The Floating Island – The Trap Begins
The crowd didn't panic. Most of the clan leaders and royals didn't consider the golden barrier much of a threat.
With a scoff, Fafner stood up from his seat, laughing arrogantly.
"This man's quite the comedian. But now, his time is over. Allow me to escort him to hell."
Another clan head rose beside him, preparing to act.
Meanwhile, Deep in the Forest of the Dead
Leon Agniverta's royal carriage rattled through the twisted trees as they approached the edge of the Dragon Kingdom.
The wind carried an eerie silence.
Back on the Island
Alex laughed.
"Hell? You'll give me hell, dear king?"
He smirked darkly.
"I was joking, Fafner. It's not what you think."
Fafner felt a pang of confusion. The barrier's activation had seemed like a prank at first.
How could the stolen artifact return? he thought.
And even if it did… it was just a defensive tool. A shield for dragons. Nothing more.
But Alex's eyes gleamed.
Fools. They don't know a thing about that artifact.
The artifact obeys the user's will. It doesn't just protect—it traps. It seals magic itself.
They're already caught. Insects, fluttering in a jar.
"Orochi," Alex whispered.
At once, his disguise faded.
Alex returned to his real form.
Gasps echoed.
Fafner and the clan heads stared in disbelief.
The crowd murmured—
"What's happening?"
"Why did he change?"
"Is this part of the ceremony…?"
"Wait… are the clan heads—afraid?"
Confusion spread among the people like wildfire.
The clan leaders didn't hesitate. With murderous intent, they rushed toward Alex.
They tried.
But couldn't move.
Alex's aura alone choked their breath.
"Surprised?" he said, grinning.
"Can't use magic, can you?"
He laughed, dark and cruel.
Lars snarled, barely breathing, "Demon… you filthy—!"
Shelly's face twisted with hatred. "You bastard…"
Luck's face was pale, torn between fear and disbelief.
The clan heads looked around, stunned and ashamed.
Only one man managed to move—an oni, trembling but fueled by rage.
"It's the same pressure that bound us that day!" he growled.
"I can move for ten minutes. That's all I need to kill this bastard!"
The Wind Clan's leader nodded solemnly.
"Do it. End him quickly."
Behind him, the other clan heads nodded in grim agreement.
Even Fafner smiled, believing the oni would tear Alex apart.
But Alex only laughed harder.
"Kill me? You?" he whispered.
"Who gave you the right?"
He closed his eyes briefly.
In the next instant—SWOOSH—he moved.
One punch.
Just one.
The oni crashed at Alex's feet, gasping, unable to rise.
"Haah… Haah…" he wheezed, blood dripping from his mouth.
The clan heads froze in horror.
Fafner's smile vanished.
Alex's voice thundered across the golden space.
"You arrested me?" he roared.
"You betrayed me, didn't you?"
"You hypocrites. Filthy, delusional cowards. LOOK at your place currently!"
"Now watch—your kin, your loved ones, dying before your eyes…"
"…until you beg for death or crawl toward mercy."
He turned toward the edge of the floating island.
Toward the massive crowd gathered beneath.
A cold command left his lips.
"LunarMoon Nemtoda…"
A beat of hush.
"Devour."