Isn’t the wannabe Villain too cute?

Ever since Austin started cultivating his magical prowess and learned martial arts from various teachers, he never met someone who could be regarded as his match.

Strange it may sound, but until now, only the Terror Rank golem Austin fought on his first expedition has ever given him the chills of threat.

Well, since Austin was superior to the demon in every way, the slight horror he felt was just the debut anxiety blended with the shock of an unexpected turn of events.

And also, the brawl with Captain Charles was a memorable event, but these two have taken place quite a while ago, so slowly, Austin has forgotten the sensation of his blood boiling with adrenaline.

This Wizard, who popped out of nowhere on the fifth floor and had been chattering like he had found something amusing, suddenly initiated the role of being the boss of this floor.

The sinister black smog which oozed out of the Wizard's palm covered the whole floor at an alarming rate, but Austin didn't move since he knew this smog wasn't meant to kill him or anyone else.

'He's just sealing this floor, huh….'

Elemental Types mage is what Austin was primarily evaluated on. He could discern the change in something's state in real-time.

If the floor beneath his feet was raw rocks and marbles until now, then that ominous add-on from the Wizard has made it impossible for Austin to evaluate where his foot has been standing.

As from what the Abyssal Wizard said, it was natural for him to seal the ground so Austin doesn't take a shortcut to the next stage.

"K-Kyo-chan…"

Kyouki's eyes turned from the Wizard to his friend before his gaze widened in shock just upon catching the glimpse upon witnessing Cordelia's state.

Her body was partially covered with a raven hue, with her eyes losing focus on the man she could only seek for help. She was feeling her world drowning in darkness.

[Poor child. Possessing Dark Runes in front of its Creator, would surely bring you to such a state. Well, if you don't want her to suffer blondie, then you better release her seal and let her dwell in my darkness.]

Undoubtedly Cordelia was a user of Ancient technique which was unknown to Austin. If the Wizard has the same attribute with such monstrous efficiency, it made sense why Cordelia had been suffering since she landed on this floor.

If not for the [Affect Suppressor] seal Austin has given to Cordelia, she might have become one of the Wizard's slaves until now.

"W-What should we do, Austin?"

The hero was panicking like never before since it was the first time seeing someone precious to him on the verge of death. If not for Austin being present around, Kyouki might have lost it.

Gritting his teeth in frustration, Austin commanded the hero with his eyes, never leaving the Wizard.

"[Call Of Purgatory]. Use that on her until I don't defeat this bat shit."

Kyouki's eyes widened in astonishment since the skill Austin spoke was something he had never shown to anyone. But it wasn't time to think of something useless.

"You know I won't be any help if I start exorcising her, right?"

Kyouki had no plan to back out when Austin gave him such a tremendous idea of something he himself possessed, but there was a limitation on what the current self of Hero could do.

While using the Purgatory, Kyouki could only focus on his subject and not even on himself. It was a high-ranking Light Magic, after all!

"Well, in front of that monster, you will be nothing more than a dead weight."

Kyouki sneered before he picked Cordelia in a bridal carry and went to a corner of the floor, leaving the brother-sister duo alone to face this unknown strange entity.

"Onii-sama?"

Saya tilted her head in confusion as she saw her brother extending two small daggers in her direction. Perplexed, she took the daggers before she realized their significance.

"T-this… ?"

Saya shuddered slightly upon receiving the plain-looking dagger with such enchantment which made her tremble in a fret and wonder who could have even mustered such Holy Energy to build the weapon.

"It's a gift from Luna. She asked me to give it to you when the time is right. Sigh* how does she know everything ...."

Saya could feel the helplessness and awe in her brother's voice for Luna, but currently, even Saya couldn't help herself from feeling impressed. Indeed Saya wasn't even near the level where Luna had been dominating for who knows how long
.

Clutching the hilt of the dagger in a rigid hold, Saya spoke in a determined tone.

"I won't let you down, Onii-sama."

Austin nodded with a slight smile before he refocused on the wizard, who hadn't moved from his spot at all.

[How heartwarming~ I will make sure to keep you guys close in my shadow army~]

Austin didn't answer since his attention was already drawn upon the unexpected appearance of those who the Wizard regarded as his Shadow Army.

Several figures of those creatures which Austin already had fought and some of those he had never thought of standing against so soon, erupted out of the ground.

Yes, this was what made him excited. This was what Austin needed to push himself to the limit. This sensation is what he could never get tired of.

[Brace yourself. You are now under my domain. The one who rules on shadow, the Wizard of the Abyss. Let's see what you have to offer in return, blondie~]

________________….

A/N: - Let the chaos commence~