Slime Dragon found itself increasingly beleaguered by the flames. These were no ordinary spells cast by humans but something far more potent, pressing it with another layer of pain and resistance. These flame fragments transcended the typical limitations of human magic, driven by concentrated mana and a will that seemed to sear through its very essence.
‘Recovery isn’t difficult.’
Even when it had been cut by the white sword energy, it had managed to regenerate a new arm by converting mana. It possessed an abundance of mana, and a slight loss was inconsequential. Yet, these flames carried such intense heat and primal aversion that its body instinctively recoiled.
‘The cuts are brief, but these flames persist.’
The heat within the flames, the deeply concentrated mana, and the faint yet persistent will intertwined, engraving unending pain. While it could ignore the parts exposed to the flames, their sheer nuisance aggravated it to no end.
‘Annoying. This is so annoying…’
The flame fragments didn’t come alone. They arrived in dozens, then hundreds, embedding themselves into various parts of its body. When they reached thousands, the minor pains merged into a formidable agony. Hence, Slime Dragon knew it had to eliminate the human conjuring these flames first.
‘They are with the white energy.’
Slime Dragon deduced the source direction of the flame fragments and opened its maw again. It had already launched three orbs in quick succession. However, there had only been explosions, and the presences and mana had not diminished. This meant its attack had been completely blocked and countered.
“Can you block this too?!”
Slime Dragon began focusing its red orbs at a single point. Three orbs struck in succession, distorting the path and sweeping the area. Though human mana surged again, Slime Dragon unleashed another volley without hesitation. Elemental spells were closing in from the other direction, but it withstood them easily, only marginally slowing its movements. Once the flame fragments and white energy were gone, it would dominate.
‘They put up a fight, but they are only human.’
The flame fragments and white energy had vanished. The mana blocking the orbs also gradually faded. Likely, some humans were injured or dead, weakening their forces.
‘Only one left on this side.’
Satisfied, Slime Dragon began to retract its mana. It surveyed the surroundings, finding everything cloaked in its crimson energy. The entire area was devastated, with barren land devoid of trees or grass, only numerous craters as a testament to its might.
‘Tricks won’t work…’
Slime Dragon regenerated its severed arm and sought the remaining humans. In an instant, white sword energy and flame fragments cut into its shoulder, igniting a scorching fire across its body.
“Grahhhh!”
Its brief lapse in vigilance had cost it. The previous attack's remnants had hidden the presences and mana, allowing the humans to conceal themselves and launch a counterattack. Though it had endured considerable damage, it hadn’t expected such a swift and effective retaliation.
‘You tricked me!’
Slime Dragon hastily converted mana to regenerate its lost body parts. Despite its vast mana reserves and rapid recovery, psychological pressure gnawed at it, an unfamiliar anxiety taking root.
‘I have consumed the power of Asimocus and Beldazs. I even wield a Magic Sword!’
It believed its ascension to true dragonhood made victory certain. The Abyssal King, Ocean King, and Shadow Dragon had been weak, and the Demon God foolish. Despite its advancements, why did defeat seem imminent?
‘…Humans grow stronger with time.’
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Slime Dragon reshaped its body. Outwardly, nothing seemed different. Its mana remained stable, its form hidden and controlled, imperceptible to the humans. However, returning parts of its body to their original state meant sacrificing fundamental strength.
‘Flames, white energy…’
These two elements forced it to relinquish hard-earned power. Reverting to its original form meant losing the advantages gained from Chimera Dragon and Bone Dragon, resulting in permanent losses.
‘They won’t avoid this.’
Slime Dragon spewed orbs, masking another attack. Sacrificing some power was worth eliminating the troublesome humans. They would lose their lives, and it would only lose some strength.
‘Their mana is palpable… I’ll pierce through.’
To Zion’s astonishment, they managed to block all of Slime Dragon’s attacks. He and Enrite focused on nullifying the orbs, protecting their allies. Whenever Exceed Rain resonated with El Tesoykve, blue light would emerge, eradicating the crimson orbs.
‘I never expected it to work this way.’
Zion, with Enrite at his side, concentrated on intercepting the crimson orbs. Though they achieved resonance, they couldn’t yet harness the full power of their energy blasts. Hence, they focused on defense, creating opportunities for their allies to counterattack.
‘The artificial Magic Sword is working.’
Lesia had been relentlessly launching energy blasts at Slime Dragon, causing it significant pain. However, without destroying the core, it regenerated continuously. Lesia now focused on locating Slime Dragon’s core.
‘Hanette is doing well too.’
Despite the distance, Hanette bombarded Slime Dragon with flame fragments, effectively hindering it. Though unable to nullify its immortality, her attacks were sufficient to maintain pressure.
‘It’s harder for Oz and Seran.’
Oz supported Hanette’s fire magic, unable to reach Slime Dragon directly. Seran hovered in an awkward stance, unable to engage or retreat.
‘The king’s side seems to be fighting better.’
Various elemental spells enveloped Slime Dragon, likely from the Blue Sage and the archmages. Additionally, the king and third princess, with their earth and ice attributes, would have been among those casting spells.
‘Slime Dragon must have a way to regenerate mana.’
Zion, recalling the artificial Magic Sword, furrowed his brow. As anticipated, both the core and the artificial Magic Sword needed destruction. The Demon God would likely attempt to intervene through the artificial Magic Sword. Leaving either intact would create unforeseen complications.
‘We need to maintain this state and find the core...’
At this distance, only Slime Dragon’s outline was visible; locating the core was impossible. Moreover, the core, transparent and mobile within the body, evaded easy detection. To neutralize Slime Dragon, collaboration with the king’s forces was crucial.
‘Freezing or evaporating its body would reduce the core’s space to move.’
Despite absorbing other Four Calamities, Slime Dragon’s essence remained unchanged. Completing its body reduced its advantages, leaving only vulnerabilities. Transforming its gelatinous form would shatter its internal bones and organs, breaking its foundational structure.
Though temporary, too much pressure might force Slime Dragon to abandon its current form.
Destroying the core was essential to nullify its immortality. Even if its body were severed, it would regenerate as long as the core remained. A prolonged battle might reveal the core’s location, but their forces couldn’t sustain such a fight.
‘Getting closer is dangerous, but from afar, finding the core is difficult.’
Its gelatinous nature and acidic properties made proximity perilous. Magic could dissolve the gelatin, but preventing Slime Dragon’s rampage was another matter. A brief exposure to the acid could be managed with mana, but being engulfed would be nearly fatal.
‘If resonance can target Slime Dragon exclusively…’
Theoretically, it seemed possible. If Slime Dragon’s mana orbs were considered malevolent, then Slime Dragon itself was akin to evil. The power to destroy evil might allow them to eliminate Slime Dragon alone.
“White, any other plans….”
“Wait!”
Lesia, sensing something, twisted her body and swung Duran Calgonis. Something shot up from the ground, deflected by her blade. Though momentarily relieved, she remained perplexed.
“There should be more…”
“Ah…”
Hanette, releasing mana, suddenly froze. Crimson spikes had extended along the ground, piercing through her abdomen, drawing blood.
‘Am I… dying?’
Hanette foresaw her fate. Her mana wouldn’t obey, and her body was contorting. Breathing was erratic, and tinnitus began to ring. Amidst this, her eyes fixed on one person.
‘I can’t die… not now…’
Since becoming a knight, she had braced for death. Though fear and anxiety persisted, Zion’s presence gave her the strength to endure. But if she died, Zion would not remain still.
‘If I die… Zion will again…’
“Hanette!”
Zion rushed over first, followed by Enrite and Lesia, who cut the spikes. Oz and Seran, alarmed, started defending their allies.
“Zion…”
Zion cradled Hanette, grasping her hand. Despite her body burning up, Hanette tried to hide her pain.
“Lesia! Can you block them?”
“Start the healing!”
Lesia stood firm with Duran Calgonis, facing the approaching crimson orbs. She had no intention of retreating until Hanette’s treatment was complete.
“Damn…”
Enrite infused mana into Hanette’s wounds. The injuries were severe, needing extensive healing. Though stopping the bleeding would stabilize her, regenerating pierced organs and shattered bones required time. Even with urgent care, other issues remained, demanding Hanette’s resilience.
“Hanette…”
“Calm… stay calm… don’t… panic…”
Hanette, enduring her pain, strained to reassure Zion. Zion, overwhelmed with despair, couldn’t hold back his tears.
“Don’t speak. We can heal this. We can heal you…”
Desperately, Zion tried to stem the bleeding. But the blood continued to flow, staining her armor. The wound was severe, beyond quick healing even with holy magic.
“Don’t… die…”
Hanette’s lips stopped moving. Her eyes lost focus, her heartbeat faded. Enrite, realizing death loomed, held his breath.
“Hanette?”
There was no response. Her familiar voice fell silent. Her fingers ceased moving, her breath grew faint, and the warmth left her body. When the warmth vanished, denial was all Zion had left.
“……”
Zion rose quietly. He felt nothing but a desire to kill, his entire being driven by rage.
“White, retrieve Exceed Rain later.”
“What does….”
Enrite, realizing Zion’s intent, hesitated. But Zion had already infused Exceed Rain with mana, striking the ground. As the blade touched the earth, infinite darkness spread, engulfing Slime Dragon. Standing amid the darkness, Zion glared at Slime Dragon.
“You took something more precious than my life.”
Cracks appeared on his dark armor, purple lines spreading erratically. Violet eyes streamed with thin lines, resembling tears.
“So, I will stake my life to kill you.”