“Oh, how magnificent,” Shuna commented in an emotionless tone, clapping her hands calmly.
“Mmm… this is my first time seeing a Dungeon Empress like a circus. It’s quite novel,” Will nodded, also clapping his hands calmly.
However, the rising and falling of their applause sounded rather mocking.
“You—how can you do this! Don’t look down on me just because I’m giving you a little face,” Lucifer pointed at Will with her left hand and Shuna with her right.
Finally, she sighed and lowered her hands. “So, are you ready? A battle between the Tenth Demon City and a demon.”
“I…” Before Will could finish speaking, Shuna patted him on the back, causing him to stagger and take two steps forward.
“Letting him fight you is enough. As for me, I won’t make a move. I’ll just watch from the side.” Lucifer, naturally familiar with the combat power of both individuals, sat on her chair, propping her chin with curiosity as she watched Shuna.
“Oh? Are you trying to express your mercy like this? Could it be… could it be that Will alone can defeat me?!”
“Are you looking down on me!” Will said, hands on his hips.
“I can see an Adventurer’s strength. You’re indeed much worse than her.”
“You little brat, I’ll teach you a fierce lesson later!”
“Bring it on, am I afraid of you?”
Their playful bickering was interrupted by Shuna’s calm words: “Yes. I am indeed a bit of ‘mercy,’ because… I don’t want you to die.”
Lucifer froze upon hearing this. “Wh-what kind of words are these, treating me like a friend? Although… although you two are the only Adventurers in months, you can’t talk to me like this!”
This guy’s tsundere level is comparable to Liya before Will modified her—no, relatively speaking, she’s far behind.
“Forget it, you’re fine too. After all, it’s you who wants my heart, not that lady!”
“You promised me, if you lose, your heart will be mine.”
“Of course. Let’s begin then—” Lucifer, wearing boots, stepped onto the Empress’s chair and stood up. She looked like a child playing king in a role-playing game.
“Will, be mindful of her mental attacks. If she uses them, we might not be in the same scene. I won’t be able to help you.”
“Understood.” Will took a deep breath. When it came to fighting BOSSes, with Shuna’s help, he had already experienced a one-hit kill round. However, with Shuna stating she wouldn’t provide assistance and no other teammates, this was the first time he would directly face a Dungeon “monster.” Even though this monster was, in fact, more like a “friend” for the past day, there shouldn’t be any life-threatening danger.
“Let’s try this move first, Shadow Minions—”
“What a strange, broken name!”
“I–I just invented this move and haven’t used it yet!” Hearing Will’s complaint, Lucifer stomped her foot on the chair in frustration, causing it to wobble precariously, almost making her lose her balance. “But, don’t worry, this move is very powerful.”
In the space between Will and Lucifer, black mud emerged and gradually transformed into shadows clad in armor. They all seemed to be holding spear-like weapons.
“It’s… a common move for Emperor-class BOSSes in Dungeons, summoning multiple minions,” Will quickly analyzed in his mind. However, these “minions” didn’t swarm towards Will like the twisted, dark, crawling monsters of a demon’s subordinates. Instead…
They marched in perfect unison with great force!
They arrayed themselves in a very tidy formation!
They stood at attention with a sonorous click!
Like metal toy soldiers children play with in their bedrooms, they quickly formed a neat line in front of Will. The scene was somewhat “childish,” making it difficult for Will to associate it with the Black Magic belonging to demons.
“Alright, fire—” But at Lucifer’s command, the spears in the minions’ hands made a cocking sound.
Huh?
Huh?
Huh?
Will heard this sound and sensed something was wrong. He gripped his staff, already muttering softly— “Goddess Reviers, please hear your believer’s words and bestow upon them the power to break through darkness.”
*Bang—*
*Bang bang bang—* Amidst the sound of cannon fire erupting around him, Will raised his head… In his line of sight, he was already engulfed by a sky full of black projectiles.
To fire Black Magic attacks through the guns in the hands of small figures, what kind of genius idea is this?! She really hasn’t been a BOSS for a long time, has she? She’s just going all out to show off.
Relying on the instinct of his body, he subconsciously raised his staff and uttered the final incantation— “Light·Break—!” As a “Light” magic, it wasn’t exactly an element. It was more like the power gained from believing in the Goddess, not as a buff attached to the body, but as energy to be fired out.
“Over here—there—and that one—” Will swept his staff across the sky, essentially destroying all the Black Magic attacks directly aimed at him. Bullets grazed past him, falling to the ground, dispersing like black mist around him, even corroding the ground into strange craters. Lucifer… she’s serious! These things are no longer the small items like whack-a-moles in an amusement park from previous Dungeon floors…
“How is it?! Feel good?! I created all of this by imagining what I would do if I really had to fight Adventurers!” Lucifer looked at the scene, seemingly very happy.
“Dream on! You can’t stop me with this. It’s not over yet!” He flashed forward, directing his power-infused staff towards the shadow soldiers. And then… Just as he predicted, the staff didn’t hit a “physical” body, but a true “shadow.” Within the concentrated line, all the soldiers retreated. These were… like shadow clones made of Black Magic. So, only a little “light” was needed to break through.
However… *CLANG—!!!* The next soldier, Will’s staff fiercely collided with it. If he hadn’t been smart enough not to use his fist, his fist would have hit it.
“Hahahahahahaha…” Seeing this, Lucifer laughed with unexpected delight. “Didn’t expect this, did you? Inside the shadows, I have tin soldiers that I personally made, just dyed the same black and added a little smoke!” This is what demon battles are like. Shifting back and forth between illusion and reality, emphasizing the “Entertainer” aspect, playing with you.
“Dream on—” Will’s staff aimed at the golden head of the figure, and with flame magic, he blasted off its tin plating. “Hahahaha… Interesting. But if you want to confront me head-on, there’s still a lot you need to contend with.” Indeed. Switching between elemental magic and magic that dispels Black Magic, Will cleared the obstacles step by step.
“Hoo…” Strange. Normally, if he used magic like this, Will’s Magic circuits would have started complaining about exhaustion long ago. But… as he is now… he only felt refreshed all over.
