Chapter 269

Chapter 269

"It's time to Rank Up."

A glowing blue text floats in front of my eyes after 3 level-up notifications bring me well past the level 500 threshold.

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[Rank Up]

[YES][NO]

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I choose [YES].

Time feels as if it temporarily stops around me the moment I make this decision.

The two other ice lizards still come at us from above on both sides, but so much slower than before.

My breathing is loud in my ears and my perception of magic around me only gets more heightened the longer I'm exposed to this odd flow state.

As my gaze shifts over my surroundings, a white glow starts to shine below me and I feel Ember's scales begin to shift and vibrate.

Looking down, the black-scaled dragon glows white too, and my body begins to react.

The base of his back I'm standing on begins to expand, the scales grow larger.

The white light feels warm.

It's pure energy expands in my chest distributing itself evenly throughout my entire body.

I take a deep breath in and my eyes open wide. It feels like the first real breath I've ever taken. The air tastes sweet and the world around me looks even more crystal clear than I already thought it was...

It's like my All-Seeing Eye is activated at all times, not just the hint of passive control I had before.

The efficiency of my mana usage just drastically increased, and I didn't absorb a single MP.

This explains how Lydia kept up with me earlier. She didn't absorb the same amount of MP as me, she was just ranked up. Odds are, the ice mage probably hasn't absorbed much more than Fisher...

My mana control easily doubled in a matter of seconds. I check my status and see a single change under the buffs section.

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Buffs:

Rising Emperor's Domain[Hidden Ability]

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I take a closer look.

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It pushes itself forward by creating small mana-shielding layers under its feel and using them as footholds to walk through the sky in a similar fashion to my wind-powered air-steps.

As the two of us run up at each other, both dragons swoop down.

Ember's black scales start to glow red, orange, and yellow as he activates his defensive buff, looking like a bubbling pit of lava. His entire body is covered in a thick coat of armor glowing even brighter than the silver dragon diving his way.

Then, I watch the fire dragon's crimson eyes pulse and his claws shine with the same dark red aura. His attack buff has been activated too. Ember is a much more cautious fighter than I am, he clearly has a strength and defense advantage if he's facing his opponent straight on.

I won't have to worry about him one bit, I'll focus on the real danger in front of me.

With all my stat-boosting skills on full blast, my vision tunnels and all I see is the demonic presence glaring back at me with its sword raised.

Just moments ago, I was completely outmatched. Now, this is an opponent for me to finally use all my new skills and strengths to their full potential.

I swing both my dagger and sword across my body while the Arch Demon brings down its silver sword.

Coated in layers of aura and shielding, the three blades let out an echoing twang as they come to a halt over a meter away from each other. Both release white explosions of energy and attempt to break through the other's thick defenses.

The corners of the Demon's mouth curl and so do mine.

It speaks through our link as the shockwaves of energy fill the Room.

"So, you really are the one they've all been talking about, aren't you?"

I grit my teeth and push my blades further toward the buzzing energy and light.

Then, reply.

"The one who's been talking about?"

The Arch Demon tightens its gaze and follows my lead pushing its own sword closer in tearing through a portion of the pink mana shielding letting elemental magic leak out.

It replies.

"It doesn't matter who. Word is.. a stray Demon and Dragon have been challenging Labyrinths and stealing the abilities of those within. However, you're a human... bonded with a... Fire Dragon..."

I erupt into black flames, pushing my weapons in even more. They're less than half a meter away from touching now. The energy pulsing out from in between is on a magnitude greater than anything I've ever experienced before.

It seems rumors of our existence somehow made it out here... If I want more information, I'll have to rile up this Boss and keep him talking.

I reply with a smirk.

"So what if it is?! After I'm done with you, I'll face the King!"

I let out a wave of intimidation and push my blades even closer.

The Demon's eyes open wide, horrified by my statement and momentarily caught off guard.

I thrust my dagger and sword forward again and they collide with its long silver sword to create a clang that distorts the air around us.

The final battle in the Labyrinth has begun.