Battle on the stairs

The malicious intent was rapidly closing in.

Within a breath's time, it flew across the whole underground city and reached the outer courtyard.

Kieran sensed that the figure slightly paused at the walls—

KABOOM!

A loud bang later, the malicious figure moved forward again.

Even without seeing, Kieran was aware of how the figure had entered the courtyard: by destroying the courtyard walls!

As for running into obstructions while traveling here?

The answer was obvious but the malicious figure didn't care.

To be more precise, the figure crushed everything—obstructions and walls—in its path.

However, Kieran clearly sensed that the figure had slightly weakened.

The weakening was so subtle to the point that it was very hard for others to notice.

Though the figure wasn't hurt, it was a fact that it had gotten weaker by a margin. 

Kieran turned back around to Great Swamp.