NOVEL NEXT Chapter 129: Level Surge
"Yes. The same ones selected by the Legendary Commanders," another replied. "The ones who survived the Jaws of Azathoth. But… Hell Mode? I never imagined anyone could… beat it."
A few younger Evolvers, unable to contain their excitement, began murmuring rumors.
"They say one of them transformed into some kind of dragon…"
"Dragon or not, they crushed the Boss. And the light… that green glow is the proof."
Even seasoned Hunters and Evolvers could not hide their awe. They had trained for decades, yet here were these young warriors, barely beginning their journey, achieving feats many could not even dream of.
Meanwhile, the Junior Blood Legion stood near the gate, battered, bloodied, but unbroken. Ryuzen's golden eyes flicked across the gathered crowd, calm and unreadable. Venus adjusted her gloves, the faint glow of her Harvester's Punch still lingering. Irina's clones hovered quietly, bow at the ready, while Felix and Rudos shared a glance of exhausted satisfaction.
The green light continued to flash, sending ripples through the forest. Whispers turned into conversations, and conversations became debates. Some Evolvers speculated if the world itself had shifted, while others simply stared, stunned by the sheer audacity of these young fighters.
In the distance, someone laughed nervously.
"So… we're really seeing it. Junior Blood Legion… cleared Hell Mode. And live to tell the tale."
A chill ran through the crowd. Not fear, exactly, but recognition. The world was changing. If these youngsters could achieve what no one else could, then what did that mean for everyone else?
The forest fell silent for a moment, save for the crackling of residual energy still leaking from the dungeon. The aura of their victory clung to the night, an invisible marker of power and potential.
Ryuzen looked at his team, the unspoken understanding passing between them. This was only the beginning. Their names would echo, whispered among Evolvers, feared and respected in equal measure. And for now, the world could only watch, green flashes painting the night, evidence of what had been accomplished.
The Temporals Guild, along with several other major guilds, soon caught wind of the news. Representatives quickly arrived to congratulate the Junior Blood Legion, using the moment as another chance to extend their offers of recruitment.
But once again, Ryuzen declined without hesitation.
The factions could do nothing but grit their teeth in frustration. They knew better than to push further. The Junior Blood Legion stood under the protection of the Blood Legion's Six Legendary Commanders.
To touch them would mean trampling on that dignity—an act no guild was foolish enough to attempt.
Meanwhile, Ryuzen led his teammates back into the dungeon for another round.
This time, he made sure not to let them lean on him too heavily. Every battle was carefully managed so that each of them could hone their skills and gradually shoulder the burden of fighting the Chrysalis Empress themselves.
Days turned to weeks in relentless repetition. The Junior Blood Legion steadily carved their name into Hell Mode, dominating it after several successful clears. With no restrictions blocking them, they continued grinding without pause, each run sharpening their blades and solidifying their teamwork.
Through constant battles and the slaughter of countless monsters, Ryuzen's power climbed even higher, his body and bloodline evolving in tandem.
[ Status ]
Name: Ryuzen De Manus
Age: 6 Years
Race/Bloodline: Solarfrost Imperial Dragon (S), Abyssal Cursed Serpent (B)
Lifespan: 700 years
Level: 35 (+6)
Attributes
Strength: 750 (+170)
Agility: 733 (+160)
Vitality: 760 (+150)
Mana: 5507 (+1200)
Nether: 730 (+300)
Skills (Battle/Utility)
• Chrysalis Rebirth (C)
• Lightning Manipulation (D)
• Eclipse Cataclysmic Roar (D)
• Ice Guardian Armour (D)
• Solar Cryo Lance (D)
• Mist Phantom Steps (D)
• Crimson Apex Frenzy (D)
• Abyssal Grasp (D)
• Sun Dragon's Gaze (E)
• Half Dragonification (E)
---
Inside the abyssal halls of Hell Mode, the Junior Blood Legion moved like a single blade.
Venus charged first, shield raised high as the Empress' razor wings crashed against her guard. The ground cracked under the impact, yet she did not falter. Her defensive aura wrapped around the team like a fortress, giving them room to breathe.
"Now!" she shouted.
Irina's clones extended their hands, chains of mana erupting from the ground and latching onto the Empress' limbs. Her control was flawless, every chain timed to disrupt the monster's movements just as it tried to lash out.
With its balance broken, Felix's eyes gleamed. He dashed in from the flank, blade glowing with condensed blood energy.
Slash!
His strike landed clean against the Empress' soft underbelly, leaving a deep wound that sent ichor spraying into the air.
Behind them, the quieter members launched volleys of coordinated spells and projectiles, covering the openings Felix couldn't reach. Their attacks were no longer scattered or frantic; each strike followed a rhythm, weaving seamlessly with the others.
And Ryuzen watched over it all. His blazing golden eyes tracked every movement, stepping in only when disaster loomed. A sudden sweep of the Empress' tail threatened to crush Felix, but with a single shift of his body, Ryuzen appeared at Felix's side, claws gleaming as he deflected the blow.
The team recovered instantly, falling back into formation. Where once they had relied on Ryuzen to carry them, now they fought as if he was the backbone guiding their blades, not the only weapon in their hands.
With each dive, their teamwork refined, their rhythm sharpened. They were no longer survivors clawing through Hell Mode—they were hunters dominating it.
–
After another brutal but victorious dive, the Junior Blood Legion emerged from the dungeon gate. The moment their feet touched the ground, however, their hearts froze.
The night sky was no longer black. It burned with a suffocating crimson glow, as if the heavens themselves were bleeding. The moon was shrouded, drowned in the color of slaughter.
Ryu's eyes narrowed.
The world was bloodied red.
A low tremor rippled across the earth. Then came the screams—distant, scattered at first, then swelling into a chorus of terror.
Rudos clenched his fists, his face paling. "No way… another Hollow Wave?"