In this fantasy world, currently in the era of the Gods' it is recognized by the deities as one of the Three Great Unexplored Regions greatest secret realms. It lies in the far south of the continent and spans an immense area.
Deep within it, the ancient Elsos Ruins—used by numerous high elves in antiquity to seal Antares—rests near the very edge of the continent, almost at its southernmost point.
Beyond a few mountain peaks lies the boundless outer sea.
Without a doubt…
"Choosing this place as the final battlefield couldn't be more fitting."
Here, there's no concern for collateral damage. Renjiro and his allies could unleash their full power without restraint.
Moreover…
"Since this ancient ruin itself sits in a high-risk, scarcely-trodden area, unlikely to attract interference, surveillance, or attention from any 'uninvited guests,' I don't need to hold back. I can freely use every trump card… lay out all my secrets."
With that thought, Renjiro had already set his "whole system" into motion with astonishing speed.
First…
"Vuuum~"
Using the special effect bonus from the Trinity skill, his main body manifested simultaneously while casting Starfire's Flowing Light, slicing his fingertip to use a trace of blood as a catalyst to activate his fourth magic, Primordial Human.
In an instant, the Celtic-triangle-shaped magic circle beneath him appeared and expanded. The fresh blood transformed into a luminous rope, coiling into his hand.
Next moment…
"CLANG~"
The light-rope knot was instantly sent to Dungeon Level 50, automatically forming a continuous loop hovering above the indestructible teleport anchor.
The mana regeneration buff from Starry Abyss instantly maxed out.
At the same time, another effect from the Trinity skill appeared.
A thick tome rested in his left palm. Though not an Archon himself, and lacking a Vision, Renjiro could not summon weapons with a mere thought like other Genshin or the Twin Stars.
Yet, merely holding the three-star Archon artifact, Thrilling Tales of Dragon Slayers, triggered the second effect of Trinity, granting him the Magistery development ability.
With the Celtic-triangle magic circle beneath him, the mana cost of casting Primordial Human was slightly reduced. Coupled with Starry Abyss's 44× mana regeneration, forming the light-rope knot from his blood was almost negligible in cost.
A simple knot, yet it represented him.
As long as he remained within the Abyss…
"Finally saying goodbye to the damn era of 'human-targeted anchors.'"
Meanwhile…
"CLANG~"
The Twin Stars, using the teleport anchors previously set up at the edge, arrived at the front lines.
Renjiro himself remained in Orario, inside the Hostess of Fertility. Freya had left the room, leaving him to handle matters alone.
Through the mental link…
"Although we now have a constant 44× mana regeneration for the entire night, Mona is only Lv.40. She can't yet teleport us directly from Orario to the Elsos Ruins."
Indeed, as he said, Mona's teleportation isn't an Elemental Skill or Burst—it consumes mana. At her current level, she couldn't span the great distance from the continent's far west to its extreme south.
Thus, by using the pre-set teleport anchors with Paimon as the "eye," Mona would suffice.
Meanwhile, due to the Thrilling Tales of Dragon Slayers being a reliable three-star supportive artifact, Renjiro had spent days gathering magical stones to craft several copies at Refined 5 and Lv.40—top-tier configurations for this stage.
Unfortunately, its special "Exit Buff" only triggers for Genshin equipped primarily with artifacts.
Otherwise…
"In reality, the buff effects don't have the same stacking restrictions as in the game."
A single copy of Thrilling Tales of Dragon Slayers could provide the next character—his "teammate" in reality—a 48% attack boost. Currently, the Genshin equipped with it were Ningguang, Mona, and Barbara.
Knowing these mechanics…
"Trinity, Primordial Human, Starry Abyss, Elemental Sight… and soon, Thrilling Tales of Dragon Slayers. Hah~ Compared to that old empty-nester piling 27 buffs before battle, we're still lightyears ahead."
Renjiro's eyes narrowed.
"But at least, the essence cannot be forgotten."
Just then…
"Whoosh~"
The Twin Stars summoned Mona, and as she raised her water curtain, they were instantly teleported to Paimon's location.
At first glance…
Previously, Artemis had to accompany the "joint subjugation team" because the Elsos Ruins were her oldest wards—constructed by the ancient high elves. Only beings with the Moon Goddess's power could freely enter.
Not long ago, Antares exploited this protection after devouring a god, surviving its most vulnerable phase.
Now… no. Even earlier, Antares no longer needed the Elsos Ruins' protection.
"This guy…"
Landing, the Twin Stars, despite knowing the situation's severity from Paimon, still frowned when seeing it firsthand.
Antares, which had once appeared as just over twenty meters tall in the pre-transmigration theatrical version Renjiro had seen, had previously manifested Antaress nearly a hundred meters high. Its main body would be even more imposing.
"Towering like mountains, blotting out the sky… this is the main form of an ancient monster after absorbing divine power?"
Humans often fear the unknown. At its root, the most primal pressure comes from immensity. This is why myths often feature giants… symbols of hope, disaster, and origin.
Renjiro, aware of these legends, thought…
"Good thing I don't have to witness this in person."
The pressure from Antares's main body was immense—like facing a crimson Godzilla. If he were on the front line, it would drastically hinder efficiency.
He knew a "summoner" doesn't need to rush into close combat. Utilizing one's advantages from a distance is king.
"This size… ha~ no need to hold back."
Renjiro's gaze hardened.
"At least it's an ancient monster that devoured a god—so out of respect… receive my strongest strike first."
As the thought spread through the mental link…
"BOOM~"
The Elsos Ruins—or rather, the ruins now crushed under the super-sized Antares—saw the ground suddenly split in front of the mountain-like black ancient monster.
The Twin Stars, along with Zhongli, Mona, Ningguang, and Barbara, manifested simultaneously.
As the fissure opened, Barbara, holding the Arrow of Orion, leapt skillfully into the tip of the massive dark-gold spear, ready to act as a decisive "human projectile."
"When facing a monster of this size, enlarging the spear is just a waste of mana."
Zhongli adjusted the spear to the optimal size for Barbara—under ten meters—making it look more like a flying shuttle than a giant weapon. It didn't deplete Renjiro's mana reserves.
Simultaneously…
"CLANG~"
Reality isn't turn-based. Antares wouldn't stand still as a target.
Upon detecting the anomaly, it communicated with the second crescent moon above, made of countless magic circles. As Zhongli maneuvered the dark-gold shuttle, the Light Rain—which had nearly wiped out the White and Black Knights and the defenses—descended.
Faced with the overwhelming Moonlight Arrows…
With his thousands of years of experience, Zhongli could maneuver the shuttle and evade while simultaneously using the Elemental Burst without loss.
He knew he couldn't harm Antares effectively, but the effect in reality differed slightly from the game. In-game, petrification couldn't affect bosses; in reality, it worked on the bombardment area.
Antares' immense body made it like a mountain. To it, the seemingly small star—a puzzle-lock-shaped projectile—might seem insignificant, but…
Zhongli didn't need to petrify the entire body; affecting just part of it was enough. The star struck the Scorpion's forehead, breaking the continuity of its Light Rain.
Antares underestimated its opponent, and would pay dearly.
"Hng~"
The dark-gold shuttle, under Zhongli's control, dodged countless Moonlight Arrows and struck Antares' humanoid upper chest—the location of its magic stone weak point and where Artemis had been imprisoned.
At that moment, the goddess of purity, frozen like a suffering princess, wished only for salvation, not rescue.
"For the future of the children (the denizens below), please… subjugate this ferocious ancient monster."
"Please… kill me."
"Orion, grant me release."
Barbara, holding the Arrow of Orion in the shuttle, appeared to hear the goddess' plea.
Yet…
"I am not Orion."