"This is the end of the line for you. We've been battling for quite some time. You’re running on steam now, aren't you?""I have bad news for you. I've only used thirty percent of my powers," Shadowblade said with a sinister smile on his face as he watched Jerome, who was struggling to stand up straight. In truth, the past three hours were nothing more than a game to Shadowblade. If he wanted, he only needed to exert a bit more effort and all of humanity would be obliterated. However, he preferred to watch others in despair, just like how his bullies loved to watch his desperation back in his own world. He too wanted to savor the feeling of being a powerful ruler. This was a feeling he had never experienced before.Jerome raised his sword, tired but showing no sign of fear. "Wipe that smirk off your face and say those words only after you've killed me," he said indifferently.Shadowblade laughed coldly. "My time here is almost up, which means the game is about to end. I'll send yo
Bang, bang, bang!Flashes caused by blades flickered as explosions from the battle against Shadowblade continued. It was evident that he was no longer as threatening as he was when he first arrived after battling non-stop. Although they still could not inflict significant harm, at the very least, their attacks caused him pain, which was all they needed to deplete his energy."Die, you vermin!" Shadowblade yelled and threw his hands apart at the fearless soldiers, sending Nova and the others flying."Argh!" Shadowblade screamed, advancing at Strider and Nicholas. Jerome sprang forth, his long sword harshly sweeping across Shadowblade’s neck. Shadowblade, clearly not anticipating this, was forced to retreat several steps but was still grazed.Jerome did not stop there and quickly swung his fist at Shadowblade."I've had it with you!" Shadowblade roared and twisted Jerome's fist after grabbing it.Crack!Jerome’s arm was dislocated.Nova charged in again, with Remy, Sylvia, an
Shadowblade's wound healed over through his powers. He then took to the air with his sword as he viciously thrust it at Jerome.Stab! The sword impaled Jerome's abdomen, causing him to convulse and fall to the ground. Shadowblade then pinned him down with the sword like a nail against a plank."Jerome!" Nova cried out, rushing toward Shadowblade. She tried to force Shadowblade away. But just as she got close enough, she received a broken rib and was sent flying.Thud! Nova hit the ground, blood gushing from her mouth, one hand clutching her chest, struggling incessantly."Jerome!"Strider, Remy, and Sylvia called out to him, but they were having a hard time getting up. Nicholas was struggling to stand. His insides felt like they had exploded, utterly unable to support his body.Shadowblade looked down coldly at Jerome nailed to the ground and smirked. "Well, well. You're still alive. I see you’ve learned how to heal yourself as well. I'm impressed you managed to reach suc
Grasping his sword, Jerome once again sprang into action. With a swish, Helen sliced through the air, attempting to wound Shadowblade. The furious Shadowblade grabbed her arm and delivered a knee kick to her stomach. As Helen spat out blood, Jerome soared through the air and aimed for Shadowblade's neck."Sh*t!" Shadowblade exclaimed, turning sharply to dodge. He narrowly evaded Jerome's strike.At the same time, Remy and Strider rolled across the ground to pick up sniper rifles and began firing away at Shadowblade. Ivy, too, lay on the ground, firing shot after shot. Although bullets could not harm Shadowblade, they caused him pain, and so he dodge them. This left him open to attacks.Jerome and Helen cornered Shadowblade as bullets flew toward him from the front and back. Nova also stood up again, screaming and charging at Shadowblade once more.Faced with attacks from all sides, Shadowblade felt threatened for a moment. If he was careless for even a moment, he might truly di
Time continued to pass as the battle raged on. Everyone held out for about another hour. As a violent explosion erupted in the sky, all of them fell from the sky.Thud! Crash! Bam!Everyone smashed into the ground. The serious injuries, compounded with the impact of the fall, left everyone struggling to get up. This time, they truly could not stand anymore.Jerome was a bloody mess. His recovery abilities from the divine worms could not keep up with how frequently he was being injured."Jerome, Strider… I-I can't get up…" Nova whimpered in pain.Jerome looked at her and said, "It's okay, Nova. There's no need to be afraid. You've done well and have faced him bravely. That's exactly what your father taught me."Sylvia and Lacey were struggling in pain. Ivy had already passed out, while Helen, although in slightly better condition, had also reached her limit and lay motionless on the ground. It would have been difficult to tell if she was still alive if her eyes were open and blink
Shadowblade, enraged by Nova's efforts, roared, "Since you’re so eager to die, allow me to oblige you!”With a thunderous shout, he punched at Nova. A blast of black light that carried shards of stone hurtled toward her. Nova knew that she would meet her end if the attack landed. Sylvia, Strider, and Remy struggled frantically, trying to save her. However, she froze and lacked the strength to do anything, let alone speak.Suddenly, a cry pierced the sky, and something massive, blocking out the sun, sped toward them.It was an eagle!No one could discern the eagle’s full size. As the massive bird flew toward Nova, it shot out a beam of aurora light.Boom! The light landed before Nova, manifesting into a man that shielded her from the attack.Ba,!The man swung his right hand and instantly shattered Shadowblade's attack into nothingness. The majestic eagle appeared overhead, and a woman descended from the sky, landing behind Shadowblade.The sudden appearance of the man, the wo
Adrian gently placed Nova in a sitting position on the ground and tenderly stroked her hair. His presence filled Nova with warmth and made her tear up. At that moment, the entire nation fell silent. No one had expected Adrian, who had vanished for eighteen years, to reappear now. At Novemton headquarters, Samantha and Gloria stood quietly before the screen. The man they yearned for day and night for the past eighteen years had not changed much. In fact, he looked like he had not aged at all.Everyone once again felt hopeful as the man who once led them had returned.After setting Nova down, Adrian walked to Remy, whose legs were broken and could hardly stand."It's been a long time, sir,” Remy greeted.Adrian nodded. "You have not disappointed me. I made the right choice during the selection. Rest now, I'll take care of this." He picked Remy up too and placed him beside Nova.He then went to Strider, Nicholas, Sylvia, Helen, and Ivy, picking each of them up and laying them toget
Adrian took a few steps toward Shadowblade and Rozi followed behind. They slowly closed in on their enemy. A radiance filled the sky as the eagle emitted a dazzling aurora. The light, akin to the sun, shone down brightly.The eagle's eyes seemed to pierce through the darkness, and its radiant light enveloped the land. The oppressive shadows cloaking the sky were dispelled, replaced by sunlight that streamed through the clouds. The light hit the earth below and bathed Novemton in its glow and warmth."Look!""It's the sun!" "Haha, it's the sun! We're finally seeing the sun again after eighteen years!"Cheers erupted throughout the cities as the populace rejoiced at the sight of the sun that had been absent for nearly two decades. With the shadows driven away, life across the land awakened. Green plants eagerly broke through the soil, reaching for the warmth above.The mighty eagle, Marissa in eagle form, had brought a light that vanquished the darkness and bathed the world in sun