Instantly it was about 50,000 of them.
Sketch let out a low chuckle. "Looks like they really want us dead."
"No kidding!" Speedy whistled, her tone tinged with humor. "That's one hell of a welcoming party."
"More like a Beast Apocalypse…" Spam muttered, shaking her head at the sight.
Gamble nodded in agreement and stood guard.
"Key…" Nythra's voice was barely a whisper, her eyes drawn to the calm, smoldering rage building within him.
Key's expression darkened as he held up a hand, his voice low but deadly. "Enough."
A dark purple light erupted around them, forming a protective barrier that shielded the group while trapping the Guardians within.
[Active Skill Black Hole Nova LV.1 has been activated.]
This destructive ability triggers a black hole to rapidly release its accumulated mass and energy in a single, devastating explosion, akin to a supernova. The explosion is capable of annihilating everything in a considerable radius, leaving behind a vacuum.
A roaring, whistling sound filled the air as a black hole vortex appeared, pulling Abyssal Beasts toward it like a relentless vacuum. The creatures clawed and snarled, but the black hole consumed them all in seconds before collapsing on itself. Then, in a pulse of destructive energy, it erupted in a supernova, obliterating every creature caught within its radius.
When the energy finally subsided, nothing remained of the beasts.
The 50,000 Abyssal Beasts were gone..just like that.
Key stepped forward, his gaze cold as he looked upon the Guardians, who stared back in shock.
The others looked at him with massive shock and surprise.
The Sword Guardian stammered, "S-So you really are the A-Ascended O-One… Please, f—"
"Silence." Key's voice was cold. "If you try that shit again, I'll leave you trapped in an infinite loop of death."
Both Guardians nodded quickly, stepping aside to allow the group through.
Key didn't glance back as he started toward the entrance. "Come."
Speedy caught up to him with a playful laugh. "Coming, Mr. Ascended!"
Spam smirked, falling in beside him. "Might have to start calling you daddy Key if you keep talking like that."
Sketch grinned as he and Gamble followed, clapping Key on the shoulder. "Good shit, Key. That was insane."
Nythra hesitated, watching Key's back with a pensive gaze. 'Could he really be…?' She shook her head, deciding not to dwell on it, and hurried to catch up with the others.
[All enemies have been defeated!]
[Guild Rank has increased to D Rank!]
[You can review the rewards later]
Level Up!
'Shouldn't take any time to get to S Rank..maybe even SSS Rank.' Key thought as he and the others stepped into the Entrance to the Shattered Depths.
[Transporting to the Shattered Depths..]
[Complete!!]
As the group passed through the looming entrance of the Shattered Depths, the air thickened, tinged with a strange, ominous pressure. The darkened surroundings flickered with faint traces of void energy, shifting and twisting as though alive.
"There." Sketch pointed ahead. "The Echo Village."
They looked ahead at a small, fortified village surrounded by wooden spikes, its entrance bustling with guards.
"The Echo Village?" Key asked, eyes narrowing.
"Yeah, dear Key." Spam explained with a grin. "It's a place where outcast sorcerers and mercenaries gather. Whenever there's trouble, an 'Echo' sounds to warn everyone."
"Come on, we should hurry before they close up." Sketch urged, leading the way.
As they approached, one of the guards called out, "Halt! Who goes there?"
"It's us, the Nightcrawlers!" Speedy shouted back.
The guard's face lit up. "The Nightcrawlers? Hurry, get in! Welcome back!"
Nythra raised an eyebrow as they moved through the gate. "He seems excited."
Gamble nodded with a slight smile. "We've kept bandits and Abyssal Beasts away before. We're pretty known in this village."
The group barely made it through the gate when two scarlet-haired, emerald eyed women appeared, their long, crimson hair flowing like embers, each wrapped in robes embroidered with mystic symbols.
"Thana! Ravenna!" Speedy and Spam cried, running up to embrace them.
"Speedy!" one of the twins cheered. "Spam!" the other squealed, her voice bright with excitement. "It feels like centuries since we last saw you!"
"Oh, it hasn't been that long, Ray." Spam laughed as they released each other.
"Definitely hasn't." Sketch joined in with a smirk. "You both must've missed us."
"Aww, Sketch! And Gamble! What's up, big guy?" Thana called out, grinning.
Gamble offered a small smile. "It's been a while."
"That's what I said!" Ravenna beamed, then her gaze landed on Key and Nythra, her eyes gleaming with interest. "Oh, new faces!"
"Name's Key." Key gave a respectful nod.
"Nythra." She smiled warmly.
The twins exchanged a look before Ravenna gasped. "Wow, what a gorgeous couple!"
"Couple?" Key questioned with a raised eyebrow and slight smirk.
Nythra's face flushed. "W-We're not—"
"Yeah, right!" Ravenna teased. "You don't have to lie! Anyway, Speedy, Spam, come on, let's show Nythra around! Girls' night!"
"On it, Ray!" Speedy laughed, scooping up Nythra and zipping off.
Thana winked at the men. "We'll be back, lovelies." With a playful grin, she followed the others.
Once they were alone, Sketch leaned in with a mischievous grin. "Well, while the ladies are off, I know just the spot for us."
Key raised a brow. "And that would be?"
Sketch's grin widened. "The Annihilation Games."
"The Annihilation Games? Care to explain?" Key questioned with interest.
"In short terms the Annihilation Games are like a PvP that sorcerers or mercenaries do for high quality goods. They make a bet, whoever wins gets the goods. The goods can be from F Rank to even SSS Rank depending on who it is." Sketch explained.
Key raised an intrigued eyebrow. "Hm. And where is it held?"
Gamble smirked. "Right in the middle of the village. Everyone can watch."
"Any catch? And how does someone sign up?" Key questioned, his curiosity clearly piqued.
"Other than a big, public humiliation if you lose? Not really." Sketch replied with a shrug. "You can either call someone out or just sign up on a sheet by the entrance. Ready?"
Key nodded. "Let's go." He replied.
Meanwhile with the girls, they were in some type of 'club' if you can call it that.
'Hm I wonder what Key and the others are up to?' Nythra thought as she watched the other girls, dance, laugh, and have fun.
She was just over there, but decided to have a seat and drink for right now.
She didn't really like being around so many people she didn't know. Especially since she already had trust issues.
She thought back to Key and the 'couple' comment from earlier. It made her slightly blush again from recalling it.
Key was tall, muscular, handsome and powerful and she was beautiful herself, but was he even interested in her?
Especially when he cou-
"Excuse me, beautiful," a smooth voice cut through her thoughts. "You seem to have a lot on your mind."
Startled, Nythra looked up into the intense gaze of a man about 6'2", his confident smirk framed by sharp black hair and a high collar on dark robes adorned with silver designs. He exuded a mysterious charisma that matched the deep, dark eyes that held hers.
"You can call me..Omamori. Mori for short." He said as he held out a hand.
Nythra nodded respectfully. "Nythra. Nice meeting you Mori." She replied and shook his hand.
He unexpectedly clenched her hand gently, smirked, and leaned down and put a kiss on it.
"It's a..pleasure meeting you as well Nythra."