"This is it—the final floor," Haruki said, his voice steady but his eyes sharp. The team exchanged determined nods, their battered bodies ready for the last challenge. As they descended into the dimly lit chamber, the atmosphere grew heavier.
The floor was immense, an endless cavern with jagged stalactites dripping from above. The walls were coated with a black, glossy sheen that reflected the faint light of their Zetsu auras. At the center of the chamber lay a massive serpent, coiled like a dark monolith. Its scales shimmered black as obsidian, each one razor-sharp and layered like impenetrable armor. Its eyes burned with a malevolent red glow, and its fangs, curved like twin scythes, gleamed as it uncoiled its massive body.
"It's… enormous," Aiko muttered, taking an instinctive step back.
"Stay sharp," Dante said, gripping his sword tightly. "This isn't just some overgrown snake."
The serpent hissed, a sound that rattled the very air. With terrifying speed, it shot forward, its body a blur of black and crimson. Haruki reacted instantly, lunging forward with his blade drawn.
"Lunar Blade Style: Flash Strike!" he shouted, slashing downward.
The serpent twisted, its slippery, muscular body contorting unnaturally. Haruki's blade barely grazed it before the creature spiraled around him, avoiding his attack entirely. The serpent darted toward Dante with its mouth agape, fangs glinting with venom.
"Not so fast!" Haruki yelled, charging with all his might. He thrust his dagger at the creature's neck, aiming for a weak spot.
The blade struck the serpent's scales with a resounding clang, bouncing off harmlessly. Haruki's eyes widened. "It's like hitting steel!"
The serpent retaliated instantly, whipping its tail around. The blow struck Haruki square in the chest, sending him flying into a wall. The impact left a spiderweb of cracks in the stone, and Haruki coughed up blood as he slid to the floor.
"Haruki!" Aiko cried, her hands already weaving a spell. A jet of water erupted from her palms, catching Haruki mid-air and cushioning his fall.
"Thanks," Haruki muttered, staggering to his feet.
"I don't have much Zetsu left, but I can still fight," Aiko said, her voice firm despite the strain on her body.
The serpent turned its gaze toward her, its eyes glowing brighter. Aiko froze, her breath hitching. Her hands faltered mid-spell.
"What's happening?!" she stammered, her voice trembling.
"It's fear," Dante growled, stepping in front of her. "That thing's got a skill to paralyze you with just a look!"
The serpent lunged at Aiko, its fangs aiming for her throat. With a roar, Dante intercepted it, grabbing the beast by its neck. His muscles strained as he heaved, slamming the serpent into the ground with every ounce of strength he could muster.
"Move, Aiko!" Dante shouted, veins bulging in his arms as he wrestled the creature.
Aiko snapped out of her daze, conjuring a hailstorm of ice spears. "Take this!" she yelled, launching them at the serpent.
The spears rained down, but the serpent's scales shattered them on contact. Shards of ice scattered across the floor as the creature slithered free of Dante's grasp, its tail lashing out and sending him skidding backward.
Haruki saw his opening and charged. "Critical Hit!" he shouted, his blade glowing with energy as he drove it into the serpent's side. This time, the attack pierced its scales, drawing dark, viscous blood.
"I got it!" Haruki yelled, only for the serpent to wrap its tail around him. With a violent twist, it flung him across the chamber like a rag doll. He crashed into the ground, the impact leaving him coughing and struggling to stand.
"Damn it," Haruki muttered, blood dripping from his mouth. He glared at the creature, his mind racing. "How do we kill this thing?!"
Dante wiped sweat from his brow, his eyes darting around the chamber. "It's invulnerable everywhere except its mouth and eyes. We need to pin it down!"
The serpent lunged at Haruki again, but he rolled out of the way, avoiding its hypnotic gaze. "I'll distract it!" he shouted.
Dante nodded. "Haruki, when the time comes, use Critical Hit. Don't miss."
Dante launched himself at the serpent, his blade striking its neck and forcing it to recoil. He grabbed the serpent mid-air, locking its body in place with sheer brute strength. "Now, Haruki!"
Haruki leapt into the air, channeling every ounce of Zetsu he had left. He mimicked Dante's signature technique, Angel's Assault, spiraling downward with his blade aimed at the creature's head. "Critical Hit!"
The blade struck true, piercing the serpent's neck just below its jaw. Blood gushed from the wound as Haruki twisted the blade deeper, severing tendons and muscle. The serpent let out a deafening screech, its body convulsing violently.
With one final slash, Haruki severed its head from its body. The massive creature collapsed, its lifeless form sinking into the ground.
Haruki fell to his knees, panting heavily. Dante and Aiko rushed to his side, both equally exhausted.
"You did it," Aiko said, her voice soft but full of relief.
Haruki's system dinged as a notification appeared: "New Title Acquired: Serpent Slayer."
As they left the dungeon, battered but victorious, the team returned to their hotel to recover. Later that night, Aiko received a letter from her parents, expressing their concern for her safety. Without a word, she packed her belongings and boarded a boat to return home.
Haruki, realizing she had left without saying goodbye, sprinted to the dock using his Water Walk. He leapt onto the boat, securing himself with a rope from his inventory. As he landed, rain poured down around them.
"Aiko," he said, his voice steady despite the cold. "Thank you for everything."
Before she could respond, Haruki jumped back into the water and sprinted back to shore, his figure disappearing into the downpour.
Aiko watched him go, whispering under her breath, "I like you. Haruki. Yamamoto
The chapter ends.