Chapter 680

Chapter 680

Gritting his teeth, Ash set a flame to his crumbling self, his very soul.

Whoosh—

The fragments of his shattered memories ignited with spiritual flames.

The disintegration of his soul accelerated. In exchange, the ritual burning of the spirit granted him the strength to move his body.Cheêck out latest novels at novelhall.com

"Haah..."

Strength coursed through his body, which had felt like collapsing just moments ago, as if reinvigorated by a miraculous revival.

Unhesitatingly, Ash set fire to the deepest roots of his memories that made up his being.

Countless memories and connections built over innumerable eras and cycles turned to ash and scattered to the wind.

What does it matter?

What value do such memories hold?

If all these immeasurable times could burn into heat and gales, converting to a moment's worth of energy, he would be grateful. That’s all.

"Aaaaaaah!"

With a bestial roar, Ash charged once again at the dire dragon.

His mission remained unchanged. Once again, he loaded his venom and thrust it into the beast's vulnerability.

Dodging the Black Dragon's barrage in an unconscious state, Ash burned down his inner roots.

- I'm sorry for leaving you such a heavy burden.

In a distant past.

Faces of his bloodied father and brothers clutching his shoulders flashed through his mind.

- Do not forget that we walked the same path as you.

Burn it down.

The days of the joint front with his father and brothers intertwined in flames and disappeared.

- It was an honor to fight under the commander.

On the frozen ground.

Heroes and soldiers who had fought alongside him in the final battle raised their weapons high, smiling brightly.

- We will pave the way with our lives. Fulfill the great cause...!

Burn it down.

The faces of comrades who had traversed hell together merged into the darkness beneath the flames.

- It’s okay. My dear bone fighter.

His mother’s dry lips softly touched his forehead.

- Mom will always be by your side.

Memories of his mother from his childhood, who had hugged him with a gentle smile...

Burn it down.

"Aaaaaaah!"

Flames streamed down Ash's cheeks like fiery tears.

Burn it down. Burn it down. Burn it down.

Memories like that are unnecessary. After all, he had long since thrown away his entire self.

He is a save slot. The focal point of the century. A dagger and a vial of poison to slay destruction. A silver coin and a rope to be used and discarded in exchange for salvation.

He does not regret it. He is not sad. He is not tormented. Such luxurious emotions have long since died.

Just offer, burn, and then, at the end of it all,

This world...

- Ah...

At that moment, the scene before his eyes changed.

In the midst of a lush summer garden.

Fifteen-year-old Serenade, dressed in a beige dress, caught her breath in the morning sun.

Their eyes met, and Serenade blushed, lowering her gaze.

Large silvery eyes cast a pale blue shadow beneath lengthy eyelashes.

"..."

The flames,

Stopped.

"...Ah."

How could he forget.

The landscape etched into his soul on that day.

The image of the boy and girl sharing a bashful laugh, their cheeks flushed as they touched foreheads, exchanging vows of engagement.

"Ah..."

At that moment, tears welled up in the corners of Ash's eyes, dried out by the heat of the black monster’s breath.

Without realizing it, Ash raised his arm, reaching out towards the memory of that day, now beyond his reach...

Whoosh!

Barely enduring the pain, Dusk Bringar tried to continue her attack, throwing her fists with all her might.

Thwoong-!

But in the next moment, Night Bringer’s massive front paw intercepted one of the swinging fists and gripped it tightly.

"...!"

Night Bringer sneered into Dusk Bringar's ear, shocked.

"The power is too much for you to wield, half-dragon."

And just like that,

Kwadddddk-!

Night Bringer ripped off one of Dusk Bringar’s arms in the opposite direction.

"...!"

From the torn shoulder, instead of blood, brilliant sunset-colored magical power burst forth, and Dusk Bringar, gritting her teeth, spun in place, attempting to whip her tail like a lash.

Koong-!

However, Night Bringer, having already risen, lightly stomped on the tail to stop it.

"Ugh-?!"

And for a moment, as Dusk Bringar’s movements halted, Night Bringer gazed at her with fourteen pairs of [Eyes of Dark Magic].

Fourteen pupils simultaneously emitted darkness.

Night Bringer's most powerful attack, 'Forged Night'.

Forging the night from ancient accumulated hatred and grudges, Night Bringer butchered the descendant of her old rival.

Kwajik! Kwaduk! Pwoof...!

Intangible darkness, sharp as a blade, flew in and shredded Dusk Bringar’s entire body.

"Aaaaaah! Aaaaaaah!"

Torn and tattered, Dusk Bringar screamed in agony.

From her shattered body, sunset-colored magical power spurted out like blood in all directions.

Night Bringer's seven heads rushed towards the battered Dusk Bringar.

The seven heads of the evil dragon savagely bit and swallowed her body made of magical power.

No longer able to maintain the form of a dragon, Dusk Bringar, now just a skeletal and grotesque figure, staggered and slowly fell toward Night Bringer.

Thud...!

The lifeless body of Dusk Bringar touched Night Bringer. Confident that he had finished her off, Night Bringer leisurely watched her end.

And then,

Flash!

A light returned to the lifeless eyes of Dusk Bringar.

No longer a dragon, but something torn to shreds, Dusk Bringar clung to Night Bringer with all her remaining strength.

"What are you doing?"

Genuinely puzzled, Night Bringer asked,

"...Now."

The Dusk Bringar roared fiercely.

"Sister Nameless-!"

"...?!"

Shocked, Night Bringer looked down.

Just like Dusk Bringar, the dethroned princess of the Lake Kingdom had reached this spot just before the teleport gate malfunctioned, waiting for the moment to intervene—

She had moved Ash, who had been lying fallen, to a safe space behind her.

In the darkness, she firmly gripped her sword.

"...The opportunity you gave me."

Whoosh-!

A terrifying light burst from the worn longsword held in Nameless's hand.

Between the billowing white hair, Nameless's turquoise eyes peered steadfastly from beneath her hood.

"I will not waste it, little Dusk."

A beam of light shot forth.

With her sword behind her and magic propelling her like a missile, Nameless swiftly reached in front of Night Bringer.

Night Bringer tried to strike this Nameless figure, but Dusk Bringar, with all her might, intercepted all the attacks with her body.

The body of Dusk Bringar exploded, scattering like fireworks of sunset light.

Beneath that blaze, Nameless, clutching the steel sword with both hands, gathered all the remaining light in her soul into the blade—

Flash-!

She unleashed the most powerful sword strike of her life, slicing through the evil dragon.

In a world cloaked in darkness, a bright and immense pillar of light burst forth, momentarily blinding all who beheld it.

--TL Notes--

Hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you want to support me or give me feedback, you can do it at /MattReading