CHAPTER 55: THE END OF NEXAN
HOLY LANDS – RIVO CASTLE – CHAMBER OF THE FIVE ELDERS
In the very center of the room, a dark symbol suddenly appeared. A pitch-black energy that swallowed light burst forth, rising from floor to ceiling. The Five Elders had to close their eyes instantly.
When they opened their eyes again, four figures stood before them.
The Forbidden One-Demon. Dressed in pitch-black mystical medieval garments, his face covered in bandages, his single eye glowing blood red.
Gunn Lee. The Chairman of the International Hunter Committee, standing tall, his face expressionless.
Woli. Gunn Lee's right-hand man, standing at attention.
Argus. The commander of Rivo Castle, standing right behind the Forbidden One.
Mars, one of the Five Elders, immediately got to the point. His voice echoed in every corner of the room: "Forbidden One-Demon... So you're finally here."
The Forbidden One-Demon's single eye fixed on Mars. There was a thousand years of curiosity and threat in his voice: "Mars... Why did you summon me after a thousand years?"
Jupiter interjected, his voice arrogant and commanding: "Do we need a reason to summon you? We summon, you come. Don't forget that."
Saturn, sitting in the center of the table, began to speak while stroking the hilt of his sword. His voice was metallic and sharp: "The reason we summoned you is the Ice Kingdom. You will go from Nexan to the Ice Kingdom and destroy that kingdom along with everyone in it. This is an absolute order."
A momentary glint appeared in the Forbidden One-Demon's eye. "Along with everyone in it? Are you sure about that?"
Uranus straightened his mustache and added in a threatening voice: "Do not question our orders."
Neptune stood up, his colossal height increasing the tension in the room. "Know your place, Forbidden One-Demon. Otherwise, you know very well what will happen. And do not take this lightly—destroy them without going berserk."
He paused for a moment, his eyes narrowing: "And above all, your primary target is someone named Morde. Argus will give you information about him and his wanted poster when you leave. And do not underestimate him. His bounty is a full one hundred million bel. "
A faint smile appeared on the Forbidden One-Demon's lips beneath the bandages. "A hundred million bel, huh... Hmm. This will be interesting."
Saturn spoke his final words: "Enough talking. Set out immediately. You will go with Admiral Shim, and you will have three navy warships with you. Do not attempt any attack against Shim, or you will pay the price."
For a brief moment, anger flashed in the Forbidden One-Demon's eye. But he controlled his voice. "You underestimate me greatly, Five Elders. And you insult me. You know I do not like being insulted." He took a step forward, his voice taking on a threatening tone: "I know my place. But you should know yours too."
And suddenly he turned and left the room. Argus ran after him.
There was a moment of silence in the room. Then Gunn Lee spoke. His voice was a mixture of disappointment and anger: "Five Elders, what do you think you're doing? Where did this releasing the Forbidden One come from? We could have destroyed the Ice Kingdom in a normal way. Both the hunters and the navy would have been sufficient."
Mars answered in a cold voice: "Gunn Lee, this situation does not concern you. Mind your own business. Continue hunting pirates without slowing down."
Saturn added: "By the way, any news about Captain Rocks?"
Gunn Lee's face darkened. "While trying to capture him, he destroyed three navy warships and killed three of my hunters, wounding two more. I think the admirals themselves should handle this. I cannot waste my ships and hunters for a pirate captain."
Mars asked mockingly: "Why don't you do it yourself, Gunn Lee?"
Gunn Lee took a deep breath. "I'm too old for this job. I'm sixty-five years old. It would be better for the younger generation to handle this now."
Saturn waved his hand: "That's enough. You may leave, Gunn Lee."
Gunn Lee bowed and left the room without turning his back. The door closed heavily behind him.
NEXAN – URUG BATTLEFIELD
Morde's voice echoed across the entire battlefield:
"COME ON THEN! LET'S BEGIN THE FINAL BATTLE, SWAAIINN! "
He struck his fist on the ground. Dark energy burst from around his fist. Everything within a hundred and fifty meters instantly went dark. Two massive domes rose from the ground and merged together ten meters above.
Morde stood in the center of the darkness. The red glow in his eyes illuminated every corner of the domain.
"Now you are in my world," he said, his voice echoing in the domain. "And none of you will leave here alive."
Trapped inside the domain were King Swain and two thousand Nexan soldiers.
Morde struck his fist on the ground again. "RISE, SHADOW ARMY! "
From the ground, those who had died earlier in the battle—civilians and soldiers from the northern city-states of Nexan—began to rise in shadow form. Their eyes glowed red, shadow weapons in their hands.
Morde commanded: "KILL EVERYONE EXCEPT SWAIN! DO NOT TOUCH SWAIN—HE IS MINE! "
And he immediately attacked.
"BLACK SHOCK! "
Swain immediately took a combat stance. "DEMON ARM – DARK CONTRACT! " he shouted, summoning his power.
But nothing happened.
His eyes widened. This domain... It's almost the same as Kai's domain! That means I can't use ultimate power!
Morde came at full speed and struck his fist with all his might right in the center of Swain's chest.
BAM!
Swain was thrown back, crashing to the ground. But he didn't give up. Struggling, he rose to his feet, covered in blood.
Domain duration is twenty seconds... If I last twenty seconds, I win.
Morde smiled as if reading his thoughts. "Good analysis. But you won't last. Because you can't use any techniques."
For the first time since the battle began, Swain smiled. "I don't need to. I've already gotten what I wanted."
Morde's eyes narrowed. "What does that mean?"
"You'll see."
A wave of anger rose inside Morde. But he immediately stopped himself. I must stay calm. If I fall into the trap of my pride again, I'll lose this battle instantly. Stay calm and win.
"BLACK FIST! "
He attacked again. Swain tried to protect his face and body with his arms, but the moment the fist hit him, he was sent flying and crashed against the dark energy wall of the domain.
Meanwhile, the shadow army was slowly destroying the two thousand Nexan soldiers. No matter how much the soldiers cut, the shadows kept fighting without taking damage.
OUTSIDE THE DOMAIN – BATTLEFIELD
The two armies were fighting with all their savagery, tearing each other apart. Blood had painted the ground red.
Kai wanted to go to where Morde was but encountered another group of soldiers. Just as he was about to attack, Captain Terex stepped in front of him.
"Leave these to us, Kai!" Terex shouted, swinging his axe. "We'll handle them!"
Kai hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Then I trust you, Captain Terex."
"SOUL LEAP! "
He passed through the soldiers in an instant and finally reached the area where King Swain and Morde were. But the domain was closed. He had to wait.
"Ah, that damn Morde!" Kai muttered. "He used his domain power, didn't he? I wonder what his domain power is? I'm incredibly curious." He took a deep breath. "Anyway, the important thing is King Swain. I hope he gets out safely."
At that moment, someone stood before him.
King Task.
There was a dangerous glint in Task's eyes. "Kai, isn't it?" he said mockingly. "I saw you on a wanted poster. A hundred million bel bounty on your head. So you're equal to Morde."
Kai's eyes narrowed. "No. I'm stronger than him."
Task laughed. "HAHAHAHAHAA! Don't make me laugh, Kai! You can't even stand next to him. Not in power, not in potential."
Kai's fists clenched. A determined fire burned in his eyes. "Do you want to see? Do you want to see if I'm equal to Morde—no, if I'm stronger than him?"
The mocking expression on Task's face disappeared instantly. He grew serious. "Show me then, brat."
Kai took a deep breath. He focused his entire being into a single point.
"ULTIMATE TECHNIQUE: SOUL BONDING! "
Suddenly, four soul arrows appeared behind him. The arrows, composed of pure white energy, seemed to glow.
"GO! FIRST ARROW, TAKE HIS LIFE! "
The first arrow shot forward at high speed. Task's eyes widened. What is this? I feel death! If that hits me, I will definitely die!
INSIDE THE DOMAIN – SHADOW REALM
Morde was pounding Swain with black fists. Swain's mouth and nose were bleeding, he was exhausted. But the king's will was still keeping him on his feet.
I knew Morde would be strong... But I didn't know he would be this strong. Even if I get out of here alive, I can no longer fight.
His vision was beginning to darken. But the voice inside him was clear.
I have no choice... I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO USE THE POWER OF THE INFINITE FORTRESS! I'M SORRY, NEXAN!
He was swaying left and right, barely standing.
Morde formed a black sword in his hand to deliver the final blow. Just as he was about to bring it down on Swain's neck...
He hesitated.
He stepped back.
"HA?" he muttered, bewildered. "What's happening? My energy is being drained very quickly! What's causing this?"
Swain, though struggling, began to speak. Blood was flowing from his lips. "You remember the crows that attacked you before you opened the domain, don't you?"
Morde's eyes widened.
"Those crows... left a curse on you." Swain's voice was weakening, but the pride inside him was still shining. "And this curse will last until I die. Until all your energy is drained... And in the end, you will die."
At that moment, the domain closed.
The black dome dissipated. The sight that emerged shocked all of Nexan.
Two thousand people had entered. Those who came out were only Morde, King Swain, and the shadow army.
OUTSIDE THE DOMAIN – BATTLEFIELD
Just as Kai's soul arrow was about to hit King Task, a shadow soldier suddenly jumped in front of Task. The arrow struck the shadow soldier and instantly turned him to dust.
Kai immediately deactivated his technique. "Ugh! It was about to hit!" he grumbled. "Morde's domain duration ended. What luck!"
All of Nexan was looking at Morde and King Swain. Both were completely exhausted.
Kai frowned. "King Swain was already tired when he entered... But there was nothing wrong with Morde. What happened to him?"
King Task asked the same question: "Morde? What happened to you?"
Captain Terex nodded proudly. "Bravo, King Swain! Nothing less was expected from you!"
Amper called out worriedly: "My King! Are you alright?"
Swain raised his head with difficulty. "Amper... I-It's time to implement the plan."
Amper's eyes widened. "What? Why do we have to implement it, My King? Morde is exhausted too! We can win this battle right now!"
At that moment, dark energy exploded around Morde.
Morde shouted: "RETURN, SHADOW ARMY! "
The entire shadow army immediately retreated and gathered around Morde. His energy skyrocketed in an instant. But he wasn't done.
Morde struck his palm on the ground. "SHADOW HARVEST! "
Some of the fallen soldiers rose again. But this time they weren't human. They were in complete shadow form.
Swain's eyes widened in horror. "His energy has tripled! He is now many times stronger than he was at the beginning of the battle! This is unbelievable!" He paused for a moment, realizing the truth. "The ability to evolve and grow stronger in battle... It seems we never had a chance from the very beginning."
He looked at the sky. His eyes filled with tears.
"I'M SORRY! "
Everyone's eyes widened like saucers.
And at that moment, King Swain shouted with all his might:
"BE RELEASED, INFINITE FORTRESS! "