Amelia has successfully advanced to Rank-S!
However, the three of them didn’t storm into the Boss Monster territory recklessly.
Before they could do that, they had to first make sure that Amelia adjusted to the power well.
-BANG! -BANG!
They were at the area where Rank-A and Rank-B monsters roam. And currently, Amelia was checking out her powers.
Although she was not an attacking mage, she did know some attacking skills.
Previously, although she could defeat Rank-A monsters, it was difficult and took a lot of time. But now, with her advancement to Rank-S, she could one shot most of the Rank-A monsters.
And even when she is surrounded by multiple Rank-A monsters, she could protect herself with barriers which the monsters couldn’t break.
“Oh WOW!”
Amelia looked at herself in disbelief after having tested her new profound powers. It was not a matter of getting stronger but everything that she does feels so easy and every attack she uses feels so powerful.
She feels like a different person!
Maybe she was.
Anyway, now she was relieved that she wouldn’t be a burden to Zero and Mia. And there was no need for them to watch her backs.
“Thank you Zero!”
Amelia thanked again.
“No problem!”
After that, they had also tried Amelia’s other abilities as well which included support and her healing ability.
With her support, Zero and Mia could effortlessly kill Rank-A monsters. Even if the numbers were large, they had no trouble at all.
And her speciality, healing was enough to be said as revival at this point. As Zero and Mia hardly get injured, they tested this ability on the monster which Zero beat to a death-like state.
[ “Luminescent Aurorisea” ]
Amelia used her skill and immediately, the monster that was going to die had returned to its prime state with no sign of injuries.
The monster seemed confused about what was happening but seeing the chance, immediately ran away from Zero in fear.
“With this, we are practically immortals!”
Zero said.
Judging by what he had seen, even against the injuries from Rank-S, current Amelia could easily heal it. With her by their side, it was indeed difficult for them to die.
Even if the Boss Monster was Rank-S+ peak, the chances of dying with Amelia’s ability were practically nil.
The three of them slowly moved closer and closer into the Gate Boss Monster. Or at least that is what they believe from what they have seen.
They are not certain that Boss Monster would be at the center, but according to how the monster seemed stronger the more they were at the center, they believe that to be the case.
Slowly as they got closer, Rank-C monsters were not seen anymore, instead more and more Rank-A monsters were there.
There were all kinds of monsters in the Gate ranging from elemental monsters to flying monsters. They were also rare Mountain Crushing Gorillas.
Anyway, no matter what type of monster they encountered, they all fell in the hands of three of them.
-WHOOSH!
Just as they were resting, they got alerted after sensing a huge mana aura of a monster. They knew a strong monster was approaching them.
And indeed when it appeared, it was Lightning Leopard, A Rank-S Monster.
Lightning Leopards were weak, that is if we are talking about strength. However, their power lies in their speed which gave them the name of Lightning.
They were fast and most people wouldn;t be able to see them. Their speed was akin to teleportation.
It could have easily annihilated the group of elite Rank-A Explorers. Luckily, the three of them were not just some average person that the Lightning Leopard could easily kill.
“That is- Lightning Leopard!”
“So we finally met a Rank-S monster!”
Amelia was still nervous since she has never fought with Rank-S monsters. Mia was just surprised to see the monster but relatively very calm.
She had killed many Rank-S monsters since her ascend to Rank-S. Although she never had the chance of fighting with Lightning Leopard, she didn’t think that she would lose to them.
Zero also noticed the Rank-S Monsters. In terms of power, their strength was at best, only at Rank-A. However, their strength could exceed and reach up to Rank-S+, making them the fastest creatures under Rank-SS.
Zero had fought with the monster multiple times in the Tower Of Obelisk! And although at first, those cats were able to deal significant damage to him, he later learned how to deal with them.
“Let me handle this!”
Zero said as he took off with his sword.
[ “Dark Ice Embodiment” ]
Lightning Leopard were fast and could kill someone easily if that person happens to be unguarded. With their speed, it was easy to get to someone’s weak part instantly.
And although Rank-A strength is not enough, with their surprise and sneak, they could one hit kill even Rank-S monsters. That’s why, Zero used and covered himself in armor, so that even when the Lightning Leopard managed to get past his guard, he wouldn’t die.
-WHOOSH!
Immediately the Lightning Leopard vanished and appeared behind Zero’s back.
-CLANG!
However, the Lightning Leopard didn’t get a chance to injure Zero as he blocked the attack with his sword.
Zero tried to freeze the Lightning Leopard, but before that could happen, the Lightning Leopard was already a few meters away.
Lightning Leopard was obviously agitated that he was not able to kill his prey in one go. And he seemed to have gone into serious mode.
Blue Aura was released and lightning spark could be seen surrounding the Lightning Leopard.
-WHOOSH!
The Lightning Leopard had become even faster and even Mia and Amelia were not able to track its movement. It was even hard to sense its presence with the mana aura as it was too fast.
-SLASH!
The Lightning Leopard attacked with its claws, Zero tried to defend but failed as the Lightning Leopard immediately changed direction and attacked from the other side.
-CRACK!
The Lightning Leopard managed to hit Zero though with the Dark Ice Armor, Zero was not physically hurt.
Zero tried to capture the beast but the Lightning Leopard had already moved away. To win, Zero only had to take away the Lightning Leopard’s speed and it is just a sitting duck.
But the Lightning Leopard is not easily caught in a trap.
[ “Shadow Cryomancy Bomb” ]
Zero scattered the hidden bomb around the place. As long as one of them hits the Lightning Leopard, he is dead.
-WHOOSH!
However, with its keen sense, it dodged every one of them and managed to get to Zero.
-SLASH!
Bit by bit, the Lightning Leopard slowly tore apart Zero’s armor. The Lightning Leopard took advantage of its speed and was on verge of winning.
Amelia was visibly worried while Mia looked at the fight calmly.
Not able to keep her cool anymore, she asked, “Mia shouldn’t we help? What if Zero gets hurt?”
She asked worriedly. The fight had been going for a while and it didn’t seem like Zero had a chance of defeating the monster.
Mia smiled and said, “I think he has a plan. And even if we don’t do anything, Zero will die!”
Mia could see that Zero was planning something. He has not once lost his cool and seemed to be smiling whenever the Lightning Leopard attacked.
Moreover, if Zero wanted to win, he could always use Dark Energy to easily kill the Lightning Leopard.
And yes, just like Mia thought, Zero indeed had a plan.
Ever since he was being attacked left and right, Zero had been grinning and looking at Lightning Leopard as if he was an idiot.
-WHOOSH!
-SLASH! -SLASH!
As the Lightning Leopard attacked, his speed was visibly slower.
“Haha… You got trapped!”
Zero said.
It was not that Lightning Leopard was easily able to hit Zero but that Zero was not doing anything to resist his attacks.
He had deliberately taken on the attack, and was slowly injecting the Ice Energy in the Lightning Leopard’s body whenever he touched Zero’s armor.
Now, Zero began to counterattack.
-WHOOSH!
-CLANG!
The Lightning Leopard, although became slower, was still fast and was able to react to Zero’s attack.
However, he was pressed on by Zero’s attack and couldn’t escape like when he had his full speed. The Lightning Leopard can only manage to dodge or block.
[ “Dark Icy Surface” ]
Zero tried to freeze Lightning Leopard. If successful, the fight would have ended there. But, Lightning Leopard quickly jumped in the sky and was going to retreat.
[ “Frozen Shadow Dance” ]
However, Zero was not going to give an opportunity for the monster to escape and later come back for revenge.
Zero used the frozen surface to merge and quickly appeared to where the Lightning Leopard was about to land.
-THUD!
The Lightning Leopard landed quite far back and was going to escape.
However, Zero was already laying in wait for him.
“You are already dead!”
[ “Ice Prison” ]