Dimensional Keeper: All My Skills Are at Level 100

Chapter 182: Devouring Soul

As the black flames finally died down, the creatureʼs figure was revealed.

Maxʼs eyes narrowed, sharp as a blade, as he immediately understood why the creature was still unscathed, even after being caught in the explosion at point-blank range.

Extending from the creatureʼs right arm was a massive black shield, curving outward in a wide arc—formed entirely from its own body.

A defensive construct.

The shield had borne the full brunt of the World Destruction Flame Lotus, absorbing the heat, the destruction, the consuming force of Maxʼs black flames.

Yet—

It wasnʼt unscathed.

Melting marks littered the shieldʼs surface, dark streaks and dripping, molten residue showing clear signs of struggle. It was evident—the black flames had nearly torn through it.

Maxʼs mind raced.

ʼSo thatʼs how it survived…ʼ

The shield had been just sturdy enough to withstand the attack, but only barely.

If his black flaming lotus had been any stronger, it would have burned through the shield entirely—and possibly penetrated the creature itself.

A small smirk tugged at the corner of Maxʼs lips.

ʼSo even it has a limit.ʼ

He mused.

”Smiling, are you? I wouldnʼt if I were in your shoes.”

The creatureʼs mocking voice slithered into Maxʼs ears, dripping with eerie amusement.

Before he could even react—

It was already too late.

Once again, a blackened claw wrapped around his throat, lifting him effortlessly off the ground.

ʼDamn! Its speed increased again?!ʼ

Maxʼs mind raced, his instincts screaming at him.

With no hesitation, he ignited every ounce of black flames within his body.

FWOOOSH!

His entire figure became engulfed in roaring black fire, the sheer intensity blazing even hotter than before.

The creatureʼs hand sizzled, the black flames licking away at its flesh, trying to consume it whole.

But—

It smiled.

A sinister, horrifying grin.

”These black flames are strong…” the creature mused, watching as the fire ate away at its arm—but at the same time, the burned flesh was restoring itself almost instantly.

”But you are too weak for them to truly hurt me.”

Maxʼs eyes widened in shock.

It wasnʼt just resisting the flames—it was healing at the same time.

The effects of his deadliest flames were being nullified almost instantly.

Then—

The creatureʼs grin widened.

”Now… for the best part.”

Its glowing white ring—the one at the center of its blackened, featureless face—

Suddenly turned red.

The moment it did—

Max felt something inside him twist.

A cold, unnatural force wrapped around him, sinking deep into his bones, his soul—his very being.

And then—

He felt something being taken.

Something being sucked out of him.

Something deeply important.

Something he couldnʼt afford to lose.

For the first time—pure instinctual fear gripped him.

[Soul decreased by 0.1]

[Soul decreased by 0.1]

[Soul decreased by 0.1]

[Soul decreased by 0.1]

[Soul decreased by 0.1]

A barrage of notifications flooded Maxʼs vision, flashing in rapid succession, each one carrying a single, terrifying truth.

ʼDamn! This guy is devouring my soul!ʼ

Panic surged through Maxʼs mind. His heart pounded in his chest as he saw the constant decline of his soul stat, draining away at an alarming rate.

This wasnʼt just physical damage.

This wasnʼt something he could just heal from.

This was worse.

If his soul was consumed entirely—he wouldnʼt just die.

He would cease to exist.

His very being would be erased.

ʼCalm down… Calm down…ʼ

He forced himself to breathe, to suppress the fear creeping through his mind.

Panic wouldnʼt help him.

He needed a countermeasure.

His flames had failed—burning, even searing the creature, but it healed too quickly for them to be truly effective.

ʼIf flames donʼt work… then what about lightning?ʼ

Maxʼs mind raced, and without wasting another second, he activated his Ten Hands of Lightning God technique—

Or at least—he tried to.

But the moment he gathered his strength—

A wave of pure weakness washed over him.

His limbs felt numb.

His vision flickered.

His body screamed at him to shut down.

ʼNo, no, no, no—not again! Not that passing out thing again!ʼ

He bit down hard on his tongue, the sharp pain searing through his mind, the taste of blood filling his mouth.

The agony was just enough to keep him conscious.

For now.

But his soul was still being drained.

And he knew—

He didnʼt have much time left.

But with the wave of weakness continuously striking him, he could only wait for weakness to die a little before he could act.

ʼDamn this!ʼ

He cursed.

—

As Max struggled in the creatureʼs grasp, his body growing weaker with every passing second, the other geniuses could no longer remain silent.

Some watched in fear, some glared with gloating expressions, while others—those who had truly acknowledged Maxʼs strength—frowned deeply, sensing the true danger of the situation.

”Hey, Blob! Canʼt this match be canceled?”

Bruceʼs shout rang across the battlefield, his voice filled with urgency.

”Max already won against Veylin, and that thing—whatever it is—isnʼt Veylin anymore! Just stop the battle!”

His eyes locked onto the floating blob of slime that acted as the guardian of the Cube, the one who controlled everything inside this trial.

But the slime didnʼt respond.

Its entire attention was fixed on the creature, its form unusually still, its normally playful and relaxed demeanor replaced with an expression of deep concern.

Bruce gritted his teeth, his patience snapping.

”Did you hear what I said?!” he roared again, his voice edged with desperation.

Finally, the slime turned its head toward him, its featureless surface shifting slightly as if contemplating.

Then, it shrugged.

”I could interfere in this battle… but I havenʼt done so because I needed to verify something. Now that Iʼve confirmed it, I can interfere.”

Bruceʼs expression lit up for a second before the slimeʼs next words crushed that hope.

”But Max and the creature need to be separated first. If I interfere while theyʼre connected, Max will die instantly from the forced severance. And if Max dies, then no one will get access to the fifth floor.”

Bruceʼs face darkened.

”What the hell does that mean?”

The slime sighed, shaking its form slightly as if frustrated.

”It means that the rules of the Battle Realm are absolute. My master set them long ago, and I do not have the authority to change them. Only the winner of this competition can gain entry to the fifth floor. If Max dies here, then the inheritance will remain unclaimed, and the Battle Realm will reset itself indefinitely.”

Bruceʼs fists clenched.

”Then just give it to him! Heʼs the strongest of us anyway!”

”It doesnʼt work that way.”

The slimeʼs tone remained calm but firm.

”Even though I control everything in this Battle Realm, I cannot simply assign the inheritance to someone. It must be earned through victory. That is the rule of this trial, and I am bound by it.”

Bruceʼs face twisted in frustration. His mind raced, trying to think of another way—any way—to fix this situation.

But before he could speak again—

”Donʼt give up too early… Look!”

Crown Prince Aelricʼs voice rang out, his sharp eyes fixed on the battlefield.

Bruce and the other geniuses followed his gaze.

And what they saw—

Made their hearts pound.