Chapter 339: Crimson Blade (Part 2)
In the extradimensional space, the air twisted, and a scorching glow emerged from the red dragon's throat.
"Quick! Scatter!"
"It's dragon breath!"
Dexus shouted angrily.
The members of "Crimson Blade" employed their various skills: some took flight, others vanished into shadows, and some teleported away, scattering in all directions.
"Boom!"
Torrents of blazing fire poured down, transforming the area into a sea of flames. All their preparations melted under the intense heat.
Cassius, his massive body engulfed in flames, continuously slammed into the space, tearing apart the barrier separating it from the material plane with his sharp teeth and claws.
"With such laughable methods, you dare to dream of slaying a dragon?"
"I've seen too many of your kind who overestimate themselves!"
"And in the end, their fate is always the same—reduced to ashes!"
With the red dragon's roar, the surrounding space trembled violently, on the brink of collapse.
After repeated impacts, dense cracks like cobwebs appeared in the void. With a crisp sound, the space completely shattered. Even Klein's full efforts couldn't hold it together.
Exposed to the material plane's open sky, they fell to the ground amidst the battlefield's chaos.
"Everyone, do not fear!"
"After such a battle, he doesn't have much energy left!"
Dexus Flaregold spread his wings mid-air, raising his golden longsword high. The sun emblem on its hilt, bearing a carved face, shone brilliantly as he shouted.
"Foul dragon! In the name of the Eternal Lord of Radiance, Ammanata—I will bring you to your final end!"
Instantly, a ray of sunlight descended from the heavens, bathing the red dragon.
This was the power of the Avenger Paladin: Vow of Annihilation!
Dexus channeled the power of the Sun God, instilling fear of order and justice in his enemy. This technique was especially effective against fiends and undead.
The red dragon high in the sky glowed under the divine radiance but continued to flap his massive wings.
Klein also cast a spell, summoning thick spiritual chains mid-air that wrapped tightly around the red dragon's enormous form.
"Black Knight of Vengeance… Familiar tactics."
A glint of interest flickered in Cassius' golden slit pupils.
The red dragon barely exerted force, and the light enveloping him dimmed significantly. The chains rattled and trembled.
"Quick! Take this chance to kill him!"
"His power is overwhelming! My divine guidance and Klein's spell won't hold for long!"
Dexus shouted urgently.
The "Crimson Blade" companions instantly understood.
"Massacre of Foes!"
Gromla raised his hand crossbow, shooting a bolt shrouded in black mist—a dragon-slaying arrow.
At the same time, Ingrid, her expression devout, raised her staff high. The sun emblem at its tip radiated dazzling brilliance.
"Holy Flame Strike!"
A column of divine fire descended from the heavens with a roar.
"Blade of Calamity!"
Klein raised his staff, pointing it towards the red dragon, conjuring a planar rift resembling a sword several feet long.
The black-misted bolt flew swiftly, transforming into a giant arrow as thick as an arm mid-air. The divine flame descended from the skies, and the blade of calamity tore through the void.
Three legendary-level attacks converged from different directions, targeting the red dragon in the sky.
For an ordinary dragon, even an ancient red dragon, such focused attacks would inflict serious injuries. Unfortunately for them, they faced Cassius.
Dragons naturally possess magic resistance, making ordinary spells ineffective. But this dragon's essence was terrifyingly high.
"Roar—"
The red dragon let out a resounding roar, spreading his massive wings and shattering all restraints.
The Sun God's radiance, the magical chains, and mental interference dissipated instantly as he unleashed his power.
[Dispel Magic]
Anti-magic rays emanated, creating massive spherical anti-magic fields. Ingrid's divine fire was extinguished, and Klein's spatial blade was swallowed.
The dragon-slaying arrow, aimed straight at his heart, was casually pinched between the dragon's claws.
Enhanced by numerous dragon spells, his strength, speed, and reflexes had reached terrifying levels.
"Dragon-slaying arrow? An amusing trinket."
Cassius sneered, sensing the potent dragon-killing magic imbued in the arrow. Had it pierced his heart, even he would suffer grievous harm.
Clearly, Leo Bosk had spared no expense. This was indeed a formidable team of adventurers, capable of challenging even ancient dragons.
"How could this be?"
"That arrow…"
Grom's face was filled with disbelief as he looked skyward, only to meet the red dragon's gaze. Those golden eyes, deep as an abyss, glimmered with a faint smile.
Instantly, the ranger felt overwhelming pressure from all directions, freezing time and space.
That was the dragon's charisma, powerful enough to warp reality.
Grom stood motionless, holding his breath, completely dazed.
Such inaction was a fatal mistake in combat, something a legendary ranger like him should've known well. The consequences were swift.
"Swish—"
A massive arrow pierced through the air, impaling Grom's chest and pinning him to the ground.
"Ugh…"
Grom slowly lowered his gaze, coughing up blood. He realized the arrow that struck him was the very dragon-slaying arrow he had fired.
"Grom!"
Ingrid's expression changed drastically. She raised her staff in panic, attempting to cast a life-saving barrier.
But before she could act, the arrow erupted in blazing flames, engulfing Grom's slender form entirely.
With a brief scream and the sound of burning flesh, all that remained on the ground was a vague, human-shaped pile of ash.
"No—"
"Let me go! Let me leave! I want to escape to the Shadow Abyss!"
Grom's soul turned into a dark shadow, attempting to flee.
However, the crimson flames followed relentlessly, burning the shadow into nothingness. His agonizing cries echoed in the air.
The legendary ranger, Shadow Tracker Grom Duarte, was dead, beyond even the reach of True Resurrection.
"No… This is…"
"Slaying a dragon… What a joke…"
Ingrid shook her head gently, her golden eyes filled with terror. Her voluptuous body, wrapped in a white robe, trembled.
She had never encountered such a terrifying foe.
Everything happened too quickly. In just a few breaths, with the battle barely begun, their team had suffered a loss.