Chapter 61: Don't Let That Back Turn Away

Finn's thoughts were correct.

Rig, who was well aware of the constraints and threats that the female-bodied monster's corrosive liquid posed to Loki's Familia, indeed intended to deal with it alone.

Thus, Rig gathered his mental energy, converting a large amount of it into magical power, then into wind power, adjusting the "Wind Spirit Dash" to near maximum output, like a real tornado, crashing into the female-bodied monster and carrying it away from Loki's Familia.

"Bang!"

With a heavy collision, the female-bodied monster was slammed into the ground, causing the earth to tremble.

Dust and gravel shot up into the air like a geyser, swirling around Rig, only to be blown away by the wind surrounding him.

Rig, enveloped in wind power, ascended into the air, his feet surrounded by a rotating magic circle, and began chanting again.

However, before Rig's chanting was complete, countless pollen-like light particles suddenly sprinkled out from the dust.

"Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! ——!"

A series of explosions suddenly appeared in a corner of the 50th floor, causing the flames to spread for the umpteenth time.

The ground was destroyed, the forest burned, and the explosive flames and shockwaves surged like a tsunami, engulfing everything, including Rig.

Rig could only feel the intense heat and the bombardment. If it weren't for the wind protection from "Wind Spirit Dash," his body, which was not wearing any armor, would have instantly turned into a fireball and been blown to pieces.

"Ramule!"

Rig endured the explosion and completed the protective magic chant.

A deep green light membrane shone from the wind, enveloping Rig's body.

Rig's "Durability" and "Agility" instantly increased, especially the "Agility," which increased to a particularly astonishing degree.

With the dual protection of "Ramule" and "Wind Spirit Dash," Rig finally felt no heat or impact from the explosions.

At that moment, Rig increased his mental energy, expanding the scale of the magic, allowing the wind to break through the flames and extinguish the fires in all directions.

"——!"

The female-bodied monster, seemingly enraged by Rig's actions, rose from the ground and let out a high-pitched scream at the airborne wind child.

Rig looked down at the ugly monster from above, a slow smile forming on his lips.

"Whoosh!"

In the next moment, Rig suddenly dove down, transforming into a streak of light, shooting towards the female-bodied monster.

The female-bodied monster, seemingly prepared, opened its mouth, and a high-pressure stream of purple corrosive liquid shot towards the sky.

The streak of light and the liquid stream collided in mid-air, creating a fierce conflict.

Before long, the wind around the streak of light forcefully split the liquid stream, pushing through and engaging the female-bodied monster in battle.

"Slash!"

A sword flash appeared, slicing through the monster's body, causing the corrosive liquid to spray from its ugly form, making the female-bodied monster scream.

"Bang!"

A thick, flat arm swept like a whip, hitting the streak of light and sending the figure inside flying, crashing into a distant rock wall, shattering it.

Almost simultaneously, the streak of light, accompanied by the wind, swept back, colliding with the unprepared female-bodied monster.

"Boom!"

This time, it was the female-bodied monster that was sent flying, landing in a forest, crushing numerous trees.

The female-bodied monster screamed in anger, its four flat arms retracting and extending, immediately releasing countless explosive spores, which were carried by the wind towards Rig.

A grand explosion occurred again, causing flames and shockwaves to rise, the heat and high temperature blowing like hellfire from the ground, instilling fear.

However, Rig was not among those who felt fear.

Rig continued to endure the powerful explosions without dodging or retreating, enveloped in wind, transforming into a streak of light, continuously flying around and attacking the female-bodied monster.

Instantly, sword flashes flickered, purple blood spurted, and wind-powered slashes continuously landed on the female-bodied monster, cutting through its body, making it howl in pain.

"Swish!"

The purple corrosive liquid, like blood, dissolved the entire forest, causing black smoke and a foul smell to rise.

The streak of light, enveloped in wind, paid no attention, using the wind to blow away the corrosive liquid while slashing, and soon the sound of chanting echoed.

"O proud warriors, archers of the forest."

"Before the advancing plunderers, take up your bows."

"Answer the call of your comrades, draw your arrows, and ignite the flames, lights of the forest."

"Command you to release your arrows, the elves' fire arrows."

"Like a rainstorm, burn the barbarians."

Attacking, moving, and chanting, Rig once again demonstrated his advanced simultaneous chanting skills, releasing magic learned from his teammates.

"Volley of Fire Javelins!"

Thus, a rain of fire descended.

"Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! ——!"

This time, the explosions were not around the female-bodied monster but on its body.

The rain of fire from the sky hit the female-bodied monster, causing explosions on its body, making it finally howl in excruciating pain.

"——"

All members of Loki's Familia watched this scene, collectively stunned.

They watched the distant battle, watching that streak of light, enveloped in wind, like a war god, continuously colliding with the female-bodied monster, unafraid even when hit by flat arms or bombarded by explosive spores, slashing and chanting, making the female-bodied monster howl in pain. The shock in their hearts was unimaginable.

"Is this Rig's battle?"

Tiona murmured.

The others were also speechless for a long time.

Among all present, apart from Ais and Riria, few had truly seen Rig's battles.

Even though Rig's strength on this journey had been recognized by many senior members of the Familia, earning their respect, that level of battle could not compare to such a life-and-death struggle.

Due to Finn and others' instructions, Rig had been quite conventional during this expedition.

In the floor boss battles, he was considered an important rear support due to his multiple magic abilities and mastery of "Magic Conduct," always staying in the back to provide long-range support.

During the Formor extermination, he charged into the monster crowd with Ais, slaughtering them, but it was still part of a team effort, and his performance, while excellent, was limited to that.

At least, Riria knew how restrained Rig had been throughout this journey.

Under normal circumstances, Rig would have charged in alone, engaging in a life-and-death struggle with the monsters.

That was when Rig was at his strongest.

He feared no enemy; the stronger the enemy, the more excited and passionate he became.

He feared no challenge, no matter how difficult, and would charge forward without hesitation.

Using magic for long-range attacks from the back?

Cooperating with teammates for team battles?

These methods were safe, but not what Rig truly desired.

It could be said that only at this moment did Rig truly show his true self and true strength.

As a result, the monster that had left even Finn and the others at a loss, forcing the entire Loki Familia to retreat, was now showing signs of defeat under the fearless and increasingly fierce performance of the swordsman.

"What kind of 'Trickster' is this?" Gries shouted. "Loki must have given him the wrong title."

"Indeed," Riria also said with a bitter smile. "If she had seen this battle, she wouldn't have given him such a title."

Finn smiled slightly, looking at the members around him, who were staring at the battle in a daze, his voice slowly spreading.

"Watch carefully."

"Watch this battle, watch that person."

"I can assure you, he will climb to heights we can't even reach, becoming the hero the gods have long awaited."

"I don't ask you to catch up to him, but at least, don't let that back turn away."

This was also Finn's inner thought.

"Hero"

Tiona murmured again, her eyes gradually shining as she looked at Rig.

"Indeed, it's him."

Tione also praised, glancing at the small human hero beside her, her thoughts unknown.

"Brat"

Bert's face was slightly distorted, his tone harsh, but his gaze never left Rig.

"Mr. Rig"

Riria clasped her hands in front of her, her eyes filled with admiration as she watched Rig's fierce battle.

The others were also more or less in awe, developing a sense of reverence for that figure.

Even Ais, silently watching Rig with her golden eyes, was unaware of the emotions growing within her.

Bathed in countless admiring or loving gazes, on the distant battlefield, Rig charged at the heavily wounded monster for the umpteenth time.

"Clang!"

Rig drew a sword.

Not the Hermit's Sword he had been using all along.

Since the start of the expedition, Rig had never drawn the other sword on his waist.

It wasn't that he was reluctant to use it, but he believed that the first opponent for this sword had to be worthy.

So, since entering the expedition, Rig had always used the Hermit's Sword.

Until this moment, facing the female-bodied monster, Rig finally drew this sword.

The light, fine sword in his hand, Rig's speed suddenly increased.

"Awaken (Tempest)."

The wind blew, wrapping around the sword.

"Rage (Tempest)."

A violent storm suddenly swept across the battlefield.

Holding the first-tier weapon named "Fool," Rig, like a spiral wind tornado, charged forward, stirring up countless dust.

"——!"

The female-bodied monster finally sensed the fatal threat, screaming hysterically, releasing explosive spores and spraying corrosive liquid without restraint.

But these were all blown away by the wind, unable to reach Rig's body.

"Boom!"

The wind tornado soared, slamming heavily into the monster's body.

The monster screamed in agony, purple liquid splashing from its body.

"Slash!"

In the next moment, the wind tornado pierced through the monster's body, creating a large hole in it.

The female-bodied monster exploded in a scream, dying completely.

New book period, seeking support! Seeking recommendations! Seeking collections! (*^▽^*)

(End of Chapter)