Raven's POV
The moment I crossed Velmora's outer walls, I stopped wasting time. Dark mana gathered around my feet. Without hesitation, I activated my teleportation. The world twisted. Space folded around me. For an instant, everything dissolved into streaks of bright light.
Normally, my ability would take me directly beside Princess Lyria. The pendant I had given her contained a fragment of my own mana. No matter where she was, I should have been able to appear at her side.
Instead…The world stabilized. I frowned. I stood outside an enormous ruined fortress. Half of it had sunk beneath the earth centuries ago, while the remaining towers leaned like broken teeth toward the gray sky. Ancient stone walls were wrapped in thick vines, and giant roots had split entire sections apart.
The fortress rested alone in the middle of an endless forest. Far away from civilization.
My teleportation had never failed before. Something inside this place was interfering with space itself. Some ancient barrier…Or perhaps something even older.
Closing my eyes, I reached out with my senses. Immediately…I found her.
"Princess Lyria…"
Her mana was unmistakable. The pendant was still working. But…Something was horribly wrong. Her mana felt…Heavy. Distorted. As though something rotten had seeped into it.
A cold feeling settled inside my chest. "I need to reach her." I began circling the fortress, searching for an entrance.
Then—I froze. Something…Was watching me. I turned instantly. The forest was silent. Yet the feeling remained. Ancient. Immense. Watching.
MorriVayne's voice became unusually serious.
"…You felt that too?"
"Yes."
My eyes swept across the trees. "I can feel something incredibly old. …Very powerful…Very close. But I can't locate it."
Silence followed.
Then MorriVayne spoke again. "I feel it too. Whatever it is…It isn't showing hostility yet…Ignore it." Her tone remained calm. "But your princess's mana…I don't like it. Something is happening inside."
I gave a small nod.
After another minutes of searching, I found a collapsed stairway leading underground. The entrance had been cleverly concealed beneath centuries of rubble. Without hesitation…I entered.
The underground fortress was enormous. Dark corridors stretched endlessly beneath the earth. Most of the walls had collapsed long ago. Broken statues lay scattered across the floor. Dust covered everything.
Only the monsters remained alive. They appeared one after another from the darkness. Growling. Charging. Blocking my path.
I didn't slow down. Lightning flashed beneath my feet. One swing. A heads rolled across the floor. Another step. A monsters split cleanly in half.
Another corridor. Another dozen monsters. None survived long enough to scream. Their bodies collapsed behind me before I had already disappeared into the next hallway.
I never even looked back. They weren't worth stopping for.
The closer I came…The stranger princess's mana became. It was still hers. I could recognize it instantly. But something foreign had wrapped itself around it. Something dark. Something vile. Almost…Like chains.
My pace quickened. Eventually the corridors opened into an enormous throne hall. Massive pillars supported the ancient ceiling. Many had already collapsed, leaving piles of broken stone scattered across the floor.
At the far end…An old throne rested atop cracked black steps. And sitting upon it…Was Malvias. One leg crossed casually over the other. A satisfied smile rested on his face. As if he had been expecting me.
But he wasn't the first thing that caught my attention. Standing quietly beside him…Was prinsess Lyria.
She didn't move. She didn't speak. Her expression was completely empty. No warmth. No fear. No confusion. Nothing. Those beautiful silver eyes…Were lifeless.
Malvias chuckled. "Oh?, Look who finally found me. I must admit…I'm impressed." He spread his arms dramatically. "Would you mind telling me how you managed to find this place?"
I ignored him completely. My eyes never left her.
"Princess." No response. I took one slow step forward. "Princess."
Still nothing. She remained perfectly still. Only now did I notice her appearance. She was still wearing the same nightdress she'd been abducted in. It was stained with dirt. Dust. And dried blood.
My grip tightened around my sword. "Princess. Are you okay?….. Answer me."
Nothing.
Malvias laughed loudly behind her. "You can call her all day. It's useless. The Princess you knew…is gone."
He stood from the throne with obvious pride. "What stands before you now…is my obedient servant. My perfect puppet. She hears only me."
He grinned.
"Would you like a demonstration?" He looked toward princess. "Lyria." His smile widened. "Come here. Sit on my lap."
Without even the slightest hesitation…She obeyed. She walked toward him. Turned. And quietly sat on his lap. Like a doll.
My expression didn't change. but Inside My thoughts moved rapidly. Mind control…How? The black book? Another spell? Is there a way to break it? Then…I remembered something.
"MorriVayne.
She answered immediately.
"Yes?"
"You mention something about witches in your world used mind-control spells.…Can you break this?"
She became silent. For several long seconds. Finally…
"Yes. I know a counterspell."
Relief flickered through me.
"But…" Her voice darkened. "It's an advanced spell , and I'm not that strong yet. I haven't recovered enough strength. I'll need time."
"How much time do you need?"
"…Five minutes." She sighed. "Normally I'd need much longer. But I'll force it. I'll gather everything I have."
I nodded once. "…Understood."
Her presence slowly retreated deeper into my soul as she began preparing the spell.
Only then did I finally look at Malvias.
He frowned. "…Are you ignoring me?" His smile vanished. "I won." He threw both arms wide. "My monsters are destroying Velmora as we speak. Everyone who knows my identity …will die."
He looked affectionately at princess Lyria. "And I have the future Queen of Aurelia as my obedient slave ." He burst into hysterical laughter. "I've won!, You lost!"
"I'll kill you here…and then return to Aurelia with my future wife. My beloved Queen will take me as her husband and I'll become King."
His laughter echoed through the ruined hall.
I simply looked at him. "So…The throne was your true goal." I sighed. "I should've killed you during the banquet."
His laughter stopped.
"…What?"
"I let you live because I was curious about Your motive behind all this is destruction and the killing of innocent people. . I wanted to see how your little plan ended."
Confusion crossed his face. "What are you talking about and why are you so quiet?, Why aren't you afraid?"
He pointed toward princess Lyria. "I have your Princess. and my monsters are destroying an entire city. I've already won."
A smug smile returned. "You know…I'll give you one last chance." He leaned forward. "Kneel. Beg for forgiveness. Maybe…I'll be merciful and kill you quickly."
I slowly drew my sword. Steel sang through the silent hall. A faint grin appeared on my face.
"To free Princess from your control …All I have to do is kill you."
His expression twisted instantly. "What nonsense are you talking about? I'm the one holding all the power!, I decide who lives and who dies."
His voice exploded with fury. "You're nothing but an insect, I'll crush you myself!"
He shoved Princess Lyria aside and rose from the throne. Then he shouted across the hall. "Come forth!, My monsters and crush this insect!"
Silence. Several seconds passed. Nothing answered.
His brows furrowed. Louder this time—"I said…COME FORTH, YOU USELESS MONSTERS!"
Still…Nothing.
I answered for them. "If you're referring to the monsters guarding this fortress…they won't be coming anytime soon."
He slowly turned toward me.
"…What did you do?"
I casually swung my sword once. "They were blocking my path. So I removed them." My voice became more serious. "As I'll remove you."
His face paled. "…Impossible. There were hundreds. They're elite monsters! No one can kill all of them alone!"
I took one step forward. He instinctively stepped back. Panic flashed across his face for the first time. Immediately, he pulled the black grimoire from inside his coat.
He opened it frantically. Dark mana flooded the room. He stretched one hand toward princess Lyria and began chanting. With every line he recited…The corruption surrounding her mana grew heavier. Stronger. More violent.
Then…He reached into his belt. Pulled out a crimson dagger. And placed it into princess's hand. His smile returned.
"Go and Kill her …She won't fight back."
Princess Lyria closed her fingers around the dagger. Without a single word…She turned toward me.
Step.
Step.
Step.
Each step she took…The oppressive aura surrounding her grew stronger. And yet…I never raised my sword. I simply watched her approach.
Waiting.
Without taking my eyes off her…I slowly drove Abyssdrinker into the stone floor beside me. The blade protested with a low vibration before finally falling silent. I wasn't going to use it against her.
Behind us, Malvias laughed. "I knew it." His grin widened. "You won't fight the very princess you're sworn to protect." He spread his arms dramatically. "She truly is the perfect hostage."
I ignored him.
Every bit of my attention remained on Princess Lyria. A faint smile appeared on my lips.
"I'm sorry…I took too long." My voice was soft. "But don't worry. You'll be alright. I'll free you and take you home. I promise you."
She moved. Slowly. One step. Then another. Her movements were unnaturally calm. Like a puppet waiting for its strings to be pulled. Then—She vanished.
"…!"
She was suddenly right in front of me. The crimson dagger sliced toward my throat. She caught me completely by surprise. I leaned backward just enough for the blade to whistle past my neck.
A single strand of silver hair drifted through the air. Close…Before my feet even touched the ground—She attacked again. Another slash. Another thrust. Straight toward my neck. I retreated with several small jumps.
She followed every single one. Never giving me space. Never slowing down.
The instant I landed—She slammed into me shoulder-first. The impact knocked me backward. My balance broke. She didn't waste even a heartbeat. The dagger shot toward my heart.
I caught her wrist just before the blade reached my chest. Instead of pulling away—She kicked me squarely in the stomach. The force threw me several meters across the ruined hall. I slid to a stop.
MorriVayne suddenly spoke. "…Something's wrong."
I kept watching princess .
"Was your princess always this fast? …This strong?, I know you're holding back. But…There is something different about her."
I slowly stood.
"…I think Malvias enhanced her physical abilities."
My gaze shifted briefly toward him. He sat comfortably upon the throne once more. Watching. Smiling. Enjoying every second.
I sighed.
"MorriVayne. How much longer?"
"Two minutes." She sounded strained. "Just… two more minutes and I'll be ready."
Princess charged again. This time…She abandoned elegant movements entirely. Every strike aimed to kill. My throat. My eyes. My heart. The gaps beneath my ribs. She attacked with frightening precision.
I admitted it to myself. She was fast and strong . Almost as strong as Kara.
But…Still nowhere near fast enough to touch me. I continued evading. One step. One turn. One slight tilt of my head. Every strike missed by mere centimeters. I wasn't trying to win. I was buying time.
Behind us—Malvias burst into laughter. "Fight back!, Show me that arrogance you displayed during the banquet!" His laughter echoed through the throne hall.
"Come on!, Fight the princess you're supposed to protect!" He leaned forward, his grin growing wider. "You failed to protect her!, I walked straight into her room…right under your nose."
"And you couldn't do a single thing." He laughed again. "And you call yourself a guard,…A hunter"
I didn't even look at him. He wasn't worth attention. For now Only princess Lyria mattered.
She suddenly dropped low. The dagger swept toward my ankles. I jumped. Before I landed—She slashed upward. The crimson blade almost reached my face.
I barely redirected her wrist with two fingers. She spun with the motion. Another slash came immediately toward my stomach. I jumped backward again.
A small smile escaped me.
"Were you always this good at fighting?"
Of course…She never answered. Her empty eyes remained fixed on me.
Then—MorriVayne spoke.
"I'm ready."
I exhaled quietly.
"What do I do?"
"I want you to Get close to her and embrace her."
I blinked.
"…Embrace her?"
"Yes. Embrace her tightly and don't let her escape. The moment you establish physical contact…I'll switch places with you and I'll cast the purification spell myself."
Her voice became weaker. "But I can only maintain control for one minute. So hold onto her no matter what."
I nodded once.
princess lunged again. This time…I didn't dodge. She swung. I caught her wrist. Pulled her toward me. And wrapped both arms around her.
She froze. Only for an instant. Then she struggled violently. The dagger flashed wildly. Pain shot through my arm. Another slash burned across my back.
Neither wound was deep. Still…I refused to release her. She fought harder. Twisting desperately.
Her hand jerked backward. The crimson dagger drove into my side. A sharp pain spread through my waist. She tried pulling it free. I grabbed her wrist before she could. Holding both the blade…And her.
I leaned close enough for my forehead to touch hers. "Everything will be alright…Trust me."
I tightened my embrace.
MorriVayne whispered…
"Now."
The world shattered. Suddenly…I wasn't inside my own body anymore. Darkness surrounded me. An endless space without walls or sky.
"…What is this?"
My own voice echoed endlessly.
"…MorriVayne?"
Tiny fragments of light floated through the darkness. Memories. I reached toward one.
A throne. MorriVayne sat upon it. Proud. Powerful. Thousands knelt before her. They chanted her name.
Another fragment. Blood. Chains. A prison cell. MorriVayne lay imprisoned. Dozens of soldiers surrounded her.
Among them a young man. His crimson hair resembled hers. His eyes…Held no warmth. Only betrayal. He extended one hand toward her. In his other hand He held a sword. A cruel smile crossed his face.
The memory shattered. Darkness returned. I turned. And saw…My own body. No. MorriVayne. She now stood where I had been. Still embracing princess Lyria.
Ancient crimson mana surrounded them both. Her voice echoed through the ruined hall. Not loud. Not violent. But absolute. She chanted in an ancient tongue:
"By the first flame that remembers every soul…
By the sacred thread no darkness may sever…
Let false chains wither…
Let stolen will return…
Corruption, break.
Soul, awaken."
A brilliant crimson light erupted around princess Lyria. Black chains became visible for the first time. Wrapped around her heart. Her mind. Her soul.
One after another…They began to crack. Shatter. Disappear. The light consumed everything.
Then…A tremendous force seized me. The darkness collapsed. I was pulled violently back into my body. I gasped. My knees nearly buckled.
MorriVayne's exhausted voice echoed faintly inside my mind. "…I did everything I could. I've broken the spell…if there is anything left to break." Her voice became weaker. "I'm… exhausted. I'll be asleep for several days. Take care of…"
The sentence was never finished. Her presence faded. Silence filled my soul. For the first time…MorriVayne was gone.
"What are you doing?!" Malvias' voice echoed through the ruined throne hall. "What was that? What did you do to her?!"
I ignored him.
Slowly… I lowered my head and looked into princess's face. She had gone completely still inside my embrace. For one long heartbeat…Nothing happened.
Then…The emptiness in her silver eyes began to disappear. Like dawn breaking after the longest night. Life slowly returned to them.
She blinked. Twice. Her breathing became uneven. Her lips trembled. Very slowly…She lifted her head until our eyes met.
"…Raven?"
Her voice was barely louder than a whisper.
A faint smile reached my lips.
"Welcome back, Princess."
For several seconds she simply stared at me. As though trying to convince herself I was real.
"…R…"
"…Raven…"
Her gaze suddenly dropped. Down…To the crimson dagger still buried in my side. Her pupils shrank. The color drained from her face.
"No…"
Her fingers opened instantly. She stumbled backward.
"No…"
She looked at her own trembling hands covered with my blood .
"…What did I do?"
"I…"
"I hurt you…I tried…I tried to kill you…" Another step backward. Her knees gave way. She collapsed onto the cold floor.
"No…"
"What did I do…"
"What did I do…"
Her voice kept breaking. Over…And over again.
I reached down calmly. Wrapped my hand around the dagger's hilt. And slowly pulled it free. Pain spread through my side. Warm blood immediately soaked my clothes. I tossed the dagger aside without another glance.
I walked toward her. Kneeled before her.
"Princess."
She wasn't listening. She had both hands pressed tightly over her ears. Her entire body shook uncontrollably.
"No…"
"No…Stay away…I'll hurt you again…I don't want to…I don't want to…
I gently took both of her hands.
"Princess."
She kept shaking her head.
I tightened my grip just enough for her to feel me. "Lyria…Look at me." My voice carried more firmness this time.
Slowly…She lifted her head. Her silver eyes were overflowing with tears.
"…Look." I smiled reassuringly. "I'm alright. It's only a small wound. It doesn't even hurt."
It was an obvious lie. The stab wound was deep. But that wasn't important. Not now.
Only then did I truly notice her appearance. Her white nightdress had been torn in several places. Dust clung to the fabric. Dry blood stained the sleeves. There were bruises along her wrists.
She looked…Fragile.
Without another word…I removed my cloak. Carefully…I draped it over her shoulders. It almost completely swallowed her small frame. I adjusted it gently before speaking again.
"I'm glad you're safe …I'm sorry I was late." I looked toward Malvias for the first time. "But don't worry. I'll deal with him. And then I'll take you home."
She looked up at me. Her eyes shimmered beneath the ruined ceiling. Unable to speak…She simply nodded. Once.
I smiled.
"Good. Wait here. I'll be back soon."
I stood. Picked up Abyssdrinker from where it rested. The blade gave a quiet pulse beneath my hand. Then I walked toward Malvias. Every step echoed across the throne hall. When I finally stopped before him…
His expression was no longer one of confidence. Only disbelief.
"What…What did you do? How? How did you break my control over her?" His voice rose into a furious scream. "HOW?!"
I met his eyes calmly.
"Does it matter?"
His jaw clenched. "Of course it matters!" He pointed at princess Lyria with a trembling finger. "She's mine! I won't let you take her!, I'll control her again!, I'll kill you first…then she'll belong to me once more!"
A faint smirk appeared on my face.
"Try. If you can."
The words were quiet. But they struck him harder than any blade. His face twisted with rage. His teeth ground together.
"I'll wipe that smug look off your face! I'll make you beg! You'll beg for death…and I won't give it to you!"
I slowly raised Abyssdrinker. The black blade reflected the ruined hall like dark glass.
"If you've finished talking…let's begin. I have more important things to do than waste time here. I'm ending this quickly."
Malvias' expression darkened. "…Arrogant little brat." He drew his own sword. Dark mana burst around the crimson steel he lowered his stance.. "So be it. If you're so eager to die…I'll grant your wish."
His feet exploded against the stone floor. He vanished. A shockwave ripped through the hall. He appeared directly before me. Our swords collided.
CLANG!
The impact thundered through the fortress. A violent wave of force erupted outward. Broken pillars cracked. Dust rained from the ceiling. The stone beneath both our feet splintered into spiderweb fractures.
For several seconds…Neither of us moved. His blade pressed against mine. My sword didn't yield even a fraction.
Malvias looked into my eyes. A savage grin slowly spread across his face. "So…You really are strong." His grip tightened around his sword. His smile widened. "That means…This fight will actually be entertaining."
I answered quietly. " Don't get your hopes up too high, this battle will end sooner than you imagine."
The instant our blades locked, I twisted my wrists and drove my strength forward. A deafening crack echoed through the throne hall.
Malvias was thrown backward several meters. Instead of crashing to the floor, he twisted gracefully in midair, landing lightly on both feet. His boots scraped across the cracked stone.
A grin spread across his face. "…This is going to be fun."
Before the last word had even finished leaving his lips—He disappeared. The air exploded. I raised Abyssdrinker just in time.
CLANG!
Steel screamed against steel. The impact sent sparks flying across the hall. He spun immediately after the collision, using the momentum to slash toward my ribs.
I shifted one step sideways. His blade missed me by the width of a finger. Without pausing, I thrust toward his shoulder.
He leaned back impossibly far, the tip of my blade barely grazing his coat before he kicked off the floor and retreated. Neither of us spoke. Neither of us blinked.
We moved again. The distance between us vanished in an instant. One strike. Five. Ten. The throne hall erupted into a storm of steel. Our swords collided so rapidly that individual strikes became impossible to distinguish. The only sounds left were explosions of metal.
Clang!
CLANG!
Every collision sent violent shockwaves racing across the ruined chamber. Already fractured pillars finally collapsed. Chunks of stone crashed onto the floor. Dust filled the air.
Malvias suddenly lowered his stance. His sword flashed upward from below. A deceptive strike. I caught it. He smiled. A kick shot toward my knee. I jumped just high enough to avoid it while swinging my sword downward.
He blocked. The floor beneath us shattered from the impact. He twisted his wrist. Locked my blade. Then attempted to stab my throat with the dagger hidden beneath his sleeve. I caught his wrist before the blade reached me.
For a brief moment…We stood frozen. Face to face. Our weapons locked. Our eyes met. His grin grew wider. With surprising strength, he shoved me backward.
I slid several steps before digging my heel into the stone. Without hesitation, I rushed back toward him. This time…He attacked first. A horizontal slash.
I parried. A vertical strike. Blocked. A thrust. Deflected. He stepped inside my guard and elbowed my shoulder. I answered with the hilt of my sword against his jaw.
The crack echoed through the chamber. Blood appeared at the corner of his mouth. He laughed. "…Excellent." He wiped away the blood with his thumb. "I haven't enjoyed a fight like this in years."
He vanished again. His sword descended from above. I caught it over my head. He immediately shifted his grip and tried to force my blade downward through sheer strength.
The stone beneath my feet cracked. I pushed back. Our swords trembled violently. Neither of us gained an inch.
He was strong. Stronger than I had expected. I forced him away once more. Both of us landed several meters apart.
Silence returned.
I narrowed my eyes.
He's strong…And…Something felt wrong. Every exchange made his aura heavier. His mana…Was increasing. Gradually. Almost as though something were feeding him strength.
Malvias noticed the slight change in my expression. A cruel smile slowly appeared.
"…Do you feel it?" He rested his sword casually across his shoulder. "Your body. Doesn't it feel heavier?" He tilted his head. "Your movements are becoming slower. Aren't they?"
I didn't answer.
His eyes drifted toward my side. Toward the stab wound that still bled beneath my torn clothes. His smile widened even further.
"Do you know where that dagger came from?" He chuckled. "I suppose not." He slowly began circling me. "It's an ancient weapon. Forged centuries ago by the elves. They created it during the Demon Raids. When demons descended upon their villages…slaughtering the men…kidnapping the women and children…selling them as slaves."
His voice almost sounded proud. "The elves were weak. So they created weapons that didn't rely on strength." He tapped the side of his own head. "They relied on intelligence."
He pointed toward the wound in my waist. "That dagger severs mana pathways. One wound is enough. It disrupts the natural flow of mana throughout the body. It suppresses abilities. It weakens enhancement magic. It prevents regeneration."
His grin became vicious. "You've already lost the moment you were injured by that dagger." He glanced toward princess Lyria. "I knew she couldn't kill you. I never expected that."
"All I needed was a single cut." His eyes sparkled with satisfaction. "But she exceeded my expectations. She covered you in wounds."
"And now…" He slowly raised his sword. "Thanks to your precious princess…killing you will be easy."
I looked down briefly at the blood soaking my clothes. Then…I looked back at him.
"…Is that so?"
He laughed. "You still don't understand your situation."
I slowly lifted Abyssdrinker until its black edge pointed directly at him. "I don't need my abilities." My voice remained calm. "I don't need mana. I don't need enhanced strength." A faint smile appeared. "This sword…is all I need to end you."
Malvias' grin faltered. Only slightly. Then it returned. Even wider than before. "Don't overestimate yourself."
Dark mana burst violently around his body. The ruined throne hall trembled beneath the pressure. "Today…" He lowered his sword into a killing stance. "…this fortress becomes your grave."
The corners of my mouth lifted ever so slightly. "I've heard that sentence before." I took one slow step forward. "It never ended well for the one who said it."
The distance between us shrank once more. The silence itself seemed to hold its breath. Then—Both of us disappeared at the exact same instant. The clash of black and crimson steel shook the ancient fortress to its foundations.
The ancient fortress trembled. The instant our blades met again, the sound exploded through the ruined throne room like thunder.
CLANG!
Neither of us gave an inch. For a heartbeat we remained locked together, our faces only inches apart.
Malvias smiled. "You've become slower."
I answered by twisting Abyssdrinker sharply. His sword was forced aside. I stepped inside his guard and drove my elbow toward his ribs. He caught it with his forearm. His knee shot toward my stomach.
I turned my hips, letting it glance past me, and answered with the pommel of my sword. He ducked just in time. The strike shattered one of the stone pillars behind him instead. Chunks of rock rained onto the floor.
"So close." He laughed.
Then… He disappeared. The shadows beneath the broken pillars twisted unnaturally. I had already seen this trick. The darkness behind me rippled. Without looking—I swung.
CLANG!
His sword crashed into mine the instant he emerged from the shadows.
"…You predicted it."
"I heard you."
His eyes narrowed. "Hearing isn't enough."
Again. He vanished. This time the darkness gathered above me. I rolled forward. His blade split the floor where I had stood. Before he could recover, I thrust toward his shoulder.
He twisted. The sword cut through his coat and drew the first deep line of blood across his upper arm. He clicked his tongue.
"You're adapting."
The air around him suddenly ignited. Flames spiraled around his blade. A moment later—Wind joined them. The fire stretched farther. Hotter. Sharper.
The flames condensed into a blazing edge extending nearly another meter beyond his sword. He wasn't merely coating his weapon. He was shaping elemental mana.
He swung. The burning arc crossed the hall. I stepped aside. The wave carved through three pillars before exploding against the far wall. The entire fortress shook.
He was already beside me. The flaming sword descended again. I blocked. The impact forced me back several steps. The flames crawled across Abyssdrinker's black blade. They disappeared instantly. Absorbed.
Malvias frowned.
"…Right. I almost forgot. That ridiculous sword."
He immediately abandoned the flames. Lightning erupted around his body. His movements accelerated. He became noticeably faster.
He struck twelve times in the span of two breaths. Every strike came from a different angle. Every attack carried a different rhythm.
High. Low. Left. Thrust. Feint. Overhead. Horizontal.
He was trying to break my timing. I matched every strike. Steel screamed without pause. The floor beneath us became covered with fresh scars.
His grin slowly faded. He disappeared again.
Shadow. Fire. Wind. Lightning. Again and again. Different abilities. Different combinations. His fighting style changed every few seconds. As if…He possessed more than one Affinity.
My eyes narrowed. This wasn't normal. Almost no one could wield this many elements naturally. Unless…
A possibility crossed my mind. Could he be a copy abilities Just like me?, The thought lasted only an instant.
His sword nearly pierced my shoulder. I turned. The blade grazed my sleeve. Too close.
He laughed. "What happened?, Lost your concentration?"
I answered with silence. He wasn't giving me enough time to think. We crossed blades again. This time…I noticed it. His breathing. Slightly heavier. Barely noticeable. But there.
Another exchange. His footwork became a fraction slower. Another. His shoulders no longer relaxed between attacks. Another. His recovery after every swing had lengthened.
I understood. His abilities consumed enormous amounts of mana. He wasn't growing stronger anymore. He was trying to finish the battle before exhaustion reached him.
Then…I stepped forward. Instead of reacting—I attacked One strike. With a wide, quick wave towards his neck , He blocked. I didn't give him time to think, and a second strike was already coming from above towards his shoulder. But he resisted again and tried to push me back, but I didn't budge from my place.
and the next strike was coming like a stab to his heart. He jumped back to get away from my sword, but I didn't give him a chance and advanced towards him with a swift strike, but at the last moment he raised his sword and blocked it.
I increased the pressure. Each swing carried more raw strength than the last. He slid backward. Stone cracked beneath his boots. His smile disappeared completely. He counterattacked.
I met him head-on. Our swords collided again. This time…His wrist trembled. Just slightly. I saw it. So did he. His eyes widened. He pushed harder. I pushed harder.
The black blade slowly forced the crimson one downward. The muscles in his arms bulged. Veins stood out along his neck.
"…Move!"
He roared. His sword refused. I broke the clash with a twist. Then immediately struck again.
High. Low. Diagonal. A thrust. He blocked the first. Barely caught the second. The third sliced across his chest. Blood sprayed across the cracked floor.
He stumbled. I didn't stop. Another strike. He retreated. Another. He vanished into the shadows.
I closed my eyes. Listened. The air shifted behind me. I turned around quickly, The tip of Abyssdrinker pierced his shoulder the instant he emerged.
"…Gah!"
He staggered away, clutching the wound. His expression finally changed. The confidence was gone. Only shock remained.
"How…How did you know?"
"I told you. I only need my sword to defeat you."
His jaw tightened. Wind exploded around him. He launched himself forward one last time. Everything he had left.
Fire.
Lightning.
Shadow.
Wind.
Every ability erupted together. The throne room became chaos. The floor shattered. The walls cracked. Columns collapsed. He attacked relentlessly. Desperately. Faster than before. Stronger than before.
But…His technique had already fallen apart. Fear had entered his sword. I stepped through the storm. Deflected one strike. Slipped beneath another. Shoulder checked him aside.
Cut across his thigh. Before he recovered—I struck his wrist. His sword nearly left his hand. He caught it at the last second.
Too late.
I drove my shoulder into his chest. He flew backward. Before he touched the ground—I was already there. Abyssdrinker flashed once. His left arm opened from shoulder to forearm.
Another slash. Across his ribs. Another. His right thigh. Another. Across his back as he turned. Blood painted the ruined stone. He tried disappearing into the shadows again.
Nothing happened. His concentration had broken. His breathing became ragged. He swung wildly. I sidestepped. Placed one hand against his sword arm. Turned my body. Then struck him across the jaw with the hilt of Abyssdrinker.
The crack echoed through the hall. His knees buckled. Still…He refused to fall.
"…Not…"
"…yet…"
He raised his sword with shaking hands.
I looked at him quietly.
"You've lost."
He roared and charged anyway. One final attack. One final gamble. I met him halfway. Our blades crossed.
For the last time. I twisted my wrists. His sword flew from his hands. It spun across the hall before embedding itself deep into a broken pillar. His eyes widened. Before he could react—
I struck the flat of Abyssdrinker's hilt into his stomach. His breath left him instantly. Then I drove my knee into his stomach again .
A final blow with the pommel crashed into his shoulder. Bone cracked. He collapsed. Both knees hit the stone floor. A heavy silence filled the throne room.
Blood dripped steadily from dozens of wounds covering his body forming a dark pool beneath him. His breathing had become uneven. His arms hung limply at his sides.
Yet…He was still alive. Still conscious. Barely.
I rested Abyssdrinker against my shoulder. Then looked down at him.
He said in a broken voice. " I underestimated you. You're far stronger than I expected." He coughed violently, blood staining his lips. He slowly raised his head. His crimson eyes met mine. A crooked smile spread across his bloodied face.
"But…" The smile widened. "…I haven't lost."
My instincts screamed. Without hesitation, I lunged forward. At that exact moment—Malvias shoved his hand inside his torn coat. He pulled out the ancient black grimoire.
I exploded forward. The stone floor shattered beneath my feet. The pages turned on their own. Black letters crawled across the parchment like living insects. His smile became almost fanatical.
"You wanted to know my final plan?" His eyes gleamed. "Then watch."
He pressed his bleeding palm against one of the pages. Blood spread across the paper. The runes ignited. Dark crimson. Then black. He began chanting. The language was ancient.
Twisted. Every syllable felt wrong. As though reality itself rejected the words.
I reached him. My sword descended. Too late.
"…Sanguis Umbrae… Cor Tenebris… Aperi Abyssum… Da mihi vim ultra carnem…"
The final word left his mouth. The spell completed. My blade cut through his shoulder. Blood sprayed across the throne.
But—Nothing happened. He didn't fall. Instead…Everything stopped. Silence. Then—
BOOOOOOM!!
An unimaginable explosion of black mana erupted from his body. The blast threw me backward across the throne room. I planted Abyssdrinker into the stone, forcing myself to stop before crashing into the wall.
The entire fortress shook violently. Cracks raced across every pillar. The throne behind Malvias exploded into dust. His body slowly rose from the ground. Suspended in midair.
Black mist poured endlessly from every wound. His veins darkened. His muscles expanded unnaturally. The whites of his eyes disappeared beneath endless darkness.
An overwhelming pressure descended upon the fortress. Even breathing became difficult.
"What…"
The words escaped my lips before I realized it. His mana…It wasn't merely increasing. It was multiplying. Wildly. Violently. Beyond reason.
The black mist spread through the chamber like a living storm. The ceiling groaned. Then—The first massive slab of stone crashed downward. Another followed. Then another.
The fortress had begun collapsing. Dust swallowed the entire hall.
"Raven!"
Princess!! I turned immediately. She was still where I had left her. Frozen. Watching everything unfold.
Without another thought, I sprinted toward her. A pillar collapsed behind me. The impact shook the floor beneath my feet.
I reached her just as another section of ceiling came crashing down. I wrapped one arm beneath her knees. The other around her back. She instinctively clung to me.
"What—"
"No time."
Another explosion. The entrance corridor disappeared beneath tons of falling stone. I looked toward the passage I had entered through. Gone. Completely buried.
"…Damn."
There was no way back. Another section of the ceiling collapsed. The entire fortress was dying around us.
Think.Think. My eyes searched desperately through the storm of dust. No doors. No tunnels. No escape.
Then…I looked upward. A narrow shaft of pale daylight filtered through the broken ceiling far above. Not enough. But…it's the only way
"Princess."
She looked at me. Fear filled her eyes.
I smiled. "Hold on tightly. The way out…is going to be a little rough."
She blinked then Without hesitation, she wrapped both arms around my neck. Closed her eyes. And trusted me completely.
"…I'm ready."
I tightened my hold around her. I strained my leg muscles and jumped so hard that the ground beneath me cracked.. My boots landed atop a massive falling boulder. The instant it began dropping—I leaped again. Another rock. Another jump. Another collapsing pillar.
The entire fortress had become a staircase of destruction. Stone rained from above like meteors. Every jump demanded perfect timing. One mistake…And we'd be buried alive.
A boulder the size of a carriage crashed toward us. I twisted in midair. It missed us by inches.
Another piece of ceiling collapsed directly overhead. I pushed off a broken column. Pain exploded through my side. The wound from the enchanted dagger tore open again. Warm blood soaked through my clothes.
"…Raven…"
Princess whispered weakly.
"I'm fine."
I wasn't. Every landing sent fresh pain through my body. Without mana enhancement…Without instantaneous movement…Every leap relied solely on my own strength.
My legs screamed. My side burned. Blood continued dripping behind me. Still—I climbed. Higher and Higher. Almost there.
One final leap. I planted a foot against a collapsing wall. Pushed with everything I had left. The stone beneath me shattered. We burst through the broken roof—Into daylight. Fresh air filled my lungs.
Instead of dropping back toward the collapsing fortress…I landed atop the thick trunk of an ancient tree overlooking the ruins.
Below us…The buried fortress continued collapsing into itself. Black mana erupted endlessly from somewhere deep underground. The earth trembled. Trees bent beneath the pressure.
The dark mist surrounding Malvias continued rising toward the sky.
"…He's still alive."
I narrowed my eyes. That spell…Whatever it was…It had transformed him into something else entirely.
Movement. Far beyond the forest. I turned. Several figures were racing toward us. Fast. I recognized them immediately.
Kara.
Kalina.
And dozens of soldiers behind them.
I crouched. Then jumped. The enormous tree bent beneath the force before launching me downward. I landed silently before them.
Both women stopped abruptly. Their eyes immediately found princess Lyria.
"Lyria!" Kara rushed forward. Tears instantly filled her eyes.
Without hesitation, I gently placed her into Kara's arms. Kara held her as though afraid she would disappear again.
Kalina stared at me. Then at the blood covering my clothes.
"Raven…You…"
"I'm fine."
I looked directly at Kara. "Take care of the Princess. and I'll deal with Malvias."
I turned toward the collapsing fortress. The black mist had become even denser. It coiled around the ruins like a living creature. The ground continued trembling beneath our feet.
Kalina instinctively reached for her sword. "We're coming with—"
"No."
My voice stopped both of them. Neither woman had ever heard me speak with such finality.
"Do not come any closer. Whatever he has become…this is no longer a battle you can survive."
Silence followed. The wind carried the smell of dust and blood across the forest. Then began walking toward the sea of black mist.
Behind me…Princess's trembling voice barely reached my ears. "Please…be careful."
I didn't turn around. Then disappeared into the darkness where Malvias was waiting.
The forest had gone silent. Even the wind seemed unwilling to pass through the thick curtain of black mist that swallowed the ruins of the buried fortress.
I tightened my grip around Abyssdrinker. Every instinct I possessed screamed the same warning.
Danger.
The pressure radiating from within the fog was unlike anything I had felt in this world. It was heavy. Corrupted. Every breath tasted of blood and ash.
I continued walking. One slow step after another. Behind me, the sounds of Kara and Kalina faded until only my own footsteps remained.
The black mist curled around my legs as though it were alive. The ground beneath my boots had turned black, cracked by veins of crimson mana that pulsed like living arteries.
The mist moved. Not by the wind. Something enormous was walking through it.
…Thud.
The earth shook. Another step. Trees several dozen meters away trembled. The fog slowly parted.
At first…I only saw a silhouette. Far too large to be human. Then the mist finally withdrew. I looked up. And higher.
Malvias no longer existed. At least…Not the man I had fought just a while ago. The creature standing before me towered nearly two and a half meters tall.
His once elegant clothes had long since been torn apart by muscles that had swollen to monstrous proportions. Every inch of his body looked forged from black stone and living flesh.
Dark veins crawled across his skin like molten cracks. His fingers had become long claws capable of ripping through steel. His face…Was barely recognizable.
His jaw had elongated. Sharp fangs protruded from beneath twisted lips. One horn curved backward from the left side of his forehead, while another was only beginning to grow from the right.
His eyes…Still belonged to Malvias. Cold. Calculating. Filled with arrogance. So he still retained his mind.
Black mana poured endlessly from his body like smoke escaping an endless furnace. Every heartbeat sent another invisible shockwave through the forest.
Even standing dozens of meters away…I could feel its weight pressing against my chest.
He slowly looked down at me. A monstrous smile spread across his distorted face.
"Well…"
His voice had changed. It was deeper now. Layered. As though another creature spoke beneath his own.
"You came."
He stretched one enormous arm. The sound of bones cracking echoed through the forest.
"I was worried…you had run away." His grin widened. "Good, That saves me the trouble of hunting you." He lowered his arm .His eyes gleamed with madness. "And now…your end begins."
He took one step. The earth shattered beneath his foot. and second step—He vanished.
My pupils contracted. Too fast—Instinct moved before thought. I raised Abyssdrinker.
BOOOOOOM!!
A claw the size of a sword crashed into my blade. The impact was beyond anything I had expected. The force exploded through my arms. Pain shot from my wrists to my shoulders.
Before I could redirect it—I was launched into the air. The world spun. Trees blurred beneath me.
I twisted my body midair. Flipped once. Twice. Landed on both feet. My boots carved two long trenches through the earth before I finally stopped.
My arms…Were shaking. surely Not from fear. but From the impact. That single strike…Had almost broken my guard.
A booming laugh echoed through the forest.
"Hahahahaha!"
"HAAHAHAHAHA!"
Malvias slowly lowered the arm he had attacked with. "Where did your confidence go?" He spread both arms dramatically. "Where's that smug smile?. Where's the arrogance from before?"
His laughter grew louder. "What do you think?" He struck his own chest proudly. "Do you like my new power?" He leaned forward. A grin split his monstrous face.
"Come. Touch me again. If you can."
He is so strong that I wonder if I could fight and win in my current situation. No, I cannot die here and waste this body and the powerful abilities he possesses. I must win at all costs.
I slowly exhaled. Adjusted my grip. Abyssdrinker gave a quiet pulse. I lowered my center of gravity. Then charged.
The distance disappeared instantly. I swung toward his neck. He didn't even move. His claw caught my blade. Bare-handed. The sound of grinding steel echoed through the forest.
"…Too weak."
He swatted Abyssdrinker aside. My entire body staggered with the force. His fist came immediately afterward. I barely crossed my sword in time.
BOOM!
The blow launched me backward again. I struck three trees before stopping. The first two snapped in half. The third barely remained standing.
I pushed myself away just before Malvias appeared where I had been. His claw tore through the tree effortlessly. The enormous trunk exploded into splinters.
He was already attacking again. No pause. No hesitation. Only relentless pressure.
Another swing. Blocked. Another. Every collision numbed my fingers. Every impact sent pain racing through my arms.
He wasn't merely stronger. He was overwhelmingly stronger. His raw physical strength had surpassed mine completely.
He swung downward. I caught it. The ground beneath my feet collapsed. Both knees nearly touched the earth. My muscles screamed.
He smiled.
"…Kneel."
I shoved upward with everything I had. Just enough to escape. His next punch grazed my shoulder. Something cracked. Pain exploded through my left arm.
Before I recovered—His tail—I hadn't even noticed he had grown one—Whipped across my ribs. The impact stole the air from my lungs.
I flew across the forest. Rolled several times. Finally stopping beside a broken boulder. I forced myself upright. Blood dripped from the corner of my mouth. My breathing had become noticeably heavier.
As though enjoying himself.
"Is this all? I expected more."
He disappeared again. This time I couldn't even
track him. A shadow. A blur. Pain. His claw tore across my side before I even saw him.
Blood sprayed across the grass. I retaliated instinctively. My sword cut only empty air. He was already behind me.
Another blow. This one struck my back. I crashed face-first through another tree. The forest echoed with splintering wood.
I staggered to my feet. Barely. Every muscle hurt. The enchanted dagger's wound still prevented my mana from flowing properly.
Without my abilities…I was fighting him with only my body. And my body…Was reaching its limit.
He appeared once more. This time directly above me. His enormous fist descended like a falling mountain.
I raised Abyssdrinker. The collision deafened me. My vision blurred. Both hands nearly lost their grip. The force drove me deep into the earth. A crater formed beneath my feet. My knees buckled. My arms trembled uncontrollably.
Still…I refused to let go.
Malvias looked down at me. Smiling. "Excellent." He whispered. "I was afraid you'd die too quickly."
He pulled his arm back. Then delivered one final punch. I barely managed to raise my sword. The impact exploded through my entire body. Everything went weightless.
I flew. Farther than before. The forest became a blur. Then—
CRAAASH!!
My back slammed into the trunk of an enormous ancient tree. The trunk cracked down the middle. I slid slowly toward the ground.
For several long seconds…I couldn't breathe. My sword slipped from my fingers. I forced one knee beneath me.
"…Get…"
"…up…"
My legs refused. I tried again. The world tilted. Darkness crept into the edges of my vision. One more attempt. My arms collapsed beneath me. The earth rushed upward.
Everything became quiet. The last thing I saw…Was Malvias' towering silhouette slowly walking toward me through the broken forest.
Then…Darkness swallowed everything.