Chapter 156: The Art of Upgrading

"Unacceptable! As the sagacious wolf Holo, how can I endure such indignity?" Holo defiantly shook her head, her frustration palpable. To be so disheveled by a mere rhinoceros was an affront to her dignified title.

"Alright, alright, our esteemed wolf lady, now is not the time for bravado!" Zhang Fan, exasperated, gently patted Holo's head before propelling himself into the air with Palatine. It was time for his ultimate move.

"Rune Technique—King of Beasts! Claw and Fang! Thunderous Demolition Array!"

"Rune Technique—Sky Cleaver! Cross of Light!"

"Rune Technique—Tiger Sovereign! Blazing Rupture Slash!"

"Rune Technique—Soaring Sky! Swift Sparrow Shot!"

"Rune Technique—Shadow Dance! Eightfold Spectral Waltz!"

Before Zhang Fan could unleash his attack, a prism of light burst forth. It was Eclair and the others! These comrades had returned to join the fray.

The colossal might of their rune techniques engulfed the berserk behemoth. Though slightly outmatched by Zhang Fan, Eclair and her battle-hardened allies showed their mettle. Their collective strength was a testament to the power of unity, especially against the formidable adversary before them.

"How dare you steal my thunder!" Galou jokingly complained, having exerted his utmost in the assault. The impact seemed promising.

"Exactly! But fear not, for we shall not lag behind, as impressive as our brave hero is," Vier expressed her admiration for Zhang Fan. The image of him standing alone against the rhinoceros had captivated them all. Indeed, heroism in the face of crisis draws the adoration of many, particularly the hearts of young maidens.

"I would never abandon my comrades," Eclair retorted, though her eyes betrayed her true feelings. Ah, the prideful canine, always so tsundere.

"Thanks, everyone. Now, witness my performance!" Zhang Fan smiled, grateful for his reliable companions. Their combined assault bought him precious time to gather his strength for a decisive blow. Although mastering the technique was a gamble, he was determined to succeed for their sake.

"Rune Technique—Divine Retribution! Terra Breaker!" A surge of golden energy cascaded down, channeling the raw power of Fronielde. The resulting explosion was akin to a missile strike, a mushroom cloud billowing into the sky. Could such force really emanate from him? Zhang Fan, struggling to maintain altitude, marveled at the unleashed power.

"Hero!"

"Brave one!" Cries of concern echoed as Zhang Fan plummeted towards the ground. Drained of all energy, he lacked even the strength to control Palatine. Alas, from such heights, a fall could spell disaster.

"Holo?" Expecting pain, Zhang Fan instead felt a comforting embrace. Opening his eyes, he found Holo's worried face close to his.

"Always the show-off," Holo sighed with relief upon realizing Zhang Fan was unharmed. Her initial tenderness quickly vanished, replaced by a stern look as if her earlier warmth never existed.

"Are you alright, hero?" The so-called inept trio, or rather, the royal guard, rushed to Zhang Fan's side, their concern evident. Galou, on the other hand, was left in the cold, his plight unnoticed. Even as their prince, he found no sympathy, his efforts overshadowed by Zhang Fan's bravery.

"I'm fine, just a bit drained. Don't worry," Zhang Fan reassured them with a smile. And then, a warm current revitalized him. An upgrade? He had ascended to a higher echelon, a delightful surprise indeed.

With his strength restored, Zhang Fan could no longer justify remaining in Holo's arms. He stood, turning to assess the aftermath. The once mighty rhinoceros lay defeated, its colossal form shattered by the explosion. The gruesome scene, though familiar to Zhang Fan, would have been unbearable for the unaccustomed.

"You're better?" The group was astonished by Zhang Fan's sudden recovery.

"Yes, a bit of rest did wonders," he replied, the thrill of battle proving to be an effective catalyst for growth.

"Ugh...ugh..." Their gazes followed Zhang Fan's to the remnants of the battle, and the sight prompted a unanimous wave of nausea. Except for Holo, the rest succumbed to their revulsion, especially Galou, who was particularly affected by the carnage. Raised in luxury, he was unprepared for such brutality.

"Are we done here? If so, perhaps we should move on," Zhang Fan suggested after allowing them time to compose themselves. These young souls still had much to learn.

"Is this a bad habit of yours?" Holo teased, noticing Zhang Fan's amusement despite the situation.

"Whatever do you mean? I'm completely lost," Zhang Fan replied, his attention turning to the need to report the incident to the authorities of Biscode and Galatea. Such a beast's presence on a vital trade route warranted a thorough investigation and perhaps a reassessment of their border security measures.

"What now?" Eclair approached, her pride undiminished despite the ordeal.

"We escort our prince back to his kingdom, and leave the rest to Lady Leong," Zhang Fan proposed, a plan to which Galou raised no objections. The battle had tempered his adventurous spirit, likely quelling it for some time. Without Zhang Fan's intervention, Galou's fate would have been grim.

Thus, the next day marked the departure of an adventure party, united in purpose yet enriched by their diverse experiences. Their return journey promised safety and reflection, especially for Galou, whose brush with danger had imparted a newfound maturity.