Ultimate Level 1

Chapter 326

It was smart sending that rabbit away. Do you believe he will truly be safe?

Max nodded, his foot tapping as Jazzjak’s did all the time as he sat on the stone bench in the room that helped decrease his skill cooldowns.

If we don’t win, no one will be safe.

This battle will be the hardest one we have ever faced before. Know that if it takes every ounce of energy I have saved to keep us alive, I will use it.

He could feel the tinge of frustration from Bob, knowing that as close as his skill seemed to be to evolving, there was no other option.

I still feel we could have escaped and tried to find Ezreal and get our revenge.

You and I both know that wasn’t going to work. I have no idea which way to head and how long would it have taken for us to run there, hoping to retrace our steps and perhaps be found by him? He believed we were dead, so it would be safe to assume that he wouldn’t be outside in that place he dropped us.

How you are sometimes so smart and other times ignore common sense amazes me. You see one person in need, and you forget the danger helping might put yourself or someone in.

With everything finally equipped, he felt somewhat better prepared for what was coming. The stats didn’t seem like much anymore, and now he wished he had kept the rings with the percentage gains.

Any idea on what tomorrow will bring?

Death… either she dies, or we die and so many others.

Frowning, Max closed his eyes, taking a deep breath, and lifted his hand to the heart necklace he wore.

“Tanila… pray for me.”

***

“It’s… it’s time.”

Max couldn’t help but grin when he first sensed Quilazmore outside of the house.

“It appears your face has healed and that you haven’t been killed yet. Tell me, did Igarra question you at all?”

The dark elf shook his head rapidly, eyes fixed on the ground.

“No… the rage she was in… none of wanted to be near her… whatever you have done, know that she plans on ripping you limb from limb.”

“I hope so, otherwise I’d be upset if this fight was a bust.”

Coughing, Quilazmore glanced up at Max and froze.

“You… you believe you can defeat her! She is a god! This is her world!”

“No, my little friend, you are wrong, she isn’t a god, and this isn’t her world because if it was, Ezreal wouldn’t be on this planet, and something tells me there are others elsewhere that have power. Igarra is strong, but she isn’t invulnerable.”

“But… but no one has ever been a threat to her,” he replied, his voice trembling as he spoke. “You don’t understand! She has killed so many and ended their lives before they knew it. Surely you don’t believe you are stronger than she is.”

Max tapped his wooden staff that he had in his right hand against the stone floor, smirking when Quilazmore jumped at his action.

“Tonight you need to listen to what I am going to say. I do not plan on dying, and I plan on having my revenge,” Max stated, glaring at the dark elf who took a step back from him. “When I kill her, two more will die. After that, I imagine this place will be thrown into chaos. It would be wise for you to find somewhere safe.” ṜÁƝo͍₿Ěꞩ

Quilazmore swallowed and bobbed his head once and then motioned to the corner of the house they always used to leave for the arena.

“No. No portal. Surely there is another way to get to the arena other than that one.”

His purple eyes widened, and the servant grimaced.

“There is… but she is—”

“Expecting me to appear there? Where a trap might be present?”

“I’m not certain… I was just told to bring you to the arena, but… you are probably right.”

“Then lead me to the arena. Like last time, I’ll carry you, and if I think for a moment you have taken me to a trap.” Max paused and snapped his fingers loudly. “Any questions?”

Shaking his head, the elf hunched over as Max moved to where he was and picked him up, putting him under his shoulder.

“Now then, tell me where to go.”

***Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Can you sense the presence of so many here? There are far more beings than ever before.

Max only grunted, as he still had a hold on Quilazmore, and he studied the arena floor from a different box than he usually had for the arena.

“It would appear she got your note,” Max said after the sound of a roar washed over the place. “How long?”

“You’ll know when the announcer calls. I’ll make the portal after the floor forms.”

“After? I thought you did it before,” Max stated. “Why after?”

“Would you prefer me to have you blind to whatever might come while it is forming? She won’t play by the rules, and while I’m not wanting to die by either of your hands, if you lose, I can tell her you made me wait. Besides…”

Max saw the way Quilazmore was frowning slightly.

“Besides what?”

“If you did defeat her… things would change. Perhaps you could take over? Lead us down a new path?”

Shaking his head, Max sighed.

“I can’t, Quilazmore, but maybe if I survive I can help in a small way after I have my revenge. For now, thank you. I’m glad you found me this room.”

“How did you know there was a trap?”

“It’s Igarra. We both know she can’t be trusted.”

***

“I’ve been informed that in just a moment the challenger, Ifrit will join Igarra on the arena floor! This is your last chance to place a wager and witness the power of our blessed ruler of this city!”

Max frowned as he studied the arena floor, knowing already it was stacked against him, but Bob had assured him it wasn’t going to be an issue.

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All the time in the tower floor we spent together, working as one. We shall do what must be done, and I shall show you the power of a god.

Still… a mountain range of mountain tops… she is going all out setting this up for herself.

True, but the space is limited. Two miles, and there are three main points, each separated by about a third of a mile. That gives us a lot to work with as each peak is only about three hundred yards above the ground.

And I cannot see more than a half mile above the peaks… is there really a limit?

Not knowing the power it takes and whatever shield must be surrounding it, I would imagine the energy required to potentially contain what might be unleashed has limited this floor more than Igarra would have desired.

Another cough came, and Max stopped frowning, turning to see Quilazmore grimacing.

“We should send you now. She has been waiting half a minute already on the mountaintop. She will start.”

Max held out his hand and smiled.

“Thank you Quilazmore. Sorry I beat you up and threatened your loved ones. Honestly, I wouldn’t have killed them or tortured them. Just you.”

The dark elf blinked a few times and then snorted before chuckling.

“I guess I owe you a thanks for that… except the beating up and making me think I was going to die. Good luck.”

The two of them shook hands, and Quilazmore touched the pad on the wall, and a portal appeared under Max.

No light blinded him, and the arena floor came into view the moment his feet touched down on a rock outcropping near the peak he was starting on.

“Our challenger has appeared! Give Ifrit one last salute before he is burned and torn to shreds!”

Max waved his wooden staff at the crowd, his robe still covering him and everything that was under it.

His gloves showed, but he didn’t care. No one knew what he was wearing except him.

“I AM GOING TO DESTROY YOU!”

Igarra’s shout covered the distance, her voice echoing off the mountainsides.

Even from so far away he could see the power radiating off her, and then the small gold dragonkin shifted.

Goblin shite… she’s huge…

Max, Bob, and every other spectator watched as the ruler of Quan Ma transformed. Her head grew until it was almost twice the size Kuneoss’s head had been. Large golden wings began to grow and flap as her body stretched, requiring the dragon to become airborne as the stone mountain couldn’t support her any longer.

She is much bigger than her mate had been. At least half again as big.

Nodding, Max chuckled as his fire elemental appeared next to him, summoned by Bob as the two of them waited.

Seventy feet? Eighty?

Probably at least a hundred. Fowl is right, you have a problem with knowing how big something really is.

Unable to stop himself, Max chuckled and saw those golden eyes of Igarra narrow.

I think she thinks I just laughed at her.

That was my plan all along.

Igarra raised her head, looking away from Max, and scanned the arena outside the barrier.

“Let this fool’s death be a lesson to everyone who is gathered here today! This is my home! This is my domain! None shall challenge me and still draw breath.”

She roared, and Max held up his hand, watching as the dragon’s wings began to beat faster.

“Can you hurry up?! I’m a bit bored and seeing your fat arse—”

Before the next word left his mouth, she was upon him, covering the distance in a moment, her claw coming in a swipe.

[ Blink ]

Max was gone from the spot she had struck, seeing the mountain top sheared clean off as her claws raked through the stone.

Each piece that was sent flying came back around, filling the air around the golden dragon, but Max had already made his move.

His newest weapon was in his hand, transformed into a spear and thrusting toward the neck of the beast.

[ Stealth ]

[ Power Strike ]

[ Magic Strike ]

[ Weakness ]

[ Quick Attack ]

[ Ghost Strike ]

[ Berserker ]

[ Rampage ]

His stealth failed the moment he had used it, and as his weapon went to strike the scales, Max watched Igarra’s body shimmer.

All four strikes hit, and nothing happened to her beyond him being tossed back from the impact of the strike.

She moved just as fast as before, her body twisting, using the momentum of her strike to roll in the air, the other claw coming at him for a backhand.

[ Ice Nova ]

[ Demonic Teleportation ]

His spell of ice touched her scales, but Max could tell it had no effect as he vanished to the side, standing on a wall of air, a lightning ball forming in the air where he stood.

A long tail whipped in his direction, light shimmering on golden scales from the fake sunlight of this arena floor, and Max jumped to a stone fragment waiting for him, avoiding the tail by a few feet, a gust of air washing over him from the movement.

Twisting and roaring, Igarra’s maw came at him, chomping over and over as he jumped from stones and landed upon her head, landing another strike with his weapon but drawing no blood or even cracking the scales.

Her head snapped upward, and Max went flying, watching as the beast raced after him, jaws wide.

Right before she could chomp down on him, Bob had an air spear appear, Max grabbing ahold of the spell as he let go of his staff, watching it be devoured by the beast as he sped away.

Keep it up! I’m testing her abilities, gauging her speed. She’s faster than us but doesn’t turn as well, and when we are close, she is limited by her ability to strike and hit.

Max didn’t even grunt as he held on to the spell, watching the truth of what Bob had said, the large dragon having to change her direction from upward to where he was headed.

He reached the mountain peak Igarra had started on and took a deep breath, waiting for what was about to come next.

This is going to hurt!

[ Armored Warrior ]

[ Bulwark ]

[ Harden Body ]

Igarra’s claw struck, and Max held his spear outward, tip aimed at the paw as big as a two-story house.

The dragon’s head jerked upward as the attack came, a gurgling sound from its throat coming as she struck him.

Pain came, and a roar followed as Max felt his spear penetrate the clawed paw that struck him. The impact tore the very rocks beneath him away as he flew across the air, pieces of stone attached to his feet, and his spear yanked free from where it had wounded Igarra.

A gagging sound came, and Max wanted to laugh as Bob used his Stone Mastery skill to control the stone stuck to his feet, watching the beast try to deal with the wooden staff she had swallowed without thinking.

Just like the worm.

Just like—

“BURN!”

The dragon spun in the air as the distance became too great for Bob to control the staff she had swallowed, and fire began to escape from her maw that she started turning toward him.

Goblin shite… this is the bad part…

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