Chapter 98 – One Last Step Toward the Depths!
Liliruca was nothing more than a small distraction to Akira.
Right now, his main focus was defeating the Floor Boss and claiming the final percentage of his inherited power.
Still, Liliruca had been accepted as part of his group. So, he left her in Hephaestus's care—to be used however she saw fit.
After all, the Shadowkhan Contract wasn't just a license to summon Shadowkhan warriors. Those who signed it would gradually be consumed by dark energy, becoming part of the Shadow Realm, eternally loyal servants of Shin Akira.
Though Liliruca was still officially listed as a weak Level 1 adventurer, her power had grown drastically. Over time, her body and soul would fuse with the Shadowkhan's essence, allowing her potential to rise without limit.
Meanwhile, Akira once again descended into the Dungeon.
He had already crushed Barol, the Floor Boss of the 49th floor, with overwhelming ease. The difference in power was so vast, it couldn't even be called a fight.
Yet from the 50th to the 58th floor, no new Floor Boss had appeared.
— — —
Dungeon – Floor 58: Dragon's Vase
This floor was a haven for dragons. Fire Dragons, Cannon Dragons, and many more draconic species filled every corner of the cavernous expanse.
Especially the Cannon Dragons—they had such tremendous range that their blasts could reach as high as the 54th or 55th floor.
"My patience is running thin…"
Akira's expression twisted slightly in irritation. The closer he got to the end, the harder it was to stay calm—because only a single puzzle piece remained.
A thunderous roar echoed.
Without summoning even a single Shadowkhan, black energy exploded from beneath his feet, sweeping outward like a dark tide.
This was Shadow Domain, his personal dimension of darkness. It swallowed everything nearby, dragging monsters into the shadows, reducing them to raw fuel for his growing empire.
Suddenly, a violent tremor rocked the entire floor.
A massive crimson dragon descended before him. Its silhouette bore a faint resemblance to Ddraig, but in terms of aura and spiritual pressure, they were on entirely different levels—like the earth and the sky.
A wave of heat surged as a blazing fire breath shot straight toward Akira.
"So this is what a real dragon's breath should feel like… Dragon Flame."
The torrent of flame engulfed him in an instant.
And then—
In a flash, red flames erupted from within Akira's body, devouring the dragon's fire entirely.
Ever since he had absorbed a drop of Dragon Blood from Ddraig, the essence of dragonfire had become his to command.
He stepped forward through the dissipating flames, his gaze cold and unshaken.
As mentioned before, he wasn't in the mood for delays. He was only one step away from reaching the peak of the power he had long pursued.
A snap echoed through the air.
A whip of shadow lashed out, slicing cleanly through the dragon's neck in a single, fluid motion.
There was barely any blood. The creature's entire body disintegrated into black smoke and vanished.
— — —
A disgusting slithering sound filled the chamber.
Shhh… sshhh… sshhh…
Cracks formed along the walls and floor. From within them, countless giant caterpillar-like monsters squirmed into view.
Akira's eyes narrowed.
He recognized them immediately. These were new creatures, mentioned in Sword Oratoria—beasts created by the Final Boss to harvest magic from across the Dungeon.
They would relentlessly hunt down all monsters to extract the magic stones within their bodies.
Those stones would then be absorbed and delivered to the deepest layer—offered to the Corrupted Spirit, who used them as fuel to further its evolution.
"…When it comes to numbers, I never lose."
A faint smile curled across Akira's lips.
Without a moment's pause, shadows around him rippled—revealing his vast army of Shadowkhan in all their variety.
Shadowkhan Legions: Activated
Ninja Khan
Razor Khan
Bat Khan
Samurai Khan
Sumo Khan
Squid Khan
Leech Khan (Devour Shadowkhan)
Crab Khan
Mantis Khan
All nine legions had assembled.
— — —
A wave of chaos erupted.
Steel clashed, claws tore through flesh, and monstrous bodies were flung aside like ragdolls. The ground trembled under the weight of battle.
The massive Shadowkhan legions moved in perfect coordination. Their claws, blades, and unique abilities surged forth, tearing through the endless horde of giant caterpillars.
Even though the monsters had highly corrosive properties, it was no match for the combined might of the Shadowkhan. The enemy's acid had no real effect.
And more importantly—even if hundreds of Shadowkhan were destroyed, it meant nothing to Akira.
Every one of them would regenerate within the Shadow Realm and could be summoned again at will.
He had long since surpassed the limits of his summoning capacity.
With steady steps, Akira advanced toward the next floor—Floor 59.
He recalled that this was the floor where the Avatar of the Corrupted Spirit would appear.
It wasn't the real body, but its power… was a calamity unto itself.
— — —
Hot wind blasted his face the moment he entered the tunnel to the next floor.
But what shocked him was the scenery ahead. According to the data from Zeus Familia and Loki Familia, this floor was supposed to be frozen over—covered in snow and ice.
Instead… it was a tropical jungle. Verdant wetlands, ancient flora, and massive vines filled the space like a prehistoric swamp.
Howls and screams echoed all around.
RAWR!!
GRAAAHH!!
SSSSSSHHHH!!
Countless monsters were fleeing in panic. But their efforts were futile. From every corner, the caterpillar hunters emerged—tracking, chasing, and eventually capturing their prey.
All of it—every life taken, every stone claimed—was meant to fuel the evolution of the Fallen Fairy.
Akira's brow furrowed.
"…Hey, system. That Avatar of the Corrupted Spirit—does it count as a Floor Boss?"
[Ding!]
[System detection: Floor Boss has been absorbed by the Corrupted Spirit. Defeating the Avatar will be recognized as a valid Floor Boss kill.]
"Perfect. Then my objective is clear."
A sharp glint lit up in Akira's eyes.
His target had revealed itself: the Corrupted Spirit.
In the original story, it took the full might of Loki Familia to bring down that Avatar—and even then, they nearly failed.
But now?
Akira had inherited 95% of the Shadow King's power template.
Only 5% remained.
And that meant just one thing—
Defeating the Corrupted Spirit would mark the final step toward claiming the ultimate throne of darkness.
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