Chapter 62: The Price of Annihilation

‘How strange. They’re so slow.’

Meanwhile, Promen, waiting impatiently at the entrance to the 54th floor labyrinth, was growing increasingly agitated.

He had expected to see Theodore and his companions arrive quickly.

Yet, there was no sign of them at all.

Theoretically, they shouldn’t have exited the 54th floor labyrinth yet.

‘Are they trying to waste my time here, to wear down my patience? Have they discovered something?’

Promen’s unease deepened with each passing moment. He could feel the Dragon God’s contract tightening its grip on him.

But if he were to search, where would he even begin to find those elusive figures?

What if, while he was searching, they managed to secretly escape from the labyrinth?

‘Hiss.’

It was then that Promen truly understood the terrifying aspect of this particular labyrinth floor.

He abruptly rose to his feet and took a deep breath. Although it would consume some divine power, there was no other choice.

The purple crystals on Promen’s back sequentially lit up, and terrifying energy rapidly converged within his body.

Whether it was merely a delusion, Promen felt that the divine power accumulating within him was almost comparable to that of the 100th floor. Logically, the deeper one went into the labyrinth, the less divine power should be present.

However, he gave no thought to this detail. As the energy reached its peak, ten thousand purple light waves shot forth from the crystals on his back, relentlessly bombarding the entirety of the 54th floor labyrinth.

Promen plopped onto the ground, swiftly recovering the divine power within him.

“Let’s see where you can hide!”

****

‘Damn it, a map-wide attack.’

Promen’s move truly exceeded Theresia’s and Theodore’s expectations.

This method, akin to a nuclear carpet bombing, not only cleared away the unsightly twisted trees but also dispersed most of the perception-interfering mist.

Theodore seized the opportunity to shout, “What are you standing around for?! Hurry and untie me! As long as we block the attack, he’s sure to discover us!”

‘Alas. Heaven does not favor me!’

Theresia could only rage inwardly, yet she obediently began to untie Theodore.

“I said it was all a misunderstanding just now. Do you believe me?”

Theresia found it strange. Since whatever she said wouldn’t stop him from doing what he intended, why not humor him?

“I believe you.”

Theodore genuinely responded to Theresia.

‘Just be happy for now. Once Theresia is in my hands, I’ll make her incredibly happy!!!’

Theodore smiled as he looked at Theresia. “Come on, hurry and let me ride.”

Theresia nodded. “Alright, let’s charge forward in Dragon Knight form.”

Theodore maintained his smile. “Mm, then hurry and lie down so I can ride.”

Theresia stared at Theodore. “Mm-hmm, let’s fight side by side.”

Theodore nodded repeatedly. “Yes, yes, you just lie down and don’t move. I’ll get on top myself.”

“Theodore.”

“Theodore.”

“Go to hell!”

Her words were resolute, her dragon form shifted smoothly, and she lay down naturally.

Theodore watched Theresia’s tsundere display and nodded repeatedly. ‘Yes, this is exactly to my taste.’

‘I love this kind of contradictory behavior.’

****

The magic barrier erected by the group blocked the divine power attacks raining down from above.

It was hard to imagine that such a widespread attack could maintain such terrifying intensity.

However, blocking it also exposed their position.

Promen, following the scent, flew towards them.

The instant they saw him, Theodore and Theresia launched themselves forward in Dragon Knight form.

This was precisely what Promen desired.

A dark spear condensed in Promen’s hand, and he hurled it towards the charging Theodore.

The seemingly straightforward attack appeared easy to evade. However, unexpectedly, the spear began to twist in mid-air, then vanished. When it reappeared, it was less than a meter behind Theodore, aimed directly at his heart.

This was their innate skill as Dark Acolytes: Spear of Annihilation.

Each use required a significant amount of preparation time.

Moreover, a Dark Acolyte could only use it three times in their lifetime; once expended, it was gone.

If not for the intensity of Theodore’s contract, he would never have dared to use it.

“Ha!” Promen cackled. “Kid, when fighting a Dark Acolyte, remember to bring chest armor next time! Hahaha! But you won’t have a next time!”

Promen was now certain that this Theodore was his true body, not a magic puppet. Given the opponent’s flimsy armor and complete lack of understanding about Dark Acolytes, he surely wouldn’t know about this signature skill.

‘Learn from your ancestors in your next life!’

Then, a massive mushroom cloud slowly ascended.

Promen’s strike possessed such terrifying power.

But he wasn’t particularly pleased.

‘Strange, why did it explode?!’

He had thrown the Spear of Annihilation, not a Dark Burst Bomb. Why did it explode?

Although the effect looked far more spectacular, the divine power of the Spear of Annihilation would be largely wasted. Would the remaining power even be enough to pierce a giant?

The answer was, of course, no.

Accompanied by a dragon’s roar that echoed through the twisted jungle, Theresia, carrying Theodore, flew out from the aftermath of the explosion.

Theodore was still alive, though not entirely unharmed. A bloody crater had been blasted into his back by the close-range explosion, exposing his tough spine.

If not for the formidable vitality of a giant, Theodore would already be dead.

Theresia was also severely wounded. Having just told Theodore to die, she had helped him withstand the remaining damage.

As she attempted to carry Theodore away, she was stopped by him.

Theresia was somewhat puzzled. “Theodore?”

“It’s alright, Theresia, I can still fight. He won’t let us leave easily. Besides, all our preparations have been destroyed.”

Theodore sighed. He had anticipated Promen’s attempt to assassinate him, so he had instructed the raid team members to cast buffs and barriers on him in advance, and even used the life-saving scroll the Old Patriarch had given him. This was why he had lured Promen out.

However, what he hadn’t expected was that Promen’s Spear of Annihilation, after being obstructed by layers of defenses, would suddenly unleash such a terrifying explosion upon hitting the final life-saving scroll from the Old Patriarch.

The earlier buffs and barriers had bought him and Theresia some reaction time.

Theresia had flown towards the explosion, and Theodore had taken the brunt of the aftermath on his back. However, the dissipated explosion had also rendered the raid team’s arrangements on this floor utterly useless.

It was even unknown if the raid team members had survived.

This meant they were now on their own.

Fortunately, giants were truly born warriors. The massive wound on Theodore’s back only made him more fanatical. With his life in critical danger, the pain in his body vanished, and his blood seemed to ignite.

Promen, as expected, easily blocked Theresia’s path. Looking at their pathetic state, he felt there would be no more surprises this time. “How unexpected, to escape with such a foolish method. But it matters not; personally taking your heads will excite me even more!”

“Promen, kneel!” Theodore suddenly roared.

Promen felt his knees begin to bend against his will. However, he managed to stop this humiliating act with sheer willpower.

A glint flashed in Theodore’s eyes. Sure enough, the contract was gradually taking effect.

Although he didn’t know what caused this, at least stalling was a victory.

Promen wasted no more words and lunged at Theresia and Theodore.

Once again, the three behemoths collided.

Promen had expended a great deal of divine power, and he needed to be frugal in the upcoming battle. Yet, what frustrated him was that despite Theresia and Theodore being heavily wounded, their counterattacks had become even more ferocious.

Their coordination grew increasingly skilled, gradually showing the shadow of the ancient Giant Dragon Knights.

Unlike other races that had to rely on learning for inheritance, the refined techniques and experiences of the previous generation of dragons and giants flowed into the next generation with their blood.

Their re-learning was more like awakening knowledge slumbering within their bloodline, as well as acquiring new information.

At the brink of life and death, their bodies’ potential was fully unleashed to resist death, and their boiling bloodlines began to transmit knowledge into their brains.

Before their lives were completely burned out, the Giant Dragon Knights before Promen would become increasingly terrifying.

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