Chapter 162 - Vanity

"Victory is mine.

" Rai smiled excitedly.

The dozens of projected creatures lunged at the Boss Monster, baring their sharp claws and fangs at him.

Among them were scorpions, serpents, deadly creatures, and birds of prey.

However, they did not even faze the enemy as he simply waved his hand in the air, clearing off all the beasts which advanced toward him.

>SHOOOOOOO<

A massive gust of wind blew away the golden summons, sending them flying away.

"I'm not done

" The Monster smiled.

Tightening his fist, a crimson aura surrounded the beasts. Their golden color slowly became enveloped in the malevolent aura of the monster.

In an instant, the creatures entirely donned the color of the monster who looked pleased by the new development.

He had taken control of the Vice-Guildmaster's summons

"W-Wha-?!

"

Before Rai could respond, the monstrous creature ordered the beasts to assault their former master.

"Tch!

" Rai grunted in dissatisfaction, watching the summoned ones charge toward him.

"Don't kid me!!!

" He yelled, releasing a golden surge of energy that covered him in a sphere.

Upon making contact with the gold field, the animals faded away, destroyed by the energy collision.

"You bastard!

" Rai said, glaring at the monster.

"Who are you?!

"

The Boss monster smiled, placing his arms in a folded fashion as he spoke.

"The likes of you are not worthy to hear my name... Should you desire it, then land a hit on me first

"

Upon hearing the taunt of the monster, Rai became maddened with rage.

"This monster dares to-

" He grumbled.

"Master Rai!!!!

"

"Vice Guildmaster!!!

"

"Please save us!!!

"

"We're saved now that the master is here!!!

"

The constant cheers of the crowd raised his spirit, making Rai more confident.

"I can do this... With a crowd like this, I'm invincible!

" He smiled.

Taking a deep breath, the heavily clad man closed his eyes and concentrated his power to activate the full potential of his armament.

"Armor Of Vanity!

"

As he started this, an immense amount of energy began to gather around him. His entire body glowed golden, as the armor began extending to other parts of his body, transforming his skin to the self same color.

"Oh? It seems you can do more than just curse, after all,

" The monster grinned upon noticing the surge of energy gathering around Rai.

"Do you think I'll allow you to complete your transformation?

"

The monster created a spark of red lightning on his hand, aiming at Rai, who was focused on the new power enveloping him.

"Die

"

The crimson lightning charged toward Rai, parting the winds in its way as it advanced with devastating force.

However, before it could reach its target, a Golden field appeared around the opponent, blocking off the lightning.

"Tch

" The Boss monster let out.

Suddenly, a bright light enveloped everywhere, causing even the beast to squint its eyes as the blinding brilliance emanating from the human champion traveled for miles.

"Sorry to have kept you waiting... It's time for round two

" Rai's voice appeared from within the glow.

His armor was nowhere to be seen, instead, his entire being shone with golden radiance.

"I have fused with my 'Armor of Vanity', a complete set of 9 items-

"

Earring Of Amon

Crown Of Laplace

Boots Of Asmodeus

Ring Of Paimon

Wristband Of Valefor

Armband Of Focalor

Breastplate Of Baal

Shield Of Zagan

Chain Of Beelzebub

"-These 9 Relics are the most powerful in my Collection, some of the most powerful existences of the world,

" Rai said with a confident and boastful look.

Rai was aware of the threat of the evil before him. He could not afford to hold back.

"Since you're the final Boss, I'll be going all out on you!

"

He knew, however, that he would end up winning.

His invincible set, Armor Of Vanity, had a special set effect different from the individual abilities of the Relics.

"The more people are present to witness my acts... The more powerful I become!

" Rai grinned.

And with a crowd of thousands all counting on him, his power was at a height he had never reached before.

"This match is rigged in my favor, there's no way I'm losing! The current me is the very definition of invincible.

"

"So you've become a walking lantern, how quaint,

" The monster said in a mocking tone.

"Prepare yourself, beast... As of this moment, your death has been assured!

" Rai declared, pointing his glistening hand toward his opponent.

Before the monster could react, he teleported behind it, closing the distance in an instant.

Raising his fist to deal a deadly blow, Rai lunged at the beast with full strength.

The humanoid demon creature quickly raised its hands to block the attack, causing a clash between the bodies of the two beings.

>BOOOOOM!!!!<

The shock wave of the attack parted the winds all around and even the clouds split apart.

Not allowing any room for a counterattack, golden lightning covered Rai's body, sending a powerful surge of destructive energy upon his opponent.

"Eat this!

" He grinned.

The monster was enveloped with the devastating discharge of Rai's golden energy which held an unfathomable amount of volts.

However...

"Is that all?

" The monster asked, still being struck by the golden current, yet appearing unfazed.

"W-Wha-?! Rai let out in disbelief.

Quickly, he retreated from the enemy, vanishing several meters from his previous location as he appeared flustered.

" If that won't do it, then... Eat thissss!!!

"

Bringing his two hands together, a golden orb sparkling with concentrated power started to form. The sphere grew larger, making Rai raise it above his head as it kept growing.

"This is a condensed energy, able to destroy anything within its range!

" Rai declared.

The monster smiled, it could easily dodge it.

"I don't think so!

" Rai smiled.

Immediately, golden chains emerged from Rai's glowing body and trapped the opponent in its constraint. The solid chains held the arms and legs of the creature while also covering it with its mass, tightening the neck to restrict the monster's movements.

"You can't escape!

" He gleamed.

The orb had already grown nearly a hundred times as large as Rai at this point, as he brought down his hands to launch the giant mass of pure destruction upon the target.

The hot orb approached the trapped Boss at a rapid rate, burning through everything in its path, even the air.

"Arhhhh!!!

" The helpless victims on the ground could not help but scream in pain as the heat of the energy bomb could be felt on their skins

"It's like the sun!

" They marveled and winced in pain at the same time.

As they admired the golden orb, it became even stronger, increasing its power, size, and glow.

"Die!

" Rai smiled with a murderous gleam in his eyes.

Just a little further, and he would be hailed as the first to slay the Final Boss of the Vanishing Dungeon. He would be immortalized and made a legend.

"To think humans have advanced this far. To be able to wield such power... Ah, Master was right. The world has truly changed.

" The monster smiled as he watched the massive orb approach him.

"This should be fun!

"

>KAAAAABOOOOOOOOOMMMMM!!!!<

The blast in the sky tore through everything for a great distance, sending a great amount of shock for miles. Rai quickly used his Golden field to protect the civilians, but even that wasn't enough to fully mitigate the immense power of the golden bomb.

As the deafening sound stopped and the surge sizzled, Rai could not help but huff in his exhausted state.

He had used up a lot of his power to defend the people beneath so they would not die from the shock of the attack.

Even so...

"They've all passed out, eh?

" He mumbled, looking beneath him to see the unconscious mob.

None of them could withstand the power of his Golden radiance.

Of course, this meant he couldn't use the power boost he obtained from their spectatorship, but it was no longer needed. Because at this point...

"I defeated it... The monster... Has been vanquished!

" He smiled tiredly.

"Oh? Who decided that?

" A deep voice suddenly appeared.

Rai's body jumped as soon as heard the sound and his eyes darted to the location where he executed the monster.

Suddenly, a monstrous hand grabbed him by the throat and tightened its grip.

Rai's eyes bulged as he saw the Boss Monster, covered in red aura with no damage whatsoever.

"N-No... T-That's n-not possible! H-How are you still alive? No, why are you unscathed?

" Rai struggled to let out as his breathing became restricted.

The Boss Monster, smiling devilishly at the tiny frame of the golden figure in his grasp, let out a snicker and burst out laughing.

"Kuahahahahahahaha

"

"Did you really think that would stop me? That's not even enough to wipe out this city! You must truly be looking down on me!

" The monster replied.

"N-No way... Even Grade 1 Monsters would die by that attack! I-Is this monster... Is it a Special Grade?!

" Rai thought to himself.

But, this didn't make sense to him since he would have been able to sense it if the monster was of that level.

"Merely using my aura to defend myself was enough to withstand your blow. I will admit though, it was a little hot inside your sauna

"

The taunting gaze and mocking words of the monster made Rai's blood boil, but his body was paralyzed by the monster's hold on him.

"Now then.... Since I survived your attack, try doing the same for mine

"