C447 - Zephyrin (3)
Murakan rose and let out a roaring cry.
The surroundings, imbued with demonic energy, trembled unstably...
And traces of Shadow Energy leaked through the cracks.
It was as if Murakan had transformed into a massive, black fire.
His sharp, amber eyes displayed the majesty befitting the Dragon that had once ruled the sky.
Zephyrin smiled as if she had been waiting for this spectacle.
"Now you feel a bit more powerful!"
Kwaak...!
Murakan opened his dark jaws and exhaled a sigh.
The Shadow Energy he exuded was incomparably more powerful than what he had released before fully utilizing his strength.
Moreover, black veins, resembling breaths, peeled off from his wings and the curtain of Shadow Energy, spreading in all directions.
Dozens of dark and shiny streaks struck the ground where Zephyrin stood.
These streaks were like swamps; no matter how Zephyrin cut or slashed them, they would ensnare her again.
It was akin to a pack of dozens of snakes entering a cave simultaneously.
This was a true dragon battle.
Valkas had seen dragons fight a few times in his life, but he couldn't help but feel that what was unfolding before him was on a completely different level.
Just as there was an insurmountable gap between human warriors and magicians...
He believed the same applied to battles between high-level dragons and ordinary ones.
But even though he didn't know much about dragon fights, he could clearly see that Zephyrin had the upper hand in power.
She had not yet revealed her true form.
"I don't know how long Murakan can hold out. We should prepare to escape as soon as possible," Jin said, holding onto Sigmund.
Jin wanted to join the fight alongside Murakan, but it wasn't possible.
Just as Murakan had finally begun to reveal his full strength, both Jin and Valkas were brimming with untapped power as well.
Especially in Jin's case, he hadn't used some of his cards, such as Riol's Legacy and Sarah's Magical Sword Technique, nor the Sword Technique of the Reign of the King of Legends.
These techniques also yielded results regardless of the circumstances.
Murakan was convinced he would "never win," but if he used all his means, he might be able to defeat that mad Demon Dragon.
However, the likelihood of that happening was extremely low, and Jin had no intention of risking their lives here.
It was best to conserve all the power possible, destroy the subspace, and escape with the Black King's Mercenaries.
Even if they managed to defeat Zephyrin or inflict significant damage using all their power, there was a high chance they would die in the process.
They needed to escape by any means.
Then they would determine Zephyrin's true affiliation and purpose and devise a strategy.
How many opponents of their level could there be?
Jin wondered.
A new era had begun.
Since he met Jin, Lata Proch had often spoken of these thoughts with him.
Suddenly, Jin sympathized with that sentiment.
After the terrorist attack on the Sword Emperor Castle, Jin felt that enemies of a completely different level lurked in the shadows.
Kinzelo, Zipple, and Vermont.
Vermont was clearly considered inferior to Runcandel among these three.
Zipple was superior to Runcandel, and Kinzelo had revealed his true power during the terrorist attack on the Sword Emperor Castle.
'Zephyrin is probably affiliated with Kinzelo, and they may not have many Dragons or Humans with combat abilities at this level, but she probably represents a portion of their strength.'
A candle in the wind.
This phrase perfectly defined Runcandel's current situation.
Jin knew that Runcandel didn't have a "hidden strength" like the other factions.
Of course, they had Cyron and the former Black Knights, but they were all occupied with the Black Sea.
However, the reason Runcandel was surviving was solely thanks to the existence of Cyron Runcandel.
Jin was convinced of that.
The moment Cyron disappeared...
Runcandel would ultimately follow the path of destruction.
'The reason Mother strongly supports Joshua is probably because she believes he has the means to face these formidable enemies in the future.'
Crash!
Murakan's Shadow Energy and Zephyrin's claws continued to clash and intertwine.
The black veins grew stronger, while the traces of Zephyrin's purple claws faded.
It seemed that maintaining the human form was becoming increasingly difficult for Zephyrin.
"I will pierce the subspace. Valkas-nim, watch over the Black Knight."
"Understood, Twelfth Flagbearer."
Shh...
Bradamante's white sword emerged from its sheath.
The shining sword was instantly stained black by the Shadow Energy.
He didn't expect to have to execute it so quickly.
And he wouldn't be able to use it for a while after successfully using it.
Before piercing the subspace, Jin intended to open the door to Lafrarosa.
Although Murakan could currently hold his own, the situation would undoubtedly change once Zephyrin revealed her true form.
As long as this subspace wasn't a "dead space" like Solderet's, there was no obstacle to executing the Black Light Call.
Woosh!
The blackened blade cut through the air.
Thank goodness...
Jin felt it as he wielded the sword: the sensation that the door to Lafrarosa was opening.
If there was anything slightly disappointing, it was that the warrior emerging from the newly formed black door was not one of the Battle Kings but an ordinary warrior.
"Oh, this time it's me!" exclaimed Shaku cheerfully.
He was the member of the Legends Tribe with whom Jin had fought the most until he gained recognition from both Battle Kings and became his brother.
Shaku was the one Jin had fought against more than fifty times until he finally emerged victorious.
"I apologize for calling you, Brother Shaku."
"No, it's an honor to fight for you, my brother. What do you want me to do?"
Shaku slung his lightning-infused longsword over his back and spoke.
Shaku of the Thunder, he had held such a title before the disappearance of the Legends.
"Help him."
"Understood. I have a rough idea of the situation. Do you need to clear a path here and escape?"
"That's right."
Shaku's gaze fell on Zephyrin, who was ensnared by the black veins.
"A Demon Dragon, I suppose? It's been a while since I've seen such dreadful demonic energy. This situation should have called for the Battle Kings, not me. Hurry and escape; I'll do everything I can to restrain the Demon Dragon with the Black Dragon."
Shaku joined the battle.
Demonic energy and Shadow Energy once again mixed in a storm.
Shaku wasn't discouraged even in the chaotic clash between demonic energy and Shadow Energy.
Although Shaku was an ordinary warrior, he was still a member of the Legends Tribe.
The inherent strength of his body shone in such a chaotic battle.
Watching this scene, Valkas couldn't help but be amazed once again.
He had already witnessed Jin summoning ancient spirits of beast warriors in the Sword Emperor Castle, but seeing it again was as unfamiliar as it was fascinating.
Moreover, it made him have similar thoughts to Lata Proch.
'Irrespective of Zephyrin's affiliation and reasons, causing such chaos within the Black King's Mountain... it might mean that there is no longer room for neutrality in the world.'
Given the current situation...
It was evident that Zephyrin had reacted because of Jin and Murakan, but Valkas couldn't blame Jin for it.
The Flagbearer and the Black Knight of Runcandel had come to the Black King's Mountain for a meeting with him.
They had unexpectedly been caught up in this danger.
So, ultimately, Jin and Joshua were in a position to be held accountable.
'First of all, I have to escape with the Twelfth Flagbearer and my subordinates, whatever happens. Even if we have to abandon the Black King's Mountain.'
Valkas thought this with a determined expression.
The Twelfth Flagbearer, Jin Runcandel, will achieve what he sets out to do this time, as he always has.
After reaching the 10-star level, it's the first time I feel this kind of confidence in someone weaker than me.
Swoosh!
Bradamante's blackened sword was now surrounded by blue flames.
Tess was still in the process of recovery and couldn't directly respond to the summoning call...
But the overwhelming pressure of the blue flames engraved in Bradamante grew stronger along with Jin.
The blue flames emanating from the sword began to press against the demon energy-infused subspace.
The subspace trembled under the pressure and seemed frightened, like people.
The sword, without the slightest tremor, slowly prepared to cut through the subspace.
Up to that moment, Zephyrin had limited herself to defending against Murakan and Shaku's attacks.
But for the first time, she showed emotions.
"Blue flames! Using such transcendent power against those beneath you is unfair, Twelfth Flagbearer."
Just like Murakan and Quikantel had felt when Tess faced them for the first time, Zephyrin was also afraid of Tess's power.
She also knew the majesty of Tess's power within the World of Flames.
This fear was something only those who had directly faced the "Master of the World of Flames" could experience.
Wook!
Perhaps because Zephyrin's attention had momentarily focused on the blue flames, or perhaps because she had reached the limit of what she could do in her human form.
Zephyrin's formidable shield had been breached.
Murakan's Shadow Energy and Shaku's lightning attack tore through Zephyrin's body as they dismantled it.
Despite the relentless assault, Zephyrin didn't scream once.
Purple demonic energy particles scattered in all directions instead of blood.
It was followed by a long and eerie laugh.
Haha... ha... Ha... ha...!
The sinister laughter suddenly ceased, and a massive purple smoke rose from the air.
The smoke was many times larger than Murakan. He seemed small in comparison.
Zephyrin's true form was hidden within the swirling smoke.
She looked more like a serpent than the typical Dragons known to the public.
[Oh, really. These blue flames give me an uncomfortable feeling for no reason just by looking at them. You should put them out before I get angry and lose my patience.]
Zephyrin poked her head out of the smoke as she spoke.
Jin didn't react to her words and remained focused.
He needed to simultaneously execute the First Shadow Blade Technique and Tess's power to open the subspace in one stroke, just as he cut through Myuron's Hell Gate.
Twack!
Zephyrin seemed about to say something more, but Murakan shot forward like an arrow and used his claws to pierce her eyes.
However, Zephyrin's eyes remained unharmed, and it was Murakan who was repelled by a counterforce.
[Curse! Why is she so tough?]
Murakan regained balance in the air and shouted.
Instead of responding to Murakan, Zephyrin was preparing to unleash a powerful breath towards Jin.
-
KO-FI
'Ko-Fi' for Adv4nc3 Ch4pt3r ( Up to '120' more ch4pt3rs) Publication of up to 6 w33kly ch4pters, thanks.
-