I Became a Ruined Character in a Dark Fantasy-Chapter 625

The fusion, firm as packed clay, pushed Ian’s feet up. He stomped down to leap, raising his Light Sword.

Swoosh!

As he soared, his gaze remained fixed on the approaching bone. It seemed so much larger now, likely because he was back in his body.

Thump... Thump...

A bluish Mantra circuit shimmered on the surface of the massive object, which resembled a skull or an egg. Ian's eyes narrowed at the pulse emanating from beyond it.

There’s definitely more than one layer.

That was as far as his thought went. The number of layers meant nothing. Clutching the hilt in both hands, he brought the blade down with all his strength. The golden arc traced through the air and struck dead center on the bone.

However, the blade couldn't break through.

Thud, thud, thud—

The Mantra circuit on the surface flared pale blue, blocking the attack.

Blinding sparks flew from the Light Sword, and the Mantra circuit flickered. Despite the jarring recoil in his wrists and the sweltering heat, Ian gritted his teeth and forced the blade down. The magical edge was slowly but surely cutting through the Mantra and digging in.

Clang!

A sudden shockwave hit him before the strike could break through, flinging him back. Ian was helpless in midair. He grimaced at the heat washing over him.

Thwack—

A thick tentacle caught him from behind. Yog had pulled one from the fusion’s core and given it to him.

The purple tentacle, thicker than his thigh, wrapped firmly around his back with a slick hiss.

—See? You need my help.

Ian glanced down at the fusion, its form split in half and spread open like wings. He re-gripped the Light Sword and nodded.

—Alright, let's try again.

As Yog whispered, the tentacle that was coiled around Ian’s back lunged forward. The massive blue mass pulsing with heat loomed close in an instant. Ian gritted his teeth, raised the Light Sword, and brought it down again with all his strength.

Boom, boom, boom!

The yellow arc slammed into the middle of the Mantra circuit. Yellow sparks flew from the blade as the blue light flickered violently. Even as his arms trembled under the strain and the heat clawed at him, Ian bore down harder. The tentacle on his back braced him, adding its strength to the push.

Crackle!

The blade, having slowly carved through the Mantra, finally touched the bone beneath. Ian tilted the sword's tip down slightly and gritted his teeth so hard they could shatter.

Thud, thud, thud—

The yellow blade sliced through the blue Mantra circuit and the bone beyond it. It moved so fast, as if speeding up, that Ian had to drop to one knee as he landed. The Mantra circuit, splitting in a fan shape above him, flickered erratically and then exploded.

Boom!

Pale blue sparks scattered wildly as a blast of heat pressed down on him. Only the tentacle’s hold kept him from being hurled away. At the same moment, the Heaven Defier’s entire body lurched violently.

—You wretch!

The furious roar reverberated through its flesh. Simultaneously, its body convulsed again as if slammed.

—Archeas! You utterly despicable—

The muffled roar of the Platinum Dragon rolled through the air, shaking the battlefield as the Heaven Defier’s body twisted under the assault.

Ian, already used to the turbulence, stood his ground and lifted his gaze. Blue magic swirled within his eyes.

Fwoosh—

The Frost Wave erupted from beneath his feet. The blue sparks died down, and the blistering heat inside the beast eased.

Yog’s whisper came at the same time.

—The heart seems to be just beyond that. Let's make a hole.

Like slicing a watermelon?

Ian twisted his torso left, raising the Light Sword horizontally. The next instant, he swung hard in the opposite direction.

Swoosh— Boom!

The Light Sword shot out and sank into the bone with almost no resistance. Feeling the vibration run through the hilt, Ian swung through completely as the tentacle yanked him to the right. The shining blade tore free from the outer shell.

Crack—

He immediately bent his knees, letting the Light Sword hang low. A moment later, he leaped upward, bringing the sword up in a diagonal slash.

Skreeeeeee!

The blade sliced upward through the bone. The tentacle at his back pulled him higher. Even as a strange, ominous pulse ran through the weapon, Ian raised his arms all the way, refusing to stop.

Crunch!

The blade finally shot out. A triangular chunk of bone tilted forward just as Ian, pulled by the tentacle, floated backward.

Thwack, swoosh—

The tentacle shot out, wrapped around the bone chunk, and hurled it aside. The spinning fragment flew and embedded itself in the nearby fascia.

—Ah. There it is. That’s the real one.

Yog’s voice was casual, almost lazy.

Ian descended slowly through the heat as the tentacle lowered him, his expression just as calm. His eyes locked onto the gap he’d opened. Beyond it was another spherical bone structure, its surface lined with glowing blue Mantra circuits.

Thump— Thump—

A much clearer pulsation emanated from it. Each beat pulsed a wave of intense heat out of the hole.

Blue magic swirled in Ian's eyes.

—Let’s finish this, Friend. I really can’t hold much longer.

Guiding him toward the hole, Yog whispered again. Ian placed his boot on the flat surface of the broken bone. Then, without hesitation, he stretched out his left hand.

Swoosh—

The Frost Wave billowed from his palm. It dissipated quickly, but that was all he needed.

"------!"

A roar of agony tore through the dragon’s body, as if it had realized what was happening inside it. The Heaven Defier’s entire frame convulsed, but Ian ignored it and kicked off.

Swoosh—

He shot forward. The Light Sword, gripped in both hands, flew in a straight line toward the heart of the Mantra circuit.

Crzzt—

Blue light flared violently as the blade struck. Ian thrust forward with all his strength. There was no need for a long cut this time. He just needed to pierce through and reach the heart.

Crack, crack...

As the blade tore through the Mantra circuit, an ominous sensation traveled up the hilt. The Truesilver Steel Sword clearly couldn't take much more.

However, Ian activated the Willful Grasp and forced the blade in deeper without slowing.

Crunch!

The edge sliced through, plunging into the bone beyond. He could feel the weapon beginning to shatter, but he only pushed harder, driving both arms forward.

Crackle—

The crossguard slammed into the flickering Mantra circuit. The unending heartbeat fell silent, and the Heaven Defier’s body froze mid-heave.

Grimacing against the intense heat, Ian twisted the hilt. With the sound of the blade disintegrating, the Mantra circuit's light dimmed and faded.

Rumble...

Then came the violent tremor. Ian’s eyes narrowed as the Mantra circuits flared back to life, boiling with unstable light.

"-------!"

The Heaven Defier’s shriek vibrated through. At the same instant, the tentacle on Ian's back yanked him backward like an arrow. The broken blade, less than half its length remaining, pulled free. The yellow Mantra circuit on its surface was fading erratically.

However, Ian didn't spare the sword a glance.

Fwoosh—

From the wound he’d made, dark blue, molten blood erupted like magma, igniting the Mantra circuits in a chain of explosions. The surrounding air burned white-hot, closing in fast.

Ian threw his arms up to shield his face.

Splat—

The split fusion body snapped shut, swallowing him whole. A rush of cold, viscous darkness flooded his vision as his body was hurled backward, launched away like a projectile through the consuming void.

Explosions and heat swirled around him. The sensations faded to nothing, then slowly sharpened once more.

Rumble, rumble, rumble...

Ian realized he was back in the fusion's senses.

The explosion had swallowed them, and Yog was pulling the tentacles back at incredible speed, retreating through the chaos.

—I told you to trust me, my friend.

Even as they were hurled backward, Yog whispered.

Yeah... you did.

Ian let out a breathless laugh. He didn’t bother reclaiming control of the body.

"------!"

The Heaven Defier’s shriek was still echoing. As its body convulsed, Archeas's voice cut through.

—Get out of there, Ian. Now!

I would if I were the one in control right now.

Ian tilted his head slightly upward. He was ascending the hole in the Heaven Defier's chest, moving through the swirling smoke. The tentacles were bubbling from the heat, but they relentlessly shot out, one after another, pulling his body upward.

Thwak—

Ian burst out of the wound like a shot, spinning midair. The next thing he saw was a massive violet hand reaching toward him at lightning speed.

Thud.

The Platinum Dragon’s large hand closed around him. Despite the speed of the movement, the grip was gentle. Still, Ian felt as if he were being crushed. T

A moment later, the dragon swung its arm outward.

Whoosh—

Ian was flung through the air. The Platinum Dragon had thrown him clear.

Despite feeling like a formless mass, Ian observed the battlefield retreating. He saw the Heaven Defier, still pinned, and the Platinum Dragon standing over it.

"-----!"

The Heaven Defier reared its head, roaring as its eyes blazed. Azure flames sputtered from its mouth, flaring and then dying. The Platinum Dragon, pinning its foe with wings and claws, was raising both hands overhead. Its arms and head were covered in wounds, proof of the brutal fight.

However, something else caught Ian's eye.

Did it pull out the stake that was in its wing?

The Platinum Dragon was now holding a long stake, its sharp point aimed downward. The Platinum Dragon slammed the stake down.

Crunch!

With a sickening sound, the Heaven Defier’s scream died, as if deflating. Ian instantly realized it had driven the stake straight through its neck.

Fwoosh—

A pair of violet magic wings unfurled from the Platinum Dragon’s back. They beat once, and the dragon’s body lifted from the ground, rising backward in a slow, majestic ascent.

Splat, crash!

Then, Ian hit the ground and skipped like a stone. The world spun as he realized his body was melting.

—We’ve hit our limit... Friend.

Yog’s strained whisper came. Its voice was thick with exhaustion.

Ian didn’t need to wonder why.

Splat— Thud—

After bouncing several more times, Ian finally broke free from the fused mass and tumbled into open air. He wasn’t sure when his consciousness had returned, though it was hardly important.

Sssshhhh...

He rolled a few more times before coming to rest face down on scorched earth. Every muscle screamed in protest, and thick, violet steam drifted up around him in trembling waves.

"Phew... Phew..."

Only when the heat seeped back into his skin did he notice his armor was completely ruined. That, too, hardly mattered.

Whoosh—

Panting, Ian pushed himself up onto his hands. The Platinum Dragon had vanished, yet the Heaven Defier still lay slumped among the mountain of dragon bones, half-buried and motionless.

As Ian expected, a long stake was deeply lodged in the center of its neck. Both of its hands pressed desperately over the gaping hole in its chest, as though trying to stop the molten stream of black-blue blood spilling out.

—We went through quite an ordeal, but...

However, it clearly wasn't working. Acrid smoke billowed around it. The blood spilling from its back was likely burning the bones beneath it.

—Looks like... we did it, Friend.

Yog’s whisper came weak and drowsy as it slithered up his arm, tightening faintly around his wrist.

Just then, the Heaven Defier’s arms fell limply to its sides.

—So... my wish... ends in such pitiful ruin...

A low, grating voice spread out. Its flickering blue gaze moved past Ian, staring into the distance.

—But don’t rejoice yet... Archeas...

Ian easily deduced it was looking at the Platinum Dragon. A heavy sound and a rush of air, like something landing, echoed behind him.

Ian didn't turn.

Fwoosh—

A blue light flared from the holes in its chest and abdomen, which were still oozing blood. The next moment, black-blue chaos erupted outward, roiling like a storm.

—Just as you won through deceit... so too shall I cling to life through any means!

Its body heaved. Within the swirling chaos power, the half-melted forms of spirits appeared.

—I will return one day... whole again... united as one!

The dying vow dissolved into a cacophony of wailing spirits. Their twisted forms were swept upward into the vortex of chaos, spiraling toward the ceiling as their screams grew faint.

Whooom...

The spirits seeped through the flickering seal and vanished. The eruption of chaos power subsided only after the last spirit was gone. As the blue vortex dissipated, streaming down the cavern walls, Ian’s gaze returned to the dragon.

Ssshhh...

The Heaven Defier lay perfectly still. The light in its eyes and on its scales was gone. Only acrid smoke still drifted from it.

A quest completion window appeared before Ian.

He stared at it for a moment, brow still furrowed, before dismissing it with a flick.

"Even your soul has withered away in the end, Rakhmah..."

The quiet voice came from behind. Ian blinked and turned his head.

"It split its soul. Then it mixed the pieces with the remaining souls of the apostles it had swallowed."

It was Archeas. Now in human form, it approached, wearing a gray hooded cloak. Its hands were clasped behind its back, and it moved with its usual gliding gait.

"As you know, a soul always tries to return to the body. It has split its soul and fled to its apostles."

Meeting Ian’s eyes, Archeas smiled faintly. Its current form looked no different from usual. Its eyes, too, had returned to their golden color.

"So you're saying its apostles have been revived as its avatars?" Ian finally asked.

He was worried about the Platinum Dragon’s condition, but he figured he would find out soon enough.

Archeas shook its head as it came closer. "Its soul can no longer even be called a dragon. It's neither human nor a dragon. It merely split into... something... that isn't even whole. It knew the risks of splitting a soul, but..."

Its gaze shifted to Rakhmah’s body. "It must have had no other choice. Those last words weren't a prophecy. They were desperate wishes, a vow to itself. It's hoping for a miracle."

"Then I'll have to hunt them all down and kill them, to erase any possibility," Ian added quietly, looking back at Rakhmah’s corpse. The smoke was fading, and the spilled blood seemed to have hardened.

"If you must... I will not stop you." Archeas stopped beside Ian and turned. "But before that, there is one more thing you must do, Ian."

Ian, sitting back on his heels, looked up. Archeas smiled and brought its hands out from behind its back.

In its hand was a sword with a dark blade. It was a sword Ian knew well.

Archeas held the Black Sword with both hands, looking down at Ian with a smile. "There is still one dragon left to kill, is there not?"

Ian’s expression twisted. It wasn't just because of what Archeas had said. The moment Archeas finished speaking, another quest window had appeared.

[Faded Gold. Archeas.]