"...."
The air in the shattered hall was thick with tension, the weight of unspoken truths hanging between Rey and the Dragon Emperor, Kar'ba'diel.
The Emperor's golden eyes narrowed, his towering form casting an ominous shadow over the broken throne room.
For the first time in centuries, his voice carried a hint of desperation.
"Rey Skylar," Kar'ba'diel began, his tone measured but earnest. "You don't understand. I'm not what you think I am. I am not the true evil you seek to destroy. I am merely fulfilling my role—the ultimate villain in H'Trae's grand narrative. I am as much a puppet of the System as you are."
Rey didn't move, his crimson eyes locked onto the Emperor with a gaze that burned with unyielding determination.
Kar'ba'diel continued, his wings shifting slightly as if bracing for what he knew was inevitable.
"The System, the beings behind it—they created this world and shaped its rules. They summoned you and countless others to play their game. I am the antagonist they designed, meant to inspire heroes like you. Can't you see? If you kill me, you're not defeating the System; you're playing right into its hands!"
Rey raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a cold smirk. "That's a nice speech, but I'm not interested in hearing it."
Kar'ba'diel's expression faltered as Rey took a step forward, his blade gleaming ominously.
"I don't care about your grand narrative or who's pulling the strings," Rey said, his voice low and laced with venom. "You've made people suffer—on H'Trae, on Earth. You've caused pain, destruction, and death. Whether it's your 'role' or not, you deserve to die. And trust me, it has nothing to do with what the System wants."
The Dragon Emperor's fists clenched, the golden scales on his arms glinting in the fractured light.
"You fool. You think this is about what I've done? About Seraph? Do you even understand the consequences of your actions?"
"Seraph," Rey spat the name like a curse, his grip tightening on his blade. "She was working with you, wasn't she? Trying to drag you back to H'Trae. I can't let that happen. I won't. Because if you return there, you'll regain your lost power, your old Skills and Levels. You'll be unstoppable again."
Kar'ba'diel's wings flared as anger replaced his earlier calm.
"And you think you're any different? We are both shadows of our former selves—empty shells grasping for what we've lost. What makes you think you can defeat me?"
Rey's smirk widened into a predatory grin.
"Call it confidence. Or call it a death wish. Either way, I'm not backing down."
The Emperor snarled and raised a hand, his voice echoing through the hall.
"Archbishops, to me!"
A ripple of dark energy filled the room, and in an instant, the remaining Archbishops materialized around Kar'ba'diel.
Just like Philemon, they wore religious robes with varying designs. The Archbishops were originally nine, but after the deaths of two, their ranks had reduced to seven—still a formidable number.
The Dragon Emperor grinned as he locked eyes with Rey, prepared to fight him with the aid of his minions.
"Don't use your Special Abilities. He can somehow copy them." He began. "Instead, we will overwhelm him with sheer numbers and might."
"And you think that will be enough?"
"Hehe!" The Dragon Emperor chuckled. "I do."
After all, not only was he going to be fighting alongside them, but they were more than willing to be his meatshields, sacrificing their lives so he could get a clean shot and end the nuisance in front of him.
'No matter how many Skills he has, in the end… I can overpower him with pure Stats!'
Kar'ba'diel walked closer, and so did the Archbishops.
Their presence was suffocating, their combined aura overwhelming as they prepared to strike.
Rey didn't flinch.
With a flick of his wrist, he activated a Skill.
BOOOOOOOOOM!!!
A brilliant flash of light erupted from him, and before the Archbishops could even react, they were obliterated.
Their bodies disintegrated into dust, leaving only silence in their wake.
Kar'ba'diel's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Impossible…"
Rey chuckled darkly, his blade resting casually on his shoulder.
"Killing Seraph gave me a nice boost in Levels. That means I have a lot of Stat Points and Mana to spare for some of the most ridiculous Spells and Skills in my arsenal."
Silence echoed in the room.
"I feel amazing. I can't wait to test this power on you."
The Dragon Emperor stepped back involuntarily, his pride momentarily overshadowed by a flicker of fear.
Rey's grin grew darker, his voice dripping with malicious glee. "What's the matter? You're not thinking of running, are you?"
Kar'ba'diel's wings unfurled, and in a desperate move, he launched himself toward the far end of the hall, aiming to escape.
But Rey was faster.
In a blur of motion, he appeared directly in front of the Emperor, blocking his path. The look on Kar'ba'diel's face shifted from fear to utter terror.
In the corner of his eyes, he could see the pathetic display of his Status Information.
He didn't stand a chance.
[STATUS WINDOW]
- Name: K'arba'diel
- Race: Dragon Royal
- Class: Nil
- Level: 9
- Life Force: 30,000
- Mana Level: 9,000
- Combat Ability: 5,000
- Stat Points: 9,000
- Skills (Exclusive): [Reset]
- Skills (Non-Exclusive): [World Destruction]. [Complete Dominion].
- Alignment: Chaotic Neutral
[Additional Information]
An aberration of this reality.
Please return to H'Trae and resume your role as a vile entity that must be defeated to restore balance to the world.
[End Of Information]
Compared to the monster in front of him, he was powerless.
"Hehehe…"
Rey's crimson eyes gleamed as he leaned in slightly, his voice rising into a triumphant yell.
"I'm really going to enjoy this!"
[STATUS WINDOW]
- Name: Rey Skylar
- Race: Human
- Class: Singularity
- Level: 301 (95.18% EXP)
- Life Force: 20,510 [+20,510]
- Mana Level: 50,000 [+50,000]
- Combat Ability: 12,000 [+12,000]
- Stat Points: 0
- Skills (Exclusive): [Doppel]
- Skills (Non-Exclusive): [Absolute Magic Application]. [Absolute Magic Application]. [Grand Combat Application]. [Grand Weapon Mastery]. [Grand Battle Aura]. [Grand Battle Sense]. [Grand Mana Recovery]. [Grand Health Recovery]. [Perfect Calm].
- Alignment: Chaotic Neutral
[Additional Information]
A high-priority aberration that needs to be exterminated at all cost.
Elimination pending…
[End Of Information]