My Family in the Novel?

Chapter 159: First Act 28: Evadne's Mistake

Evadne Darja, a shining star among the many geniuses emerging in what everyone referred to as the golden age of humanity, stood out prominently in a generation that boasted an unprecedented number of exceptional individuals.

Over the past hundred years, never had so many prodigies arisen within a single era. Among this remarkable cohort, Evadne held a distinguished place, earning her the title of one of the most celebrated and revered figures.

Hailing from the illustrious Darja clan, known for producing extraordinary talents, Evadne surpassed her peers, earning a reputation as the most monstrous prodigy of her lineage.

Her prowess extended beyond the boundaries of her clan, gaining recognition not only within the empire but also across the entire continent.

Even the emperor acknowledged her, underscoring the exceptional worth she held for the empire and the world at large.

The name Evadne Darja resonated as a symbol of unparalleled genius, a prodigy whose significance reached far beyond the confines of her immediate surroundings.

And now, I was facing that very same genius.

'FUCK….!'

Even in the novel, Evadne was described as one of the few people the overpowered Tristan wouldn't want to fight a second time because, if she truly tried, their battle could go both ways.

As the approaching sun descended upon my face, I thought of every possible way to escape the situation.

Using the white veil authority would be a no, as I have plans for that later. In fact, most authorities that associate me as the hero can't be used right now.

Using my family's authority as well seemed useless in the situation, as most of them were more utility-based than anything. None of it can block this burning attack that was coming to me by the second.

Her crazed laughter echoed in my ear as my perception slowed to a hundred, trying to find ways to escape the situation.

As the searing heat of Evadne's impending attack closed in, I quickly ruled out the option of blocking – the sheer intensity of the assault would likely result in disintegration.

My authorities, too, were deemed unfit for defense in this situation.

It seemed my only viable choice was to retreat after all….

'I'll go after Liam later'

With the urgency of the situation pressing upon me, I resolved to escape temporarily.

I couldn't risk sustaining damage before my eventual confrontation with Tristan.

Tristan, with his heightened magical and mana sensitivity, would undoubtedly sense the significant mana Evadne was unleashing.

Engaging both Evadne and the approaching Tristan simultaneously was out of the question.

In a swift motion, I summoned a portal beneath me.

Darkness expanded from the shadows, enveloping my body as I descended into its abyss.

I could almost see Evadne's fading smile, replaced by a flicker of anger as she realized my intent to run away.

Sorry Evadne, but the circumstances dictate a tactical retreat – a two-against-one scenario isn't in my favor, especially considering my odds of victory against you alone are dubious at best.

As darkness swiftly enveloped my presence, I threw a parting gift for Evadne, a special mana bomb, before my surroundings morphed into something new.

In that fleeting moment, I glimpsed Evadne's face twisted in anger as she deftly dispelled the explosive magic.

"LUNAE AURORAE" I uttered with a bow and a hand over my heart, before disappearing in her eyes.

In the blink of an eye, I found myself back at the initial teleportation spot. I was cautious about overusing my sister's authority; it had its limits, and I needed to save it for emergencies.

Especially for the event later.

A thunderous boom resonated through the air, and a brilliant pillar of fire illuminated the distant landscape.

Despite my considerable distance, the heat still stung.

'I hope I didn't just kill her with that'

Well knowing her she's probably alive…

….

With her blue hair swaying, Bella landed on the ground, surveying the scene before her.

The area was littered with the lifeless bodies of hundreds, all victims of the monster's ruthless rampage.

The chaotic path of destruction left by the creature was evident, and Bella couldn't determine the specific floor of the dungeon she currently occupied.

The monstrous entity she had witnessed was unlike anything she had encountered before. Though it bore a semblance to an orc, the overwhelming demonic miasma it emitted blurred the lines, making it seem more akin to a demon.

The uncertainty lingered in Bella's mind; was it a hybrid, a unique creature, or perhaps an undiscovered denizen of the dungeon's depths?

Whatever it was, Bella understood that if this menacing force descended to lower floors, the students there would face imminent danger.

Bella knelt down, her hand gently making contact with the fleshy ground. Memories of her encounters with demons from her childhood flashed briefly in her mind. Her master used to hunt down these malevolent entities, but as time passed, those memories had faded, and the sensations associated with them became distant. Now, facing this demonic force, Bella found herself reconnecting with that eerie familiarity.

She memorized the distinctive demonic mana signature lingering in the ground, absorbing every detail. Rising with a determined look on her face, Bella knew she had to act swiftly. The threat posed by this creature was too great to ignore.

Employing her teleportation magic, Bella vanished from the gruesome scene and reappeared near her party members.

"This is mine…!"

"No you need to return it….!!!"

Her eyes widened seeing Aria and a pink haired woman fighting over a beautiful staff.

….

"THAT BASTARD…!!"

Evadne's enraged voice echoed through the cavernous dungeon, the force of her frustration causing the ground beneath her to buckle and crack.

The aftermath of her powerful attack had left a blazing trail in its wake, a testament to the intensity of her battle with the mysterious adversary.

As the flames danced around her, Evadne surveyed the surroundings with a mixture of annoyance and relief.

Somehow, she had managed to redirect the explosion into the air, sparing the entire dungeon floor from the devastating impact.

Despite her formidable strength, Evadne acknowledged the limits of her firepower.

Her mind lingered on the peculiar orb the masked person had thrown at her.

'Was that a bomb?'

'How could something so small be that destructive?'

The miniature bomb had unleashed an explosion beyond its size, leaving Evadne with burnt skin, charred clothing, and the loss of one arm.

Half her face was stinging with so much pain as she can feel the boiling blood vessels popping with each second.

The damage was a testament to the potency of her adversary's weaponry.

The silence that followed was only broken by the crackling of residual flames, casting an eerie glow on Evadne's battle-scarred form.

With a heavy sigh, she contemplated the enigmatic assailant's capabilities.

Fucking Idiot…!!!

Slumping down onto the melted ground, Evadne winced, coughing up blood in the aftermath of the intense battle.

Clenching her teeth in frustration, she attempted to rise, only to realize that she had lost both legs, reduced to burnt ashes.

"Fuck…! How fucking pathetic" she cursed herself bitterly.

The realization hit her hard – she had let her excitement overpower her, allowing her guard to drop.

The assumption that the masked adversary would fight fairly proved to be a grave miscalculation.

As Evadne struggled against her fading strength, her vision gradually dimmed.

The toll of her wounds became increasingly apparent, and it became apparent that time was running out.

The once indomitable prodigy was now faced with the grim inevitability of her own mortality.

As Evadne closed her eyes, accepting her fate, a loud voice echoed in the distance.

"Senior!!"

The manly yet gentle voice belonged to a very handsome man, none other than Tristan, running toward her.

"What happened, senior?" Tristan asked urgently as he quickly kneeled down, employing his light mana to heal Evadne's grievous wounds.

'Looks like today won't be the day I die'

Thought Evadne, managing a small smile.

She took one last look at the worried Tristan, who poured out an abundant amount of divine energy in an effort to heal her.

'How cute….'

'Haha…. now that I think about it, this is the second person worried about me today... truly how pathetic'

Mused Evadne as her consciousness faded.

With a sense of reassurance from Tristan's presence, she fell into a peaceful slumber.

….

"That guy told me to trigger the bomb once that thing below makes its daily hunt, but when will it go and hunt? It's been over six hours behind schedule!"

Mumbled Gobel as he observed the sleeping blood wyvern below.

True to the rumors, the blood wyvern boasted an immense size and an aura of certain death.

The last time he came here with Adrian, the blood wyvern wasn't around, as it had gone on a hunt, presumably targeting another colossal monster on this floor.

Unlike the preceding floors, the 15th floor of the dungeon, where the dungeon core was located, resembled an expansive green forest—a veritable jungle filled with gigantic trees, mountains, and an array of colossal monsters.

Even the smallest creatures within this level were comparable in size to houses.

Sitting on the edge of a cliff beneath a towering mountain, Gobel surveyed the scene.

The cave behind him emitted a soft, pulsating blue glow, its core harboring a floating orb filled with an array of bombs—the dungeon's core, diligently performing its designated function.

Gobel's gaze shifted to the button he held in his hand, the anticipation building as he patiently awaited the blood wyvern's imminent hunt.

"I hope my rank goes up after this" he pondered, genuinely desiring recognition from his organization for the dedication he was demonstrating.

"But that vampire lady was really beautiful~!"

'LUNAE AURORAE'

Gobel prayed to see Schwi again.