Eternal Freedom's Ascension-Chapter 73: Gate Closure (8)

The entire chamber shook, dust falling from the high ceiling. When everyone looked up to observe the results of the clash, eyes widened like saucers.

Hazel’s attack was blocked by a pincer, but wasn’t completely ineffective. Cracks ran down the chitin covering the pincer, and black blood spilled from the wounds.

’Not enough.’

Ariel’s eyes narrowed, then his head snapped up immediately.

Whoosh-!

Something plummeted from the ceiling, and impacted the creature heavily.

BOOM!

The impact was thunderous, directly blasting the students away. Shocked, everyone turned to look at the creature.

It lay on the ground, and someone was standing on its back.

’Is that... a human?’

Ariel wondered. The figure was entirely black, with a shadowy aura escaping from them. They were clad in a rigid battle armor, a black helmet, and held a black sword.

’Rank 3... a female.’

From the figure and aura, he could tell that it was a female and a Rank 3 Awakened. Although faint, the oppressive might was undeniable.

’Where did she come from?’

While he was wondering, the Shadow Knight removed her sword which was plunged into the creature’s back, then glanced at the students indifferently.

A pair of white eyes was seen beneath the helmet, making them shiver. Fortunately, she turned her attention away from them, then refocused on the stirring creature beneath her.

IIIIIRRRRRRKKKKTTTTT-!!!

Letting out an enraged roar, the creature directly unleashed its full oppressive might. Several students coughed a mouthful of blood, while others fell to their knees, groaning.

Unfazed, the Shadow Knight leapt off its back, landing a few meters ahead of it.

She raised her sword to shoulder level, then took a fighting pose. The next moment, she vanished.

Clang!

She clashed with the hybrid creature, exchanging attacks like words. Their speed was too fast for most students to follow, and it reaffirmed the horror of that Fiend in their hearts.

’Hell... it must have been toying with us.’

Hazel realized, her heart quivering in her chest. She was relieved that they didn’t have to fight this abomination by themselves.

"Everyone gather together! We shouldn’t be spread out. The Instructors would be here soon!"

Liam spoke carefully, gathering his mates to a single part of the chamber. He was scared that someone might get caught up in the battle and get injured or killed.

The battle between the Fiend and the Shadow Knight was fierce. Blades against chitin created screeching sounds, and thunderous blows shook the chamber. It didn’t last long, as the struggle eventually ceased.

After dozens of exchanges, the creature succumbed to the blade of the Shadow Knight. Its head was split into two, with dark blood spilling from the two halves.

[You have slain an Awakened Fiend, Abyssal Terror]

[You have received a Relic]

Standing where the flower used to be, Kaiser read the messages calmly. He glanced at the one responsible for the kill, then dismissed her with a hint of satisfaction in his heart.

The Shadow Knight turned intangible, then flowed into his own shadow. That movement caught the attention of his classmates, and everyone finally turned to him.

"Kaiser...?"

Hazel whispered, several questions in her eyes.

"Woah! He actually summoned that? What is he? A Mage?"

Eric exclaimed, his eyes burning with shock and intrigue, despite the blood staining his lips.

At that moment, someone else appeared in the chamber. Instructor Rina appeared clad in armor and holding her scythe. A quick scan quickly explained everything.

"A Fiend?" She was shocked by its presence, but even more so by its death. Who among her students could kill an Awakened Fiend?

Although she was curious, there were more important things to do. Several students were already unconscious and needed medical attention.

Suddenly, Kaiser walked towards the others and tossed something at Hazel. The girl quickly caught it, her eyes widening as she saw it—an essence pearl.

......

Back on earth, only one class had surprisingly cleared their dungeon the fastest. This class was Class-B.

Although some were injured, none were inflicted with grievous injuries. While the medical staff tended to their wounds, Iruca walked about, checking on the condition of her classmates.

"Look, the second gate is closing!"

Someone shouted, drawing their attention towards the collapsing spatial gate. It shrunk on itself, as if a fracture in reality was being erased.

From the closing gate, thirty students appeared, looking somewhat rugged. Their armors were full of tears and scorches, a testament of their battles in the dungeon.

Still, one particular student at the front looked intimidating as ever.

"Hah? So these Class-B kids finished first. As expected of kids with silver spoon."

He grinned viciously, purple eyes locking on Iruca. Striding confidently, he walked up to her, only stopping a meter away.

"Congratulations, Class-B. You got first place. Are you happy?"

His aura was intimidating, but Iruca gave him a polite smile.

"Apollo, right? Congratulations on finishing second too." She said, then promptly changed the topic. "Instead, I wonder why Class-A hasn’t appeared."

Apollo turned to the other three gates, a faint smile on his lips. The other two gates had already been closed by the Hunter Squads prepared by the Military, while another pair had been cleared by Class-B and Class-D.

"What do you know? There are several unexpected circumstances in the dungeon."

The boy grinned, his eyes shining with sharp light.

’A dungeon is a dangerous expanse. No one can predict what might happen. Even Iruca’s class had it tough, looking at their injuries.’

The girl nodded, then asked. "How dangerous was yours?"

Without looking at her, Apollo stretched out an arm.

"It was quite dangerous..." Purple arcs of lightning crawled up his outstretched arm. "And what wouldn’t submit to me? I tore that Monster apart."

Iruca’s eyes widened. "Monster? You killed a monster by yourself?"

The boy clenched his fist. "Of course. Do you notice the expressions of Nirad Creatures whenever they’re close to death? It’s always so intriguing."

Others who heard him stared at him like he was a madman, but Iruca regarded him in a different light.

"You actually think they’re expressive? I haven’t noticed that."

Apollo was interested by her answer. "Haha. Iruca, you’re really interesting. Under different circumstances, I’d have wanted you as an underling."

He gave her a genuine smile full of challenge. "Unfortunately, we are destined to be competitors in this setting. And I won’t spare anyone even a little bit of mercy."

Iruca wasn’t daunted by his energy. "So do I, Apollo. Let’s see who wins this competition in our final year."

WOOM-!

A sound attracted their attention, and they looked towards another gate closing.