with no particular plans in mind. They will simply throw themselves through the wringer and learn to survive under the pressure, putting one of their feet to the grave.

It was a reckless plan, but also one worth the experience. After all, they have the living proof of such insanity standing before them. If they don't do their best then they'll never be able to catch up to them and close the gap.

Determination burning bright in their eyes, Grey and Yuna then resigned themselves and with a flick of a finger, they vanished into thin air, their form and presence veiled under the guise of illusion magic, only two figures remained.

"Are you ready, Aria?" ［Kris］

"I wouldn't have stepped in in the first place if I wasn't." ［Aria］

"Hahaha. Yeah, I thought so. You really are fierce." ［Kris］

Kris and Aria prepared themselves as soon as Grey and Yuna's figures vanished, a heavy battleaxe appearing on Kris' side and a trusty bow popping out of Aria's. Their amulets also glowed, creating a thin yet durable coat of mana around them.

They took their steps and the door behind them then closed with its ominous rings. At the same time, the Three-Eyed Troll started to move, its eyes glistening a deep and ominous red color and a deadly shone sparkled from within.

"Alright! Let's see what you got, Big Guy!" ［Kris］

GUAAARRRKKKKKK!!

Kris' voice echoed in the air and the Boss' soon followed. The halls were rocked from the tremors of its booming roar, the ground trembling quietly as it took its steps, three streaks of deep red moving about as it zoomed about.

It may be big, but it was in no way slow. It was faster than a horse, bridging a distance of over a hundred meters in less than just a couple of seconds. It roared once more, raising its battle club towards the air, swinging it down soon after.

WHOOOOSSSHHHH BOOOOMMMMM CRACK CRACK CRACK

Its massive club struck the ground with great force and a massive crater formed below it. Clouds of dust spiraled all throughout the place and debris was sent flying towards all directions, a series of cracks crawling through the ground.

The dust soon cleared out, however, there was not a puddle of blood and gore to be seen. Rather, there was only a massive crater and beside it was a single figure just a couple inches away, standing completely unharmed and unfazed.

"Missed me a couple inches there, Buddy." ［Kris］

A sinister smile bloomed on his face and the ground trembled at his words. He drew back his massive battleaxe, pouring all his strength into it, and with all his might, he swung it towards the enemy, gentle the Boss a smack to be reckoned with.

It was heavier than a wrecking ball and faster than a bullet, shockwaves ringing all throughout as it connected ever so beautifully. The Boss was stunned for a couple of minutes, its head turning a little blurry from the shock.

GUAAAARRRRKKKKKKKK

However, it didn't falter from just that. The Boss let out yet another roar and gripped its club even tighter than before. Just as Kris swung his next strike, it also swung a counter, their blows clashing against one another in a ferocious storm.

BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM

A club against a battleaxe, a human against a Three-Eye Troll, a valiant hero against a giant monster. It was the battle of the century, two opposing forces trading blow per blow and sending shockwaves reverberating all over the place.

The Boss tried to use its other hand to strike Kris when he was open, but the latter was already used to tricky monsters. He quickly planted his foot to the ground and erected a wall of heavy earth to block it off,

At the same time, he also sent earthen spikes running along the ground and rushing towards his massive opponent. It was able to stop it, however, as it did so, it left a small but wonderful opening to take advantage of, his battleaxe glowing with mana.

⟨⟨Split Break!⟩⟩ ［Kris］

Kris struck the ground with all his might and a ferocious quake ran throughout the barren earth. It was not enough to fling the Boss towards the air, but it was more than enough to throw it off balance, Kris soon pouncing once again.

He didn't waste the opportunity he made and struck while the iron was hot. He once again poured mana into his battleaxe and raised it towards the air, an enlarged and heavy projection of his battleaxe appearing soon after.

⟨⟨Sundering Mountains!⟩⟩ ［Kris］

A booming quake shook the ground once more and Kris' strike connected perfectly towards the Boss' chest. It was buried deep into the ground and cracks formed as it fell down, a storm of dust dancing along the shockwaves.

The Boss could only shriek in pain, gritting its teeth soon after. It grabbed the chance that Kris was still in the air and kicked with all the strength it could muster. It didn't pack enough power, but it was more than enough to chase Kris away.

The very moment it regained its balance, it then started to rush towards Kris once again, swinging its lengthy arms as it traded blow for blow against the gray-haired man, fierce shockwaves rampaging all throughout the place.

BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM

They continued to trade blows and shockwaves continued to run wild inside the dark and barren room. But of course, one couldn't forget about Aria. She is now hovering in the air with the use of wind magic, their battle clearly reflecting in her eyes.

Her bow is now already pointing towards the enemy, moving her hands accordingly as she watched Kris and the Three-Eyed Troll continue to move around. The more she waited, the more mana gathered in her arrow.

Kris swung his battleaxe once more and it clashed with the Boss' club. However, since he was a little weaker in physical strength, his streak was broken soon enough and he was left wide open... An opportunity has opened.

⟨⟨Hunter's Fest!⟩⟩ ［Aria］

The Boss took the opportunity to strike Kris, and so did Aria. She soon let go of the bowstring and a rain of arrows poured down upon the enemy, streaking like bolts of lightning falling down from the heavens as they rushed towards the target.

BOOM BOOM BOOM BOM BOOM BOOM BOOM GUAAARRRKKKK

The first arrow connected and a couple dozen more followed suit. They peppered the Boss' defenseless back without a shred of mercy, making it groan in pain and bellow from the repeated strikes, cracks appearing on the horns on its back.

It soon regained its composure, and swung its club once more. It risked taking a few hits from Aria's arrows, but after a single swing, it was able to dispel them all without a problem, laying its eyes on the golden-haired elf... It made a fatal mistake...

"Oi! Where are you looking at, you ugly bastard?!" ［Kris］

It has now spotted its other enemy, but by doing so, it left itself open to Kris' attacks. The latter once again pounced at him whilst he roared towards Aria, and his trusty battleaxe once again grew in size, glowing a sinister black color.

⟨⟨Giga-Breaker!⟩⟩ ［Kris］

The Boss managed to turn its head around, however, it was already far too late. Kris' battleaxe was already swinging down hard and though it was able to cross its arms and defend, it was struck head on by sheet destructive force.

Like a hammer hitting the head of a nail, the Boss sank towards the ground the very moment his attack connected, tremors running deep and the plates displaced as the cracks ran throughout the already tattered wasteland.

⟨⟨Hunter's Judge: Sylphiette!⟩⟩ ［Aria］

It didn't just stop there either. As soon as Kris was out of the way, Aria then fired her supercharged arrow towards the already battered enemy. It rode along the wind and fell like a deadly thunderbolt, shocking the ground once more.

Debris was sent flying, dust went sweeping all over, cracks turned the ground jaded, and a deep hole was etched in the center of the room. However, the battle was still far from over, a huge creature rising up once more.

As one would expect from an S-rank monster. Not only was its strength and speed incredible, its tenacity and natural regeneration was also something to behold. It was able to survive all their attacks, only a handful of wounds by its side.

However, they weren't all that useless. It may be able to regenerate its body much more quickly than other monsters of its caliber, but it took quite a bit of mana to do so, drying up almost a third of its reserves just to heal them all.

"As expected of an S-rank monster..." ［Aria］

"Tsk! What a tenacious bastard." ［Kris］

GUUUAAAAAARRRRRRKKKKKKKKK

The battle continued and the Three-Eyed Troll once again rushed towards Kris and Aria. It swung its club like a madman, trying to strike them recklessly, all the while keeping its vigilance high for the both of them.

Kris and Aria didn't just back down either, readying their weapons once more. Kris prepared to face it off with a stream of heavy strikes and Aria increased the distance between them, loading her bow with a bright and deadly set of arrows.

BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM

The trading blows ensued once more, shockwaves once again dancing in madness, Aria firing her arrows from afar and Kris striking every gap he can whenever it gets distracted. Such a pattern continued, the battle heating up with the passing of time.

With Kris' heavy blows and Aria's howling arrows, the Boss sustained a lot of wounds and injuries, regenerating as usual at the costs of its mana. It was a very slow and gradual process, but they were chipping away its mana reserves.

Soon enough, its mana reserves were so low, it didn't even bother healing the small wounds and simply continued on the offensive, putting pressure towards Kris and sure to tire him out. The stalemate continued until...

"...!!! You damn ugly bastard...!!" ［Kris］

GUAAAARRRKKKKKKKKKKKK

... The Boss willingly sacrificed one of its arms towards Kris, letting him strike it off. It was painful and its joints were dislocated, however, it left Kris open for a strike from its other other hand, roaring with ferocious vigor.

Kris was able to erect a wall of earth and raise his hammer in defense, however, it was already too late. The Boss' swift and heavy punch simply went through the wall and connected towards Kris, blasting him off towards the walls.

"Kris!!" ［Aria］

Aria screamed in panic and readied her bow to distract the Boss charging towards her husband. However, all of the sudden, she stopped doing so. A gentle smile of relief then appeared on her face as her eyes gleamed bright.

Meanwhile, the Boss continued to charge towards the direction of the man it just swatted away like a fly. It was desperate and rushing to finish things off, taking wide and heavy strides towards Kris, and swinging its clubー or so it was going to do so.

"Hahaha. Got you now, you ugly bastard." ［Kris］

However, before the cloud of dust and debris cleared out, an ominous voice echoed in the air, and soon after, an unfamiliar and massive figure appeared out of nowhere. It was a giant lion the color of ask, pouncing towards the Boss.

Kris had used his ability, "Lion Soul", granting him a 50% increase in all status at the cost of twice the mana. He didn't just stop there. He also used his "Authority", further enhancing his strength, his mana rapidly depleting,

He could only maintain such a form for about half a minute at best, but it was more than enough to finish the enemy off. Kris was now over 3 times stronger than before, and now matter how much it struggled, the Boss could never break free.

CRACK CRACK CRACK RIIIIPPPPPPPPP TEAARRRRR

The very moment the Boss was down, Kris immediately used his massive maws to crush its bones and rip its limbs apart. It screamed in pain and agony, struggling to break free, but it was all in vain, endlessly suffering pain with its regeneration.

All the limbs Kris tore apart were regenerated the next few seconds, however, it also took quite a heavy toll on the Boss' mana reserve, and before long, it could do longer do so, its wound and injuries failing to heal up.

"Aria! Now!" ［Kris］

The time was high and the battle had reached its climax. With all the strength he could muster, Kris bit down on the Boss and threw it up in the air. It wasn't too high, however, it was high enough, Aria's eyes locking upon it.

Kris had already told her telepathically that he was alright, and so, she continued to charge her arrow with as much mana as she could. It was to the point that the winds have begun to bellow around her, a flash of radiance gleaming from her eyes.

⟨⟨Hunter's Judge: Sylphiette!⟩⟩ ［Aria］

The winds howled one final time and Aria's arrows rampaged with a deafening roar. It bolted towards the Three-Eyed Troll and pierced it without a trace of resistance, a large and gaping hole bored through its chest.

Normally, the Boss would have still been able to regenerate, however, it was already out of juice. It could only wail as it lost its life, falling towards the ground with a loud crash before vanishing into a handful of useful and wonderful items.

"Haha... Haah... We really did it... Goddammit..." ［Kris］

As for Kris who watched the final scene unfold before his very eyes, he could only smile as he watched his wife land safely on the ground. He has exhausted too much mana, and could no longer have any strength left, faltering soon after.

"Whoa there, Mister Kris. Be careful. We can't have you tripping just right after your victory now, can we?" ［Grey］

"That was incredible, Mister Kris! Miss Aria, too!" ［Yuna］

"Hahaha. Who do you think we are?" ［Kris］

Thankfully, Grey and Yuna were there to catch him before he fell, giving him a pair of shoulders to lean on. The effects of rapid mana exhaustion hurts quite a lot, but he still has the energy to joke around, chuckling to himself.

But of course, despite all that, his eyes only remained to linger at one figure. There was a smile on his face as he watched her walk towards him. It was none other than his lovely wife who is now just as dirty as him, covered in quite a bit of dust.

"I heard your scream back there. You were quite worried, weren't you?" ［Kris］

"You sure talk a lot for someone who can't even stand up by himself." ［Aria］

"Hahaha. I'm just a little battered. Though... If I receive a kiss from my lovely and beautiful wife, I think I'll heal up right away." ［Kris］

"Don't push your luck, idiot..." ［Aria］

She has quite the sharp tongue and also a bit of a stubborn personality, but no matter how much she tries to hide it, it was obvious what she really feels, her red ears and flushed cheeks telling it all... A soft chuckle escaped his mouth.

"What are you laughing like an idiot for?" ［Aria］

"Nah, nothing… Nothing at all～!" ［Kris］

CHAPTER 492 END