Chapter 125 : The Lost Hope & New Encounter (Part 2)

*TAP*

A sound of someone's footsteps could be heard.

.

.

.

.

.

*TAP*

A young man walking through a luxurious hallway, with a bright light coming from the sun through the windows.

.

.

.

.

*TAP*

The young man had a white hair. He was dressed up in formal attire and looked like a noble.

But what stood out the most was the color of his eyes.

The color of blood.

*TAP*

The young man stopped and stood in front of a door.

*CLICK* *CREAKK*

"AHMP!!~"

As the young man opened the door and came into the room, he was greeted with the sound of someone taking a bite out of their food.

"Mmhh~ delicious!"

The room was luxurious, decorated with gold and artistic furniture on the bed and even the wall.

But the only thing that looked out of place inside of it...

Was a large pile of food surrounding the entire bed.

The young white-haired man approached the figure eating on the bed and sighed.

"Here I am thinking about paying you a visit since I was worried to hear that my dear friend was injured." The young man spoke to another person behind those piles of food.

"Ohh! you came! I was just finishing my 14th serve here, what took you so long!"

A man peeked out his head to greet the other one while holding a large chunk of meat. The male had brown skin and orange hair and his eyes were golden. He was topless but he's covered in bandages all over his body.

"You look awful...Kajia."

The male was [The King of Destruction, Kajia].

"Heh~ don't worry, I am still kicking and alive, I won't die before I can defeat you~ Allen."

And it was revealed that the man who came into the room….

Was none other than [The Night Ruler, Allen Bloodhart].

*SIGH*

Another sigh could be heard right across the bed, and it came from a blonde-haired little girl who was holding a bunny doll in her hand.

"Haaa...seriously, don't lie just like that." A little girl grumbled,

"You were in a critical condition you muscle-brain. If it wasn't for Minerva treating you and me carrying you...you will be dead already." The little girl continue to grumbled while playing her doll in her hands.

"Come on~ I said I already owe you one, Alice~" Kajia spoke while pointing to the chunk of meat in front of her.

And the little girl was known as...

[The Doll Master, Alice].

"Hmph!" Alice huffed, she pouted her cheek as she looked away while making her doll does the same.

"Hehe~" Kajia snickered as he took another bite of his meal.

Allen, who watched them from the side, took a chair and sat on it in front of them.

"Now then..."

As the two fixed their gaze towards him, their expressions changed as they met his eyes.

"Explain to me...what happens to the body?"

******

Several weeks ago, on the day of the incident.

Kajia walked through the path he created after punching someone earlier.

His body was injured fatally, there's a diagonal wound on his body, but he remained calm and kept on walking.

*TAP*

Eventually, he stopped walking and stood before someone who was lying on the ground.

A young man who wore broken armor and held a broken sword.

In his last struggle, he managed to leave fatal injuries on [The King of Destruction]'s body.

This young man was none other than Ray Houston(Kiritsuka Rei).

His body was laid there, his eyes were closed, while his expression in this situatio was so calm and peaceful.

He looked as if he's having a nice dream in his sleep.

Kajia stared at him as a breeze of wind blew on their side,

"Hmmm...you were the best, even in your last moments...to think you left such injuries on me."

The way he spoke was different, he sounded more calm.

But his expression remained the same, "But in the end, I am the winner, and thank you for the fight~" he paid respect to him with a smile.

*RUSTLE* *RUSTLE*

Then he heard something coming from the bushes on his left side, which led to the forest.

"Heh, aren't you late?"

He asked as a little girl came out from the bushes and something big was carrying her.

"You should be glad that I was told to stand by." It was Alice with a large and creepy mannequin doll carrying her in its arms.

*CLACK* *CLACK*

This mannequin doll have a long arms and legs, as its head moving in such awkward movement and creating this clacking sound.

While its face looked distorted with having pair two eyes that was put in a row right in the middle and without mouth.

"Ughhh..."

Kajia looked disgusted when he saw that mannequin doll making this clicking sound and creepy movement.

"Why did you bring that creepy thing here?"

"How rude, THIS is my new friend! I called him [Harley], and he is cute, not creepy." Alice spoke while gently patting this mannequin doll's head.

"Isn't that right Harley?~" and smiled at her doll.

*CLACK* *CLACK* *CLACK*

The mannequin doll reacted to her praise by lifting one of its arms while the sound of the clacking sound become louder.

It acted as if it was a dog that was happy to hear his master's praises.

"Uhhhh…whatever." Kajia looked away and his gaze returned to Ray who was still lying down on the ground.

Alice approached them and stood by his side, "Is he dead?"

"Yeah, I can guarantee it with my [Dragon Eyes], his life force had completely disappeared now." Kajia spoke.

Alice just calmly stared at the young man lying on the ground, as her attention went at Kajia "I see...but it is surprising, there's someone who could injure you besides Allen."

She mentioned the injuries that Kajia received right now.

"Yeah, he was the best compared to anyone I have ever met so far~ just like the prophecy that Allen spoke about." Kajia spoke proudly with a big smile.

"Indeed...since he was the [Fire] who was mentioned by Allen, but..." Alice suddenly pointed her finger at him, "...that was dangerous, you almost died from his attack you know."

"Hmmm, it definitely stings here." Kajia acted normally though, it did look like a fatal injury on his body.

"And that black flame was abnormal, I never heard such a thing existed which could cut through and burn a [Dragon Body]..." Alice added.

"Well I saw him kill one of that vixen's creation that became a dragon, so...yeah it does feel abnormal."

Alice sighed at his carefree attitude, "You only realized it now? Unbelievable...."

"But as long as you are having fun with it, I guess that's fine." Alice shrugged her shoulders while Kajia still acted proudly.

"But I have to bring him along with you." Alice spoke.

"Huh?? Bring him? Even though he is dead?" Kajia replied.

"Yeah, Allen requested it and he wanted me to bring his body to Minerva."

"Ughh...that vixen again? Why is everyone focusing on her lately!" Kajia couldn't help but be irritated to hear that name.

"Well it can't be helped...even I hate her method but she was the one who increased our force lately and she also helped me create my friend."

"You mean those creepy dolls you keep in your mansion? You both sure have weird taste."

"Huh?? Look at yourself, you and that stupid Bandit are muscle heads who love to kill and fight!" Alice insulted him back.

"I am nothing like him!" Kajia immediately reject her accusation.

"And I don't have anything in common with her!" and Alice does the same.

As the two of them argued...they began to released their aura.

"Hooo, it's been a while since we last fought but I need you to know your place, you little brat." Kajia provoked her by calling her that as he released his massive aura despite being in that state.

"Heh, you think you can defeat me in that state? Dream on~" Alice mocked him as the sound of the clacking from her mannequin doll became louder.

*CLACK* *CLACK* *CLACK*

Until...

.

.

.

.

.

"...?!"

All of sudden, they sensed something...

.

.

.

.

.

.

*SWOOSH*

Something approaching fast...

.

.

.

.

.

And something big...

*RUMBLE*

As the ground was trembling in that moment...

'What is this presence...' Kajia thought while his casual expression turned serious.

'This is...' Alice was also the same as the two of them froze on their spot.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Then silence. They felt the presence disappear all of a sudden.

"Where..."

*BOOM*

Without warning, something large was dropped off from the sky just right in front of Kajia and Alice.

"Ugh—!!" The two of them managed to hold their grounds from the strong shockwave that came from this thing that fell from the sky.

They suddenly felt their surroundings became dark, as if something big...

Was standing in front of them and casted a large shadow underneath.

"Hey hey...what the hell is this?"

Kajia's eyes suddenly turned sharp like a lizard as he activated his [Dragon Eyes] skill.

"This is..." Alice soon felt the same presence, a big—no, the words big was not enough to describe it but.

It was definitely...bigger or larger than anything they ever met.

*GRRRR*

When the dust cleared up, they could finally see what it was

A large lizard with red scales all over its body, a golden horn and…a pair of large wings on its back.

Yes...

It was a [Dragon].

.

.

.

.

.

But...

It's not just any ordinary dragon that Kajia or Rei had ever encountered before.

Unlike the Sky Dragon or the Earth Dragon that they have defeated...they are...

The dragons that have lived more than a thousands years.

There are three Dragons that were known for their strength, power, influence and even divinity that came close to [Gods].

And this one...was one of them.

The one who was known as [The Red Dragon].

The one who controlled all kinds of flame that could destroy, refine, and purify everything whether it's goodness or evilness.

And even ate all kinds of flame that was fired at it.

.

.

.

.

.

.

And its name is...

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

[The King of the Dragons, Ignia]

*GRAAAAAAA!!!*

Ignia immediately released its roar, causing a large shockwave that blew Kajia and Alice away from where they were standing.

"Agh—!!"

As they were blown away, they immediately recovered from it and landed on the ground.

"Why the hell is that monster here!" Kajia spoke.

"Why do you ask me, stupid?!"

"Don't call me stupid!"

"Then how am I supposed to know!"

"I don't know!"

As the two were arguing, suddenly they felt a fluctuation of magic in front of them.

"....?!"

Ignia leaned its head down as it slowly released small fire through its mouth.

"Dodge it! It's a breath!!" Kajia warned.

Then Ignia opened its mouth and...

*GRAAAA!!!*

...breathed fire at them.

*SWOOSH*

"Tsk!!" Kajia and Alice jumped to the sides and dodged his fire breath.

*BOOM*

That caused a massive damage to the forest behind them, the land that was hit by its fire were scorched down and turned into magma while the trees became ashes in no time.

After the two of them safely dodged the attack, when Kajia landed on the ground, he fell on his knees while touching the wound on his body.

"Ugh—!"

Kajia finally felt the pain, he felt like his injuries reopened.

Alice noticed he was on his knees.

"That idiot—huh?! Look out!"

They weren't given any time to rest, Ignia raised its claw and swung it down at Kajia who's on his knees.

*BOOM*

It was a direct hit, but...

*CREAK* *CREAK*

A large buffed mannequin showed up in front of Kajia and able to hold on Ignia's claws.

"[Charlie] make sure to hold on!" It was Alice's mannequin doll that she called out.

*GRRRR*

The buffed mannequin, Charlie, did its best to hold on but...

*CRACK* *CRACK*

Its body began to crack down, due to the weight from Ignia's claw which became much heavier by the second.

Ignia looked down upon them as it showed off its strength.

'Charlie cannot hold on anymore...' Alice raised her hand, "[Harley] get that idiot away from danger!"

Alice ordered her mannequin doll, Harley that was holding her by its right arm.

*SWOOSH*

It rushed in Kajia's direction and...

*THUD*

...grabbed onto him with its left arm.

*CREAKK* *BUSHH*

And then slipped away from Ignia's grasp, which crushed down the buffed mannequin Charlie.

*GRRRR—*

Charlie was destroyed into pieces, the glow from its eyes dimmed and became nothing but a pile of crushed woods.

"[Charlie]!" Alice shouted its name, but it was far from over.

*GRRRR*

Ignia gaze was focused on them, then opened its mouth to release its fire breath at them again.

"[Harley]!"

*CLACK* *CLACK*

Harley reacted to her call, it jumped to the side when the fire breath hit the ground which was their previous spots, and spread widely.

*CLACK* *CLACK*

Harley jumped and dashed away through the forest as the fire quickly caught up on them.

"What a monster!" Alice shouted while being in Harley's arms with Kajia on the side.

Then the fire stopped.

*FLAP*

And the dragon flapped its wings.

*FLAP* *FLAP*

Creating a strong gust of wind around it, when Alice and Kajia turned around to look, the dragon was leaving with something.

"No!" Alice saw it, within the dragon's hand...

Was something that they were supposed to bring back.

Ray's body.

Of course the dragon noticed their presence as they were still running away.

But it didn't bother the dragon, and instead of giving chase, it flapped its wings away and left.

It confused them.

*******

That was the whole story about what happened.

For Kajia who always enjoyed a fight could make such a displeased looks, while Alice who was always composed in every situation felt upset because of what happened.

Allen, on the other hand was deep in his thoughts, thinking about this unusual event.

"To think one of the three dragons of catastrophe rank would appear out of nowhere."

"Not only that...it also took that young man's body." Allen spoke, repeating what they thought this whole time.

Alice was still in a sour mood, she's pouting her cheek and swaying her tiny legs on the chair she sat on.

"It's upsetting that Charlie has to die like that, but that strength…I couldn't handle it alone even when I brought all of my friends." Alice spoke.

"Hmmm...how about you? Kajia, do you think you can defeat that Dragon?" Allen asked him.

But Kajia, who looked upset before, now began to smile.

"Heh, you're asking such an obvious question"

*CRUNCH*

"Mmfhh...~ haaah~ it is not I can defeat that dragon, but I will kill it for sure when I regain my strength!"

Kajia spoke confidently while taking a large bite on the chunks of meat on his hand.

Allen who saw that calmly nodded his head, "I see, I was worried for nothing."

"Heh~" Kajia snickered while grinning.

"We do not know why the [King of the Dragons] would take that young man's body." Allen suddenly spoke.

"But we will put down this case and focus on our goal, to increase our force."

"For our ideal dream." Allen spoke confidently as their leader.

To respond to his words, Kajia grinned and Alice huffed a bit as the two of them bowed their heads at the same time.

"We will follow your order." The two of them spoke to him.

"So just recover for now Kajia, and for Alice, I will reward you in exchange for Charlie's sacrifice."

"Aye aye~" Kajia began to focus on his meal.

While Alice's eyes were sparkling, "Thank you so much Allen!" she spoke excitedly while playing with her bunny doll in her arms, "We can fix Charlie this time! Ciel!~"

"Now then, I shall take my leave." Allen then stood up from his seat, and walked towards the door.

As his hand touched the door knob, he turned his head around.

"Kajia." Allen called him.

"Hm?" Kajia turned his attention to him while his mouth was stuffed with a lot of meat.

Allen suddenly became quiet for a moment, "...Are you sure he was dead that time?" he finally asked him about the question that had been stuck within his mind.

Kajia then gulped down his food, "Well since I was still in my Dragonification form, my eyes are telling me that his life force had disappeared completely." Kajia spoke.

"Hmmm...how about Alice?" Allen asked her as well.

Alice stopped playing with Ciel, "Hmm? Oh! Yeah, I did use my [Magic Eyes] to confirm it and the mana within his body was also completely gone." Alice spoke as her eyes glowed purple.

Allen, who heard their answer, suddenly became quiet.

"...???"

"Thanks." But then Allen left the room, leaving his comrade confused about his question.

During his walk in the hallway, he was thinking of something

'What is this feeling..."

That stuck within his mind.

'It is uncomfortable and...'

And made him remember certain words.

[A man with crimson "Fire" that kept on burning the ground around him].

[The fire continues to get bigger and bigger as time passes by].

[And it will continue to burn everything that it touches, just like one of the Kings who had fallen by his hand].

[But no one knows...will this "Fire" bring destruction or...

.

.

.

.

salvation for others].

[Because...it is up to the will of the "Fire" itself].

'So...as the prophecy said, this Fire will continue to burn everything.'

'It never mentioned that it will die by the hands of one of the Kings itself and it seems...'

'There's something hidden about him.'

'[The Wrath Knight, Crimson], the Irregular that continues to bend the rules of this world.'

'I am curious...if fate allows us to meet, I hope we can have a good conversation together.'

'If he becomes a threat...for our ideal dream, to rule this rotten world.'

'I shall be the one who stands last.' Allen looked forwards with determination.

As he walked, he disappeared into the darkness.

*******

*PIP* *PIP*

[Checking current status].

[Checking start].

.

.

.

.

.

[Loading...]

.

.

.

.

.

.

[Loading...]

.

.

.

.

.

[Checking complete!]

[Warning!]

[Player's current HP had reached 0]

.

.

.

.

.

[Activating emergency skill from the tree skill "Persona"]

[Since skill "Persona" was active during the player HP went 0]

.

.

.

.

.

[Another new skill can be acquired]

.

.

.

.

.

.

[Notice!]

[You have acquired a new skill!]

.

.

.

.

.

.

[Skill "Soul Emergence" has been activated].

To be continued...