CHAPTER 49: THE FRAGMENTS OF POWER–THE CRYSTAL'S FALL

Zeran and Gravon engage in an intense battle, with Zeran using his fiery powers to counter Gravon's stone-based magic. After a series of powerful clashes, Zeran unleashes his ultimate fire attack, finally defeating Gravon. Despite his victory, Zeran and Gravon share a mutual respect, cementing their rivalry for future battles.

Scene: After the Battle – The Escape

The dust finally settled from the fierce battle between Zeran and Gravon, the air thick with tension and the smell of scorched earth. Zeran, breathing heavily, stood victorious—but just as silence returned to the battlefield, a faint voice echoed through the chamber.

Kai (distantly, shouting):

"Don't let him get away!"

Zeran turned toward the voice and followed Kai's gaze. In the distance, through the path Gravon had drilled during the fight, someone was sprinting toward the exit—fast, desperate.

Zeran (narrowing eyes):

"He's running…"

Zeran and his squad immediately sprang into action, chasing the shadowy figure through the crumbling corridors. The escapee, cloaked in black, was swift—but the narrow tunnel forced him to slow. Before he could escape, Zeran's team surrounded him, weapons drawn.

Mysterious Man (gritting his teeth):

"Tch… Not now."

Just then, a thunderous roar boomed from behind.

BAM!

Kai and his squad arrived as backup, the two elite teams now converging on the figure. But the man suddenly hurled a glowing orb to the ground—it shattered in a flash, revealing a summoning circle.

Zeran (eyes widening):

"He's summoning something—"

The summoning sigil pulsed ominously as a giant armored beast emerged, thrashing and roaring. The creature charged at Zeran's squad. With no time to think, Kai and Zeran's teams fought together to bring it down.

Quick Battle Scene – Fast and Intense

Magic exploded across the chamber—ice, fire, and blades clashing against the summoned monster. Despite its size, the beast was swiftly defeated due to the combined strength of both squads. As it fell with a heavy crash, smoke and dust filled the room once more.

In the confusion, Zeran noticed something: the cloaked man had vanished.

Zeran (clicking his tongue):

"Slipped away…"

He slipped through the side passage while everyone was distracted. Meanwhile, the mysterious man—the leader—raced through the dark corridors, clutching a shimmering crystal taken from Gravon's pocket.

Emerging outside, he whistled sharply—and two monstrous creatures answered his call. One, a massive quadruped beast covered in armor; the other, a sleek, winged creature fit for flight.

Leader (to himself):

"I didn't get the treasure, but at least I have the crystal…"

Mounting the flying beast, he gave the command. The gigantic monster charged behind him to buy time, crushing rocks and slamming walls to delay pursuit.

As he soared into the sky, the dungeon crumbled behind him.

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Scene: Mid-Air Destruction

Suddenly, the air cracked with the sound of a missile launch.

WHOOOOOSH—BOOM!!

The crystal, still glowing in the man's hand, was struck mid-air. It shattered in an explosion of light and fragments.

Leader (stunned):

"What!?"

Below, Zeran stood on a cliff edge, a launcher still smoking in his hands. A smirk stretched across his face.

Zeran (coldly):

"Oops. Looks like my aim got... deflected."

The leader looked at his now-empty hands. Everything he fought for—gone. He knew now that the mission was a total failure.

Leader (angrily):

"Damn it… no turning back."

With nothing left, he urged his flying beast forward, speeding toward his empire with grim determination. Behind him, the monstrous beast covering his retreat was finally defeated by Kai and his squad.

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Scene: The Aftermath

The two teams regrouped near the dungeon's entrance, panting, bruised—but alive. Healers moved between them, patching wounds and restoring mana.

Kai spotted the shattered remnants of the crystal lying on the ground.

Kai (quietly):

"…It's destroyed."

Kai (to Zeran):

"Where did he go?"

Zeran (turning away):

"He ran. But I destroyed what he was after."

Kai looked at the broken crystal, then nodded solemnly.

Kai:

"Then it was the right call. If it really was that dangerous, better it be destroyed than in their hands."

Both teams, silent in agreement, began their journey back to the Royal Town to file their reports. After a long day and a night's rest on the road, they reached the gates.

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Scene: The Royal Town – Reporting

Inside the grand military hall, Vice General Aldros listened intently as both captains delivered their reports in full detail. The news soon made its way up the chain of command.

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Scene: A Dark Room – Hidden Council Meeting

In a shadowed chamber far from the capital, cloaked figures sat around a dimly lit table. One figure sat alone on one side—his presence silent but commanding.

Figure A:

"Queen Celestia… she must have sensed the power from that dungeon. It's no surprise she wanted that crystal."

Figure B:

"But we failed—both goals. No crystal… and no opportunity to kill the royals."

Figure C (clenching fists):

"If she had sent her strongest fighter, things might've gone our way. But she underestimated them."

The figure sitting alone, barely illuminated by the torchlight, finally spoke.

Mysterious Leader (calmly):

"She may have ruined that plan… but it's not over. We'll draw that boy to our side. Slowly. Just like we did with your Emperor."

Figure A (grinning):

"So... the next phase begins?"

Leader (smiling faintly):

"It's already begun."