As expected…
Awaken… (Tempest),
Ais recited the chant again, and the emerald-hued fairy wind swept the dust from around her.
She looked utterly disheveled now.
Her armor was battered and dented, blood trickled from the corner of her mouth.
Not enough…
Feeling the wind pressure around her, she tightened her grip on the Desperate.
Not enough… then…
Gallop, Tempest!!!
Her body, already riddled with internal injuries, strained to its limit. She forced her exhausted frame to unleash a more powerful Ariel.
In the eyes of her teammates, she became like a cannonball, shattering part of the dome's rocky ceiling as she rocketed toward Udaeus.
Like a golden streak…
BANG~
Ais maintained her drill-like attack, with the Desperate as the tip, piercing Udaeus' right shoulder joint.
Those hands were troublesome.
They had to be dealt with first; otherwise, things would only get worse.
Her logic was sound.
CRACK~
As a skeletal monstrosity, Udaeus' joints were far weaker than the rest of its body.
Even with bones as hard as top-tier equipment, the explosive strike from Ais ripped cracks across its shoulder, threatening to collapse.
If Renjiro remembered correctly, in the original timeline, Ais used the same method to disable one of Udaeus' arms first, then…
Is it about to draw its sword?
Only Renjiro (Aether) and Lumine, with their precognitive advantage, knew Udaeus had a fourth type of attack, likely triggered only during solo challenges.
It could gather skeletal roots from beneath the Throne Room to form a giant bone sword capable of conducting its own mana, launching a more devastating assault.
Now…
Ais' current stats aren't as high as in the original timeline. If… no.
Suddenly, all observers, including Renjiro, saw it.
"AAAAHH~~!"
Rather than drawing the sword, Udaeus exploited the brief pause after her strike.
Using the damaged right arm as bait, it jolted its shoulder, self-disabling the arm while its massive left hand snatched Ais from midair.
Ais was far from entering mental exhaustion, but her body could no longer sustain the violent Ariel.
She couldn't break free.
Clearly…
"Lumine!"
Before Finn could even speak, Xiao had already vanished from sight.
In an instant, a flash of onyx light appeared beside Ais, or rather, on the giant left fist of Udaeus.
BOOOOM~
Udaeus' disabled right arm crashed to the ground.
If preserved, a Floor Lord could reattach it at will.
Yes, all Floor Lords possessed extreme regenerative abilities.
Goliath, the twin-headed dragon, no exceptions.
Given the urgent situation, Xiao wasted no time.
Placing a hand on Ais' shoulder, they vanished together.
Moments later, Xiao reappeared beside their group, supporting Ais' left arm.
As Xiao gently set her down…
"I-I still…"
"Enough."
Through the determined girl's eyes, she saw the serene profile of the young immortal.
At the edge of power lies self-destruction.
Why must you be so stubborn?
The detached tone, tinged with the quiet wisdom of someone who has "been there," left Ais momentarily stunned.
After a long pause…
"I… I must become stronger… or I'll never regain what I've lost."
Her fragmented words betrayed her restless heart.
She seemed on the verge of revealing secrets about her past, thinking perhaps this calm, unfamiliar figure could give her the answers she sought… help her find clarity.
But then…
"As this gentleman says, Ais, that's enough for today."
Finn interjected firmly, cutting her off.
Today, you've caused enough trouble, know when to stop.
The words carried weight.
Immediately, he had Riveria tend to her wounds, moving swiftly.
Both senior adventurers seemed deliberately holding back, preventing Ais from exposing anything she shouldn't reveal.
The girl fell silent, muttering softly, "Sorry!"
Xiao released her, returning beside Lumine.
His gaze met theirs briefly, nodded slightly, then turned toward Udaeus, still rampaging in the Throne Room.
In this world… monsters exist.
Through the spiritual link, Renjiro's expression turned stunned.
Wait… if it were just Xiao's shared consciousness, would he speak so formally in private?
Could it be…
Renjiro tilted his head toward the young immortal.
You've awakened your true self too?
"I came when summoned."
Xiao's tone remained calm as he looked at Renjiro.
"Traveler… long time no see."
For a fleeting moment, he was likely smiling.
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