Crack!0

The blade's tip sank diagonally into the molten ground, the etched Mantra circuits flickering briefly before losing their glow entirely.0

Ian crouched low as he landed, then hurled backward, rolling across the ground just in time.0

Thud. Crash—0

The massive beast's severed neck fell to the ground, fully detached from its head. Black ichor, thick as oil, poured from the jagged stump, pooling around the corpse.0

Ian sprang to his feet, his gaze darting skyward. There were still enemies left—the draconic beasts.0

Yet, as he looked up, his frown deepened, and his grip on his sword slackened.0

The creatures hovered midair, their leathery wings beating in hesitation. Whether it was the massive beast’s death that unsettled them or their recognition of Ian’s strength, he couldn’t tell.0

Whoosh—0

A violet glow flowed from the slumped corpse of the massive beast. Shimmering like a heat haze, it slowly rose into the air. An ethereal mist flowed from the wounds Ian had carved into the beast. It was all the magic and chaos energy that the massive beast had contained.0

The violet haze burst forth even from the severed head and neck, but unlike the rest, this mist didn't rise skyward. Instead, it spiraled inward, forming a massive vortex around Ian.0

Thrum, thrum—0

A deep reverberation from the fragment of chaos coursed through his body. Though his face twisted...0