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Things were happening too quickly, one after another, leaving Drake and his crew little time to process the chaos. From finding Chris, Lucia, and Jake, to the Decaying Goddess falling from the sky and battling two of Oda Nobunagaâs strongest Samurai, followed by discovering HĂ©luna lurking behind them to protect Oberonâs resurrectionâall while Hajun, the Demon King of the Sixth Heaven, descended from the skies, overflowing with power after "ascending" through a demonic ritual.
Drakeâs thought process had become incredibly fast, but even then, it was frustrating how much he had to calculate on the spot, piecing together solutions to ensure everyone survived while defeating their enemies. Hajunâs incessant roars, flames, devastating punches and weapon strikes didnât make things easier.
Yet Drake remained calm. His eyes glowed brightly, elemental essences flowing through his body. His Aura surged constantly, shaping into various elemental dragons, each with unique powers. He had ascended just in time.
He was no longer merely an Ice Dragon. His most recent evolution had made him a True Dragon King, his Ascendancy Law Essence evolving into a power reminiscent of the blessings granted by the Primordial Dragon Mothers.
Hajun had also "ascended," though his method was rushed and sloppy. Drake instantly analyzed his being with a single gaze, activating one of his new Ascendancy Law Divine Abilities:
{Primordial Dragon Kingâs All-Seeing Heavenly Eyes}!
With a glance, Drake learned everything he needed. Hajun had performed a ritual, absorbing fragments of power and energy from countless battles within the Endless Castleâhis plan all along.
His Demonic Aura was twisted, resembling billions of screaming, agonizing soulsâmortals and demons alikeâshowing how he had ascended by consuming them.
But that wasnât all. Hajun had devoured dozens of Kami throughout his life in Zipangu after killing Amaterasu, their Divine Authorities now flowing through him. Drake could even sense the Authorities of Susanoo and his three War Gods. It was as if Hajun had taken fragments of their power beforehand, perhaps as paymentâaligning with the cunning demon who had ruined Zipangu.
Above all, Hajun used his Karmic Demonic Flames, shaping them into chains to enslave the Decaying Goddess once more, forcing her to rampage against Drake and his allies.
Hajun had ascended to an immense level of power. Drake, still processing his own newfound strength, realized Hajun was the perfect opponent to test it. He wasnât sure how strong he truly was, but he decided to confront him head-on.
The problem was Oberonâs resurrection, HĂ©lunaâs presence, and another strange aura Drake had sensed earlierâone deeply connected to him.
Within his mind, Drake spent Primordial Energy, enhancing his thought processing by nearly a thousand percent for a few seconds.
This allowed him to rapidly analyze his surroundings, map out everything happening, and devise solutions, while his eyes revealed truths about all entities present.
"Helena...? So thatâs it... To think I would find you here. What sort of cruel joke is this, Fate?"
Drake immediately realized who this other entity wasâor rather, who they were. The first was the "original Uroboros," the bioweapon created by Ivan to revive his daughter. It had somehow survived Ivanâs death at the hands of Chris Bluefield, growing into a monstrous form that had reached this place through cracks and portals connecting Earth to Yggdrasil.
The second was Helena herself. From reading the minds of Chris, Lucia, and Jake, Drake confirmed that the girl they sought was indeed Helena.
She was his nieceâan adorable girl he had helped his sister raise since infancy, part of why he was so experienced with children. He had hoped she and her family were safe somewhere far away on Earth, away from these horrors.
But Fate was cruel.
She was the girl Jake lovedâa matter Drake knew he would have to address sternly once this was over. She was also Luciaâs apprentice and Chrisâ friend, a girl who had gone to Lucia to learn Esper abilities, awakened by a blue dragon tattoo that had appeared on her hand.
"Blue Dragon Tattoo... Wait, thatâs my blessing."
When Drake first gained his blessing abilities, all his friends and loved ones received a blue dragon tattoo somewhere on their bodies. It connected them to him, helping them grow stronger and learn faster. The tattoo evolved alongside his System, allowing those by his side to break their limits and continue growing.
He never imagined that this power would reach another world, awakening Helenaâs Esper abilities.
But that wasnât all...
"The girl of the Sailor Uniform..."
A mysterious entity had appeared before every Esper on Earth, speaking of a prophecy: the "dragon from another world" who would bring the "advent of fantasy" and open the gate to "anomalies born from humanityâs greatest mistake."
She guided Helena to Lucia, ensuring her survival during the zombie outbreak that consumed her city.
"She went missing only a few days ago... That monster has her! I want to save her, but Iâm stuck fighting this damn idiot..."
Drake thought quickly, then smiled. His abilities had expanded vastly, and he had many allies. To find Helena, he would have to pursue the monster crawling toward Oberon, likely with ulterior motives.
For now, he had to ensure several things were handled. While he fought Hajun, someone needed to deal with the two Samurai and the enslaved Decaying Goddess. He entrusted that task to Fuyu and her alliesâYuki, Yudra, and the rest of his wives and childrenâsending them a quick telepathic message.
Then there was HĂ©luna, Uroboros, and Oberon. For them, he had another plan. His dragonsâSurtr, Emerald, Amethyst, Tritonâalongside his newest allies Hydra and Celene, and his old friend Root, would rush toward HĂ©luna to stop her interference. If they worked together, plus the "extra" he had prepared, they should be able to handle her. Another telepathic message was sent.
For Uroboros and Oberon, he formed a separate team: Skadi, Belle, Chris, Lucia, Jake, and that same "extra." He considered that Surtr might leave to protect his sister, but even then, the rest should manage HĂ©luna as long as his plan worked.
Another wave of telepathic messages reached everyone as Drake blocked a barrage of blazing attacks that tore through space itself, spreading cracks everywhere.
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