Brian and Midnight were beaten to a pulp, Cobra got stuck in a tug‑of‑war with Hoteye and couldn't break free, the laser had already been defeated, and the Angel was nowhere to be found.
Gerald intercepted Kura and Yiye, but he was also being held back by Kura and Yiye.
Damn... I prepared meticulously this time, even stronger than during the Ghost period, so why does it end up like this?
Joseph knew the tide had turned.
Feeling the urge to retreat, he waved his hand, and dark magic turned into a black curtain that spread to obscure vision, while Joseph quietly slipped backward, trying to escape amidst the chaos.
But Mistress Gong had already sensed Joseph's intention.
A wand, placed there at an unknown moment, blocked his retreat. The magical array flickered, conjuring a fierce gust that instantly tore the dark curtain apart.
Where do you think you're going?
Elusha's cold voice rang out, "You were once one of the Holy Ten Great Mages, and now you want to run away? How utterly fallen you are."
Being scolded by a junior, Joseph's face turned the darkest shade, and he roared, "You don't understand anything!"
Why should we?
Naz never liked beating around the bush; Joseph's affairs were none of his concern. He only knew this might be his only chance, before becoming an S‑rank mage, to clash with someone who once held the 'Holy Ten' title.
He could brag about it when they got back.
And he could mock Grey, who hadn't even managed to get a seat at the table.
Just the thought of finally outshining his lifelong rival made Naz grin, "That greasy old ghost of the Ghost clan! Last time Hop stole the spotlight, this time we'll have our revenge!"
"Fire Dragon—Wing Strike!"
Naz ignited in blazing flames, hurtling toward Joseph like a meteor. His massive fiery dragon wings swept forward, colliding hard with the darkness Joseph had gathered.
Amid the explosion, Naz staggered back repeatedly.
Joseph's face turned ashen as he withdrew his hand. If Naz were in his Dragon Power mode, Joseph would indeed have to be cautious, but a normal Naz had no right to be this reckless.
You really underestimated me!
Darkness Corrosion!
The moment Joseph raised his hand, a massive wave of dark magic unexpectedly engulfed Naz, yet Elusha and Mistress Gong were not merely spectators; swords and spells followed in rapid succession.
The threat from Elusha and Mistress Gong was far beyond what a regular Naz could match, forcing Joseph to abandon his ongoing spell and turn to face them.
Meanwhile,
Midnight stepped back while casting a spell at the approaching Hop, "Space Distortion!"
"Distortion, huh?" Hop slammed his palm into Midnight's face, breaking through the warped space.
Father never hit me like that! After being taken from the Tower of Paradise by Brian, Midnight had been beaten before, and for a split second he was stunned, but his magic never paused.
"Space Rift!"
"Rift, huh?"
"Pain Spiral!"
"Spiral, huh?"
...
Hop ignored the 'twist' spells, delivering one palm after another to Midnight's face, each strike perfectly timed—no brain damage, just bewilderment.
Humiliated, Midnight's anger flared.
He thrust his palms together forcefully; a surge of magical power far greater than before radiated outward from him.
A huge purple sigil appeared beneath his feet, its rotating pattern filled with complex, eerie runes that emitted a chilling aura.
A long, midnight bell tolled.
In an instant, light bent, scenery warped, and Midnight transformed into a massive humanoid monster, roaring as he swung his gigantic hands down at Hop.
Whoa, you can still transform, huh?
Hop chuckled, "Too bad your current form, no matter how terrifying it looks, is all fake."
Hop stepped forward; silver ripples like water spread around him. He raised his hand, silver‑white light swirling at his fingertips.
The sky turned pitch black.
A beam of moonlight followed Hop's finger, striking the huge monster. The power of "Purity" instantly shattered the illusion, striking its core.
Bathed in the dense moonlight magic, the false giant dissolved into nothingness. Midnight barely had time to utter a sound before collapsing, eyes rolling white as he fell unconscious.
After defeating Midnight, Hop surveyed the chaotic battlefield, a faint smile curving his lips, "Well, I suppose it's time to end this farce."
At virtually the same moment, silvery moonlight fell precisely on every dark mage, its power too great even for the night itself; none of them could survive a single second.
In the blink of an eye, Hop appeared in the fight between Richard and Cobra, heading straight for Cobra.
Useless, I can hear every move you make!
Cobra's eyes gleamed with confidence; he had already "heard" Hop's next action.
It's the right leg... just dodge... "Uh—ah—"
Before his body could react, Hop's whip‑like kick struck Cobra's abdomen, forcing him to spit out a spray of blood and entrails.
He stared at Hop, disbelief written across his face.
Even though Cobra's 'Divine Ear' let him hear Hop's movement, his body couldn't keep up with Hop's speed.
Suddenly, a massive purple serpent burst forth, opening its gaping maw toward the approaching Hop.
Hop didn't dodge; he grabbed the serpent's seventh vertebra with a light grip, and the frantic beast instantly went limp.
A bond between master and servant, huh? Then I'll send you on your way.
Hop never liked snakes, and just as he was about to finish off the purple serpent, the barely conscious Cobra, somehow summoning a burst of strength, suddenly sprang to his feet and lunged at Hop.
Dodging to the side, Hop watched the snake‑like Cobra scramble up from the ground, "Looks like you really care about your pet."
Qubellios is no pet!
Cobra's frail body swayed, his eyes fixed on the purple serpent whose seventh vertebra Hop had pinched, "It's my most important partner... let it go!"
Hop was taken aback.
He had assumed the purple serpent was merely a tool Cobra bred for the 'Poison Dragon‑bane' spell, never expecting their relationship to be as equal as Naz and Habi's.
But when he saw the special look in Cobra's eyes toward the serpent, gooseflesh rose on his hands.
It was definitely that look of affection.
Wow, wow, wow! It's magical Juger!
Even in a world of magic, some love stories between humans and snakes never end...
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