In an Instant

"Something strange is happening. It's been days since the Nine Ice Family and the Black Tiger Family last attacked. What could those greedy bastards be plotting now?" Augustus muttered under his breath, his gaze sweeping over the eerily silent surroundings.

On his face was a mixture of wariness and dread. Aurora Town had grown far too quiet, and instead of relief, it only made the unease twisting in his gut more suffocating.

Beside Augustus stood Neleos and Caesar. Each of them radiated the oppressive pressure unique to Profound Rank Adventurers. Augustus was the strongest among them, having reached the 4th Level Profound Rank, followed by the two elders, both at the 3rd Level Profound Rank.

Behind them assembled more elders and Rogue Adventurers—fifteen Profound Rank fighters in total, ranging from 1st to 2nd Level Profound Rank. Even further back were several Scarlet Gold Rank Adventurers, younger and still sharpening their edge in the fires of war.

"Elder Creed has begun preparations for the coming battle," Neleos said quietly, his expression even more worn and ancient, carved by months of unending strife. As the head of the Azure Wood Family, it was his duty to govern, to protect, and most of all—to keep their courage alive. And so he had contributed more than anyone else to this war.

In the end, instilling hope in those under your care was the noblest purpose a leader could have.

"Is Elder Creed really planning to use that?" Augustus blurted out, alarm flashing in his eyes. "No—he can't! If he does, he'll die for certain! I have to speak to him!"

Neleos slowly shook his head, lifting his gaze to the massive gates of the Azure Wood Family's territory. "You won't be able to stop him. His mind is set. By now, he's likely already completed the ritual to merge with it."

Augustus fell silent, his expression clouded with countless emotions.

"But that thing is too dangerous… And if he forces it, there's no doubt this war will grow even bloodier. Even the Royal Clan might intervene!" Augustus protested, his voice hoarse with desperation.

"The survival of my clan is at stake, Family Head Augustus." Neleos gave a tired, bitter smile. "This is our last hope. We have no other options left. He is the only one strong enough to wield it, and he's prepared to sacrifice everything. Just as he is, I too am ready to die for my family. It saddens me… that the next generation will never see joy in this world."

He turned, his weary eyes meeting Augustus' with quiet conviction. "Your Golden Lion Family still has a chance to survive this calamity. Elder Creed wanted me to tell you… you may withdraw now. In the end, you owe us nothing—your debt is to Finn, not to us."

At those words, a spark of anger flared in Augustus' eyes. His voice thundered out, indignant:

"What nonsense are you saying?! I know how to repay a debt! We owe everything to Finn Doria—and he gave clear instructions: Protect the Azure Wood Family with everything we have! Even if this war is suicide, we will fight to the death!"

Neleos sighed softly, a trace of admiration in his smile. But before he could answer, all of them stiffened.

Dozens of powerful auras had just entered the edge of their perception.

Moments later, a column of hundreds of armored Adventurers approached, mounted on five colossal serpents. The enormous Ice Pythons, each easily the width of a street, slithered forward with terrifying speed. Though their own cultivation was only at the 1st Level Profound Rank, their sheer bulk allowed them to carry hundreds of warriors.

"Enormous Ice Pythons of the Nine Ice Family!" one of the Azure Wood elders shouted.

The massive creatures came to a stop some distance away. Twenty figures leapt down from their backs, each emanating Profound Rank power. At their head stood a white-haired elder whose cold aura was leagues above the others—an 8th Level Profound Rank!

"Azure Wood Family!" the old man bellowed, his voice echoing through the ruined town. "Today marks your extinction! If you surrender all your wealth, we will grant you a swift death!"

His arrogance was etched into every syllable, borne of both overwhelming power and the confidence that the forces behind him would crush all resistance.

"I didn't expect the Nine Ice Family's First Elder himself, Gastavo Frois, to come grace us with his presence," Augustus replied with a smile that was cold as a blade.

Despite his mocking tone, there was no hiding the dread in his eyes. He glanced over the assembled enemies, gauging their strength—and felt the prickling instinct that every one of them was Profound Rank.

They had even hired rogue adventurers to end this war once and for all.

"Hmph." Gastavo's lips curled in disdain. "Family Head Augustus, even if you're a Noble Clan now, you remain the weakest of them all. Why cling to the Azure Wood Family's corpse? You're just dragging your people to ruin."

Augustus' jaw tightened. All around him, his companions readied their weapons, determination blazing in their eyes. They would stand and fight alongside their friends, families, and clan. They were Adventurers—and they would never cower before death.

To die in battle was the highest honor, a glory they would carry into the next life.

Gastavo scowled when it became clear no one would yield. "Hmph! If you wish to die clinging to your so-called dignity, then I'll trample it to dust myself!"

He raised a hand, his voice booming across the ranks:

"Listen well! Every enemy you kill will earn you a reward. Whether you are Rogue Adventurer or Nine Ice Family member, you will be handsomely compensated!"

At that, his forces bared their weapons—some wielding gleaming Excellent Armaments, though most held only Top-tier Rare Armaments.

"Advance!"

The order exploded like a thunderclap, and his legion surged forward.

Augustus and the others wasted no time. One by one, they withdrew gleaming weapons from their interspatial rings. In a heartbeat, the weapons of every Profound Rank on their side were revealed—all Excellent Armaments.

The enemy's charge faltered as dozens of pairs of eyes went wide in shock.

"Every last one… has an Excellent Armament?!" a Nine Ice elder stammered in disbelief.

Gasps and curses spread among the attackers. Everyone knew what such weapons could do—how they could turn the tide of battle in an instant.

Even Gastavo felt a chill crawl up his spine.

But he had no choice but to press on. "Why are you hesitating?! We still outnumber them, and we have more experience! Are you afraid of a few armaments?!"

His words forced his subordinates to gather their courage. With a savage roar, they lunged forward—and in that moment, the bloody battle began.

BANG!

BANG!!

BANG!!!

Deafening explosions ripped through Aurora Town. Buildings crumbled, the earth split open. In mere moments, the once-quiet settlement drowned in screams and the stench of blood.

Gastavo watched, then grinned coldly. With a burst of speed, he shot toward Augustus, spear ready to pierce the enemy leader's heart.

Augustus was locked in combat with another 4th Level Profound Rank opponent. He barely managed to fling the man aside before spinning—and seeing Gastavo's spear already an instant from his throat.

His blood ran cold. His feet refused to obey. He could only squeeze his eyes shut as the blade closed in.

"Dog of the Nine Ice Family—face me!"

A furious voice split the air.

BANG!

A black sword intercepted the descending spear in a blast that sent shockwaves rolling across the battlefield. Even weaker Profound Rank fighters were thrown tumbling like leaves.

Gastavo himself was hurled away, blood erupting from his mouth. He hit the ground and rolled, but staggered upright almost instantly, eyes wide with recognition.

"Elder Creed!" Augustus shouted in relief.

"You… Creed Doria?!" Gastavo barked. His gaze flicked down—and his pupils shrank to pinpricks.

That sword… That black sword…

It was an Epic Armament!

"How… Where did you get an Epic Armament?!" Gastavo demanded, voice cracking.

Creed wiped the blood from his lips and smiled. Though his right arm was already blackening where it clutched the sword, he raised his chin defiantly.

"You want to destroy my Azure Wood Family?!" His voice was ragged but unbroken. "Then you'll have to step over my corpse!"

With a roar, he kicked off the ground, charging straight for Gastavo. Both hands clenched the Epic Armament as if it might shatter in his grip—thick veins bulged, ready to burst.

A flicker of raw fear passed across Gastavo's face. In all the Sacred Dragon Kingdom, only the royal family was known to possess such a treasure—yet here it was.

'No wonder the Royal Clan is meddling in this war,' Gastavo thought, bile rising in his throat.

Creed's blade fell with unstoppable weight. Gastavo wrapped himself in dense soulforce and braced with his Low-tier Excellent Armament spear. Their weapons collided—

BANG!

Both men were flung like ragdolls. A wall of smoke and shattered stone swallowed the battlefield.

Creed rose unsteadily, blood pouring from cracks in his face, his breathing labored and uneven. The dark infection had spread to his shoulder. His soulforce pathways were in chaos—many already closing in failure.

Gastavo lay prone, gasping, but soon began to laugh.

"HAHAHAHA! I see…!" His laughter was hoarse, unhinged. Slowly, he forced himself upright. His spear was splintered beyond repair—so he drew a lesser weapon, only a top-tier Rare Armament.

"Too confident, Creed Doria!" he snarled. "If you were Sky Rank, you might truly master that blade. But you're nothing but a 6th Level Profound Rank! That power will consume you!"

Greed warped his features as he lunged again.

Creed lifted the Epic Armament to block, but Gastavo's flurry of skills smashed against it relentlessly. With one last strike, Creed was sent crashing through a pillar, slumping there in a half-conscious daze.

"Elder Creed!" Augustus' voice was hoarse, but he could not break free to help.

Rage.

Hatred.

Loathing.

Despair.

And fear.

They seethed in every heart on that battlefield.

So many innocents had already died. So many homes burned. Was this truly how cruel the world was—that if you lacked strength, you were doomed to be nothing but a plaything?

"EAAAAAH!"

BANG!

"Second Elder!" Neleos screamed, drenched in blood, as he saw his comrade's body fall riddled with wounds.

But even then—even then—he forced himself to rise and fight on.

"HAAAA!"

He thrust his Excellent Armament straight through his enemy's heart. Only then did he collapse, utterly spent.

Augustus rushed to his side, shielding him as best he could.

Creed still leaned against the broken column, vision dimming. His body no longer obeyed. His arms felt severed from his spirit.

"Creed Doria… you've been troublesome," Gastavo hissed, staggering forward, spear raised. "But in the end, you will die—like the rest."

The tip of his spear hovered over Creed's brow.

And then—

"Wha—!"

"You worthless scum deserve nothing but death."

BANG!

Before Gastavo could even finish speaking, a voice cracked through the sky—and a single flying kick smashed into his face.

He was launched across the square like a broken doll. When he hit the wall, his skull shattered to dust.

With nothing but a kick…

An 8th Level Profound Rank had perished—without ever realizing who had come.