[Raven''s POV]


    The spirit, upon arriving near me, shot a powerful lightning.


    The lightning produced a sound loud enough that my ears are still ringing.


    Luckily I dodged it.


    -Who are you?


    The spirit asked me. It''s voice is too holy and beautiful, it''s too much that it made me frown.


    I looked at the spirit arrogantly before opening my mouth.


    "I am god."


    I said with a serious face.


    ''I hope it stop attacking.''


    After my words, the spirit looked at me for a while.


    -Hmm... It''s true that I can sense some divinitying from you, but it''s not as much of a god.


    It then said woth curiosity in its tone.


    ''What the fuck is it on about?''


    I thought with a frown as the spirit just started blurting out weird things.


    ''Well, I don''t care as it stopped attacking me.''


    Just when I thought so.


    Crackle-


    Electric sparks appeared around the spirit''s small body.


    "Everytime I thought everything is over, shits happens!"


    I eximed in desperation and frustration.


    BOOOM!


    Then another lightning was shot to me.


    "Urgh...!"


    I jumped to the meadow, I know standing in open area is stupid but what can I do? The trees are burning and the lightnings are noting from above but from a small spirit.


    "Why are you attacking me?!"


    I yelled in annoyance to the spirit.


    The spirit casually shook its head.


    -No reason.


    The spirit said with a shrug.


    I frowned at the answer I recieved.


    ''System, do physical attacks work on that thing?''


    I asked the system while observing the spirit''s movements.


    [Yes.]


    I recieved a short reply from the systen but that''s enough for me.


    A dagger appeared to my right hand, while a gun to the left.


    I immediately pointed my gun at the spirit.


    And within a second, I fired 5 bullets immediately.


    -Hmm, you''re weak.


    The spirit said then....


    BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!


    3 lightnings fell from the sky.


    1 struck the bullets, and the other 2 was aimed at me. I dashed forward to avoid the lightnings.


    I looked at the spirit.


    Swiiish-


    Then I threw my mana coated dagger at it.


    Phak-


    As I expected, the dagger missed, it stabbed at a tree. The spirit is too small and it''s too fast!


    But I didn''t despair.


    "<Strengthen>"


    "<elerate>"


    Instead I casted buffs to myself then I jumped in tha air, toward the spirit while pointing my gun at it.


    The presence and pressure being emitted by the spirit is strong. But not as strong as Ruby''s!


    So I activated <Monarch''s Presence>.


    .


    My presence became bigger and majestic. Feeling my aura, the spirit looked at me with a hint of interest for a second, but after that, its expression goes back to being bored.


    The spirit is just watching me as I approach their location in a fast pace.


    I didn''t mind its casual actions and just pulled the trigger.


    Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!


    Another 5 bullets was fired. I immediately changed the magazine of the gun.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!–


    And shot again 10 times.


    It all happened in matter of seconds.


    But the spirit just pointed its small hands in my direction.


    -It''s futile.


    After saying that...


    Bzooom–


    Thergest lightning I''ve ever saw in my entire life was fired at me.


    I frowned and desperately lifted my right hand in front of me.


    "<Devour>!"


    I shouted. Then a huge ck vortex came out from the [Ring of Gluttony], it made contact with the enormous lightning, and started to swallow it.


    "Krrreghh... ARRRRGH!"


    My whole body feels like it''s being twisted, the mana I''m absorbing from the lightning is so enormous and my capacity can''t handle it.


    ''Even though it''s only half of the mana really used to cast this damn lightning!''


    My advance got cut off and the spirit was looking at me like it was watching a show.


    I was about 10 meters away from the spirit. And we''re both in the air.


    I used the overflowing mana I got and sent [Celestria] in to my right leg. I poured a lot of maba in it, then [Celestria] transformed into a long de about 20 meters long.


    "Krrrgh..."


    The de is too long and heavy for my right leg alone, and my mana is still overflowing!


    So I used the rest of the mana I absorbed to strengthen my right leg, I also covered the 20 meters long de, [Celestria], with dense mana.


    "HAAAAAA!!!"


    Then I kicked horizontally, aimed at the spirit.


    It all happened for about 3 seconds, and I know the spirit is seeing all of my actions slowly, but I still have to try.


    As I thought so, the spirit is looking at me calmly, as the de was about to reach them, it just flew upwards a little.


    SLASH–!


    CRASH-!


    The trees that made contact with the de covered with mana was cut easily and fell to the ground.


    After that, Ipletely swallowed the enormous lightning. I reformed [Celestria] into a battle suit andnded to the meadow.


    As soon as Inded, my knees got sluggish and almost give up.


    "Haaa... Haaa..."


    -So you won''t kneel?


    The spirit said looking dowb at me from the air.


    I looked up at it and frowned.


    "Kneeling would not change anything, so no, I won''t."


    I said as I straighten my body.


    -Hmm, you''re weird.


    "I know."


    There''s already a lot of people who said that to me, and I really think I''m weird.


    The spirit smile for the first time and opened its mouth.


    -HAHAHAHA, you''re funny.


    It started tough, I just stared at it as my right leg still feels numb and my whole body aches.


    -How about this, if you survive 5 minutes against me, I''ll let you guys free.


    The spirit suggested while pointing at Clifford and his group. I looked at the [Coldvale] members.


    They''re looking at me, they seems to want to ask who I am.


    I frowned, now all the hiding I''ve done is useless.


    I looked back at the spirit.


    "5 minutes? I can do anything?"


    I asked.


    -You can.


    I smile crept up on my face.


    This is my only way out, so why would I decline?


    ''And once Clifford recover, which will not take that long, he can deal with this fucking spirit.''


    My smiled deepened as I thought of that.


    "You''ve got a deal."


    The spirit smiled at my words and pointed at Clifford and the others.


    -This is a duel, if you guys interfere, don''t even think to get out of this ce unscathed.


    As the spirit said that, we felt many eyes looking at us. Chills ran down through my spine.


    -By the way, I''m the leader of all creatures in this area! Be it monsters or beasts, good natured or evils!


    The gazes we felt were from all the creatures in this area, ready to attack anytime.


    I frowned violently scratched my head in annoyance.


    "Every...fucking...time."


    !Why can''t things go on my way in this fucking dungeon!''


    As I thought of that, magic circles started to appear one by one from the sky.


    Looking at them, I felt my eyes being teary and I started cursing anything.


    "Fucking grass..."


    After a small pause, I opened my mouth again.


    "I just want a material to use for my weapon!"


    I eximed on top of my lungs, letting my annoyance take control of my mouth.


    ***


    Meanwhile, where Clifford and the others are.


    "Sir Clifford..."


    Oscar called out Clifford.


    "Let''s observe for now."


    Clifford said with aplicated expression.


    They heard the deal between Raven and the spirit.


    "Guildmaster, there''s a lot of spectators."


    A woman then approached Clifford and said. The woman is an <A+> rank hero specialized in presence and trap detecting, her name is Alina.


    At her words, Clifford and the others looked around and discovered a lot of eyes looking at them.


    As they were observing the surroundings, magic circles started to appear in the sky one by one.


    Oscar and the others, except Clifford, widened their eyes and looked at Raven.


    "Will that boy be fine?"


    Alina asked worriedly.


    It''s been a minute, the spirit and Raven are still motionless, the spirit offered Raven time to prepare, which Raven didn''t refuse, he said he''ll need a minute.


    **(In Raven''s side.)**


    Raven was looking at the magic circles in the sky seriously and activated <Insight> and <Calm Thinker> to their max efficiencies.


    Exactly after a minute.


    -Let''s begin.


    The spirit said mischievously then waved their hand casually.


    3 lightnings fell from the magic circles in the sky, all heading to Raven.


    "You know you''re a piece of shit!"


    Raven eximed. He ran forward to the spirit while avoiding the lightnings, then he leaped diagonally at the air.


    Arriving in front of the small spirit, Raven kicked with his right foot.


    Swoosh!


    Raven''s kick missed, as he expected.


    Raven immediately twisted his body using the momentum of his kick thennded on a tree trunk behind the spirit.


    It''s the tree trunk where his dagger pierced after throwing it earlier. And that dagger is exactly beside Raven.


    Raven immediately grabbed the dagger with his right hand, then using the trunk of the tree as an foothold.


    Bam-!


    Raven covered his legs with mana and propelled himself toward the spirit.


    -You haven''t given up on attacking yet?


    The spirit said unenthusiastically and waved its hand.


    After that, a lightning flew horizontally straight at Raven.


    "Fucking hell!"


    Raven who can see the lightninging in front of him at a terrifying speed cursed.


    Raven have a cat''s reflexes and bnce at the moment by using one of the [Cat''s Earring]''s effects, so he twisted his body midair to avoid the lightning.


    "Urgh!"


    Unfortunately his left arm still got hit, nevertheless, he didn''t stop advancing toward the spirit, no, he couldn''t stop.


    Upon getting near the spirit, Raven thrust his dagger straight to the spirit.


    Swoosh-


    But it was blocked easily by a shield made with mana, the shield is emitting electric particles so it''s easy to guess who produced it.


    -You didn''t think I can only attack right?


    The spirit said with a smug tone.


    "Of course."


    Raven replied with a smile.


    "<Devour>"


    The mana shield got swallowed by a ck vortex.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!–


    Then Raven consecutively shot 10 bullets immediately while his gun is aimed at the spirit.


    Lifting his left hand hurts because it got hot by a lightning, though that didn''t stop Raven as he knows he will die if he bother in such things at the moment.


    After that, Raven started to fall to the ground. Hended softly to the ground, regaining his footing, Raven didn''t waste any time and immediately dashed to avoid countless of lightnings stilling for him.


    Bzoom! Bzoom! Bzoom!–


    Raven looked up at the spirit while still running around the meadow, the spirit waspletely unharmed.


    -Nice try.


    The spirit said with a mocking smile.


    Raven ignored it and just continued to dodge the lightnings, but he''s pretty irritated inside, his left arm is numb because it got hit earlier.


    Bzoom–!


    And then 3 lightnings; from his left, right, and above, wereing at him.


    Raven lightly jumped and twisted his body in the air to avoid the lightnings from his left and right.


    BOOM!


    Then immediately after his right footnded on the ground, he kicked the ground and dashed forward.


    BOOM!


    Thus, he avoided the lightninging from the above.


    -Not gonna shoot me anymore?


    The spirit said looking at Raven running everywhere like a slippery shit.


    "Bullets are expensive you idiot!"


    Raven yelled. He removed the thought of attacking and just focused on evading the lightningsing at him.


    The spirit shrugged and opened its mouth.


    -You can avoid 3 lightnings, so let''s increase it.


    After the spirit said that, 10 new magic circles appeared in the sky.


    "Hey don''t just jump from 3 to 10! It''s suppose to be 5 next!"


    Raven eximed while frowning.


    -<Tempest>


    The spirit ignored Raven''s rant amd said a single chant. The winds got violent, then 10 lightnings fell from the sky and headed to Raven like fast snakes!


    ''I can''t avoid this all!''


    Raven thought and tried to make a mana shield, but failed as it''s his first attempt.


    Raven cursed at himself in annoyance. He just continued dashing away to avoid as many lightnings as possible.


    "I should have learn how to make mana shields from Ruby beforeing here!"


    Raven eximed then...


    BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!


    He got struck by 3 lightnings.


    ***


    [Oscar''s POV]


    I frowned at the sight of a young man getting struck by the lightnings in front of us.


    Sir Clifford is also frowning, he''s fine now and can move freely, but he can''t do anything hastily because the guild members'' safety is on line.


    One move from guildmaster and countless creatures will attack him and us.


    But it''s not like we don''t want to save the boy.


    "Guildmaster!"


    Alina worriedly called for Sir Clifford.


    But Sir Clifford just shook his head indicating that we shouldn''t move hastily.


    Alina made a solemn expression and looked at where the young man was standing earlier.


    I think Sir Clifford''s decision is right, but I can''t help but frown at the fact that we can''t help the boy.


    Sir Clifford is known for being a rightful and an ally of justice, so I know it''s also hard for him to just watch someone die and do nothing.


    I looked at him.


    "What should we do Sir Cliff–"


    "FUCK!!!"


    Before I finish my sentence, a loud cursed was heard from a distance and cut my speech.


    Then I saw Alina with her eyes widened and looking at something.


    Even the other members shows surprise in their face.


    Me and Sir Clifford adverted our gazes and followed where they''re looking.


    And just like them, our eyes widened.


    My mouth opened and closed repeatedly but no words came out.


    The young man, who we thought would have already died, was standing in his two feet, he was struggling, but he''s still standing.


    His whole body is wrapped with something like a ck suit.


    3 potions appeared from a vortex that he produced, then his head became uncovered and he drunk all the potions.


    After that he red at the spirit in the air.


    -Oh, you survived, interesting.


    The spirit said, now its tone is like it''s having fun.


    "Sorry but I''ll get out of here alive."


    The young man said clearly and confidently.


    "And you."


    He pointed at the spirit.


    "You''re strong, have a contract with me."


    At his words, my eyes widened. The same with the others who also heard it.


    "The spirit declined guildmaster, why would the spirit have a contract with that boy?"


    One of the male members of our group said.


    "Maybe he''s joking, right?"


    One of the female members jokingly asked.


    But no one answered.


    It''s because the young man is looking at the spirit seriously.


    -Ha...HAHAHAHAHA!


    The spirit thenughed.


    -You''re funny as hell!


    It eximed.


    "Well, thanks but I''m serious at what I said."


    The spirit looked at the young man.


    -You survived for 1 minute already.


    The spirit stated.


    "No, 2 minutes. The time is still ongoing even though we''re talking right?"


    The young man replied and smiled mischievously.


    The spirit then smiled in a simr manner.


    -Oh, you''re right, sorry for my mistake.


    It said and pointed at the young man.


    -You know that I''m not using my whole power right?


    The young man didn''t answer for a second.


    "You''re right."


    Just after some seconds that he answered.


    ''Why is he answeringte, does his hearing got damaged by the lightnings he recieved earlier?''


    I asked inwardly.


    The spirit seems to think so too as it frowned for a while but then shrugged.


    -You know, and still asked me to form a contract with you?


    Like earlier, the young man didn''t answer immediately.


    "I did."


    -Why would I form a contract with you?


    The spirit asked and emitted a heavy pressure everywhere, we felt it from where we are watching.


    The young man remained motionless for a while, then a smile appeared on his face.


    Swoosh-


    After that, a majestic aura scattered everywhereing from the young man, which got us surprised.


    "Because why not?"


    He answered.


    "Anyway, this talksted for a minute and a half, so I just need to survive another minute and a half right?"


    The young man said with a cunning smile.


    The spirit smiled. My eyes widened as I realized that the young man isn''t answering immediately all this time to stall time and not because he have a problem in hearing.


    -You piqued my interest, now show me why should I form a contract with you.


    Then another 10 magic circles appeared from the sky.


    My heart started to beat faster, I don''t know why but looking at the young man made me feel excitement!


    "but isn''t his aura feel familiar?"


    I muttered.