Luck finally stopped, and Asta, having dispelled all the magic traps, was exhausted.
Luck hadn't forgotten their mission. He'd been using his magic power perception since entering the palace, and it had reached its limit. He'd gotten the feedback he wanted, and his expression turned serious.
"As expected… others are here. The strongest is…"
"Thunder Creation Magic: Thunder God's Boots!"
Thunder enveloped Luck's legs, forming thunder boots below his knees. This magic enhanced his abilities.
"I have something to do. Conquer the palace yourselves!"
Before they could respond, Luck turned into a streak of lightning and vanished.
"What the hell?!" Noelle exclaimed.
Drake opened his Grimoire. "Others have entered, and they're not hiding their magic power."
Drake sensed a strong magical presence, like a bright light, in the palace.
Flame wings appeared behind Drake. "It's someone from the Diamond Kingdom. I'll support Luck-senpai. Asta and Noelle, continue exploring."
Asta said, "I'll help Luck-senpai!"
Drake refused. "No. They wouldn't reveal themselves without a plan. Others must be here. Their goal is the artifacts; you must reach them first, or we fail. Only Asta can quickly traverse the palace. Luck-senpai is my responsibility!"
Drake pursued Luck. With Asta's Demon-slayer Sword, they could ignore the traps.
After several passages, Drake heard thunder and explosions—Luck fighting. The opponent was formidable.
Drake arrived to see two figures facing off. A middle-aged man in Diamond Kingdom attire saw Drake.
"Oh? That magic power… a terrifying young man from the Clover Kingdom."
Drake didn't underestimate him. The man in the yellow suit had single-handedly defeated the entire protagonist group, and this man was equally dangerous.
"You're the terrifying one! You're a magic warrior praised by the Wizard King. You're Lotus Whomps from the Abyss," Drake stated.
"A young man who knows me. You're dangerous—powerful and knowledgeable."
Lotus's languid expression didn't change, but his tone held a hint of surprise. Lotus's magic wasn't overwhelmingly powerful; he relied on strategy. He disliked calm, cautious opponents who knew his abilities.
Drake hadn't revealed Lotus's identity to show off; he wanted to warn Luck that this wasn't an easy opponent.
He miscalculated; Luck was excited.
"Really? You're strong! Let's have an all-out fight!"
Luck charged, aiming a flying kick at Lotus.
Boom!
Luck didn't hit Lotus; he shattered a wall.
He looked back at the smoke; he'd passed through it but missed Lotus.
Lotus emerged, adjusting his collar, revealing a long scar on his chest.
"That cloak… you're Yami Sukehiro's subordinates! I was taught a lesson by him! His fighting style is unique; I've only lost to him."
"Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!"
Flames burst through the smoke, shattering nearby rocks.
"You're too strong; you've never lost," Drake stated.
The smoke condensed around Lotus, like a coat. Drake's attack missed.
"Troublesome magic!" Drake frowned. Lotus's smoke-weakening magic wasn't powerful but versatile and tricky.
"Drake, don't interfere. He's my opponent!"
Luck, unwilling to let Drake take his opponent, charged with more intense thunder magic.
Suddenly, Luck slowed, staggering.
"Too slow!"
Lotus released more smoke, enveloping Luck. Luck's eyes lost their light; he collapsed.
"Welcome… to the Abyss's end!"
The Abyss was a state of inescapable suffering. Lotus's magic, like a bottomless pit, earned him this title.
Lotus stroked his beard. "This space is covered by my magic—faint smoke, invisible to the naked eye."
"Smoke-Weakening Magic: Encroaching Smoke Garden!"
Lotus remained in place. "I minimized my magic power to avoid detection, during my subordinates' fight. But…"
He looked at Drake, who stood before Luck. "Why are you unaffected? My subordinates were defeated for nothing?"
Drake explained, "Knowing your magic is smoke, preparing for invisible smoke is natural."
Drake's flames hadn't extinguished; Lotus's magic couldn't penetrate.
Lotus chuckled. "Young people are terrifying! Targeting an old man like me! I'm going to cry!"
The smoke thickened; he was serious now.
Drake braced himself, hearing thunder behind him.
Luck, always smiling, seemed incapable of sadness or anger. His smile was now twisted; this was the true, terrifying Luck.
"This… is interesting!"
Luck vanished as Drake turned. Drake only saw a streak of lightning pass Lotus.
Lotus wiped his face, looking at Luck.
Luck was more beast than man, with thunder armguards and claws, and sharpened toes.
"Troublesome! I don't want to cut down a precious seedling," Lotus said.
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