After helping their friends out of the swamp and reaching solid ground, they changed their clothes and washed them, hanging them near the sunlight on the rock pillars created by Lyco. Aurelia and Poduria donned their nightgowns, each embodying contrasting styles.
Poduria's attire was modest, fully covering her petite frame with no suggestive elements. It hugged her slender yet shapely figure, hinting at her curves without revealing too much.
In contrast, Aurelia exuded her rebellious charm with a makeshift nightgown that barely reached her upper thighs, teasing a glimpse of her purple loincloth. The gown hung loosely from her shoulders, boasting bold, revealing openings on her chest, showcasing the contours of her ample bosom, enough to make anyone blush.
Alan's gaze shifted to Relecta, seated on the ground, fanning herself with a giant leaf. She wore only her old loincloth, which now struggled to contain her ample bust, and atop it, a blouse. Its suggestive design hinted that it was borrowed from Aurelia, barely covering Relecta's expanded bosom, offering a bold and suggestive glimpse of her figure.
Alan clenched his fists in frustration, his expression a mix of shame and annoyance as he retrieved Relecta's armor and tights from his knapsack. Stomping towards her, he dropped them in front of her, startling her with the suddenness of his actions. Relecta looked up in confusion as Alan, struggling to contain his anger, spoke in a calm yet tight voice.
"Wear it."
"But it's too hot!!" Relecta protested, her tone playful but her expression shifted as Alan's averted eyes turned to her in a menacing glare. Lowering himself to her level, Alan locked eyes with her, his voice now tinged with threat.
"You Are Gonna Wear This, And Now Young Lady!"
Relecta's eyes widened, almost welling up with fear as Alan stood back up and turned away, walking towards Armis and Leo without saying another word. Annoyed and scared, Relecta reluctantly began to put on her armor and tights.
Approaching Armis and Leo, who sat in awkward silence, avoiding each other's gaze, Alan sensed the tension between them. With a determined expression, he addressed Leo in a stern tone.
"So Leo, let's cut to the chase. Why are you here? I have my suspicions, but I want to hear it from you."
Leo's glare bore into Alan, his sharp gaze cutting through the tension as he spoke with arrogance dripping from every word.
"Well, if you're that perceptive, why bother asking me? I'll save us all some time. He's here."
Armis and Alan's eyes widened in shock at Leo's revelation. Armis, his tone heavy with annoyance and anger, shot back at Leo.
"You brought him here?!"
Leo clenched his teeth in frustration at Armis's accusation, his response dripping with equal parts defiance and frustration.
"No! He brought me here! I've been following him ever since that day. It's become a game to him. He never fights me seriously, always leaving me on the brink of defeat. He claims to enjoy our little cat-and-mouse game."
Leo finished his explanation and stepped back, his demeanor still dripping with arrogance. Alan took a seat beside them, his tone calculated as he asked, "So where is he now?"
Leo's arrogance persisted, but he calmed slightly, his gaze shifting downward as he recounted the events. "I was chasing him near the gate when he suddenly turned and engaged me in battle. Just as always, no matter how much I try, how much I train," Leo's voice cracked with frustration, his eyes burning with rage. "He always uses that wretched technique, gaining folds of power over me and defeating me easily."
Alan, sensing Leo's newfound knowledge, turned to see the others changing back into their armor and attire. He leaned in close to Leo, making sure no one else from the group was listening, and asked in a low voice, "So, you know about that?"
Leo, oblivious to Alan's discretion, replied in his usual arrogance, "Of course I know about it! I was the one who discovered him doing it first."
Armis, his curiosity piqued, returned to his calm nature as he asked, "So then why did he let you go?"
Leo recalled the events, his tone reflecting the intensity of the memory. "No... when he was just about to leave me, those bastards from group Solis showed up and attacked him."
Surprising Alan and Armis once again, their eyes widened in shock as they asked in unison, "Felix and Cesar?!"
"Yes... they tried to save me from him, but that bastard used his amped rapier and shot a fiery slash at us. Those two dodged, but I bore the full blow of it, which sent me flying and I landed on this monster…"
Leo's voice grew tense as he recounted the event, his gaze shifting provocatively toward Armis. Armis initially responded with a growl, but then a somber realization washed over him, surprising even Leo. Armis locked eyes with Leo, his tone calm yet heavy with pain as he uttered, "Adrian... is dead."
Hearing Armis's words, Leo's eyes widened in shock, his gaze falling as the weight of the news settled upon him. He became somber, pain evident in his expression. His gaze softened as he looked back at Armis, and he asked in a soft yet sharp voice, "How???"
Before Armis could respond, Alan, surprised by Leo's lack of knowledge, inquired, "Wait... didn't you see him on floor 19? He didn't attack you? And what about the Lord of the monster on floor 20? You didn't find Adrian there?"
Leo's somber expression shifted to one of confusion and puzzling irritation as he looked at Alan with a weirding gaze. "The hell are you talking about? Why would Adrian be with some monster? And no, I didn't find him there. While following that bastard, I saw him using some orb to open the gates of floor 10 and 20, and we didn't encounter any monsters there, which was surprising to me, but I was too preoccupied with chasing him. Just tell me clearly... what happened to Adrian?!!!"
Leo asked, visibly irritated as he glared at Armis. Armis, maintaining his somber tone, replied as he gazed at the sky, hidden by the leaves of the towering trees, with sunlight filtering through them. "The monster had been controlling him for some time, corrupting his soul and body. When we found him, he was no longer himself."
As Armis spoke, Leo began imagining his former trainer in pain, his expression softening into one of inquiry. "So, how did you save him?" he asked in a soft tone.
"We didn't," Alan replied instantly, further shocking Leo. Alan continued, "As Armis said, the monster's control over him was too far gone. His body had begun to rot, and no matter what we tried, it didn't heal. When the monster tried to suck his aura out of him, Adrian willingly asked Armis to take his life so he could pass away as himself."
Upon hearing Alan's words, a mixture of shock and disgust washed over Leo's face, his eyes widening in disbelief. He swiftly turned towards Armis, his expression contorted into one of fury and accusation.
"So you devoured him as well?!" Leo's voice was filled with incredulity and rage, his words slicing through the tense air like a knife. Armis felt a surge of anger rise within him at Leo's ignorant accusation.
Their eyes locked in a fierce exchange, each refusing to yield ground. Leo's voice grew louder, his accusations piercing the silence and drawing the attention of the rest of the group.
"I should have realized," Leo continued, his voice carrying across the clearing with even more force. "You've become just as much of a monster as he was! And you!" Leo redirected his intense glare towards Alan, his eyes ablaze with anger and disappointment.
"I suppose I made a mistake trusting you to keep this monster in check," Leo's voice was laced with bitterness as he spoke, his words heavy with accusation. "It seems I'll have to take matters into my own hands now."
"Oh yeah!! That is a good idea!!!" Lyco chimed in, his tone teasing as he injected humor into the situation. Alan shot Lyco a warning glance, but Lyco persisted, drawing Leo and Armis's attention towards him.
"Just like grown men, you should fight out your differences," Lyco continued in the same playful yet loud tone, "Whoever wins shall decide the fate of the other. And Alan here," Lyco turned to Alan, attempting to grab his hand, but Alan pulled away, his expression stern.
"What are you doing, Lyco?!" Alan scolded in a whisper, but Lyco ignored him, pressing on with his argument.
"C'mon!!!" Lyco interrupted Alan's protest, speaking over him, "You saw how depressed Armis has been? This is a perfect opportunity to cathart his pain out. And tell me, that ever since we saw him, you didn't want to beat the hell out of Leo?"
Alan contemplated Lyco's words, his gaze shifting between Leo and Armis. After a moment of consideration, he replied, "And what if Armis loses?"
"Tch?!!" Lyco dismissed Alan's concern with a smirk. "C'mon, tell me you haven't noticed how much stronger and serious Armis has become since Adrian's death. No way he's losing this one."
Again, after pondering for a moment, Alan reluctantly agreed and stood up, echoing Lyco's sentiments. "Okay, if you both agree, I will oversee this duel," he declared. "As Lyco explained, the winner shall decide the fate of the loser. The loss will be counted when either of you surrenders or is no longer in a condition to continue."
Alan glanced towards the drying clothes of Armis and Leo as he continued, "Please wait until your clothes dry out before s—"
Before Alan could finish his sentence, Leo and Armis's rage overcame their patience, and they lunged at each other, ready to battle in nothing but their loincloths and bare bodies.
Everyone watched in amazement and yet blushing shyly as Armis and Leo, almost naked save for their loincloths, rushed at each other. Leo leaped into the air, emitting a loud grunt as his long sword mark, beginning from his neck and ending just inches below his waist, began to shimmer with a green glow. With a swift motion, Leo drew his long sword from his mark and swung it down at Armis.
Reacting quickly, Armis halted just steps before Leo and assumed a defensive position. He grunted loudly, summoning his evolved armor. What had previously consisted of only an obsidian chest plate, abdomen shield, forearm and shin guards, now extended to include shoulder covers and full arms covered in chainmail tights. His lower body was now completely covered with armor and the same chainmail tights, all bearing the same obsidian textures as his chest plate.
Armis absorbed the powerful swing of Leo's long sword on his forearm, showing little reaction to the impact. Glaring directly into Leo's astonished eyes, Armis remained unfazed. Leo, taken aback, couldn't help but comment, "Well..well..looks like someone has been eating lots of raiders huh?"
Armis's eyes flared with anger at Leo's remark. In a swift motion, he spun around Leo and delivered a devastating kick to Leo's calf, causing him to groan in pain and almost kneel.
Stepping back, Armis prepared himself for a roundhouse kick, but Leo, clenching his teeth in fury, regained his balance. He stabbed his sword into the ground for support and executed a sudden backflip, delivering a powerful kick to Armis's chest, momentarily staggering him from his stance.
Leo and Armis exchanged heated glares once again before circling each other, their movements tense with anticipation. With a determined sprint, they charged at each other once more, their ferocity evident in every step.
In the midst of the intense duel, as everyone's attention was focused on Armis and Leo, Relecta, still pouting from Alan's scolding, stood a little apart from the group.
Her eyes rolled as she watched the duel unfold, but suddenly her attention was drawn to a figure waving at her. Curious yet cautious, she approached, and as she drew closer, her eyes widened in shock. The figure waving at her, calling her to itself in a friendly manner, was none other than her -
"Mama.."
As Relecta exclaimed in a low voice, her surprise grew even further when suddenly a man peered out from behind a tree, offering a warm smile to Relecta.
Shocked yet desperate, Relecta rushed to her supposed parents. As she reached them, she hugged her mother, who was clad in an elongated blue and white robe, her hands covered with blue gloves.
Her hair, small but face-filling, was tied up in a bun, and she wore a long hat atop her head.
Her mother returned her embrace as the man, clad in light black armor with a blue overall underneath, approached. His plump face was fully covered with a thick beard, and he wore a topless helm from which his thick brown hair protruded.
He gently patted Relecta's head. Overwhelmed by longing and happiness at the reunion with her parents, Relecta extracted herself from her mother's hug and asked in puzzlement and suspicion, tears continuously dripping from her eyes, "Wait... but you guys were dead, right?" Her mother gazed at her with a soft expression, love evident in her eyes, and replied while cupping Relecta's face with her hands, "No, my love. We were always here, waiting for you."
Her father swiftly scooped her up in his arms, reminiscent of her childhood, and placed Relecta on his shoulder. Nostalgia replaced her suspicion as Relecta watched in a constant teary gaze, her father smiling up at her. "Don't cry, my princess," he said reassuringly. "Now that we're together, everything is going to be fine. Come on, let's go home." Hearing the words she never thought she would hear again from her father, Relecta's heart filled with emotions. Unable to say anything through her constant tears, she simply nodded in agreement as the three of them walked back into the jungle, disappearing into the damp foliage.
As the duel raged on, Leo relentlessly pressed forward, his sword strikes landing with formidable force against Armis's armor.
Armis, resolute and composed, absorbed each blow, his armor bearing the brunt of Leo's assault.
Finally, Leo executed a last sweeping swing that sent Armis staggering backward, his feet sliding across the ground. With a swift motion, Leo drove his sword into the earth, using it as support as he leaned heavily upon it, his chest heaving with exhaustion, catching his breath, Leo prepared to speak to Armis, but before he could utter a word, Armis seized the opportunity without hesitation. With a powerful surge of energy, Armis firmly planted his right foot and propelled himself forward with all his might, hurtling towards Leo with astonishing speed.
As Armis closed in on Leo with lightning speed, Leo struggled to draw his sword, but it was too late. Armis descended upon him, driving his knee into Leo's face with force. Leo reeled backward, but Armis seized his head in an iron grip, delivering another punishing blow to Leo's gut. Leo doubled over in pain, bloodied and weakened. Armis released him, his voice filled with determination and anger as he delivered a stern warning to Leo.
"Surrender, Leo," Armis commanded sternly. "I am not the same weak Armis you once knew. I won't hesitate to defend myself, especially after the things you've said about Uncle Adrian, about... what you called Father… and about all the bad things you said about…our friendship."
In Armis's warning, the pain inflicted by Leo's arrogance became palpable. However, Leo, refusing to yield, rose unsteadily from the ground, blood dripping from his mouth. With defiance in his eyes, he retrieved his sword, pointing it menacingly at Armis.
"Accept defeat by a monster? Never!" Leo spat, his voice laced with defiance. "Now come at me, you beast."
The tension between them reached a boiling point, evident in their deadly serious expressions. Alan realized that what began as a friendly competition had escalated far beyond control. Both Armis and Leo stood locked in a fierce gaze, ready to resume their battle with unmatched ferocity.
As Armis charged towards Leo, Alan swiftly intervened, stepping between them and causing Armis to halt just before collision. Leo sneered at Alan's interruption.
"Move aside, this doesn't concern you," Leo retorted sharply.
"Yes, Alan, please. This has been a long time coming. Today, I'll teach him a lesson," Armis echoed Leo's sentiment, urging Alan to step aside.
But Alan stood his ground, his tone firm yet reasoned. "No. I believe this has escalated beyond a mere duel. I won't allow it to devolve into a fight to the death—"
"Relecta?!!!"
Before Alan could've completed his words, Poduria's urgent call rang out, cutting through the tension and grabbed everyone's attention.
Alan's worry surged as he scanned the area, but there was no sign of Relecta. He hurried over to Poduria, who met his gaze with equal concern. Without prompting, she explained, "Relecta was here just a moment ago. She was upset with you, so she didn't stay to watch the duel. I looked away for a moment, and now she's gone."
Alan's anxiety spiked as he called out to Relecta, his voice tinged with desperation and irritation, "Relecta?!!!! RELECTA!!!!! Where are you?!! Please, if this is a prank, come out!!!!!"
Alan's calls echoed through the empty space, met only with silence. In confusion and desperation, he scanned the surroundings, searching for any clue that could lead him to Relecta, but there was nothing. Armis and Leo, now fully clothed, rushed over to Alan, but when Armis attempted to offer comfort, Alan recoiled, his fear and desperation evident in his eyes as he demanded, "Where is she?!!!!"