NOVEL NEXT Chapter 684: Absolute Defense
At the same time, in the maze corridors of the 9th level, two figures raced through, speeding rapidly forward.
"Ais!"
The werewolf Bert kept twitching his nose, sniffing the scent lingering in the air, and called out to Ais, who was running beside him.
"I smell something, a scent of a monster that doesn't belong to the upper levels, and that brat, right ahead!"
Bert lifted his chin, pointing toward one of the forked paths, then began to accelerate.
It's undeniable, the title of the fastest in the Loki Familia isn't just for show. Even though Bert is currently only Lv.5, his speed is not much slower than Ais, who has already reached Lv.6, and even faintly faster, which forces Ais to run half a body length behind him.
"...Ahead?"
Ais closed her eyes, using her sense of the "wind" to perceive the flow of air, determining the direction and location of the target.
"Exhale—Inhale—"
The blonde-haired, golden-eyed swordsman quickened her breathing rhythm, increasing precision, surprisingly accelerating to keep pace with Bert.
"Tch..."
Watching this, Bert clicked his tongue.
"If this goes on, I won't be able to hold my own in the Loki Familia."
Although his swift legs were already quite outstanding, seeing Ais catch up so easily and Reiger having vanished ahead of him made Bert feel a bit embarrassed.
"On this expedition, I must advance further no matter what."
Bert, like Theona, made up his mind.
He was unwilling to admit that his skills were inferior.
He refused to acknowledge that he was easily surpassed by a mere newcomer and a woman he had long admired.
So, Bert's eyes gleamed fiercely, focusing only on swiftly resolving the unusual situation, tidying up these small matters, then rushing toward the deeper layers as fast as possible.
That is his battlefield, his adventure spot, and whether he can preserve this insignificant dignity and hold onto this trivial pride depends on this venture.
With this thought, Bert accelerated a second time, prompting Ais to accelerate as well, stirring waves of wind and dust in the corridor.
Along the way, the two also encountered a gnome girl who had received treatment, fainted beside the wall, causing them to stop briefly to examine her. After confirming she was fine, they, like Reiger, judged that this floor held no danger, leaving the gnome girl behind for the companions coming later to handle, and continued their race forward.
"...!"
Suddenly, both Ais and Bert skidded to a halt, hurriedly stopping themselves.
"This scent is...!?"
Bert seemed to have smelled something, first widening his eyes, then baring his menacing fangs.
"Could it be..."
Ais felt it too.
She sensed that undeniable presence.
The aura of a competitor (archenemy) she had faced more than once.
A being from whom no one could divert their gaze, nor dare to.
"[Mighty One]...!"
Bert's hair stood on end, letting out a furious roar that could split one's eyes and cheeks.
In that instant, a strange phenomenon erupted.
"Boom!!!"
With an explosive sound, the corridor in front of Ais and Bert shattered.
Two figures shot out from the flying debris, crashing through the corridor, smashing through the walls of the underground city, emerging from the smoky haze.
Ais and Bert instinctively raised their hands, blocking the incoming gusts while leaping back as if shocked by electricity, distancing themselves from the sudden explosion center up ahead.
Then, before their eyes, the two figures burst through the walls of the underground city and erupted into a heart-stirring skirmish from another corridor.
"Ooohhhhh——!"
This was the roar of a boar warrior.
"Haaaaaaa——!"
This was the battle cry of a young swordsman.
The young swordsman wielding the crystal longsword and the boar warrior wielding the massive broadsword engaged in an intense battle amid flying debris, intertwining flashes of swords in the closest proximity, launching storm-like slashes at each other that could rend bodies into pieces.
"Clang clang clang clang clang clang clang clang clang clang clang clang clang clang clang——!"
Instantly, the loud metallic collisions, akin to golden bells being struck fiercely numerous times, echoed like rainfall, accompanied by a frenzy of sparks, resonating throughout the maze corridor.
The two adventurers, mismatched in body proportions, seemed ready to overturn the entire 9th level of the underground city, ferociously clashing with overwhelming momentum and speed.
The crystal longsword, bearing the whistling wind, unleashed unending waves of sword light, scattering dust and stone fragments from the ground, walls, and ceiling like a passing typhoon, and sweeping toward the hefty boar giant, striking lethal blows, each aimed for vital points, ruthlessly without holding back.
The massive broadsword in the boar giant's hands, however, was wielded with such ease as if weightless, effortlessly deflecting one crystal sword light after another, nullifying the strikes from the crystal longsword without exception.
This was the pinnacle of attack and defense clashing together.
This was the fierce offense and flawless parry battling in a tug of war.