The Last Monarch : Unlimited Regeneration
Chapter 81: A Formidable Foe

Chapter 81: A Formidable Foe

Alvaric was treated very well. Everything he needed was prepared. He was even fed by Serya during the meal. Though, in the end, he chose to eat with his own hands out of discomfort.

"This is too much," Alvaric complained.

"You’re making us feel guilty. You did everything by yourself. We didn’t do anything but watch."

Serya sat in front of Alvaric, gazing at his slightly messy face. She took out a small cloth and gently wiped his face with it.

Afterward, she smiled. She felt glad that she had done something, even if it was a small gesture.

"I told you from the beginning, all you needed to do was accompany me. There was nothing else required from you," said Alvaric.

"I know, but I didn’t think it would actually turn out that way."

Alvaric glanced sideways, slightly sharply. "You doubted my words?"

"At that time, yes."

Alvaric was about to say something, but he held himself back. Instead, he focused on eating the meat that had been made into soup.

It tasted good. It made him miss Earth a little and the people there. Ah, there was only one person he truly missed from Earth—Marie. He had no parents, and his siblings didn’t care.

The only one who cared about him... was probably Marie.

"What is she doing right now?" Alvaric thought to himself.

He hoped that Marie was doing well, but then again, he remembered—Marie was one of the Awakened, ranked S. She was incredibly strong. It was hard to be worried about her. Moreover, Marie belonged to one of the best organizations.

No one would dare mess with Marie.

Alvaric let his body fall backward. He stared up at the ceiling of the ninth room. There was a massive crystal orb up there. It was the only light source in that place.

"Have any of you ever seen a creature like me?" Alvaric suddenly asked.

"Why do you ask?"

"I’m just curious."

Serya tilted her head, trying to recall something. But then she shook her head.

"I’ve never seen a creature like you anywhere. Why do you ask?"

"No reason. I just wanted to ask."

Serya stared at Alvaric for a moment. She could tell that something was bothering him. Just a guess.

She wanted to ask more, but she held back. She was sure that even if she asked, Alvaric wouldn’t answer. Better to remain quiet and wait—maybe one day he would share it himself.

"If he fully trusts us, maybe he’ll tell us what’s on his mind."

Serya looked up, this time at the large crystal orb above the room. She took a breath and slowly exhaled.

It hurt a little to imagine that Alvaric didn’t fully trust her. Even after she had given her best to earn his trust.

Serya could only let out a long sigh.

"This hurts more than being hated by those people," she whispered—only audible to herself.

She picked up a bowl and poured some soup into it. She was also hungry after waiting for so long.

***

After a long enough rest and a satisfying meal, Alvaric, Serya, Velka, and one soldier were ready to move into the next room.

Whether it was the final room or not, they didn’t know. But one thing was certain—there was a powerful enemy beyond the next door.

"There’s a door ahead of us this time. I think this will be different," said Serya.

Alvaric thought the same. He wasn’t entirely sure, but he could feel a faint pressure from behind that door. An unnatural aura—not like the monsters they had fought so far. Something... stronger was waiting inside.

They walked slowly toward the door. Each step felt heavy, not from exhaustion, but from the ominous sense pressing against their bodies—even Alvaric.

Serya tightened her grip. Velka showed a high level of alertness. Meanwhile, the soldier behind them swallowed hard, nervous. Though they hadn’t fought until now, something told them this time would be different.

Alvaric, walking at the front, stopped. The large door stood before them. As he raised his hand and touched its surface—it was cold.

"Ready?" Alvaric asked without turning his head.

"Yes."

"Ready."

"So am I." _{fre eweb\(n)ovel(.)co(m)}

Alvaric let out a breath. Slowly, he pushed the heavy doors open. The sound of creaking echoed as the hinges moved. Air from the other side rushed out, carrying with it a strange aroma—rusted metal... or something else entirely unfamiliar.

Moments later, as the door fully opened, blinding light greeted them. But it wasn’t natural light. It came from a large glowing orb hovering in the ceiling.

They stepped inside cautiously, letting their eyes adjust. The room was vast. The floor was polished black marble, and the walls were adorned with strange carvings and ancient symbols.

This was nothing like the previous rooms. It looked more like a treasure vault. The floor was far too luxurious for a dungeon.

Alvaric’s expression turned serious. "Shit."

And in the center of the room... stood a figure with its eyes closed.

Serya’s eyes widened as she saw it. Her face turned pale. She nearly collapsed in shock, if not for the soldier catching her.

"Are you alright, Miss?"

Serya swallowed hard. "Impossible. Why is it here?"

"The Angel?"

Serya shook her head. "It looks the same, but... the aura is different. This is something more evil."

Velka turned to her. "What do you mean?"

"I don’t know. But this is a different being than the Angel."

Alvaric simply glanced at them. He swallowed. "This is going to be a tough fight."

The being before them looked like an angel. But not like the ones in their minds. It had a pair of enormous wings spread wide to its sides, feathers pitch-black with obsidian-like glossy tips.

Its body was tall and humanoid, but its face had three eyes—two in the usual place, and a third glowing red vertically on its forehead.

Two pairs of arms hung calmly. The upper right hand held a large sword glowing red, while the lower left hand gripped a magic staff topped with a glowing crystal.

Its face showed no emotion. But the aura radiating from its dark form was heavy... overwhelmingly dark and oppressive.

"Wh–what is that..." whispered the soldier behind them, his voice barely audible.

The creature slowly opened its eyes—all of them.

And in that instant, the atmosphere in the room changed drastically.

The air grew thick. The light trembled. Alvaric’s heart beat faster. He could feel it... a power beyond comprehension.

Then the creature opened its mouth. Its voice echoed from every direction, as if it came from inside their heads.

"So... you’ve finally arrived."

The sword began to glow. The magic staff trembled. The aura of destruction and order flowed from both of its hands.

Serya instinctively stepped back. Velka took a sharp breath. Alvaric... kept staring straight ahead.

His mouth curled into a small grin.

"Finally, something interesting. Come at me, bastard!" he challenged.