Chapter 320 Interlude: The Magenta Lightning Storm (I)

["The Guild Foundation is home to thousands of adventurers, though for most, they're only able to handle small-scale tasks. However, there are a portion that are capable of single-handedly taking care of monstrous threats that can range from a "Destructive" level threat even to "Bleak". Most times, these adventurers are recruited to the Nihilum Core–an elite squad of adventurers that work directly under the Council of the Guild Foundation."]

Sitting on the edge of a cliff, a man dressed in a black-and-gray uniform watched the tucked-away Valley of Parmesus; a region of differing shades that was secluded to the depths of a crater between illustrious mountains.

["Though, there is a grand exception: the one regarded as "The Strongest Adventurer", a man of such ability that he is thought to have surpassed even the Hero-rank swordsmen.]

"Alright, I guess it's time to get to work," the youthful man said with a smile, rising to his feet as he stretched his arms.

It had been a day since the incident with the "Dread" escaping from its seal; the barriers around the secretive valley that kept countless troublesome beasts and other such beings contained were annihilated in the process. Everybody had already left; all that occupied it now were lingering beasts and troublesome monsters.

The Valley of Parmesus was not a "one-of-a-kind"; many such hidden regions were kept as containment areas for dangerous creatures. As such, the black-haired, magenta-eyed adventurer was given one task: wipe out all of the remaining creatures then erase the region.

"...Sirius is on the job," the man announced to nobody but himself, tightening the black gloves on his hands.

As he readied himself, lightning strands that took to a purple glow coiled around his body, causing his hair to momentarily spike up before he jumped, shifting into the form of a lightning bolt itself, shooting towards the clouds above.

Thunder roared through the high-reaching clouds, flashing with a brief radiance of magenta light before a thunderbolt crashed down before the valley itself.

From that crashed bolt, Sirius descended as magenta sparks hissed around his body, holding a confident smile as the first of the escaped creatures from Parmesus crossed his path.

"No hard feelings, okay? Just doing my job," Sirius said with a smirk.

Immediately around him, lingering around the depths of the crater that sat outside the perimeter of the unwalled valley, were fire-furred boars that possessed the mass of steed with tusks more than capable of uplifting an entire cottage.

["Inferno Tusks: while not often seen as a threat to most novice adventurers, these creatures have one of the highest kill rates against adventurers due to this fact. When they begin charging, it's nearly impossible to stop them unless you manage to do one of two things: pierce their heads or obliterate them completely."]

One of the fiery-furred boars grumbled before rushing towards the uniformed man with jet-black hair and colorful, magenta irises.

"Let's get started, then!" Sirius called out.

Pointing his hand forward, he snapped his fingers a single time in the direction of the giant boar that rushed down the small slope of cracked, rocky ground. From between his fingers, a strand of dazzling, purple lightning hissed before shooting forward as a bolt straight against the flame-tusked beast.

A growl that emitted like the plates of worldly crust shifting left the colossal figure's lips; it had a humanoid form, yet was shaped of ancient stone, layered in moss and vines.

A "Stone Titan", Sirius thought.

It was almost like a mountain itself; forged of many boulders, connected through sturdy roots that had aged like fine wine; more reliable than any rope.

["Stone Titans: ancient creatures that are seldom encountered by any. They're usually docile, or happen to be due to laying dormant beneath the world's surface, embedded deep beneath the soil and etched into many layers of rock. It is unknown if these are golems of old or perhaps manifestations of Arcadius' flesh, however, the fact lies that when angered, these creatures wield strength capable of uprooting entire villages."]

Even in the face of something of such magnitude, looming over with the shadow of a mountain itself, aged and hardened by time, Sirius wasn't moved in the slightest.

"Come on, big guy!" Sirius taunted.

Coaxing the wrath of the colossus, the massive figure of stone grumbled out a bellowing groan before raising its heavy arm, slamming it down upon the spot where the arrogant man stood. It came down like a great pillar tumbling, thrashing into the dried soil of the canyon below with a fantastical rumble.

"Sorry, but it looks like you missed."

Still, Sirius Stormheart remained unphased; the air of the strongest naturally swirled around him as he held a calm, collected smile while now standing atop the stone colossus' head.

For a moment, the ancient sentience of stone was unaware of where the youthful adventurer was before figuring it out, suddenly whipping its arm around towards the source of Sirius' voice.

"--Ah, I don't think that's a good idea," Sirius said.

Casually dodging as he shifted into the form of magenta lightning, he moved out of the way just as the Stone Titan slammed its own arm against its gray-rock head. A large impact boomed out as an array of pebbles scattered through the wind as a result of the solid collision.

"Ooh, that's going to leave a mark!" He taunted, landing on a rectangular rock to the side.

The ancient giant of stone was left with a half-shattered head, nearly falling over completely before picking itself up, letting out a scratchy roar from the depths of its dry interior.

As he stood his ground, Sirius raised his hand with two fingers pointed at the colossus as if wielding a handgun. The unique, magenta lightning belonging to the pinnacle of adventurers coiled around his arm like a serpent's tail before focusing at the tip of his fingers.

The size of the Stone Titan occupied the width of the canyon path, blocking the path of the youthful man as it lumbered forward with malicious intent, gathering pebbles and sediment into its a large boulder, ready to be thrown.

Just before the coalesced stone was tossed–

"Bang."