Floating Islands: SSS Gacha Lord

Atlas unsummoned his spear, and with it, Kaelzar's lifeless body collapsed onto the snow, no longer held up by the weapon that had impaled him.

He stood there, gasping for breath. His entire body screamed in exhaustion, his vision blurring at the edges. He was barely holding on to consciousness.

If the monster bird hadn't arrived in time, he might have lost consciousness before he could even land the final blow.

The sound of powerful wings beating still echoed in the air above him, but Atlas didn't even have the strength to lift his head and look. Instead, he saw its shadow. A dark figure circling over the white snow.

Kaelzar's body was already beginning to disappear beneath the steadily falling snow. The morning sun, now rising over the volcanic frozen island, cast a soft light over the battlefield, its warmth barely piercing through the cold.

Atlas took a step forward.

Then another.

He forced himself toward the cave entrance, seeking shelter, seeking anything that would keep him standing.

But then. He stumbled.

His knees hit the thick layer of snow, sinking into the freezing surface.

And then, something landed in front of him.

Atlas barely managed to lift his head. His vision was a haze of white and red, his face drained of blood. But through the blurriness, he saw them. The talons of the great bird monster, standing right before him.

Atlas let out a weak, trembling breath.

"Hey… thanks for coming," he whispered hoarsely.

Then, with the last of his strength, he smirked faintly.

"Next time… visit my island."

The words barely left his lips before his body gave in.

He collapsed forward, completely unconscious.

The Bladewing Ravager remained motionless for a moment.

Then, with a single, mighty beat of its wings, it took off into the sky, leaving Atlas behind in the snow-covered battlefield.

Moments later, two figures came running from the distance.

"Atlas… Atlas!" one of them shouted.

As soon as they reached him, both dropped to their knees beside his unconscious body.

It was Luna and Ember.

Luna hurriedly turned Atlas over, her face etched with panic.

"Atlas… oh, you reckless fool…" she gasped. "Where did you even get the nerve to fight Kaelzar head-on like that? Do you even realize you're still just a Seeker-rank Lord?"

She examined his face and pressed a hand against his chest, channeling a faint purple energy into his body.

In reality, they had been watching the battle between Atlas and Kaelzar the entire time.

Out of respect for Atlas's decision, they had chosen to hold back, only preparing to step in if his life was truly in danger.

And now, here they were, approaching the battlefield, after witnessing something that should have been impossible unfold right before their eyes.

A Seeker-rank Lord had defeated a Scout-rank Lord.

Of course, Atlas had several advantages. The bird monster's intervention, and the fact that Kaelzar was already heavily wounded when the fight began.

Even so… The outcome remained undeniable.

Meanwhile, Ember, who sat beside Atlas, simply let out a soft laugh.

"This guy… seriously has guts," she said, shaking her head. "He actually kept his ridiculous promise."

Luna, however, didn't share her amusement. She shook her head.

"I know he's done so much, with the plan and everything. But he still chose to fight Kaelzar alone."

Ember raised a brow. "Is he still alive?"

Luna hesitated before answering.

"His heartbeat is weak…" she whispered. "Almost nonexistent."

"Dead?" Ember scoffed. "He doesn't look dead."

Luna nodded again, her brows furrowed in confusion.

"That's the strange part… How is a human still alive with a heartbeat this slow?"

She lifted her gaze to meet Ember's, looking for an answer.

But Ember just shrugged, clearly as clueless as she was.

Then, two more figures approached from a distance.

They were Luna's soldiers, a man and a woman.

Without hesitation, the male soldier knelt down, lifted Atlas onto his back, and secured him firmly.

And just like that. They left the battlefield, carrying Atlas away from the frozen wasteland where Kaelzar had fallen.

**

Pain.

Can't breathe!

A crushing weight on his chest!

Atlas's eyes snapped open, his pupils dilating as light flooded his vision. But none of it mattered. His mouth gaped wide, desperately trying to suck in air!

This feeling. He had felt this before.

Panic surged through him, but he forced himself to shut it down.

He focused. Felt his heart, his body.

And then. He inhaled.

The moment air filled his lungs again, warmth slowly returned to his body.

He took another breath. Then another. Slowly, steadily, his senses settled.

Only then did he notice someone sitting beside the bed where he lay.

Kurogasa.

"My Lord…" Kurogasa said softly. He reached out, helping Atlas sit upright.

Atlas focused on regaining control of his body. A flood of information rushed into his mind, questions spiraling through his head, but he shoved them aside for now.

The tent flap was pushed open, and another figure stepped inside. It was Edrik.

Without a word, he moved to sit beside Kurogasa on the floor.

Atlas took a moment, steadying himself.

His breathing had evened out now. The chaotic fog in his head was beginning to clear.

He ran a hand through his hair, shaking his head slightly to refocus.

The last thing he remembered was defeating Kaelzar. Striking him down and ending the battle.

But he knew so much more had happened inside the cave.

Even though he had caught glimpses of updates from Edrik throughout the fight, he hadn't had the focus or the luxury to process them. He had ignored everything the moment his battle with the Scout-rank Lord began.

One memory, however, remained clear, the moment the bird monster stood before him, watching in silence.

And then, darkness.

Had the bird left again?

Atlas knew he would have to return to Celesthollow island once this was over. He needed to find that creature again.

Finally, he straightened his posture and turned his gaze toward his two elite subordinates sitting beside him.

Seeing that Atlas had fully steadied himself, Edrik spoke first. "That's better than last time, isn't it?"

Atlas knew exactly what he meant. The temporary vampire mode.

"Yes… better," he answered simply.

Edrik gave a small nod, then after a brief pause, he continued.

"What do you want to know first?"

"The overall battle?" Atlas asked.

Edrik nodded again before beginning his report.