Chapter 325 – The Presence That Burns Before Existing
Agniryos fixed his gaze on Valor, his flames rippling calmly around him, as if the universe breathed in his rhythm.
— You say you're used to creating suns… then why not use them against me?
Or has arrogance blinded you to the point of denying yourself?
Valor smiled, running a hand through his hair as if pondering a joke.
— Oh… you take me for an amateur?
If I bombarded you with suns, I'd be doing exactly what you want.
He spread his arms slightly.
— The Zero Sun already showed it: that kind of attack boosts you.
So tell me… why would I give you a free bonus?
Agniryos grimaced inwardly.
The more I reveal my techniques… the more he understands them.
The more he understands… the more he neutralizes them.
How can a human be so monstrous…
Valor, as if hearing the thought, continued:
— Your nature as primordial flame is so absurd you make most hunters obsolete.
Except me, of course.
And… a few other exceptions. 😏
Then he rose slowly into the air.
This time, two Zero Suns condensed in each of his hands.
Two black stars, silent, crushing space by their mere existence.
Agniryos almost sighed.
— Pointless. You know very well it will have no effect…
Worse, it will only strengthen me.
— I know.
The two suns grew gigantic.
Then, just before impact…
They vanished.
In their place, Agniryos was struck head‑on by a kick charged with pure mana.
The blow ignored all distance, all anticipation, all logic.
The shock bent space.
Agniryos was hurled backward, coughing a trail of flames and incandescent blood.
Valor landed calmly.
— Seriously…
You actually believed it? Let me laugh.
Chains of conceptual mana burst forth and bound Agniryos before he could stabilize.
— You know what's beautiful?
Watching the great Valor massacre someone brings a certain ecstasy.
He raised his hand.
— Rain of conceptual ice blades.
Hundreds of blades appeared.
Not mere projectiles:
each blade was a frozen negation, able to pierce matter, soul, causality, even attempts at regeneration.
They impaled Agniryos from all sides.
Valor descended slowly and placed a hand on his shoulder.
— Don't blame yourself.
You had absolutely no chance against me.
He struck him with a mana‑saturated kick.
But Agniryos smiled.
The chains exploded.
He grabbed Valor's leg and smashed him into the ground with a punch so violent the crust of reality cracked.
Valor opened a dimensional portal…
But Agniryos was already in front of him.
His presence changed.
The air burned.
Intentions burned.
Attacks ignited before even existing.
Every hostile creation was annihilated at the state of idea.
Valor laughed despite the shock.
— Ah…
So this is your incendiary presence.
Admit it's a pretty annoying ability.
He crossed his arms to block a blow — and was still repelled.
— You know what?
I'll simply create an attack your presence cannot burn.
— Impossible, Agniryos replied.
The mana of worlds surged from Valor's inner space.
Raw, neutral energy, non‑hostile, drawn from entire existences already concluded.
It covered his body.
He vanished.
Reappeared.
Direct strike.
The shock made entire planes tremble.
— Oh?
Even that you block?
Valor tried to materialize magic circles — they vanished instantly, burned before existing.
— Well… classic magic is dead.
He switched to pure combat.
Ultra‑fast blows.
Deflections.
Fractures of space.
Agniryos blocked, retreated, endured.
Then Valor created a conceptual water blade.
— There.
Water does not oppose.
It flows around.
The blade passed.
Agniryos was slashed from all sides.
— This time, your presence is useless.
It's time for you to die.
---
**Far away**
Ravna emerged from the flames, cutting Ignivar remnants with a single gesture.
Ignir frowned.
— She is… too dangerous.
— Use the Primordial Furnace, he suggested.
Pyraxis sneered.
— Never.
I won't use my ultimate attack against a human.
Ravna smiled, Maxime still perched on her shoulder.
— You'd better.
Because I've decided to finish this quickly.
— Arrogant human!
Pyraxis unleashed:
**Thermo‑conceptual Annihilation**
A silent wave spread.
It did not burn:
it erased.
Laws, divine protections, causality, logic — all vanished.
Ravna cut it.
She smiled.
— Seriously?
That's your divine judgment?
Pyraxis screamed and activated:
**Ignivar Core**
His core was released.
Ignir paled.
— He opened his core…
His power multiplies uncontrollably.
Everything around will be reduced to nothing…
But if he pushes too far, he risks self‑destruction.
Ravna tilted her head.
— Perfect.
That way, either I kill you…
Or you erase yourself.
She raised her blade.
— In both cases, it suits me.
Maxime smiled.
— I like your optimism.
The battle had entered a zone where even gods hesitate.
Chapter 326 – When Even Gods Lose Their Link
Ignir almost shouted, for once unable to keep his composure.
— Pyraxis, use the Primordial Furnace!
It's far less risky than the Ignivar Core!
You said you wouldn't use it!
He clenched his teeth.
— Right now, you're activating a suicidal technique.
And if she triggers her technique…
the Transcendent Steps of Continuous Compression,
you'll just burn yourself out without even being able to touch her!
But Pyraxis was no longer listening.
All that mattered…
was killing Ravna.
His Ignivar Core burned exposed, releasing chaotic energy:
each heartbeat destroyed matter,
each pulse erased a layer of reality.
Ravna calmly rested her massive sword on her shoulder.
— I won't use it.
Pyraxis blinked.
— …What?
— To honor your sacrifice.
Maxime, still perched on her shoulder, pulled out an imaginary handkerchief and wiped his eyes.
— That's… that's very noble of you.
Truly, you want to honor him to the end.
— Stop, you'll make me look like someone nice.
Then Ravna accelerated.
**Acceleration: Rhythm of Continuous Fracture**
It was neither the March of Accumulation,
nor its evolved form.
It was pure acceleration, based on successive ruptures of presence thresholds:
each step crushed distance before it could be defined.
She was fast.
Pyraxis screamed and unleashed massive jets of primordial fire.
They missed.
No.
They didn't even have time to exist as trajectories.
Ravna was already in front of him.
Her blade was already at his back.
She unleashed a flurry of hyper‑fast strikes:
each impact crushed matter,
fractured space,
left behind dead zones impossible to regenerate, fractured reality itself.
Then:
Knee to the abdomen.
Kick to the face.
Pyraxis was hurled kilometers away.
Ravna was already waiting where he would crash.
Her scars glowed.
— Yes, striking your body burns me.
Your Ignivar Core is a true hell.
She smiled.
— But my body has adapted.
Pyraxis launched a jet of Ignivar.
Cut.
He tried a move.
She was already behind him.
Every gesture of Pyraxis annihilated everything around…
but never reached Ravna.
Maxime murmured:
— I thought when you said you wouldn't use the Transcendent Steps…
it was to let him hit you.
— That's the case.
— …Excuse me?
— My speed has decreased.
Maxime stayed silent for a second.
— …It's still completely absurd.
Pyraxis, mad with rage, transmitted mentally to Ignir:
— As long as Agniryos exists, I can return.
Create a space.
Anything.
But reduce her movement field.
Ignir responded immediately.
— Absolute Ignivar Force.
Ravna turned her head slightly toward him.
Pyraxis tried to take advantage.
He was struck by several invisible blows that crushed him to the ground.
Ravna smiled.
Ignir raised his hands.
**Absolute Ignivar Forge**
A colossal structure formed around them.
A closed space, forged of architectural flames:
distances compressed,
trajectories imposed,
every movement taxed energetically.
A cosmic furnace.
A dimensional coffin.
Ravna struck.
She pierced Pyraxis.
Pyraxis burst out laughing.
— I got you.
**Ignivar Explosion**
An internal blast swept the space.
Ravna crossed her arms, was hurled violently,
her blade planted in the ground to slow her.
Then—
A flaming punch to the abdomen.
She was sent flying, dragged by the impact.
Pyraxis advanced slowly.
— My Mark of Incineration prevents you from regenerating.
Ravna looked at him…
and smiled.
— No.
Pyraxis growled.
**Primordial Furnace — Maximum Power**
Coupled with the Ignivar Core.
The ultimate ability.
A total combustion:
burns matter,
erases soul,
dissolves will,
destroys essence,
annihilates existence links.
Even gods vanish without trace.
The attack raged within the space forged by Ignir.
When all stopped…
Ravna was motionless.
Her pupils had vanished.
Only the whites of her eyes remained.
Her body was intact.
But her soul seemed… vaporized.
Pyraxis sighed, satisfied.
— I knew she wouldn't survive.
This attack could destroy a large part of creation, but I'm surprised her body wasn't vaporized. It's incredibly resistant.
Then—
Her red pupils moved.
Ravna's scars illuminated.
She rose.
**How she survived**
Ravna did not resist the attack.
She let her soul dissociate,
then rebuilt it instantly thanks to her adaptive scars,
which do not regenerate…
they rewrite the optimal state after destruction.
Pyraxis screamed.
— IMPOSSIBLE!
Ravna seized her blade.
A single gesture.
She cut Pyraxis in two.
But not the body.
She cut:
the link of immortality,
the connection to Agniryos,
the shared essence.
Ignir invoked chains by his will—
Ravna was already in front of him.
Without her blade visibly moving,
Ignir was conceptually severed:
his architectural core collapsed.
Maxime applauded.
— Congratulations.
That was truly masterclass.
Far away.
Agniryos, immobilized by Valor's conceptual ice blades, suddenly spat blood.
— …How?
My true essence… has been touched?
Valor tilted his head.
— Oh?
What's happening to you?
— That woman…
She destroyed my avatars.
The Unleashed Judgment.
The Architect of the Blaze.
He trembled.
— But how did she affect my true essence?
And that blade…
He raised his gaze.
— …It has become stronger.
Valor smiled slowly.
— Interesting.
The battle had just shifted to a new level of threat.
Chapter 327 — When the Real Monsters Arrive (and Mock You)
The Labyrinth's voice echoed, neutral but slightly… embarrassed.
Ravna's Mission: Elimination of two gods — Success confirmed.
Distribution of rewards in progress.
Ravna blinked.
— …Ah.
So, it's over.
The Labyrinth hesitated for a fraction of a second, which was a very bad sign.
Due to the unauthorized intrusion of a superior being…
The system recognizes a failure.
Exceptional compensation granted.
Maxime, still perched on her shoulder, snickered.
— Wow.
The Labyrinth is rewarding you for something you were going to do anyway, without being asked.
It's actually ashamed.
🎁 Rewards Granted to Ravna:
New Ability — Edict of Original Rupture
A passive-active ability allowing Ravna to directly sever the laws bound to an entity (immortality, resurrection, essence anchoring, avatars).
👉 Not an attack.
👉 An authorization.
Non-Ability Artifact — Seal of Stabilized Reality
An engraved core that prevents systems, gods, or superior concepts from altering her existence without consent.
(Translation: even the cheats have to ask politely.)
Special Right — Recognition of the Labyrinth
The Labyrinth recognizes Ravna as a legitimate anomaly.
She will never again be treated as an error to be corrected.
Ravna raised an eyebrow.
— …Not bad.
Maxime smiled.
— Congratulations.
You've just been officially validated by a cosmic system.
That's rarer than a humble god.
In the distance, Agniryos gnashed his teeth.
— I…
I cannot have lost like this.
I didn't even get to find Oris and Kae for my revenge…
Valor burst out laughing, hands on his hips.
— Hell yeah 😎
That's what happens when you mess with someone as majestic,
as grand,
as incredibly perfect as the Great Valor.
Agniryos sighed.
— Honestly…
you're just a massive pain in the ass.
His essence began to regenerate.
👉 How?
Agniryos possesses an external primordial flame core, a fragment located outside the combat plane, which restores his essence as long as it isn't explicitly targeted.
Valor watched him do it. He didn't move.
— Hurry up and regenerate your essence.
After that, the Great Valor is going to throw you another party.
Agniryos reconstituted himself entirely. He smirked.
— You let me recover…
Your arrogance will cost you dearly.
He leaped—
💥 MANA-CHARGED KICK
Agniryos was sent flying back, coughing up blood.
— …Shut up and move, Valor replied.
Then—
A crushing presence fell upon the Labyrinth.
Even space itself seemed to hold its breath.
Agniryos slowly lifted his head.
— What is…?
A child appeared.
Mid-length black hair falling over his eyes.
A presence so dense that the Labyrinth itself was reacting to it.
Someone was carrying him in their arms.
— Honestly…
you never change, a voice said calmly.
Valor smiled.
— Valen.
You're here…
and you brought the Absolute Being with you.
The child frowned.
— My name is Arelis now.
Don't call me the "Absolute Being."
Valor looked him up and down.
— Arelis?
What kind of name is that?
— I forbid you from speaking ill of my name.
— I'm sure Valen chose it.
Valor pointed at Valen.
— Bet won in advance.
Valen shrugged.
— Who told you it was me?
Who do you take me for?
— You could have called him Axiom or something, I don't know.
Arelis's eyes sparkled.
— …I like Axiom.
Valor smiled.
— If you say you like it, then no problem 😌
When Arelis turned toward Agniryos—
His presence became absolutely overwhelming.
He jumped from Valen's arms.
— So…
you're the one causing trouble in my Labyrinth?
Valen stepped forward.
— Everything we did to create this place,
so that the weak could progress…
and you come here to ruin it all.
His presence turned dark. Agniryos trembled.
— …Vael—
Valen placed his hand on his blade.
The Sword of Judgment.
— I don't understand why you haven't killed him yet.
Letting him regenerate is unprofessional.
Elyonna, the spirit of the sword, appeared and sat on his shoulder.
— Coming from you, I've seen it all.
— Are you implying I'm not serious?
— I haven't said a word yet.
Valor raised his hand.
— Let me finish him—
Valen moved forward.
Every step made the entire Labyrinth shake.
Agniryos backed away.
— This… this isn't a human…
When their eyes met, Agniryos saw the red pupils and the star-shaped irises.
— Even his gaze threatens to erase my very existence…
Valen sighed.
— Fine.
Goodbye.
He severed him.
Him and his essence.
Then into pieces.
Then vanished under his gaze.
— There.
I think everything is settled.
Ravna arrived behind them.
— Hello—
Then she saw Valen.
The most powerful hunter.
The strongest human.
She kept her cool.
— Hello, Mr. Valen.
What brings you here?
— No need to be so formal.
I just wanted to slaughter an incarnation of the primordial flames.
It's done.
— Don't brag too much, Elyonna added.
— You have too little faith in me.
Valor sighed.
— Great.
Because of you, the Labyrinth isn't going to give me anything.
— Sorry, I didn't do it on purpose.
— I'm sure you did.
I just have no proof.
He turned to Ravna.
— So?
What did you get for rewards?
Ravna showed them.
Valor looked, then turned his eyes away.
— Meh.
Anyway,
the Great Valor needs nothing.
Valen smiled.
— You look vexed.
— Not at all.
(Even today, Valor is lying.)
Chapter 328 – The Labyrinth, Shame, and Gifts
The voice of the Labyrinth echoed again, more solemn than before.
**Valen.**
For having eliminated the superior being who intruded into the Labyrinth,
rewards will be granted to you.
Valen raised his hand.
— Not for me.
I only finished off Agniryos.
The Labyrinth paused.
**Valor.**
For having fought Agniryos and driven him to a critical state,
rewards will also be granted to you.
Valor crossed his arms, proud.
— No need.
Anyway, the Great Valor only needs the Great Valor.
Arelis blinked.
— …Are you serious right now?
The Labyrinth resumed, a little hesitant.
In that case…
The rewards will be transferred to Ravna.
Ravna, arms crossed, replied calmly:
— The ones I received are more than enough.
Silence.
Arelis put his hands on his head.
— BUT YOU CAN'T DO THAT 😭
You're all refusing the rewards of my Labyrinth!
Valor grinned, wicked.
— I've got an idea.
Since we don't care, you could compensate
Solan, Lyane, and Kaor for what they went through.
And also Professor Eldric.
The Labyrinth analyzed.
Suggestion deemed pertinent.
However…
If its master, Arelis, had been more attentive,
no intrusion would have been possible.
Valor burst out laughing.
— What an irresponsible master.
And then he dares say *I'm* the one who's not serious.
Elyonna nodded.
— Honestly, that's the pot calling the kettle black.
— EXACTLY.
You nailed it.
Valen frowned.
— What are you implying?
— How could we have predicted such an intrusion?
Arelis scratched the back of his head.
He awkwardly laced his fingers together, clearly embarrassed.
— The thing is…
This Labyrinth wasn't mine at the start…
I took it by eliminating its former owner.
Valen stared at him.
— …Excuse me?
— BUT
I really thought no one would dare come after me here!
His presence suddenly became crushing.
— I'm not called the Absolute Being for nothing.
Valen calmly placed his hand on his shoulder.
— Relax.
Ravna sighed.
— That only confirms what Valor said.
Arelis turned to her.
— …What words?
— That you're irresponsible. 💀
Arelis opened his mouth.
Then closed it.
Then tried to speak.
Then gave up.
Ravna placed her hand on his head.
— But it's fine.
Hunters are here to deal with this kind of threat.
Valor protested.
— What do you mean, hey?!
I didn't sign up for babysitting, he's clearly not a kid!
Valen crossed his arms.
— You've got no room to talk.
Instead of eliminating the threat, you let it grow more dangerous.
Imagine if he had attacked civilians.
— …
— So, between the three of us,
you're the most irresponsible.
Elyonna raised a finger.
— Honestly, none of you are any better.
— You're not much better yourself, Valen.
Valen sighed.
— Stop spouting nonsense.
Arelis clapped his hands.
— Fine!
To make up for it, I'll give out the rewards.
Each will get… three.
Ravna tilted her head.
— Like mine?
One ability and two other things?
— Depends on their specialty and rank.
Valor answered immediately.
— The kids are all Rank A.
And they're all mages.
Arelis raised an eyebrow.
— Seriously?
— Solan: elemental mage.
— Lyane: blessings, healing, and light magic.
— Kaor: darkness, creation, and destruction.
Valen nodded.
— I have to admit, they're remarkably talented.
— And Eldric is Rank A+.
Arelis smiled.
— Impressive.
He snapped his fingers.
**Rewards granted**
**Solan**
- Ability: *Harmonious Elemental Resonance*
Allows fusion of multiple elements without instability.
- Artifact: *Catalyst of Pure Affinity*
Amplifies elemental control without increasing consumption.
- Passive bonus: *Sensitivity to natural flows*
He senses elemental imbalances before they manifest.
**Lyane**
- Ability: *Blessing of Absolute Clarity*
Healing that ignores curses, conceptual burns, and divine afflictions.
- Artifact: *Seal of Persistent Light*
Allies healed retain a lasting luminous protection.
- Bonus: *Mental immunity to traumatic shocks*
**Kaor**
- Ability: *Controlled Negative Creation*
Can create from the void without collapse.
- Artifact: *Core of Structured Darkness*
Stabilizes simultaneous destruction and creation.
- Bonus: *Resistance to causal backlash*
**Eldric**
- Grimoire Extension: *Superior Archivist*
Temporary access to Rank S spells.
- Artifact: *Ring of Ritual Stabilization*
- Authorization: Labyrinth access priority to advanced pedagogical zones.
Ravna nodded.
— Honestly… not bad.
Valen turned toward the exit.
— Let's go.
We'll meet them.
Valor stretched his arms.
— Well.
I hope at least they'll thank me.
Elyonna snickered.
— Dream on.