Chapter 45: A Duel for Vengeance

‘Are we walking right into a trap?’

Theresia’s nerves tightened as she recognized the newcomers. It was a combination of five masked figures and… the 99th-floor Gatekeeper?!

She was somewhat bewildered. This was her first time realizing that a Gatekeeper could be abducted and brought to the 100th floor. Indeed, the labyrinth didn’t explicitly state that guardian monsters had to remain on their designated floors.

However, the conditions for clearing a floor usually involved defeating the guardian or collaborating with them. This direct abduction was quite unconventional.

“Are you also here to clear the 100th floor?”

Theresia’s nerves relaxed slightly. She surmised that the group must have exploited the labyrinth’s refresh time, trailing closely behind them, thus bypassing many sections to arrive so quickly.

Yet, their speed and the ability to abduct the 99th-floor Gatekeeper truly impressed Theresia.

She didn’t mind having additional participants. Unaware of Lola’s trembling demeanor, she spread her arms wide and welcomed them. “If that’s the case, we can join forces. We haven’t yet found the conditions to clear the 100th floor—”

“We’ve already found it.”

Before Theresia could finish speaking, the tall masked figure interrupted her. He then hoisted the bound Black-Robed Gatekeeper from the 99th floor. “It’s him.”

With that, the masked man removed the handkerchief from the Black-Robed Gatekeeper’s mouth.

“He…”

Before the masked man could even speak, the Black-Robed Gatekeeper unleashed a torrent of mockery. “Oh, isn’t it the little dragon whelp? Is this our first meeting on the 100th floor? Oh dear, have you found the 100th-floor guardian, adult? Hahahaha, with your intelligence, don’t even bother trying. You’ll never find them in a lifetime. Ah hahahaha!

“The first time, I doused you with slime goo. The second time, my magic puppets made you run in circles. And the third time, I used the same trick again to capture you. Sigh, I know you black dragons aren’t exactly brainy, but honestly, you’re the dumbest one I’ve ever seen, lacking even basic dragon etiquette.

“Tell me, while you can’t choose your birth, it’s certainly your fault to waste food living so many years in this world, isn’t it? It would be better if you stayed home and laid dragon eggs… Wah!”

A greatsword, aimed less than a meter from the Black-Robed Gatekeeper, was blocked by the masked man’s spear.

Theresia understood. She understood perfectly.

Excellent. This was her first time learning that a guardian monster could actually serve on two floors!

The thought of having to painstakingly offer gifts to this scoundrel every time she passed the 99th floor, only for him to watch her ascend to the 100th floor with the gaze one reserved for an idiot, shattered Theresia’s composure.

Only by dismembering this Black-Robed Gatekeeper into a thousand pieces could she truly appease her burning hatred!

Her furious strike was effortlessly parried by the masked man’s long spear. Theresia frowned slightly. Such immense strength felt a little too human-like.

Moreover, there was a familiar sensation emanating from him, instantly raising Theresia’s guard.

“Name your price. You must have heard of my reputation and trustworthiness.”

The masked man, over two meters tall, strained to thrust upwards, repelling Theresia. He then promptly stuffed the handkerchief back into the Black-Robed Gatekeeper’s mouth.

Theodore had indeed intended for the Black-Robed Gatekeeper to speak and confirm his identity, but he hadn’t expected such an exceptional performance. ‘Brother, even if you’re drunk, cooperating like this makes things difficult for me.’

“Heh, reputation and trustworthiness? I’ve certainly experienced them,” Theodore said, adjusting his tone to a gloomy pitch. “Honestly, I don’t care at all about clearing the 100th floor. And neither do the companions by my side.”

Theresia narrowed her eyes and asked, “If you’re not here to clear the 100th floor, then you’re here for us.”

The tension between the two sides gradually escalated to a standoff.

Aesop leaped forward, tears in his eyes, and cried out, “Exactly! I painstakingly followed your footsteps, even bearing unimaginable burdens for it, only for you to burn away the companions I longed for with a single blaze! Revenge, we seek revenge!”

Lola frowned. Faced with such baseless accusations, she immediately retorted, “Nonsense! We thoroughly checked before casting the wide-area spell; there was no one there at all!”

Aesop gnashed his teeth. “Who said they were humans! Plants are also good companions to humans! They can be meticulously crafted and then consumed! You so cruelly burned them all with a single fire—how can their spirits rest in peace!?”

Theresia and the others exchanged bewildered glances. “?”

For a moment, they were at a loss for how to refute him, and Theodore, on his side, wasn’t sure how to continue the conversation.

The King of Awkward Silences was truly terrifying.

Theodore, under Aesop’s confused gaze, grabbed his hand and placed it into Alicia’s. He earnestly told Alicia, “He’s yours. Why don’t you take him aside and have a chat?”

“Alright,” Alicia replied with a slight bow. She then took Aesop and led him away. Whenever Aesop tried to speak, her fair, delicate hand would tighten, controlling his facial muscles and preventing him from uttering a word.

“Theresia! My objective for this journey is only one: you!”

Theodore re-established the tense atmosphere, resting his long spear on his shoulder. He declared in a deep voice, “Through years of tempering, overcoming countless obstacles, I have continuously honed my skills and strength, all for this day of vengeance! Do you still remember who I am?”

Theresia tilted her head back in thought. Considering she had spent most of the past two hundred years on Dragon Island, and his voice sounded quite young, he was most likely a dragon from Dragon Island.

And dragons from Dragon Island who might hold a grudge against her…

‘I can’t recall. I’ve offended too many.’

Theodore’s expression fell. “…”

‘Seriously, what exactly did you do on Dragon Island all these years?’

It was truly disheartening that Theresia had wounded him so deeply, yet she couldn’t even hazard a guess as to his identity.

There was no other way. He would have to ‘harm’ Theresia even more, ensuring she would remember him vividly.

Completely oblivious to the terrifying thoughts brewing in the masked man’s mind, Theresia continued her provocation. “There’s no point in keeping track of small fry in your head. If they jump out, just swallow them whole. Alright, stop dawdling. State your intentions!”

Theodore pointed at Theresia and declared, “Let’s have a one-on-one duel, vilest of dragons. A fair and square battle! The loser must unconditionally agree to one condition set by the victor!”

‘Sigh.’

Theresia secretly sighed. ‘What a naive little dragon. In this day and age, who still plays at knightly duels?’

She inquired, “Any condition?”

Theodore nodded emphatically. “Yes, any condition!”

Theresia asked, displeased, “Isn’t that overly broad? If you make unreasonable demands, must I still agree?”

“If I were to propose conditions you’d willingly accept, would I need to bargain with you using this?” Theodore retorted, shaking the now-unconscious Promen in front of Theresia, a triumphant note in his voice.

“But, you’re clearly afraid, hahahaha! To immediately assume your own defeat and question the victor’s reward. Remember, this reward is mutual. If you’re unwilling, then just defeat me, couldn’t you?”

“I came with absolute certainty of victory! So I can tell you without any reservations! If you win, I will agree to any condition you propose!”

“Hehehehe, hahahahaha, Jie-jie-jie-jie-jie-jie!” Theresia laughed three times before coldly stating, “I originally intended to grant you a dignified exit, considering you might be of the same kin. But since you refuse, then don’t blame me! So, let’s decide this once and for all!”

Theodore thought, ‘Plan complete!’

****

Within the 100th-floor boss room.

This was the dueling ground Theodore had chosen.

The terrain here was open, and the ample height allowed both him and Theresia to fully unleash their abilities.

Crucially, there was only one exit.

Promen, the guardian boss, was bound at the highest point of the boss room as the victor’s prize. He had no objections and was sleeping soundly.

After both parties inspected the area and confirmed there were no issues, they signed the contract.

The two combatants formally entered the arena, and a magical barrier sealed the exit. It would not open until a victor was determined.

Theodore and Theresia stood ten meters apart, facing each other. One wore heavy armor, the other a mask concealing their face.

Theresia suddenly attacked. Their fists collided, unleashing a tremendous surge of air.

When they separated again, Theresia clenched her fist, confirming the power she had felt. The opponent was most likely of the same kin.

Theodore spoke first. “What a nostalgic environment. Back then, it was a similar cave where you and I battled for three days and three nights, ending with my narrow defeat and your costly victory, marking a ceasefire.”

Theresia pondered for a moment, then said with sympathy, “Child, have I knocked you senseless? No dragon has ever lasted three days and three nights against me. It’s either my crushing defeat or my overwhelming victory. You might be one of the Thirteen Protectors, or perhaps another dragon, but it doesn’t matter. In the spirit of dragon humanitarianism, and for the future of our kind, I’ll try my best not to hit your head this time.”

📚 Also on NHV Novels

This Hidden Class Is a Bit Off

ActionFemale ProtagonistGender Bender

Read Now →
Not interested