Rocky and Risha advanced cautiously through the dungeon, testing the corridors and listening for the patter of guards' footsteps. The chains still restrained Rocky, but with Risha at his side, he felt capable of clever, indirect maneuvers.
Then, a tremor shook the castle. The walls vibrated, and the torches flickered violently.
"The throne room… he's moving," Risha whispered, her crimson eyes narrowing. "He's preparing something… immense."
Before Rocky could ask, the air above the castle halls shimmered and split. A radiant figure descended, light cascading like molten gold. Wings of divine brilliance stretched wide, and armor that gleamed like sunlight covered her form.
The Goddess of Victory, Nikkei.
Rocky's system updated automatically:
Enemy Summon: Nikkei, Goddess of Victory
Class: Legendary Divine Summon
Abilities: Absolute Strikes, Aura of Triumph, Battlefield Control, Unmatched Speed and Strength
Threat Level: God-tier (Exceeds Legendary Summoner Scale)
Risha growled softly, shadows rippling around her. "This… this is bad. He's not just strong—he's summoning forces beyond mortal comprehension. Nikkei… a goddess chosen to ensure victory for her summoner. She will crush anything in her path."
The sound of divine footsteps echoed through the halls. Every step Nikkei took radiated power, shaking the stone and forcing shadows to bend away. Even from a distance, Rocky could feel the aura attempting to suppress his Summon Boosts.
"I… I can't fight her directly," Rocky muttered, clenching his fists. "Even with Risha… we'd be annihilated."
"Exactly," Risha said. "This is no longer about brute force. You must use the environment, your chains, the dungeon itself… strategy, patience, deception. Nikkei is powerful, yes, but even a goddess has vulnerabilities. You just need to find them—and survive long enough to exploit them."
Rocky's system pulsed, highlighting potential escape paths, weak points in the dungeon's architecture, and residual magical currents he could manipulate. His heart pounded. Every step, every choice, would have to be perfect.
The golden goddess' eyes locked onto the dungeon, sensing intrusion, her aura sweeping like a tidal wave of divine energy. "Summoner," she called, voice echoing like thunder, "your defiance ends here."
Risha spread her wings. "Rocky… this is the true test. Survive her, survive Lucifer's will, and every step forward brings you closer to Sylvia. But one mistake… one miscalculation… and it's over."
Rocky nodded, determination blazing. The chains burned, his summons quivered with restrained energy—but with Risha at his side, his Summon Boosts, and clever strategy, he could still fight… or at least escape the goddess' wrath long enough to plan his next move.
Sylvia… I'm coming. No goddess, no dark knight… nothing will stop me.
The golden light of Nikkei filled the dungeon halls, heralding the most dangerous battle of Rocky's life.
The golden light of Nikkei flooded the dungeon, her wings spreading like molten sunlight, radiating power that made even the stone walls quake. Each beat of her wings sent shockwaves through the corridors, forcing Rocky to brace himself against the chains. His Summon Boosts struggled against the overwhelming aura.
Risha stepped forward, shadows rippling like living armor. "Rocky… we can't match her directly," she warned. "This is a test of cunning, not strength. We survive by controlling the battlefield, not by confronting it head-on."
Rocky's eyes flicked to the dungeon walls, the flickering torches, and the faint currents of magical energy highlighted by the system interface. He could see weak points—narrow passages, support beams, residual magical nodes—that might be exploited.
"Risha," he said, voice steady despite the tension, "we create a path. We use the dungeon itself. I can manipulate my Summon Boosts, and you can strike from the shadows."
The demoness summon's crimson eyes gleamed. "Exactly. Follow my lead. I can harry her forces, distract her, control movement—but you must think ahead, anticipate her strikes, and keep moving. One wrong step, and she'll crush us instantly."
Nikkei's voice echoed like a chime of divine steel. "Summoner… intruder… your defiance ends now."
Risha's wings expanded fully, curling around Rocky protectively. "Then let's give her a taste of shadows," she whispered. With a sweep of her arm, darkness surged forward, spreading along the floor, walls, and ceiling. It was not enough to harm the goddess, but it obscured vision, shifted perception, and slowed her approach, giving Rocky a critical moment to act.
Rocky closed his eyes, focusing. The system pulsed, showing residual energy in the chains. A plan formed—he could use his Summon Boosts to manipulate these weak points, create distractions, and redirect Nikkei's attention long enough to move deeper into the dungeon toward Sylvia.
Risha leaned closer. "Remember, Rocky. Strategy, patience, precision. We survive today… and we fight another day. But first, we escape."
A low hum of power filled the corridor as shadows and divine light collided. Rocky clenched his fists. The chains bit into his skin, but his resolve burned brighter.
Sylvia… I'm coming. I'll survive this goddess, I'll survive Lucifer… and nothing will stop me.
The golden aura of Nikkei pressed closer, but with Risha at his side, Rocky was no longer just a prisoner. He was a summoner with a plan, a demoness ally, and the faint glimmer of hope that even the legendary Goddess of Victory could be outwitted.