Chapter 447

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Murakan soared and let out a roaring cry. The demonic energy imbued surroundings tremble unstably, and traces of shadow force seeped through the cracks.

It was as though Murakan had turned into a massive and black fire. His sharp, glowing amber eyes bore the majesty befitting the dragon that had once ruled the sky.

Zephyrin smiled as if she had been waiting for this sight.

"Now you feel a bit more powerful!"

Kwaaaaah...!

Murakan opened his dark maw and exhaled a breath. The shadow force he exuded was incomparably more powerful than what he had released before fully using his strength.

Moreover, black streaks akin to breaths were released from his wings and the shadow force curtain that spread in all directions.

Dozens of dark and shiny streaks were hitting the ground where Zephyrin stood.

These streaks were like swamps, no matter how she cut or slashed them, they ensnared Zephyrin again. It was akin to the pack of dozens of snakes entering a single cave at once.

'This is a true dragon's battle.'

Valkas had seen dragons fight a few times in his life, but he couldn't help but feel that what was unfolding before him was on a completely different level. Just as there was an insurmountable gap between human martial artists and mages, he believed the same applied to the battles between top-tier and ordinary dragons.

But even though he doesn't know much about dragon fights, he can clearly tell that Zephyrin had the power advantage. She had not revealed her true form yet.

"I don't know how long Murakan can hold out. We should prepare for an escape as soon as possible," Jin said, gripping Sigmund.

Jin wanted to join the fight alongside Murakan but it was not possible. Just as Murakan had finally begun to reveal his full strength, both Jin and Valkas were also brimming with untapped power.

Especially for Jin, he had not used some of his cards like Riol's Legacy and Sarah's Magic Sword Secret technique, and the Plutonian Reign sword. These techniques also showed results no matter the circumstances.

Murakan was convinced that he would 'never win,' but if he used all his means, he might be able to defeat that crazy demon dragon.

However, the possibility of that was extremely low, and Jin had no intention of risking his life here. 

It was the right choice to save as much power as possible, destroy the subspace, and escape with the Black King mercenaries.

Even if they managed to defeat Zephyrin or inflict significant damage by using all their power, there was a high probability they would die in the process.

They needed to escape by any means. Then they will determine Zephyrin's true affiliation and purpose, and devise a strategy.

'How many opponents of her level could there be?' Jin wondered.

A new era had dawned.

Since meeting Jin, Lata Proch had often talked about such thoughts with him. 

Jin suddenly sympathized with that thought. After the Sword Emperor Castle terrorist attack, Jin had the feeling that enemies from a whole different level than he encountered so far are lurking in the shadows.

Kinzelo, Zipfel and Vermont.

Vermont was considered to be clearly inferior to Runcandel among these three. Zipfel was superior to Runcandel, and Kinzelo had revealed its true power during the Terrorist attack on the Sword Emperor Castle.

'Zephyrin is probably affiliated with Kinzelo, and they may not have many dragons or humans with combat abilities at this level, but she likely represents a portion of their strength.'

A candle in the wind.

This phrase perfectly defines Runcandel's current situation.

Jin knew that Runcandel had no "hidden strength" like the other factions. Of course, they had the Chiron and the former Black Knights, but they were all busy with the Black Sea.

'Nevertheless, the reason Runcandel survived is only thanks to the existence of my father, Chiron Runcandel.'

Jin was convinced of this. The moment Chiron disappeared, Runcandel would ultimately follow the path of destruction.

'The reason Mother strongly supports Joshua is likely because she believes he has the means to deal with these formidable enemies in the future.'

Creak! Crash!

Murakan's shadow force and Zephyrin's nails continued to clash and intertwine. The black streaks grew stronger, while the traces of Zephyrin's purple nails faded. It appeared that maintaining human form was becoming increasingly difficult for Zephyrin.

"I will break through the subspace. Sir Valkas, keep an eye on the Black Knight."

"Understood, 12th flagbearer."

Shh...

Bradamante's white blade emerged from its scabbard. The gleaming sword was instantly tainted black by shadow force.

'I didn't expect to have to execute it so quickly. And I won't be able to use it for a while after using it successfully.'

Before breaking through the subspace, Jin intended to open Laprarosa's gate. While Murakan could currently hold his ground on his own, the situation would undoubtedly change once Zephyrin revealed her true form.

As long as this subspace was not a "dead space" like Solderet's, there was no obstacle to execute Black Light Call.

Swish!

The blackened blade slashed through the air.

'Thank goodness...!'

Jin felt it as he swung the sword —the sensation of Laprarosa's gate opening.

If there was anything slightly disappointing, it was that the warrior who emerged from the newly formed black gate was not one of the Battle Kings but an ordinary warrior.

"Oh, this time it's me!"

Shaku exclaimed brightly.

The Plutonian Tribesmen with whom Jin sparred the most until he gained the recognition of both Battle Kings and became their brethren. Shaku was the one who had fought Jin more than fifty times until Jin finally emerged victorious.

"I am sorry for calling you out, Brother Shaku."

"No, it's an honor to fight for you, my brother. What do you want me to do!"

Shaku slung his lightning-imbued long sword over his back and spoke. Shaku of the thunderbolt, he had borne such a title before the demise of the Plutonian Tribe.

"Help him."

"I understand. I have a rough idea of the situation. Do you need to break through here and escape?"

"That's right."

Shaku's gaze fell upon Zephyrin, who was ensnared by the black streaks.

"A Demon Dragon, I suppose? It's been a while since I've seen such dreadful demonic energy. This situation should have called for the Brethren Battle Kings, not me. Hurry and escape; I'll do my best to hold the Demon Dragon back with the Black Dragon."

Shaku joined the battle. The demonic energy and shadow force mixed again in a storm. Shaku did not feel discouraged even in the midst of the chaotic clash between demonic energy and shadow force.

Although Shaku was an ordinary warrior, he was still a member of the Plutonian Tribe. The inherent strength of his body shone brightly in such a chaotic battle.

Watching this scene, Valkas couldn't help but be amazed once more. He had already witnessed how Jin summoned ancient beastmen spirits in the Sword Emperor Castle, but seeing it again was both unfamiliar and fascinating.

Moreover, it made him think of Lata Proch's words.

'Regardless of Zephyrin's affiliation and reasons, causing such chaos within the Black King Mountain Hideout... it could mean that there is no longer a place for neutrality in the world.'

From the current situation, it was evident that Zephyrin had reacted because of Jin and Murakan, but Valkas couldn't blame Jin for that.

The flagbearer and Black Knight of Runcandel had come to the Black King Mountain Hideout seeking a meeting with him. They had been unexpectedly caught up in this danger. So, ultimately Jin and Joshua were in a position to hold him responsible.

'First, I need to escape with the 12th flagbearer and my subordinates, no matter what. Even if we have to abandon the Black King Mountain Hideout!'

Valkas thought this with a determined expression.

Strangely, he felt a sense of trust.The 12th flagbearer, Jin Runcandel, will achieve what he wants this time, just as he always has.

'After reaching the 10-star level, this is the first time I feel this kind of trust in someone who is weaker than me.'

Swish!

The blade of Bradamante, which had turned black, was now surrounded by blue flames.

Tess was still in the process of recovering and couldn't directly respond to the summon call, but the overwhelming pressure of blue flames etched into Bradamante was growing stronger along with Jin.

The blue flames emanating from the sword began to press the subspace imbued with demonic energy. 

The subspace trembled under the pressure and seemed as if it was scared, like people. The blade, without even the slightest tremor, was slowly preparing to cut the subspace.

Up to this point, Zephyrin had merely been defending against Murakan and Shaku's attacks. But she showed emotions for the first time.

"Blue flames! Using such transcendental power against those beneath you is unfair, 12th flagbearer."

Just as Murakan and Cuicantelle had felt when Tess first confronted them, Zephyrin was also afraid of Tess's power. She, too, knew the majesty of Tess's power within the Flame World.

This fear was only something that those who had directly faced the "Master of the Flame World" could experience.

Roar, crack!

Perhaps because her attention had momentarily focused on blue flames, or perhaps because she had reached the limit of what she could do in her human form.

Zephyrin's formidable shield had been breached. Murakan's shadow force and Shaku's lightning onslaught tore through her body as it was being disassembled.

Despite the relentless assault, Zephyrin did not scream once. The purple demonic energy particles scattered in all directions instead of blood. It was followed by a long, eerie laughter.

Ahaha... Haha, ha...!

The sinister laughter suddenly ceased, and a massive purple smoke formed out of thin air. It was many times larger than Murakan. He looks small in comparison.

Zephyrin's true form was concealed within the swirling smoke. It resembled a serpent more than the typical dragons known to the public.

[Oh, really. These blue flames give me an uncomfortable feeling for no reason just by looking at them. You should put them out before I get angry and my patience runs out.]

Zephyrin revealed her head outside the smoke as she spoke.

Jin didn't react to her words and continued to concentrate. He needed to simultaneously execute the First Technique of the Shadow Sword and Tess's power to open the subspace in a single blow just like how he cut the Myuron's Hell gate.

Zwick!

Zephyrin seemed about to say more, but Murakan shot forward like an arrow, and used his claws to pierce her eyes. However, her eyes remained unharmed, and it was Murakan who was repelled by that counterforce.

[Damn! Why is she so tough?]

Murakan regained his balance in mid-air and yelled.

Rather than responding to Murakan, Zephyrin was preparing to let out powerful breath at Jin.