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"I should keep watching a little longer."
Ryu concealed her presence to the absolute limit as she followed Anos into the next floor.
"Is he deliberately hiding his true strength… or can he really unleash this kind of power at Level 3?"
She trailed behind him, pondering a question that couldn't possibly be answered through logic alone.
…
"This girl really has guts, following me this far."
Anos muttered under his breath.
For him, this was easy mode.
For everyone else, it was a nightmare.
Based on his assessment, if Ryu went any deeper, even maintaining her safety would become difficult. At that point, even hiding her presence would be nearly impossible.
The only reason she was managing now was that he was clearing out the monsters ahead of her. By the time she passed through, there was barely anything left.
"So… should I show my real strength while she's watching?"
He hesitated briefly before making his decision.
Whatever. If it's exposed, it's exposed.
Ryu wasn't the type to spread rumors.
And besides, the strength he'd already shown, along with the enemies he was about to face, was far beyond what a normal Level 3 could handle.
In truth… it had already been exposed.
With that decided, Anos stopped holding back.
Sword techniques and magic began to flow seamlessly from his hands.
Of course, magic is native to this world.
"Simulated Magic: Flame Volt."
"Simulated Magic: Arc Ray."
…
Spell after spell poured out without pause.
Simulated Magic, much like the simulated holy sword he had used before, was an ability Anos had derived through his own power by analyzing this world's systems.
These spells originally belonged to this world, often considered unique skills.
Yet in his hands, they were cast like they cost nothing at all.
Against a single enemy, sword techniques were more efficient.
But against waves of monsters?
Magic was the obvious choice.
After all, what fun was grinding without it?
To him, these monsters weren't monsters.
They were walking experience points.
If the members of the Apollo Familia were thrown in here, they'd probably be wiped out instantly.
"…!"
Ryu watched anxiously.
She worried that Anos might exhaust himself if he kept using magic like this.
Of course, that concern was unnecessary.
In the past, he wouldn't have taken such risks.
But now, he was completely different.
Though not fully matured, his current strength already surpassed what he had in his previous world.
Once he reached his peak, the gap would only widen further.
Back then, he had to conserve his magic.
Now, he didn't need to.
After becoming part of the divine race, battles of this level wouldn't even dent his reserves.
Still, as he continued, his movements grew smoother.
And his attacks grew more terrifying.
"Simulated Magic: Offensive Chain Casting."
"Phase One — Absolute Zero: Fimbulwinter."
"Phase Two — Endbringer: Laevateinn."
"Phase Three — Vise Windheim."
Storms and blizzards swept through the Dungeon, reshaping the terrain itself.
This was one of the spells he had replicated from Riveria.
Monsters fell one after another beneath his power.
But to him, they were still just low-tier experience.
Compared to the dangerous beasts of another world, these monsters weren't even close.
That world's true threats had barely been shown.
Creatures capable of rivaling Demon Lords… or surpassing them entirely.
What had been revealed was only the tip of the iceberg.
"Dimensional Severance: Defensive Chain Casting."
"Phase One — Radiant Barrier."
"Phase Two — Spirit Veil."
"Phase Three — Dimensional Cutoff."
Another overwhelming defensive spell.
Ryu's eyes twitched.
Did she really need to come this far?
And more importantly…
Was the Holy Child even human?
Or was he something closer to a god?
As Anos continued forward, the two of them reached an even deeper floor.
"…We're here."
He exhaled softly as a vast space unfolded before him.
The forty-seventh floor.
A boss floor.
Floor Boss — Balor.
A true Level 7 monster.
"…Is he planning to solo it again?"
Ryu instinctively wanted to stop him, but her hand froze midair.
What right did she have?
As a waitress from a place he sometimes visited?
That identity clearly didn't apply here.
She didn't even look like a waitress right now.
"BOOM—!"
Before she could decide, the ground split open.
Massive claws tore through the floor like paper, revealing a grotesque, colossal form.
A creature that looked like a twisted fusion of countless beasts.
Balor.
A Level 7 Floor Boss.
In response, Anos simply raised his blade.
A brilliant silver light illuminated the Dungeon.
"I swear…"
"There is nothing in this world that I cannot cut."
"This blade…"
"Is the edge that severs all existence?"
"The invincible blade."
As divine authority surged through him, Balor went berserk.
The Dungeon, driven by its hatred of divinity, further amplified the monster.
At this moment, even Ottar would likely be crushed into the ground by this version of Balor.
Even with his peak stats, he wouldn't stand a chance against a monster enhanced by divine power.
Anos's very existence strengthened monsters.
And now, with divine authority layered on top, the gap was overwhelming.
"Looks like you're in good shape."
Anos smiled faintly.
"GRAAAAH—!"
Balor roared, its massive claws crashing down toward him.
But despite its size…
It was the weaker one.
In strength.
In magic.
In skill.
Everything.
"Whoosh—"
Balor's fist collided with Anos's blade with explosive force.
"Second Secret Sword — Armor Break."
A point-blank strike.
A technique that unleashed power from zero distance.
Like a focused shockwave within the body itself.
The impact exploded through Balor's torso.
Its massive body staggered, nearly collapsing.
The internal damage was severe.
Muscles and tendons were shredded by the force.
But for a Floor Boss, this wasn't enough.
Their regeneration was monstrous.
Especially now, when the Dungeon had strengthened it further.
"Still… I like this one better."
Anos stepped forward, pressing the advantage.
With a light tap, he appeared above Balor's head.
"…?"
Even the monster seemed confused.
How had he gotten there so fast?
The answer was simple.
Anos had activated the Four Extremes Ascension Array.
A technique that amplified his physical abilities and speed to their limits.
Standing above the monster, he brought his blade down.
"First Secret Sword — Rhino Strike."
A perfectly controlled strike.
It shattered one of Balor's horns and the surrounding area completely.
All power is concentrated into a single point.
A devastating blow.
The only reason it caused area damage was that Anos deliberately loosened the focus.
Against a monster with such regeneration, pinpoint damage wasn't enough.
"GRAAAAH—!"
Balor roared in agony.
Now injured heavily, it finally began to act with intent.
A Floor Boss of this level wasn't mindless.
It could think.
And now…
It was ready to fight back.
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~Support with 300 PowerStones = 1 Bonus Chapter
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P-atreon/iamxeno
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