WHOOOSH!

I begin racing forward, not stopping despite how much my body screams for rest and how great the pain spreading through my body has grown. The festering sensation of exhaustion continues to increase, and I am already out of breath the moment I start running.

But, I know…

"I can't stop now! Not when I'm so close…!"

Although it appears my body is on the verge of shutting down, I have to keep moving.

One step at a time.

As I look ahead, watching the crimson rain of needle-like blades rushing at me, despair tries to seep into my heart. Each of those thin spikes is over a meter long, with sharp edges and a pointy tip. I cannot even begin to count their absurd numbers, but if I were to estimate…

'… Almost a hundred thousand!'

All of these fill the air, and they descend from above, while also firing directly at me from the Crimson Direwolf Emperor's crouched body.

It's clear that the beast is tired.

It hasn't fought for thousands of years, and I'm sure it has never been seriously injured before.

I can only imagine its exhaustion after our intense battle.

But this is good!

It means I'll be able to win once I can overcome this hurdle—though it's easier said than done.

I need to traverse hundreds of meters while cutting through the spikes and also watching out for any other attacks that either the Crimson Direwolf Emperor or the hidden Ciel could inflict on me if I show any vulnerability.

I'm walking on a thin line here, and any wrong move would spell my doom.

But—

"Hehehe… hahaha!"

What is this confidence that swirls in me?

I can't explain it.

My heart races with an indescribable excitement despite the great deal of pain I am experiencing and the agony that is bound to come.

Why?

Why am I laughing right now?

I have no answer, but I simply brandish my blade and continue marching forward despite the crimson rain that stains everything in my line of sight.

"Superior Aditi Martial Technique…" I whisper, strengthening my body with every ounce of concentration I can muster.

The rain finally reaches me, and my desperation intensifies.

"First Cycle… Second Cycle… Third Cycle…"

I hack at the incoming blades, using golden light to destroy several, but more just replace them and continue to overwhelm me from all sides. Naturally, some of the spikes slip through my offensive maneuvers, and my golden raiment helps to protect me from them.

If I had deactivated it, I would have suffered incredible damage—not only from the injuries, but also from the poison that the needles carry.

Looking at the ground and how rotten it has become from the needles piercing it, it's not difficult to conclude that they possess corrosive elements. If even one grazes me, I will certainly feel the effects, even if I don't die.

WHOOOSH!

I tear through the bombardment with the last of the stockpiled energy, forcing Golden Dawn to enter into energy-saving mode.

The energy clinging to my body reduces in size and intensity, only concentrated on protecting my most vital parts. The brilliance of the blade also dulls considerably, leaving mere embers to burn in place of the sheer brilliance it previously displayed.

But I cannot complain.

Right now, I am using up the innate energy of this Armament.

It's like using its existence as fuel.

The more time passes, the further this weapon degenerates, which will undoubtedly affect its grade. That isn't good, not just for future use, but for my current predicament.

B Grade Armaments easily kill Cadre 3 Magivores.

A Grade Armaments are recommended for killing Cadre 4 Magivores.

S Grade Armaments are good for killing Cadre 5 Magivores.

For Cadre 6… You need a Divine Relic!

I have to hurry!

If this Armament falls below its current threshold, I won't be able to slay this Cadre 6 Sovereign.

WHOOOSH!

My body has become slower, but I continue to hack at the endless crimson rain, making my advance step by step. Even though I am covering a small distance—inch by inch—I continue to move without stopping for even a moment.

SWISH!

One of the needles grazes my body, and I feel the immediate effects of the poison in my body.

I nearly cough out blood, but I swallow it.

I endure!

"Persevere, Javier!" I scream out. "You must persevere!"

Just like that, continuously advancing that way, I finally reach the Crimson Direwolf Emperor while panting. I witness the furless beast also panting, and a broad grin dots my features.

"Hehehe… Long time no see!"

Exhausted, I raise my blade and prepare to strike.

But, I immediately notice its tail flashing with crimson lightning. With swift motion, I dodge the attack, even kicking one of the heads in the line of the attack.

Much to my surprise, the head suffers incredible damage, and a loud scream pierces everything.

'Ohhh…!'

My eyes widen in realization.

'It must have lost its insulation after sacrificing its fur for that final attack.'

The Crimson Direwolf Emperor's exposed skin is dark pink, and its pathetic frame resembles a featherless chicken. I gaze upon its tail and notice how charred it appears. Although it didn't have insulation, it still resorted to a lightning strike so it could eliminate me.

Too bad it failed.

Too bad it even ended up injuring itself in the process.

Too bad…?

No!

This is too good!

I immediately pour a great deal of energy into my blade and, with a powerful swing, slice off the second head of the Crimson Direwolf Emperor.

"HOWWWWLLL!!!"

The world trembles, and my exhausted body feels vibrations down to my bones.

But I won't be stopping now.

There's just one head left—one more, and this whole charade is over!

"Let me ease your pain…!" I charge with unbridled passion, feeling excitement mixed with sheer bloodlust coursing through my body.

However, before I can strike the creature, it jumps away and begins to flee.

'Damnit!' My eyes instantly bulge. 'It's retreating! This is bad…'

Although the Crimson Direwolf Emperor and I have relative speed, its larger body clearly gives it the advantage in terms of distance covered. Of course, because of its injuries, it is much slower than before.

However, I am also slower due to my exhaustion.

I have also been poisoned, and I can feel the effects taking their toll on me. Frontflow is aggravating the effects, increasing the speed at which it spreads.

I can't allow this to go on for much longer—I need to end this now!

"Then—!"

A sharp glint forms in my eye as I tightly wield my blade as a javelin and focus squarely on my target destination. Putting all of my strength into the thrust, I pour out the remnant golden energy that I can possibly muster and finally release it.

VWUUUUM!

The blade traverses the distance in no time at all, tearing through the desolate space while piercing the last head with its intense brilliance.

The instant there is impact, a loud explosion filled with golden radiance erupts.

Everything is doused in the color.

The ground shakes as a heavy thud echoes within the field, and although I am tempted to crumble from the exhaustion, I continue to walk forward—one step at a time.

Until, at long last, I reach the fallen beast.

Firstly, I retrieve my blade lodged within its mangled hide.

Then, I confirm what I have been striving so hard for throughout this hour.

"Ahh…!"

An air of relief courses through my trembling lips.

I did it!

I killed this impossible monster.

On this day, history has been made once more.

The Cadre 6 Sovereign Beast-type Magivore—Crimson Direwolf Emperor—finally experienced its first defeat and perished.

And it is all thanks to the efforts of one man…

… Me!

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