Alice: Meteor of destruction!

activating one of her skills, the card held in Alice's hand morphed into a green coloured energy. Spiralling out of her hand, the Green energy began taking the shape of a ball. By the time it had finally stopped growing, the shining ball of energy was over 5 meters wide. Stabilising into an almost perfectly circular ball, it looked very intimidating. Once again changing forms, the energy ball became a rocky material. Transforming completely, the energy ball was quickly replaced by a rocky boulder. Looking out at the overflowing mass of insects attacking her Goblies, a grin flashed across her face. Having already been given orders earlier, the Goblies were encircling the tunnel entrance. As they were a sizable group of 70, they were able to create a safe space of 15 meters for Alice and Gareth. But even if they could briefly hold off the Parasites, without assistance they would eventually fall to the unending horde of insects.

Alice: Go!

Sending her massive boulder shooting forwards, Alice aimed it towards the centre of the insect's army. Narrowly missing the Goblies head, the gigantic boulder smashed into the ranks of knee high parasites. Rolling forwards, the boulder crushed dozens of the parasites. Being on a downwards slope, the boulder only continued to gain speed. Seeing the approaching boulder, the parasites desperately scampered to get away. But the tightly packed insects didn't have the time to escape the fast approaching boulder. When the boulder had reached a hundred meters into the parasite horde, a grin crept its way onto Alice's face.

Alice: Break!

Holding out her hand, Alice activated the second phase of her attack. Glowing ominously, the previously plain boulder began to turn red. Splitting all over, cracks began forming on the boulder. Emerging out of those cracks, red hot magma oozed out to cover the boulder's surface. Looking at the tightly held together ball of lava, Alice's brain was slightly confused. Having the idea that liquids flow outwards ingrained in her mind, she was perplexed by the sight of this lava ball. Though she knew it was her power holding it together, it still looked wrong to her. Moving onto the final Phase of her attack, Alice shouted out her command.

Alice: BURST!!!

Shrinking to the size of a football, the lava boulder abruptly stopped rolling forwards. Then sending out a visible shockwave, it exploded outwards.

Boulder: BOOOOOOMMM!!!

As the smell of burnt flesh spread through the air, Alice marvelled at the power of her attack. When the lava was sent flying out, the nearby parasites were instantly vaporised. Leaving behind small piles of ash, an area of 10 meters was instantly cleaned out. As for the more distant, they were hailed with a rain of hot magma. Leaving many of them with Fist-sized holes in their bodies, the explosion of magma had easily covered an area of 100 meters. even the surviving insects had several injuries on their bodies. Looking at the unbelievable destruction she had caused, Alice was amazed. Though she already knew that her attack was very strong, she hadn't tested it in actual combat yet. Now Seeing the devastating effect it had, she wasn't sure how to react. counting up the points she had earned, she realised that one move had killed over 150 insects. As amazing as that was, there was something else that amazed her more. the cost of this insanely damaging move was only 1/10th of her energy. that meant that she could just use this move over and over to kill 1500 of the parasites. Calculating the points she could earn, she realised it was an astonishing 7500 points. Even if she had to wait for the one-minute cooldown between each of the attacks, it was still ludicrously powerful.

Gareth: wow!

Standing beside Alice, Gareth had obviously seen the full extent of her attack. Much like her, he was surprised by the how effective the meteorite was. Comparing his ability to hers, Gareth knew that he couldn't kill nearly as many parasites as her. Though he didn't feel too upset about it. Not to mention that she Had one more G rank enhancement than him, but both of her enhancements were focused on fighting many enemies at once. So in the end, he understood their difference in roles was the reason for her being more capable of dealing with the parasite army.

Gareth: it's crazy, isn't it? a little while ago we would have been running in fear of this many enemies. But now they're not even able to challenge us.

Thinking back to their strength in the last mission, Gareth almost couldn't believe their growth.

Alice: yeah, It was only a week ago that we would struggle to fight an average Unranked. Now we wouldn't even struggle against the average G rank.

If one was to look at their progress, they'd be extremely surprised. For the average person, it would take them at least 10 missions to reach G rank. But for them, it only took 1. Even more surprising was that they didn't just step into G rank, they were some of the stronger G ranks. Considering that they still had several G rank enhancements to buy, they both Knew their power had a lot of room to grow. Not just G rank, even S and Z rank didn't feel out of reach for them. But even though they were amazed at their progress, they still felt like they were growing too slowly. Comparing themselves to Solomon's god-like level of improvement, they felt a little lacklustre.

Gareth: well, I'm not gonna let this trend end now.

Walking forwards, Gareth drew his sword out of its sheath. Being only slightly weaker than Solomon's Purple dawn, it wasn't a weapon to take lightly. Shining with an ominous glint, the blade let out a deadly aura. Like a beast thirsting for blood, it's sharp edge vibrated with anticipation.

Alice: hold on, you can't go all out yet. we need to be ready in case something happens to Solomon. We have to be ready to save him!

Seeing the bloodthirsty glow in Gareth's eyes, Alice panicked slightly. Being slightly worried that something would happen to Solomon, Alice was conserving her energy. Other than the testing her last move, she didn't plan to use too many attacks. That way if Solomon got into trouble, she would be able to go and help him. But without Gareth's assistance, she doubted she could do much by herself.

Gareth: hahahaha!

Laughing abruptly, Gareth surprised Alice. The idea of them saving Solomon was hilarious to him. Understanding the gap between Solomon and them, he knew that if he couldn't deal with it, they couldn't either. Seeing the flaring anger in her eyes, he quickly apologised to her.

Alice: what's so funny!?

Gareth: ah sorry, you caught me off guard. But tell me this. If Solomon is can't do something, what makes you think we have a chance in hell of doing it ourselves?

Though Gareth understood Alice's concern, he didn't agree with her. No matter how much they wanted to help, if they didn't have the power to do so then it was pointless trying. She knew that just as well as him, But her emotions wouldn't let her accept it.

Alice: arrrgh! Then what am I supposed to do!?

Angered by her own inability, Alice looked pleadingly at Gareth. Watching those that she cared for fighting for their life, but not being able to help them infuriated her. Not just Solomon, but Pluvia, Gareth and everyone else too. Since she had arrived in Domain, this feeling had been constantly eating away at her heart.

Gareth: I'm sorry, but I don't have a perfect solution. All I know is this. We need to get stronger. For the sake of our team, for the sake of our friends and for the sake of ourselves. That's why, from now on, I'll push myself to the edge. In order to grow stronger, I'll constantly put my life on the line. Only when I can stand on equal ground with him, will I be satisfied.

Looking over at the distant figure of Solomon, Gareth explained his reasoning to Alice. From the strong emotion in his voice, Alice could feel his strong sincere desire. etching his words in her heart, Alice made a promise to herself. No matter what it took, she would become stronger. Stronger than Solomon, stronger than everyone else. Then it would be her turn to protect everyone else.

Alice: You're right. It's time to stop holding back. From now on, I won't let anything stop me from getting the power I need.

Accepting Gareth's reason, Alice walked forwards to stand beside him.

Gareth: I'm glad you've found a reason to fight. Now, are you ready to get this party going?

Looking over to her, Gareth was happy to see his explanation was enough. In his own heart, Gareth wasn't sure that his reasoning was great. But nonetheless, it was the only way he could bring himself to press on in this harsh world. It was the only goal that he could give him the motivation to fight.

Alice: yeah, these disgusting bugs won't know what hit them.

Walking side by side, Gareth and Alice approached the horde of Parasites. The oppressive aura they gave off terrified all of the nearby parasites. Even the goblies under Alice's command were unnerved by the sudden change in atmosphere.

Alice: Fight!

Reaching out her hand to Gareth, Alice waited for his response. Placing his hand on top of hers, Gareth's voice echoed Alice's.

Fight!!!

Standing a couple feet apart, they both activated their transformation skills. From the ground around Alice, large chunks of rock flew into the air. Attaching themselves to her body, they formed a layer of armour around her body. only leaving a slit for her eyes and mouth, Alice's armour made her look more like a golem than a human. As for Gareth, he had the mist-like energy covering his body thicken into a fog. surrounding his body, the black mist hid his appearance from sight. emerging from the mist a few seconds later, he looked completely different. standing several feet taller, his previously short stature had disappeared. On top of his head, a pair of demonic horns had sprouted out. Looking out into the crowd of small insects, Gareth's eyes shone an evil red colour. Overall his appearance had become that of a demon.

Alice: Necro, don't let any of these parasites get near the tunnel. As for you Hackmon, stay here and help Necro.

Turning around, Alice gave her minions their orders. Pointing to the newbies and characters in the tunnel, Alice made sure that Necro would look after them.

Necro and Hackmon: Yes Master!

Nodding their heads, they acknowledged Alice's orders.

Gareth: you ready for this?

Looking at Alice, Gareth was slightly worried about her. Though she was motivated to fight, she didn't have natural instincts or years of training to help her like himself and Solomon. So even if he was happy that she would fight, he wasn't confident in her actual ability.

Alice: yeah, it's time to earn some points.

Gareth: alright, let's go.

Turning to look at the line of Goblies a few meters away from them, Gareth charged towards them. Matching his movements, Alice followed alongside him. Just as they reached the Goblies backs, they jumped over their heads. Having their already strong bodies enhanced further by their skills, both of them easily jumped several meters high. landing down onto the awaiting heads of the parasites, they let out a deafening war cry.

Alice and Gareth: AAAARRRRGGGGHHHH!!!