Considering it rationally, there was no doubt the most crucial thing for Riezel to do at this moment was to go all out against Udaeus.
Even though Udaeus was a floor boss classified as Level 6, his strength now had surpassed even Ais's, which meant he could take on Udaeus entirely on his own.
In the original work, Ais also managed to defeat Udaeus on her own in a perilous battle. Since Riezel was now stronger than her, there was no reason for him to fear the floor boss of the 37th Floor.
At the very least, he could have retreated with her, avoiding this floor boss very easily. He surely had the confidence for that.
However, that was just a rational perspective.
If looked at from an emotional standpoint, it was a different story.
If Riezel didn't know anything, didn't know Ais's desires, didn't know why the girl craved such strong power in her heart, he could have just jumped into action without thinking too much.
Unfortunately, he knew the original work, knew what wishes and sorrows resided in Ais Wallenstein's heart.
This made it impossible for him to decisively join or interfere in her fight.
Of course, monsters like Udaeus didn't consider and care about human emotions.
*ROAAAARRRR—!!!*
Udaeus let out a roar, slamming its fist into the ground without mercy.
*BOOOM!*
Fortunately, this punch couldn't reach Ais.
At this moment, she had already distanced herself from Udaeus. Unless it pulled its lower body out of the ground to pursue her, at this distance, its fist couldn't touch her at all.
Yet, seeing Udaeus's fist smash into the ground, not only Ais but Riezel's expression also changed slightly.
*BANG!*
As the ground shattered, sharp spikes, resembling both rocks or bone spikes, emerged.
These spikes were pitch-black, matching Udaeus's body color. They shot up from the underground, piercing toward Ais's direction.
'Here it comes!'
Seeing this scene, both Riezel and Ais felt a momentary tension.
Anyone who had faced Udaeus before or paid attention to information about it would know that this floor boss had two special abilities.
Some might wonder why this massive floor boss didn't pull its lower body out of the ground and remained in that position.
What they didn't know was that Udaeus actually had no lower body.
It was like a tree with roots firmly planted underground. A massive tree with its upper body visible to others, capable of displaying incredible strength, while its lower body consisted of numerous bone components branching out from the pelvic area.
The spikes that looked like rock or bone spikes were, in fact, parts of Udaeus's body. The entire area Ais was in right now was, in essence, Udaeus's lower body spread across the vast underground cavern.
As long as it was willing, it could make its parts buried underground break through the surface, attacking the entire cavern it was in. It could even block the entrance, not letting anyone escape from this place.
This was one of Udaeus's special abilities, being able to summon upturned spikes to attack its enemies. It could also summon them to use as shields against enemy attacks, truly a dual-purpose weapon.
Thanks to this ability, Udaeus could unleash area attacks, a rarity among the floor bosses. Even facing a group of dozens of adventurers with high levels, it remained unfazed.
Not only that, another one of Udaeus's abilities significantly reduced the numerical advantage before it.
*ROAAAARRRR—!!!*
The massive skeleton monster roared, causing the ground all around to continuously crack and shatter.
However, this time, what emerged from the ground were not bone spikes but small skeleton monsters.
They were like shrunken versions of Udaeus, human-sized but entirely white skeletal beings known as Spartoi.
Spartoi were monsters that roamed the 37th Floor, classified as Level 4. Yet another ability of Udaeus precisely allowed it to summon countless Spartoi to fight as soldiers for itself.
As a result, at this moment, whether it was spikes or soldiers, all of them under Udaeus's roaring command charged toward Ais.
"Ugh...!"
Ais tried to dodge, attempting to create distance from the monsters, but the pain coursing through her head to toe once again tormented her body, making her speed impossible to unleash.
Just as she was about to be hit by the violently approaching spikes, Riezel's voice echoed.
"Follow blindly the sun in the sky, so that all will flee from thee."
"Blossom, Armor of Laurel."
"Raumure!"
Accompanied by the chanting of magic, a deep green light membrane appeared, enveloping Ais's body.
Her speed suddenly skyrocketed, swiftly dodging the incoming spikes.
Before she could fully react, Riezel's voice rang out again.
"Healing droplets, tears of light, eternal sanctuary."
This was a completely new chant, and it was only recently that Ais heard it.
Unlike before, when she heard Airmid chant this magic with a solemn and devout voice, this time she heard a man's voice.
"Compose a medicinal hymn-three hundred, sixty, and five. The melody of the healer's almanac saves all things."
"Come, destruction of evil."
"The burial of wounds, interment of disease."
"Curses be gone in the light of vitality."
"In the name of all that is holy - I heal you."
"Dia Fratel!"
The top-class healing magic was activated, and pure white particles of light descended from the sky, swirling out from a white magic circle, and landing on Ais's body.
At this moment, Ais could clearly feel the pain and soreness coursing through her entire body rapidly easing. She subconsciously turned her head and looked toward the entrance of the cavern.
There, Riezel stepped on a pure white magic circle, gazing at her.
Through his eyes, she understood what he wanted to convey.
—At least let me handle this bit of support.
Riezel chose not to rush out anymore but to support Ais in his own way from the back.
Feeling her body gradually recovering, injuries improving, and even the soreness under her skin easing, she tightened her grip on her sword.
"Thank you, Riezel..."
Ais whispered and quickly raised her head, her eyes revealing a powerful resolve.
Without hesitation, she charged forward.
*BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!*
Numerous Spartoi rushing toward Ais shuddered, collectively exploding.
With the wind enveloping her body, she charged into the midst of the monster horde, like a storm sweeping through.
*Swish!* *Swish!* *Swish!* *Swish!* *Swish!*
Her sword slashed dozens of times in an instant, exploding every Spartoi in her path.
*ROOOAAAAAARRRR—!!!*
Seemingly angered by this, Udaeus immediately summoned more spikes, shooting toward Ais without stopping.
She didn't dare to be careless; her footsteps and figure dodged in rapid succession, avoiding Udaeus's long-range attacks with astonishing speed and agility.
*Whoosh—*
Seeing Ais getting closer, flames flickered in Udaeus's eye sockets. Its thick bone arm, carrying a strong gust of wind, quickly swung toward her without mercy.
Just as Ais was about to dodge, she suddenly realized there was no escape.
The spikes shot out by Udaeus, varying in length and width, were essentially a part of its body and wouldn't disappear.
Because Udaeus had just shot out numerous spikes, even if they didn't hit her, they would all land on the ground, forming a mountain of spikes. Some were as small as pointed needles, standing upright, while others were as large as stone pillars, occupying a considerable space in the cavern.
Although Ais successfully dodged the shooting spikes, those on the ground deprived her of some of her foothold.
In other words, her movement space was restricted.
Under the pressure of countless spikes, she had little room to dodge, completely unable to avoid the oncoming arm attack from Udaeus.
*BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!*
Udaeus's massive arm, thick and robust, laced with a forceful gust, swept away anything in its path indiscriminately. Just before reaching Ais, it preemptively swung, shattering spikes, breaking the earth's surface, and thundering toward her at great speed.
The power of this attack surpassed anything Udaeus had unleashed before.
Ais, relying on instinct and experience, realized she couldn't withstand this kind of attack. Even with Ariel's protection and Raumure's defense, taking a direct hit would leave her undying but severely wounded.
"Tempest!"
In the face of crisis, Ais increased the output of Ariel.
*Whoosh—*
A massive gust of wind enveloped her body, and with a step on her foot, she soared into the air.
*BOOOOM!*
Udaeus's powerful arm attack missed, crashing into the ground, and sending a spray of soil and stones into the air.
Ais, riding the wind, remained suspended in midair and quickly flew toward Udaeus.
Ariel's enhancement was almost comprehensive, assisting in every aspect except long-range attacks. It not only enhanced attack power and protected the user's body but also increased speed, enhanced weapons, and provided short-range flying ability.
Ais took advantage of Ariel's features, whipping up a frenzy of wind as she charged toward Udaeus with powerful momentum.
*ROAAAARRRR—!!!*
The flames in Udaeus's eye sockets burned more fiercely as both of its bony arms rose to meet Ais.
*Rumble—*
In the vast cavern, vibrations and tremors incessantly shook the surroundings.
With only one spectator, Ais engaged in a true life-and-death battle against her chosen powerful opponent.
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A colossal epic showdown between a human and monsters unfolded for over an hour.
In this span, the fierce battle reduced the vast cavern to bits and pieces, almost turning it into a ruin.
A mountain of bone spikes spread all over the wreckage, with the remnants of Spartoi scattered in every corner, mingling with the debris, resembling a graveyard unearthed.
Riezel stood at the entrance of the cavern throughout, observing the carnage, never intervening from start to finish.
No choice.
Once he interfered in this fight, he could potentially snatch away Ais's excelia, jeopardizing the accumulation needed for her exploit.
As a result, aside from the first two support magic, he didn't lift a finger, quietly watching the battle unfold.
He witnessed Ais being sent flying numerous times.
He also saw Ais staggering to her feet repeatedly, shouting as she charged at the massive floor boss.
Udaeus summoned spikes and its skeleton soldiers repeatedly, encircling Ais. Even when she charged and closed in, it howled and slammed its colossal arm down, repeatedly pushing her to the brink.
It could be said that without Riezel's two magic as her support, Ais would likely be incapable of continuing the fight.
Fortunately, his two magic effects were extraordinary.
'Raumure' could enhance 'END' and 'AGI', its power depending on Riezel's 'MAG'. Now that he was at Level 5, this magic's enhancement and duration were quite powerful, providing significant aid to Ais.
'Dia Fratel' was a top-class healing magic in this world, not only healing wounds but also restoring stamina, expelling poison, dispelling curses, group healing, and even having its effects sustained. Thanks to this magic, Ais's body maintained the healing effects, repeatedly healing her injuries and stamina.
To ensure these magic effects lasted as long as possible in her body, Riezel poured his entire mind into them when chanted them, maximizing their effects and prolonging their duration.
With these two magic, Ais could stand up, charge, swing her sword, and fight again and again, displaying perseverance and resolve bordering on extraordinary.
Of course, when Riezel thought this way, he didn't know that Ais had seen his performance during his past battles in a similar light.
Every time she got sent flying, crashing to the ground, almost unable to stand due to pain and suffocation, the first image in her mind was Riezel.
For instance, at Level 1, he got rammed by a Level 2 Crocodile Dragon, then thrown, shattering pillars and rocks countless times. Despite all that, he never gave up; instead, he went all out, chanting magic and swinging his sword non-stop until he finally sent the monster's massive body flying.
By Level 4, despite being repeatedly sent flying by the massive female-like worm monster with its flat-shaped arms, he relentlessly charged toward it, slashing countless times without giving up.
Lastly, the last image that surfaced in her mind was when he advanced at an astonishing speed to stand before her, placing his sword at her throat.
These images only strengthened her resolve, backing her up as she stood up and charged at Udaeus again and again, just like Riezel, whom she unknowingly considered a 'hero'.
If Riezel learned swordsmanship, magic, and the style of combat from Ais, then Ais learned perseverance and resolve from Riezel.
Maybe she hadn't even noticed it herself, but from him, she saw so many dazzling things and started to unconsciously yearn for and admire them.
To others, it seemed like Riezel and Ais were alike in many aspects.
Ais felt the same way as she always kept thinking—
—I want to run forward, just like him.
—I want to keep moving forward, just like him.
It was an obsession.
An endless future.
It was also a form of redemption.
Realizing all of this, Ais's transparent golden eyes reflected Riezel's figure running ahead. She suddenly felt the urge to chase after him, desperately picking up her pace.
"Tempest!"
A whirlwind, almost like a storm, wrapped around her entire body.
"Tempest!!!"
Her sword-wielding hand exerted constant pressure, causing the wind entwined around her to surge upward.
At this moment, Ais, clad in the hurricane, wielding the sword of the wind, rushed toward Udaeus at tornado-like speed. Her figure at this moment unmistakably overlapped with the past Riezel.
Just like he once did, she unleashed a decisive and final blow, cutting down the almost unbeatable monster.
However, unlike Riezel, the wind that Ais was about to unleash was a move with a name that could rival powerful offensive magic, capable of breaking through everything.
—Calling out the name when using a finishing move can boost your attack power, Ais!
The words of a certain shady goddess echoed in Ais's mind, prompting her to shout out loud.
"Lil Rafaga!"
Named by her goddess and recognized by her friends, this was a one-hit-kill move.
Soon, the golden-haired girl transformed into a spiral of powerful wind and lunged forward with lightning speed!
*BOOM!*
The mountain of bones was pierced.
*BOOM!*
Many Spartoi got crushed.
A swirling gust of powerful wind surged forward, piercing through everything, penetrating through all.
*ROAAAARRRR—!!!*
Amidst the dying roar of Udaeus, the gust of powerful wind soon thundered upon its chest.
Instantly, the skeletal structure protecting Udaeus's chest shattered, exposing an enormous magic stone that radiated a dazzling glow right before Ais's eyes.
Her sword didn't lose its momentum and thrust directly into the massive magic stone.
*ROAAA———*
Udaeus's roar abruptly ceased.
*Crack!*
Not long after, the magic stone emitted a cracking sound.
Fissures appeared little by little, gradually spreading all over the entire magic stone, and finally exploded.
*ROAAAAAAARRRRRR—!!!*
This time, it wasn't the usual angry roar, but a dying one.
Udaeus howled to the sky, disintegrating and collapsing entirely as it burst open, turning into a cloud of dust.
The golden-haired girl drifted in the powerful wind around her. Weakly, she released her sword from her hand and, with the sparkling fragments of the magic stone, descended from midair.
Before losing consciousness, she saw him.
The figure whom she had just been gazing at and chasing inside her mind flew toward her.
===
"Dia Fratel."
In a daze, Ais heard a voice.
A warm sensation enveloped her entire body, gradually easing the tormenting pain and soreness.
She felt comfortable after a long time, except for her head, which felt like mush with a slight throbbing.
This was a symptom of mind exhaustion.
The effects of healing magic and recovery magic could only act on the body, not the mind.
Thus, even if the injuries and pain of the body could be healed, the mind fatigue was a different matter.
However, if overcoming a powerful enemy only required paying this small price, it was considered a win.
Of course, all credit goes to that man—the man who traveled from afar, who ultimately chose to support her from the back, chanted magic for her, and pushed her forward.
Ais opened her eyes and saw him.
Kneeling on one knee amidst the cavern's ruins, he cradled her body, his foot planted firmly on a pristine white magic circle, channeling magical energy into a healing miracle. Countless light particles flowed into her body.
Ais met his gaze, and he returned it.
Their eyes locked, yet silence reigned.
She remained wordless, unsure of what to express.
Similarly, he simply observed her, offering no intention of speech.
"Sorry..."
Almost instinctively, Ais lowered her head and uttered an apology. Unfortunately, her apology didn't evoke any response from him.
After an uncomfortable silence, a sigh finally reached her ears.
"I'm the one who should apologize..." Riezel said in a low voice. "You haven't done anything wrong."
Unconsciously, Ais raised her head and looked at his face.
From his eyes, she saw self-blame and reflection.
"I messed up..." Riezel confessed softly, almost as if talking to himself. "I've always been focused on my own growth, getting stronger, moving forward, trying to live my life differently from my previous one, less numb and more free... But in doing so, I unknowingly left many people who cared for me behind, not only running ahead alone but also neglecting their feelings..."
This incident truly taught him a deep lesson.
Ais took a heavy blow because of him.
In his relentless pursuit of testing his new power and adapting to his growth, he sparred with her without considering her feelings. He even went so far as to hold his sword to her throat.
Struggling for nearly ten years, only to be surpassed by a rookie who joined the familia just over three months ago and had a sword pointed at her throat by that same person—it must have been a very unpleasant feeling for Ais.
Thinking up to this point, Riezel felt it was the perfect time for some self-reflection.
"In the future, I need to pay more attention to the people around me..." Riezel whispered, smiling as he gazed at the girl in his arms. "Thank you for helping me realize this important lesson, Ais..."
In his previous life, he didn't get the family, friendship, or love he wanted. In this life, he couldn't let history repeat itself. Even if he wanted to progress and run forward, he couldn't forget that in this second chance of his life, many people were caring for him and accompanying him on his journey.
Realizing this, Riezel felt his restless heart calming down.
Of course—
"You too..." Riezel glanced at Ais's golden eyes, his smile growing more genuine. "Don't forget, you're not alone... People are watching over you by your side."
At his words, she just silently stared at his face, observing the genuine smile on it.
Her heartbeat unknowingly quickened.
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