However, what the students were about to face was only a single void creature.
And unlike what they had faced in the initial stages, they were about to face what a real void creature was like. No more nerfing the void creatures.
As the hall continued to tremble, the floor ahead of them lit up in a bright blue light that formed a circular pattern. It hummed as it came to life prompting the students close to the sight to back away.
Their guards were raised to the maximum as they watched and waited for their last opponent. Their guess in fighting multiple void creatures of similar level to what they found on the third floor was wrong.
Void creatures in general were much, much stronger than their counterpart hunters of the same level, even peak hunters could not take on such void creatures at the peak.
As the hum continued to increase, a horrifying aura washed over the students.
"!"
Without thought, everyone backed away much further than they were before as their eyes opened wide in horror.
Some students were even weak in the knees. They knew void creatures were powerful and dangerous, however, their experience so far had been mild at best.
Now, they were being exposed to the aura actual void creatures let off. Multiple gulps resounded through the hall as they all waited quietly.
Julia and Ross exchanged glances, and they could see the question in their eyes.
They had felt that aura before, and unlike the one they experienced, this one was lacking in essence.
"Where…?" Julia muttered in confusion. She was sure but she couldn't recall where she felt that aura.
But now was not time to wonder about auras as the glowing and humming circle in the distance revealed a silhouette of a massive void creature that had humanoid features.
As the figure continued being revealed, more students moved back more and more. They were now clustered close to the walls of the large hall.
"This is bad…"
A student muttered, the fear in his eyes visible for everyone to see, but no one was paying attention.
They all had their eyes glued to the figure being revealed.
Sometime later, the figure appeared in its entirety floating above the circle that was slowly dimming in brightness.
The humanoid void creature stood at a height of five metres, its grey and black body and large arms that looked more muscly than anything they had seen before.
At the tip of its hands were powerful and dreadful claws that reflected the little light available in the space.
Even standing several meters away from the creature, its aura still reached them and this made it difficult for them to even breathe properly.
"Guys… Is that thing even killable?" A girl questioned as she tried to swallow the lump that formed in her throat.
Fear was an understatement of what they were feeling right now. Heck, some have even decided to sit this one out, but there was no going back once here.
They could only fight. That was their one and only option.
"There's only one way to find out." Another muttered doing his best not to appear too fearful.
Suddenly, they heard the void creature let out a loud screech that resounded in the ears of the students.
"Ah! Too loud!"
The screech generated a powerful gust of wind that threatened to displace them. Many used their hands to cover their ears to minimize the loud screech, but it did little to help their situation.
They watched with their breaths stuck in their throats as the void creature opened its eyes and looked around.
Its gaze sent shivers down their spine. It must be noted that the surviving students here were the elites of the elite, the best in the academy.
Even then, they found this creature too overbearing. All the confidence and pride they built in their strength and abilities over the course of traversing the Convergence Maze died right then and there.
Ross and Julia made sure to stay close even though they were having a hard time standing in its presence.
Ross narrowed his eyes when he saw the creature's gaze focus in their direction. That, and the slight twitch in its muscles. His heart skipped a beat when he understood what was about to happen.
"Move!"
He exclaimed with a strained face pulled Julia back and took a sharp turn to his left to create as much distance as possible.
Even then…
WHOOSH!
BOOOOM!
"Ahhh…!"
Like a missile too fast for most to see, the void creature attacked its first group of students, only a few metres away from where Ross and Julia stood just moments ago.
In an instant, several students were shredded to pieces, some exploded in a bloody mess and the rest were injured beyond recognition.
"No!"
Like a record, the cries of several students echoed in the chambers, tears running down their chins.
"Blechhhh!"
Others lost the contents of their stomach right then and there.
The sight was too gory even for them. The blood splashed on the ground, the insides of their comrades, the blank stares of those who were fortunate to have their heads remained.
It was a horrific sight.
But that was not the end as the void creature still had something to show them. A part of them that they hadn't experienced yet.
With a low growl that sent shivers down their spine, the void creature opened its mouth wide and suddenly a strong attractive force came from its opened mouth and the remains of the students slowly floated towards its mouth.
"S-Save me!"
"I don't want to die!"
Those injured and unable to move finally came out of their shocked state and called for help. The fearful kids in them finally came out when the chips came down, but no help was coming.
Who was going to stand in the way of that?
While they knew they had to fight it to have a chance at escaping, it did not mean they were eager to die. Their lives came first.
Of course, there were those who tried to do something, but the attractive force was too much for them and if they got closer, they might end up being devoured as well.
'So, this is the real deal…' Ross thought to himself and swallowed the lump in his throat.
It would take a miracle to survive.