The forest felt different now.
When I first ran through these woods, I was desperate, terrified, clinging to survival with bloodied hands. Back then, the fog and twisted branches had hidden me from the world.
Now they felt like they were guiding me toward a grave.
The illusionary mountains slowly shimmered ahead of us, their false stone skin rippling before revealing the hidden dragon nation beneath. Golden lights glowed across towering structures built into the cliffsides, ancient dragon statues standing watch over the city like silent gods.
My stomach twisted.
"So…" I muttered bitterly, staring at the gates in the distance. "I really shouldn't have left this place."
Raiku stopped walking.
The entire group froze with him.
"Oh?" he asked softly, glancing back at me. "You've been here before, demon?"
I clicked my tongue and looked away.
Before I could answer, movement flashed beside me.
Lais Reed's kick shot toward my head.
My body reacted instantly.
I caught her leg midair and lifted it effortlessly above my shoulder. Her eyes widened for only a second before hardening again with hatred.
But beneath it…
hesitation.
"You're not like the others," I said quietly. "Don't become someone I'll regret killing."
I tossed her aside without harming her.
Raiku watched the entire exchange with amused eyes.
"That hatred inside you," he said calmly, "use it."
He pointed toward the city.
"Kill everyone."
My chest tightened.
"There are innocent people in there."
My voice came out sharper than intended.
"I won't do it."
For the first time, Raiku's expression darkened.
The world bent.
Pressure slammed into me from every direction at once. My knees buckled instantly as invisible force crushed against my bones and organs. It felt like the atmosphere itself wanted me dead.
I couldn't breathe.
Couldn't think.
Blood spilled from my mouth as my vision blurred.
This monster…
No.
This thing was beyond monsters.
"Do it," Raiku said softly.
The pressure intensified.
"I DON'T WANT TO DIE AGAIN! NOT FOR THE THIRD TIME!"
My aura exploded outward in violent waves of dark-purple energy, shattering the pressure around me. I staggered upright, breathing heavily, my eyes trembling as they locked onto the dragon nation below.
Then I raised my hand.
"Water Style: Typhoon."
The sky roared.
A massive tidal wave rose above the city walls like an incoming apocalypse.
"Lightning Style: Wraith Shock."
Purple lightning crashed into the water.
The city screamed.
Bodies convulsed in the flood below as electricity surged through streets and buildings alike. Towers collapsed. Flames spread. Panic echoed across the nation.
And then I saw them.
People in white clergy robes.
The same robes they had dressed me in.
Some were helping civilians escape.
Some were praying.
Some were staring at me not with hatred…
but confusion.
Horror.
Reverence.
"Dragon Lord…" someone whispered below.
My body froze.
The tidal wave continued behind me.
I descended anyway.
Edith and Zenith shifted into twin MP5s in my hands as dark wings spread from my back.
Holy magic erupted from the barrels.
Light tore through the streets.
Buildings shattered.
Bodies fell.
But the guards barely fought back.
Some dropped their weapons entirely.
Others bowed their heads.
One old man shielded a child with his body while staring at me with tears in his eyes.
"Why…" he whispered.
My hands shook.
The guns kept firing.
By the time silence finally arrived, the city was drowning in smoke and holy fire.
I collapsed to my knees.
The smell of burnt flesh filled the air.
My stomach twisted violently.
I vomited onto the bloodstained stone beneath me.
My breathing became uneven.
Around me were shattered dragon statues…
burning clergy robes…
and corpses that still looked at me like they believed I was something sacred.
A laugh escaped my throat.
Small at first.
Then louder.
Broken.
Empty.
My shoulders trembled violently as tears streamed down my face.
"Everywhere I go…" I whispered between laughter, "…dies."
Then—
bloodlust.
My instincts exploded.
Someone was behind me.
I spun instantly, both guns raised as killing intent flooded my body.
And I fired.