Only I Am A Reader

Roar!

The monsters' cries were even louder this time around, and the numbers that rushed out were multiplied in two. However, there was no fear on Leo's face, only impatience.

'I need to end this as quickly as possible.'

Even more than the initial challenges where the ratio of increase was diluted, the Final Challenge wasn't something that could be dealt with lazily!

[ 2.79% ]

The number at the center of Encroachment Tower was rising in real-time, threatening to achieve completion if swift action wasn't taken. Meanwhile, the second monster wave looked like it was ready to do anything to stand in Leo's path.

'Is this still no good?'

Despite being aware of the limitations, the first thing that Leo did was conjure a bow using Shadow Armament. With a long draw, he sent a dark arrow flying towards the Encroachment Tower. However…

Tss.

The moderately charged arrow barely made an impact before bouncing off the red tower. The ominous structure shone with red light as if there was some sort of filament protecting it.

'They are still in the way.'

That was how the Encroachment Tower worked. While it might appear to be fairly easy for people with Special Abilities to demolish a physical structure, the task itself was bound by rules just like everything else in this Gate.

While the voice didn't spill it out for Leo or Aurora, the Protectors of the Encroachment Tower had to be vanquished before the Tower itself could be attacked!

Leo was only checking if there was a shortcut, but he was prepared to finish this challenge the proper way. 

Without hesitation, twelve shadow blobs split from his own before charging at the monster horde. Leo could easily take them all on his own, but the same level of efficiency couldn't be guaranteed!

The wriggling masses of nothingness immediately changed once they came closer to their targets. The familiar snake-like faces still looked the same, but they had now grown bigger.

In addition, the bodies that emerged also had a few major changes. The slithering tails were not only thicker now but limbs had also emerged from them. The dragon impression that they had given so far was growing stronger!

Just like primal monsters should be, they dove right and started tearing everything apart. Compared to their initial forms, the sharp claws that extended from their new limbs increased their extermination efficiency.

'I thought they would take on different forms…'

Although Leo hadn't attempted to set any new restrictions to manipulate these specific Shadow Nightmares, he presumed that the Ability's Evolution would cause a more radical change.

However, aside from an increase in the Basic Nightmares' quality, it seemed that nothing much had changed.

'Well, I do need to save my energy for now.'

From the looks of it, Leo had to splice things up for the ability to live up to its true potential. Nonetheless, what he needed at the moment was numbers rather than capability or strength!

That advantage that Shadow Nightmares presented was necessary to keep the percentage as low as possible, and that wasn't only true for his side.

'You go up as well.'

Having placed a few Shadow Nightmares in the back with the simple condition of remaining dormant for a while, Leo activated the cards that he left behind.

Although Aurora was already doing great felling monsters left and right, she had still yet to unlock her Area of Effect attacks, at least not the major ones.

If she kept up her current pace, Aurora could only finish half of the monsters by the time Leo got rid of the multiplied wave he was facing. That speed was already extreme, but it wouldn't do in a fate-deciding battle like this.

While Leo wanted to use the monsters to distract her, it was only to the extent of not messing up the timing. He wouldn't risk increasing the percentage any further just to keep Aurora off his back.

[ 3.28% ]

This much of an increase would have taken a day during the initial challenges, but during the Final Challenge, it all happened within minutes!

'Time to join in.'

Brandishing the Black Dragon Shadow Replica, Leo took an explosive step into the horde. He might have admitted that his killing speed wasn't enough, but he never believed it to be inferior compared to a dozen Nightmares!

Leo was starting to worry about getting rusty, this was his chance to flex the skills that had been lying dormant for a while.

Thresh!

The long spear danced left and right, but Leo wasn't satisfied. Limitations could be broken, and this new world had provided him with the tools that he needed to do so. 

'An even greater realm can be realized.'

While he missed the Internal Energy of Murim, Leo possessed something that Martial Artists didn't possess. Unlimited boundaries!

Through a mix of Shadow Manipulation and Shadow Armament, Leo started looking more similar to the monster he was facing as a second pair of arms sprouted from his torso.

Swish!

The White Tiger accompanied them as soon as they came to shape, lunging at the monsters that were crowding at the side!

'It's iffy as expected.'

The way the new arms moved looked no different from a regular arm, but in reality, it was very lacking compared to what Leo hoped for.

They might have been sufficient as grinding machines thanks to Shadow Armament's lethal edge. However, these ignorant slashes were far from imitating Leo's skills.

Masterfully handling his two greatest weapons at the same time… If Leo wanted to realize the image that he drew in his mind, then he still had a long way to go.

'But they will do for now.'

Since they were currently incapable of precise handling, Leo let his new arms go wild, extending beyond his body to slaughter the mindless monsters around him.

'We can do it.'

[ 3.74% ]

The clock was still ticking, but Leo didn't let it get to him. No matter what price it took, he wasn't going to let his very first attempt at saving Aurora go to waste. As a Reader, he couldn't afford to have any regrets!