The Blood Tornado ended.
The deeply gouged ground was revealed.
Inside, there was nothing.
The destructive power of the Great Magic Blood Tornado, which was restricted by several conditions, was something even Dragon scales could not withstand.
“Did he die?” Rotiaon cast a detection Magic.
With one-fiftieth of the Dragon Heart’s Mana used, the output was enormous. It was to the point that it would be difficult for even Kai to stay hidden under that Magic.
‘It wasn’t a deception.’
With this, it was certain. The terrifying monster that had overwhelmed even a Dragon alone was dead.
‘Baitan is…’
It was a site where a massive Great Magic had occurred, powerful enough to kill such a monster. The Elf, whose command was excellent but whose martial power was mediocre, could not have survived even if a miracle had happened.
‘Still, it’s a gain.’
Even if he was an old Guardian, his importance could not be compared to that monster’s. Rotiaon’s affection was more like valuing a rare treasure than having affection for a living being. If there was something more valuable, he could replace it anytime. There just hadn’t been anyone until now. To a Dragon, the value of other short-lived creatures was worth exactly that much.
‘Withdraw. We will attack again after recovery.’
The Dragons retreated at Rotiaon’s Communication Magic. Their condition was not good, even looking at them from the outside.
The Dragon that had fought Choi Kangjoong was missing a wing and had half its tail cut off. The Dragon that fought a bloody battle with Dielka was panting as it neutralized the Death Mana.
The Dragon that faced Kuongi was scorched all over, and holes were punched through it in various places. The Dragon that fought Iselin was in the best condition.
The Dragons consoled each other’s pride, saying they were unlucky or that the enemy had used trickery. Rotiaon didn’t say much either.
After all, he had almost died too. If it weren’t for the Guardian’s sacrifice, they would have been defeated without any gain.
The troops were also withdrawn. Immense damage occurred until they were out of range of the Mana Shells. However, the enemy did not pursue them beyond that.
‘To think they missed the final chance. How stupid.’
Even if their most important and powerful force was dead, the enemy’s chance of victory was still the same. Now was the time to press on, not to stop in shock. If the Dragons and troops safely escaped and recovered like this, the enemy would have to fight with the scales tipped against them.
‘It’s my victory.’
Rotiaon landed on the Dimension with that conviction. Baitan’s son, Baitan, whom he had appointed as the new Commander, brought him food.
“Baitan, you take command.”
“I understand, Master,” the elderly Baitan bowed his head.
Since he had watched and learned from the deceased Baitan’s command for a long time, his leadership was not enough to disappoint Rotiaon. Rotiaon looked at the Apocalid in the Dimensional Sea, then lay down comfortably and closed his eyes.
Boom!
The crash of the Blood Tornado was followed by Choi Kangjoong, Iselin, and Dielka turning their heads sharply.
The battle reached a lull due to the overwhelming destructive power felt even from a distance. So, everyone watched as Lutal killed Baitan inside the Blood Tornado, and as the Blood Tornado moved over them.
They also saw that there was nothing left where the Blood Tornado had vanished.
Soon, the Dragons retreated. Iselin and Dielka quietly approached Choi Kangjoong. Their moods were heavy due to Lutal’s death.
“I’m afraid even Life Essence cannot save him. My condolences,” Iselin offered her comfort.
“It’s fine.”
“How can you say it’s fine? Let’s go get revenge right now!”
Dielka was even more worked up than Choi Kangjoong. She tried to fly off immediately, but Choi Kangjoong caught her arm and restrained her.
“Why? Are you worried that I’ll be in danger?”
“No. I want to teabag them.”
“You mean you’re going to humiliate them? How?”
“That Dragon is very happy right now. So, I’m going to give him a big surprise.”
Winning against an opponent who rejoiced because they thought they had won and then mocking them was something Choi Kangjoong often did in Dimension War.
“You don’t seem to be in a bad mood, Master Outer,” Iselin said.
“Because of Lutal?”
“So that entity’s name was Lutal.”
“Technically, he’s a Brutal Lord. I just call him that for short.”
“Brutal Lord… He was the entity who had been with you the longest, Master Outer.”
Iselin’s memory of first seeing Lutal in the Kraken Sea was still vivid. The four Abyssal Claws were sharp, and the black eyes felt even more terrifying because nothing could be felt from them. An entity with those kinds of eyes would be able to deliver death to any life form without any hesitation. She had also seen Choi Kangjoong make Lutal small and carry him on his shoulder. Yet, Iselin could not forget the feeling of helplessness—beyond the fear of encountering the unknown—of whether she could even leave a single scratch on him.
“He has been with me the longest. But even though he died, he’s not actually dead.”
“What does that mean?”
A message was floating in a corner of Choi Kangjoong’s vision.
[Time until Special Entity production: 200:00:00]
All of Lutal’s information was stored in Choi Kangjoong, who was the Outer Mind.
His genetic physical information, and even his experiences and memories thus far, were saved.
It was possible because Lutal was not a separate entity but a part of the Outer Mind.
It was just that one of many terminals had been broken. Just as it was fine to regenerate a destroyed eye or a severed arm, it was fine to produce Lutal again.
The only regrettable thing for Choi Kangjoong was that he could only maintain one because his evolution was not yet complete.
“He’ll be back soon.”
Iselin and Dielka’s faces were full of questions.
“Iselin, how long do you think it will take for the Dragon to recover?”
“Even with those kinds of wounds, two or three days will be enough to regenerate. However, four or five days will be needed to recover enough to participate in battle.”
“Four or five days…”
Choi Kangjoong hoped Rotiaon would attack in 100 hours. That way, Lutal would be out, and he could see Rotiaon’s surprised face.
‘It’s 200 hours because I’m producing both Lutal and a Booster. Since Lutal will come out first, 100 hours should be enough.’
Choi Kangjoong looked down at the Dimension. Walkers recovered organic matter and put it into the Soil Pit. It was immediately converted into nutrients and Apocalids. The Apocalids came out of the Soil Pit and avenged the damage suffered in battle. It was at a much faster speed than the Dragon’s forces of Humans, Elves, Dark Elves, and Orcs.
“We can finish it next time. Let’s rest for now.”
Choi Kangjoong, Iselin, and Dielka returned to the Divine Arrow. A worried Choi Yunseo flew over and asked.
“Brother! Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. It’s no big deal.”
“No big deal? He’s dead!”
“Lutal will be back soon.”
“Was his name Lutal? He looks vicious, but his name is cute. But what do you mean he’ll be back soon? You can’t even revive a Summon.”
A Summon was also an entity that had a physical form somewhere. It was somewhere between having a physical body and being a Spirit.
“All the information is stored in me.”
“What is that? Are you some kind of computer, Brother?”
“Something like that,” Choi Kangjoong explained roughly. “We’re going to fight in four or five days, so get some rest.”
“Are you really okay?”
“I’m really okay.”
Choi Yunseo went closer and examined Choi Kangjoong’s face. Only after seeing that there were no traces of gloom did she feel relieved.
“I worried for nothing!”
Choi Yunseo grumbled as she plopped down on a chair on the deck.
“Was it any help?”
“A lot. A Dragon is a Dragon, after all. I didn’t know Magic could be utilized like that.”
“Do you think you can break my record?”
“I’m going to break it.”
Choi Yunseo began to use Magic here and there to internalize what she had just seen. Choi Kangjoong quietly moved out of the way so as not to disturb her.
Time passed quickly. Rotiaon’s Elf Guardian, Baitan, replenished his troops with the help of the Dragon next to him. Even so, it was only one million.
Since they had lost three million troops in a single battle, it was only a third of that.
That Dragon refused any other support. Even when Rotiaon ordered him to come and fight, he openly said he didn’t want to.
“Are you saying you will refuse the Lord’s command?” Rotiaon asked.
“Where is the Lord while the kin are being attacked?”
“He cannot leave his lair due to unavoidable circumstances.”
“I suppose you’re saying you’ll abandon the dragons of the kin whenever there are unavoidable circumstances. I also have unavoidable circumstances, so I cannot leave my lair.”
“Are you not afraid of what happens after this situation is settled?”
“It’s better than serving a fearful Lord.”
Rotiaon’s Communication Magic was cut off.
‘To think it’s wavering because of just this.’
Loyalty among Dragons was on the weak side, and they were not related by blood.
At a time like this, the Lord should step forward and resolve the situation in a magnificent way, but since he couldn’t even do that, the kin’s solidarity was bound to be shaken.
‘I must deal with this quickly.’
Rotiaon, who had intended to rest for a generous five days, withdrew his plan. He decided to attack when 100 hours of rest had passed, moving it up by twenty hours.
The Dragons flew through the Dimensional Sea as they warmed up.
The troops commanded by Baitan advanced. The Apocalids also reacted to the movement of their prey. The hibernating entities woke up. Hormones were secreted to adjust their physical states for battle.
“Attack!”
At Baitan’s command, all troops charged.
Since it would be the final battle, they poured everything in without stinting from the start. The first place where the battle occurred was in the Sky. Giant Eagles, Griffons, and Wyverns clashed with flying Apocalids. Screams were rampant, and flying Monsters hit by Kaitin Spikes plummeted.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
The bombardment of the Cannon Giants swept through the Dragon’s troops.
Limbs flew around, and fragments of organs scattered. Nevertheless, the Dragon’s troops pushed their way in stubbornly. Drakes and giant Golems charged.
Since the formation would collapse if left alone, the Battle Titans stepped forward.
Deep furrows were created in the ground from the collision of huge bodies, and small things were trampled and flattened.
Five Dragons flew out. On Kuongi’s back were Choi Kangjoong, Iselin, and Dielka.
“If you surrender now, I will forgive you on the condition that you become my Guardian and serve for 100 years,” Rotiaon proposed.
“100 years? Dragons are always so anxious to get things for free,” Dielka snapped back.
Iselin’s gaze was also sharp.
“It’s the final offer. Will you accept?”
“Eating you would be much faster and more convenient.”
“There is no chance of victory for you. Now that that monster is gone, how will you stop us?”
The corners of Rotiaon’s mouth rose significantly. In a situation where he felt he had already won, there was no reason he couldn’t enjoy the game of mocking the enemy.
“What is gone?”
“The thing that died at my hands. A mere trivial creature dared to stand against me, so I personally punished it. I should have cut off its head to show you, but it’s just a pity that it vanished without a trace in the Blood Tornado.”
“What are you talking about?”
Choi Kangjoong opened a Gate. An Apocalid with four Abyssal Claws hopped over.
Krrr.
Rotiaon was flustered by the familiar appearance and cry.
“H-How! I certainly should have killed it!”
“He’s back.”
“He’s back? There is no way you have the authority of resurrection! That is something not even permitted for the Crystals!”
“You don’t need the authority of resurrection just to grow a new wing, do you?”
“So that’s why I couldn’t feel a Soul from that thing.”
Rotiaon realized that what he had killed by sacrificing his cherished Guardian was actually similar to a single body part.
And all his calculations naturally went awry. Fifty Fighter Giants and 500 Fighter Warriors flew in.
They were what would replace the Boosters in this fight.
Although they weren’t as sturdy or as fast as Boosters, they were good enough for Lutal to use.
Since Choi had attached so many units to him, it didn’t matter if they died; Lutal could just switch to another one.
Lutal climbed onto a Fighter Giant and flew off.
There was no concept of revenge. He was simply dissatisfied that his efficiency had dropped due to his regeneration.
Rotiaon was terrified, firing his Breath and pouring out Magic at the entity that wasn’t even one-hundredth of his size.
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