"Graaaaaaaah!"
Arkbahar's rage tore through the sky. With every flap of its massive black wings, a storm raged, shattering the palace tiles into fragments.
Cael simultaneously handled the last two transformed dragons while assessing the situation. 'Arkbahar's rage pattern... it's exactly the same as in my previous life.' Twenty years of memories were crystal clear. An enraged Arkbahar had a pattern of first engulfing the ground in flames, then descending to engage in close combat.
"But this time..."
Cael spun Dragonbane, simultaneously beheading the remaining two transformed dragons.
Growl!
[Level Up!][Current Level: 7][New Skill Acquired: Dragon Slash]
A system window appeared before his eyes.
[Dragon Slash Lv.1]- A finishing move that deals 5x damage to dragonkin.- Cooldown: 60 seconds.- Mana Cost: 30.
"Perfect." Cael's lips curled into a slight smile. At that very moment, Victor swung his demonic sword from behind.
"You let your guard down!"
Clang!
But Cael had already anticipated it. He half-turned his body, blocking Victor's demonic sword with Dragonbane.
"Victor, your patterns are just as predictable."
"What?"
Twist!
Cael twisted his sword, deflecting Victor's weapon. Then, he immediately counterattacked.
Thud!
Dragonbane grazed Victor's shoulder. Due to the Magic Nullification ability, Victor's demonic shield was rendered useless, leaving a deep wound.
"Gah!" Victor shrieked, recoiling. Black blood flowed from his shoulder.
"This... what is that sword..."
"Curious?" Cael slowly approached him. "Dragonbane. A sword born to kill dragons. And it's just as effective against a demon's minion like you."
Just then, Arkbahar's voice thundered from the sky. "Victor! You incompetent fool! I'll take care of this myself!"
The colossal black body began its descent from the sky. Arkbahar was coming down to the ground.
Rumble!
The ground vibrated. As Arkbahar's talons touched the palace courtyard, the marble floor cracked like a spiderweb.
"Human... are you the one who obstructs my plans?"
The massive black eyes looked down at Cael. That gaze held the same absolute oppressive power he had felt in his previous life.
But Cael was no longer his old self.
"Obstruct? No, Arkbahar." Cael pointed Dragonbane directly at the dragon. "I've come to utterly destroy you."
"Hahaha! What an amusing human!" Arkbahar swung a colossal claw. It was the very attack that had killed Cael in his previous life.
But this time, it was different.
Whoosh!
Cael darted sideways, dodging the claw attack. Simultaneously, he slashed at Arkbahar's foreleg with Dragonbane.
GAAHHH!
Arkbahar let out a roar of pain. Dragonbane's 3x damage and the Dragon Killer passive had stacked, dealing significant damage.
"No! How did you pierce my scales!"
"Surprised? The real fight starts now." Cael activated his newly acquired skill.
"Dragon Slash!"
A blue aura exploded from Dragonbane, forming a massive sword aura. The sword aura shot towards Arkbahar's neck.
Boom!
Arkbahar, hit with 5x damage, recoiled and writhed in agony.
"GAAHHH! This... this is impossible!"
"Impossible? It's time to pay back everything you did to me in my previous life!"
Cael unleashed a continuous barrage of attacks. The perfect combination of his past life's experience and his current strength began to overwhelm Arkbahar.
At that moment, Victor attempted a surprise attack from behind.
"Cael! Watch your back!"
Suddenly, Leon's voice was heard. He had returned after evacuating the King and the other knights.
"Leon! I told you not to come!"
"I can't leave a comrade alone!" Leon drew his sword and charged at Victor. Aria and Garon appeared right after him.
"We'll fight alongside you!"
"Fools..." Cael muttered bitterly. But a warmth spread in his heart. His comrades, whom he hadn't been able to protect in his previous life, were standing by his side again.
"Alright. But follow my orders. Don't overdo it!"
"Understood!"
Now, the true final battle had begun. Cael and his comrades versus Arkbahar and Victor.
Arkbahar soared into the sky again and roared, "Very well! Then die, all of you!"
A massive black breath poured down towards the entire group. It was the very attack that had ended everything in his previous life.
But Cael was already prepared.
"Everyone, behind me!"
Raising Dragonbane to the sky, Cael steeled himself for the final resolve.
"This time... I will protect them, no matter what!"
Within the black storm, a final confrontation, with fate hanging in the balance, was about to unfold.