Vol. 5 Ch. 105

“Kid, just charge forward—I’ll clear the way!”

“Thank you, senior!”

With a commanding wave, Odin unleashed a surge of powerful lightning magic, obliterating the horde of dangerous creatures blocking Leon’s path. A clear path to the sealing site was carved out in the midst of the chaos.

Leon advanced at full speed, gripping his blade. With Odin safeguarding his flanks, he had no fear of an ambush.

As he neared the site of the seal, Leon coated his Lightning Cloud Blade with Dry Bird Oil, creating a razor-sharp layer of electrical energy that pulsed with overwhelming power. Grasping the blade with both hands, he activated the fourth gate of the Nine Infernos, Divine Speed. His movement became so fast that even the sharpest eyes could barely follow his trajectory.

Shadow, standing at the center of the sealing site, remained unnervingly calm. It was as if he had predicted Leon’s arrival.

Though Shadow’s face was hidden beneath his dark robe, Leon could sense the utter confidence radiating from him. This man, who stood unmoving even as Leon closed in, clearly believed himself untouchable.

But Leon didn’t hesitate. Even if his attack couldn’t harm Shadow, he had to disrupt the unsealing of Ultimate Fear.

The blade, crackling with volatile lightning, slashed directly toward Shadow’s face.

Shadow, recognizing the danger, instantly abandoned the sealing magic. Planting his right foot firmly on the ground, he leapt backward, narrowly evading Leon’s powerful strike.

“Boom!”

The blade swept through empty air, the sheer force of it gouging a deep trench in the ground and kicking up a thick cloud of dust.

Leon didn’t pause. Before the dust could settle, he charged through it, blade raised, his relentless assault continuing.

Odin joined the fray, approaching from the opposite side. Together, the two launched a coordinated attack, their combined lightning magic filling the battlefield with deafening thunder and blinding flashes of light.

The pressure was immense, even for someone as powerful as Shadow. Any mistake would leave him vulnerable to the devastating aftermath of their magic.

Odin channeled all his lightning magic into his fingertips, forming an impossibly sharp blade of concentrated energy.

“S-class Lightning Magic: Thunder Piercer!”

This technique, using the caster’s body as the conduit, delivered unparalleled penetrative force. It surpassed the power of any enchanted weapon, but it came at a cost. Even a Dragon King as mighty as Odin risked significant injury using this attack.

Knowing the stakes, Odin held nothing back.

Leon, meanwhile, continued his relentless assault, his movements augmented by the Nine Infernos. Each swing of his Lightning Cloud Blade cut through the air with terrifying precision, seeking any weakness in Shadow’s defenses.

Shadow, facing their combined might, spread his arms wide. Beneath him, the ground rippled like water, creating massive, curved barriers on either side of him.

“Chaos Magic: Shadow Barrier.”

“Boom! Boom!”

Leon’s blade and Odin’s Thunder Piercer struck the barriers, sending shockwaves rippling through the battlefield.

Despite their immense power, neither attack left a mark on the walls.

“What kind of defense is this?” Odin muttered, a hint of frustration creeping into his voice.

“My Thunder Piercer can penetrate even a dragon’s scales, yet it didn’t leave so much as a scratch on this barrier…”

Shadow’s mocking voice echoed from behind the wall.“Did you really think your lowly magic could compare to the power of Chaos Magic? You’re nothing but insects, scrabbling at the surface of a power you can’t comprehend.”

Odin’s eyes narrowed, refusing to be baited by the taunts. Instead, he redoubled his efforts, pouring even more power into his attack.“If it exists, it can be destroyed!”

The lightning at his fingertips grew more intense, the sheer energy illuminating the entire area.

Leon, smirking, called out to Shadow.“Did you think our strategy was just a two-pronged attack?”

Shadow’s brow furrowed. “What…?”

Leon’s grin widened. “You weren’t paying attention to her.”

Before Shadow could react, a small, white figure leapt from the shadows behind him. She moved with a precision that suggested she had been lying in wait, watching for the perfect moment to strike.

Shadow turned just in time to see her—a young girl with blazing white dragon pupils, her eyes glowing with ancient power.

“Original Magic: Radiant Aurora Seal.”

Noa extended her arms, summoning four brilliant orbs of white fire. They burned with an intensity that illuminated the battlefield, surrounding Shadow from all directions.

Shadow’s expression darkened.“This magic…!”

“It’s the same magic that once sealed Ultimate Fear,” Noa said, her voice cold and unyielding. “If you’re so eager to unleash it, why not taste its punishment first?”

Leon and Odin broke through the Shadow Barriers with their final strikes, their lightning-infused attacks shattering the defenses. Noa’s sealing magic activated in tandem, the four orbs converging on Shadow, forming an impenetrable prison of light.

Shadow’s calm demeanor wavered as the flames closed in. For the first time, a hint of unease crept into his expression.

“No… this isn’t…”

The orbs detonated, engulfing Shadow in a blinding explosion of light.

“Seal complete,” Noa declared, her voice steady.

The battlefield fell silent as the brilliant light faded.

Claudia watched from a distance, her heart pounding. “Now that Shadow is sealed, we can…”

Before she could finish, a deep, bone-chilling roar shattered the silence.

A burst of violet flames erupted from the center of the battlefield, accompanied by an oppressive, suffocating aura. The air was heavy with despair, the cries of ancient souls echoing in their ears.

Leon clenched his fists, his voice low and grim.“Looks like… we failed.”

From within the flames, Shadow emerged, peeling away his dark robe.

It was none other than the former Emperor of the Empire.

Shadow smirked, his voice dripping with disdain.“To lead the Dragon Kings to this extent, you’ve earned my respect, Leon. But you should’ve stayed dead eight years ago.”

Behind him, the colossal form of Ultimate Fear began to materialize. Its immense, blackened mass loomed over the battlefield like a harbinger of doom.

Shadow spread his arms wide, his voice resonating with dark authority.“The game ends here. From this moment forward, this era shall be known as… the Age of Ultimate Fear.”