Chapter 110: She Never Challenge The Final Boss

Before Reiji could react, a sharp pain tore across his back.

He didn’t even have time to process it before another two slashes ripped across both sides of his ribs.

"Argh..."

Reiji dropped to one knee, using the Long Bone Sword for support. Blood gushed out like water from a broken tap, staining the ancient stone beneath him. His breathing became ragged, and he could already feel his consciousness gradually fading with each passing second.

"Reiji!"

Aoi covered her mouth in horror.

She could feel the protective barrier around her weakening.

’This is it... We’re done for...’

The three creatures loomed over Reiji with mischievous grins plastered across their wolf-like faces. It was as though they were mocking him, telling him that no matter what he did, he was still too weak.

Reiji gritted his teeth and tried to force himself back to his feet.

Before he could...

The three creatures slowly opened their mouths.

Crimson flames gathered within them, growing larger and larger until the surrounding air distorted from the intense heat.

For the first time since entering his tranquil state Reiji’s mind wavered. His pupils contracted.

Three attacks. At this distance.

There was no room to dodge. No room to block.

His mind desperately searched for every possible solution.

Nothing.

Then...

Ding!

[Daily Quest Completed!]

[Congratulations Host! You’ve gained 10 Free Stat Points, +10 Strength, +10 Speed, +10 Stamina, +5 Perception.]

[Hidden Reward - Full Recovery!]

A warm current suddenly spread throughout Reiji’s entire body.

The deep wounds across his back rapidly closed.

His shattered ribs mended themselves. His torn muscles recovered completely.

The fatigue weighing down every part of his body vanished in an instant.

His condition returned to its absolute peak.

A small smile slowly appeared on Reiji’s lips.

Though the increase of ten Strength, Speed, and Stamina along with five Perception wasn’t overwhelming, it was still a welcome boost.

More importantly his body had completely recovered.

Inside the barrier, Aoi slowly closed her eyes.

She couldn’t bear to watch him die.

Even if they weren’t particularly close...

Watching someone die right before her eyes was something she couldn’t bring herself to witness.

BOOOOM!!

The three Derat Thorns fired simultaneously.

The deafening explosion echoed throughout the hall.

The flames swallowed everything before them.

The three creatures quietly watched the explosion.

Then...

All three suddenly sensed something behind them.

They turned almost simultaneously.

Floating there...

Were three small spheres of amber flames. The creatures stared at them in confusion.

One reached out with its claws to swipe them away.

The moment its claws touched the flames...

They disappeared.

The creatures frowned.

Then three more spheres appeared.

This time from different directions.

Then another. And another.

Within moments, flames surrounded them from every angle.

The three Derat Thorns immediately shifted formation.

Standing back to back.

Watching every direction at once.

The amber flames shot toward them. The creatures immediately moved to intercept.

But just before impact...

Every single flame shattered into countless tiny sparks before disappearing.

Nothing happened.

The creatures froze.

Confusion flashed across their crimson eyes.

That tiny moment of hesitation was all Reiji needed.

[Overload.]

[Shadow Step.]

[Verdant Growth.]

[Soul Torture Flame.]

[Sword Weaver.]

Mana erupted from Reiji’s body.

Unlike before the Overload buff was even stronger.

Now that it had advanced to C-Rank, the burden on his body had doubled.

But so had its power.

BOOM!!

His figure vanished.

The next instant...

He appeared directly in the center of the three Derat Thorns.

Their eyes widened.

Before they could react...

Thick emerald vines burst from beneath their feet.

They wrapped tightly around all three creatures, binding their limbs.

Amber flames immediately surged through the vines.

The chamber lit up with brilliant golden fire.

The three Derat Thorns roared as the Soul Torture Flames spread across their bodies.

Reiji didn’t stop there.

Mana poured endlessly into the Long Bone Sword.

The blade shone so brightly that even Aoi instinctively raised an arm to shield her eyes.

Sword Weaver strengthened every movement.

His grip became steadier.

His stance became perfect.

His sword...

Became an extension of his own body.

A single flash.

SHING!!

The blade swept across the necks of all three creatures.

Silence.

Nothing happened.

Then...

*Spurt!*

Three heads separated from their bodies.

The two clones immediately dissolved into countless crimson particles before disappearing.

Only the original remained.

Its enormous body trembled violently.

Dark black aura slowly began leaking from every part of it.

Reiji’s eyes narrowed.

He had no intention of waiting to see what would happen.

[Sword Weaver.]

SHING! SHING! SHING! SHING!!

The Long Bone Sword became nothing more than streaks of light.

Within a single breath...

The Derat Thorn’s body was sliced into dozens of pieces.

The scattered remains crashed onto the floor.

The black aura disappeared completely.

The Sword Dancer upgrade was no joke.

Ding!

[Host has killed an A+ Rank Labyrinth Anomaly - Derat Thorn.]

[+100 EXP.]

[Monster Core and Dungeon Core successfully harvested.]

[Cores in Inventory.]

Ding!

[Urgent Side Quest Completed!]

[Congratulations Host! You have gained a Class Upgrade, One Silver Mystery Box, Twin Nine Tail Fox Bloodline (1%).]

Ding!

[Threat Terminated. Severe Backlash From Overload on Host’s Body.]

"I guess my body isn’t strong enough... Blergh."

Reiji coughed up a mouthful of blood before collapsing onto the ground.

Every active skill automatically dispersed.

The amber flames vanished. The vines crumbled. The crimson aura disappeared.

Only the Long Bone Sword remained beside him.

Reiji turned toward the blade and smiled weakly.

"Haha... We did it, buddy. You’re stronger than you look..."

"Reiji!"

Aoi sprinted toward him. Tears glistened at the corners of her eyes.

Reiji looked at her in surprise. ’She’s worried?’

He couldn’t help chuckling.

Unable to believe this was the same woman who had blackmailed him not long ago, he slowly pushed himself into a sitting position and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.

Aoi stopped in front of him. Her eyes were red. Tears slowly rolled down her cheeks.

Seeing her expression Reiji burst into laughter.

"Hahahaha!"

She immediately started punching him repeatedly on the arm.

"Stop laughing!"

"Hahaha... Okay, okay. I will."

Aoi sniffed before glaring at him with watery eyes.

She looked unbelievably adorable.

Like an angry little child trying her hardest not to cry.

She quickly wiped away her tears before helping him to his feet, supporting his body with one arm.

"I’m surprised you’re actually worried about me."

Aoi’s face instantly turned red. She pouted and looked away. "It’s not like I was worried or anything. If you die, who would get me cores?"

"Haha... Fine."

As they continued walking, Aoi finally decided to ask.

"What about the Final Boss?"

"It’s not worth taking the risk. Besides, there are Awakeners for that job, right?" Reiji muttered while looking ahead.

Aoi stared at him for a few seconds before nodding.

"Okay. Let’s go."

The two walked toward the side of the wall where a massive magic circle had been carved into the stone.

Ancient runes glowed faintly across its surface.

Aoi took out three Monster Cores and carefully placed them into the empty slots surrounding the circle.

The moment the final core settled into place, the runes lit up one after another.

A low humming sound filled the air.

The magic circle slowly began rotating.

"Looks like it still works."

The two stepped into the center.

The runes suddenly exploded with light.

A brilliant radiance swallowed both of them instantly.

A few seconds later, the chamber became silent once more.

The light faded. And so did Reiji and Aoi.

***

Several minutes later.

A group of B-Rank Awakeners arrived on the Ninety-Eighth Floor.

The squad leader immediately frowned.

"...No monsters."

The others exchanged glances. That alone was strange.

A Labyrinth Floor without monsters was like a forest without trees.

It simply didn’t make sense.

The deeper they went, the more uneasy they became.

Not a single creature appeared. Not one.

The group eventually reached the entrance leading toward the Ninety-Ninth Floor.

The massive doors stood open.

The squad leader slowly gripped her weapon.

"Stay alert."

Everyone nodded. The group carefully stepped through.

The moment they entered they all froze.

"...What hell happened here?"

The entire hall was destroyed. Massive cracks covered the walls. Ancient pillars had collapsed. Large sections of the floor were completely shattered.

Burn marks stretched across the chamber.

Some areas looked as though they had been melted by extreme heat.

Others appeared to have been crushed by overwhelming force.

The squad leader’s expression immediately became serious.

"A battle happened here." One of the Awakeners swallowed. "And no ordinary battle."

Everyone silently agreed.

Even without witnessing it themselves, they could feel traces of lingering mana throughout the chamber.

The fight had been brutal. Terrifyingly brutal.

One Awakener crouched beside a deep crater. "...This wasn’t caused by the Boss Monster."

"What?"

She slowly stood. "The mana signature is different."

The squad leader’s eyes narrowed.

Something else had fought here. Something powerful. Very powerful.

The thought alone sent chills through the group.

Several members immediately began recording everything they saw.

The damaged floor. The destroyed pillars. The scorch marks. The claw marks embedded deep within the stone.

Every piece of evidence was carefully noted down.

After several minutes, the squad leader finally spoke.

"We continue."

No one objected.

The group moved toward the massive gate leading to the Hundredth Floor.

The Final Boss Room.

The gigantic doors stood closed.

Everyone instinctively held their breath.

The squad leader slowly pushed against the doors.

The massive doors slowly creaked open.

RUMBLE!

The moment a gap appeared an overwhelming pressure flooded out.

Several B-Rank Awakeners instinctively stepped backward.

One of them nearly lost her footing.

"...The Final Boss."

Inside the Boss Room, a gigantic figure slowly opened its eyes.

Its mere presence caused the surrounding mana to become heavy.

The squad leader slowly tightened her grip around her weapon.

No one spoke.

But strangely Nobody was thinking about the Final Boss.

Their minds were still occupied by the destroyed chamber on the Ninety-Ninth Floor.

The shattered pillars. The melted stone. The countless claw marks. The lingering traces of an overwhelming battle.

Whatever had fought there...

It had been powerful enough to turn the entire Boss Chamber into ruins.

One Awakener swallowed.

"...Do you think the Night Empress did all that?"

"No."

The squad leader answered immediately.

"She reached the Ninety-Ninth Floor... but she never challenged the Final Boss."

Silence followed.

Everyone immediately understood what she meant.

If the Night Empress had truly intended to clear the Labyrinth...

She would have entered this room.

Instead she stopped.

Their gazes slowly drifted back toward the passage leading to the Ninety-Ninth Floor.

For some reason the ruined chamber behind them now felt far more terrifying than the monster waiting before them.

Just what exactly had happened on the Ninety-Ninth Floor?