Vol. 3 Ch. 132

The environmental shift triggered by *Dragon’s Annihilation* drew the attention of Rosvisser and Claudia, who were still clearing the dangerous beasts nearby. Claudia looked up at the darkening sky as the last traces of moonlight disappeared behind a thick layer of storm clouds. The sheer power of the thunderous energy roared and howled, as if it couldn’t wait to burst forth.

“This level of lightning magic… it’s a bit much,” Claudia remarked, even with her extensive knowledge and experience.

Having studied countless ancient texts and admired the techniques of her predecessors, Claudia had never seen anything as overwhelming as *Dragon’s Annihilation*.

“It’s one of Leon’s rarely used ultimate moves. I’ve only seen him use it twice,” Rosvisser said.

The first time was during the Rift Battle, when Star Dragon King Stara led the charge against Leon and Rosvisser. In that desperate battle, with the Silver Dragon clan’s support, Leon unleashed *Dragon’s Annihilation* to turn the tide. At that time, he needed help to summon enough natural lightning to use it.

But now, six months after Leon’s return from the future, he could execute *Dragon’s Annihilation* alone—although he would be so exhausted afterward that he could barely stand. Still, Rosvisser vividly remembered Leon’s triumphant display that felled six dragons in mere seconds.

As she reminisced, a proud smile tugged at her lips, her heart swelling with the thought, *Look at him—my husband!*

However, she couldn’t ignore that Leon had used such a powerful technique so early in the battle. Was it because the Dagger Trio was too strong, forcing him to act quickly? Or was Leon simply impatient and wanted to end things fast?

Her thoughts were interrupted when a charred fusion beast landed at her feet. She turned to see Konstantin approaching.

“I don’t mean to disturb you two, but shouldn’t we handle the task at hand before admiring someone’s heroic display?”

Konstantin was well aware of Leon’s strength, so he wasn’t worried about the situation on Leon’s side, no matter how many *Dragon’s Annihilation* attacks were involved.

“There are more fusion beasts appearing, and they seem capable of a second phase of fusion,” Konstantin said.

Rosvisser’s brows furrowed. “Second phase of fusion? What do you mean?”

Before Konstantin could respond, a massive shadow overtook hers. Turning around, Rosvisser’s expression grew serious, her face marked by a hint of disbelief.

The fusion beasts behind her and Claudia were merging, extending black, viscous tendrils that bound them together. Their skin melted like tar, fusing into one colossal creature with multiple heads.

“Just as Leon suspected, the Empire has even more depraved tricks up its sleeve.”

While they knew the Empire had been developing fusion beasts, they had never imagined these beasts could undergo a second phase of fusion. The creature’s magical energy was comparable to that of a Dragon King.

Konstantin stepped forward to stand beside Rosvisser and Claudia. The three Dragon Kings aligned, facing the monstrous abomination.

“Let’s burn this thing to ashes,” Konstantin said.

Faced with such a powerful enemy, the Dragon Kings naturally coordinated.

“Roar!”

The second-phase fusion beast charged with a deafening roar, swinging its dark claws toward them. The three didn’t flinch. Instead, they unleashed their power, summoning roaring flames that met the monster head-on.

Their combined fire magic formed an enormous, unstoppable fireball, burning everything in its path.

*Triple Dragon Fire Eradication!*

The fireball struck the beast, creating an explosion so intense that it leveled nearby buildings and lit up the night like day. The heat waves lifted Rosvisser’s hair and skirt, the searing temperature grazing her face as embers danced in front of her silver eyes.

Moments later, the fire dissipated, revealing the smoldering remains of the blackened giant beast, which lay on the ground, barely breathing.

“Ha, what a show. It fell faster than I expected,” Konstantin scoffed, unimpressed by the stitched-up monstrosity—even though he himself was a product of similar patchwork.

“But… something feels off,” Rosvisser said warily. “The fight here is balanced, and Claudia and I were still gauging its strength. It doesn’t make sense for them to use a second-phase fusion beast so soon…”

Claudia’s eyes narrowed as realization struck. “These creatures didn’t go into second phase to fight us. They’re after—”

All three looked toward Leon’s battlefield.

“They’re heading for Leon!”

As if on cue, hundreds of fusion beasts surged toward Leon’s location like a flood.

“So it wasn’t just us who sensed the immense energy from *Dragon’s Annihilation*. Even these seemingly mindless beasts picked up on it,” Konstantin observed.

“But why charge at him instead of avoiding such a powerful attack?” Claudia asked.

Rosvisser’s dragon eyes gleamed as she connected the dots. “They’re trying to shield the Dagger Trio.”

Having witnessed the power of *Dragon’s Annihilation*, she knew it could counter even the self-destructive attack of the Star Dragon King. It was too much for the Dagger Trio to withstand alone. The Empire’s mages controlling the fusion beasts must have sacrificed them to protect the Trio.

Realizing this, Rosvisser and Claudia spread their dragon wings and rushed toward Leon’s battlefield, leaving Konstantin alone, bewildered in the wind.

“Damn it, my stitched body doesn’t have wings!”

When he’d arrived, it was Ferr who had brought him.

“I hate the Empire,” Konstantin muttered and broke into a run.

---

A lion formed of lightning emerged from the storm clouds, baring its fangs and claws as it descended upon the Dagger Trio.

“Big brother! The attack range is too vast; we can’t dodge it!” Kitai shouted, abandoning any thought of “combining forces to block it.”

Anyone with basic knowledge of magic could tell that nothing on this continent could withstand such an attack from Leon’s lightning lion.

“Don’t worry. Stay calm. Someone will step in to help us,” Kini said.

“Help? Who? The useless army?” Kitai spat back.

“No, not them. I mean—those things.”

Kitai looked where his brother pointed, seeing a swarm of fusion beasts and dangerous creatures charging toward them, some entering a second phase of fusion mid-run.

Kimei, the one-armed brother, shuddered at the sight. “I’ve seen second-phase fusions before, but they still make me want to puke.”

“Better to puke than be turned to dust by Leon’s attack,” Kini said grimly. “Brace yourselves! It’s coming!”

The lion of lightning struck, illuminating the battlefield with blinding light and shaking the ground with its impact. Shockwaves rippled outward, almost shattering a nearby land cruiser.

On the cruiser, King Canter collapsed to the floor, clutching his chest in panic. “W-What do we do now?! Even the Dagger Trio can’t block that! Who can stop Leon?!”

Elizabeth stood calmly, casting a disdainful glance at Canter. “Pathetic. If ‘Shadow Lord’ saw you now, he’d regret entrusting the throne to you.”

Canter’s already fragile composure shattered at the mention of the ‘Shadow Lord,’ his mind going blank.

“Sh-Shadow Lord…”

“Relax,” Elizabeth said, her voice steady. “We will win this. Look—the fusion beasts have taken the hit for the Trio. The Royal Sorcerers also reported that Leon’s last attack was likely his limit.”

A confident smirk spread across her face. “Now, it’s our turn to strike back.”

---

As the light faded, Leon stood alone in the middle of the street. Before him lay the scorched remains of dozens of fusion beasts, the air thick with the stench of charred flesh.

He squinted. “They blocked it.”

The smoke cleared, and the Dagger Trio emerged from the rubble, battered but alive. The beasts’ sacrifice had worked; they’d avoided a direct hit, though not unscathed.

Kini stepped forward. “An impressive attack, Leon. We finally witnessed the power of the greatest dragon slayer. But it’s unfortunate—that move must have drained all your magic. We know your limit. This is where it ends for you.”

Leon said nothing, listening silently. Moments later, two figures—a silver and a blue—landed beside him.

Leon glanced around. “Where’s Konstantin?”

“Running here,” Claudia replied.

“Oh… the pain of having no wings, I get it.”

“So, what’s the status?” Rosvisser asked, eyes on the fallen beasts. “Looks like they shielded the Trio from the attack.”

“Exactly. They’ve guessed my magic reserves are low.”

Claudia frowned, studying Leon. “You’re not really out of magic, are you?”

“No, I have plenty left.”

The blue-haired woman rolled her eyes. “Then why did you look and sound like you were on your last legs?”

Leon shrugged. “To set the stage for an unexpected power surge.”

“Huh?” Claudia still didn’t get it.

Rosvisser explained, “So he can fool them and make them feel the sting of being proven wrong.”

“Immature! How did you marry such a childish man?” Claudia muttered, half exasperated.

The queen covered her face, sighing softly. “It’s a story best left forgotten.”

Leon stepped forward, raising his right hand. “You said I was at my limit, right?” he called out to the Trio

.

Kini’s eyes widened. “Wait, you—”

Before he could finish, the air crackled as Chidori formed in Leon’s hand, sweeping the dust away with its power. The Dagger Trio’s expressions froze.

This didn’t match the intel at all! They’d calculated that Leon’s last attack should have been his limit. How was he able to use *Chidori* again so easily?

“Your information must have stopped updating after I returned from the Rift,” Leon said. “Back then, yes, that was the extent of my power. Even if I split *Dragon’s Annihilation* into four segments, the total strength was unchanged.”

“Your conclusions were correct.”

“But people can grow, can’t they?”

Kini couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “No human could double their magic reserves in just a few years! You must be bluffing!”

“True, a normal human couldn’t. But there are special ways.”

Special way: carving a second dragon mark on his arm!

After the infamous “Leon’s Ten-Second Six-Dragon Kill” incident, Leon and Rosvisser had tattooed second dragon marks on each other, enabling them to store more magic—a secret the Empire could never learn.

Leon’s voice dropped to an icy edge. “As for whether I’m bluffing—”

He raised his right hand as the sky churned once more.

“Trust me, when you hurt my mentor, every attack I make is meant to kill.”

“So... if I unleash *Dragon’s Annihilation* again and you survive, then ask me if I’m bluffing.”

The palpable intent to kill radiated from Leon, enveloping the Dagger Trio. For the first time, the seasoned dragon slayers felt true fear.

---

On the land cruiser, Canter gulped. “The Sorcerers’ analysis was wrong. Leon still has magic! But we’re out of beasts to block him!”

Even Elizabeth’s composed face turned serious. She frowned, eyes sharp. “Don’t panic. The ‘Shadow Lord’ gave you an ace, didn’t he? Now’s the time.”

“But that would sacrifice the Dagger Trio!”

“Hmph, Canter, after all this time as king, you still don’t see the board clearly,” Elizabeth said. “For victory, sacrificing a few pieces is necessary. Do it. The brothers will consider it an honor.”

Canter hesitated, then reached into his pocket and pulled out a black dragon scale.

“Shadow Lord... we’re counting on your trump card.”

He tossed the scale from the cruiser, and it landed on the corpses of the fusion beasts below.

Leon and his allies turned their attention to it.

“What is that?” Rosvisser asked, eyes narrowing. “A black dragon scale? I’ve never seen one before.”

Claudia’s eyes widened as realization hit. “No... that’s—”

Before she could finish, the fusion beast corpses began to writhe.

“What’s going on? The *Dragon’s Annihilation* should have killed them all!” Rosvisser said.

The black scale was like a key unlocking the gates of hell. It needed a sacrifice, and that sacrifice was—

The Dagger Trio.

Still disoriented, the brothers watched in shock as black tendrils shot from the corpses and bound them, rendering them immobile.

“What’s happening?! These beasts have gone mad!”

“Let go of us! Disgusting things!”

“Brother, what’s going on?!”

Kini looked up at the king and queen on the cruiser.

“Your Majesty, order them to release us!”

Canter’s voice, laced with cold finality, rang out. “Kini, now is the time for your loyalty. You will gain unparalleled power and form. Isn’t this what you always wanted?”

“W-What?!”

Before Kini could process it, the tendrils pulled the brothers into the black mass of corpses.

The sacrifice was complete. The black wraiths crossed the threshold of death and returned.

“ROARRRR!!!”

An ultimate monster born of hundreds of dangerous creatures, fusion beasts, and the Dagger Trio—

The **Primordial Nightmare** had awakened.

It rose, massive and grotesque, with countless tendrils writhing on its colossal body. The heads of various beasts and fusion creatures protruded from all over it.

At its peak, the three brothers, now completely consumed by darkness, stared blankly into the distance, their bodies fueling the monster with primal energy.

The sheer pressure it emitted forced Leon and his allies to brace themselves, as terror spread among the Empire’s citizens.

“What… what is that thing?!”

“The Empire kept such an abomination hidden from us…!”

“Run! Run! That’s beyond anything we can fight… even Leon might not—”

Panic erupted, turning the chaotic streets into a frenzy.

The noise seemed to provoke the Primordial Nightmare, which unleashed its primal energy in blasts that shot in every direction.

Leon, worried for civilian safety, shouted to Rebecca and the others stationed on a nearby rooftop, “Help evacuate the citizens! Get everyone out of the upper district!”

“Yes, Captain!”

With the evacuation underway, Leon and the Dragon Kings had no choice but to face this monstrous foe.

“This thing reeks of resentment… I thought second-phase fusions were the Empire’s lowest point, but this surpasses even that.”

“Judging by its body strength, even *Dragon’s Annihilation* might not be enough,” Claudia said.

Leon nodded solemnly. “If not, then I’ll be completely—”

“Wait, was that a bluff?” Claudia interrupted.

Leon smirked weakly. “No. Two *Dragon’s Annihilations* is really my limit. Should we… test it?”

Leon rarely doubted his chances of victory. But even without fighting it, the terror of the Primordial Nightmare was clear. It was an amalgamation of the Dagger Trio’s wrath and countless dangerous creatures’ malice.

To it, every living thing was prey.

“So… we’ll have to risk it all.”

“Hold on,” Rosvisser said, stepping forward until she stood at the giant monster’s feet. The small figure against the towering creature seemed insignificant.

But in the next moment, radiant light erupted around her, spreading a wave of righteous energy.

“Primal Magic—”

The queen, grasping the seven-colored energy with silver hair whipping in the wind, opened her dragon wings to anchor herself. The scene was breathtaking, like a celestial being descending.

“**Soul Judgment**.”

---

Meanwhile, Old Konstantin was still running to the battlefield.

Also, after this 5,000-word chapter, the next chapter will feature the Empire’s final stand and Leon’s most epic kick of the volume!

And then, of course, the beloved “back home: love, food, love, food, love, food” scenes to follow. 😊