As a monster driven purely by primal instincts, it could sense that streams of horrifying power were being poured into the staff through Fron's hands, converging there, so terrifying it felt as though the world itself was being overturned...
--------------------------
The pitch-black and crimson flame-thunder visible to the naked eye, under the influence of that obscure power, gradually transformed into deep purple, completely enveloping the "Scholar · Argon," its profound interior even swallowing light itself.
"This is the true essence of my magic [Surtur], Destruction, and also [Opposition]!"
"No matter if it is human power, Arcanum, or even the special powers possessed by ancient monsters born from the Dungeon, all of them can be [opposed]!"
In other words, every nature of power would face Fron's magic in a fifty-fifty opposition. That is the only true face of the [Magic] permitted to be inscribed into his weapon!
All of the flame-thunder was compressed into the weapon, leaving Fron without any dazzling lights or shadows.
Man and weapon became the absolute antithesis of visual brilliance.
And precisely because of this, that staff, which distorted vision, had already turned into the strongest weapon that could pierce through all obstacles!
Everyone squinted their eyes. As the battle entered its white-hot stage, their blood boiled with it.
"[Surtur], magic unique to Fron Argon alone, so this is the true form he could wield!"
Asfi murmured softly, habitually pushing up her silver spectacles. Her eyes hidden behind the lenses, no one knew what she was thinking in that moment.
"This aura, obscure and twisted, an unknown power that even the gods cannot see through… magnificent, truly marvelous!!!"
"Never would I have thought, outside Orario itself, I'd witness such a spectacular scene. Satisfying, so satisfying! Hahahahaha!"
Hermes removed his traveling hat, his handsome face exhilarated, raising his fists high as he fixed his gaze on the man he believed would become a mythic legend.
...
At that moment, Fron himself had no idea what a tremendous shock he had brought to his companions.
The magic, in its initial revealed form, possessed such overwhelming, crushing might that he felt it was nearly impossible to control. Even pouring out his all, he could barely manage a single strike, after which it would collapse and degrade to a lower stage.
Gritting his teeth, gripping that power tightly, Fron glared at the only enemy in his sight.
"This move, this will be my finishing technique after leveling up. Then I'll call it…"
Saying so, Fron stomped hard, shattering the rock beneath his feet. His figure blurred, turning into a streak of purple radiance that shot straight at the enemy's core!
There, after countless attacks, the sole weakness he had unraveled: the magic stone!
"[Certain Kill!]"
With a low shout, Fron leapt, stomped again, and his entire body shot upward in a straight line, tracing a right-angled stream of purple light filled with artistry.
"-----"
"Raaaaghhhh, !"
The oppressive threat drove Antares into greater madness. Its massive body struggled violently, desperate to avoid the fatal light descending from above.
But with its limbs already severed by Fron, all it could do was futile resistance.
"-----"
Up, up, still ascending! The enemy's body shrank in his vision, the entire cave reflected within the golden and blue interlaced brilliance of his eyes.
Fron twisted his waist, inverted his body, man below, gripping the "Scholar · Argon" staff infused with his strongest strike. His body straightened, every ounce of power flooding through him.
"Thank you, Antares. For giving us such a splendid adventure."
"So, please accept this beautiful ending."
With that, Fron's eyes widened, veins bulging on his neck and forehead, as he roared out the true name of this technique!
"[Surtalogi!!!]"
"AAAAAAAHHHHHHH, !!"
"-----"
"Crack!?"
With Fron's invincible roar, something was pierced and shattered by the purple light streak descending from the skies.
"Splurt!" A line of blood surfaced at the enemy's center, scarlet spilling forth, and then, from top to bottom, it split apart!
"Boom"
At the moment the magic stone shattered, the gigantic form crumbled into dust, scattering through the air, vanishing completely within the boundary of that place.
Artemis muttered in disbelief, unable to accept that the greatest threat, the ancient monster she was even willing to sacrifice herself to stop, had been so naturally erased by the man called Fron Argon…
Leaning on his staff stabbed into the ground, Fron knelt on one knee, his head lowered, his body frozen there.
Sensing something wrong, Ryu and Asfi rushed forward.
"Hey, you two! Hurry! The place's about to collapse!"
The vast cavern shook violently, rocks tumbling from the ceiling. The quakes were so strong even Hermes struggled to stand.
Elsewhere, in the blink of an eye, Ryu and Asfi reached Fron's side, worry filling their gazes. They didn't even dare touch him.
"Fron, are… are you alright!?"
"..." After a few seconds of silence, he replied with an extremely hoarse voice: "Take… take me out of here. My body, the magic's backlash… I can't move."
"..." So that was all, both Ryu and Asfi felt both relief and exasperation.
In the end, the two supported him together, just barely escaping before the ruins collapsed into rubble.
...
With Antares utterly vanquished, a strange chain reaction began.
Outside the ruins, adventurers executing diversion missions were battling monsters when suddenly… the aggressive beasts froze all at once, then collapsed lifelessly in droves.
"???" Falgar and Suicia blinked, turning to Rethusa.
"What's happening?"
The captain of Artemis Familia, the valiant young girl, was equally dumbfounded by the unbelievable sight before her.
But the innocent Lante's eyes lit up. She laughed brightly, throwing her arms into the air, shouting joyfully:
"Heehee, isn't it obvious? Lady Artemis and the others must have defeated it!"
Hearing her, the group exchanged glances, and realization dawned.
"So… it's been defeated?"
"Definitely!"
"After all, that man was there!"
"Yes, the [Nightweaver], Fron Argon!"
...
In Orario, within the Dungeon.
Finn watched as the monster horde receded like a tide, raising his brows in surprise.
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T/N: First bonus chapter for 550 power stones~