NOVEL WEB Chapter 256: Absurd Pressure
An instant later, a roaring inferno descended, a bright comet of golden flame obliterating the very ground it touched.
The explosive impact scattered soil and stone outward, leaving molten scars glowing angrily beneath the fading flames. Standing calmly at the center was Selene, her dark cloak billowing gently with the flames.
The Kidnapper Leader's eyes widened dramatically, horror flooding his gaze as recognition dawned—a terror deeper and sharper than simple fear of strength.
His voice trembled violently, reduced to a whispering stammer, "T-That face… the flames… it can't be—" He staggered backward, panic surging through his limbs. "She's the Legendary Runesmith. Selene Helstrom…"
Frantic hands flew towards his spatial ring. "Retrea—"
But before he could activate it, Selene vanished, reappearing instantly by his side, palm pressed gently against his chest.
His eyes widened in primal fear as flames erupted within him, consuming his core, burning him from the inside out.
Crimson and gold runes scorched his skin, sealing his voice, leaving him voiceless even as he writhed in silent agony, dissolving into ash within mere heartbeats.
The Vice Leader stumbled backward desperately, frantic fingers weaving a desperate wood-element binding spell. Thick, thorn-covered vines erupted violently, surging toward Selene with murderous intent.
But her stride never faltered; flames surged protectively around her, incinerating the bindings upon contact.
Her voice emerged, a freezing whisper laced with pure wrath, coldly measured and utterly merciless, "You laid your hands on my grandson."
The Vice Leader tried desperately to plead, voice choked by his fear. But no words came, strangled by the smothering pressure of Selene's aura.
Flaming runes appeared in the air, razor-sharp sigils plunging viciously into his limbs like heated needles.
He shrieked soundlessly as Selene methodically unraveled his mana core, draining and boiling his essence slowly, painfully.
Flames crept through his veins, smoldering him from within until only charred bones remained—then ash.
Throughout this brutal execution, Edgar stood motionless, respectfully silent, eyes reflecting grim understanding.
He did not interfere, not out of fear, but because this act was Selene's right—her vengeance, her judgment upon those who dared threaten her family.
'She's not just punishing them,' Edgar murmured softly to himself with realization. 'She's venting her anger.'
As the final ashes drifted slowly toward the ground, Selene exhaled gently. The raging flames around her dimmed, fading peacefully into embers carried softly by the wind.
Silence settled once more over the ruined forest, oppressive yet calm in its intensity.
Edgar stepped forward slowly, lowering his head respectfully, voice quiet yet firm. "I failed to finish them before you arrived, Lady Selene."
Selene shook her head slightly, turning toward him with an unreadable gaze. Her voice softened marginally, stern yet carrying an undertone of gratitude. "You held them long enough. More than I expected."
Her eyes lingered momentarily on the battlefield around them, acknowledging Edgar's unwavering stand against two foes of equal strength. "You didn't fail. They did."
With a final, calm look toward Edgar, Selene turned smoothly away, her cloak fluttering gently behind her.
***
A deep calmness reclaimed the battlefield, fragile yet heavy with tension. The once-devastated clearing was now bathed in soft, silvery moonlight, highlighting scorched earth and scattered fragments of battle.
Cold wind blew gently through shattered branches and burned leaves, carrying away lingering embers as the world settled into an uneasy peace.
Orion lay motionless in Fiora's trembling embrace, the fierce draconic features softened by his unconscious state.
Fiora's eyes were filled with worry and tenderness, her delicate fingers carefully wiping the blood from his face with a torn piece of cloth.
She moved slowly, reverently, each gentle stroke an unspoken prayer for Orion's well-being. Her breath came softly, unevenly, the raw emotions she fought to contain threatening to spill with every passing moment.
Beside her knelt Rina, silent and lost within her own turbulent thoughts. Her eyes, once vibrant, now stared blankly into the distance, unfocused, exhaustion and lingering sorrow etched deeply into her pale face.
She quietly cleaned Orion's bloodied chest, movements mechanical yet tender, her tears having long since dried, leaving only a lingering ache deep within her chest.
Magi sat further away, isolated in his own quiet contemplation. His usually lively demeanor was entirely subdued, his shoulders slightly slumped, the small bunny cradled tightly against his chest.
His gaze drifted upwards, focused unblinkingly on the endless expanse of stars above, reflecting silently upon the magnitude of the events he'd witnessed.
Orion's transformation and astonishing strength had shaken him deeply, leaving him both awestruck and humbled by a power that surpassed all reason. Yet—there burned a fire within him—one that he had thought was long extinguished on that fateful day.
In this fragile tranquility, a sudden deafening crack split the silence—a sonic boom resonating sharply through the night sky.
The air itself seemed to rend violently, a blazing golden-blue streak slicing through the heavens, descending rapidly like a fallen star. Pressure built intensely, bending trees with its sheer velocity as it rushed towards the ground.
The earth ruptured violently as Eldric landed, forming a massive crater beneath his feet. His cloak billowed dramatically behind him, the shockwave he generated deliberately controlled to spare those around him.
Dust spiraled gently upward around him, settling softly back to the broken soil.
For a heartbeat, absolute silence returned. All eyes fixed upon Eldric, whose towering presence commanded immediate respect.
Older, tall, bearing the unmistakable aura of a seasoned strategist tempered through endless battles, Eldric's face was stern, etched with lines of wisdom and strength. His eyes immediately found Orion's draconic body.
His face visibly showed surprise before concern replaced it. Selene and Edgar arrived mere moments later, stopping abruptly at the crater's edge. Selene's fiery gaze softened subtly, a flicker of relief briefly visible beneath her composed exterior as she saw Eldric kneeling beside their grandson.
Edgar exhaled slowly, visibly relaxing, confidence returning at Eldric's steady presence.
Eldric extended a hand slowly, hovering gently above Orion's chest. Soft, glowing mana flowed quietly from his fingertips, carefully assessing the critical damage within Orion's battered body.
Eldric's brows furrowed deeply, a heavy sigh escaping him as he took in the full extent of the internal devastation Orion had suffered.
"...You really did it, didn't you…" Eldric murmured softly, voice low, filled not with anger but profound sorrow and disbelief. His quiet words held more weight than any shouted reprimand or direct question could carry.
Selene stepped closer, standing silently at Eldric's side, her voice measured yet undeniably tender beneath her calm façade. "You're late."
Eldric released another slow, weary breath, his eyes never leaving Orion's unconscious form. A subtle, bitter humor tinted his quiet response. "You didn't leave me anything to fight."
His gaze lingered deeply upon Orion's transformed state—the scales, the horns, the draconic aura still faintly flickering around him.
Eldric's voice fell lower, quiet disbelief and confusion filling his murmured words. "He really hid the fact that he's related to the dragons so well. But what is even happening here? How does a Draconian undergo Evolution like this?"
Selene's expression darkened slightly, eyes fixed upon Orion's face as she spoke softly yet firmly. "How serious are his injuries?"
Eldric slowly shook his head, the heavy burden of understanding evident in his weary features. His voice was grim, tinged with reluctant honesty. "You have seen them for yourself."
He lowered his hand gently, closing his eyes momentarily in silent contemplation. A solemn stillness fell once more upon the group as the weight of Orion's sacrifice sank deeper into their collective awareness.
The night felt colder, harsher, as reality settled heavily upon their hearts.
Finally, Eldric stood, ordering the others, "Take him to the carria—"
However, before his words could even finish, an unimaginable amount of pressure descended from the skies above, halting even the particles in the air as everything froze on the spot.