Clop Clop Clop

  The world was full of silence, only a couple sounds to be heard. Along the sound of footsteps, there was the bubbling of va and the crag of fmes. The fiery and hot atmosphere about the Labyrinth of Fmes tio burn.

  As Grey desded the stairs, the temperature only rose much higher. It was to the point that water would boil the instant they drop towards the ground litter with veins and patches of va, sparks and fire particles flying through the air.

  Thankfully, Grey possessed the Divine Amulet. With it and his high resistance as an S-rahe heat was more or less bearable. There wasn't a single bullet of swear to be seen trig down his face. The only thing to be seen are expet eyes full of excitement and curiosity,

  Boom Boom Blub Blub Crackle Crackle

  It was beautiful. The moment Grey stepped foot into the 10th floor, his feet quickly stopped on their own. His eyes gazed upon the distance, shining ever shtly as his mouth hung open in astonishment and mesmerization. He was frozen.

  The va glowed like gold and amber, fierce like the eyes of a dragon. The fmes burnt abze, strong and ferociously like predators which devour the sun. Lava geysers erupted from time to time like small voloes as the ground quaked. It was a nd of bd red. A fiery paradise.

  "Master, are you alright?" ［Poris］

  "A-Ah, yeah... I'm just a little taken aback. I'm fine now." ［Grey］

  Well, it may look cool for a moment. But it was still a nd of death. They may be few in numbers but rge monsters still roamed the pce wielding massive ons and equipped with bodies tougher than aal. They were all monsters iruest sense, all at least at Camity-Css.

  Grey had already peeked at the 10th floor in the Labyrinth of Death before. Even then, he never ceased to be amazed by hoowerful ehere are in sight. His hands started to tremble at the sight of them.

  The enemy was an Ogre of Massacre, a Camity-Css monster whose battle prowess does not lose out to any monster. A single cleave is enough for it to pletely wipe out cities of the map. A monster which has destroyed tless regions and tries throughout history.

  'Hooh... Alright, let's do this.' ［Grey］

  But Grey didn't let such a monster shake his goal. He breathed in and out in a slow and regur manner, steeling his resolve and calming his heart. A short moment after, he quickly activated his "Authority", a fierce burst of wind howling proudly.

  Authority... The third and final type of aura only those who have reached "Advanced" mastery utilize. Aura which, rather than pressure enemy, would improve the user in various ways and even affect the surroundings.

  Fes, there is "Elemental Aura" whiot only boosts the spells greatly, but also allows the user to have greater trol over the elements in the surroundings just like how Grey did when he saved the dying guards during the tree of life i, moving the wind as if it was extensions of his body.

  Meanwhile, warriors possess "Martial Aura". Just like the former, it also enhahe strength of the art. Not only that, it also augments the physical body and the user's equipment, to the point one could rival those strohan them if used properly.

  But the Authority doesn't e without any costs. It has the straure about it that if one o double the power, 4 times more mana is drained. If one wants to triple, then 9 times, then 16 times to increase power by four folds, and so on and so forth. A power-up which eats away mana like a starving wolf.

  In addition to that, due to pulling e reserves of mana in such short periods of time, the body and mana veins will suffer extreme pain and fatigue from rapid mana exhaustion, jamming the bodies' funs. A double edge sword iruest sense.

  It was the reason why her Grey, Yuna, and Fizzel didn't opt to go all out aed to a long, drawn-out battle instead. Because the moment their bodies stop moving from rapid mana exhaustion, it could very well be the end of them.

  Well, it isn't like Grey and Yuna could use it anyway. After all, at the time, they were using spells and arts which weren't of their main attribute and css, all still at "High" mastery. They couldn't do so even if they wao.

  "Hmm... I haven't even started using magic but it's already starting to drain my mana. How troublesome..." ［Grey］

  Said Grey as he stretched and twisted his body, feeling how much mana is being drained as the seds pass. Thankfully, he still has his "Mana Bank" which could refill his mana pool hundreds of times over.

  Evehat's what the limits of the "Mana Bank" is. As Grey could only use as much mana as his mana capacity could allow, he couldn't draw out insane amounts and increase his strength dozens of times with Authority. The fight with the Skeleton Tyrant would have been much easier otherwise.

  Still, it wasn't like he couldn't do anything about it. Now, he is standing oh floor with a clear goal in mind. He is determio get used to Authority's sequences and train with it activated all the time. It was going to be a painful journey.

  In the moment, both Elemental and Martial Aura enveloped Grey's body in its ey. The wind has bee his limbs and his physical strength has reached heights he had never achieved before. The Grim Reaper has desded.

  "Poris, I'll say this again. It's going to be tough from here on out. We could also get ourselves in danger, maybe even lose our lives... Even then, are you sure you want to stay with me?" ［Grey］

  "There's no need for . Even if I have to challenge hell ah, I will always stay by the Master's side." ［Poris］

  It was a little bit excessive but Grey was happy after hearing Pori's words. His heart whice floated adrift troubled waters was now sailing smoothly in a calm sea, heading towards a single goal. A heart of steel has been born.

  "Well the's get this party started!" ［Grey］

  A fierce glow gleaming inside his eyes, a violent tempest ripped through the whole byrinths. The very instant Grey was o be seen. He was already a couple hundred meters away, in front of a giant enemy.

  ??Howling Thunder!?? ［Grey］

  The winds howled furiously like mad wolves as Grey's punch was released. In the moment it ected towards the enemy, it was bsted dozens of meters away, leaving deep gashes on the ground as it used its feet and as an anchor.

  GURRRUUUUUKKKK

  A ferocious roar echoed soon after as soon as the enemy regais senses. Its blood red eyes glowed with rage as its attention was shifted to the young man who struck it without any warning. A heavy atmosphere full of intimidation befell on the field.

  It didn't just end there. The moment it es battle cry, the Ogre quickly darted trey's dire, appearing in front of him in just a few fras of a sed. Its greatsword was raised towards the sky, ready to strike Grey at any moment.

  CRASSHHHHH

  But it didn't eve a ce to nd a strike. All of the sudden, Poris appeared by its left and tackled it with his massive body, making its crash towards the wall. The flowing va easily seared the Ogre's skin without mercy.

  ??Howling Thunder!?? ［Grey］

  Grey didn't just let the opportunity slip by. While the enemy was still blinded by rage, he appeared right in front of it and caved in its face with another punch. The Ogre's face was once again forced towards the va veins, burns swallowing its body whole.

  The Ogre tried to terattack by brandishing its bde like a violent torrent, but with wind magi his side, he quickly dodge with a little aerial maneuver. In a quice, it would seem he was flying in the air.

  WHOOOONGGGGG

  A golden beam followed as soon as Grey had safely gone away. It came from Poris, bsting the enemy with all its might, pushing it closer and closer towards the searing hot veins of va.

  Unfortunately for them, just like the Skeleton Tyrant from before, Camity-Css and above monsters are ones which possess extremely high intelligehe closer it ushed back towards the boiling curtains of va behind it, the more determis eyes glowed.

  RUMMBLLLEEEE

  With all its might, the Ogre of Massacre struck down its massive greatsword towards the ground, serving as a shield against Poris' relentless breath attack. It didn't just simply wait for the beam to finish either.

  Scooping out the dungeon ground, the Ogre hurled dozens of boulders towards Poris, ung them at extreme speeds. Some were destroyed by the beam but others mao pass through, hitting Poris. It didn't cause much pain but it was enough to stop his attack.

  The Ogre quickly picked up its sword from the ground the moment Poris stopped his beam. And with all its might, he released a furious barrage of attacks towards the tterー or so it should have been.

  ??Northern Wind: Boreas!?? ［Grey］

  But before it could even nd the first attack, a swift torrent of wind spears came firing towards it. The attacker was her than Grey who was now quite a distance away from the two, switg to a le tactic.

  Ead every spear was like a drill which easily pierce through bedrock. The skin which was once full of wounds were now riddled with tless wounds, blood spurting out of them like a bloody fountain. The Ogre of Massacre was now the one beien one-sidedly.

  It was a relief that the enemy's bat power was only about 12 thousand. If it was any higher, things could get more difficult. It was the perfect practice dummy frey and Poris to gain experiend sharpen their skills

  Using the ce Grey had provided him, Poris quickly widehe distaween him and the Ogre and once he was far enough, he shot a torrent of golden light. Now, the Ogre of Massacre eppered on both sides.

  GURRRUUUKKK RUMMBLLLEEE

  Fueled by rage, the Ogre of Massacre stomped one of its feet towards the bzing grounds, va rising and raining down a shower of molten rock all over the pce. The va geysers also erupted violently in the process.

  Though its feet were burnt in the process, it was worth it as Grey and Poris had to stop attag to dodge and block the fiery rain. In that small time window where the two were busy, the Ogre found the golden opportunity to take revenge and strike.

  Whoosh Whoosh Whoosh

  And as the rain of fire tihe Ogre of Massacre gripped its greatsword tightly and shot bdes of mana oer another. It was a torrent headed towards Poris. An attack which would be hard to dodge with his massive body.

  Unfortunately for the enemy, Poris was capable of shapeshifting. As soon as he saw the sharp bdes flying his way, he quickly shrunk himself to a smaller form, evading the attacks with some effortless maneuvers. His as were one which surprised the attacker greatly.

  "This is no time to be surprised! ??Howling Thunder?? !" ［Grey］

  Another boom echoed in the air as Grey's punch ected to the Ogre's jaws, the sound of bones crag apanying it as the impact ran throughout its whole body. Soon, blood started gushing out of the Ogre's mouth.

  It was all thanks to the Divine Gaus' ability. Now, not only the external body, the ans and inner systems of the Ogre of Massacre are damaged greatly. After all, not only o received a total of three punches from Grey. It would have already been dead if it wasn't for a fact that it was Camity-Css.

  "Perish from this worldー" ［Poris］

  "Poris, watch out!!" ［Grey］

  Poris couldn't eve properly. Before his eyes could keep up, a pitch bck bde of mana was already headed towards it. It was too te to dodge nor use w magic to teleport nearby. A loud ssh echoed in the air as the attack ected.

  The once beautiful ptinum scales of Poris were now dyed red as his blood trickled down from the gashing wound he received. It was the first time he received such a stinging wound. It was undoubtedly very painful.

  "Poris!!" ［Grey］

  Grey was struck with panic as soon as Poris was shot down. And in that moment he was in panic, the Ogre of Massacre quickly moved, disregarding its injured body and nded a heavy strike on Grey from above.

  Thankfully, Grey didn't take his eyes off it. Though it was fast, Grey's defense was much faster. A loud g echoed in the air as Grey's gaus caught the enemy's greatsword in a cross position, minimizing the damage he received.

  "Out of the way, you bastard!" ［Grey］

  With rage and urgency, Grey raised one of his feet and p back quickly and heavily towards the ground. The very moments, hundreds of bck spikes rose out of the ground, fending off the Ogre of massacre in an instant.

  Whilst the Ogre jumped back, Grey quickly propelled himself with wind magid arrived at the injured Poris' side in just a fra of a sed. His face was full of worry as he pced his hand above him.

  ??Perfect Heal!?? ［Grey］

  Gentle and warm golden light shone upotlefield, grag the fiery nds. The moment, the gashing wound which was once present on Poris' back was gone as if everything was all but a passing lie.

  "Poris, are you alright?!" ［Grey］

  "I'm alright, Master. There's o worry excessively." ［Poris］

  "Haah... You really scared me there." ［Grey］

  The heart which was shook in panic has now returo normal, relief flooding in soon after. But it was not a long-lived feeling. Though Poris was alright, there were still problems they had to face. Two of them to be exact.

  On the right was the wounded yet wild Ogre of Massacre, and on the left was the new tender, a Deathless Dulhan. It may be smaller than the former but its power doesn't lose out even a si. If anything, jt only makes it mile and nimble.

  The advantage in numbers Grey and Poris once held against the Ogre of Massacre was no more. Now that a new monster has appeared, the battle has been evened out. Grey and Poris' eyes peered towards them, full of wariness.

  "Poris, use all means possible. There's o hold back." ［Grey］

  "Very well, Master." ［Poris］

  At Grey's behest, Poris' ptinum form lost its luster. In the very moment, his body started to ge shape. His body shrank, his wings and spikes were retracted, aook a different form altogether.

  The magnifit dragon was no more. All that there was was a rge bck panther which timized in speed and mobility. The only thing which remained was his fierce amethyst eyes whily became sharper like the cws he grew.

  BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM

  A series of four booms echoed oer another as fures darted away from their previous positions. Bursts of winds soon followed, apanying those booms as they cshed time and time again, intervals sting only less than a sed.

  A g echoes as Grey strikes the Deathless Dulhan's armored body. Each strike was filled with enough power to pulverize eveoughest of objects. Yet with su amazing dispy of strength, the enemy did not lose out.

  The Deathless Dulhan brandished its bck swracefully and skillfully, parrying most of Grey's strikes. And every time it saportunity, it would then strike back, sshing its sword in a smooth manner, not wasting any movements.

  g g g

  The gs tio ee and time again as the fierce csh tinued. Oher hand, Poris and the Ogre of Massacre were also having their own bout, just as fierce as the former.

  Wounds could be seen all over the Ogre's body, cw marks dripping with blood. He might not have his wings anymore, but with his agile form, he swiftly bounced from wall to ground to wall, only a bck streak to be seen. Each time the streak crossed the Ogre, a new wound would then form.

  GURRRUUUKKKK

  Tired of Poris' swift and nimble movements, the Ogre struck his feet to the ground once again, making the ground heavily uneven, jagged rocks rising simultaneously. Along with it was another scorg rain of fire.

  In the short moment Poris lost his foothold, the Ogre quickly dashed towards him, grabbed him by the ned smmed him towards the bzing grounds. A loud roar echoed as Poris felt both pain a cursing through his body.

  WHOOOONNGGGG

  To ter, Poris opened his mouth, a golden beam springing towards the Ogre, bsting it a couple dozeers away. He then stood up, back riddled with burns, as a ragiermination bzed inside his eyes.

  It hasn't even been a mome Poris pouoward the enemy once again. In respohe enemy shocks the ground again, sacrifig his foot to the va veins ead every siime. The fierce battle tio unfold.

  g g g g

  Meanwhile, Grey's battle was not any easier. Every time he tried to advand nd critical hits towards it, it would simply parry the attacks or redirect it to receive the least amount of damage, nding a heavy ter right afterwards.

  Grey had also tried to rip apart its limb, but it was useless. As the dulhans were all but living armor, the detached armor pieces would simply reattach itself, hastily as well. Its tenacity was the reason why it was called a Deathless Dulhan.

  'Tsk! Looks like that's the only way to goー ［Grey］

  Grey couldn't even finish his thoughts, when suddenly, the Deathless Dulhan quickly distaself. It then tightes grip to its sword, a jet bck bde of mana, the very same one which hit Poris, came flying towards him.

  ??Barriー Ugh!!" ［Grey］

  It was already far too te. By the time Grey noticed the bde of mana, there wasn't anymore time to cast any barriers. It was unfortunate, but all he could do was cross his arms and rely on the Divine Amulet to reduce the damage.

  BAAAMMMM

  The bde of mana fully ected trey, passing through him afterwards. Though his defense was strengthened by the Divine Amulet, it was still not enough. He received a rge wound, blood coughed up from his mouth.

  It didn't just stop there. The moment Grey's guard was broken, the Deathless Dulhan immediately closed the distaween them and nded dozens of strikes with each passing sed like a merciless mae gun.

  Ssh after ssh after ssh, Grey received heavy damage as time passed. He tried to defend himself by crossing his arms and waiting for a time to terattack, but it was futile. The enemy was just too merciless, not showing even a single gap.

  CRASSHHHH

  After a torrent of sshes, the ehen kicked Grey with great force, bsting him towards the walls without much resistance, clouds of smoke c the ground as soon as his body crashed.

  As the clouds of dust cleared up, all that there was to be seen was a barely scious Grey, his head towards the ground. It was the end. The Deathless Dulhan raised its sword proudly andー

  "You fell for it, you bastard! ??Pinpoint Tempest: Deathpierce?? !" ［Grey］

  Winds howled ever so aggressively as they crey's fist, creating a deadly vortex, a tornado if you will. Grey who looked like he was just dying a sed ago was now smiling brightly, with burning anticipation in his eyes.

  Uo react quickly, the Deathless Dulhan received the full brunt of Grey's attack. The moment it ected, its whole body ierced with a raging drill, its whole body was twisted and torn to pieces as if it was swallowed from the inside, mercilessly aifully.

  The storm soon ended and all there was left were beautiful fragments of light drifting into oblivion as the Deathless Dulhauro mana. It was a beautiful sight one could only smile at with a bright face,

  CRASSSHHHH

  And just in time, Poris also finished his job with the Ogre of Massacre. Its body filled with wounds and injuries soon glowed, turning into mana, only leaving a few drops behind. Peace has returo the Labyrinth.

  ??Perfect Heal!?? ??Perfect Heal!?? ［Grey］

  Of course, Grey didn't just leave the two of them there to bleed. He quickly healed the two of them with what meager strength he could muster and relieved themselves of the pain. It was a very close call.

  "Agh... We could finally rexー Agh!! @#€￡@+%?#￥!!" ［Grey］

  "Master?! What's happening?!" ［Poris］

  Grey couldn't even rex for a little bit. As soon as the tension was down, the recoil from using Authority finally hit. It was so painful he couldn't even begin to describe what he was feeling. A pain he only felt for the first time in both his lives.

  It was all because he overdid everything. Not only did he use both Elemental and Martial Aura at the same time, he's used up more than 10x his mana capacity with the use of his "Mana Bank", causing an even more intense rebound from extreme rapid mana exhaustion.

  In the first pce, people could only use as much as their mana capacity could allow. Since he used ten times that, the pain was also multiplied. He was so absorbed in his battle he pletely fot.

  Poris, I ask you a favrey］

  Yes. Anything for the Master ［Poris］

  Uhh... You see... There's a blue zone just up ahead. Please carry me there. I 't move a single muscle. Also.., please be careful... It really hurts... ［Grey］

  I will do as the Master wishes. ［Poris］

  Thanks... ［Grey］

  It's my pleasure. ［Poris］

  He was now not any different from a on rock by the roadside. It was to the point that Grey even o use telepathy to unicate because he couldn't move his mouth. If he could cry, he would already have. It was just that painful.

  It was on that day that Grey promised to himself to keep his mana expenditure in check while in battle. It was still the first day yet he already received araordinarily painful ordeal. It's going to be a rough road ahead of him.

  CHAPTER 192 END