The SSS Ranked Villain's Return - Chapter 143

Chapter 143: The Dragon’s Anti Climactic Plea
[Pardon? Sacrifice?] Evangeline’s shocked voice rang out. [What do you think I am? A witch?]

No comment. Neraxis chuckled before tilting his head slightly to the side.

As he did, a sharp bolt of ice flew past him and down to the lower levels.

Nonetheless, the threat he had felt from this dragon wasn’t significant, especially since it did not even know how to protect its wings.

A total amateur, even I’d be a better dragon, probably, Neraxis mused, readying his sword and slowly making his way toward the dragon.

It warily stared at him, but since it was much stronger strength-wise, it soon attacked.

Fire swelled within its throat, and in the very next moment, it was all spewed out in one giant dragon’s breath, flying toward Neraxis.

But just as it was about to hit, he used {Sword Dash}, dodging under the fiery breath and appearing near its tail.

As he did, Neraxis immediately brought the sword down, cleaving off a massive chunk of its tail.

However, a sudden roar made him halt for a moment.

It froze his entire body, and in that time, the dragon managed to turn around to face Neraxis before flapping its charred wings.

Nonetheless, despite its injuries, the wings managed to create miniature gusts of wind, which, at a glance, seemed weak.

However, Neraxis knew better than to be hit by those. Therefore, he neatly swiped his sword, countering each gust of wind and glancing toward the dragon.

Just as it was about to breathe fire again—but before it could—Neraxis’s purple eyes glowed, and a faint trail of black mana appeared on the dragon’s foot.

It was the Decay of his {Aura of the Abyss}, and when he used it at a range like this, black fire enveloped his opponent.

Instead of the usual decay, this one had the properties of never going out, which, in turn, made the dragon momentarily panic, desperately flapping its wings in order to put the black flame out.

However, it was no use since the fire would continue growing, courtesy of Neraxis’s own usage of mana.

Damn… My entire mana pool is gone with just that one black flame… I’m definitely not using that often. He mused with slight fatigue.

But after just a few seconds, the fatigue washed away, followed by him approaching the dragon and neatly aiming for its heart.

It was too preoccupied with putting out the fire, and by taking advantage of that, Neraxis used {Simple Stab}.

The sword pierced through the dragon’s heart like a barely visible needle. But in the next moment, it suddenly expanded to the size of a fist.

With that, the dragon halted, looking down in shock at its injuries—and with horror—toward Neraxis.

The dragon suddenly opened its mouth, and as he was expecting a fireball, something else entirely came out.

“H-Human… Spare m-me.”

“…What?” Neraxis’s eyes widened. “You can speak?”

“Yes, human… N-now, why don’t you g-go your own way?” the dragon stammered through pained groans.

“First of all…” Neraxis narrowed his eyes. “If you could speak the entire time, why didn’t you just approach for a talk instead?”

“I-I did, but you suddenly p-pulled out your sword,” the dragon affirmed, making Neraxis facepalm.

In the first place, I’ve never seen monsters talk. Not even dragons talked back when I fought them, he thought.

“Even if I wanted to spare you now, your dragon heart is gone, and my black flames will soon consume you. You are dead.”

“…E-Even so, I’ll just be back… I-I’m assigned to this floor as a g-guardian. If you leave, I’ll revive…” the dragon explained.

“And if I don’t?” Neraxis asked, making the dragon flinch.

“I-If you don’t… then I’ll truly die and v-vanish from the tower’s records.”

“I see. Good luck, then,” Neraxis said with a soft smile before completely ignoring the flustered dragon and heading toward the top of the mountain.

[Are you sparing it?] Evangeline asked, suspicion laced in her tone.

Of course not, the flames have nearly reached its heart already. Neraxis replied and finally arrived at the very top.

It was pretty flat, with only a single blue door standing in the very middle, which was likely the way to clear his trial.

But Neraxis did not go through it, merely sitting beside it and waiting for that one notification.

And after just two minutes, he finally received it.

[1x (A- Ranked Boss Monster) Dragon of Fire and Ice Slain! Reward: Stigmata 0.8% → 10.8%]

Neraxis smiled in satisfaction before heading over to the door and placing his hand on it.

[Dreamspire – 6th Floor Hard Mode: Hollow Ascent – Complete]

[Climber: Neraxis Valen]

[6th Floor Rating Generating…]

[Rating Generated: SSS+]

[Position: 172,331,771 -> 102,966,003]

[Current Progress: 6/? Floors]

[Dreamspire – 7th Floor Hard Mode: Trial of Synchrony – Available]

[Do you wish to enter?]

[Yes/No]

He clicked the “Yes” button in an instant. However, deep down, he felt a little anxious.

After all, according to the internet, the 7th floor was the most challenging.

Climbers needed to match a specific rhythm while fighting monsters. If they didn’t, they’d be killed instantly

Sadly, there were no strategies for this floor either, with the only advice being: Don’t be an idiot.

[How about if someone is deaf? Do they just die?] Evangeline asked.

Nope, there are vibrations going throughout the arena, so even if you’re blind or deaf, it’s fair. he replied, focusing on the pop-up ahead.

[Dreamspire – 7th Floor Hard Mode: Trial of Synchrony]

[Objective: Match the rhythm and survive the monster horde for 5 → 10 minutes]

[Status: Ready]

[Beginning preparation countdown!]

[0:59]

[0:58]

Not ten minutes of preparation? Stingy.. Neraxis sighed, stretching.

The arena finally appeared within sight, and it looked very similar to the one on the first floor.

It was a gladiator arena, yet this time, there were monsters sitting in the stands as though they were cheering.

[Well, at least there’s an aesthetic now,] Evangeline remarked with a whistle, making him roll his eyes.

Won’t matter much if I’m dead.

Nonetheless, the timer soon reached 0, and as it did, a certain melody rang throughout the air.

It wasn’t a song but more like mana traveling directly into his ears, attempting to influence his thoughts, and in the process, it made strange yet comforting sounds.

But that wasn’t what he was supposed to be focusing on. Instead, it was the vibrations below him.

The first minute of the trial gave him time to adjust. With no monsters in sight, Neraxis had to make a single movement per vibration.

According to what he had read online, the vibrations should’ve been slow, but now that he was experiencing them firsthand, Neraxis realized he would not be able to stop.

Soon, the one-minute mark finished, and by accident, he missed a beat.

Just as he did, his body froze entirely, and Neraxis lost all control of it.

But five seconds later, he regained control again and was given ten seconds to readjust to the tempo.

That was also when the monsters began pouring out.

Thankfully, they were weak—most were simple goblins or rats—but at the same time, they were immune to the trial’s penalties, and frankly, their numbers were quite frightening.

Neraxis warily looked around before letting out a sigh.

Just eight more minutes…