The black wings that rent the sky cast a shadow over the sun. Arkbahar. Just the name ignited a furious hatred in Cael's veins, a name that had driven him to his death in his previous life. The colossal black dragon unfurled its wings above the Royal Palace, letting out an imposing roar.
"Graaaaaaaah!"
The ground-shaking roar sent the entire palace trembling, and the knights recoiled in fear. Only Cael remained steadfast.
"Leon! Get the King and everyone to safety!"
Leon hesitated at Cael's shout. "Cael! You can't do this alone! We'll go together—"
"No!" Cael vehemently refused. The memories of his past life were vivid: the horrific sight of his comrades dying as they tried to help him. This time, it had to be different.
At that moment, Victor let out a sneer and stepped forward. Around him stood five humanoid dragons in black robes.
"Cael Drake. Or rather, who exactly are you?" Red light bled from Victor's eyes. The power gained from his demonic contract was slowly revealing itself. "Whatever your true identity, it ends here today. Lord Arkbahar himself has descended."
Cael gripped Dragonbane tightly. A blue light flowed from the blade, activating its dragon-sensing properties. 'Five transformed dragons, Victor, and Arkbahar...' It was the worst situation he had ever faced, even worse than anything in his previous life. Yet, strangely, he wasn't afraid. Instead, his blood boiled.
"Victor Ashford," Cael slowly began, his voice laced with twenty years of pent-up fury. "Do you know how many people died because of you in my previous life?"
"Previous life?" Victor narrowed his eyes and chuckled. "So you were hiding something after all. But what good will it do now—"
Whoosh!
Cael dashed forward as if teleporting, appearing directly in front of Victor. Dragonbane traced a blue arc, slashing towards Victor's neck.
Clang!
Victor barely managed to block with his demonic sword, but the impact sent him stumbling back several steps.
"Such speed..."
"Surprised? This is just the beginning." A cold killing intent flashed in Cael's eyes. The swordsmanship of his previous life and his current body were beginning to perfectly harmonize.
Just then, Arkbahar's voice thundered from the sky. "Human... are you the one who killed Scandul?"
The colossal black eyes looked down at Cael. That gaze alone made the surrounding knights fall to their knees, but Cael proudly held his head high and met it.
"Yes, Arkbahar. And next, it's your turn."
"Hahaha! An interesting human, indeed!" Arkbahar laughed, opening its massive maw. Black flames began to writhe within its mouth. "Very well. Then you shall meet the same end as Scandul!"
A massive black breath poured down towards Cael. It was the very technique that had driven him to his death in his previous life.
But this time, it was different.
As Cael raised Dragonbane to the sky, a brilliant blue light exploded from the sword. The Dragon Breath 50% Absorption ability activated.
"What?!"
Arkbahar's black breath began to be absorbed by Dragonbane. Its power flowed into Cael's body.
[Dragon Breath Absorption Complete!][Mana +50][Temporary Attack Power Increase: +30%!]
The system window appeared, but Cael was already focused on his next move.
"Victor!"
Drawing on the absorbed power, Cael charged at Victor. This time, the five transformed dragons simultaneously moved to block him.
"We are your opponents!"
But numbers were meaningless before Cael's skill.
Crackle!
The first dragon's head was severed. The Dragon Killer passive and Dragonbane's 3x damage stacked, resulting in an instant kill.
[Level Up!][Current Level: 6]
"No! Everyone, attack together!"
The remaining four charged simultaneously, but Cael weaved through them like a dance, swinging his sword. His multi-combat techniques from his previous life were perfectly unleashed.
Clang! Clang-clang!
The second and third dragons fell one after another.
Arkbahar let out a roar of rage. "How dare you harm my subordinates!"
This time, an even more powerful breath rained down. But Cael had already anticipated it.
"Leon! Now!"
At Cael's shout, Leon led the King and the other knights to safety. The real battle was just beginning.
Cael raised Dragonbane to the sky and yelled, "Arkbahar! Everything you stole from me twenty years ago... I will reclaim it now!"
A fateful reunion between the black dragon and the revenge-fueled dragon slayer had begun. The palace sky began to burn with the clash of the two beings.