The Juggernaut looked around and found itself stuck in a deep hole that perfectly fit its size.
『Bind』
The beast roared as glowing chains materialized, coiling around its massive frame and restricting its movements.
The Juggernaut looked up and growled when it saw Judas standing above with a smirk, holding a giant boulder.
『Reinforce』
『Telekinesis』
The massive rock flashed with a white glow and floated into the air.
"Here comes the pain."
With a sharp gesture, Judas slammed the boulder into the pit, crushing the Juggernaut beneath it.
The impact reverberated throughout the entire floor, shaking everything violently.
When Judas lifted the boulder again, the Juggernaut was trembling, but its glowing red eyes glared up at him with burning hate.
Roar!
The monster's furious cry shook the chamber as it broke free from the chains and leapt upward, trying to escape the pit.
"Oh no you don't."
Judas swung the boulder down again with telekinesis. The Juggernaut slammed into it midair, the force rattling the walls and floor.
When he lifted the boulder and saw the beast still standing, he didn't hesitate.
He slammed it again.
And again.
And again.
And again.
The creature's screams were drowned out by the repeated thunderous crashes, the sheer brutality of the assault making even the spectators wince.
"Just drop dead already."
By now, Judas had smashed the boulder onto the Juggernaut's head more than a dozen times.
At the next impact, the ground beneath could no longer take it and collapsed.
—
On the 10th floor, several adventurer parties were gathered. Some had already noticed the strange shaking above them, their eyes glued to the ceiling.
Another shockwave rippled down, dust falling from the stone. Fear crossed their faces as cold sweat trickled down.
"What the hell is going on up there on the 9th floor?"
"Feels like someone set off explosives."
"No, it's worse. That's a war."
The adventurers exchanged uneasy glances, praying it would stop.
Until one of them pointed with wide eyes.
"Wait—are my eyes playing tricks on me, or does the ceiling look like it's about to collapse?"
Another tremor hit. The cracks widened.
"Run! Everyone, get out of here!"
A veteran shouted and bolted. The rest followed, dragging their slower comrades along.
"Holy shit!"
Their ears rang as the ceiling caved in. The barrier separating the 9th and 10th floor collapsed in a deafening crash.
And from the rubble, a nightmare emerged.
The Juggernaut.
Battered. Bruised. Limbs missing. Its obsidian body cracked and fractured. Yet its glowing eyes burned with undying malice.
It barely spared the adventurers a glance before turning its attention elsewhere. Judas.
The monster growled, its body twitching as it let out an ear-splitting roar.
The adventurers clutched their ears in agony; those with weaker hearts collapsed on the spot.
"Damn it!"
Then the Dungeon walls cracked.
Monsters spilled out... Needle Rabbits, Orcs, Imps, Dark Bats.
But something was off.
"Wait... why do they all look different?"
"They're irregulars!"
Panic spread as weapons were raised, but the adventurers froze when the Juggernaut pounced... not at them, but at the spawned monsters.
It tore into them, devouring their magic stones, consuming their flesh.
The sight was grotesque.
Its shattered body twisted and reshaped as it absorbed their remains, repairing itself with stolen parts.
A patchwork abomination... like a living chimera.
An adventurer's horrified whisper broke the silence.
"No way..."
The Juggernaut's eyes flashed. Without hesitation, it hurled itself back into the hole.
—
Judas saw it charging and instantly brought the boulder down once more.
This time, the Juggernaut caught it in its jaws.
With one vicious snap, the massive rock split in half.
"Tch."
Judas cursed and leapt aside as its claws slashed toward him. He grabbed its horns, using the momentum to swing and deliver a sharp kick straight to its skull.
But the beast didn't even flinch.
"It got stronger again... and uglier too."
He had no time to react before its tail slammed into him, sending him crashing into the ceiling.
Pain exploded through his body... several ribs shattered, his back screaming in agony.
"Fuck, that hurt!"
Judas gritted his teeth. Normal attacks weren't enough anymore.
"Looks like I have no choice."
Clutching a stalactite to keep himself steady, he glared down at the Juggernaut, its hate-filled eyes locked on him.
"I really didn't want to do this."
"I am probably going to regret this later."
He exhaled deeply, resolve hardening in his gaze.
『Overload』
A blinding light erupted.
His mana circuits glowed furiously, so bright and hot they scorched his skin.
Inside him, his mana core... already cracked... shook violently.
A sharp snap.
He coughed up blood and felt pain all over his body.
A fracture.
'I am sorry.'
He let out a pained smile.
Overload.
A spell that forcefully pushes the body, mana circuits, and core beyond their limits.
By forcefully taking in more magic power than their normal capacity, Judas can temporarily jump his tier to another level.
At this time, even if it was only for a fleeting moment.
He reached the 6th tier.
The realm of master mages.
When his eyes opened, the oppressive aura made even the Juggernaut shiver.
The ground cracked beneath its scaly frame, the Juggernaut found itself unable to move.
Completely overwhelmed by the spiritual pressure Judas was emitting.
Then, his figure flashed and moved.
So fast that even first-class adventurers couldn't follow his steps.
He slammed into the Juggernaut with a devastating headbutt, sending it crashing through wall after wall.
Each impact tore apart the grotesque patchwork body it had formed.
Limbs flew. Stolen flesh unraveled.
When the Juggernaut finally staggered upright, half its head was gone, and only one arm and one leg remained.
"It actually survived?"
Judas muttered, both impressed and irritated.
The beast's tenacity was monstrous.
"The climax is here."
Kaguya whispered, eyes narrowed, her hands trembling.
Not with fear but excitement.
Goosebumps rose along her skin.
She glanced at her captain.
Alise was biting her lip, her eyes never leaving Judas.
The beast limped forward, vision hazy with pain, but its hatred burned brighter than ever.
"This is the end."
Lightning surged along Judas's arms, a colossal phantom beast manifesting behind him.
"One more time!"
『Wrath of the Celestial Titan』
With a final roar, he drove his fist forward, every ounce of his strength condensed into one blow.
The strike pierced the Juggernaut's head, unleashing a cataclysmic shockwave.
The Dungeon quaked, the city above trembling from the sheer force.
The Juggernaut let out one last guttural roar before its upper body disintegrated into nothingness.
Silence fell.
Judas collapsed to his knees, his battered body shaking violently, blood pouring freely.
His breath was ragged, shallow.
But his eyes stayed on the disintegrating remains of his defeated foe.
"Heh..."
A tired smile crossed his lips.
"I did it."
At last, his body gave out.
He fell to the ground, consumed by exhaustion.
Normally, falling unconscious in the Dungeon was a death sentence.
Yet strangely, no monsters appeared. Only silence lingered.
Then, footsteps. Heavy and deliberate.
The adventurers emerged from the shadows. Shakti's eyes were wide, disbelief etched on her face.
"He actually pulled it off."
Alise stepped closer, her hands trembling as she looked at his face.
"Welcome back Judas."
She whispered, tears welling in her eyes.
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+15 chapters at [email protected]/drdedot