[Warning!]
[The difficulty of the Advent Dungeon has been changed to 'Superior'.]
Right at that moment, a great wave of darkness began to envelop the entire chamber.
I immediately formed a small magic sign and summoned a new vial of mana potion to my palm.
With my proficiency in dimensional magic and permission from Master, I could now summon potions which vial had been marked with amplifier runes.
That skill was certainly useful for emergency situations as this.
"Another battle?"
I whispered as the darkness continued to consume the chamber.
Before everything was devoured by the dark, I made sure to finish my second mana potion and prepared both offensive and defensive spells in case of an ambush.
[Warning!]
[Warning!]
[Warning!]
An intense aura suddenly filled the atmosphere.
It pressured and numbed my body almost to a state of paralysis.
Within this black expanse, something had arrived.
Something far more powerful than that giant knight earlier.
I could barely even make a comparison.
Like an ant to a titan.
No. Even more than that.
[※Caution!]
[Current power level is insufficient to clear this difficulty.]
[Retreat is recommended.]
Dun!
Another echoing sound.
It was more like a heartbeat.
A massive heartbeat.
[※Caution!]
[Retreat is not possible.]
The new…being…began to approach me.
I could feel it coming closer.
The Being's overwhelming aura grew stronger and suffocating.
The nearer it got, the more insignificant I felt myself in its presence.
Dear Goddesses…
How was I supposed to defeat this creature?
I could barely move my fingers!
[So the Light has come…]
A whispering voice suddenly echoed out from the deep darkness.
There were layers to the voice. Like two people speaking at once. No. Three.
I was not sure why, but there was also something familiar to the voice.
"Who are you?"
I replied, desperately trying to fight off the intense pressure trapping me still.
[I am the One who can grant your wings…]
The Being whispered back with its layered voice.
Despite concealed within the absolute darkness, I could still sense this overwhelming existence to certain extent.
[Owner of the Wings]
[ΔղφՈτΔ the ЭϮԑґղαζϨ϶ґҏѯҊτ Lv.???]
There was something disturbing with the way it moved.
The way it…slithered about.
It felt as if this Being was observing me. Measuring me. Judging me.
"Grant me something? You don't wish to fight me?"
I asked.
The Being surprisingly…chuckled.
Humor was the last trait I would had expected this existence to possess.
[No, I am not here to fight you… Not in this encounter.
[As of now, you are nothing but a mere candlelight that could be wiped out by a gentle passing wind.
[You have yet become the Burning Light you are destined to be.]
What obscure words.
Why would it assume we would meet again?
What did it mean by me becoming a burning light?
Destined? How?
Just who was this Being?
So many mysteries.
But at least it did not want to fight me. Not that I was eager to engage it in combat.
It was probably best I did not let this peculiar encounter last longer than it should be.
"You said you can grant me wings. Could these wings make me stronger?"
I asked again.
The Being immediately replied.
[By donning the Wings, you will be able to fulfill your role and achieve what you desire most.]
These wings had to be the seal I was looking for.
If the Being was true to its words, then I would surely need this seal to clear the twentieth floor.
"Will you grant me these wings?"
[By defeating the guardians, you have gained the right to claim the Wings.]
The Being stated.
A pool of light suddenly emerged from the darkness.
It illuminated the center of the chamber.
The trace of my fight with the knight had vanished. Entirely.
Instead of a black crater, there now stood a grand statue of two winged maidens that were turned against each other.
It was the same one as the statue that we saw during the tenth floor's subquest.
Like before, the statue was overlooking a pedestal.
Only this time there was only a glowing silver orb placed on the platform.
[Touch the seal with your flesh to absorb the Wings' power.]
The Being spoke.
It immediately continued.
[Be sure to first ready both your body and mind before trying to embrace the Wings' might. Lest you are consumed by it and be lost within its endless pool of power.]
That meant all I needed to do to obtain the seal was by touching that silver orb with my bare hand.
However, the process to absorb the seal's power might be so overwhelming that I best perform it in my best condition and, perhaps, supervised as well.
"Will I become much stronger if I absorb the wings' power?"
I asked the Being which was still hidden in the great darkness.
[Be warned, you that have answered the call.
[You may have claimed the Wings, but you have yet owned the Wings.
[Only by owning them that you will unleash their true might.]
The Being stated strongly.
"What else do I have to do to receive the full power of the seal?"
I asked.
[You have to prove yourself.]
The Being answered.
"Prove myself?"
[Prove to the Wings of your everlasting strength.]
The Being said, its whispering voice began to wane.
[Prove to the Wings of your relentless spirit.]
The Being retreated farther and farther.
[Prove to the Wings of your undying courage.]
The Being's presence turned gradually faint.
[Prove that you are worthy to don the power of eternity...]
The Being ended before it vanished completely within the darkness.
That was when a portal appeared behind me.
[Stage Clear!]
[You have cleared the Intermediate Advent Dungeon.]
[You have obtained the special seal 'Wings of Malaikat (???)'. This seal can be bestowed upon the hero who challenged the dungeon.]
[Eligible Hero – 'Serafina (★★★★)']
I supposed this concluded the special trial then.
All I needed now was to absorb the seal and make it mine.
I approached the pedestal where the glowing silver orb was placed.
A system message emerged upon my gaze on the object.
[Wings of Malaikat (???, Lv.1)]
[Essence of an ancient being. Great undisputable power lays dormant within.]
[Effect: ???]
[Exclusive Skill: ???]
[Note: The rank and attributes of the seal depends on the engraving process on the targeted hero.]