Chapter 163 [Event] [Enigma Red Dungeon] [24] Amael And Aurora VS Morino



You... It's you," Aurora whispered in a trembling voice.

I turned around, my expression filled with conflict. The 45th floor had surprised me with the sudden encounter of Aurora's group, caught in the midst of a fight. My timing had been a bit off, as they appeared earlier than I had anticipated. I couldn't help but wonder where Jayden was. Was he on the lower floors or the upper floors? In the game, I expected to see him battling alongside Aurora, but things seemed to have taken a different turn. Well, there were various possible scenarios, after all.

With little time to compose myself, I made sure to change my facial expression. I wasn't exactly comfortable revealing my face after Brandon's threat, and I wanted to avoid drawing attention to the fact that I possessed Trinity Nihil. However, I hadn't expected Pyres to be here, engaged in a fight against Louisa.

As I shifted my gaze back to Aurora, I noticed her speechless, eyeing me up and down. Damn... I hadn't even changed out of my tracksuit.

"You're a first-year in my academy," Aurora stated, easily guessing my affiliation.

"Well..." I averted my gaze, feeling awkward.

But damn, she looked even more stunning after awakening her powers.

"You didn't ask me," I muttered softly.

"No, I didn't," Aurora replied, approaching me.

Why am I sweating?!

"Then, are you in my class, 'Amael'? Or is that even your real name?" Aurora raised an eyebrow.

"I won't tell you, Princess."

Aurora seemed displeased by my quick response but turned her face towards Morino, who had managed to stand up.

"Who are you?" he asked, glaring fiercely at me. It was clear that he wanted nothing more than to tear me to shreds.

"Oh, you've come willingly," Pyres interjected, stopping his fight with Louisa to look at me with a smile. "You're making our job easier. Morino, I want him alive."

"What? He kicked me. I want to kill him," Morino protested.

"No," Pyres raised his voice. "We need him alive and the princess dead. Do it." Pyres then returned to his battle with Louisa, who was now staring at me with her hazel eyes.

"They want you alive? Why?" Aurora asked, clearly confused by the sudden turn of events.

"I wonder the same," I replied, though I was fairly certain they intended to use me as a vessel for Xenos Arvatra.

"You're lying again, Amael," Aurora noticed my deceit.

"My bad, Avia."

"It seems to have become a habit for you. I suppose it's given with how many time you might have lied to me." she responded nonchalantly.

"Are you angry?"

"Not at all. Why should I be?" Aurora replied, her tone casual.

"Then, can you stop pointing your sword in my direction?" I asked humbly.

"Oh, I didn't realize," she said, lowering her sword.

"It's quite scary to hear that."

[Flirting with Aurora Celesta in a life-or-death situation seems to have become a habit for you.]

'It's only the second time I'm fighting alongside her!'

"He wants you alive, but he didn't suggest to keep all your limbs intact," Morino interrupted our conversation, a cruel smirk playing on his face.

Really what a third-rate villain would say.

"He's using Prana," Aurora informed me.

"Prana..."

Now, I could vaguely remember encountering someone like him in the game. As I noticed his orange slit eyes, a realization struck me.

"A werewolf," I blurted out.

"A werewolf?" Aurora repeated, her eyes widening. "Now that you mention it, he said he is from Sancta Vedelia."

Damn...

A freak from Sancta Vedelia.

I wasn't prepared to face opponents like them.

After all, everyone from Sancta Vedelia possessed a stronger constitution thanks to the blessings of the Holy Tree of Eden, a luxury we didn't have here.

"Prana Art, Breath!" Morino interrupted my thoughts, and I cursed inwardly.

Shit!

I quickly raised my sword, hoping that it would suffice despite my lack of experience with it. The reddish-grey light collided with my blade, easily pushing me back to the other side of the tunnel.

"Amael!"

"Prana Art," Morino appeared above Aurora and delivered a powerful kick. "Dissection."

"Michael's Celestial Barrier!" Aurora summoned a barrier to block Morino's attack, but even that began to crack before her shocked eyes.

I pushed off the ground and swung my sword at Morino. He smirked and unleashed a devastating punch. "Prana Art, Blow."

-Bam!

"AGH!" Once again, I was sent flying, along with my sword. Strangely, I wasn't as injured as I had expected, despite the bleeding from my hand. It was probably thanks to Trinity Nihil.

I glanced down at my sword, which was now glowing white.

"Let's try something else," I muttered, coating my sword with Ruah.

"Michael's Radiance!" Aurora's body burst into a dazzling light, forcing Morino to retreat. Seizing the opportunity, I rushed towards him. But before I could reach him, Morino appeared in front of me, swinging his claws.

Ah.

"Ruma!"

-BOOOM!

Following Aurora's shout, a golden bird attacked Morino's eyes. I narrowly dodged his attack by rolling, then swung my sword at his leg.

Fresh blood spurted out, and I quickly regained my stance.

"You'll pay for that."

"!" Morino was already beside me, his hand raised.

"Michael's Luminous Sword!" Aurora appeared in front of me and intercepted Morino's attack.

"It's getting annoying!" Morino shouted, summoning a magic circle in front of us.

Shit!

"Gale Claws!"

"Ah!" This time, both Aurora and I were sent flying. I tried to catch her, but I reacted too slowly, and her body collided with mine.

"S-Sorry-"

"Prana Art," Before Aurora could stand up, Morino opened his mouth wide, and a tremendous surge of prana energy flowed out, gathering before him. "Core Breath!"

"Mama!" Ruma appeared and exhaled a breath as well.

"Ruma!" Aurora pointed her sword and released a golden ray.

Initially, both sides seemed evenly matched, but soon Morino's red breath overwhelmed their attack, hurtling straight towards us. I mustered the last of my strength and positioned myself in front of them.

"Please, help me," I pleaded with my sword, swinging it with all my might.

-BOOOOOM!

Trinity Nihil radiated a brilliant white light as a blast of divine energy erupted, colliding with Morino's breath. I gritted my teeth and made sure to keep my feet firmly planted on the ground. "AH!" I tightly gripped the hilt with both hands, and a deafening sound reverberated. Morino and I were both flung away, and a wave of whitish-red energy shook the surrounding area.

"Arghh..." I groaned, feeling blood flowing from my waist.

-BAM!

"AGHH!" My mouth opened wide as Morino delivered a kick to my stomach. He was already upon me.

"Archangel's Celestial Sword!"

A vein bulged on Morino's forehead upon hearing Aurora's voice from behind. "It's useless! Prana Art! Reinforced Claws!"

He swung his claws, and...

-Spurt!

Blood sprayed from the massive gash on his chest. "W-Wha-!" He was sent hurtling away at an astonishing speed, crashing into the wall behind me.

"Ah...ah..." Aurora collapsed to her knees, her face drained of color. She looked up at me with sunken eyes. "Are...you okay?"

Despite the pain coursing through my body, I mustered a tired smile and stood up, clutching my stomach. "I may have broken a few bones, but overall, I'm fine," I reassured, extending my hand towards Aurora.

Aurora's smile mirrored mine as she reached out and grasped my hand.

But in an instant, everything changed. A surge of alarm jolted through me, and without thinking, I forcefully pushed Aurora away. My eyes widened in horror as a searing pain erupted across my back. My body was flung through the air at a tremendous speed, crashing violently onto the unforgiving ground. "C-Cough!"

"A-Amael!"

Morino stood before us once more, sporting a deep gash across his chest. With a dark intensity in his eyes, he muttered, "Third Phase," triggering a transformation that sent shivers down my spine. His already massive form swelled even further, reaching an imposing height of three meters. Fur sprouted across his hulking body, resembling that of a true werewolf, with jagged fangs protruding from his snarling mouth.

I opened my blurry eyes and I saw Aurora fighting with her sword against Morino. She was holding her ground thanks to her awakening but that freak was too strong. "A-Anathemas Fire…" I muttered but no fire came out. Trinity Nihil was blocking them.

"M-Mary don't come, I can do it," I forced my weak knees and stood up. I glared through my blindfold at Morino. "I will kill this fucker."

****

On the expansive 45th floor, a large tunnel divided the area, serving as the backdrop for a fierce battle between two figures suspended in mid-air. The ground beneath them burned with intense heat and swirling flames.

Louisa whispered the word "Awakening." In response, a radiant burst of brownish-golden light emanated from her body, causing the very ground to tremble beneath her. As if under her command, the blazing rocks levitated around her in a mesmerizing display of power.

Pyres, on the receiving end of this formidable display, narrowed his eyes, sensing the immense pressure emanating from Louisa. It was clear that she harbored killing intent, fully prepared to eliminate him. A sly smile curled on Pyres' lips as he remarked, "Awakening." A subtle red tinge spread across his skin, indicating his own transformation. "If you persist, I will not hesitate to end your life, young girl. Are you truly willing to go to such lengths for the sake of another?"

Silence hung in the air as Louisa refrained from answering. Instead, the palpable pressure surrounding her seemed to intensify.

Observing her response, Pyres's smile widened ever so slightly. "Very well. I shall spare the princess and focus solely on claiming the other one," he stated, his gaze shifting towards Edward, who was engaged in his own battle at a distance.

Louisa's cold, hazel eyes were locked behind Pyres. "Why do you desire Edward Falkrona."