Chapter 623

Even while being dragged, Ian looked up at Archeas. Below the horns that rose like a crown, two pairs of sharply slit eyes were revealed. They were smooth and pupil-less, but Archeas could feel his gaze. Their eyes met for only an instant.

—To break... the flow!

A voice laced with fury rumbled low. Rakhmah, which had been tumbling, was getting up, slamming its stake into the ground like a staff.

Gooooo...

Through the haze of searing heat, its caved-in skull came into view. The blackened flesh twitched and pulsed, the dent already knitting itself back together. Its blazing blue eyes glared at Archeas.

Swoosh!

Without warning, the creature spun and charged straight at Ian. As its tail whipped around, the chain Ian was gripping yanked him forward, dragging him as if he were being swallowed whole. The tentacles anchoring him to the ground had grown long and thick, yet even they couldn’t withstand a dragon’s strength.

Of course, Archeas did not just sit and watch. It launched itself forward, bursting through the air, and rammed straight into Rakhmah. Archeas’s head slammed into the creature's flank faster than it could reach Ian.

Clash!

A shockwave erupted with flashing lightning. Rakhmah was sent staggering sideways.

—Ian, hold on!

As it forced the Heaven Defier back, Archeas roared out. Dragged helplessly along behind the two dragons, Ian clenched his sharp teeth.

Easy for you to say.

It wasn’t just a matter of holding on. The pressure of chaos was surging through the chain itself, and he had to withstand that as well.

The clashing chaos was even burning away, as if neutralized. Just maintaining this state consumed a significant amount of his own. If Archeas hadn't unleashed another wave of chaos, he wouldn't have lasted long.

Zap!

Violet sparks flashed from the chain. In any case, the chaos power he was pouring in was successfully disrupting Heaven Defier’s magic. That alone was enough to tip the balance.

"-----!"

The Platinum Dragon let out a ferocious roar and began savagely pummeling the Heaven Defier. It swung the stake like a club, slashed with its claws, and even drove its folded, blade-like wings down in brutal strikes.

Crack! Crash!

Despite being far larger, the Heaven Defier could hardly fight back. All it could do was block Archeas’s blows, struggling to shake it off before it could climb atop.

—That thing's power seems endless... I want it.

Showing your greed at a time like this?

Ian stifled a dry laugh at Yog's whisper and hugged the chain tighter. He wrapped his arms tighter around the chain, shoving more chaos into it even as he was dragged wildly back and forth by the Heaven Defier’s thrashing tail.

—Same as ever, Archeas! Utterly despicable!

The Heaven Defier growled. It was now covered in scratches, tears, and dents.

—From the moment you abandoned being a dragon, Rakhmah, there’s been no honor left between us!

Archeas shouted without ceasing its assault. Despite having the upper hand, its movements and voice held a strange urgency. Of course, Ian already knew why.

—Time to brace yourself, friend. We’re close to the limit.

At Yog’s whisper, Ian's gaze finally dropped. The chain connected to the Heaven Defier’s shackle was now covered in violet cracks. The waves from the clashing chaos were clearly eating away at the chain's durability. It wasn't made to withstand this, so it was an expected result.

Though I doubt a metal that could endure this even exists.

He looked back up at the dragons.

Thud!

The Platinum Dragon had climbed onto Rakhmah’s back, pinning the creature’s head down with its left hand. Its hind claws dug deep into Rakhmah’s abdomen, and its wings slammed down to restrain the thrashing ones beneath.

Crunch!

It was clearly trying to drive the stake back into the hole in Heaven Deifer’s chest. That wouldn’t be enough to subdue it completely, but it might buy the time needed to tear out its heart.

I hope it can do it without my help.

Ian pulled his tentacles from the ground and wrapped them around himself. The cracks racing along the chain flared, glowing blindingly bright.

Zip-zap! Boom!

The chains shattered and exploded just as the tentacles closed fully around Ian like a flower bud.

Swoosh—

Ian was blasted backward, tumbling through the air. Even then, through the bud’s layers, he sensed the chaos swelling around him and the surge of blue light boiling up from every inch of the Heaven Defier.

Fwoosh...

A pillar of searing blue fire erupted next, swallowing both the Heaven Defier and the Platinum Dragon in a blinding blaze. The air within the cavern ignited in an instant, and Ian, flung back by the blast, was caught in yet another shockwave.

It's already in its hidden boss state.

Even as his expression twisted from the heat, Ian’s eyes tracked the massive figure hurled away by the explosion.

Thud, thud, thud—

It was the Platinum Dragon. The surrounding flames flickered and turned violet as it tumbled across the ground, the force of the strike leaving it visibly battered.

Clash!

Ian then smashed into the bone pile at the edge of the tomb. Even as he rolled like a ball, he could see the ceiling of the cavern shrouded in a roaring blue inferno. Beyond that wavering heat lay the great seal of this underground chamber.

Rumble...

He finally came to a stop beneath a cascade of dragon bones, not that the impact meant much to him now.

—Someone really lost their temper this time.

That wasn’t the problem.

Ignoring Yog’s whisper, Ian spread his tentacles wide. The bones that had buried him scattered and clattered into the air as the thick tentacles tore through them.

Crack, crack—

The tentacles struck deep into the ground, lifting Ian upward. Beyond the bones, the cavern unfolded before his eyes.

Rumble—

The fire pillar had faded, but blue flames still licked across the domed ceiling, lighting the cavern in a furious glow. They swirled violently, heating the air until it shimmered, while the dying embers fell like rain across the battlefield.

—Perhaps I should thank you.

In the center of the heat, Rakhmah rose, azure fire on its horns and wings. Flames poured from beneath its feet, spreading like molten lava.

—For finally setting me completely free!

It threw back its head, blue eyes blazing, and roared at the ceiling. The scorching heat became a gale that swept outward.

Whooom—

The entire cavern shook as if it would collapse. Ian, braced on his tentacles, staggered. He fixed his gaze on the waves of fire spreading from the Heaven Defier’s feet.

—If we fight up there, we’ll roast in no time.

Whispered Yog.

No kidding.

Ian growled under his breath. Whatever this was, it wasn’t something that existed in the game. The battlefield had become a sea of fire—some classes wouldn’t even stand a chance against it.

Maybe it's a state that only activates for the hidden boss...

Ian’s thought was cut short.

"------!"

The Platinum Dragon’s roar split the air. Ian turned his head. Archeas was getting up. It was rising again, empty-handed, crackling with violet lightning and chaos.

Swoosh—

A stormy wave of violet lightning burst out. It neutralized the heat in the chamber and extinguished the remnants of azure flame. Ian let the wave wash over him. His depleted chaos power recovered, but only for a moment.

Crack!

He felt a sudden sting. It was enough to make his eyes twitch.

—You felt that, didn’t you? It’s broken.

Yog confirmed.

Just as I thought.

The scale that had acted as a conduit had shattered. Though Archeas’s chaos hadn’t turned hostile, the flow had stopped; the recovery no longer sped up.

He opened his maw and took a deep breath.

At least it’s not completely cut off.

He could still sense a faint recovery. One of his tentacles extended outward, coiling around a rib-like bone for support as he turned back to the battlefield.

Kwaaaaa...

In the distance, the Heaven Defier came into view. It had taken the wave with its head held high. A cold, bluish glow flickered across its skull.

Then it lowered its head toward the Platinum Dragon. The blue light in its maw flared.

Ian's eyes widened.

Swoosh—

It unleashed its azure breath. Archeas twisted aside, violet barriers of force flaring into being before the oncoming storm of fire.

The blue flames smashed against the violet barrier, flaring wildly as they clawed upward. Within seconds, every layer of the barrier shattered in just enough time for the Platinum Dragon to kick off the ground.

Fwoosh—

The blue flames shot past where Archeas had been. It twisted midair near the tomb’s edge, turning sharply as the Heaven Defier’s blazing breath chased close behind.

As Ian watched, Yog's whisper came.

—It's coming this way. You're thinking what I'm thinking, right, Friend?

Of course.

Ian bent the tentacles supporting him, gripping the bone another had brought. He then realized they weren't the only ones with that idea.

—Ian!

Archeas shouted as it flew in, lowering altitude and speed. Ian flung out his tentacles in response.

Swoosh—

His body shot upward like an arrow. Whether he liked it or not, he had to latch onto the Platinum Dragon. Otherwise, he’d be vaporized by the coming breath.

Archeas’s vast wings swept beneath him just as the torrent of flame roared past.

Whoosh—

Even as the wind from its wings threatened to tear him apart, Ian hurled his tentacles forward. Their hooked ends sank into the dragon’s wing membrane, barbed and biting deep like anchors. In the next instant, the pull wrenched him through the air, and he crashed into the dragon’s wing with bone-rattling force.

However, the Platinum Dragon sped up. The azure breath was already catching up to them.

—Hold on just a little longer!

At Archeas’s command, Ian drove his remaining tentacles into the dragon’s wings for support. It probably stung, but now wasn’t the time to worry about that.

Crunch, crack!

Ian drove his claws in next, sinking them deep beside the hooked nails of his left hand. Adjusting his stance, he tightened his grip on the dragon’s bone in his right hand. His forked tongue slipped between his teeth as he exhaled, then lashed his tentacles forward one by one, pulling himself up along the Platinum Dragon’s back.

Instead of glancing at the blinding heat and light spreading behind him, his eyes followed the vast, pale form unfolding beneath his feet.

Looks like it still hasn’t completely broken free of its shackles.

Ian’s four eyes narrowed. The once-white scales that shimmered gold when infused with magic now looked faint and ashen, tainted by violet chaos. Its wings and legs had grown larger, the horns sweeping from its head branching like lightning bolts.

Even if it wasn’t fully transformed, few would still see the sacred Platinum Dragon, the saint of the Church, in this creature now.

Crack, crackle...

Shattered scales and scorched flesh were already knitting back together, healing at an astonishing rate. There was no doubt that it was absorbing more chaos power in the process.

—You two make a lovely pair.

Yog’s casual whisper spread.

Shut up,

Ian spat internally, moving toward Archeas's neck.

Crunch...

Just like when he’d fought Tahumrit, the scales were layering and rising at an angle, forming a natural saddle that was higher than before.

𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Snap!

Reaching the front edge of the scaled saddle, Ian shoved his left hand into a narrow gap. The scales closed in, locking his hand firmly in place. His claws and tentacles dug into the seams, rooting themselves for support. He let the dragon’s bone dangle from his right hand and steadied his balance.

—Lean down and hold tight.

The Platinum Dragon’s low voice rumbled through him. Ian glanced back—the blinding azure breath was fading.

Swoosh—

A heartbeat later, the Platinum Dragon veered sharply from its circling path. It was turning straight toward the Heaven Defier. The fading flame of its breath drew closer along its flank, and the violet hue running through its body grew darker, more vivid.

Rumble! Rumble!

As the chaos wrapping him began to resonate, Ian lowered himself behind the saddle.

Kwararrrr—

Azure flame poured over the dragon’s left wing. Even as its breath weakened, the blaze surged again, engulfing its entire form. The fire couldn’t break through the violet chaos, but the heat still reached Ian, clinging behind the saddle.

—Brace yourself.

As Yog whispered, the blinding flames subsided. Violet smoke billowed, but Ian stayed down. It wasn't just because of Yog's warning.

Grrr...

High above, through the thick veil of smoke, a pair of blazing blue eyes suddenly pierced the haze, drawing closer by the second.

Without slowing in the slightest, the Platinum Dragon slammed straight into the Heaven Defier’s torso.