Moments Ago

The swirling void remained in front of Wrath's useless lump of flesh as he helplessly watched and prayed for Hexarion's return.

As Wrath waited for his master to surface, he heard nothing. Worry and panic spread through him.

"What if something happened to master?

"

"Will Lord Hexarion be alright?

"

Despite his undying loyalty and sacred pledge to Hexarion, he couldn't help but worry.

Unlike in the past, the current Primordial had become too weak.

The fact that Wrath gave him such a tough time proved it.

Hexarion was already injured and about to die. Yet, he pushed on.

"Nether Core...

" Wrath thought to himself.

If Hexarion's body didn't last, he would forever be lost. Yet, that was a risk he was willing to take.

>PING!<

Suddenly, a system alert appeared in front of Wrath.

You Have Been Made Temporary Admin Of This Dungeon

You Have Been Bestowed A Portion Of The Nether Core

Wrath's eyes widened upon seeing this in his wretched state.

"Wha-?!

" He exclaimed.

How could this be possible? The only way he could receive the Admin role is if another Admin grants him the role.

"Then... T-This means...

" Wrath beamed slightly.

There were two options.

Firstly, Hexarion was dead, and Wrath was second in place to inherit the Dungeon as Administrator.

The second one would be that Hexarion was still alive and made Wrath in charge of the Dungeon until he was able to come out.

Wrath chose to believe the second rationale

"Lord Hexarion wouldn't die like this!

" He reasoned.

As Wrath looked at the notification even more, he noticed a smaller icon underneath the display.

Do You Accept?

He smiled slightly.

"I accept

"

Immediately, the window buzzed and closed, leaving Wrath staring at the empty void again.

>ZZZZZZZTTTTTZZZZ<

A purple spark of ominous energy suddenly appeared. The beam slowly contorted into darkness, revealing the otherworldly essence before Wrath's body.

His eyes beamed as he saw the portion of Nether which are up the surrounding space, consuming the Aspects around it.

"Lord Hexarion... This... This is perfect!

"

The anomaly suddenly lunged toward Wrath's eager body, covering it in purple and crimson aura.

"Uohhhhhhh

" He let out in an invigorated roar.

He could feel his body filling up with power.

Limbs began to form as Wrath's glorious stature formed once again.

Wings, horns, well-toned and finely built organs... His body became complete.

Rising from his low estate, Wrath ascended and grinned, flexing his wings as he floated above the blank floor.

"Ah... This feels much better!

"

However, something was missing...

"It seems I'm not back at full strength. Only a small portion was given to me, after all.

" He muttered.

He couldn't complain though, this was better than his previous pathetic state.

>DING<

Another alarming sound rang in his ear.

A window opened before him, displaying information which he read carefully.

New Admin: Wrath Instruction

"Of course!

" Wrath said immediately he read it.

Message To Wrath

~If you're seeing this message, know that I am not yet dead. However, I am engaged currently and won't be able to take any action for a while. I leave my affairs with you for the time being~

~ First Order Of Business: Make your way out of this place. Three of my slaves are in the fifth floor Boss Room. Ensure their safety, as long as the enemy has been extinguished. Should they still be engaging their opponent, do not interfere. However, if they are unable to fight anymore, then dispose of the enemy and secure the three of them~

~As for recognizing my slaves, if you use your Aspectal sight, it will become plain to you. They each possess portions of myself with them~

~You are to remain in the Fifth Floor Boss Room until I return. Make sure my slaves are safe. Wrath, you're the only one capable of acting in my stead currently. I'm counting on you~

At this point, Wrath was tearing up, filled with emotion as he read the memorandum left to him by his master.

*Sniff* *Sniff*

"Lord Hexarion...

" He cried.

Wrath proceeded to read the last statement left by his master before carrying out his instructions.

~Do Not Fail Me!~

After he read this, Wrath's body slightly shook, feeling a tingle of excitement. As expected of his master, even if he wasn't physically present, his words were enough to move him.

"...I won't!

"

The Present

"One. Two. Three... Looks like everyone is here

" Wrath muttered, observing the three slaves of Haxarion who lied on the floor, unconscious.

"They're still alive, though barely.

"

He narrowed his crimson eyes and examined them. Their Aspects became visible to him, erratic and weak.

"I should help them out...

"

"Admin Authority: Wrath

" Immediately he said this, the entire room lit up.

His red aura began to emanate from his body as Wrath raised his hand, pointing it in the direction of the slaves.

"CAUSALITY REVERSAL

".

Bright radiation filled everywhere, followed by a low hum. Particles of sparkling energy began to revolve around Ana, Shamac, and Talia.

As the lights touched the half-dead bodies, their wounds slowly closed, and the blood shed from the open crevices in their body returned within them.

In a few moments, the three were healed up.

" Now that's more like it... It's been some time since I've been away from the Final Boss Room. The Aspect properties here are to loose...

" He noticed.

With his body's constitution, he could see through Aspects, just like Hexarion.

After all...

"I was made in my Master's image

" Wrath grinned to himself.

While he was still reminiscing on his master's instruction and how he would take care of the three recovered, but unconscious slaves, a sudden explosion occurred.

>BOOOOOOOOMMMMMM!!!!<

The tranquil face of Wrath suddenly switched to a loom of irritation. He quickly darted his eyes to the source of the blast.

It came from the entrance of the Boss Room.

"Arhhhhh, nooooo, please! I don't wanna die. Please... S-Save me! N-No! I-I can't die now!

" An annoying bellow of desperation also came from the same direction.

"What the hell is this?

" Wrath muttered, witnessing the bizarre sight before him.

At the entrance of the room, a distance from where Wrath stood, was a massive dragon. Its large body floated in the air as it glared menacingly at its target...

The prey was none but a pathetic man who was desperately concerned for his life. He fled as snot fell from his nose and tears emanated from his eyes.

"P-Please... N-No... I-I don't want to die...

" He mumbled, stumbling into the room, with the Dragon directly behind him.

"What the hell?

" Wrath mumbled, staring at the sight before him.

Moments Earlier: Fifth Floor

"Huff... Huff...

" Nathan gave exhausted breaths, stubbornly clinging to his sharpened edge which glowed with a low hint of blue.

His sword warbled as he focused on the last enemy left, summoning his remaining strength to maintain his stance against the powerful creature.

"J-Just a little more!

" Lucy muttered, feeling her body ache.

Her relic weighed heavily on her, making her weary as time passed.

Jack was also at his limit, barely able to grip his Axe as he let out struggling breaths.

"Damn it... Even though I've been the one dealing most of the damage to the monsters we've encountered, everyone is already spent and exhausted, even more than I am.

" Nathan muttered to himself, noticing the members of his party and how tired they were.

It was barely a day and they were already at their wit's end.

" At this rate... I might have to abandon these dead weights

" His thoughts suddenly rang.

Realizing where his line of thought was heading, Nathan immediately shook his head.

"No! What are you thinking, Nathan?!

" He cautioned himself.

"I'm not like that anymore... I've changed! I promised them I would protect them!

" He said with determination.

Even though he knew it was only a matter of time if he stuck with this crowd, and he would have a much higher chance of surviving alone, he refused to abandon his new friends.

They all counted on him... He would not betray their trust.

"I have to be better... Better than I was before! I have to become a man worthy of Marie's love!

"

His thoughts suddenly drifted to Lydia, and the chemistry he had with her, though brief.

She was a kind person, and her purity reminded him of his lover... That is all there was to it.

"Gurrrruiiikk

" The monster snapped at them, already injured by the group's initial strike.

Nathan pushed away his distracting thoughts and narrowed his gaze on the beast.

This wasn't the regular Tree Golem. It was a more devastating creature.

Having a mass thrice as large as the Tree Golem, it also had spikes all over its tough, brown skin... Like hard tree bark.

Its waves of destruction made the group exhaust a great deal of energy on it, leading them to their current position.

"Just a little more... Just a little more...

" Nathan kept pushing.

He was definitely going to survive with his friends.... No matter what!