Chapter 104: Holy Shit
The Chimera slowly raised its massive head.
Its golden eyes remained locked onto Reiji.
For several long seconds, neither side moved.
The creature simply watched them.
Its slow breathing echoed throughout the enormous chamber.
Every exhale carried scorching heat while tiny embers drifted from the corners of its mouth before fading into the air.
Its lion-like forelegs slowly scraped against the stone floor.
*Roar…!*
The sound sent tiny fragments of rock sliding across the ground.
The elephant-like body beneath it was covered in old scars.
Some looked ancient. Others appeared surprisingly fresh.
Its folded crimson wings twitched once.
A single feather drifted downward before bursting into flames halfway to the ground.
Aoi unconsciously swallowed.
Even standing still the Chimera gave off the feeling of a predator that had ruled this floor for countless years.
The pressure coming from the creature was completely different from the monsters they had encountered before.
Aoi body stiffened.
Even though she knew she wasn’t supposed to fight unless necessary, her body reacted instinctively.
This creature was dangerous. Very dangerous.
Reiji didn’t move.
His crimson eyes carefully observed every detail of the Chimera’s body.
The lion-like front legs. The elephant-like body. The phoenix wings.
Everything about it looked like a combination of multiple powerful creatures.
But something bothered him.
’This isn’t just a normal monster.’
[Detect Presence.]
The moment his skill spread out and touched the creature, his expression became slightly more serious.
The mana surrounding the Chimera was unstable.
Not because it was weak.
But because there was too much of it.
Aoi noticed his expression.
“Is it strong?”
Reiji remained silent for a moment before answering.
“Yes.”
That single word caused Aoi’s heart to sink slightly.
Because after spending this much time with him, she understood something.
Reiji rarely admitted something was dangerous.
Most of the time, even when facing monsters far beyond normal expectations, he remained calm.
But this time he was actually acknowledging the threat.
The Chimera suddenly moved.
BOOM!
The ground beneath its feet cracked as its massive body shot forward.
Despite its size, it was unbelievably fast.
Aoi’s eyes widened.
’Fast?!’
She barely had time to react before the creature appeared in front of them.
A massive claw descended.
[Shadow Step.]
Reiji grabbed Aoi and vanished.
BOOM!
The claw smashed into the ground.
The Chimera didn’t stop.
Its enormous tail whipped across the chamber.
BOOOM!
Stone pillars shattered like brittle glass.
Reiji grabbed Aoi again.
[Shadow Step.]
Both of them disappeared just before the tail swept through where they had been standing.
Chunks of rock rained from above.
The creature spun around almost immediately.
Its movements were unbelievably smooth despite its enormous size.
It wasn’t simply attacking.
It was adapting.
Aoi’s breathing unconsciously became heavier.
’It’s reading his movements…’
The Chimera’s burning eyes never left Reiji for even a second.
Its massive claws slowly dug into the stone floor.
Then it vanished.
BOOM!
Reiji’s eyes narrowed.
’Fast.’
He raised one arm.
[Mana Manipulation.]
A translucent wall appeared. The Chimera’s fist collided with it.
CRAAACK!!
The barrier shattered instantly.
The remaining force still threw Reiji several meters backwards before he regained his footing.
“…Interesting.”
A faint smile appeared beneath his hood.
Now this this finally felt like a proper fight.
The entire chamber shook violently as cracks spread across the stone floor.
Dust filled the area.
Aoi looked at the enormous crater left behind.
“…That was supposed to hit us?”
“Yes.”
Reiji stared at the Chimera.
“And it wasn’t holding back.”
Aoi’s expression changed.
Before she could respond, the Chimera opened its mouth.
Mana began gathering inside.
The surrounding temperature instantly increased.
Reiji’s eyes narrowed.
“Move.”
The moment he said that…
A pillar of flames erupted.
BOOOOM!
The attack tore through the chamber.
Reiji and Aoi appeared several meters away using Shadow Step.
The stone wall behind them melted from the heat.
Aoi stared at the destroyed area.
“…That wasn’t normal fire.”
“No.”
Reiji watched the Chimera carefully.
“It used mana.”
Aoi frowned.
“Monsters can do that?”
“Some can.”
Reiji’s expression remained calm.
“But not usually at this level.”
The Chimera lowered its body again.
Its golden eyes stared at Reiji as if it was studying him.
Not attacking blindly.
Thinking.
That alone made Reiji more cautious.
’An intelligent monster.’
The Chimera suddenly spread its phoenix-like wings.
The entire chamber was covered by a shadow.
Aoi looked up.
The wings were massive.
Almost too large for the creature’s body.
“Reiji…”
“I know.”
He stepped forward.
A faint smile appeared beneath his hood.
“Finally.”
Aoi looked at him.
“Finally?”
“It’s been a while since something actually made me pay attention.”
The Chimera roared.
ROOOAAARRR!
The sound shook the entire ninety-eighth floor.
Far above them…
The military squad that had entered the Labyrinth stopped.
The ground trembled beneath their feet.
“What was that?”
One of the B-Rank Awakeners looked around nervously.
The squad leader’s expression became serious.
“Everyone, stay alert.”
She looked deeper into the Labyrinth.
Something powerful was inside.
Meanwhile…
Reiji slowly raised his hand.
Mana gathered around his fingertips.
The Chimera charged.
Aoi watched from behind.
This wasn’t the same Reiji who casually walked through C-Rank Gates.
This was the Reiji who had survived impossible situations.
The one who fought against monsters far beyond his level.
The Night Empress.
The Chimera and Reiji moved at the same time.
The entire chamber exploded with power.
Ding!
[Anomaly Detected.]
For a brief moment…
Neither side moved.
The Chimera slowly circled around them.
Its burning eyes remained fixed on Reiji as though it were trying to understand him.
Reiji did the same. His mind rapidly analyzed everything.
Strength.
Speed.
Durability.
Intelligence.
Its attacks weren’t random. Every movement had purpose.
Aoi remained several steps behind him.
She didn’t interrupt.
She knew…
This wasn’t a battle she could interfere with. One mistake would only become a burden.
The chamber became eerily quiet.
Then the air suddenly distorted. A strange pressure descended from above.
Reiji’s instincts screamed. ’Something’s wrong.’
[Urgent Side Quest Triggered.]
Reiji’s eyes widened. The notification appeared right as he prepared to attack.
[Kill the Anomaly using only magic.]
[Rewards: Class Upgrade, One Silver Mystery Box, Twin Nine Tail Fox Bloodline (1%)]
[Penalty: Death by the hands of the Anomaly.]
Reiji stared at the notification. The rewards were absurd.
Which meant the enemy in front of him was anything but ordinary.
The Chimera wasn’t the real problem.
It was the Anomaly.
A sudden distortion appeared above the creature.
The space itself cracked.
A massive figure fell from the opening.
A creature with the body of a wolf, the wings of a wyvern, and a terrifying aura that instantly overwhelmed the entire chamber.
Reiji’s expression changed.
[Labyrinth Anomaly — Derat Thorn (A)]
“…”
For the first time in a long while Reiji was speechless.
“Holy shit…”