IDBIRR (Boss Fight) Chapter 18: Spiral of Death & Battle

Big Boss: "Run. Now."

A great dark pressure engulfs the entirety of the spiral room. A sinister presence, something that's entirely different than Tood's emerges. A dweller has emerged.

???: "Another one of your bullshit, Tood? You know I'm not your secret toy to impress around, right?"

Big Boss: "Grahaha! The bullshit we're fussing over this time is the one who'll impress you now."

His shoulder that turned into a metallic hound's head, glanced towards my direction.

For a moment, as the demonic hound set it's gaze at my whole being, my body shook once more but it was even more dreadful than before.

Something you would call other-wordly, a being that doesn't exist in this plane of existence. They are the sins of the world, an enigma, fiends that venture among the countless dead. They who tarnish and punish souls who have wronged--- Demons, the usurpers of hell.

A demon appeared on his shoulder, it's appearance somewhat resembling a dark metallic shoulder guard with the face of a hound on it's surface. It was also entirely black, with red pulsing veins protruding from whence it came. The atmosphere surrounding Tood became thicker with the aura of the demonic hound on his shoulder.

Without time to waste, I sprinted and jumped between the section of stairs. The room was wide enough that the spiraling sections were far apart, yet I managed to scale through with each large leaps. I can't phase through this spiralling stairs because a barrier was etched inside this room's walls and flight of stairs. Whoever designed this room was a jackass.

Big Boss: "Heh! Yes! That's it! Now you're properly enjoying this fight!"

With a proud voice, Tood encourages me to survive and prolong our fight. I curse in my head, realizing that I was walking straight to his scheme. He tends to play with his food so that we would both perish with the collapse of the labyrinth.

As soon as I ran away for my dear life, he took a different stance and started to channel the dark energy that engulfed the demon in his shoulder. The room starts to tremble and dusts start to fall from the stairs.

Is he planning on destroying everything on his path now that he revealed his true power?! I'm starting to ask myself what I've gotten into! I shouldn't have gotten involved with this legendary beast!

???: "Hmm...I don't really like cowards who turn their tails on their opponents and run. Raid, are you sure that little critter is worth my time? You know you're expending your life just by using me right?"

Tood flinches on his feet and turn to his talking shoulder with a chuckle.

Big Boss: "What's this ya big oaf? Are ya actually pouting right now? What's a hound of the underworld gettin' all grumpy now for?"

They both turn to look at me as they gather enough power to completely obliterate my whole being.

???: "As of now, I'm the only one you have as of the moment. I don't like it when dumb mortals like you suddenly come and interrupt our leisure life at the gates, mourning how absurd or unlucky your lives were. Do you even understand how annoyed my brother and I are with vengeful souls? Why not try guarding these gates for yourself, you're a mutt too ain'tcha?"

Tood with a wide grin plastered on his face, scoffs at the oblivious demon on his shoulder.

As I ran away for my dear life, Tood brought his arm up to point at me and the Demon's eyes slowly start to widen.

Demon: "Wha- What is that inside of it?! It's a faint trace...but I can clearly see something inside of that little thing!"

Tood hushes the demon and chuckles proudly, "You're curious right? Deep inside that remarkable little guy, something even greater lurks within. Although it looks like that he doesn't know what's inside of him as well." Tood curiously watches me scale through the stairs with great wonder, and with a graceful manner he crouches down and built up enough strength to take a big jump.

The ominously thick aura that surrounded him covered his entire body, creating a crimson body that could easily rip through flesh. As if a living embodiment of a raging tempest, he was reborn as a crimson beast of carnage.

Big Boss: "Hm?"

Just a few distance away, a metallic panel appeared before Tood. Faced lying flat while floating slightly above ground, it continued to recreate another panel above it similarly just like the first one. It continues to stack and slowly rise as each panel floats slightly above one another. Seemingly making a tower of thin panels.

Tood smirks, somewhat realizing it must be a secret move of sorts.

Demon: "Gah! What is that thing?"

Big Boss: "A sort of travelin' tool for that little one."

Demon: "Well? What are you waiting for? Get rid of it! Your opponent itself may be incredibly weak, but you can't underestimate it's potential for growth, let alone knowing it has THAT inside of it. Also...looking at that tool as it rises...it gives an ominous feeling."

Big Boss: "Well so be it, let it do what it must in order to stop me, if I die by the hands of a respectable warrior like him, then be it the most honorable death that I shall receive. Grahahaha!"

Demon: "You son of a- DON'T GO CRYING AT THE GATES OF HELL LATER YOU CRAZY HOOLIGAN!"

As I jumped between each sections, a loud thump can be heard from below. When I looked down below me, Tood jumped through seven sections in one leap and started to give chase like a wild beast out for blood. His speed reaching beyond inhumane limits while his shadow-self chases behind.

Damn...that's a crazy sight to see.

How long will it take to finish Administrator? It'll only take Big Boss a couple of seconds to catch up to me and I still have like fifteen more sections to jump to reach the top.

[[Art cannot be rushed Angus, the same way you shouldn't skip parts.]]

Hey! I don't skip parts! I've watched the whole thing and even read the manga! And hey, where did you learn that from?!

[[Your memories Angus, also I've learned to like that yellow elf that throws construction vehicles and shouts WR-]]

Big Boss: "You seem distracted."

I immediately turn around, only to have a knee straight to my face.

*BAM*!

I got sent flying through the room's wall and crashed in it's barrier.

Ughh...what the hell just-

*Step*

There he stood, with a crimson body that glowed with a glint, the same color as blood. His claws as sharp as knives, his fangs that could sink through flesh with ease and a nature that's to be reckoned with the likes of a cyclone of carnage.

The Crimson Wolf of the Full Moon, arises.

[Tood Raid Lvl.23 (Shadow Werewolf) "The Crimson Knight Monarch's Avatar" *Temporary*]

[Race: Werewolf, Ex-Human]

[Stats]

Hp: 214,009/596,695

Mp: 13,312/50,150

Skill pts: 0

EXP: 3,174/50,500

Atk: 7,345 (Bonus: +15%) [Temporary Buff: +2,000]

Def: 5,398 [Temporary Buff: +3,750]

Int (NEW!): 2,390

C.Atk: 7,708 (Bonus: +7%)

S.Pwr: 5,349 [Temporary Buff: +1,000]

Dex: 1,992 (Bonus: +4%) [Temporary Buff: +525]

Spd: 771 [Temporary Buff: +90]

Lck: 386 [Temporary Debuff: Reduce Luck to "0"] *0 Luck = The Fortune of the user is in a constant flux of distortion, C̸̨̢̧̢̨̺̠͔̮̺̼̣̱̬̜̀̒̒ͅh̶̨̠̫͉͓͈͙̥̙͚̅̀͌̓̓͂̈̄̊͂͘a̷̝̖̳͍͆ǫ̷͎̱̫̱̰̬͂̓͛́͛͐́̀̌̍͆̽̀̏͑́ş̶͙̳̦̤̝̭̞̬͔̟̠̊̃̎̐̈́͂̒̈́̒̏̍̕͜͠͝͠ may ensue.

[Skills]

[Sharpened Claw Lvl.10 (Passive)]

[Shadow Hunt (Passive)]

[Gnaw Lvl.10]

[The Thrill of the Chase (Passive)]

[Pounce+ Lvl.10]

[Void Claw Lvl.10] (New effect!) - Can now be imbued in weapons!

[Savagery (Passive) Lvl.10]

[Howl Lvl.6]

[Backstab (Passive) Lvl.5]

[Regeneration+ (Toggle) Lvl.10] (New effect!) - Now slowly saps away Mana in order to heal! Reduces Mana consumption and still maintains fast healing factor.

(NEW!) [Avatar of the Crimson Knight Lvl.1]

Avatar of the Crimson Knight - ****** has chosen the user, Tood Alexander Raid. Creates a vessel for the user to inherit small similarities of the Crimson Knight's form. By harnessing the power of the hounds of hell, ****** permits Tood to borrow a fraction of his limitless power. Buff the user of their specialized stats significantly. (Cost: Lifespan proceeds to deteriorate by 0.1% per 5 minutes) (Demerit - Reduces Luck to 0. Č̴͈̭͕̎h̵̡͉̝̗̱̬̀͠ͅa̷̢̞̻̝̦̖͖͛͒͛̃̈́͐̕̕o̵͖̪̖̟̺͎̎͗̉͂̾͋̀s̵̰̦̖͇̑͌̃͐̆̚ will occur once Luck is 0)

(NEW!) [Shadow Creation Lvl.10]

Shadow Creation - Creates shadows according to the user's will. The form of the shadow will take shape using the image that the user will construct in their mind. (Cost: 135 mp)

(NEW!) [Grips of the Abyss Lvl.4]

Grips of the Abyss - Create hands made out of pure darkness. They can appear on any black surfaces or from within shadows. Can only be seen by creatures of the Void or Divine Entities. Can create a maximum of (20) Void Hands. Dmg scales with [Atk] + [S.Pwr] stats. (Cost: 1,500 mp)

(NEW!) [Dance of Shadows Lvl.6]

Dance of Shadows - Using the power of [Shadow Creation] (No Additional Mana Cost), create a pack of wolves and command them to attack your target. (Cost: 500 mp) (As the Level/Evolution of this skill advances the A.I of the Wolves improves as well)

(NEW!) [Catastrophic Decimation (Series): Great Cleave of the Abyss] [??????????]

Catastrophic Decimation: Great Cleave of the Abyss - The hands of death follows the user for eternity. The thousand hands of the Abyss Lurker emerges and allows the user to cleave through space and time. Deals (???) dmg to target. (Cost: 0 mana) (CD: 24 hrs)

(NEW!) [Halo of the Crimson Knight (Passive-Active) Lvl.5]

Halo of the Crimson Knight - One of the ten rings of the Crimson Knight. Allows that user to stack [Crimson Fury]. This passive continues to stack each Crimson Fury per minute and will only be dispelled if cancelled or disrupted by any common disturbances upon the user (Attacking the ring does not count as a disturbance) (Disturbance: Knocked out, Lose focus, Inflicting signifant damage to user, Charm, Stun, Paralyze, Petrify). Crimson Fury stacks will persist until disrupted and will diminish shortly after 1 minute. (Crimson Fury - Grants 1% on all stats per stack) (Cost: 0 mp)

(NEW!) [Crimson Skyfall: Thorns]

Crimson Skyfall: Thorns - (Can only be used while airborne) Creating multiple piercing shadows, rain down upon your target with sharp edges as they get riddled with holes. Deals (50%) of Atk per attacks against the target. (Cost: 50 mana per attack)

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--

---

Big Boss: "Hehe...That's as far as you'll need to know about me."

Huh?!

Just now...my ability to look in to other people's status screen suddenly got cut off!

With one sway of his hand above his head, he brought it down upon me with insane speed.

Big Boss: "Ain't we a cute couple? Starting to look into each other's secrets now eh?!"

*BAM*!

I quickly dodged away from the strike he launched towards me. Rolling on the flight of stairs and regaining my balance, I turn to where he once stood before, only to find him missing.

I suddenly saw a looming shadow that flew overhead of me, before I could even react to what was above me, a halberd struck my back.

Once again, my body was incapable of feeling pain. Yet the force of which pierced through my body from behind let me know of how much force I took in a single blow. The stairs shook and crumbled in one strike and I plunged down two feet below, sending me through another set of stairs and then stopping at the third one.

What's even frightening about his attack, is that it wasn't even supported by his full strength. Had he took that blow seriously, he would've not only destroyed the entire spiral of stairs, he could've destroyed my entire body along with my core to dusts.

Behind that continuous, growing, monstrous strength was an equal gains of control. He was beyond just categorizing as a Boss Monster, he is entirely a force to be reckoned with. And behind that monster's intention, he developed a liking to toy with a favored prey.

Equal my ass, you're completely just messing with me at this point!

Big Boss: "Come now, lad! We're only just beginning! Come! use that secret power of yours!"

Ghh- What is he on about??

I look at the concerning panels that are stacking upon each other, creating a tower all by itself.

If he's talking about that then-

A sly giggle could be heard from behind me as I was still nailed through the stairs.

Big Boss: "If you're wonderin' If I'm talking about that weird tower you're making over there, then you're dead wrong, young lad! Grahahaha!"

He lifted me up as I was still pierced by the tip of his halberd and threw me away towards the center of the room.

As I was still midair, he quickly stuck his halberd on the side of the stairs and stood on it.

I created a floating panel for me to step on and regained my posture.

Big Boss: "Every monster has their own instinct, lad! We've gotta seek our own answers!"

I lay floating at the center of the room, the moonlight above my head, glistening and unraveling. Trying to figure if am Man or Monster.

Big Boss: "You either succumb to it or let it succumb to you."

He takes one step down from his halberd, allowing himself to fall. But in an instance, he grabs the halberd and let himself dangle from his position.

Big Boss: "And it is something that, even humans have something in common with monsters."

As if he was using his halberd as a pull-up bar, he lifts himself with his one hand and pushed himself away without letting go of the halberd, then he spread his two legs straight to create an enough momentum to spin around.

Wind blew and spun as he kept building momentum as he spins and spins with his halberd.

All I could do was stare at how bizarre and random this was, that I started to think if he was prepping for a gymnastics tournament that he only recently remembered.

It was becoming at a point where I could only see a red, large, circular shape of Tood spinning around. As if he was a gigantic electric fan.

And then-

*Thunk*!

His Halberd came off from the edge of the staircase and shot Big Boss straight up to the open ceiling of the towering spiral room.

*Bwoof*!

Just as he was about to escape from this horrid Labyrinth, he was stopped by it's impenetrable barrier. But to my surprise, the once impenetrable barrier, was pierced by his claws imbued with his dark crimson aura.

He chuckles as he latches on to the torn barrier. It was not completely destroyed, it was torn open, but it remained that way for some unknown reason. I expected it to quickly rejuvenate itself, but it still remained as it was after it got torn open.

Big Boss: "Ya see this Lad? This is freedom, right before your eyes! Take it for yourself, don't just stand there and see someone else take their own freedom!"

He shouted, his voice echoing and bouncing down this hollow Labyrinth.

Big Boss: "And everyone has the right to make it themselves! Humans! Monsters! They all have something in common, you and I!"

He grips his halberd and growls fiercely. With one look, I couldn't make out that he was the same Big Boss I knew from before. As he growled with the intent to act out violence as fierce as it comes, he portayed an unquenching beast that consumes and strengthens the more it devours.

Big Boss: "We all have our own inner monstrous instinct, and that is to always seek out our own freedom, our own free will, our own monstrous instinct!"

...

He's right...he and I are not so different, just as he claims...

Or maybe we aren't afterall?

He is strong, stronger than me. He has power, power that's able to overcome and grasp at his own freedom.

While I remain weak. Concerned about my past, trying to salvage what's left of my humanity, becoming too afraid of death.

All I could do was to doubt everything, including myself...

|| So, all you're saying is that...no matter how I face it, I'm a monster and I should act like one...is that it? Let myself lose, wreak havoc and slaughter those who stand in my way? ||

He smirks. Looks like I got the right idea atleast.

And so I smiled back at him. One thing I didn't noticed I was doing right now. In which his eyes widen in response to me being able to smile.

|| But that doesn't mean I would have to let go of my other *side. ||

His smirk became a grin, and without any vocal response- he let go of the barrier, allowing it to restore itself and letting himself fall down.

Big Boss: [Heaven's Cry: The Skypiercer - Grand Skyfall]

His halberd glows a shining bright light, bright enough to imitate a star. Beside him, several other luminescent blades appeared all at once. Not a few were enough, neither a hundred of them was sufficient for him, with this one attack, this time for sure-

There was no mercy behind that grip just like before, just like when he performed his Great Cleave skill.

I was sure, that his complete murderous intent now was no facade. He has completed raising his own monster. Just like any human are capable of doing.

[[All conditions have been met, [Earthen Warrior] is now Accesible for use]]

[[Angus has Acknowledged "Monstrosity" and "Humanity"]]

A hat tip between monster and monster. And a nod at both humans from one to another.

To throw away one's other identity was immature right from the very start, accepting all sides to yourself is one of natural acknowledgement and self-fulfillment, to irrationally judge what someone will become or continue to be, discerns your immaturity for your own lack of vision and maturity. Everyone has every right to be themselves, trying to discard something that's always been a part of you only damages your whole identity, the know's about yourself and they why's about why you are what you are, will only continue to become difficult and eat away at your sanity once you start reminscing.

I've learned, and will continue to learn. This is just another step for me to gain progress and progress from my threshold. Tood showed me the way, a way for me to grasp at my own freedom.

[[Earthen Warrior is now available for use, would you like to evolve it to it's final stage using what's left of your skill points?]]

Administrator?

Hmm...yes, If we don't...

[[Affirmative. Using all 268 skill points. Any leftover skill points will be equally distributed to random Stat options.]]

[[Evolving the [Earthen Warrior Lvl.10] skill...]]

I want to take my own freedom, Tood. You've plenty much said a lot about it by now.

Even though you were reluctant to show me your true scheme of avoiding a lonesome death. Now you're just going all out, just like how I hoped it would come to, just like you're supposed to do.

|| I'll leave this place with you Tood, even if I have to kill you for it! ||

As he falls down, he laughs wholeheartedly. For the first time in my life with him, Tood enjoyed living at this very moment, life glimmered in his eyes. He had already lost by wanting to live and to pursue at life.

Big Boss: "Continue to strive further beyond, outside the great world of the unknown. A being that doesn't know the joys of freedom and acceptance is only a hollow corpse rotting away at their comforting grave!"

The spiraling tower became even brighter as soon as he fell closer to the ground.

And within an instant, I shot myself using a panel back to the base of the spiral tower below.

Big Boss: "?!"

Demon: "Tood, get out of the way!"

It was already too late. As both monster and human--- freedom was now within my grasp.

[[Evolution of [Earthen Warrior] skill to [Avatar (MAX)] Is now complete. Transformation is in progress of 3...]]

I face the multiple thin layers of metallic panels as my body continues to morph and grow in size.

[[2...]]

I slowly reach for the panel above me and activated my most destructive skill ever-

[[1...]]

[Railgun Strike Lvl.10]

[[Transformation complete]]

*Swoop*

--

--

--

--

--

--

--!

*BOOM*!!!

Just within an instant, I've connected to Tood's halberd and completely shattered it upon the instantaneous physical contact.

Big Boss: "----!?"

The acceleration did not even stop there, it continued to sped up without concern to whatever got in my way.

A sonic boom loud enough to shatter Tood's ears and great winds that shred through his physique, completely collided with his body. Delivering severe blows and broken bones to his body.

He'll heal anyways.

It didn't even took us a second till we reached the Barrier above the tower. He tried to hold me back with his arms but the force he took was just too much for him to handle. As my body grew in size, proportionally accurate to an average grown man's size, I started to pierce through his chest and through the Labyrinth's Barrier.

It was as if the sound of broken windows have shattered everywhere. I completely went through my biggest hurdle and went past the barrier of the very bird cage that locked me in. A Monster has finally became loose, and a Human has finally regained somewhat a bit of his freedom.

Once I went past Tood, I proudly reached through the night sky and grasped the moon at my hands.

If only I was physically capable of crying, nor feel the rich joys of delight. I would be uncontrollably flailing in the air right now.

If I was able to say a word, or express my gratefulness. I would love to call out to my savior Tood and say, "Thank You".

Up above the clouds as I looked down upon the freedom that I was given, I was finally given the chance to lay my eyes upon the world that was kept away from me for a whole century.

To my surprise, we weren't surrounded by forests and other forms of greenery, nor were we surrounded by the deep blue sea or under the abysmal that is the ocean. Those were the places I piqued my curiosity that this Labyrinth was currently residing in. But I was entirely wrong, in fact, I'm astonished beyond belief.

Just slightly below me, Tood who focused on regenerating the open hole in his chest, grunts in disbelief.

I'm sure he wasn't mad, more like-

Big Boss: "I can't believe it, lad...I can't believe you would surpass my expectations."

He was proud of the outcome of his provocation.

He laughs. He laughed once more.

Big Boss: "Grahahaha! Someone managed to get past me! and even literally in a sense!"

We slowly fell back down the Labyrinth's surface.

Demon: "Goddamit Raid! You almost died! This isn't the time to be laughing like an idiot!"

Big Boss: "GRAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!"

The demon continued to bicker at Tood as he continued to laugh proudly as well.

If only I could share with their laughter, it would make this wonderful reveal even better.

I created a big enough sign for Tood to see and deliver a message to him as we nearly reached the surface once again.

|| Thank you Tood! I could finally see the great outside world! ||

*Soar*

Wyvern: *Roar*!

A wyvern flew past us as we fell down the Sky Labyrinth. The great gusts of wind let us flutter in mid air. Yes, the Labyrinth was no ordinary Labyrinth you could see in lands or underwater, in fact, it flew high above the sky like a magical house that could soar through the skies. Beauty wasn't enough to describe the scenery I was beheld, a word more fitting to describe this fantastic fantasy world was-

Big Boss: "Majestic ain't it?!"

Tood exclaims with excitement as he snickers like a child. It was truly a different world other than my own, it was like you could instantly feel the otherworldly ambience right as you step in it's outside world.

In the skies with us, wyverns flew by, little humanlike creatures with wings- fairies I presume, would look at us in awe as we came out and back down from the labyrinth while they flutter above the Labyrinth's surface. Underneath the Labyrinth, a chunk of a large land held it in place as it flew in the winds.

At the near border areas of the land, human settlements can be seen. A camp for soldier and adventurers alike were likely the case for these things. And just up ahead those areas, floating balloon-like vehicles can be spotted, anchored to the land that flew above the land itself.

To describe the Labyrinth's appearance, it was huge and wide (that's what she said), as if structures of buildings were combined together. Peaking through the debri of the Labyrinth, Trees, tall ones, popped out like they were grabbing the skies like I did earlier. What inhabited these large trees were the fairies and wyverns that covered the skies of the Labyrinth. Assuming they were all friendly, none of them tried to attack us. Maybe because they recognise the danger of approaching their boss and his rival, or they were only confused to even start to give the thought of daring to approach us.

Excitement and tender appreciation, even if it were fake emotions, they grew inside of me nonetheless. I was finally free upon a world of the truly free. Amidst all of that loneliness and solitude, through patience, perseverance and hope, I was rewarded a free World to quench my yearning.

|| Damn right it is! ||

I replied back to his remark earlier.

I said that to him as we landed safely above the surface of the Labyrinth with our feet. Now, we were not shackled by the restraints of the Labyrinth. We were now free to do as we wish without any barrier or walls to restrict our movements or escape. Two monsters who could cause a cataclysm on their own, were now let loose to commit to a rampage as they wish.

Tood whistles while looking me from head to feet.

Big Boss: "Lookin' good, Lad."

I was now as tall as an average man. My body, unfortunately still looked like a golem's. I was slim but fit, my body color was the same as before, paper white and pale. My cores, three of them, still remained at the back of my hand and on my chest. Honestly, my figure resembled close to a woman's without the large breasts by how slim and flat it was. But compared to my original smaller and weaker form, I had a thought I was more physically stronger and more solid, carried with a lot more brute force and versatility to my movements.

Big Boss: "We...you deserve to cherish this freedom you've earned, lad. You've grasped at your own power and led you to this open world where you can run amok, on your own. You're now ready to face anything that comes your way!"

It felt more human and more right to how I remembered it before. I was close to becoming somewhat close to a human, while still retaining my monster self.

I clearly enjoyed exploring to view my new body.

Big Boss: "Gruhuhu...take your time lad, I'll let you get used to your new body. Don't worry about me, we'll continue this fight until you're done trying it out."

Demon: "Tch, you're just buying yourself some time to fix your internal organs."

Big Boss: "Grahahaha! It was that obvious huh?"

I hopped around and did some shadowboxing, while giving in some kicks here and there. I studied my new range and flexibility with my new body, but since I was a quick learner, I quickly adapted to my new range and power in just a matter of seconds. I also tried my skills along with my practice and exercise. Calculating it's speed, power, and reach, I managed to surmise my strength and power:

and that I'm still weaker than Tood Raid.

But don't worry, compared to before, I really had no chances of winning against him. I was actually just risking to see if he would miraculously let me go in the end. But now, even tho I'm still weaker, I could sense that I'm almost near his reach. I've grown massively stronger, capable of reaching his heights.

So this is the power of Earthen Warrior...no, Avatar. It gives me immense power, enough to catch up to the strongest by nature in itself for them.

Now instead of a complete zero, I feel that my chances of winning has significantly grown to seventy percent.

Tood has finally finished recovering himself, while I was also done measuring my new profound power...

Hm?!

Just below my feet, shadow wolves appeared and bit my legs. Holding me in place. They must've appeared from my shadow!

They weren't even the concern, just as I looked away from Tood, a dark presence appeared before me.

*Woosh*

!?

Big Boss: "!?"

His fist flew past me, I managed to dodge his attack, easily.

Both of us were taken by our own surprises. I managed to dodge his attack, while I was distracted.

Although instead of being overwhelmed by shock, Tood continued with his pursuit of attacks.

It was by then that the wyvern and fairies discerned that it was too dangerous to even get near within twenty meters away from us. So they immediately flew back to their nest and observed our fierce battle.

As Tood continued with his relentless attacks, he grew faster and more accurate to my movements, matching my speed and reactions to his strikes. I did say I managed to react to his surprise attack from earlier, but that was before he took it seriously.

I mustn't forget I'm battling against a seasoned veteran and an experienced fighter that could even defeat opponents stronger than him.

All I could do is easily keep up with his movements now, but if he-

From the shadows, his own shadow appeared and joined the fray. His shadow was also covered with a dark and crimson aura, making it possible for it match his owner's own speed and strength.

Great, now I'm fighting two of them!

Earlier, as I pierced through Tood, I managed to interrupt his halo ring thingy skill from scaling, so it managed to reset again. But now that the flow of our fight is allowing it to restack it's passive, our situation will just go back to the beginning where I'm being overwhelmed by Tood.

I must stop him from scaling!

Time to test out my new body in real battle!

Big Boss: "!!"

I went for a straight jab, surprisingly, It almost connected!

Big Boss: (That was faster than his other attacks from before..!)

I tried to counter attack and sent out a flurry of attacks. In some given opportunity, his shadow would interfere with a blindspot attack and I would barely dodge them in the nick of time.

As I was focused in dodging, Tood came rushing from behind his shadow and pierced through with a new halberd in hand.

What!? But I destroyed that weapon earlier!

I quickly bent backwards to avoid his thrust and as I arched my body; held on to the ground and kicked his spear upwards. Although my strength wasn't enough to knock his weapon away from his grip, I quickly delivered a follow up counter attack by sending metallic enhanced spears flying towards his chest, spreading both arms side to side and then executing a fast gesture forward to propel the spears with my [Stone Power].

Got You!

Tood sneers and easily caught all the spears' tips in between his fingers.

Big Boss: "Too slow, lad!"

.

.

.

-Somewhere near the skies of The Death Howl Labyrinth-

Attendant: "Umm...we are shortly arriving towards the destination ma'am. Is there anything you'd like to ask before we arrive?"

A young female attendant enters a private cabin of an airship. Inside, a figure of a woman was hidden among the shadows, setting her gaze towards the outside view from a window sill. The lights were off as preferred by the VIP Woman, she basks herself in the fresh air of the skies before answering.

???: "None. Although, perhaps someone to accompany this view with me?"

She turns to the attendant, beautiful clear purple irises locks on to her fragile frame. The overshadowed woman's voice sounded lonely, her tone was a bit tomboyish yet femininely mature in it's own way.

The attendant couldn't help but let her heart skip a bit after hearing such a request from the VIP Passenger.

She asks her again, making sure that she didn't mistook what she heard just then.

"P-Pardon...?", the attendant tries to reconfirm.

Anyone would be nervous if a well-developed woman asks you of your spare time to accompany them. Let alone, if an attractive one were to request of it.

It can either be out of self preference, goodwill, or your common sense; any reply to such a request is a valid reason for you to accept or deny it.

Despite her asking for a more clear elaboration, she only maintained in silence.

As a professional at work, the attendant set her worries aside and obliged to the passenger's request as long as there were no ulterior motives behind it.

She proceeds to sit apart from the woman that was slightly sticking her head outside as she felt the wind hit her on her face through the window frame.

The woman acknowleges the attendant's response and applauds at her professionalism.

"Thanks for hearing my needs. Even though I must be taking up your time to deal with other tasks."

"No, No, it is my pleasure to be of service to you ma'am. My advisor also gave me this task to accompany you for your needs before we arrive. So please, don't worry about it."

"Does that mean you're new arround here?"

"Y-Yes. I was transferred here from a previous station due to some complications. I still find it difficult to adjust to my new post, but I'll manage every step at a time, ma'am."

Within the skies, Wyverns flew close-by to ward off any harmful elements to come by the airship. The woman observes their movement before giving a reply.

"I see. I find it hard to believe that you are having difficulties adjusting as you're already keeping a fine job at...well, doing your job. Don't let your worries take over, just have confidence in yourself. It'll all work out afterwards."

"I-...t-thank you ma'am. I'll take your advice to heart."

She nods, closing her eyelids before inhaling and exhaling the fresh air.

With an abrupt movement, she closed-in to the attendant's ear and whispered an urgent message.

"I want you to tell your captain to evacuate everyone into this ship, from that floating island up ahead. And tell him personally, I do not like your way of peeping into other people's privacy."

With a soft, yet cold whisper, the mysterious woman hushes in. Unintentionally, her cold change of attitude came in seductively fierce that it was enough to sap the energy from the attendant's hips and made her body quiver from merely her tone.

The attendant hurriedly excuses herself and left the room.

As her weakened legs burdened her from walking steadily, she shakingly grasps at the handrails on the corridor in order to maintain balance.

Attendant: "S-She knew it was meeee----!"

Returning back to our sighing lady in the shadows, she rests her chin on the back of her palm. Setting her gaze towards the floating land up ahead.

On top of this majestic land, a great labyrinth rests proudly, with giant trees sticking outside from different nooks and crannies of the olden architecture. The presence of an overwhelming, yet contained mana was abundant everywhere. It's machinations regarding magic and technology, kept it afloat for a millenia of who knows when.

One of the most oldest and vicious Labyrinth the world has ever seen, The Death Howl.

The beautiful lady lets out a sigh of dismay.

Lady: "This is such a pain in the ass..."

Just as those words were spoken, a sharp and wretched loud sound came from the labyrinth. A large demonic scythe, engulfed in hellfire had split the whole labyrinth in two.

It was as if it were scene from fiction, the Lady whistles in awe to the destruction that was caused by the mystery assailant that split the Labyrinth.

"I remember cutting something in half back then as well...that granny wasn't exaggerating when she said a monster would come out of that labyrinth."

She lightly gives an applause for having to remember a nostalgic memory. Fascinated by the dangerous reaping scythe that slowly vanished into thin air, the large gap created between the now split labyrinth emitted noticeable sparks, indicating a continuation of clashes that incited her to "Woooh!" cheer whoever were fighting.

It was only a short while until she arrives to the Labyrinth. Full of expectations as for what kind of monster will greet her as the victor of a vicious fight, the lady smiles while swaying her feet in anticipation for the inevitable encounter.

"Aah~ I wonder if they're strong enough to satisfy me?"