63 Boss Monster
The memories already forgotten in time streamed in his head once again.
Under the dimly lit place, his velvety black pupils shimmered as his eyes slowly opened. His fiery red hair trailed with the wind until it gradually covered his face.
The man was dazed for a moment before he lowered his head. As his eyes fell asleep once again, he muttered.
"Brother…"
.........
Hans and Light rushed towards the Temple at a moderate speed. Because Light couldn't keep up, Hans had no option but to slow down so Light could keep up at his pace.
They passed through the large crater with mutilated bodies and large amounts of blood. Light only took a quick peek before increasing his pace even more.
After a short period, the two reached a small dark tunnel. Ahead of it, torches lined up perfectly as if it would turn on once it sensed an approaching presence.
"Is this the entrance?" Hans asked. His hand caressed the gemstone on each side of the walls.
"Yeah."
Hans eyed Light before he nodded in understanding. After a brief inspection, Hans stepped inside the tunnel. Light stared at Hans' back grimly, clenched his fists, and followed suit.
The torches lit up one column at a time as both of them walked further. The blue light shimmered brightly, illuminating the cold and dark tunnel. As their footsteps rang around, Hans couldn't help but ask.
"Why is the entrance built this way?"
Light scratched his head and cheekily answered, "When the Temple was built, it had a terrible reputation after the Pope accepted criminal refugees. Although those criminals changed, the people were not convinced."
Light lowered his head, heaved a heavy sigh, and continued, "The people marched towards the Temple in an attempt to bring it down. Well, the pope managed to fend them away and built this long tunnel so the people wouldn't be able to crusade in large numbers."
Hans listened attentively with his hand inside his pocket. After hearing Light's story, Hans puckered his lips and nodded.
With the tunnel's narrow path, the Temple wouldn't be overwhelmed.
'But to think it was over a mile long…'
Hans chuckled. Soon, the two approached a large door ahead. Hans remembered the void portal back in New York after sensing the same amount of pressure it's emitting.
He was weak back then and could only escape with his tail curved behind his back.
However, this time, it would be different.
Hans looked back on the path he had walked so far. Light, on the other hand, observed his strange movements.
'Fuu—'
Hans groaned. Once he cleared the quest, the Trial Dungeon would be over. In this short journey, he learned how to control his overwhelming stats.
Also, his battle experience was slowly being honed too. He didn't know if the monster on the other side would be strong enough to make him serious or maybe stronger.
'I don't know how many days have passed.'
Hans could even sense the light purple eye bags under his eyes. With such evidence, it would only be right to say that he's awake for many days now.
'Should I rest for a bit then?'
However, looking at the young man beside him, he immediately abandoned such thoughts. Once this guy sneakily attacked in his sleep, he'd be done for. He could not afford to let his guard down through such encounters.
[Stamina Remaining: 94
Mana Remaining: 105.]
'Even if it's an SS-Class monster, I could fight.'
After performing a final check on his remaining status, Hans pushed the door forward.
However, it didn't budge.
Clack—, clack—
Hans increased the push strength even more but it still didn't move. Suddenly, Light tapped his shoulders. Hans looked behind as if saying 'What?' with his eyes narrowed.
"Uhm… pull the door not push."
"..."
[…]
"Oh, is that so?"
Hans scratched his chin and grabbed the handles of the door.
Shu—
As Hans pulled its handles, the doors opened easily apart.
......…
Shu—
The doors of the Temple opened accompanied by dust. Hans immediately scanned the area.
The Temple was dark inside. What's interesting is that even with his powerful senses and perception, it was hard to probe the overall interior of the boss room. It's as if someone is preventing him from doing so.
Still, he could somewhat see the tiled floor neatly lined with a sculpted statue erected on the large pedestal.
The statues didn't give off a feeling that it's alive so Hans shifted his attention towards a faint but strong presence ahead.
'It should be the boss monster.'
The moment he took a step forward…
Sizzle—
Numerous torches covering the Temple all lit up at the same time. Unlike the bluish light of the tunnel behind, the torches inside the Temple gave off a tint of yellow and white.
'Hmm…'
Immediately, Hans rested his hand on the hilt of his blade. He cautiously walked forward while he surveyed the surroundings. On the side of the Temple, 20 paintings depicting a story were lined up orderly on the walls.
At the end of the room, a golden throne with shimmering jewels emitted faint sacred lights.
'This should be the Pope's throne.'
Unlike the King's throne at the 5th Layer, this one was much more grand and elegant. It's as if untainted by evil.
'Where's the boss monster?'
As he walked forward even more, the wooden door behind him closed with a loud thud.
Slam—
He took a short glimpse but did not panic. It's only natural for the boss monster room's door to close after a party went inside. Unless the boss monster is killed, it would stay that way.
'It's drawing me towards the throne.'
The faint presence was hiding on the throne, more specifically to the back of the throne. As Hans neared the place, a large body slowly revealed itself from the light.
Step—, step—
The thing stopped in front of the throne and eyed Hans.
Gulp—
This might be the boss monster he's looking for but not what he expected.
Who would believe that such a large monster would create those morphed humans?
Hans expected a mad scientist monster like the Four-Armed Ramone at the laboratory in the 5th layer.
'Well, the larger it is, the easier to land an attack.'
The boss monster is also a combination of monsters. With his special smelling ability, he could vaguely sense a human scent inside the boss. However, unlike those half-done morphed monsters, this one was seemingly in a complete form.
It has the body of a giant, a head of a dragon, a tail of a snake, the claws of a dragon and even his arms were composed of 6 different monsters. Not only that, its mana is refined to its peak.
'No doubt, it was a former powerful human.'
While looking at its body, Hans noticed Light's weird movements. Having seen the monster, Light slowly backed away. Unfortunately, he had no idea if it was fright or something else.
'I need to be careful.'
Based on the now monster's unconcealed aura, it should be an SS-Class. Although he didn't have experience fighting such a monster of that caliber, he had prepared very well.
Hans smiled and nodded in satisfaction. His eyes followed its movements.
'But why do I feel strange?'
He couldn't understand the tingling sensation crawling on his skin.
'Focus, Hans.'
Faced with such a monster, one mistake could lead to fatal injury or worse, death.
"..."
The monster stepped forward and suddenly locked its lips. The monster's walking speed gradually became faster until it halted in front of Hans. The monster put the four of his six arms behind his back and only moved the remaining two.
Hans' eyes widened.
'This guy…'
No doubt about it.
'...is looking down on me.'
The monster was successful in its taunt. However, Hans remained unfazed, controlling his inner emotion from breaking out. He's angry but he couldn't let that go berserk. Instead of attacking impulsively, Hans' eyes gleamed in danger instead.
'I'll kill you.'
As if agreeing to his words, the monster slammed his fists to his head.
Slam—
The ground exploded and Hand dodged the powerful attack.
'Is it a power type?'
That meant that the monster's raw strength was at least 400 or more. As he was in the middle of dodging, the monster's speed suddenly quickened.
Baam—
It kicked the ground and instantly appeared above Hans.
'So fast!'
The monster aimed a fist towards Hans.
However, Hans wouldn't easily lose. Activating all of his auxiliary skills, he leaned sideways and successfully escaped the monster's punch.
Smash—
Swish—
[Emperor's Strides]
Hans stabilized his balance and stared at the monster's arm plunged below the floor. Taking advantage of such a moment, Hans swiftly dashed towards the monster and aimed his blade towards its neck.
[Constantine Sword Style: First Cut]
Hans pierced the sword forward.
[Piercing Gale!]
Swish—
The monster recovered his arms and quickly raised them.
Clang—
Hans' sword stab was effortlessly blocked by the monster's arms.
'Impossible!'
He was shocked. While Hans was still in the stabbing posture, the monster gripped the blade and launched a fist straight towards him.
Woosh—
With a split second, Hans instinctively crossed his arms to block it but was too powerful to decrease its strength.
Bang—
The punch broke his arms and Hans was sent flying towards one of the Temple's monuments.
'Shit!'
However, before his back even crashed to the walls, the monster instantly appeared in front of his face.
'!!!'
His shock turned into a groan as the monster's right foot rammed towards his body.
Slam—
Hans bounced around and rolled across the Temple. The monster landed on the ground with a face full of sneer. Due to the adrenaline he's feeling, the pain on his body seemingly vanished.
Thus, Hans managed to stand up despite his broken bones. His face was bleeding. His upper clothes were already torn apart. Hans threw the scabbard and stared at the sword he threw at a distance.
Fortunately, it didn't break. Hopefully, his guess was right.
'Seems like I would use my fists now.'
Hans took a stance and exhaled a long deep breath. His mana focused on his feet, amplifying his speed. Without warning, Hans sprinted towards the monster.
Swish—
The monster did not dodge but instead clenched his fist and waited for Hans' arrival. As soon as Hans's fist reached its face, the monster gripped it with his arms and threw a counter hook of its own.
Wooosh—
Hans gritted his teeth and retracted his arm but a sudden gust of wind warned him on the side. Unfortunately, it was too late to evade. The monster's arms connected to his body.
Baaam—
Hans' body swayed. This time the monster followed with a knee to his chest.
Smash—
Hans spurt out blood. The monster took a step backward and positioned his fist for a powerful Maan enhanced punch.
Wong—
Hans cast his defensive skill to reduce the impact. The monster moved his arm and spoke.
"Keke~ die!"
[Destruction Punch.]
Shu—
As if colliding with a light-speed train, Hans' body felt a searing pain. Unlike what he expected, he didn't fly but instead, his internal organs exploded one by one.
Wooosh—
Blood oozes from his mouth as Hans bent over.
'Damn… it!'
The monster is too strong for an SS-Class monster! He still recalled how those SS-Class Bloodbanes weren't stronger than this.
'Ah, that's right! They were holding back!'
No one used a very large-scale spell. Additionally, Urs must have used a powerful debuff. Urs fought 20 and managed to kill 8.
While him…
'I can't even defeat one.'
Thud—
Shaking, Hans finally fell. He attempted to rise again but he couldn't. It's as if his strength left his body.
Thud—
"Gruaah—"
The monster stood before Hans and stopped his attacks.
"..."
"..."
Suddenly, another voice echoed in his head.
"HAHAHAHAHA, that scared me!"
Hans raised his head but couldn't even lift it. He listened with a grim face. He already knew the owner of this voice.
Step—, step—
"I thought you could kill my precious invention but… HAHAHAHA, funny!!! HAHAHAHA!"
The voice clearly lost its mind. As Hans listened, his consciousness began drifting away. However, his indomitable will kept it from leaving.
"Sigh—, you'll die soon, Hans." After a brief pause, the owner of the voice continued, "Would you like me to save you from eternal sleep?"
Shortly, the voice owner crouched, just enough for Hans to see his face.
It's Light. However, his previous gentle face had now become hideous. He couldn't even tell that this is the Light he met back then.
Light touched Hans' head and ruffled his hair. With his face full of smiles, Light cheekily spoke.
"Hans, Hans, Hans… before I save you from your suffering, any last words?"
The red form gradually vanished, revealing Hans' pathetic figure. Contrary to the despair he wanted to see, Light saw Hans' victorious grin instead.
Click—
Suddenly, a clicking sound echoed in their heads. Even with his shattered organs, Hans managed to speak with a trace of mockery.
"Hehe, it's… about time…"
Boom—
At that moment, the golden throne exploded.
