"My turn…

" The evil monster gleaned, widening its crimson eyes as it glowed.

Rai tried in vain to release himself from the claw of the frightening creature to no avail.

"It's useless… Now then, eat this

" It said.

The monster raised its other hand, and a dark aura surrounded it. Dark crimson flames appeared on the open palm of the creature as it grinned evilly at Rai.

"N-No

" The man protested in a struggle.

Ignoring his plea, the monster brought the hand filled with intense flames and swiftly grabbed Rai's face, instantly baptizing him with the evil flames.

"Arghhhhhh!!!

" Rai screamed as he felt the frames burn through his face, making his entire body throb in intense agony.

"Hehehe, not yet…

" The monster whispered, turning up the tempo of the burning element.

In an instant, the flames spread all over Rai's body, engulfing the golden figure in more agonizing heat.

"Uarghhhhh!!! Arhhhh!!! Gahhhh!!!

" Rai let out screeches and screams of different tones as the flames are through his body.

"Were you always this weak? Look at you crying like a spoilt brat

" The monster taunted.

"I-If only… T-They were awake!

" Rai's mind rang, thinking about the major boost of his power.

"I wonder what your cheering audience have to say, with this state you're currently in

"

Looking down, the monster found that everyone was asleep, knocked unconsciously by the previous blast wrought by the bomb Rai erupted.

"Ah, we can't have this, now can we? Every beatdown requires an audience… Despair

" The monster said with its eyes glowing even brighter.

Suddenly, a dark crimson aura filled the ground and covered the sleeping mob. Their bodies immediately rose from the ground and with a single jolt of power from the monster, they all kicked back into consciousness.

"Arch!

" They all yelped in shock.

As their disoriented minds tried to comprehend what had happened, they looked around them, starting at one another with confused expressions.

"W-What is that? Above us… I-Isn't that?!

" One person yelled out, facing the sky with a despairing look.

As everyone followed suit and looked upon the horrific sight of their Vice Guildmaster burning up in flames while the monster choked him with a satisfied grin, their eyes widened in disbelief.

"L-Lord Rai…?!

"

With all eyes on him, Rai felt a flush of shame as his disgraceful self burned up. However, that didn't matter. Because, now that they were all witnessing this event, he would turn it all around.

"Armor of Va-

"

Before he could fully activate his power, a greater wave of lanes swept through him, making him yell out more in pain.

"Guarghhhh!!!! V-Vaaaaaniiityyyyy!!!

" He completed his activating phrase.

Instantly, his armor glowed brighter and his already peeling body began to reconstruct.

The agonizing pain he felt began to fade away as a surge of power permeated his being.

"I'll make you pay for that!

" Rai said with a relieved smile.

His confidence was greeted by a nonchalant look from the aggressor, who didn't seem to care about his sudden boost in power.

"How dare you look down on me. I'll make you suffer in pain as you beg for mercy!!!

" Rai screamed, letting out an uncontrollable concentration of golden energy.

"Uooohhhh!!!

" The golden energy sparked around the two opponents, and lightning of various proportions emanated from Rai's brimming body.

"What are you planning?

" The monster asked.

"Your death!

" Rai grinned in response, closing his eyes as he activated the finishing move.

"Golden Prominence

"

A massive flash of destructive golden energy instantly exploded, filling up the space above the people in a confined sphere.

The spherical field prevented the attack from affecting anything beyond its range, as the shockwaves, heat, and pressure of the blast were confined within the space.

>ZZZTTTBBOOOOOOOMMMMM<

"I'll engulf the both of us in the destructive might of my new move. Of course, I'll be protected by my armor… But this will spell the end for this monster!

" Rai smiled to himself as the waves of the blasts filled the space, sweeping everything in its devastating force.

>Shiiiiiiiinggggggg<

The immense energy continued rising, illuminating the entire expanse.

"Is it only this much?

" A deep voice interrupted the loud noise and crushing pressure surrounding the area.

Rai's glowing eyes widened at the sound of the malevolent voice.

Before he could even think, a hand emerged from the blinding radiation and grabbed his face once again.

"N-No... Impossible! H-How can you still be-

" He yelled in disbelief.

"Why, you ask...

"

As the monster's voice booked even louder, It appeared, still unscathed by the blast, having a protective layer of crimson aura all over its body.

"Your attacks are simply too weak. Now then, once again it's my turn

"

Sparks of flames began to appear on the arm which tightly gripped Rai's face, making the golden figure throb in dread of the immense pain to follow.

"N-No... Please! Not again! Please Noooo!!!

"

Bursts of red and black flames ignited, replacing the golden explosion all around with its contents.

"Arghhhhhhh!!!

" Rai screamed.

The audience, who had relieved faces to see Rai gain the upper hand now changed to fear as they watched the glorious radiation above them eclipse, turning red with blood and darkened by deep darkness.

"Uahhhhhhh!!!!

" Rai kept his screams of plea and agony.

The golden armor which fused with his body cracked as a result of the intense pressure of the heat, and within seconds, they shattered apart.

With only Rai's naked body left, the monster stopped the burning flames, leaving his body slightly burned by the remnant heat which wafted through the air.

"Ugfffff... Urhhhhh!

" Rai coughed as he slowly began to lose consciousness.

His vision blurred as the sounds around him diminished. Struggling to breathe, he wheezed, but the flames had burned up all the oxygen left in the air.

"U-U... T-This was a mistake... I-

" He thought to himself, recalling the scene that occurred moments before he arrived at the scene of destruction.

Moments Earlier

"No! Don't go... Y-You can't win!

" A childlike voice snapped at Rai.

This made the Vice Guildmaster, already clad in his armor, shake his head in disappointment.

"I have to, kid. If you're so worried about me, why don't you come with me?

" He smirked, once again asking for the help of the kid in front of him.

This brat, who appeared scared of whatever monster that had just emerged from the Dungeon, was none other than the 'Hero', Jared.

"I-I can't... I already told you...

" He muttered hesitantly, looking away.

Rai was still stunned by Jared's behavior. The kid he knew would be raring for any opportunity to display his power. Yet, here he was, cowering in fear.

"What are you so scared of? It isn't even a 'Special Grade'. The energy signature it's emitting is low, so there's no need to be so worried.

" Rai said, attempting to convince the 'Trump Card' of their Adventurers Guild.

"No!

" Jared snapped, trembling as he spoke.

This made Rai more perplexed. He knew the strength of Jared, how the boy's power exceed even his. The Guildmaster was also very wary of Jared's mysterious power, yet this brat now cowered before the enemy, just because it claimed to be the 'Final Boss' of the Vanishing Dungeon.

"Fine... I'll do it myself!

" Rai said, turning away from the Hero as he hurried to the scene.

"Rai... You'll die!

" Jared warned.

"Heh, I doubt it!

" He smiled in response.

The kid shook his head as a portal opened in front of him, venturing within to hide.

"Yeah, just run away in fear, O 'Hero'!

" Rai said in a mocking tone.

This made Jared stop dead on his tracks, halfway through the Gate.

"That monster... Isn't what I'm afraid of...

"

Upon stating this, he disappeared into his world.

"What the hell?

" Rai muttered, taking no thoughts as to the kid's words as he rushed to the scene.

If Jared refused to help, he just had to do things himself. With the Guildmaster absent, he was next in charge. Everyone was counting on him to keep them safe.

And in the event that he succeeded, his reputation would skyrocket and it wouldn't be impossible to further his ambition to become...

The Present

"I-I was wrong...

" He cried to himself as tears fell upon his half-burned face.

Without any oxygen in the air, his eyes forcefully closed as he lost the breath within his lungs.

He knew Jared was right... Right at that moment, he was going to die.

"So frail, underneath the armor and defense of those fancy Relics... In the end, he's still human.

" The monster grinned, letting go of the Vice Guildmaster.

The unconscious man fell from the height he occupied, rapidly descending to his death.

As his naked body approached the ground, the crowd watched in horror and despair. Their savior and only hope had been defeated. There remained no hope for any of them.

"Is this the best you have to offer? How boring. Well then... I might as well dispose of you all.

" The monster said, stretching its hand toward the mob below him.

>Kyahhhhh<

They all screamed in terror as they witnessed the fiery sparks of flames appear on its hand.

Within moments, they would all be engulfed in flames, burned alive, and fade away in an instant.

"Please... Someone... Anyone... Save us!

" They cried within their hearts and out loud.

"It's useless.... Now die!

" The monster smiled as his hand glowed with the bright crimson color of his darkened flames.