NOVEL WEB Chapter 251: Desperation
Deep within the forest, far from Orion's desperate struggle, another fierce confrontation raged. The moon cast soft light onto a clearing, illuminating the combatants locked in mortal combat.
Edgar faced the kidnapper leader and his vice-leader, his cold eyes calmly assessing the foes who stood opposite him.
The kidnapper leader, a tall, old, imposing figure clad in dark armor, brandished a spear that radiated with a menacing aura.
His vice-leader stood slightly behind, adorned in robes interwoven with verdant runes, staff raised and eyes flickering with alert cunning.
The wood-element mage stood poised, ready to unleash spells of devastating power at any moment.
Edgar's expression was stone-cold, unmoved by their intimidating presence. He held his blade loosely, the weapon's black surface glinting ominously under the fractured moonlight.
When he finally spoke, his voice was devoid of emotion, resonating icily across the clearing.
"You've hidden your origins well until now," Edgar declared coldly, stepping forward slowly, sword raised in a deceptively casual stance. "But I've had enough of your games. Reveal yourselves and who sent you."
The leader's eyes narrowed, a sneer twisting his lips. "Arrogant bastard, you think you're worthy of questioning me?" With a sudden burst of speed, he lunged forward, spear thrusting sharply toward Edgar's chest.
Edgar calmly raised his sword, his movements unnaturally fluid and swift. He parried the strike with ease, sparks erupting violently where spear and sword clashed.
Without hesitation, Edgar spun gracefully, his blade tracing an elegant arc—an unmistakably unique pattern imbued with dark, sinister intent.
The kidnapper leader's eyes widened in immediate shock. He instantly leaped backward, fear momentarily breaking through his bravado. "That sword move…" he sputtered, eyes flashing with recognition. "You're that Demon Sword Edgar!"
Edgar's expression remained chillingly indifferent, neither confirming nor denying. Instead, his voice hardened further. "Since you recognize me, it would be wise to start talking. Who are you, and who sent you after us?"
The leader gritted his teeth, confidence slightly shaken but determination still blazing in his eyes.
He quickly assessed their situation, glancing briefly toward the distant horizon. His lips curled into a grim smile as realization dawned on him. "Since you're fighting alone, it means that old couple isn't here, are they? All we need is to defeat you quickly and—"
His voice abruptly faltered as an overwhelming pressure surged through the forest. A distinct, primal aura pulsed through the clearing, potent and unmistakable: Dragon's Might. Yet, it was strangely unique, unlike any they had encountered before.
The leader's head snapped sharply toward the source, his eyes widening with disbelief. He muttered under his breath, his voice barely audible, "Another draconian…?"
Edgar's eyes also flickered toward the direction of the sudden, overwhelming aura. Recognition flashed briefly across his face, shock and worry battling within his cold demeanor. 'That's Orion's mana signature… how is it so powerful?'
His pulse quickened slightly, concern gripping his heart. However, he forcibly calmed himself, knowing he could not afford distraction.
"Enough of this!" Edgar roared sharply, refocusing immediately. He surged forward, blade cleaving the air with lethal precision.
The vice-leader swiftly intervened, chanting quickly as verdant mana surged from his staff. "Emerald Grace!" A powerful wave of life-infused mana rushed toward the kidnapper leader, strengthening his physique, increasing his agility, and reinforcing his defenses.
Emboldened, the leader counterattacked, his spear thrusting fiercely once more. Edgar deflected skillfully, dancing seamlessly between offense and defense.
The vice-leader continued unleashing spells from behind—entangling vines erupting from the earth, thick wooden spikes hurtling dangerously toward Edgar.
Yet Edgar remained unflinching, slicing through each obstacle. His swordsmanship was impeccable, movements graceful yet deadly.
He maneuvered expertly, anticipating attacks even before they occurred, rapidly adapting to the evolving battle.
The kidnapper leader snarled, frustration building rapidly. "How is he holding us both back alone?! Damn it!"
Edgar remained silent, his cold eyes never wavering. His voice came again, colder and more dangerous than ever, his sword glowing ominously in his grip. "This ends now. Tell me who you serve, or die nameless in this forsaken place."
"Hah! If we can't defeat you, then neither can you. Forget about saving that brat, he will die from all of my men there." The kidnapper leader's eyes flickered with brutality.
He exchanged a glance with his vice-leader, coming to a tactical understanding to use all the treasures they had collected to quickly defeat the Demon Sword in front of them because the reward of two draconians was far too enticing.
***
Back in front of Orion, the Tier 7 enemy moved with cruel precision—cold, calculated brutality. No wasted motion, no hesitation; just overwhelming power concentrated in every strike.
He vanished in a blur, appearing directly before Orion in the blink of an eye. A fist swung out like an executioner's axe, impossibly fast and devastatingly precise.
Orion's instincts screamed. He desperately swung the Realm Guardian Sword upward in defense, but the blade was batted away like a toy.
A dull clang echoed mockingly as the weapon spun helplessly through the air. In the next instant, a ruthless impact crushed into his chest.
He flew backward, vision spiraling chaotically. With a sickening crunch, Orion's body tore violently through the trunk of a massive tree, sending splinters exploding outward.
He slammed into the ground, the impact shattering ribs and fracturing bones. Pain exploded within him, raw agony overpowering the fading warmth of the Phoenix Ash Elixir.
Blood poured into his mouth, hot and coppery. He tried to push himself up—desperate, frantic—but before he could move, a heavy boot crashed brutally onto his chest, forcing him deeper into the cratered earth.
Orion's vision blurred, stars erupting across his sight. The enemy looked down emotionlessly, his voice devoid of malice—just utter contempt.
"Tier 3 trash with pretty spells. You should've run when you had the chance."
Orion wheezed, blood bubbling through clenched teeth. His mana channels were scorched, veins seared raw from the desperate overuse of spells.
Every muscle screamed with unbearable torment. He willed his arms to move, his body to resist, but nothing responded. He was spent, broken, his body betraying him at last.
Before he could process another thought, the Tier 7 enemy kicked him with savage indifference. Orion's body tumbled helplessly across the clearing, bones fracturing further as he crashed repeatedly into the ground.
Dirt and gravel gouged deep into his exposed skin, each roll increasing his torment exponentially.
From the corner of his dimming vision, Orion saw Fiora desperately attempting to intervene, rage and fear mingling in her golden eyes.
But before she could reach him, a crushing wave of oppressive aura from the enemy slammed her to her knees, forcing a pained cry from her trembling lips.
"Stay down, little half-breed," the Tier 7 warned coldly. "You'll join him soon enough."
Inside Orion's chaotic, failing mind, Lumi's voice echoed in frantic desperation. Her usual calm now shattered by raw panic.
[Master! Please, stop! Your body can't take this! He's—he's going to kill you! Quickly use the Spatial Treasure to run away!!]
But Orion ignored her warning. He forced himself upright, stumbling, blood streaming freely from deep wounds across his body.
His vision darkened on one side, one eye swollen shut and bleeding. He could barely stand, yet his determination burned brighter than ever.
Through a bloodied mouth and cracked teeth, Orion managed a defiant whisper:
"I told you… I'm not backing down."
A heartbeat later, an unbearable pressure erupted behind him. Before he could react, a palm struck directly into the center of his spine, targeting his core.
Orion's breath vanished instantly, lungs frozen in agony. His entire body convulsed violently, pain beyond comprehension engulfing his consciousness.
Reality fractured. Darkness surged at the edges of Orion's mind, drawing him downward into an endless, cold void.
His heartbeat slowed, consciousness fading like a dying ember.
Yet, as his consciousness dipped toward oblivion, deep within his Sea of Consciousness, a single ember sparked—a tiny golden flame, gentle yet impossibly fierce, shimmering defiantly in the endless dark.
[Ding! Soul Path Advancement Condition Met.]
[Limitless System: Life Fire Ignition initiated.]
From that spark, heat surged outward, the whisper of something immense awakening.
A gentle voice echoed softly, resonating through his fading awareness—not Lumi's anxious plea, nor Asteraxa's voice.
It was his own voice, calm yet commanding, reverberating through the core of his soul:
'Get up, Orion…'
[Ding! Hidden Requirements met!]
[Initiating True Dragon Evolution!]