"Die

"

The powerless people beneath the great monster trembled as they closed their eyes in resignation.

There was truly no hope...

>BOOOOOOOMMMMM!!!<

A sudden spark of purple electricity surged, from within the Vanishing Dungeon, and in a flash, it collided with the monster.

"Keukk!

" The monster groaned as a figure emerged from the powerful current which clashed with it, the form of a human.

This sound roused the crowd as they opened their teary eyes to see the cause of their deliverance.

Clad with purple energy emanating from his cloak, a man clashed his sword with the monster's claws.

Their eyes widened in recognition of the person who faced the devastating monster.

"I-Isn't that... The new Platinum Rank... Rank 8...?!

" One of the scared people yelled.

A surprised look filled the faces of everyone. The man they had all berated and called a fraud was now their last hope. For the sake of their survival, he had better not be one.

"P-Please save us... Lord Rio Xarion!

" They all let out.

The low and hesitant voice turned into screams of desperation as they watched the Adventurer's blade throb against the monster's hardened claws.

"Please win!

"

...

"W-Who are you?

" The monster asked, appearing flustered by the sudden emergence of another Adventurer.

However, unlike the last one, the human before him had a phenomenally greater pressure.

"You do not need to know. You'll be dead soon, anyway

" Rio, the Platinum Ranked Adventurer mumbled.

"Grrrrr!!!

" The monster growled in response to the threatening human, pushing him away with a powerful force.

Instantly teleporting to a safe distance, the Boss Monster glared at its foe.

The human, a Platinum Ranked Adventurer, also flew backward, cautiously drawing his blade.

Now watching each other with cautious glances, the two foes floated in the sky.

"Human... It appears you have more skill than the last one. However, in the end, you're still one of a weak race. You stand no chance against my power, as the Final Boss of this 100th Floor Dungeon!

"

Rio, the human challenger, did not respond.

"My name is Wrath! One of the 7 Deadly Generals of the Evil One, Hexarion!

" The monster declared with a devilish grin.

Upon hearing this statement, the crowd below became even more fearful, thrown into a frenzy.

"D-Did he just say... One of the 7 Generals of the Evil One?!

"

"No! We're all doomed!!!

"

"Oh gods, please save us!

" They screamed.

"Your useless cries won't save you. The gods will never hear your prayers. Only death awaits you now-

" Wrath said to the panicked humans below him.

"Shut up...

" A menacing voice suddenly echoed.

Everywhere fell silent as the sound generated a devastating pressure that prevented any speech.

"Know your place... Filthy demon. Your kind has no place in this world

"

Wrath's face turned into a glare as it focused its eyes on the daring human who challenged him.

"You've caused far too much death and destruction. It all ends here... I'll kill you!

" Rio said, staring at the monster with bloodthirsty eyes.

"You little...

" Wrath gritted its teeth in annoyance.

Immediately, a massive surge of malevolent crimson aura erupted from the monster's body, causing the crowd to crumble in response to the pressure emitted.

Space all around warped as a result of the otherworldly essence that spilled in the atmosphere, polluting the atmosphere.

Distortions in space were evident, and at the center of the irregularity stood Wrath.

"Let's see how you talk big after I'm done with you!

"

Wrath lunged toward Rio beyond the speed of light, reaching him before an instant. Baring its claws toward him, the monster brought its two limbs to simultaneously attack its prey.

"Useless

"

A purple barrier appeared around Rio, blocking all the strikes of the monster.

"Impossible!

" It yelled.

In an instant, Rip stretched his sword toward Wrath's chest, focusing a phenomenal amount of purple energy at the tip.

"Disappear

"

>Zzzztzzzzz<

Sparks of purple energy crackled, condensing in a single spot as the single beam of light charged toward the shocked monster.

>Vooooommm!!!<

The energy hummed as it passed through the monster, burning its body with its intense heat and destructive currents.

The beam flowed for miles, like a shooting star, tracing all the way into the clouds as they parted.

>BOOOOOMMM!!!<

In a distance, a massive explosion erupted, sending shockwaves to the city.

"H-He caused that much destruction from such a distance?!

" The people marveled as they shook in the presence of two equally scary monsters.

"Y-You... How dare you...

" Wrath groaned.

For the first time since it appeared, the Boss Monster had scars of mangled flesh and bleeding parts all over its body.

"How dare you draw blood from me?!!

" He growled in more rage.

The crimson energy which surrounded it grew even more intense as they began to gather and swirl around Wrath.

"Very well then, as recognition for your efforts, I won't hold back anymore. Be prepared for the consequences of your actions!

" Wrath stated.

The aura around it solidified, forming a crimson armor that covered the entirety of the monster's body.

Spikes protruded from the armor's back, as the two horns of the monster became larger. Wrath's eyes glowed crimson as it flew majestically in the new form it adopted.

"Now then, let us continue!

" Wrath grinned sadistically, showing its Sharp teeth in what little space was left in the helmet worn on its head.

Vanishing from its location, Wrath appeared above Rio, even higher into the clouds, and brought its two palms together to create a red orb.

"No, you don't!

" Rio protested, quickly diving into the sky to catch the demon.

The monster smiled as it watched Rip advance.

"Eat this!

"

Releasing the small bomb, no larger than a child's head, Wrath continued to ascend into the sky, while the destructive cluster of power lunged at the human.

"Tch!

" Rio stated, immediately making a purple orb on his left hand while clinging onto his sword with the other.

Hurriedly releasing his counter to the monster's assault, Rio ignored the red ball and charged straight for Wrath.

>BOOOOOOOMMMMM!!!<

An enormous rupture filled the space overhead the city, creating a literal void in the space above.

For a moment, absolute nothingness could be seen as the Aspects all around were vaporized by the clash of the two orbs.

"Rarghhhhh!!!

" Wrath let out, releasing shocking currents of black electricity from its fingertips.

Rio rapidly advanced, dodging the whips of dark lightning which charged at him. Twisting his body midair, while he kept his eyes focused on the target, Rio continued to close the distance.

"Begone!!!

" The monster said, releasing a massive wave of pure destructive force, pushing everything away from its vicinity.

Within a moment, Rip would collide with the destructive field and meet the same fate.

However...

Resolutely clenching his fist, a deep purple concentration of energy gathered within it as he launched a straight hook toward the repelling barrier erected.

Instantly, the structure shattered, sending the monster into a state of panic as its eyes bulged in shock.

"N-No way! You-

"

Before the flustered demon could react further, Rio had closed the gap between them, driving his dark-coated sword into its body.

"Guarkk!

" It spat out blood.

The sharp edge of Rio's blade pierced through the armor of the monster and exited to the other side, sending blood splattering all over.

">KPAAAA<

Instantly, the armor Wrath donned shattered into pieces, leaving it in a miserable and defenseless state, with blood oozing from its body.

"H-How did you...

" Wrath muttered, still shocked by its defeat.

"How? It's simple. You're too weak

" Rio responded.

This statement made the monster's body twitch, and then strange sounds began to come from its mouth.

"Hehehehehe... Hahahahaha!!!

" Wrath laughed at itself, appearing to be mocking its pathetic state.

"You are the first to ever call me that, human. What a strange one... Just who are you?

" The monster responded, looking at the man who was defeated with a look of unbelief.

"I'm just an Adventurer... And you'd do well to remember one thing before you die!

" Rio said with fierce eyes.

"You should never have underestimated humans, to begin with!

"

Wrath smiled at this statement, having a face of regret as to how things ended this way. At this point, there was only one more thing left to do.

"I couldn't kill you till the very end... Even after obtaining freedom, I still end up where I started.

" He mumbled.

Coughing out more blood, the monster stared tiredly at its assaulter. Cracks began to appear on its body, signifying how it neared the end of its life.

"At least, with this... I'll take you down with me...

"

Rio's eyes widened upon hearing this.

"Choose then... Your life, or theirs

"

The monster's crumbling body suddenly glowed and sparked in flames.

"No-

"

An immense amount of built-up energy became released in that instant, plunging everything in the sky into complete destruction.

>BOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMM!!!<

There was no time he could react for himself. Choosing instead to protect the defenseless people, Rio quickly erected a massive force field around them

The destruction reached the ground, eating up everything around as it burned through the area.

The sturdy defense held up, shielding the people from the fate that would have befallen them.

"We... We were saved...?!

" They asked, looking around them in confusion.

Everything which wasn't covered with the purple aura was rendered into nothing but dust.

"H-He saved us... Lord Rio saved us...

" One of the stunned people sniffed, yelling out in gratitude.

This was followed by countless screams of praises, all directed at Rio. Thunderous cheers erupted from the crowd as they all shouted thankfully.

Their savior had sacrificed bus life to protect them... He was a true hero!

They witnessed the devastating fireworks which shimmered as it reduced and wondered if their hero made it out alive, though the possibility seemed impossible.

"Are you all safe?

" A voice suddenly appeared, and from within the cloud of endless smoke and dust, appeared the victor of the fight.... Platinum Rank 8, Adventurer Of Lamar, Rio Xarion!