Evan, who had been smashed into the wall, slowly rose to his feet, brushing the dust from his clothes and wiping the blood that leaked from his nose. His body healed swiftly, the wound closing up almost immediately.
"System, assign my stat points accordingly," Evan muttered as the stats window appeared before him.
[System has detected host command. Choose the amount to assign.]
[Assigning... +200 STR | +200 AGI | +200 END | +100 STA | +80 VIT]
[Warning: Major physiological adaptation in progress. Pain levels rising.]
A surge of power coursed through Evan's body, dulling the pain in his face and replacing it with a sense of strength that rivalled his worst adversaries.
"Hah, now let's see what your skill can do to me," Evan said, his eyes cold and calculating as he studied his newly enhanced stats, most of them nearing the +10 red-zone thresholds except for his SPT stat.
"Raven, there's still time to back away," Lucas shouted from across the room, his eyes narrowing. "I can forget what happened here. We can still be teammates like before... but if you don't, then today will be your last."
Evan's lips curled into a disdainful smile. "Lucas, you talk too much. As for being teammates again... it's impossible. One of us will end today, and it will be either you or me. No more chances."
Lucas's expression darkened as he called out his sword, seeing Evan do the same. The air between them crackled with tension.
In the blink of an eye, they disappeared from sight, their swords clashing with a metallic screech. Each strike sent vibrations through the air, shattering the walls, floor, and even the earth above them. Neither of them hesitated.
Evan, still at a disadvantage in terms of raw power, began utilizing every ability at his disposal. His talent for manipulation manifested through the environment around him. Earth—the element he wielded—became a tool to hinder Lucas. Spikes erupted from the ground, walls of stone rose to trap him, and the terrain itself seemed to rebel against the dragon-blooded fighter.
Lucas, however, wasn't backing down. Evan also activated his new talent, placing a gravity field around Lucas that slowed him, reducing his attack force and mobility.
But Evan wasn't finished. He manipulated the gravity around his own swords, lightening them to strike faster and harder, exploiting Lucas's now-slowed movements.
The battle raged on. Lucas's skill, Dragon Fear, was unleashed in the chance to lower his stats. It drained Evan's stamina and imposed fear, but to his shock, Evan shook off the fear almost instantly, pushing through the mental assault with sheer willpower.
Fists collided with Lucas's scaled form, and Evan's punches landed with force, bypassing the dragon scales that covered Lucas's body. Over time, Lucas found himself on the defensive, barely able to land a blow as his stamina and health dwindled.
Despite the beating, Lucas gritted his teeth and demanded answers, struggling to stay upright. "Who are you? Why are you doing this? We haven't done anything to you! Is this Darian's plan, or someone connected to that Gilder who did it to Mike?"
Evan's gaze turned cold. "Lucas, you're a fool. You still don't understand. The people you think are behind me pulling the strings are merely pawns in my game. I didn't attack you for power or some trivial gain like money or items." He sneered. "I was destined to battle you. Even the attack on you that day, the one from Tenebris, that was my doing."
Lucas's eyes widened in disbelief. "So it was you... but how wasn't your name Raven, the SS-ranked Necromancer?"
Evan's lips twitched into a mocking smile. "Really? Then why don't you check my status again?"
Lucas, still reeling from the shock, used his talent to look deeper.
[Name: ????? ?????]
[Tier: ??]
[Level: ???]
[Class: ?????? (????)]
[Talent: ???????]
[Skills: ?????]
[Note: ???????.]
Lucas's face twisted in confusion. "But how? My talent should be able to detect everything!"
Evan scoffed, his voice dripping with contempt. "Lucas, after coming to this world, have you lost your mind? You rely too heavily on your talent. You should've paid attention to the bigger picture and that mistake... it's going to cost you."
Lucas's eyes narrowed, and he quickly checked again, his heart sinking as the truth became undeniable.
[Name: Raven]
[Tier: 0]
[Level: 70]
[Class: Necromancer {D}]
[Talent: None]
[Skills: ....]
[Note: An unworthy companion not to become even simple support for the future for being a low grade-class holder.]
"What...?" Lucas stammered, his world beginning to crumble around him. "But you're not supposed to be him... you're an SS-grade Necromancer! You... you're using some tricks!"
Evan chuckled darkly. "You still don't get it, do you? Check my status one last time. If you want the truth, it's right there."
With trembling hands, Lucas opened his talent again. What he saw next made his heart freeze.
[Name: Evan Ravencall]
[Tier: 0]
[Level: 70]
[Class: Necromancer {D}, Magic Swordsman {A}]
[Talent: None]
[Skills: ....]
[Note: A worthy companion to become quite good support for the future for being a duo-class holder.]
But what caught his attention more than the class and level was the note. The words burned into his mind like a cruel mockery.
"A worthy companion to become quite good support for the future for being a duo-class holder."
Evan slowly removed the mask he'd been wearing, and Lucas's face turned ashen. His mouth went dry.
"Look at me, Lucas. See the truth now," Evan said, his voice low and filled with cold resolve.
Lucas's hands trembled as he saw the man who had been before him—the person he thought was just a mere necromancer—was someone else entirely. The last shred of his certainty shattered.
Evan's words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of his revelations. "I was formed to kill people like you. You, who are so-called protagonists, who rely on cheats and endless power-ups. Your fate ends today."
As Lucas stood frozen, his world turned upside down. His mind raced as the mask of Evan's identity slipped away, revealing the true enemy standing before him.
{Lucas' POV}
I was being brutally beaten by Raven, unable to comprehend how he matched my strength even after I used my Bloodline and system enhancements. Even my strongest skill, Dragon Fear, which had never failed me before, was ineffective against him.
No matter what I tried, the tide was turning against me. Raven, or Evan as I now knew him to be, relentlessly tore through my defences, and I found myself once again crashing to the ground. Every plan I had, every expectation, was shattered.
But as I lay there, battered and broken, I tried to buy myself some time to heal. That was when he instructed me to scan him again, repeatedly. Each time, his status seemed to change, growing more and more incomprehensible until he finally grew tired of my shock.
With a scoff, Evan unequipped his mask, and the person behind it was revealed.
It was Evan Ravencall—the very man I had been trying to recruit to my team. And yet, as I looked at his status, I realized that everything I had known was a lie.
[Name: Evan Windstone]
[Tier: 0}
[Title: Limit Breaker, Holder of the Monarch Physique]
[Level: 70]
[Physique: Death Monarch]
[Class: Necromancer (SS), Mage (E), Weapon Master (F), Blacksmith (B), Alchemist (S), Rune Enchanter (S!)]
[Talent: Plunder (Quasi God-Rank), Infinite Evolution & Enchantment (Supreme), Supreme Adaptation (Supreme), Transcendent Body (Transcendent), Replica of Halo of Luck Goddesses (Quasi God-Rank), Gravitic Vein (A), Reaper's Frenzy (D)]
[Skills: N/A]
[Note: An anomaly who is behind the true plan to bring down the host from destiny, holding the true pinnacle physique to harness the most powerful elements inside of him.]
I stared in disbelief. This was impossible. How could he hold six classes and seven talents? Even I, with my SSS-tier talent, couldn't fathom it. And then the system confirmed my fears.
[System Alert: Danger]
The enemy is a Monarch-grade entity. This being, Evan, is beyond the reach of your current power. Flee now to survive.
I scoffed at the system's warnings. "What do you mean? I have the bloodline of dragons! This physique—Death Monarch—can't be all-powerful, right? How could someone like him defeat me?"
[System Alert: Monarch-level entity detected]
The host is advised to flee. The Death Monarch is said to be above even ancient dragons. Only the Peak Dragon Monarch or Primordial Dragon could rival this being in the same tier.
The system's words echoed in my mind, but I refused to give up. "I won't leave my loved ones to be destroyed by him," I gritted through my teeth. "Tell me how to kill him, and we'll deal with the consequences later."
[System Alert: New Quest Generated]
Quest: Dragon's Dignity and Pride
Danger Level: Abyss
Time Limit: 15 Minutes
Description:
You stand at the precipice of life and death, locked in battle with a Death Monarch. True dragons do not bow—they rise. Awaken your dormant bloodline and ignite the storm within you. Only by unleashing your true draconic pride can you hope to ascend beyond mortal limits. Fail, and you will be forgotten. Succeed, and you will carve your name into legend.
Rewards:
- Dragon Emperor Physique (Mythical Awakening)
- Dragon Bloodline Purity +10%
- +500 All Stat Points
- New Talent Voucher (S-Transcendent Grade)
- Battle Pet Egg (Unknown Growth Type)
- Growth-Type Weapon: [Sealed Draconic Relic]
Penalty:
Immediate Death
Soul and Bloodline Instability (if revived)
Quest Alert: Life and Death Status. External interference is prohibited.
Do you accept the quest?
[Accept] | [Decline]
Without a moment's hesitation, I accepted. "I accept. Start the quest now!" I shouted, my body surging with newfound energy.
As the system initiated the quest, I felt an overwhelming surge of power coursing through me. It was like my blood was igniting—boiling with the force of a storm. My stats were boosted dramatically, and I felt my body become something more, something primal.
[System Alert: Dragon Warlord State Activated]
All stats increased by 200%.
Dragon skills increased by +2 levels.
Temporary Skill: Dark Dragon Breath activated.
May the host overcome death itself.
"Now that's what you call real help," I grinned, my body crackling with energy. Raven—no, Evan—still stood before me, his expression unchanged. But I knew, deep within, that things had just shifted. This fight was far from over.
[POV's END]
The atmosphere had thickened with the weight of something beyond the battle at hand. As Lucas stood before Evan, his transformation into a true dragon-like form was a sight to behold. But deep down, Evan knew this wasn't the real power Lucas held. He'd seen it before—the desperation, the pride in his words, and now, the system's warnings flashing in his mind.
It was clear that Lucas was relying on his last gambit. His trump card. Evan only had to wait it out.
"Raven, behold the power of the Overlord form!" Lucas shouted, his figure expanding, claws sharpening, and scales gleaming. He looked every bit the part of a true Dragonid now, no longer just the pretender he had been.
"Still taking help from cheats, huh?" Evan smirked, his undead army moving forward. "Then come, let me show you mine too."
Evan had already activated Corrupting Touch, a passive effect that would slowly wear down Lucas's body. His undead army surged forward, unyielding. There was no illusion in Evan's mind; Lucas's physical power might be extraordinary, but it was Evan's undead and his understanding of death that would win the fight.
But Lucas had a different approach. "Hah, these measly non-meat shields can't stop my advance, Evan! Prepare to die!" His voice dripped with arrogance. With that, he unleashed a barrage of dark, erratic flames from his mouth, decimating Evan's normal undead summons in seconds.
Evan wasn't surprised. He knew his lower-tiered summons were nothing more than cannon fodder for Lucas's dragon fire. But he wasn't worried. The real challenge was Lucas himself.
Still, there was no time for hesitation. As Lucas's dragon fire scorched the undead, Evan knew his only option was to stall until Lucas's power dwindled. The transformation was temporary—a burst of power meant to carry him through the next few minutes. Evan was patient.
The corruption seeped through Lucas's body, leaving visible wounds. Lucas's frustration was evident. Despite his draconic power, the corruption gnawed at him, and though he fought valiantly, it was clear he wasn't immune to its effects.
Evan observed the situation carefully. If Ilya were awake, she would have been a tremendous help right now. Evan had to hope that Lucas's time was limited. The minutes passed by, and he checked the remaining time on his quest: six minutes had already passed, leaving only nine more. But Lucas still hadn't reached him, and the undead were proving to be a pain in his side.
Lucas decided to take matters into his own hands, aiming to reduce the undead numbers quickly. He raised his hands and shouted, "
Evan didn't mind the loss of his undead army. He knew he could summon more, and wasting time would only increase his chances of being defeated.
He checked on Ilya and the other girl. He couldn't afford to let them wake up now. Not while the battle was ongoing. And with Lucas's luck, it could happen at any moment.
As he turned his attention back to the battle, Lucas closed in. "Where are you looking at, Evan? Have you forgotten that I'm still here? Maybe you got too confident after beating me so easily. Let me remind you of some pain."
Lucas, still battered and bloody, managed to close the gap quickly. He punched Evan, sending him crashing to the ground. The eagle that had been supporting Evan was also crushed under Lucas's wrath.
Evan struggled to rise. His body crackled with pain after the hit, but he was far from finished. Lucas's stats were clearly impressive, easily pushing 15 in red stats for both strength and endurance.
"Where are you looking at, oh Monarch of Death? Are you now fearing death itself?" Lucas taunted, raising his arm as the Frost Bind skill began to form in front of him, ready to freeze everything in its path.
Evan knew that if the attack connected, it would be the end. But just before the blast could hit, Evan disappeared in a blur, using Shadow Leap to appear just beside Lucas, who stood frozen in shock.
Without hesitation, Evan landed a punch to Lucas's gut, sending him flying back. The frozen ceiling shattered from the impact of Lucas's body.
Evan wasn't about to lose his chance. He used his Ice Manipulation to form arrows out of the ice above them and launched them at Lucas. At first, Lucas didn't dodge, confident his draconic scales would protect him. But as the arrows hit, the scales began to freeze and crack under the pressure, leaving him vulnerable.
Now forced to dodge, Lucas was overwhelmed by Evan's relentless assault. But in his haste, he forgot about the threat above. Evan's Arclash sword skill, infused with the Lightning element, slammed down upon him with a devastating Power Strike that shattered several of his scales, exposing the mutated flesh beneath.
Lucas tried to move, but Evan was already above him. Using his Seismic Rupture skill, Evan kicked Lucas squarely on the head, sending shockwaves through his skull, disrupting his balance and consciousness.
Lucas faltered, and Evan quickly swapped his sword for a spear, thrusting it into the weakened area where Lucas's frozen scales had already cracked. The spear pierced through Lucas's stomach, causing him to vomit blood as his internal organs were damaged beyond repair.
With a grunt, Lucas collapsed to the ground. Evan yanked the spear out, taking chunks of muscle with it. He tossed the spear aside and drew his Ignis Sword, ready to end it.
But just before he could decapitate Lucas, something strange happened.
Time itself seemed to freeze. The undead and everything around them came to a standstill, as though caught in a moment of suspended animation. Only Evan and Lucas remained unaffected, but Lucas's body was different—his hand now held the blade meant to kill him.
With a single flick of his wrist, Lucas's body shattered Evan's sword into pieces.
Evan, bewildered, backed away. No blood poured from Lucas's body anymore. His presence had changed—becoming something far different than before.
Confused and on alert, Evan spoke, "Who are you? And what have you done to Lucas's body?"
A bone-chilling laugh echoed from Lucas's mouth, but the voice wasn't his own. It was as if multiple voices were layered together.
"Hahahahahaha… What a crazy fellow you are. Not even affected by the law of a God-realm powerhouse? Quite amazing," the voice mocked.
Evan narrowed his eyes. "You're not Lucas… Who are you?"
The voice responded with a mocking tone. "Yes, but also no. I am but a mere fragment of the soul of the God who sent Lucas here. Kid, I order you to leave this child alive, and I will grant you several artifacts that will make you joyful. You will not regret sparing him."
Evan's eyes gleamed coldly. "So, you're offering me artefacts in exchange for sparing his life? Too bad, I've already accepted payment from other gods to finish him off. And with my side being stronger? Well, you know how this goes."
"You fool, do you think that your so-called backing gods can help you save from me? They won't even be able to enter this realm of mine. Be grateful that I am offering you this chance, or else I would have just killed you outright instead of talking."
"Oh... I see. Then you can try to kill me, but can you?" Evan's voice was calm but dripping with sarcasm. "If you had the chance, you should have done it the moment you appeared. So why bother with words now? You can't. If you try, something worse will happen to you. The better choice for me is to kill you, harvest your bloodline, skills, and Talent—it's much more beneficial."
"You ignorant mortal!" The god fragment's voice turned venomous. "You think I can't kill you? I was considering showing mercy, making you my believer, but now? Now you must die. Even though Lucas will lose my guidance for some time, I can reach out to him in a few months, but you? You die now!"
The god fragment raised its hand to strike, but just as it did, a system notification flashed before Evan's eyes, altering the very course of this battle.
[Detected: The host has devoured the Major Luck of the Destined one (Lucas Vale).]
[You've accumulated enough Plundered Luck points for the Relic bound to the host, initiating the reawakening process.]
[Awakening in progress...1%... 14%... 36%... 72%... 86%... 92%... 97%... 99%... 100%]
[Congratulations, host! Your Relic {?????????????} has awakened.]
[The Relic has been confirmed to be of a higher grade.]
[Relic Spirit has awakened with the Relic.]
[The Spirit {??????} is coming to life from its conscious slumber.]
Before the god fragment could react, a mysterious figure materialized in front of them, unaffected by the god's realm.
"Hoh... it looks like centuries have passed while I slept, and what I awaken to see is a measly half-baked Tier 6 fake god—not even a true candidate. What a shame." The figure's voice oozed with disdain.
The figure that appeared was tall and lean, formed from shifting shadows and faint golden outlines. His body was semi-transparent, draped in a long, torn dark robe that floated as if caught in a mist. Long silver hair, tied loosely, flowed behind him like underwater tendrils. His sharp golden eyes glowed faintly, like embers burning beneath the fog. His calm attitude and immense presence made his aura feel heavier than anything Evan had ever felt.
"Oh, so you're my bound host?" The figure glanced at Evan. "Well, you seem more promising than that previous bastard of my master. Ah, yes... Let me introduce myself. I am Arven, and I am the Relic bound to you."
The god fragment interrupted before Evan could process this new development. "Hey! Shut up! How did you enter my realm, and why aren't you affected by it?"
"Hah..." Arven scoffed, raising a hand dismissively. "This is why I can't stand impolite beings. You can't even wait for an introduction before diving into your pathetic questions." He raised a hand and, with a flick of his wrist, Lucas's body froze in place. The god fragment was torn from him, its power restricted by invisible chains, unable to move.
The god fragment's voice turned harsh with anger. "What have you done to me? Release me, or you will face extermination in the next few seconds!"
Arven's gaze locked onto the fragment, his voice icy and filled with contempt. "Listen, unworthy being. You should feel honoured to stand before me. I am the true ruler of souls. Even if your entire soul were here, I could end you in an instant. So, mind your words. Even this lesser version of you can be sent to the darkest pits of the Abyss, where no one can save you."
The fragment faltered, sensing the overwhelming power Arven wielded. Even its connection to its main soul had been severed, leaving it utterly powerless.
Arven turned back to Evan. "As I was saying, my host, I am Arven. I was formed by the greatest being, second only to the one who controls Death, Soul, and Life across the cosmos. And now you are chosen as the heir to that being. Be proud and face the reality—this is no dream."
Evan, still cautious, asked, "Before we continue, can we get out of this mess? I don't think this is the right time for such introductions."
Arven nodded, a smirk curling on his lips. "Very well. Let me deal with this fool first, and we can talk later."
With a casual flick of his finger, the soul fragment shattered, its existence unravelling like glass under a hammer. The god fragment's soul disintegrated as the system that connected Lucas to it was destroyed along with it.
Lucas's body, once hovering in the air, now fell to the ground, a broken shell. His connection to the divine was severed, and his power was lost. He was reduced to a crippled, unconscious form, his life force flickering like a dying flame.
As the god's realm crumbled into nothingness, Evan and Arven found themselves back in the dungeon. Ilya and Tess slept peacefully, unaware of the chaos that had unfolded.
Evan looked down at Lucas's motionless form. "Lucas... Now, even the god who sent you here is gone. There's no one left to save you. I could leave you alive, but living like this... it's not worth it. So, you can die peacefully. I won't harm your loved ones. My only enemy is the gods trying to take over this world."
Lucas struggled to speak, his voice weak. "Go on... but don't... you... dare to harm... them."
Evan's eyes narrowed. With a swift motion, he beheaded Lucas, ending his suffering in a single, merciful strike. Lucas's body fell limp, his final vision catching sight of Tess and Ilya as darkness claimed him.
Evan collapsed to the floor, exhausted. But there was one final task he needed to perform.
"Let me finish what I started before the final act begins..." Evan whispered, summoning his talent, {Plunder}.
Dark mist poured from his body, enveloping Lucas's remains. A series of notifications appeared.
{[Detected a Lv. 73 Semi-Dragonic Human Mage]
[What do you wish to do:]
[Host has chosen the Plunder function.]
[Plundering in progress...]
[No abilities detected. Extracting body stats, Talents, Bloodline, Skills…]
[Stats Absorbed ➤ +116 STR | +121 AGL | +96 INT | +67 VIT | +83 END | +99 STA]
[Talent Absorbed ➤ Draconic Insight (SSS Rank)]
[Bloodline Absorbed ➤ Dark Dragon (10%){Lord Grade}]
[Skills Absorbed ➤ Dragon Fear, Dragon Scales, Dragon Breath, Draconification]
[All acquired skills are being merged to complete the incomplete skill: Draconification (SS) ➤ Ability: True Dragon Body (SSS)]
[Detected host isn't assimilated to any type of Dragon bloodline: Ability and Talent are being invoked until the host gains a bloodline matching the requirement.]
[Host hidden stat: Luck is increasing massively due to killing the Destined one brimming with Luck. The talent has plundered the hidden stat, adding it to host Luck.]
[Host, are you ready to assimilate the bloodline or eject it?]}
Evan stared at the system panel in shock. He had gained far more than he expected from Lucas.
"System, eject it," Evan ordered. "But not on the ground—store it for now. I was prepared for this, after all. I brought this Tier 1 item, even if it cost me 10 million CP."
With a swift motion, he pulled out a small glass tube, a Bloodline Preservator, and collected the dark blood he had absorbed.
"Now, for the last part..." Evan said, picking up Lucas's sword from the ground.
With determination, he raised it high and drove it down into his own abdomen. Pain shot through his body as blood poured from his mouth, but he gritted his teeth and forced himself to stand.
"Arghhh..." he shouted, his body collapsing to the ground, but not before raising a bone wall around Ilya and Tess.
To be Continued...
It leaves us wondering why he chose to carry out such a bizarre plan to harm himself. What could possibly drive him to this? The mystery deepens as we await the release of new chapters, hoping to uncover the truth behind his actions.