“Cough!”0

The breath stuck in his throat suddenly burst out in one go, allowing him to breathe once again. 0

The remains of the red-stained ceiling came into view. The room was filled with choking black smoke, showing only glimpses of the shattered ceilings and walls. The incessantly flashing warning lights assaulted his eyes, blurring his surroundings. On top of that, the wailing alarms made him unable to think.0

Boom!0

An explosion resounded nearby, violently strengthening the flames burning the entire lab. The heat awakened the excruciating pain coming from his burned body and torn entrails.0

“Ugh…”0

Forcing himself up amidst the heat from the flames and the pain constricting his breathing, the devastation that had been unclear finally came into focus.0

Dozens of researchers had been vaporized without a trace, leaving only the spots where they had stood. And at the center of everything, the culprit behind the entire incident dominantly exuded its presence.0

Vwoooom-!0

The sword spewed flames in all directions, forming a seemingly endless sea of flames. If left alone, it would continue erupting until it eventually broke apart, but there was no way he would just let that happen.0

“Huff… huff…”0

Gritting his teeth, he put on the gauntlet he had prepared in advance and walked over to the sword, grabbing its hilt.0

Sizzle!!0

Upon contact, the terrifying heat began melting the gauntlet despite it having been prepared specifically for the sword.0

Just imagining what would have happened if his bare hand touched the sword made cold sweat trickle down his back, but he knew there was no time to be intimidated by such trivial matters when he didn't know when the main force would arrive.0

With that thought in mind, he forced his heavy body to move, when suddenly, he heard a voice that seemed to be cut off between syllables.0

“He—re.”0

Even though he knew he shouldn't look, his head slowly...0