The Villain has Perished

Faena and Jae-sung jumped out of the dragon breath path.

The Dragon King of Slavery swung his head and destroyed one-third of the Imperial Palace, which was one of the five largest artificial structures on the continent, with his lightning breath. 

"I need 5 seconds. Please stop the bone dragon until then." shouted Fanea, while breathing heavily.

In truth, she couldn't even open her eyes from exhaustion. 

Nevertheless, she was determined to fight. Sol possibly solved the curse plaguing her daughter for centuries. 

Faena couldn't let everything end here without repaying the favor, even if that meant putting her body on the line.

"Dammit, why is everyone asking to buy time!" Jae-sung cursed loudly. "I'll get you 10 seconds! Stop those swords!"

Booom!

Ravnyr unleashed another dragon breath.

"You dare address me as a mere bone dragon?"

His eyes searched for Faena through the dust like a hawk. 

At that moment, a human clad in the armor of shadows jumped on Ravnyr's back and swung his sword at his neck.

"I'm also here, you sack of rusted bones!"

Jae-sung having successfully recreated <Saint Darkness Armor> (D+++) fought Ravynr head-on to distract his attention.

The D+++ rank skill was nowhere enough to stop a Dragon King.

However, Jae-sung decided to go all out to buy time.

➤[ Game Over ]

➤[ 1 Heart Consumed ]

➤[ You have been revived ]

"Stop scurrying like the insect you are, you cockroach!"

The Dragon King of Slavery's vision was heavily obstructed by dust caused by his previous attacks.

It didn't mean he was helpless, though. A single graze from him was enough to kill Jae-sung, who increased his defense to limits with <Saint Darkness Armor>

➤[ Game Over ]

➤[ You have been revived ]

"Thanks for the compliment!"

Jae-sung was aware a head-on battle with Dragon King was hopeless. 

He had, however, resolved to put everything on the line for the next 10 seconds. If he didn't, there was a chance a stray attack could kill Faena.

He had to pull the aggro.

➤[ Game Over ]

➤[ You have been revived ]

"Demonic Slash: Maximus!"

"Hell Knight's Judgment!"

A vertical white light followed by a shining cross-slash struck the mighty bones. They served to only irritate Ravnyr further.

➤[ Game Over ]

➤[ You have been revived ]

➤[ Game Over ]

➤[ You have been revived ]

➤[ Game Over ]

➤[ You have been revived ]

➤[ Game Over ]

➤[ You have been revived ]

➤[ Game Over ]

➤[ You have been revived ]

On the battlefield where a split second determined defeat, yet victory seemed farther than eternity, Jae-sung could no longer differentiate between life and death.

Was he dead? 

If so, he didn't need to dodge the attack as he was in a soul state.

Or was he alive? 

Assuming it was correct, he needed to avoid the jaws that were about to chomp him down.

Jae-sung dashed at Ravnyr with hazy eyes, while the Dragon King opened its maws wide.

"It's done!" A familiar voice echoed.

The ground broke. 

A purple branch shot out, attacking Ravnyr and tying him down.

Before Jae-sung could react, another branch tucked at his collar and pulled him next to Faena.

"What is happening?" 

Jae-sung was confused as a purple tree was growing from the crack in the ground at an alarming pace.

"It's the dream tree that was blooming in the empty space under the Imperial Capital."

Faena explained the situation in a hurry while burning her mana reserves to sustain and grow the tree. 

"I don't know why there was such a large area underneath, but it was enough to house the dream tree. The tree started withering after its owner died and lost its abilities. It became a normal dying tree.

"Using it as a catalyst for my spirit magic saves mana for calling spirits while increasing the potency of the spell."

A thick trunk grew around the Dragon King of Slavery, trapping him in between. 

The size of the tree increased exponentially. It didn't take long for it to overshadow the tallest building in the city.

The trunk of unimaginable girth, stretched far and wide, its bark weathered and textured, bearing the marks of time and the elements. It was a testament to the tree's longevity and resilience, standing firm and unwavering amidst the passing of ages like a guardian.

The leaves of the gigantic tree, like verdant tapestries, decorated the sky. They were a lush, vibrant green, shimmering with life and dancing in the wind. 

"I'll start expanding the <Guardian Tree>!" 

Behind Faena, a heavenly spirit was floating. 

The spirit held a human visage, lush green hairs, shimmering golden eyes, and two branches grew out of her head like antlers.

[ 3-star King ]

Jae-sung felt a vague sense of familiarity with the spirit. As if he had seen her before.

He was surprised the elven priestess could call upon a King rank spirit outside her village in such a short time.

Suddenly, the ground trembled.

Six pillars of bones made of hundreds of interlocked carcasses protruded from beneath and attacked the <Guardian Tree>.

"I'll handle those!"

Jae-sung bolted forward. 

At the same time, the branches of the magical tree began expanding, covering the imperial city like an umbrella.

The citizens watched in horror and awe as the swords of light struck the massive tree that suddenly sprouted.

BOOOOOOMMMMM!

The eruption, though distant, cast a sudden illumination that momentarily turned night into day, illuminating the surrounding landscape with an ethereal glow.

The intense heat generated by the explosion radiated outward, reaching down to touch the surface below. 

As the searing energy descended, it engulfed the air with a scorching presence. 

The surrounding atmosphere quivered under the assault, creating a shimmering effect as the heat warped and distorted the very fabric of reality.

<Guardian Tree> shook. Its burning branches, which were larger than buildings, fell like dominos.

Covered in flames, the pieces of enchanted wood descended.

At that moment, the tree glowed and a magic circle spanning the entirety of the Imperial City materialized. 

The falling wreckage suspended midair as if held by invisible hands, and the people found their injuries healing under the ethereal glow of the tree.

Everyone believed they had been saved when suddenly, the ground rumbled.

Their hearts, which calmed through the magic of <Guardian Tree> quivered again, along with the intensifying tremors.

"This is fucking getting on my nerves!"

A deep roar resonated from deep inside the massive tree.

The graveyards over the Imperial City shook and thousands of bones crawled out. As the dead rose, the living shook with fear.

Terror of the unknown erupted into a greater frenzy. 

The citizens of the Imperial capital, after escaping the dream tree, found themselves in yet another nightmare.

Dragon King of Slavery tore through the <Guardian Tree>, his current size dwarfing the tree itself, while commanding an army of dead.

Suddenly, a deep voice reverberated before the Dragon King made his next move.

"Dragon King of Baxtiel, I challenge you to a duel."

Not only Faena and Jae-sung, but even Ravnyr was also stunned.

The voice echoed throughout the capital, leaving every human and non-human shocked. 

None could believe it. The human carrying the stigmata of fiend dared to challenge the Dragon King of Light.

"Ahahahahaha, this crazy fucker!"

Ravnyr broke into a cacophony and his bones clattered. He returned to his human form and called his army of death back with a snap of his fingers.

"What are you doing?" 

Jae-sung stood against Ravnyr, fearing the Dragon King of Slavery wanted to interrupt Sol's plan.

To his provocation, Ravnyr smirked.

"I'm leaving before this place disappears from the map."

"Don't joke with me. You were trying to kill us earlier and now you want to leave suddenly…."

His words struck in his throat. It was night, yet the world was bright as if the sun was at its peak.

Jae-sung raised his head.

1, 2, 3, 4, 10, 12, 15, 20, 25, 30, 50…. 100

"H…how?" Faena couldn't believe her eyes.

Hundred colossal swords of light hung in the night sky. They seemed like Damocles, bringing forth divine judgment from the heavens to punish the man who dare challenge a god.

"It looks like Light powered up?" Ravnyr scratched his chin.

He shrugged, saying it wasn't his business, and wings appeared on his back. 

When he was about to leave, his eyes were inadvertently drawn to Jae-sung who plopped to the ground.

The Dragon King of Slavery was pleased when the man, who had battled adversity, finally succumbed.

"Feeling like giving up?" asked Ravnyr sarcastically.

"No?" Jae-sung questioned with a blank expression. "Why will I give up when we are winning?"

"...? Did you go crazy like that man facing Light?"

Jae-sung turned his head and stared into Ravnyr's eyes.

"I did my part." 

He grinned.

"Sir Sol will do his."