The monster let out its characteristic laugh, that unnatural sound of multiple superimposed voices. "Is this your power now?" it mocked.
"You're weaker than before, little parasite."
With a wind explosion that shattered the lithium prison like paper, the monster counterattacked.
Cutting air gusts headed toward Elio, but he had already anticipated the attack.
In an instant, he disappeared into the book.
The monster's fury at the brief skirmish was evident. The human had only emerged to test his capabilities, to measure the gap between their powers.
Its multiple voices hissed with frustration at the tactical retreat.
'He can reach level 9,' it thought, its multiple voices mixing in a contemplative murmur. 'Not a real threat, but...' Its black eyes gleamed with anticipation. 'A level 9 already represents a hundredth of my goal.'
The idea that the human might die in the book's challenge caused it some concern, but not for the reasons an observer might assume.
A living level 9 was worth more than a dead one, and a level 10... well, that would be even better. But the risk of not being able to kill him itself was enormous.
Either way, if the Goddess's challenge didn't kill him, he would.
'There's a reason why my mission can be completed with just ten level 10 humans,' it reflected, its claws flexing with anticipation.
The answer was simple: it was designed to be able to defeat them alone, even at their maximum power.
Elio's small demonstration, though irritating, had only served to confirm the vast gap between their capabilities. The new red element was interesting, and the weak control over wind suggested the human had obtained some kind of reward from the deposit, but none of that really mattered.
'Grow stronger, little parasite,' it thought while observing the now again touchable book. 'Each level you gain only makes you more valuable to my goal.' The irony didn't escape it: the very power Elio sought for revenge only made him a more attractive target.
The stronger he became, the more reasons the monster would have to hunt him.
♢♢♢♢
This gas was different from anything he had faced before; it seemed to want to react with everything it touched, hungry for interaction.
He tried carbon, creating a protective barrier, but the gas began consuming the material almost instantly. The structure disintegrated in seconds, producing a reaction that only worsened the situation, releasing more noxious gasses.
When he tried using lithium, the reaction was so violent that Elio had to throw himself to the ground. The metal practically ignited on contact with the gas, creating a bright flare that illuminated the entire tunnel.
Hydrogen only exploded and increased the corrosiveness. It seemed to be the main problem in water...
Elio's calm and healing perception of water grew more explosive each day.
But oxygen was no different.
Without knowing it, Elio generated oxygen difluoride, another highly toxic and extremely reactive compound. Although less reactive than the yellow fog... Fortunately, Elio still had oxygen stones in his mouth.
Nitrogen was his next attempt, but even at low temperatures, the gas maintained its reactive nature. Though, the cold seemed to slightly mitigate its aggressiveness.
But the cold also damaged Elio after a while and moving was a problem encased in ice.
'This gas... reacts with practically everything,' Elio thought, his skin burning more intensely with each passing moment.
Even noble gasses probably wouldn't be immune.
Confirming his theory, his attempts with helium and neon barely served to move the gas around, and it seemed to want to react even with these normally inert elements.
"I can't neutralize it," Elio murmured, his mind working frantically while the pain increased. "Each attempt only makes it more dangerous. There must be another way..."
The gas kept flowing from the tunnel's depths, relentless and hungry to react with anything in its path. As he advanced, the color gradually intensified, acquiring greenish tones.
'I can't give up,' he thought, watching how the gas swirled around his feet. 'Each level overcome is a new tool, a new possibility.'
Micah's memory burned in his mind, fueling his determination. His friend had sacrificed himself to keep information out of the monster's reach, to give them a chance.
He couldn't let that sacrifice be in vain.