Dungeon Floor 60, at the center of the battlefield.
Genichi, Riveria, and Alfia stood shoulder to shoulder, chanting their respective magic at the same time.
The surrounding air was filled with surging waves of magical energy. Even the adventurers still locked in battle with the corrupted spirit could feel that crushing pressure.
But unlike Alfia's and Riveria's offensive magic, the spell Genichi completed first was a support spell.
"Ninefold!"
He chanted in a low voice, and the magic connected to his own status took effect.
Immediately afterward, he raised his hand and cast another spell.
"Treasure Mallet!"
It was magic capable of temporarily raising someone's level. He had used it on Finn, Ottar, and the others before, but he had yet to experience it himself.
Now it was time for him to feel it firsthand.
As the light of the two spells fell over him, Genichi clearly sensed the power surging through his body.
The sensation was difficult to describe. It was as if every muscle fiber in his body was expanding, every drop of magic within him was boiling, and his entire range of perception was widening.
Level 7.
So this was what Level 7 felt like?
Genichi clenched his fist, feeling that overwhelming power.
No wonder Ottar could become Orario's strongest adventurer. Power at this level truly far surpassed Level 6.
After Ninefold connected and Treasure Mallet descended, Riveria once again felt her level temporarily rise. She glanced at Genichi with a complicated expression.
Just how many secrets was this boy hiding?
Riveria took a deep breath, forced down the doubts in her heart, and continued focusing on her chant.
Alfia, meanwhile, looked at Genichi in surprise.
Of course she could sense the change in Genichi. That fluctuation of a raised level could not escape her perception.
"Interesting."
Alfia said softly, "So you can even use magic like this."
Genichi did not respond. He continued chanting his next spell.
This time, there was no doubt about the magic he had chosen: Alfia's Genos Angelus.
After all, Alfia's Genos Angelus was known as the strongest magic.
In the age of the Zeus Familia and Hera Familia, that spell had destroyed countless powerful enemies. Even in the battle against the Black Dragon, it had played a vital role.
Genichi had used this magic before.
When he killed the jet-black young dragon, he had used it once.
But at that time, he had only manifested a single Bell of Sound, falling far short of the complete spell's true power.
Now, after his level had risen to Level 7, he finally had enough strength to unleash the complete Genos Angelus.
As his chant continued, the magical energy around Genichi began to surge wildly.
That magic condensed behind him like something solid, taking shape and gradually outlining an enormous silhouette.
First came the foundation. Then the pillars. Then the walls.
A bell tower was slowly rising.
No, not one.
Two.
Two magnificent bell towers emerged from the void and stood behind Genichi.
Only now had Genichi truly unleashed the complete Genos Angelus.
Before this, he had only been able to manifest a single Bell of Sound.
Now, these were complete bell towers.
Alfia looked at the two bell towers, and a complicated glint flashed through her eyes.
Of course she recognized this magic.
"Gong."
The great bells atop the towers began to sway, releasing the first toll.
The sound was deep and distant, as though it came from the farthest edge of the heavens, and yet also from the very bottom of the abyss.
It pierced through the Dungeon's stone walls, pierced through the bodies of monsters, and pierced through every soul present.
"Gong."
The second toll.
The corrupted spirit's body shook violently. The energy tentacles flailing wildly through the air paused for an instant.
"Gong, gong, gong."
Immediately afterward, the tolling continued without end.
With every toll, an invisible shockwave swept toward the corrupted spirit.
Those shockwaves could not be defended against. They could not be dodged. They pierced directly through the corrupted spirit's body and exploded in the depths of her soul.
At the same time, Riveria's magic was complete.
"Rea Laevateinn!"
As the final syllable fell, the temperature on Dungeon Floor 60 soared.
A gigantic magic circle unfolded beneath the corrupted spirit's feet, and then-
Flames erupted from below.
"Aaaaaaaah!"
The corrupted spirit let out a piercing scream.
The flames scorched her body, and her form began to collapse. The energy tentacles thrashed wildly, but it was useless.
But the truly fatal blow still lay ahead.
Alfia's magic completed first.
The corrupted spirit's defenses were shattered.
Before Alfia's magic, every layer of the corrupted spirit's defense collapsed instantly, as flimsy as paper.
Immediately afterward, Riveria's magic dealt the corrupted spirit a second devastating blow.
The corrupted spirit's body began to twist. Her face turned hideous, and her screams grew even more shrill.
But all of that was merely the setup.
The true final strike came from Genichi.
"Gong."
The final bell tolled.
This toll was completely different from the ones before. It was deeper, more distant, and even more fatal.
The corrupted spirit's body instantly froze.
A trace of confusion flashed through her eyes. Then unwillingness. Then despair.
After that, her body began to disintegrate.
Then her limbs, her torso, and her head broke apart piece by piece, scattering little by little until they finally became a cluster of empty light, drifting away into the air.
A deathly silence fell over the battlefield.
Everyone stared blankly at the scene, unable to speak for a long time.
The corrupted spirit.
That being who had beaten them until they could not fight back. That terrifying enemy who had almost wiped them all out.
She was dead, just like that?
Completely destroyed by three spells?
"Whew."
Genichi let out a long breath. His body swayed, and he nearly fell.
Casting so many spells in succession had consumed an enormous amount of magic.
More importantly, he had just used Ninefold and Treasure Mallet as well, raising everyone's level.
Even for him, that kind of consumption was almost too much.
Riveria's face was likewise pale. She braced herself against the wall, barely managing to remain standing.
Her magic was nearly exhausted as well.
Only Alfia still looked perfectly normal, as if she had done nothing at all.
She watched the fading light and said softly, "Not bad."
Those brief words were her acknowledgment of Genichi and Riveria.
Finn stepped forward, looked at Genichi, and said seriously, "Thank you."
Genichi waved a hand, signaling that there was no need to be polite.
But just then, Alfia suddenly spoke.
"Don't celebrate too soon."
She looked at Genichi, a grave look flashing through her eyes.
"You said the corrupted spirit has six avatars?"
Genichi nodded.
"Yes. The one on Floor 60 is the strongest. The others are on different floors, arranged in a vertical line. Once the corrupted spirit on the lowest floor activates the Spirit Six Rings, the corrupted spirit avatars on the other floors will activate as well. At that point, Orario will be blown straight into the sky."
"But don't worry. My shadows have already gone to those floors. Those corrupted spirit avatars are Level 6 at most. I can handle them."
(End of Chapter)
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