Episode 399: The Ultimate Sword Flash
The Dragon opened its vicious maw, attempting to devour Rui.
Rui leaped backward, swinging his longsword horizontally.
Black Flames burst from the blade, slashing across the Dragon’s mouth. The Dragon raised its head, writhing in agony.
The Black Flames spread, engulfing the Dragon’s head.
Normally, “Black Flame” wouldn’t disappear until it had incinerated its target. Once ignited, it was the end. But—
Rui stared ahead, noticing an anomaly in the Dragon as it thrashed its head.
The burning skin blew away, and blood spurted out. The Black Flame vanished completely, and the Dragon began regenerating at an incredible rate.
“This method of regeneration…”
Rui frowned, holding his longsword at the ready.
It was common knowledge that wounds inflicted by powerful magic couldn’t be easily healed. However, this Monster was nullifying the magic’s effects by deliberately gouging at its own wounds.
“At this rate, it’ll regenerate endlessly.”
The Dragon opened its massive jaws once more and lunged. Rui narrowly dodged, evading the Monster’s attack.
The Dragon crashed into the ground, sending dust billowing into the air.
Two more Dragons charged from behind. Rui used “Godspeed” to circle around, creating distance between himself and the Dragons.
Akito, witnessing the situation, shouted at the top of his lungs.
“Rui! Focus your attacks on one like before! If your attacks are half-hearted, they’ll just multiply again. Don’t screw up!!”
“Understood. I’ll go for the one on the right.”
Rui pointed his Katana at the Dragon on the right. Akito, hovering above, nodded in response and adjusted the trajectory of Gae Bolg.
Rui kicked off the ground, sprinting towards the right. The massive Dragon couldn’t react to his terrifying speed and froze in place.
Countless “Birds” were conjured from the two Katanas Rui wielded, flying towards the enemy.
They struck the Dragon, which still had its mouth wide open, one after another, exploding on impact. A shrill roar echoed through the surroundings.
Akito followed up in response, launching his magic.
Several bolts of “Black Lightning” fell from the sky, scorching the Dragon’s head and back.
The Monster writhed in agony. However, they couldn’t afford to let up their assault.
Rui closed the distance in one burst, directly slashing the Dragon’s abdomen.
Black Flames spread, and the smell of burning flesh filled the air.
—Not yet!
Rui repeatedly slashed at the Dragon’s back and head, pouring Black Flame into its body. The Dragon couldn’t help but scream.
They couldn’t give it time to regenerate.
Looking up, Rui saw Akito diving down with Gae Bolg. Rui leaped back, creating distance between himself and the Monster.
The tip of Gae Bolg approached the Dragon, which had raised its head.
“This is the end!!”
Akito jumped off, and the Lightning-imbued spear plunged straight into the Dragon’s mouth.
In an instant—the Dragon’s head exploded, shattering into pieces.
Akito, who had landed on the ground, grinned and said, “I did it!” But Rui’s tension didn’t ease.
This Dragon had two heads. If that was the case—
Just as Rui had predicted, the head on the tail side rose up, glaring at Akito.
“Danger!!”
Rui had dashed forward before he could even think. He swung his longsword at the Dragon that was about to attack Akito.
The conjured Black Flame took shape, transforming into a lion that charged towards the enemy.
The Black Lion slammed into the Dragon’s head. A massive explosion blew the enemy away.
Akito yelped and rolled away. Amidst the swirling flames and smoke, Rui stared at the Dragon’s headless torso.
The torso swayed unsteadily before collapsing to the side with a thud. Akito, who had rolled away, propped himself up and looked at Rui with a grin.
“See? If we combine our strength, we can take down these guys easily.”
“It’s not over yet.”
Rui said with a serious expression. Akito replied, “I know,” and stood up, brushing the dirt off his clothes.
He raised his hand, and Gae Bolg, which had been embedded in the ground, responded, leaping up and returning to Akito’s grasp.
Gripping the hilt firmly, Akito took a stance.
The remaining two Dragons glared at them. Rui aimed the tip of his Katana at the enemy, his expression clouded.
—If I combine my strength with Akito, we can probably defeat these enemies. But is that really okay?
When I fight alongside Yuma again, will I be useful? Such thoughts crossed Rui’s mind.
—If I can’t even defeat enemies of this level on my own, I won’t be able to stand beside Yuma!
Rui sheathed Clarent and gripped the Scorching Blade with both hands.
He gathered Magical Power into the blade, igniting Black Flames.
Akito, noticing Rui’s actions, frowned for a moment but quickly understood his intentions.
“Looks like you’re getting serious. In that case, I’ll take care of the other one somehow!”
Akito hopped onto Gae Bolg, unleashing several Lightning Strikes from above. He provoked one of the Dragons, drawing its attention to himself.
Rui silently thanked Akito, saying, “That helps,” in his mind, while glaring at the Dragon before him.
The enemy also exuded a tense atmosphere. It could attack at any moment. Rui pulled back his left foot, holding his Katana at his side.
The Black Flames blazed even more fiercely.
More power, more Magical Power, enough to defeat the enemy in one strike!
Even if the opponent was a Unique Monster 【King】, if he didn’t have an attack strong enough to stop its movements, he wouldn’t be able to help Yuma!!
Rui gritted his teeth and gripped the hilt of the burning Katana tightly.
At that moment, intense Black Flames erupted from the Katana he was holding. Rui was startled and stepped back, but he planted his feet firmly on the ground.
This was the power he had been seeking. It consumed an abnormal amount of Magical Power, but it was definitely generating powerful flames.
Perhaps sensing the danger, the Dragon opened its massive maw and charged.
Without panicking, Rui swung the blazing Katana horizontally.
As if tearing through space, a black line ran through the air.
The Dragon’s movements stopped abruptly. The massive Dragon was split in two like a filleted fish, collapsing to the ground and bursting into flames.