Silence settled over the palace courtyard.
As Victor's corpse grew cold, Cael and Arkbahar glared at each other. The blue aura of the awakened Dragon Slayer Cael and the murderous intent of the enraged black dragon clashed in the air.
"Twenty years ago..." Arkbahar slowly began, a flicker of bewilderment in its massive eyes. "You... are you that human from back then?"
Cael gripped Dragonbane tightly. The memories of his past life were vivid: that moment when he stood against Arkbahar until the very end, as his comrades fell one by one.
"That's right. I am Cael Drake, from the day you took everything from me."
"Hahaha! Impossible!" Arkbahar let out a maniacal laugh. "I killed that human myself! Pierced his heart with this very claw!"
"I died. But I returned." Cael's voice held absolute certainty. "To kill you."
For a moment, fear flickered in Arkbahar's eyes. It was impossible, yet the aura emanating from the human before him was undeniably the same as that day.
"Even if that were true... the outcome will be the same!" Arkbahar soared into the sky. Then, it began a full-power dive attack.
"Dragon Bomb!"
Its colossal body plummeted towards Cael like a meteor. It was the technique that had dealt Cael a fatal blow in his previous life.
But this time, it was different.
Cael raised Dragonbane to the sky and activated a new skill.
"Dragon Slayer's Judgment!"
[New Skill Awakened: Dragon Slayer's Judgment]- 10x damage to all dragonkin.- One-time ultimate skill.- Consumes all mana.
A blinding light exploded from Dragonbane. The light formed into a colossal sword, surging towards Arkbahar.
BOOOOOOM!
The two forces collided head-on. The entire palace vibrated, and the windows of distant buildings shattered.
"GAAAHHHH!" Arkbahar's scream ripped through the sky. The black dragon, having taken 10x damage, crashed to the ground.
CRUMBLE!
Its massive body landed in the palace courtyard, creating a large crater. Blue light seeped from various parts of Arkbahar's black scales.
"This... this can't be..." Arkbahar barely managed to lift its head. But it was already fatally wounded.
Cael slowly approached. His body swayed from mana exhaustion, but his resolve was unwavering.
"It's over, Arkbahar."
"Cael... even if you kill me... this is just the beginning..." Arkbahar squeezed out its last words. "Stronger dragons... will soon appear in this world... then..."
"I'll think about that then." Cael pointed Dragonbane at Arkbahar's neck. "But for now, I'm only thinking about your death."
Thud!
Dragonbane pierced Arkbahar's heart. The light faded from the black dragon's massive eyes.
"Cael... Drake... Remember... true despair... begins now..." Arkbahar's final words were spoken as the black dragon that had threatened the Barencia Kingdom vanished from history.
[Arkbahar Defeated!][Level Up! Level Up! Level Up!][Current Level: 11][Title Acquired: Dragon Slayer][Special Reward: Arkbahar's Core]
A black gem appeared from Arkbahar's corpse. It pulsed with powerful magical energy.
[Arkbahar's Core]- All Stats +20- Dragon Detection Range Increased by 10x- Dragon Language Acquired
As Cael picked up the gem, a warm energy flowed into his body.
At that moment, Leon and his comrades rushed over.
"Cael! Are you alright?"
"...I'm fine." Cael replied, sheathing Dragonbane. As the Dragon Slayer's Awakening subsided, the blue aura also vanished.
"That was truly... amazing," Aria said with admiration. "To defeat such a massive dragon by yourself..."
"I wasn't alone." Cael smiled, looking at his comrades. "It was possible because of you all."
It was a warmth he hadn't been able to feel in his previous life. A sense of relief at having protected his comrades.
Just then, King Albert III and other knights appeared from the palace.
"Cael Drake!" The King exclaimed with emotion. "You truly did it! You defeated Arkbahar!"
"Your Majesty, it's not over yet." Cael said with a serious expression. Arkbahar's last words kept replaying in his mind. "This is just the beginning. A greater danger is approaching."
"A greater danger?"
"There are dragons stronger than Arkbahar. And they will soon make their move." Cael looked at the distant sky. With his enhanced dragon detection ability, he could feel massive presences approaching from afar.
"But this time is different." Cael vowed, looking at his comrades. "If we're together, we can stop any enemy."
Leon nodded and said, "That's right. We will fight to the end with Cael."
Aria and Garon also expressed their agreement.
"Of course!"
"We're ready anytime!"
Cael smiled warmly. The heavy burden he had to carry alone in his previous life could now be shared.
But far in the northern sky, shadows even larger than Arkbahar slowly began to move.
The true war was just beginning.