17 I shouldn't?

They were currently making their way through a wild expanse of tall grass, with Yue riding on his back.

The grass grew quite tall, reaching up to 160 cm in height, and it was as high as his shoulders. If Yue were to walk in this grass, she would vanish from sight. But then, they came to a halt.

"Shaaaaa!!"

Surrounding them were almost 200 demons.

These magical creatures were massive reptiles, resembling Tyrannosaurus rexes, but with a unique addition—a flower on their heads.

The creature's strong jaws featured sharp tusks that seemed eager for blood, and atop its head rested a sunflower-like blossom, gently swaying in the breeze.

"Lighting Burst" Ayakashi muttered, he had already sensed, but was waiting until the moment all if them come into his range.

As the name stated, suddenly a burst of electrical energy erupted from his body, sending a swift and powerful shock to all the demons around.

A sizzling sound emanated from the fallen demon bodies. The power of the burst wasn't too strong, as Ayakashi wanted to enjoy the meat without burning it.

After Ayakashi was finished with New Skills, they advanced 10 levels, Ayakashi's progress through the floors was swift, leaving little opportunity for Yue to utilize her magic.

Eating was now a instinct to him, so it's obvious he didn't want to share his prey, still.

Occasionally, he'd grant her the chance, or he'd asked about her magical abilities.

At the outset, Yue's role mainly involved providing support for Ayakashi.

she would devote herself to covering for him. During their journey, she tried to swiftly eliminate any monsters that posed a threat to him.

Nevertheless, Ayakashi's speed was such that he would eliminate the magical beasts before any of her spells could reach them.

At this point, he had gained some knowledge about lightning magic and was experimenting with creating his own spells, with "Lightning Burst" being one of his creations.

The floor they found themselves on resembled a vast forest. The forest was filled with lush, towering trees, each reaching heights of over 10 meters.

The air carried a sense of moisture, creating a damp atmosphere. However, it was not uncomfortably hot like the tropical forest level they had encountered before.

Coming to a stop, Ayakashi started his feast on the Raptor like a wild animal. However, a sudden he paused, and looked at Yue who was staring at hik wondering how he is able to eat so much.

"Yue... Why are you trying so hard... exerting yourself so much?" He tilted his head confusion.

He had observing her attempts to kill the beasts, even though he managed to Finish them before she could.

Yue, for a second stopped, pondering his question.

"…I just wanted to be of helpful… because I'm your partner…" Ayakashi stopped eating, surveyed their surroundings, and turned his gaze toward her.

"Since when? Moreover, you don't need to fight… I can handle them on my own…"

Yue had been feeling a sense of desolation about her lack of usefulness. Was it because he didn't trust her? Would everything be over before she can do anything? Anxiety gripped her mind, What if he leaves her? His next words seemed to confirm her fears.

"When this is all over… we'll part ways… go our separate paths…" Yue looked at him but it seems he didn't care, his words evoking tears.

Past wounds might heal, but the scars they leave behind can be concealed or buried, yet never truly erased. They serve as evidence of the trials a being has endured.

For her, she was waiting for someone to help her, now that she is out, together with someone, she doesn't want to part with..

But Ayakashi; he held no attachment, just a desire to survive and live.

Back to where they began…

"Why are you crying…?" He queried, still curious.

"…I don't have a place… to return…" she muttered under her breath but Ayakashi heard it clearly, and went in deep thought.

All of a sudden, Ayakashi detected the presence of Magic Beasts, through his heightened perception.

About 10 of were heading in their direction. Judging by the leader's movements, it appeared to be a twin-tailed wolf.

He wanted to check it out, before that, he turned and looked at Yue who seems to be about burst in tears.

"I'm not sure where to go…"

"However, once we escape from here, if you don't have a place, come with me…" With these words, he leaped from tree to tree, eventually reaching the top of tree.

Yue gazed at his back as he reached the summit. She as wipes the tears from her eyes, she had noticed and understood that Ayakashi would only speak when necessary.

She wasn't certain about the circumstances, yet her curiosity lingered, about the man in front of her. He who seems to close to her, but is too far to reach, who is he really?

he saw one of them, a 2 m reptile dropped from the overgrowth in the trees.

The reptile bore a resemblance to a raptor, sporting a blooming tulip atop its head.

Ayakashi shifted his gaze to the demon and noticed something peculiar about them. Yue didn't said anything, was still in deep in thought.

Both the raptor and the T-rex bore these unfamiliar flowers upon them.

The flowers seemed to exude an aura of bloodlust as the raptor emitted growls, seemingly preparing for battle. The blossom swayed and fluttered.

"Shaaa!!"

As Ayakashi's attention was on the flower, the raptor lunged. Its sturdy legs sported 20 cm talons, gleaming ominously.

It didn't even get chance to take a single step when, Ayakashi swiftly used lightning discharge, targeting the tulip to assess its effects.

The entire flower charred, and the raptor experienced a momentary twitch before tumbling upon its landing.

It somersaulted into a tree and lay still. Silence enveloped the scene. Yue approached Ayakashi and observed the fallen raptor and the scattered tulip.

"…Dead?"

"No… still alive…".

Just as Ayakashi spoke, the raptor's body twitched. It rose, surveying its surroundings. Upon spotting its fallen tulip, it started to stomp on it, not giving a glance at both.

Once satisfied, it gazed skyward, as if to say, "Phew, job well done!" and emitted a cry. The raptor then turned its attention to Ayakashi, startled.

Ayakashi remained silent, while Yue's looked at Raptor with a touch of sympathy. The raptor froze briefly, then adopted a low stance, baring its fangs and leaping.

Yet, it was swiftly obliterated by another discharge of lightning. The raptor slipped across the ground, leaving Ayakashi and Yue staring at the lifeless form without words.

"…It was bullied. Beaten down… what a shame," Yue muttered under her breath, her gaze on Ayakashi.

Ayakashi mind pondered the nature of those flowers. They continued their journey, alternating between killing and consuming.

Ayakashi refrained from eating any creatures that would stop his progress.

The landscape shifted to a new area, marked by countless massive trees, each over 5 meters in diameter. The branches of neighboring trees intertwined with each other.

Less than five minutes later, raptors began to appear beneath them, and Ayakashi's gaze fell upon more of these peculiar flowers.

"Why do all these creatures have flowers?"

"A flower garden…"

More than 10 raptors emerged, each adorned with distinct flowers upon their heads.

The raptors' focus shifted entirely to Ayakashi, looking at him with readied to jump for attack.

"Link-Charge," Ayakashi invoked another spell. Lightning cracked as he extended his hands forward, targeting a nearby raptor. The bolt shot forth,

//Bzzzzz//

In an instant, the attack struck the raptor, killing it. The energy split into two parts, reaching and eliminating two more raptors in quick succession.

//Bzzzzz// //Bzzzzz//

The series of linked attacks continued, and within seconds, all adversaries lay defeated.

//Bzzzzz//

Approaching the fallen Raptors body, Ayakashi leaned down and touched its head. Yue noticed this and curiously approached, questioning,

"... Ayakashi?"

"…Strange?"

"?"

"They were too weak."

Yue took notice after his words. It was true—the T-rex and raptors had been easily killed due to their simple movements(*slow) and standard(*weak) attacks.

Their movement were almost mechanical, including their bloodlust.

Observing the raptor's outburst where it trampled the flower in anger, Ayakashi pieced it together and come to conclusions.

Suddenly, Ayakashi sensed the presence of more approaching demons.

Numerous demons were covering from all directions. His "Perception" can scan a radius of 40 meters, and he discerned that all the demons he sensed were coming directly towards their location.

"More are coming...!"

Moving swiftly, they sought out the tallest tree in the vicinity. Clearing away branches that might aid the approaching demons, they began their ascent.

Gazing downwards, Ayakashi awaited the beasts, Yue understanding his intention, and gently grabbed his hands. Ayakashi didn't seem to mind, so Her grip became a little stronger.

Soon, the first wave arrived—comprising not only raptors but also T-rexes. The T-rexes rammed against the tree, while raptors used their talons to ascend.

With a swift motion, Ayakashi extended both of his tails, each bearing strengthened hairs that resembled needles. He shot them towards the magical beasts, using the [Paralysis Needle] and [Poison Needle].

The spines pierced the bodies of the magic beasts, inducing paralysis while poison took effect. Though the hair's would regenerate within seconds.

Soon, an additional 30 raptors and 4 T-rexes had gathered under their eyes. They were attempting to smash the tree Ayakashi was on, or climb up to attack him.

As for T-Rex, Ayakashi used [Poison Sphincter], killing them in one shot.

While he could resolve the situation using the Lightning field, Ayakashi chose to diversify his training by employing different skills like the Needle attack. They were potent and infinitely reusable, akin to a mini-gun, another thing is...

"Yue, Prepare Attack…" suddenly Ayakashi asked, while he was shooting down at the raptors. Yue concentrated, preparing her magical barrage.

Finally, more than 50 monsters gathered below them. This was just a guess since it was hard to distinguish now. He sent a signal to Yue to say that the monsters he sensed with "Perception" were accounted for.

"Yue!"

"Okay! "Freezing Hell"!"

Upon Yue's command, her magic was unleashed. The ground below them was enveloped in a freezing effect that rapidly expanded. The area transformed into a landscape of blue ice.

As the ice made contact with the demons, they became enclosed within it, akin to being trapped in a coffin. No time was afforded for resistance. The creatures lost the light in their eyes as they were encased in ice. The spell's effect covered a 50-meter radius.

"Haa… Haa…"

"Good job"

"…Kuhuhu…"

Ayakashi praised Yue for the impressive spectacle before them, it she will come with him, then he wants to truly see what feat she can achieve, and True to the spell's name, the surroundings indeed resembled a frozen hell.

However, after employing that powerful magic, Yue's magical power had been depleted.

She gasped for breath, clearly experiencing magic fatigue.

Sitting down beside her, Ayakashi placed a hand on her hips to offer support.

Yue felt a mix of embarrassment and happiness. Despite her usual deadpan expression, she found herself flustered by Ayakashi's unexpected praise. For someone like him, who rarely spoke, offering praise held significant weight.

But he stands up again. He was sensing more than 100 demons…

"several times more are coming huh?."

"!?"

He looked over at the Magic beast who just appeared. On the top those same flowers were present, Raptors travelled side by side while hiding in the tall grass, and pouncing from all directions.

He ran towards the place he considered most suspicious, while he killed most of them. Yue did not allow the siege to overwhelm them by using her magic.

By this time, Ayakashi had already expected what's this happening,

"They are controlled…!"

"…Parasite."

He nodded in agreement. Upon reaching the area that had piqued his curiosity, he sensed an unusually high concentration of magical creatures, surpassing any horde he had encountered before.

Both of them directed their gazes towards the forest exit ahead, where they saw the labyrinth wall. The wall resembled a cave, with cracks appears from its center.

The attacking demons had a constant habit in their movements. Ayakashi countered while they advanced. Their movements become violent when they go in this direction. As if, they were trying to lead them away from there.

And, they reached there, an Army of Monster was waiting for them.

"Shaaaaaaaa" they screamed, while running towards them.

"Earth's strength and might, spikes take flight, 'Terra ShockSpike'!l!" Ayakashi muttered the chant for his new spell.

As soon as the words left his lips, magical power left his body, rippled through the ground beneath their feet.

The earth itself seemed to respond, trembling slightly as if it was awakening from a deep slumber. Then, with a sudden burst of force, the ground erupted...

Imagine thousands of sharp, slender spikes – like giant thorns – suddenly shooting up from the ground, each one piercings through anything in its path.

These spikes were as tough as rocks and as sharp as the sharpest knives---

These spikes rose with an incredible speed, and with a precision that almost seemed guided by an invisible hand.

They impaled the monsters that stood before them with merciless accuracy, causing an explosion of blood and gore that painted the scene in gruesome shades of red.

The monsters let out agonizing cries as they found themselves ripped, unable to escape the lethal attacks of these earth-born spears.

Ayakashi stopped, looking at the sight he had created, A droplet of blood spatter landed on his cheek.

The sight was both astonishing and horrifying – a chilling tableau of monsters suspended in the air, they were thousand in numbers, almost all of the monster of this floor, and their bodies impaled on single spikes as if frozen in a nightmarish dance.

Ayakashi calmly walked past them, entering inside the cave-like entrance, Yue followed the suit behind him.

Inside there was a big room, When they arrived at the center of the room, then it happened.

From all direction, an innumerable amount of green ping pong balls few in. Ayakashi and Yue swiftly positioned themselves back to back, intercepting the flying balls.

Ayakashi decided to create a stone wall. The wall was strong enough to prevent the balls from piercing it. Seems like the balls didn't have that much power. Yue was able to intercept the balls with her wind magic, with its excellent speed, without a problem.

"Yue, Do you know what it is?" Ayakashi asked, as he looked at her, it was first tike he had encountered a monster like this.

"…Run…Ayakashi!" "…Run… Ayakashi!" Almost instinctively, her hand was turned towards Ayakashi. Wind converged around her hand, and next a blade of wind was shot towards him.

But before it could reach a Earth wall just formed in time, intercepting a blade of fierce wind that nearly cleaved through it.

Ayakashi looked at her, he understood when he saw what was on her head. There was a blooming flower on Yue's head. Did it match Yue? It was a crimson rose that matched her well.

"...green balls!?" he muttered, while making more of earth walls, blocking the wind attacks that were coming towards him.

"Ayakashi…Uhh…"

Yue broke her deadpan expression for a sorrowful one. When he shot the raptor's flower, it stomped on the flower. That would mean that the victim's consciousness is still there while being manipulated. Only deprived the body of its freedom.

"I'm sorry…My body…"

"I can't control it." Yue said,

A strange demon, sort of like a mix between a lady and a plant, appeared. It looked like a human woman, but her face was pretty ugly, like she was showing her not-so-nice feelings. She had lots of vines moving around, which made her seem eerie. She was grinning and laughing about something.

Ayakashi pointed his tail at it at once. However, Yue entered his line of fire.

"...Sorry…"

Yue grits her teeth with a mortified expression. Being unable to control herself was probably intolerable.

The aruraune shot a green ball towards Ayakashi while using Yue as a shield. Ayakashi allowed it to happen, thinking it was funny, but nothing happened.

"Kekekekeek..."

The demon's laughter stopped, and it appeared confused. The spores didn't seem to affect Ayakashi.

The spores were a kind of poisonous substance. Ayakashi's "Poison Resist" ability helped him avoid their effects.

Realizing the spores weren't working on Ayakashi, the demon grumpily instructed Yue to use her spell. Once again, a blade of wind formed.

"Ayakashi!… I'll be…"

//Bzzz//

Before Yue could even finish her sentence, a bolt of lightning shot past her, obliterating the demon.

Yue had braced herself for this. If she couldn't control her actions, she'd rather get hurt by Ayakashi than let the demon take over.

Yue blinked in surprise, eyes widened in shock. To make sure the threat was gone, Yue placed both hands on her head. Some of her blonde hair had been scorched or torn away.

The aruraune's head was nowhere to be seen.

//Tak// //Tak//

Ayakashi approached it, probably to feast on it, although it might taste more like vegetables. But Yue remained still, her expression uncertain.

"…You shot…you didn't even listen to what I was saying"

"?!." Ayakashi titled his head almost asking what's the problem? The demon was killed.

"…You didn't hesitate…"

"Yeah?!..."

"…My scalp was shaved a little…maybe…"

"You'll regenerate it? No?!."

"Uhh~…"

"Then, what's the problem?" He said, as he tore off Aruraune's hands, and ate it.

"It tastes like grass…" he said, while Yue grumbled seeing him, not paying attention to her, she walked towards him and hit his back as he ate the meat feeling massage on.

"Grrrr…." Ayakashi continued to eat that, she grumbled, but seeing there was no reaction from Ayakashi she gave up.

***

A/N: Well, guess what? I may or may not have accidentally forgotten that I said I was totally dropping this... but hey, surprise, it's not on the floor yet! I've decided to grace the world with my "creative genius" at least once a week. Brace yourselves, because the quality might just nosedive straight into the realm of... well, let's call it "less-than-stellar prose."

So, if by some miracle you're still hanging around and haven't fled in literary horror, I just want you to know that your saint-like patience in enduring my questionable scribbles is as welcome as a cup of lukewarm coffee on a Monday morning. Seriously, it's like you're taking a tour through the chaotic carnival of my mind, and trust me, there's a whole lot of weirdness in there.

So, here's to you, brave reader, the unsung hero of this literary adventure. May you find the strength to withstand the incoming barrage of utter nonsense and survive to tell the tale. Cheers to patience, tolerance, and the sheer audacity to dive into the questionable abyss of my creative endeavors!

Also, Give me Power Man, those sweet scent of Power stones always lure me,

"or I will get mad sussy baka"