Return Of The Strongest Player

Arthur shifted his attention, glancing emotionlessly at the twitching body of the future Magic Emperor. With an apathetic expression, he quickly formed a barrier around the man to preserve his life.

Arthur didn't understand why he did such a thing.

Due to being in the State Of Mushin, his limbs simply moved on their own, disobeying the commands–or lack of commands–provided by the brain. At that moment, hell descended upon the pitiful Magic Emperor.

His body began convulsing, while the barrier began disintegrating into particles, corroded by the darkness. Arthur applied pressure, strengthening the barrier while detoxifying Kyler's body and mind.

He unconsciously created a new skill, [Mental Detoxification.]

Arthur quickly retrieved the Necklace Of Valor, throwing it to Kyler in an attempt to provide him the mind clarity to recover. Then, he contained the darkness before slashing away at it to diminish its potency.

Arthur rushed to the other corpses, realizing this particular Spectre King's killing method was to directly pierce the brain, the most vital organ, after corroding it through the rather terrifying images it produced.

But that was also the Spectre King's weakness.

As Kyler recovered, his head burst into excruciating pain, causing him to collapse yet again, clutching at his temples while releasing pitiful screams. Arthur gazed apathetically at the man but was internally surprised.

To have survived the mind corrosion–even with a bit of assistance–was no small feat.

Perhaps this was the reason he ascended to his position.

Tenacity and unwillingness to perish, like a cockroach.

Arthur continued to cast [Mental Detoxification] on the man, clearing his mind of any control the Spectre King had on it.

[00:02:13]

[00:02:14]

Arthur was aware that he needed to hurry. Frantically, he rushed towards the Spectre King, releasing several strikes while attempting to touch the intangible being. Spiritually, that was.

He twisted and turned, blocking any of the liquified darkness he could while simultaneously closing the distance. That was when–in his mind–the Spectre King released a faint smile, its bared fangs revealing their sharpness.

The fangs were riddled with a coating of blood.

Arthur also caught a glimpse of the Spectre King's eyes, which were pure black with streaks of white running across them. Although a rather unconventional species, the streaks of white actually represented strength for the Spectre species.

Although they were pest-like creatures, spectres valued power over anything else, much like many other species.

The streaks of white or any other color in their eyes besides black were a testament to their resolve and determination to ascend and surpass their peers. It was a very human-like concept difficult to research.

Arthur felt a pang of fear enter his mind, despite the activation of the State Of Mushin.

He clutched at his heart, swinging Skofnung as it transmitted emotions of fear.

[The Demonic Blade 'Skofnung' advises its user to flee.]

[The Demonic Blade 'Skofnung' bares its fangs yet simultaneously trembles at the sight of the Spectre King.]

At that moment, creepy laughter resounded across Arthur's mind, drowning him in confusion and uncertainty. If even a Demonic Blade was terrified of the specimen before them, how could he prevail unhindered?

Suddenly, spikes of darkness arose from beneath Arthur's feet. He was unbeknownst of their existence.

Clang!

Arthur witnessed a purple flash as the tip of the black spikes collided with his skin. However, despite the Spectre King's intentions, the spikes did not pierce the largest organ in his body, instead remaining motionless.

Arthur dispelled the State Of Mushin to utter a single word.

"Kyler…"

A man with white hair and amethyst eyes stood before him, a streak of purple energy holding the black spikes at bay. His expression still displayed pain and agony, yet he seemed to have mostly recovered.

"Don't fall prey to the mental pressure," Kyler muttered softly, snickering. "Oh, and don't let me fall prey, either."

Arthur rolled his eyes, casting [Mental Detoxification] on both himself and Kyler, weakening if not nullifying the effects of the Spectre King's ability. The latter used Elemental Disturb before performing a few hand signs.

'He's upgrading Elemental Disturb…'

Arthur muttered internally, sensing the changes in the atmosphere. His resistance against the spell weakened, while all mana in the surroundings turned into neutral mana, losing its elemental trait.

The darkness the Spectre King released faded, evaporating into dark gas before vanishing.

"Oh… Uh, thanks for saving me," Kyler muttered awkwardly, scratching the back of his head while averting his gaze.

Arthur nodded. He wasn't even certain why he saved the man. Perhaps his thoughtless state deemed it necessary for his survival. 'I mean, it would make sense if that was the case, considering I had no chance.'

The two glanced at each other before shifting their attention to the Spectre King.

"What do you say?"

"Let's do it."

For the second time since Arthur entered the twelfth floor, the two decided to team up. But this time, neither of them had ulterior motives.

They rushed forward, releasing spells and strikes non-stop, flooding the cave in vibrant, flashing hues and pressure that could rip asunder a regular human. The eroded rocks shattered on impact, while strong winds swept past.

The Spectre King shrieked, being gangbanged by two people simultaneously.

It had never experienced such a pounding.

Bam! Bam! Bam! 

Kyler pushed Arthur, allowing the latter to evade the weakened darkness that escaped the Spectre King's body. The upgraded version of [Elemental Disturb], [Elemental Nullification], seemed to be working perfectly.

It wasn't long before the two brought the Spectre King to its knees, the creature's eyes dull, and the white streaks in its eyes threatening to fade away. Arthur walked forward, pushing [Divine Sense] to the maximum for a few seconds to truly get a look at the creature they'd fought.

'It's ugly.'

After muttering those words internally, he swung Skofnung, decapitating the massive creature, spilling Sun Energy in all directions.

[00:03:12]

[00:03:13]

"Let's go…" said Arthur, to which Kyler nodded.

The two glanced at the Spectre King, finding the battle to be a little unfulfilling.

The creature's defense was quite lacking.