Standing beside Sam Li, Moon Carver Adeptus couldn't help but recall the great battle two thousand years ago. Back then, he too had stood at the side of the Geo Archon, prepared to fight at his command.

Only now, compared to the gods of two millennia past, these destruction-level Ethereal were nothing.

Even if Sam Li didn't act, Moon Carver alone could easily suppress this hideous and massive monster.

At this moment, Sam Li held the same thought. He didn't need Moon Carver's help. He could easily subdue this three-headed ape-like Ethereal himself while also claiming the points and role-playing progress he needed. Moon Carver's presence wouldn't change that.

Before making his move, Sam Li glanced at the system's character details panel:

[Host]: Sam Li

[System]: Ultimate Role-Playing System

[System Points]: 263,000

[Current World]: Zenless Zone Zero

[Current Role]: Geo Archon – Morax (Zhongli)

[Current Role Progress]: 63%

[Abilities]: Rain of Stone, Jade Shield (Enhanced), Stone Stele

[Weapon]: Vortex Vanquisher

[Items]: None

[Shop]: Statue of the Seven, Jade Chamber, Serenitea Pot...

...

After so long, his progress had finally reached 63%, bringing him one step closer to unlocking Planet Befall.

Before, he hadn't cared much whether he gained it or not. But now that he was about to delve deeper into Hollow Zero, stronger enemies would no doubt appear. If he could unleash Planet Befall, future battles would be far easier.

He wondered just how much progress slaying a destruction-class Ethereal would grant him.

Right now, in Sam Li's eyes, the three-headed ape-like Ethereal before him was nothing more than a pile of points and progress, waiting to be collected.

...

In the next moment, Sam Li lightly stamped his foot and soared into the air.

The three-headed ape, now fully in its second form, roared at him and Moon Carver before opening its enormous maw to fire a terrifying ether beam.

Sam Li only exhaled softly. A golden light instantly appeared before him, shielding against the ether beam.

At the same time, he raised the Vortex Vanquisher, drawing Geo power around him. Countless golden spears of stone condensed at his side.

"Go—"

With a sharp call, all the spears but the Vortex Vanquisher launched at once, streaking through the air like golden comets as they shot toward the three-headed giant ape.

In the blink of an eye, the spears pierced clean through its body.

Sam Li had used this move countless times before. As his role-playing progress advanced, his control over Geo had grown stronger, and with it, the spears' destructive power.

Now, they pierced the ape's defenses with ease.

When its body was riddled with spears, Sam Li gripped the Vortex Vanquisher with one hand, thrust forward, and then turned away confidently.

The strike spanned hundreds of meters, landing squarely on the already battered beast. In one blow, all three of its heads were severed at once, leaving no chance for recovery.

In an instant, the three colossal heads crashed to the ground, and its towering body toppled like a mountain.

With a thunderous boom, the ground shook violently.

The corpse shattered the moment it fell, breaking apart into countless crystal shards, some rolling all the way to Hoshimi Miyabi's feet.

She froze in shock.

"He's this strong...?"

He had cut down the second-form giant ape Ethereal with such ease. She had expected Moon Carver and Sam Li to join forces, struggling through a fierce battle before finally defeating it...

But Moon Carver hadn't even raised his weapon, and the Ethereal was already dead.

She turned her head and saw Moon Carver quietly sheath his weapon after drawing it only halfway.

Of course, this was no surprise to him. The Geo Archon's strength had always been beyond question. for His Majesty to personally act in slaying an Ethereal was already more than giving this destruction-class beast its due.

...

After finishing off the giant ape Ethereal, Sam Li wasted no time. His eyes immediately locked onto the other Ethereal currently battling the Mountain Shaper.

In his mind, the system's prompt rang out:

[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for successfully slaying Destruction-class Ethereal – Mutant Giant Ape ×1. Reward: 300,000 System Points——]

[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for gaining Role Progress +3%——]

Not bad.

If he slew all three, he'd be another step closer to Planet Befall.

Forming a massive Geo spear dozens of meters long, Sam Li prepared to strike.

...

Meanwhile, Mountain Shaper hadn't been fighting with full strength. He was still testing the Ethereal's traits, gathering information.

Just as he was about to make his move, a surge of overwhelming power flared behind him.

He turned quickly, just in time to see Sam Li summon an enormous Geo spear, ready to bring down the monster.

Since His Majesty had decided to act, Mountain Shaper naturally stepped aside. He dodged away, letting the nearly hundred-meter-tall Ethereal charge forward.

As Mountain Shaper cleared the way, Sam Li hurled the colossal spear. It struck the Ethereal head-on, and the devastating impact shattered its body instantly.

But the fragments began to wriggle, trying to reform into a second stage.

Sam Li wasn't about to waste time. With a flick of his hand, countless stone spears rained down from the heavens, pinning every fragment in place.

The next moment, the spears exploded, blasting the fragments into dust. No chance of a second form remained.

[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for successfully slaying Destruction-class Ethereal – Earth King ×1. Reward: 300,000 System Points——]

[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for gaining Role Progress +3%——]

...

Having slain two destruction-class Ethereal, Sam Li paid no attention to the stunned faces of Hoshimi Miyabi, Tsukishiro Yanagi, Eous, and the others.

Instead, his gaze shifted to the final Ethereal—the colossal one soaring high above.

It was just about to be struck down by Cloud Retainer.

Without hesitation, Sam Li summoned a storm of golden spears that shot skyward.

At the same time, he leveled the Vortex Vanquisher. With a thrust, a beam of radiant Geo light erupted, merging with the rain of spears.

Together, they instantly annihilated the Ethereal.