The monstrous B-Rank centaur raised its axe, letting out a bellow that echoed across the dungeon like thunder crashing over stone. Its legion of C-Rank monsters roared in unison.
Selene's hands trembled on her bowstring. Airi's breathing quickened. Kaelra narrowed her eyes—but even she stepped back slightly.
That was when a voice cut through the tension—lazy, amused, and soaked in arrogance.
"Well, well… looks like the warm-up's over."
Zairon stepped forward, clapping slowly, his eyes glowing with an eerie crimson tint.
Selene blinked. "What are you—?"
"I'm not as weak as I pretended to be," he said, smirking. "I was just curious to see how well you three would fare. I must say… entertaining, but lacking flair."
Airi gaped. "You… what?"
Zairon cracked his neck, rolling his shoulders. "Anyway, stand back. It's about time I stole the spotlight."
Then he moved.
Like a storm unleashed, Zairon burst into the legion of C-Rank monsters, his sword whirling like a scythe of death.
"Sovereign Slash!"
The air shattered.
The first wave of fifty C-Rank monsters were cleaved in half, then another wave fell to his spinning onslaught. The ground was littered with smoldering corpses.
Selene was stunned. Kaelra narrowed her eyes. "He was hiding all this?"
Airi whispered, "He's on another level…"
Zairon skidded to a halt, standing on a mound of monster corpses, grinning. "Only a hundred? Hah. I must be rusty."
Then, he pointed at the B-Rank centaur. "Alright, you three. Let's finish this. Got a strategy in mind."
He turned to them, eyes sharp.
"Selene, keep suppressing it with long-range. Kaelra, distract it—cut its hamstrings, break its balance. Airi, shield them and prep a healing zone near me."
He smirked, "And I'll cut its damn head off when the moment's right."
Kaelra raised a brow. "And if you fail?"
"I don't fail. I'm Zairon."
The plan was set.
The B-Rank beast charged.
Selene's arrows rained like divine punishment, staggering the monster's rhythm. Kaelra blinked behind it, blades flashing—she carved through joints and tendons with surgical precision.
Zairon waited.
Waited.
Until—
"Now!"
He launched like a cannon.
"SOVEREIGN STRIKE – HEAVEN'S DECREE!"
A blade of energy, infused with sheer dominance, came down like the wrath of a god.
The B-Rank monster's head flew, severed in a perfect arc, its massive body crashing like a felled mountain.
Silence.
Then awe.
Zairon dusted off his coat, turning back to the stunned trio.
"You can thank me later. Or now. I don't mind praise."
Kaelra muttered, "He's insane…"
Selene smirked. "Cocky. But effective."
Airi just stared, blushing slightly.
Zairon grinned. "As expected of me."