Episode 417: The Final Stratum
Akito, having collided with the angel, was thrown into the air but managed to grab onto the flying Gae Bolg, avoiding a fall.
The angel continued to plummet.
It seemed to have taken considerable damage. As it spiraled downward, particles of light enveloped its entire body. Regeneration was beginning again.
The Gold Dragon opened its massive maw once more. If they were to defeat it, now, while it was immobile, was their only chance!
Yuma unleashed “Annihilating Flash” from his mouth. A tremendous light spread, engulfing the angel. Rui, Akito, and the Israeli Seeker team closed their eyes, blinded by the intensity.
After a moment, they opened their eyes to find a gouged-out landscape.
The angel was nowhere to be seen; only the colossal Dragon stood there. As Rui and Akito approached, the Gold Dragon was enveloped in light, transforming into the “Black Armor.”
“Yuma, you defeated that angel, right?”
Yuma, his back still turned, replied with a simple, “Yeah,” to Rui’s question.
“The Mana has completely vanished. There’s no doubt the angel is dead.”
“It was strong, though. And that wasn’t even the [White King]… If that’s the case, things might get even tougher ahead.”
Rui’s concern was valid. If they all proceeded to the lowest stratum in their current state, there would undoubtedly be casualties.
Yuma deactivated his “Metallization” and headed back to Faybel.
“Faybel-san.”
“Ah, Mitaka-san! What was that just now!? It looked like you turned into a giant Dragon… Can you even do that?”
“Well, it’s a type of magic, I suppose.”
“Is that so!? Well, whatever it was, we were all thrilled to see you defeat such a powerful angel!”
The Seekers behind Faybel were all talking excitedly.
Yuma’s and his friends’ battle seemed to have ignited their fighting spirit.
“Faybel-san, I still think it’s best if you turn back here. We don’t know what kind of Monsters will appear ahead. The danger will only increase.”
Yuma hoped they would retreat, but Faybel shook his head.
“I cannot. It would be a problem if our country’s Seekers were absent when our own Dungeon is being conquered. It concerns our nation’s prestige. Besides…”
Faybel turned and looked at the Israeli Seekers.
“Having delved this deep, returning would be a life-or-death gamble. Staying with you, Mitaka-san, gives us a higher chance of survival.”
Seeing Faybel’s wry smile, Yuma reconsidered, “Maybe you’re right.”
Turning away from Faybel, he went back to Rui and the others, finding Akito in the middle of a commotion.
“Hey, Yuma! I found it, the big one!”
“Found it? Found what?”
“What do you think? A Magic Gem, a White Magic Gem!”
Ah, that black-and-white angel’s, Yuma thought, understanding. He had thought it had been obliterated by “Annihilating Flash,” but apparently, it had remained.
What was the difference between the Magic Gems that remained and those that were destroyed?
Akito held up a transparent gem. It was a rather large diamond.
“The final battle is near! Swallow that and power up your White Magical Power.”
“Is it safe? The remaining Mana…”
“Don’t worry about it. You defeated such a strong angel; your Mana must have increased.”
It was a rough assessment, but Yuma thought, “Well, whatever,” and swallowed the Magic Gem. He felt heat from his stomach, so it seemed he had absorbed it without issue.
However, that black-and-white angel had been too fast, and he hadn’t been able to touch it.
Since he hadn’t copied it, absorbing only the Magic Gem probably wouldn’t change much. Yuma and the others shouldered their backpacks and continued deeper into the Dungeon.
Whether there were even stronger Monsters ahead or if the [White King] would appear, they didn’t know. But either way, it was sure to be a fierce battle.
Yuma steeled himself and descended the slope leading to the lower stratum.
◇◇◇
The group finally set foot on the 300th Stratum. They had reached a milestone stratum, but the visible scenery was no different.
A clear blue sky, a beautiful grassland. The “Labyrinth Mirage” stretched endlessly.
They had encountered powerful angels and White Monsters, but none as strong as the black-and-white angel.
With Yuma’s and his friends’ strength, it was easy to fight while protecting the others.
Does that mean the only one stronger than that guy is the [White King]? No, I can’t let my guard down.
Yuma tightened his focus and continued downward.
Then, as they passed the 350th Stratum, they witnessed an unbelievable sight.
“This is…”
Yuma couldn’t help but gasp. An incredibly vast and deep stratum.
The descending slope continued for a long time, with the ground hundreds of meters below. The sky stretched endlessly, just like the other strata, making it feel even more immense.
“What is this place? I’ve never seen a stratum like this before.”
Rui nodded at Yuma’s murmur.
“Indeed, it’s an unusual stratum. Could it be that this is…”
“The lowest stratum, perhaps?”
Akito, with Gae Bolg perched on his shoulder, grinned. Yuma had been thinking the same thing.
It wasn’t uncommon for the final stratum to be exceptionally large. However, he had never seen a stratum as vast as this.
At the very least, it was as deep as dozens of strata combined.
Is the [White King] here?
As Yuma and the others continued down the slope, a change occurred around them. The ground beneath their feet rattled, and the entire stratum was rumbling.
“What’s going on!? What happened?”
Akito shouted, his face contorted in a grimace. The next moment, the slope they were descending collapsed.
Yuma, Rui, Akito, and the Israeli Seekers were all thrown into the air, falling toward the distant ground.
Akito jumped onto Gae Bolg, Yuma activated “Metallization” and spread the wings of the Ancient Dragon. Rui wrapped himself in a vortex of flames, somehow maintaining his balance.
The others, however, were helpless. They were all falling.
Just as Yuma was about to go and help them, another change occurred.
The sky and the earth turned into particles of light, and the world began to crumble.
“What is this? What’s going on?”
Ignoring the bewildered Yuma, the particles gathered and formed dozens of angels.