The Villain has Perished



Stellar mana reduced my surrounding gravity. Though, it didn't help much.

My current fall velocity was enough to kill me if I didn't decelerate.

'Recall the feeling of flying in the dream world.'

I channeled Stellar hurriedly. 

The ground was approaching.

'I can't fail here.'

An unfamiliar heat surged through my heart as I spun the Stellar mana inside my heart faster.

It felt like my blood was boiling and my muscles began aching. 

'Just once would be enough.'

I used my arms to shield my eyes while increasing my mana usage. My body was hot as if it was on fire.

The Stellar Mana mixed with non-elemental mana suddenly started leaking from my back.

'Shit! What is happening?'

The empty ground was only a few meters away. The sweltering heat turned my thoughts sluggish.

I could only focus on channeling the Stellar Mana even though I was losing more than I could use.

Flap—!

I crashed into the ground.

Flap—! Flap—!

However, the impact never arrived.

Opening my eyes, I found myself levitating a few inches away from the ground. 

…I barely avoided dying from falling.

Flap—! 

Beating my wings once again I stood on my legs. The ground never felt dearer…

'Wings…?'

Only then did I notice the massive pair of transparent wings on my back. They were attached to my back and made from a combination of Stellar mana, non-elemental mana and… 

'What is this?'

In my heart, I could feel a third type of energy mixed with Stellar mana and non-elemental mana.

The presence of wings. I also became aware of my improved vision and immense strength coursing through my limbs.

'Did Fifth assimilate the Dragon Heart before leaving?'

If so, the unfamiliar energy inside my heart must be [ Dragon Force ]. It would also explain the sudden changes in my body.

[ Dragon Force ] was the energy needed to use dragon bloodline abilities and techniques.

My current state was [ Overdrive ]. 

[ Overdrive ] was similar to Limit Break but for humans possessing dragon blood. There were more differences between the two skills. 

For example, I could learn Limit Break in the future and use it with [ Overdrive ], giving myself an extraordinary boost.

'The abilities are well worth fighting Qantal. I must've gained more abilities than these. However, I should check them later.'

There was something more important at the moment.

In the sky, a few lines appeared. 

⟪ Channel is now open ⟫

⟪ We wish you luck ⟫

⟪ May you find your destined Champion ⟫

The words in the sky were signifying the Tower's being established in the world. Every person in the world would be seeing the same lines.

With this, the status screen, multiverse link, shop, language translator, and other basic Tower benefits became available to everyone.

Immediately, a string of notifications erupted in my vision.

[ Multiple Champions are entering your 'Theater' ] 

[ The Champion 'Dancing Puppeteer' watches you with excitement ]

[ The Champion 'Venomous Poison' looks at a candidate Orator with anticipation ]

[ The Champion 'The Sword that Cuts through Horizon' is annoyed as you aren't using your sword ]

[ The Champion 'Sleeping Warlord' finds you while searching for something ]

[ The Champion 'White Blanket' cheers for you ]

[ The Champion… ]

[ The Champion… ]

[ The Champion… ]

[ The Champion… ] 

[ Multiple Champions are watching you! You have been sponsored 500 Coins! ]

My expression turned blank. I recognized a few names.

However, I was surprised at another reason.

"Only 500 Coins?"

The anonymous donator was stingy. 

It might've been good for a newbie but I had thousands of Coins in my possession. 500 Coins were nothing in my eyes.

[ The Champion 'White Blanket' turns red from embarrassment ]

[ The Champion 'Dancing Puppeteer' laughs at the Champion 'White Blanket' asking them for the purpose of their anonymous donation ]

[ The Champion 'White Blanket' refuses, saying they weren't the anonymous donator ]

[ The Champion 'Dancing Puppeteer' falls while holding their sides to contain laughter ]

[ The Champion 'The Sword that Cuts through Horizon' tells others to shut up ]

Champions were ascenders living in Tower who had reached the realm of apex strength, despite their childish attitude.

My brows creased watching the messages. 

'Why are so many Champions watching over me? Some of them are die-hard fans of Jae-sung and should only follow him.'

Was it because Jae-sung was still inside the Celestial Sphere that they came to me?

'It might be a simple coincidence.'

Still, it was weird all of Jae-sung's followers were here…

My hair stood on end. A blue streak flashed in the corner of my vision. It approached me at an alarming speed and swung his blade.

I wrapped my body in my wings.

Bam—!

The ground broke from the impact, kicking dust and gravel into the air. The force behind the sword was enough to blow me away, but I stood my ground. The wings absorbed most of the force.

As the attacker retreated, I spoke.

"What are you doing, Jae-sung?"

The protagonist tilted his head and stared at me with empty eyes.

[ The Champion 'The Sword that Cuts through Horizon' shakes their head at your performance ]

[ The Champion 'White Blanket' praises your excellent instincts ]

[ The Champion 'Venomous Poison' focuses on your enemy's eyes ]

[ The Champion 'Sleeping Warlord' watches silently while being half-awake ]

The messages were diverting my attention.

"All of you, shut up."

Baxtiel would arrive any second and these Champions were annoying. Their constant messaging was disturbing me.

I didn't worry about punishment for berating them as the Champions were restricted due to Tower rules.

Their influence was only limited to their respective Orators.

[ The Champion 'The Sword that Cuts through Horizon' agrees with you and tells others to stop disturbing your battle ]

"You too. Don't disturb me."

[ The Champion 'The Sword that Cuts through Horizon' turns silent ]

[ The Champion 'Dancing Puppeteer' laughs heartily ]

Bam—!

While I was distracted, Jae-sung kicked the ground and attacked again. 

I unfurled my wings and flapped them once, reaching 3-story building height in one go. 

I was floating above the Imperial capital. Beneath, I saw the ongoing chaos and wreckage of buildings.

After escaping Jae-sung's range, I looked at him carefully. His eyes were blank.

'As I thought, his soul is still inside the Celestial Sphere. Someone is controlling his body which is why Jae-sung's attacks don't contain their usual potency.'

I knew what I had to do.

I dived toward Jae-sung without hesitation.

There was a possibility a newbie Orator was controlling him with their newfound abilities. 

In that case, it was possible to shake their control over Jae-sung.

"Aren't you being too hasty?"

An unfamiliar voice came from above. Before I raised my head, the intruder dropped a hammer kick on my back.

Booom!

I broke through several floors of a building and crashed into the ground. 

By wrapping myself with the wings, I managed to avoid immediate death. However, I couldn't absorb all the shock from the impact.

My bones felt as if they were crushed and grinded into powder. 

"You can't bring Solomon out again, can you?" The unfamiliar voice returned.

A high heel entered my vision which was followed by Jae-sung. The intruder seemed to be the one controlling Jae-sung.

'It can't be. Why is she here?'

The intruder was a woman. 

She wore the expensive clothing of the royalty of a Kingdom to the north of the Empire. Her caramel skin perfectly complemented her bright yellow saree.

'Ravnyr. The Dragon King of Slavery.'

Dragon Kings, except Dragon King of Sky and Limitless Dragon King, were all males. However, all Dragon Kings possessed female vessels.

Watching his appearance, I was sure the one in front of me was Dragon King of Slavery.

"Why aren't you talking?" spoke Ravnyr.

It wasn't only Qantal who infiltrated the capital?

Ravnyr was working with Qantal. It must be why he appeared here so early and located me. 

Knowing I was the one who defeated Qantal, Ravnyr planned to defeat me while he held the advantage.

'Why are Dragon Kings working together?'

The Dragon King gazed at me. My control over my body slipped through my fingers and I found myself unable to control my actions.

Not only muscles, I also lost control over my mana.

Against my will, my body rose to its feet and stood in front of Ravnyr.

His fist dug into my stomach. My back bent, I ricocheted like a bullet, smashing through the wall, and fell in the plaza outside.

Involuntarily, I coughed a mouthful of blood and stood straight.

'He isn't killing me immediately. Does he want to know about Solomon? That works in my favor.'

Ravnyr walked through the broken wall.

'I need to strike when I'm absolutely sure of my victory.'

I still had 20,000 Kill Points. 

If I used them all in one second, I should be able to pierce Ravnyr's mana stone, given he was unaware of my attack. 

The backlash would be worse than the previous time.

But this was the golden chance I couldn't let go of.

Every mana-dependent being has a mana stone inside their body. 

The location of the mana stone is the place with the highest mana density in their body. For humans, it was their heart.

Ravnyr was in his human form. This made it obvious where I had to attack.

"How are you related to Solomon?"

The question was what I anticipated.

I held my breath and waited for Ravnyr to enter my strike zone. 

He was about to step into my range.

I continued to act as a powerless person.

However, my thoughts abruptly froze.

'If I use kill points for Ravnyr. How will I deal with Baxtiel?'

My mind went into overdrive as I tried to think of a solution.

The Dragon King of Slavery was now within arm's reach. If I wanted to bring him down, I had to attack now.

As if telling me to choose quickly, the clouds split apart and a sword of light — larger than skyscrapers — descended. It carried enough strength to obliterate the Imperial City.

Ravnyr flinched and raised his head high. 

"Dammit. Why is Light attacking? Doesn't he know I'm here?"

He lost his composure allowing me to read a snippet of his thoughts. 

|| Don't tell me…. we were… only ones who….. received orders… Smiling Tear ||

I stared at the Sword descending from the heavens and the Dragon King of Slavery.

Ravnyr or Baxtiel?

I could tank one attack from Baxtiel but not defeat him.

Or should I give up on Baxtiel and kill Ravnyr?