Particles of light enveloped me, and I was teleported from the dungeon.

My status changed to a magic power of 999,999.

 

Kai: “…Where is this…? From that time…?”

 

Looking around, I immediately realized.

I’ve been here before. This is the temple where Nagi and the others were trapped—a temple that seemed forgotten and ruined over time. The sky was pitch black, yet it was strangely illuminated in this different dimension. Broken columns stood in solitude, giving the temple a desolate appearance.

I expected to be here eventually, but wasn’t it too soon?

At the same time, that voice informed me.

 

System Voice: 『Individual Name: Kai Amachi, previous progress up to Stage 2-2. Starting from Stage 2-3.』

 

Suddenly, amidst the light particles, black demons appeared. I remember there being three last time, but now, there were nine lights.

 

Kai: “S-Rank monsters… Nine of them… As always, without any explanation…”

 

Nine massive black demons appeared throughout the temple. Each of them possessed magic power equivalent to Chairman Kagetora, a S-Rank monster.

I gripped my white sword and faced them—monsters with the capability to topple nations. But I should be able to win now, as I’m trying to transcend S-Rank. I can’t stumble at this level.

 

Kai: “In the past, my big-brother Wei said he defeated 100… I wonder if I can do it now?”

 

The horde of demons screamed at me. However, they soon lost sight of me.

 

Kai: “—Lightning.”

 

Teleporting behind the nine demons, I was impossible to track with the naked eye. With a single blow from behind, I decapitated one of the demons. The temple echoed with the screams of the black demons and the splatter of their blood.

The battle lasted less than a minute. Repeating my teleportation and attacks, I annihilated the demons, each possessing around 100,000 magic power.

The confrontation was completely one-sided. Enemies with nearly nine times less magic power than me were no match. Each swing of my sword resulted in a severed head.

 

System Voice: 『Stage 2-3 cleared. Proceeding to Stage 2-4.』

Kai: “Phew… It’s not like I’m doing 100 consecutive matches…”

 

One after another, demons, wolves, and insect-like monsters appeared. I had to survive, so I gripped my sword even tighter.

 

System Voice: 『Stage 2-4 cleared.』

System Voice: 『Stage 2-5 cleared.』

System Voice: 『Stage 2-6 cleared.』

 

…

 

System Voice: 『Stage 2-10 cleared.』

 

After brief intervals, I continued to defeat the onslaught of demons and wolves. They were the S-Rank monsters known as Emperor species. As the stages progressed, the numbers and power of the monsters increased. Eventually…

 

Kai: “…Phew, I wonder how long this will continue. It’s already past midnight.”

 

Sitting amidst nearly a hundred monster corpses, I wiped the blood from my white sword. Although slightly winded, I believed I should naturally overcome such trials. The voice emotionlessly informed me of the next stage.

 

System Voice: 『Proceeding to Stage 3.』

 

Then, the battle with the monsters shifted from lower to upper S-Rank. Gradually, the number and power of the monsters increased, with some reaching close to 500,000 magic power. Yet, I kept advancing.

 

Kai: “I will definitely survive!!”

 

Magic power makes a difference, but now I have experience. I’m not solely reliant on magic power anymore; my exceptional skills and combat experience suffice. Even if the monsters have slightly higher magic power, I won’t stop now.

 

System Voice: 『Stage 3-1 cleared.』

System Voice: 『Stage 3-2 cleared.』

System Voice: 『Stage 3-3 cleared.』

 

…

 

System Voice: 『This is the last stage of Stage 3.』

 

A few hours later, I reached the end of Stage 3. Fatigue had undoubtedly accumulated, and it was a miracle I wasn’t injured. Normally, I’d be asleep, but tonight I’ve been battling non-stop.

I wondered if I could escape using Lightning if things got dire.

However, I was uncertain if I’d ever return if I left now. If possible, I wanted to end it in one go and obtain the power of True Awakening. The head of the God-Destruction Cult is probably a Transcendent. Without True Awakening, I might not stand a chance.

 

Kai: “Now, it’s the last of Stage 3. Let’s see what’s next.”

 

I gripped my sword once more and stared at the temple.

Then, they appeared.

Accompanied by a particularly bright light, two beams enveloped the temple.

 

Kai: “…Dragons?”

 

Two dragons emerged from the beams of light. I had seen Dragon species in videos before. They are considered the most potent species among the confirmed monsters in the neighboring country of Japan.

Their simple magic power is matched by high intelligence and superior skills, making the Dragon species overwhelmingly strong compared to other monster species.

Two dragons, one golden and one silver, stood before me.

 

Kai: “Gold and silver… Dragon species, and rare ones at that? I’ve never heard of them…”

 

Before me were two dragons. Both the golden and silver dragons, apart from their color, had almost identical statuses and were labeled as rare species.

If King and Emperor species are legitimate growths of monsters, perhaps these are some form of mutated species?

 

───────────────────────────

Name: Golden Dragon (Rare Species)

Magic Power: 8,000,000

Skill: The Dragon of Duality, Spear of Gold

Attack Power: Reflection Rate▶70% = 5,600,000

Defense Power: Reflection Rate▶50% = 4,000,000

Agility: Reflection Rate▶25% = 2,000,000

Intelligence: Reflection Rate▶25% = 2,000,000

───────────────────────────

───────────────────────────

Name: Silvery White Dragon (Rare Species)

Magic Power: 8,000,000

Skill: The Dragon of Duality, Shield of Silver

Attack Power: Reflection Rate▶50% = 4,000,000

Defense Power: Reflection Rate▶70% = 5,600,000

Agility: Reflection Rate▶25% = 2,000,000

Intelligence: Reflection Rate▶25% = 2,000,000

───────────────────────────

 

Kai: “They seem to be two halves of one entity.”

 

These dragons have two skills. One of them is probably their unique power, simply named after their color. The Spear of Gold fires spear-like projectiles from its wings. The Shield of Silver was reminiscent of Reina’s shield of light.

Suddenly, a translucent shield appeared before me, which was exceedingly troublesome. The shield that enveloped the silver dragon was so robust that even my attacks couldn’t break it in one hit.

The last skill, “The Dragon of Duality,” was frustratingly annoying. If one of them died and the other was still alive, the fallen one would resurrect in a few seconds. If it weren’t for the disparity in our powers, these rare species would have been hard to defeat.

Why speak in the past tense?

 

Kai: “…They were at a disadvantage. —Lightning.”

 

It’s because I had cut down both the silver and gold dragons in mere seconds.

My strategy was overwhelmingly straightforward.

I teleported inside the shield that the silvery white dragon had erected. No matter how sturdy the shield, it was rendered useless if one could teleport inside of it. Just like armor can’t protect the soft insides, I teleported inside the shield that enveloped the entire body of the silvery white dragon.

From there, I pierced the dragon with my sword from the inside.

Despite its high defense, my attack was overwhelmingly stronger. The outcome would’ve been the same once my attack got through.

Then, I shifted my gaze to the golden dragon. Noticing its ally’s demise, it flapped its wings and released countless Spears of Gold, like a bombardment. But such an attack was inconsequential.

I teleported beneath the flapping golden dragon and jumped, slicing off its wings and then decapitating it as it fell to the ground.

All of this happened in just five seconds. At a glance, it might seem like I had the upper hand, but honestly, our abilities were well-matched. It would’ve been challenging to overcome the shield head-on, and even if I defeated the golden dragon, the silver one would resurrect it. Without a doubt, they would have been challenging opponents if not for the disparity in our strengths.

 

System Voice: 『Stage 3 cleared. Proceeding to Stage 4. Stage 4 consists only of 4-1.』

Kai: “Only one stage for Stage 4? Who’s going to appear… An Emperor species’ superior? Haven’t heard of such a thing.”

 

I gazed at the temple. As usual, three lights appeared, and a figure resembling a human was transported.

I was rendered speechless at the sight.

 

Kai: “…Haha, of course. My most formidable adversaries would be—”

 

Out of the three lights, three familiar figures appeared. Enemies that I had previously engaged in fierce battles with, adversaries that nearly killed me multiple times.

 

Kai: “—You guys, the damn party.”

 

The trio that always stood in my way during the promotion exams.

If I remember correctly, they were the Shadow Assassin, Paladin, and Wizard.

But now, they were different.

One of them was enveloped in a pure white arm and a shadowy aura.

Another was like a demon in physique, donning shining white armor, a complete heavyweight knight.

The last one had pale blue skin, and as always, his face was hidden, a magical profession.

I checked their statuses.

 

Kai: “Nightmare, Cataphract, and Wiseman… A nightmare, a super-heavyweight knight, and a sage. They’ve all awakened, huh?”

 

All three exuded hostility towards me. Taking the lead was Nightmare, slowly drawing his white sword and pointing it at me. His golden eyes stared intently at the skill, and a shadowy magic power, similar to mine, swayed towards me.

If it’s the Nightmare, then it’s similar to one of my skills.

Then, the next move would be…

*Clang!*

 

Kai: “That’s more my specialty.”

 

I appeared from my own shadow.