Netsu and Hiyoko moved like lightning, cutting through the level 180 players attempting to reinforce the encirclement. Each strike was calculated, not just to kill the weaker players, but to create gaps that Kara and Salim could exploit.
Yet, even as they fought, Sora remained helpless, forced to watch as Kara battled the 'Super' Orc.
The [Sword Manifestation]—her ethereal swordswoman—clashed with the massive orc, each blow shaking the battlefield. It was reinforced by her [Sword Intent: Time] making each blow more powerful and impossible to dodge. However, despite such breathtaking techniques, she couldn't to break through the fused enemy's defenses.
'Her life force… her time energy… she's burning through it too fast.'
Abbott's voice broke through Sora's thoughts. "Do you see now?" His tone was mocking. "Your friends won't last much longer."
Sora did his best to ignore the demon's taunts and focused on trying to break free, while watching the battles.
The summoning of Salim's royal guards was canceled.
'Salim recalled his guards!'
Salim stood mid-air, his golden aura growing more powerful.
'He harvested his remaining guards power and stats.' Sora understood.
Salim's level rose to 192 and his power seemed to double.
But it wasn't enough. It was far from enough.
With his guards gone, Salim became the main target. The two level 230 dwarves he had faced for a while wasted no time. They struck him down, overwhelming him after a few blows. Unable to counter properly, Salim was forced into full defense, surrounding himself with layer upon layer of sand barriers.
Abbott simply laughed, watching the chaos unfold. Then, a new voice reached Sora's ears..
Norj.
The Dark Elf appeared beside Abbott. "What are you doing?" he asked, irritation lacing his voice.
Abbott didn't even glance at him. "None of your business."
Norj's expression twisted. "This isn't what we agreed on. I was supposed to eliminate him, not let you play around with him."
Abbott finally looked at him, amused. "And if you're so eager for revenge, why don't you start with the girl? I remember she was involved in your daughter's death."
Norj's gaze flickered toward Kara, his expression dark. But he didn't move. "She isn't the main culprit," he muttered. "She will be dealt with in time… but I want to deal with Ralph Eden first."
"Don't forget the bigger picture. We're wasting too much time here and need to move fast in order to deal with the other human threats." Norj added.
Abbott frowned but remained silent. He was clearly annoyed, but understood his ally's words.
Sora was puzzled, 'What are they talking about? Who is this Dark Elf avenging?'
Dismissing his thoughts, Sora's focus returned to Kara. His chest tightened.
Her [Sword Manifestation] flickered.
Her once-powerful technique began to waver. More importantly—Kara herself looked… aged. Her skin was pale, her life force nearly depleted.
She was out of time.
Before the enemy could press their advantage, two flashes of light materialized beside her.
Netsu and Hiyoko.
The two familiars defended her with everything they had, buying precious seconds. Sora, still pinned under Abbott's foot, reached out with his mind.
'Kara, Salim. Listen carefully.'
His thought transmission was met with silence.
Kara's conflicted eyes met his. She didn't want to leave him behind.
'Go,' Sora urged. 'Now!'
A moment passed. Then, as if accepting his decision, Kara moved. At that exact moment, Netsu and Hiyoko struck.
Above them, a giant dice materialized, spinning wildly in the sky.
Sora's heart clenched.
'Hiyoko's ultimate technique…'
[Roll The Dice].
The numbers blurred as the dice rotated at impossible speeds before coming to a sudden halt.
100!
The number was written on all sides. The sky lit up. Blinding light flooded the battlefield, swallowing everything.
The effect was immediate. The explosion, however, didn't deal any damage. It scattered and locked on every individual on the battlefield..
Every player was affected in different ways.
Some were disoriented, some paralyzed, others simply fainted. And in that instant of chaos, Netsu unleashed his own ultimate ability.
[Supernova].
Sora shut his eyes, focusing his senses.
'Hiyoko…'
Sora recalled his familiar in her dimension, his heart aching as he felt her weakened state. She had pushed herself to the brink.
And then, he started feeling the changes. The crushing weight of Abbott's aura disappeared.
A foreign energy surrounded Sora. An overwhelming surge of… luck. It filled his body, not with strength, but with confidence, as if fate itself had shifted in his favor.
At the same time, he felt Salim vanish from his position.
Kara shot through the battlefield, darting toward Seoul through one of the gaps Netsu and Hiyoko had created.
Abbott sneezed, and his footing faltered—just slightly. His balance wavered, as if his own body had betrayed him.
Sora's restraints crumbled. The demonic energy paralyzing his body had also dissipated. He moved instantly. Regenerating his lost limbs in a flash, he reappeared in front of the two level 230 dwarves who had been attacking Salim.
Their movements were sluggish, still disoriented by the effects of the dice. Without hesitation, Sora's blade struck. The dwarves didn't even have time to react.
Two clean beheadings.
The luck surrounding him faded slightly.
Sora looked around, his heart pounding. 'Hiyoko… To think you'd be the one to make this possible.'
But the battle wasn't over.
Two level 260 enemies rushed him at once. But instead of focusing on them, Sora moved to his next targets.
Instead of reaching him, they collided mid-air, their movements lacking coordinations, and unusually clumsy. Another effect of the dice.
Sora stared at the Super Orc. Or at least… what remained of it. The fusion had malfunctioned.
Unable to keep their powerful form, the orcs were in the middle of their separation process.
'They are at their weakest! It's now or never!' Sora struck.
One swift slash and three severed heads.
'All players blocking Kara's escape had fallen.' Sora thought as he took in his surroundings.
The rest were still desperately trying to defend themselves against Netsu's [Supernova].
Sora focused on his [Soul Link], locking onto Kara's presence. She was far. She had almost reached Seoul.
He recalled the remnants of his phoenix and started flying in another direction to force his opponents away from Kara.
But then—A hand grabbed onto his back. Instantly, his body froze.
A notification flashed before his eyes.
[You are unable to move for 3 seconds.]
He didn't need to turn around to know who was behind him.
'Norj.'
And just as his mind processed that fact, he sensed something else.
Abbott had reappeared, directly in front of Kara.
'No! She was so close!' He thought, panicking. She was so close. But not close enough.
Despair settled in Sora's chest as he realized Kara hadn't made it in time.
'Kara!' Sora sent her a message through their [Soul Link].
'Sora... I'll be fine and will wait for your return.'
Feeling the sadness and overwhelming emotion coming from Sora, she added, 'Don't be in a hurry to avenge me...Take your time.'
Remembering Sora's promise, she continued, 'Let's get married in our own world...'
Before he could answer, Sora felt his [Soul Link] breaking...
Sora's eyes turned red as he was not allowed to rebel or grieve. Before he could process the information, Sora immediately felt Salim's aura reappearing and ... disappearing just as quickly.
Sarsha's aura appeared at the same time, and he could also sense millions of players from the Neo Carthage Kingdom appearing where Salim had disappeared...
'That Demon is going to massacre them...'
However, something unexpected happened. The pressure on his neck disappeared and he felt Norj's aura appearing to stop Abbott's deadly strike.
Sora ignored his survival instincts and instantly appeared near Seoul to try saving Sarsha and the remaining citizens of his friend's kingdom.
He was shocked to find Abbott locked in battle with Norj who was protecting a familiar figure...
"Get away from my daughter, Abbott!"
The Demon laughed out loud, "I don't care about your daughter. Move and let me wipe the ants behind her. If she stands between me and them, I won't hold back."
Sora could see the tears on countless faces as they weeped instead of trying to protect their lives.
The people of Neo Carthage stood frozen in despair. Some clutched their loved ones, while others stared at the floating demon with hatred.
Sarsha stood in front of the powerless, and sovereignless citizens of Neo-Carthage.
Tears streamed down her face, her body trembling. The moment she had appeared, she knew. She could feel the absence of Kara's presence, her familiar aura vanishing in an instant. She didn't need confirmation—her friend had left this world.
Her lips trembled as she tried to steady her breathing. But her hands, tightly clenched into fists, betrayed her sadness and anger.
"Dad, I beg you. Please tell me you did not eliminate my friend..."
Norj was confused, "What are you talking about? Can't you read the situation? This Demon King will go all out if you insist on protecting the humans behind you..."
Sarsha ignored the latter part and asked back, "Did you kill Kara? Or was it that demon?"
Norj's confusion didn't lessen but he shook his head, "I was going to kill her to avenge you, but I didn't give the killing blow."
Sarsha heaved a sigh of relief and wiped the tears streaming down her face, "Please, dad. Help these people return safely. I know humans are our enemies, but these people are innocent."
Sora, hearing the conversation, connected the dots...
'So Norj is Sarsha's father, and came to avenge her so he entered an alliance with the other races who were going after us.'
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