The battlefield fell silent for a moment as everyone watched from above.
Just moments ago, it had looked as if Shadow Slave had finally lost hope. His body had barely moved, and his posture felt empty… defeated.
But now, as he slowly stood again, the feeling was completely different.
It was almost as if a child had been handed a brand-new toy.
A laugh escaped his mouth.
From the wall, Lysandria spoke through telepathy.
> "Everyone… I don't think we're fighting an elf, a human, or even a spirit anymore."
Her voice trembled slightly.
> "We're about to face a demon… one who has already lost the meaning of death."
I answered calmly, trying to steady the others.
> "We still have a chance."
The order to form formation was given to the team.
But Shadow Slave didn't wait.
The trolls stepped back instinctively, reorganizing their ranks.
Then he dashed forward.
Laughing.
His blade flashed once—
A troll's head fell to the ground.
His team immediately began fighting as well, as if he had silently ordered them to move.
Within seconds he was surrounded by seven trolls.
They closed in, attempting to trap him in the center.
A whirlwind of flames erupted around him.
A fire tornado.
Smoke and blazing wind swallowed the battlefield, creating a temporary screen as he slipped away to a safer distance.
But one troll noticed.
Its blade struck before he could fully retreat.
A deep cut opened across his leg.
For a moment, blood spilled across the ground.
Yet instead of anger…
He laughed harder.
Then, for the first time, he spoke without laughing first.
And yet his voice still sounded like laughter.
> "Hahaha… elves! At least heal my leg!"
The trolls roared and rushed him.
His grin widened.
> "You fell for it."
Mana exploded around him.
A massive draconic flame spell manifested above the battlefield.
A blazing dragon of fire descended, devouring the trolls in a storm of flames.
The battlefield turned into a sea of burning bodies.
When the flames faded, he stood alone.
His breathing had grown heavier.
But the smile never disappeared.
His leg slowly healed.
Then he spoke casually.
> "I haven't felt this refreshed in decades."
His gaze suddenly lifted toward the wall.
Directly at us.
> "By the way… how much longer are you planning to stay up there, Aeldir?"
We immediately activated our shields.
Descending from the wall, I answered coldly.
> "Prepare yourself, Shadow Slave. This is where your tournament ends."
He stared at us for a moment.
Then calmly walked over to the fallen troll leader.
He picked up the anti-magic sword and placed it across his back.
After that, he removed the glowing green crystal from the corpse and fused it into his crown.
Now three crystals shone there.
Three artifacts.
He had started the battle with only two.
An unfair advantage.
But if we played it wisely…
Perhaps we could still outsmart him.
At least—
that was what I believed.
{A/N, new ch are written and had setted for schedule publish but if you want instantly just comment or add series in collection}