Chapter 713: Captured

Vale exhaled deeply, his shoulders slumping slightly as he looked at the ash where the mighty Dimensional Creature once stood.

Not a scale nor a drop of blood remained that might be good for alchemy. It was definitely a significant loss since he knew that it would be a great gift to Denise.

Steins approached, his expression mirroring Vale's disappointment.

"A shame we couldn't harvest anything from it." He said, his voice tinged with regret.

"Indeed..." Vale replied, his gaze still fixed on the ground.

"But at least we're all safe. That's what truly matters."

The others nodded in agreement, their faces a mix of relief and wistfulness. They had all dreamed of the wealth and fame that would come with such a trophy. Yet, they were grateful for Vale's victory, which had spared them all from harm.

As they set out towards the location of the Golden Key, the realm around them seemed to protest, its end near.

Thunder cracked like the world's spine, and the earth trembled with the realm's death throes.

"Keep your eyes open and your feet steady..." Steins called out over the din.

"This place won't hold much longer..." Vale muttered as he looked around...

"It does look like that, Sir Immortal. However, we confirmed that it would still last for centuries..." Steins said.

Vale decided not to comment on that, but he still nodded at him.

The group then moved with purpose, but the unpredictable quakes made their journey perilous. There was also chaotic energy, whirlwinds, and flashes of lightning strikes that they had to worry about.

Nonetheless, Vale's Magic Zone remained active.

Suddenly, Vale halted, his hand raised for silence.

Everyone quickly noticed it and of course, they didn't ignore the Immortal's warning.

"What is it?" whispered an Arcanist, her eyes scanning the surroundings.

"There..." Vale pointed to a small, darting shape.

"A Dimensional Creature—perhaps the offspring of the one we just faced."

Vale didn't just made a random guess. Vale had been observing it for several minutes now.

He already noticed the similarity between the Dimensional Creature's Aura and appearance. He also knew how it had been watching them ever since he killed the other Dimensional Creature.

It was as if it was waiting for him to return its parent.

Nonetheless, as soon as they realized that it was a baby Dimensional Creature, excitement flickered in the Arcanists group's eyes.

This was definitely a second chance, a new opportunity for glory.

Vale crept forward, his movements silent as the falling dusk. The Creature, sensing danger, tried to flee, but Vale was quicker.

He used his Presence Shift to get a better position before he triggered his Shadow Divinity and controlled the shadows everywhere. Soon, bands of darkness sprang from his fingertips, ensnaring the Creature!

"Sir Immortal! We have a Containment Crystal from the Rune Arts Department of the Burea. You can try capturing it alive with its help!" Steins suggested.

Vale was already thinking of using his Extraction System since he actually didn't get an error when he tried. It means that his Slave Mark would most likely work as well.

However, he was quite curious if the Containment Crystal would actually work.

After a moment of hesitation, Vale nodded.

"Alright, let me see if it works."

"Yes! We'll also help bind it!" Steins urged his team while stepping forward with a Containment Crystal in hand.

Vale then took the Containment Crystal, and after an appraisal, he immediately knew how to use it. Without hesitation, he triggered the crystal and lights started appearing from it.

Soon, the Creature fought against the magical restraints. Its tiny form was actually surprisingly powerful even with a small body...

However, Vale's Shadow Manipulation was stronger.

The light from the crystal constricted, and the Creature's struggles slowed.

With a deft movement, Steins secured the Creature within the crystal. It glowed faintly, the Creature's eyes meeting Vale's through the translucent barrier.

For some odd reason, the Containment Crystal, with the size of his fist, was able to fit a Dimensional Creature that was about 1 meter in height!

It was such a strange sight!

"We have it..." Vale announced, a hint of triumph in his voice. This was the first time he captured a creature with such a method. He didn't dislike it at all!

The group then gathered around, peering at the captured Creature with a mix of curiosity and awe.

"Haha! We did it!" Steins couldn't help but laugh. He was already happy that they were able to help the Immortal achieve this.

"Incredible... I thought that the Rune Arts Department wasn't doing anything incredible. I guess the budget for their department was justified."

"Hmph... It doesn't change the fact that they're eating a huge part in the budget! We should still be the ones getting the most with how dangerous our job it!"

"This could change everything," murmured an Arcanist, her eyes reflecting the crystal's glow.

Steins nodded, his mind already racing with possibilities.

"Let's move on. The Golden Key is still waiting for us..."

***

The journey resumed, the group weaving through the treacherous remnants of the Celestial Realm.

Thankfully, although the surroundings were still unwelcoming, there weren't any other Arcanists exploring the area.

After all, they believed that these Arcanists who had access from other entrances were much more dangerous.

After an arduous hour, Steins halted, his hand raised for attention.

"We're close now, just half an hour from the altar..." He announced, his voice carrying a note of urgency.

However, as Steins and the group edged closer to the altar, the ground beneath them convulsed violently, heralding the arrival of another formidable foe.

It was another Dimensional Creature!

"Not again..." Steins couldn't help but complain after seeing it. These Dimensional Creatures should be near those areas rich with otherworldly energy!

The Golden Key, which doesn't have any energy flowing out of it, shouldn't attract these creatures!

Nonetheless, as they observed the Creature, it was akin to the one Vale had vanquished.

It emerged from the rupturing earth, its scales shimmering like dark steel and its spikes promising agony once you've gotten hit.

Bam!

The Creature's tail hit the ground. It was a lethal appendage tipped with a spike sharp enough to pierce the heavens.

Its horned visage, a grotesque mask of primal rage, housed a maw lined with fangs eager to rend flesh from bone.

Well, it seemed a lot scarier than the previous one.

It actually looked really angry!

Steins' voice was a calm in the storm...

"Stand back! This one is beyond our measure."

Whether it was the old or the young Dimensional Creature, their group would be helpless against it. There was no point in staying in this battle, and they should have just trusted the immortal.

Soon, Vale stepped forward as he observed the subtle energy fluctuation of the Dimensational Creature...

It was a bit different from the one he encountered first...

"This Creature... it's not just strong. It's ancient, powerful, and untamed..." He said, his eyes locked with the beast's baleful glare.

Screeechhh~

The Creature screamed, a sound that seemed to tear at the fabric of the realm itself, and charged with the fury of a cataclysm.

"Are you that angry? Come!"

Vale met its onslaught with his own Spells.

He summoned a Meteor from the void, its fiery tail illuminating the chaos of the collapsing realm.

Boom!

The meteor crashed into the Creature, but it was undeterred, its scales deflecting the celestial flame. It wasn't even knocked back!

It then started releasing destructive energy that would crush anything it touched!

It was dangerous!

However, Vale's form flickered with Divine Lightning, his silhouette a blur as he employed Presence Shift to evade the Creature's relentless attacks.

Then, he released his Divine Lightning to disrupt its flow of energy! That's right, the Divine Lightning was now reduced to a Celestial Art that could only disrupt the Dimensation Creature.

Nonetheless, wrapped himself in Aurora's Embrace, a haze of colors and light that obscured his movements... He wanted to release this Spell after finding an opportunity.

But the Creature was relentless.

It matched Vale's speed with its own ferocity, its tail a blur as it countered every move.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Vale struggled as his Spells were being blocked or destroyed by the Creature's tail.

Furthermore, even if he got a direct hit, the Creature would just completely ignore the pain and continue!

The Creature's resilience was unlike anything he had faced; it was as if the very essence of the realm bolstered its strength!

Steins and the others could only watch in awe, their hearts racing with the knowledge that they were witnessing a battle between titans.

Vale, drawing upon the depths of his Immortal power, knew this was a fight that he really had to take seriously or he might be the one to fall!

After taking a deep breath, he channeled all his might into one decisive blow.

He pulled out his sword and poured his Divinity into the weapon. Vale then used his Presence Shift to ensure that he wouldn't miss this blow!

Boom!

Vale caught the Creature off guard!

The Creature then faltered, its roar fading into a pained gasp as Vale's sword pierced through its head!

This time, however, Vale couldn't help but feel curious as he was now allowed to Extract this Creature!