Crystal Dragon (Part 3)

The sudden appearance of the demon caught the Golden Sword party by surprise. With both of their attackers injured and their mana nearly drained, there was absolutely nothing they could do to win.

Fortunately, the demon had no interest in them. Its attention was fully locked onto the mighty Crystal Dragon.

"Can you stand, Marcus?" Ellen asked, using her recovery skill to regenerate Marcus's severely wounded leg.

"I think so… Thanks, Ellen." Marcus tested his footing before looking at the battlefield. "This is our chance to escape."

"No way!"

"Gill…"

"A demon is right in front of us! We have to kill it! That thing is the reason our village was destroyed. I refuse to let a demon in my sight live!"

Gill's voice shook with fury as his freshly regenerated arm clutched his sword. Hatred burned in his eyes. Without hesitation, he gathered the last of his mana.

"Demon-Slaying Sword Style—"

Before he could finish, Roku knocked him out cold with a swift punch to the head. Without a word, he slung the unconscious Gill over his shoulder. "Sorry, but I can't let you throw your life away."

"Good call," Marcus said before turning to the others. "We're leaving."

No one objected. As fast as their bodies allowed, the Golden Sword party withdrew from the battlefield.

The demon watched them go with a smirk. "Those adventurers are quick. If they're strong enough, I'm sure we'll meet again in the Demon King's castle. Strong ones always make for good entertainment."

With that, he turned his gaze back to the dragon. The beast's fierce, glowing eyes locked onto him in return.

The Crystal Dragon lunged forward, its razor-sharp claws slicing through the earth like butter. The demon barely dodged, taking to the air with effortless speed. The dragon countered, flapping its massive wings to generate a gust so powerful it sent the demon flying backward.

"It can still create winds this strong? But… you're not using any skills. Seems like you're trying to replenish your mana." The demon grinned. "As if I'd let you!"

His claws darkened, growing larger.

"Iron Claw!"

With a mighty swipe, his claws tore through the dragon's wounded flesh, aiming precisely for the shattered crystal scales.

The dragon let out a thunderous wail of agony.

"Does that hurt?" The demon's grin twisted into something sadistic. "I'm merciful, you know. It pains me to see you like this… so why don't you just stay still and let me kill you?"

Laughing, he zipped around the dragon at high speed, slashing relentlessly at its injuries. Blood painted the battlefield as the Crystal Dragon thrashed in pain, trying to land a hit. But the demon dodged every counter and retaliated with ease.

"Now that I think about it," the demon mused, "your crystal scales are just for decoration, aren't they? Why waste my time aiming for weak spots when I can cut you anywhere I want?"

His ability, Sever, allowed him to cut through anything he believed he could destroy. And right now, he believed he could carve this dragon to pieces.

The torture continued. The dragon roared, desperate to shake off its tormentor, but the demon was relentless.

Finally, the dragon cast a barrier, a desperate attempt at defense.

The demon scoffed. "A barrier? How pathetic!"

With a single swipe of his black claws, he shattered it instantly.

In a flash, the demon shot toward the dragon's face.

Blood burst from the beast's eye socket.

The dragon roared in sheer agony as its eye was gouged out.

The demon cackled. "Is this really the power of the mighty Crystal Dragon? I'm disappointed! But don't worry, I'm merciful, so I'll end this now."

His claws grew even larger, vibrating with power.

"Ultimate Skill—Demonic Severance!"

With a terrifying burst of speed, he dove down for the final blow—aiming to decapitate the dragon in one strike.

Then—

SNAP!

His claws shattered upon impact.

"What the—?! This can't be!" The demon staggered back, staring in shock at his broken claws. "I was cutting through you so easily before! Why is your body suddenly… harder?"

A chill ran down his spine.

Unknown to him, the Crystal Dragon was not some ordinary beast. It was the guardian of the Crystal Dragon Dungeon—the protector of a sacred power foretold to bring destruction upon the world.

"My Sever ability should be working…"

A message flashed before the demon's eyes.

[Ability Negated.]

The demon froze. "Negated? This dragon… has skill nullification?!"

Before he could process it, his body stiffened.

[Dragon has cast Intimidation.][Status: Paralysis.]

The demon's breath hitched. "Paralyzed…? What is happening?"

The dragon let out a mighty howl.

From all around, lesser monsters were drawn toward the battlefield, compelled by its Call of the Beast ability. The dragon wasted no time—devouring them, draining their life force, and using it to regenerate its own body.

Its wounds closed. Its missing eye reformed. Its broken scales returned to their crystalline glory.

It had fully recovered.

The dragon roared—a sound so powerful the ground itself trembled.

The demon's face paled. "It… it was pretending to be weak? Just to lure me in?!"

Before he could react, the dragon's tail wrapped around him like a vice.

Then—

BOOM!

The impact of being slammed into the ground drained half of the demon's HP instantly.

Coughing up blood, he desperately tried to activate another skill.

[Skill Negated.]

His eyes widened in terror.

The battle was no longer in his favor.

The dragon grabbed him in one massive claw and hurled him toward a mountain. The sheer force of the throw reduced the rock to rubble.

The demon barely moved. His body was broken. His mana was depleted. He couldn't use his abilities anymore.

The dragon approached, its glowing crimson eyes filled with a terrifying, unshakable will.

"I-I'm merciful… so please have mercy on me…!" the demon begged.

The dragon opened its maw.

A massive torrent of fire erupted, engulfing the demon in an explosion so powerful it shook the heavens.

The last thing the demon saw was an inferno hotter than hell itself.

Then—nothing.

His body was reduced to ashes.