Wings unfurled from Nolan’s back, a red mark glowed on his forehead, and a halo formed behind him. His eyes were pure white, radiating a pressure so immense that the entire dungeon trembled. Every stone, every wall shook under the sheer force of his aura.
The Behemoth’s eyes widened. No... could it be him? Could he have truly reached this level? Impossible. This isn’t the same person...
Divine energy surged from Nolan’s form. Could it be Michael? the Behemoth thought, trembling under the overwhelming power. But even then... can I stand a chance? This isn’t even his full strength.
Nolan descended, his presence radiating unstoppable force. "Fight me," he said—or rather, Michael spoke through him. The voice was layered, like two beings merging, firm and unwavering.
The Behemoth’s lips curled into a rare smile. "Finally... now I can fight without holding back."
It lunged, its divine claws slashing through the air with unimaginable speed, aiming directly for Nolan’s chest. From the tips of its claws, white energy erupted, forming shapes that resembled running creatures with jagged teeth. They lunged at Nolan’s body, still under Michael’s control.
Effortlessly, Nolan swatted them aside with a single hand. Then, with a powerful flap of his wings, he lifted into the air. His hand stretched skyward, gathering a golden energy that coalesced into a massive beam, pulsing with raw divinity.
The Behemoth roared and unleashed a golden blast from its mouth, colliding with Nolan’s attack. But Nolan’s beam was overwhelming. The Behemoth’s energy shattered, devoured by the golden onslaught, sending the colossal creature hurtling backward.
Nolan’s body landed gracefully on the ground, the aura still blazing around him. With blinding speed, he vanished and reappeared behind the Behemoth. A kick struck the beast’s head, smashing it into the ground. Another punch followed, driven by Michael’s precise control, shattering bones and limbs.
The Behemoth staggered, stunned by the display of raw, unbridled power. This... this is what he could become if he truly mastered himself... raw strength alone, and I haven’t even seen his full potential, it thought.
Nolan remained half-conscious, feeling the divine energy coursing through him. A voice echoed in his mind: This is your true power, what you will be capable of at level 100.
Michael advanced again, pushing the Behemoth back with relentless force. The golden aura roared around Nolan’s body, a testament to the incomprehensible strength now at his disposal.
The pressure lingered in the air long after the last strike. The Behemoth trembled, lowering its massive head until its face pressed against the stone floor. Its voice was heavy, filled with awe and resignation.
"This presence... it is beyond me. Even if I unleashed every power I have ever mastered, even if I gave everything in this moment, I would still not stand a chance. Against you, I can only surrender. I give up."
The mighty creature bowed, a gesture it had not given in centuries.
And then, at that moment, Nolan stirred. His white eyes dimmed, the blazing halo faded, and the wings of light vanished like mist dissolving into the air. The divine robe that had wrapped his body evaporated into nothingness. Slowly, Nolan opened his eyes—his own this time—and consciousness returned fully to him.
The Behemoth raised its head slightly, studying the young man before it. "So, you have returned to yourself," it rumbled. "You were... outstanding. You defeated me. Utterly. In the last hundred years, I have roamed this dungeon alone, without rival, without purpose. I grew weary of endless solitude, unable to ascend to heaven... trapped here in this endless silence. And yet you—" its voice trembled, almost reverent, "—you were strong enough to overcome me. I honor that."
Nolan shook his head, his breathing unsteady. "No... it wasn’t truly my power that defeated you."
"Perhaps not," the Behemoth replied with a rumbling laugh. "But it changes nothing. The fact remains—I lost to you."
"You’re right," Nolan said as he looked down at both of his hands, trembling. "I remember that feeling... it was as if I could do anything. Would I ever be strong like that? Is that what an SSS-rank ability feels like? A power so great it could make me stumble upon the whole world..."
His chest tightened, but his eyes burned with resolve. "I’ll use it for good. I’ll use it to protect everyone."
The Behemoth’s deep voice echoed through the dungeon. "Then tell me... what do you wish for? If I lost to you, what would you have me do?"
Nolan lifted his head. "No. I’ll throw that question back to you. What do you want? Do you want to keep rotting in this dungeon forever—or will you follow me? Pick one."
The Behemoth paused, its massive eyes widening at the audacity of the mortal before it. Slowly, it rumbled, "You are truly outstanding... and wise. For one so small. I want to follow you. But my form... my body is too massive. Even now, I am suppressing my true size, yet this is the smallest I can become. My weight... my strength... is greater than you can imagine. Look at me—do you still believe you can carry such a burden?"
Nolan stepped forward, his fists tightening. His voice was steady, unwavering. "It doesn’t matter. I want to tame you."
The Behemoth’s eyes glowed with disbelief. "You... want to what? Not at your current level—you can’t. I cannot read your mana, but if you truly wish for this... then understand. The one with lower mana will serve the one with higher. Do you accept?"
"Yes," Nolan said firmly, without hesitation.
The Behemoth laughed, a sound like mountains shifting. "Then begin."
It lowered its colossal head until its face touched the ground before Nolan. The boy moved forward, every step heavy with emotion, until he stood before the titan. Slowly, he reached out and placed his hand against the beast’s scarred face.
"Be mine," Nolan whispered, his voice shaking. "Do you want to be mine?"
The Behemoth’s golden eyes softened. "I already accepted the moment you stood tall against me."
A sudden roar of energy surged through the cavern. A massive crimson circle formed beneath them, blazing with power. A red star ignited on the Behemoth’s forehead, glowing brighter and brighter, until its light seared into Nolan’s skin, marking the back of his hand with the same fiery sigil.
Nolan gasped, clutching his hand. "It worked..."